New Age Alternative Belief Books

truly ahead of his time. this man brings every bit of his humanity to all that he writes. his work in the world is so profound...there are not words. i use the word 'awesome' with all the wonder one can muster.

how can i review the book if i have not one? i thought i was conducting me to be eligible for receiving an evaluation copy or so...

great book, you need to have more study of basic Kabbalah to understand its depth

It's probably impossible to create a guide to each and every single NeoPagan path and tradition, but Telesco certainly make a worthy effort.

In Part One, Telesco looks at the pros and cons of both solitary and group practice and offers advice on finding a group and even changing paths. Part Two makes up the bulk of the book. This section is set up alphabetically, by the name of the given tradition, and includes most of the well known Wiccan traditions such Gardnerian, Alexandrian, 1734, Seax-Wica, Dianic, and Georgian. Large organizations and churches such as ADF, Church of All Worlds, Circle, CUUPS, and Correllian Nativist are also represented. Spiritual paths like Appalachian Folk Magic, Kitchen Witchcraft, and Discordianism are featured as well. But the real treasure in this book is found in the traditions you've probably never heard of, traditions like Cybeline, Minoan, Mohsian, and Ophidian.

The biggest problem with this book is that it's mostly about Wiccan spirituality. While Druidry gets some attention too, Reconstruction groups are clumped together under Asatru, Celtic Recon, Heathen, and Hellenism, as if all Celtic Reconstruction, for example, were the same.

Telesco gives us a buffet, of sorts. This is a fine reference book, especially for those primarily interested in Wicca, but it's just the tip of the iceberg.

Being new to the Neo-Pagan and New Age types of religion, I had simply been wandering around the metaphysial section of my local Border's when I came across this book. I knew at that time of no general books for someone not knowing exactly what religion to pursue, so I wanted information on the different denominations of Pagan and Wiccan religions.

I expressed an interest to a close and open-minded friend, who gladly bought it for me as a gift. I opened it when I got home and have never been the same. It gave a brief description of each religion, written by a member of that religion, and left many resources for those interested. It helped me narrow down the path I was to take, and helped me choose between solitary practice and joining a coven.

All in all this book is a splendid book for new and experienced pagans, as well as all religions as an informational resource.

Yours Always,
Dreamweaver

I would recommend this for some one looking to explore some of Thoreau without tripping over some of his verboeness. He has great pearls of wisdom for which you must hunt in his full works. Mind you that is worth it. However, this books has many all in one to view quickly. Also a great book to get the meditative juices flowing.

It is obvious that the present day photographer, John Dugdale, has been greatly influenced by the 19th century Transcendentalist writer, Henry David Thoreau. In this superb book of Dugdale's photographs and selections from Thoreau's journals, it is as if the writings were done specifically for the images, not over 100 years previously.

Dugdale has, for many years, been one of my favorite photographers. He uses a process for printing his photographs called cyanotype which was invented during the time that Thoreau lived and worked. The wonderful elegance and simplicity of his subjects and images fits perfectly with Thoreau's philosophies of life. Dugdale, because of HIV, is 80% blind, but, somehow, uses what sight he has combined with a pure spirituality and sight beyond the physical to create images of rare beauty.

So, we see a single rose alongside these words of Thoreau: "Love is the burden of all Nature's odes..." A still-life of flowers, two birds, which may be made of milk glass, and a human hand are viewed with Thoreau's "Perhaps what most moves us in winter is some reminiscence of far-off summer...;" a solitary man with one hand against an old, tall tree by a pond and a field are perfect for Thoreau's "Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each..." And perhaps most moving of all, part of the back of a nude man is used with Thoreau's "My life was ecstasy. In youth, before I lost any of my senses, I can remember that I was all alive, and inhabited my body with inexpressible satisfaction..."

The book begins with two short, wonderfully written appreciations of the artists by Frank Crocitto.

This collection is magnificent beyond any contemporary words. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

This book is full of useful information for both indian and wiccan uses of crystals. The encyclopedia is a must for creating indian arts and crafts.

This book is not worth one star.

Ms. Elsbeth implies this book is authentic indian stone medicine.

It is NOT. If you want Native American or new age material; look elsewhere than reading this conglomeration and getting confused.

Page xii-xiii: "The stone people - the earth angels, devas, dwarves, elves" _| The Indians worked with the stone people and the little people. Devas, dwarves and elves are Celtic of origin.

Page xvi: "The Celts left their tracks literaly etched in stone in the Ancient Celtic alphabet called Ogham". _|What does the Druid alphabet have to do with crystal healing?

Page xix: "The South American rainforest, our main source of oxygen" _|What does THIS have to do with crystal medicine? Furthermore; I am all in favor of preserving the rainforests, but the rainforests are NOT the primary source of oxygen. Trees only produce oxygen during daylight hours. They use oxygen during hours of darkness, and trees are dormant part of the year. Trees are a further oxygen depletion system when leaves decompose. The real source of oxygen is from the oceans (this will not win friends and influence people, but it's true).

Page 3: "The Lakota address the Great Spirit as Tunkashila" _| Only part of the Lakota. The more common name is Wakan Tanka.

Page 3: There is the Yuwipi ceremony which uses the power inherent in the sacred stones." Ms. Elsbeth has confused the Inipi ceremony with the Yuwipi ceremony.

Page 57: There is an illustration of the seven chakras. The chart is incorrect.

Page 79: the author goes into palmistry.

Page 99: the author (tries) to show an illistration of the meridians. She shows a few accupuncture points on the body (without showing ANY illustration of the meridians. Furthermore; the Chakra model, and meridian model are mutually exclusive. If the Chakra model were correct; then accupuncture could not work.

The ONLY redeeming quality of this book is the 16 pages of color photos between page 168 and 169.

Mahalo. Two Bears

...and generally accomplishing it.

This is a book that has blended eastern, western, and New World practise with crystals into a unique product. Nonetheless, the author does imply that the matter at hand is largely of native lore and with some Pagan influence. This book has altered my outlook on stones a bit, and therefore may open some other eyes as well. This is one book that may be read with a grain of salt, but it still includes some great information. In addition to the commonly addressed minerals, Elspeth goes on to include some others that are rarely discussed. More research should be undertaken by the reader before working with all of these minerals, however. Several of them (such as autunite) are potentially toxic and/or radioactive. Care should always be taken to know what you are using. Always double check metaphysical references with mineralogical or geological ones!

In this book i truly felt "left out in the cold?"..maybe, but, it seems that the author left out a lot of info that seemed to be left out in the book that should have been in there. There were some great info on each stone..however, it left you wanting more but you just couldnt find it and just left you empty. Now as for "American Indian medicine" with stones i just couldnt see it anywhere close, and some of her info were misleading. Anyways, readers looking for healing within the stones should pick up a better book like "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic" which is the best so far you'll get tons of info from that book than this one.

I do have to agree with the previous reviewer, in that the book lacked direction and motivation in the beginning pages; but the Stone Encyclopedia included in it has been a great asset to me in finding quick information about certain stones. A valuable book for a collection, but I would recommend it only as a reference tool.

to learn about Kabbalah. I've read it around 3 years ago and became curious to learn more. The knowledge that I have received and USED since then has transformed my life. I still have the same spouse of 9 years - not my desired soul mate, I must confess. But I've changed and learned how NOT to be reactive, of how to USE the tools Kabbalah has to offer, etc. Why am I writing it is here as a review? Simple. This book started the journey - it had that power over me, it is that interesting! I've read it non-stop cover to cover in one day!

I have just recently started studying the Kabbalah. Although I am 30 and tradition says to wait until 40 to delve into the Kabbalah, I have found this book to answer many of the spiritual questions that I have had most of my life as a "religious" person. This book will help you make sense of your life, explain why bad things happen, and will serve as a guide to explore your soul. I have not found a better book on reincarnation. Buy this book now!! It is worth it!!

Britney Spears was pictured reading this book poolside whilst staying at an hotel in Miami at the beginning of April 2004.

In short, this book is practical, simple, yet very deep. It's been about 5 years since I have read this book, and it has only steered my life to positivity, self-realization, and happiness. It's been 5 years! And all of a sudden I feel compelled to right this review, while surfing on the Web - Why? Maybe to repay the good it has give me.

After reading the reviews in this section I purchased this book. Though I think the topic is great and the book has some good points, I am quite at a loss as to why it's so well received. The author seems to know his subject and did adequate research, but I found both his writing style and his own thinking and conclusions to be obtuse and not worth the time it takes to read (search vainly) for them.
He seems to like to hear himself think, often using long wording and passive language that makes one wonder what is his point and what is his personal view. So, I'm not convinced because he doesn't seem to say things clearly enough that you even know why he's talking about what he's talking about.
Also, he starts to use Astrological signs to make some of his Kabbalistic (?) points. It's very possible that my level of spiritual development keeps me from absorbing all the book offers, the depth of his thinking. But the point is to write in a way that as many people as possible can get the message, right? Let's just say that at least one person really didn't get much out of it.

What a rare opportunity to see through someone's heart as beautiful as this author. He generously takes us through his life and teachings in order for us to live as we were intended.
Through beauty and purpose. I feel as if we are in a magnificent poem and if I am feeling off centered one moment than I can remember to see the poem. His meditations were extremely easy to get into and instantly expansive. I certainly resonate with "Beautiful Painted Arrow".