New Age Alternative Belief Books

I have read many books on mediumship, and this one is unique in that its focus is on healing grief. Inspirational and reassuring, it is clear Carole wrote this book for the reader.
The book is beautifully written and flows well. It well organized- with a section explaining the process of mediumship and the continuity of the spirit, a section with excerpts from readings (organized into chapters based on the loss of a parent, loss of a spouse or partner, etc.) and most uniquely, a section on the process of grief and how to get through it.
This is an important book. I highly recommend it for anyone struggling with the loss of a loved one, or even for anyone struggling with the concept of their own mortality.

I was moved by this beautifully written book. Carole allows her sensitivity and grace to shine through as she shares insights into the continuity of life that truly does exist after our physical life has ended. This book will be very beneficial to those who are grieving the loss of loved ones and can help those to heal by feeling that the connectedness to every living thing goes on forever. Carole is a gifted healer and medium and many will benefit from her work.
Linda Martin, Metaphysician
Belle Vernon, PA

In old films and books, psychic "mediums" sit in darkened rooms with groups circled around a table and conduct mysterious seances, channeling disembodied voices. As anyone who has seen the many recent films and television programs about the subject knows, the new group of mediums do their work in a very different way. They intuitively read messages from the other side in a conscious and expressive way, giving help and guidance in a way that seems very natural. Their work is extremely impressive in its accuracy and power, and no sceptic has been able to discount or rationally explain what they do, no matter how hard they have tried.

A personal reading with a medium such as Carole Obley can be a very powerful and uplifting experience. Her book is a personal account of the work she has done in this field, complete with a detailed and interesting description of how the process works and quite a few stories of how clients she has read for have used the process to help change and transform their lives. It is easy to read and a very good introduction to the subject. The ultimate value of both the book and the work is that things such as these can help open our eyes to an ordinarily unseen, but higher and enduring reality that is beyond death, and the higher truth that we are all connected by a Oneness that is greater than anything that can pass away in time.

This is a well-written, thoughtful book, and an enjoyable read. I now understand much better the nature of spiritual mediumship "from the inside." Ms. Obley is herself a spiritual medium and shares intriguing insight into the training, daily work, responsibilities and challenges of mediumship. More importantly, she provides abundant, compelling and fascinating evidence of the reality of life (and love) after death through numerous case studies taken from her own practice. One cannot help but also sense the genuine love and concern Ms. Obley has for all her clients. This is not a 'fluff' book -- it is all substance, and gives plenty of food for thought. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about this leading-edge subject. Move over, John Edward!

Losing a loved one is a painful, unavoidable life experience, but having reassurance that our loved ones live on and are still connected to us by love makes it bearable. I had a reading with Carole last fall, several months after my husband's death, and it has helped me begin a spiritual journey and level of acceptance that has been comforting beyond words. I read Carole's first book, which is good, but this one is better. The stories she relates are very similar to the reading I experienced, and it made me a believer - - in an afterlife, in consciousness after death, and certainly in Carole's ability to act as a conduit for messages from our loved ones.

Exhausted by the constant news driven by spoiled Hollywood types and D.C. politicians, I was looking for some connection with the Earth and my Native American heritage. I remember the feeling of visiting years ago the medicine wheel in Wyoming, and wanted to learn more.
In "Medicine Wheels" by Roy I Wilson, I found even more: a connection between the Native American beliefs and thos of both Jewish and Christian beliefs. Using the directions of the wheel, Wilson also brings in the fours colors of race (yellow, white, black and red), bringing them into concert.
The book did not cover completely my original desire to build a medicine wheel in my yard, but did give me insight into more of the meaning and much more than I expected of the philosophical point of view of those who turned to medicine wheels over time.
While I looked to the wheel as a place to find peace and connection with the earth,reading the book made me see the continuity of that desire - one which transcends location, race and religion, and ties us all together.
For those wishing to create a modern version as landscape, I also recomment "The Medicine Wheel Garden" by E. Barrie Kavasch. Conbining what I learned from both books, I have been able to create a wheel which seems to bring a sense of peacefulness to all who visit.

The author uses the book to note the similarities between Native American Medicine Wheel usage and the Hebrew and New Testaments. Comparisons are sometimes strained. Nonetheless, interesting food for thought.

This book is an enlightening book on the subject of Native American medicine wheels. The text includes in-depth discussion of the physical wheel itself as well as symbolic teachings associated with each part. Grandfather Wilson also relates the wheel to other similiar meditative representations in other spiritual traditions. A workbook to be used in creating and using a medicine wheel has also been written by Grandfather Wilson.

The content about the Gods & Goddesses in this book was pretty good, really well referenced and heaps of recommendations for further reading, I'm not sure on the accuracy of all the facts, but it seemed like a really good primer. On the negative side, I think it really should have been called celtic gods & goddesses FOR WICCANS. The author really wrote from a Wiccan perspective and suggested ways to celebrate the wiccan festivals in regards to the gods and goddesses, that detracted somewhat from it for me. But if that's what you're after, then its a good book!

This review is purposely overly harsh in an effort to achieve a counter-balance. In truth, it deals with one, inexcusible, chapter re: The Great Queen [i.e. The Morrighan]. He *really* fummbled the ball, here (and that's being generous!).

Having read nearly all of the books listed in these authors' Bibiography, I firmly disagree with their interpretations of The Morrighan, entirely. In essence, they seem to have been imposing their views onto the evidence at hand. Further insulting was the way in which they extended an olive branch to Medb in an effort to completely excuse Her from War-Goddess status. However, they refuse to extend the same grace to The Morrighan when, according to the Medieval concepot of war-fare [inter-tribal catle raids] Medb is more of a War-Goddess than The Morrighan will ever be!

Most scholars, today, seem to be referring to Her not as a War-Goddess, but as one of the following: Tutelary-/Sovereign-/Earth-Goddess. In fact, recent academic articles by one Maire Herbert have exploded this out-dated War-Goddess model as it's applied to The Morrighan. This out-dated model is, unfortunately, the result of early Classicist idealogy being imposed onto non-Classical Gods and Goddesses (this model stems ONLY from one article written in 1870, and has stuck ever sense, unquestioned, and undefied erroniously-so by Pagans).

He further insults any well-informed reader by calling Her a "Battle Fury" (scholars are unanimously firm in their belief that She never actually engages in battle). Some other choice descriptions (which are abhorantly over-stepping the bounds of all reasonable research) are: She is a Goddess of a severe psychotic episodes, and that She is the personification of the cool, calculated, mentality of a serial killer! None of this is borne out via the research! I suggest that ANYONE interested in researching Her, turn to the following scholars (he referenced only to the last text listed, and seemed to have ignored that the author was emphatic in stating that She is an Earth-Goddess; others state She is also from a Mother-Goddess Cult, too):

* The Witch Figure -- Ed. V. Newall [Contains an article by Dr. Anne Ross]
* The Concept of the Goddess -- Ed. Miranda Green [contains two
academic articles by two Irish scholars which define Her as an Earth-Goddess, a genius loci, and one even blowing a part the War-Goddess model, Aspect, with no answers possible!]
* The Celtic Hgeroic Age -- Ed. & Trans. John Carey & John Koch [Often defines The Morrighan strictly AS Anann, the Irish Mother-Goddess.]
* The Great Queens: Irish Goddesses from the Morrighan to Cathleen Ni Houlihan -- Rosalind Clark [She has some excellent info. re: The Morighan as an Earth-/Tutelary-/Fertility-/Cow-/Sovereignty-Goddess.]
* War Goddess: THe Morrighan & Her Germano-Celtic Counterpart --
Angelique Epstein [Still a good text, even though she relies far too heavily upon the now out-dated War-Goddess model; she puts Irish "warfare" into it's propper perspective, which is truly alien to the modern Pagan re: what we concieve of as "war".]
* The Ancient Celts -- Barry Cunliffe

The utter nerve that he would dare state this chapter as objective research is insulting to academia, as well as to Pagans, who are taking them at their word! His clear, unthinking bias (and hypocricy when the Medb chapter is taken into account), is clear, and unforgivible to this Pagan (and researcher)!

I don't trust him as a researcher. In fact, his views concernign academia are lacking, for example, re: Ronald Hutton. He doesn't understand so much about the academic community, and that Hutton is often mistaken re: his personal assumptions. But, McColman merely writes any of his critics off (who question anything he writes, no matter how miniscule) as "not knowing what they're talking about!" No researcher would (especially an academic) would be so foolish!

Any truly advanced student in the subject will quickly see the huge problems concerning this book and how he type-casts the Gods (which is academically inexcusible!).

i liked this book. It explains practical ways to show devotion on a daily basis. Learning about the Irish ,Welsh and Celtic deities. Listing their different names and different aspect. Great read!

If you are interested in Celtic traditions, this book has a lot of good information. It is very well presented and covers a wide variety of information on the Celtic Gods and Goddesses. It is only just over 200 pages, so you don't need to spend a lifetime going over the mnaterial. I think Carl McColman and Kathryn Hinds have done an excellent job of presenting this material, in a way that is easy to understand and appreciate.

Surprisingly, considering its length and subtitle (A Guide to Their Spiritual Power, Healing Energies, and Mystical Joy), Magic of the Celtic Gods and Goddesses is a decent, if broad, introduction to the Celtic deities. The authors provide very general introductions to a number of the "primary" (that is, popular or common) gods and goddesses in Celtic mythology, and then briefly extrapolate this information into suggestions and ideas for practice and for learning more. The descriptions of the gods and goddess are largely based on Celtic myth and legend, and the authors usually differentiate between fact and their opinions, but they fail to footnote or reference the original texts. The extrapolations have a Wiccan slant but for the most part are general and balanced. All in all, this is a good introductory text but doesn't provide much in the way of detail or authentic history or practice.

What this book does best is provide a general introduction to the goddesses, gods, and themes or trends that appear in Celtic mythology as a whole. All of these aspects are introduced in very broad terms, with little to no reference to the original texts, but they are for the most part accurate and, as stated, the authors differentiate between Celtic myth and their interpretations and understandings of those myths. As such, this text is a broad but fairly accurate introduction, and I recommend it to readers who are curious about Celtic myths and gods but don't yet want to delve into original texts or hard to read textbooks. Celtic Gods and Goddesses introduces some of the bigger ideas and characters that appear in Celtic mythology, and provides just enough information to help the reader figure out if the topic interests him. The book is also very accessable and easy to read even as an introduction to Celtic myth and gods.

If the topic does prove interesting, research shouldn't end with this book. Continued research will provide the detail that this book lacks and will allow the reader to draw his own connections, rather than depending on the connections and extrapolations of the authors. Furthermore, this book does carry a slight but present Wiccan slant, in particular emphasizing eight holidays in the wheel of the year (rather than the Celtic year) and some practices and associations that are more Wiccan than Celtic Pagan. Further research will help separate the Wiccan aspects from the historical Celtic aspects and provide a more in-depth understanding of Celtic deities and religious practices and beliefs.

I was pleasantly surprised in this book, and the straightforward introduction of the gods and some of the stories in which they appear has made it easier for me to keep my names and stories straight when doing further research. I disagree with some of the interpretations of the gods (many of the warrior/war gods and goddess in particular) and I think that the authors are to quick to default to extreme positions or revel in blood and guts without actually seeking out depth, but I appreciate the fact that myth and interpretation were generally separated and demarcated. I consider this a broad but decent introductory text, and recommend it on that basis. It's a good place to start, especially for the hesitant or new reader, but it is a starting place only.

I can't believe that I have never seen this book in the bookstore before, especially these days when there's such a multitude of New Age and Spirituality books around. I first saw this book online and was intrigued and encouraged by other reviews to buy it. I am so happy that I did.

This book is a good mish-mash of things, and provides lots of interesting perspectives on the neo-Pagan movement, especially in the United States. There is some "fluff" to be found, as one reviewer pointed out, but there are a lot of nuggets of wisdom found within. One of the most touching things for me, as a solitary practicing witch, was to read about how other people came to discover Divinity within their lives. It is amazing to see how all our stories intertwine, and how we all come to the Goddess/God, and comforting to know that there are like minded people in the world, outside of the small Pagan community where I live. I especially liked the story: "The Goddess's Call to Service: She Moves in Mysterious Ways". I also liked: "Children's Perspectives", because it reminds us that young children are so often more like sages than we give them credit for. I also am a fan of "Encountering the Divine in Nature", written by Phyllis Curott, who I cannot praise enough as one of the most insightful, wise witches of our time.

There are many other stories that I liked, and a few that I did not care for, but overall I really liked this book. It is a great departure from the "Do this, do that" instructional books that are put out nowadays. The exercises in the book are more like suggestions than rigid guidelines. This book really captures the spirit of our movement in all it's great diversity.

Peace to You,
April

This is an excellent short book on contemporary pagan thought.This book reminded me of the work,'Being a Pagan'.Yet,this book is more personal and less about the formal pagan dogma.There is well over fifty different magickal writers reflecting on their personal experiences as a natural 'Heathen'.I thought there would be more recipes and spells presented,however,this worthy reading is about the struggles and triumphs they weathered.There are only a few potions,rituals,and incense blends discussed.They are new ones that were interesting to read about anyway.I would get the book again, for the fact that, it has a wide varity of thoughts about neopagan faith and modern witchcraft.The name 'witch' still arouses angst in some,and this book helps dispell any fears about wiccans.Wicca is an Earth-based non-christian religion.All media stories about 'satanism',really involve 'christian-satanists'. Any story about 'devilish wiccan malefactions',involve people who are bi-polar and troubled.As a modern pagan,i say 'to Hell withe the Devil'.I hope this fine book inspires curious readers to follow the Craft.Many people are turning away from Christianity.For a pagan,one would think that this would be great for the pagan community .Yet,atheism is very much on the rise.To me people turning away from and denying Nature ,is flat-out dangerous too.This wise pagan book will help persuade any atheist that people need spiritual faith in their lives

When I saw the title of this book, I expected it to be a "Chicken Soup for the ___ Soul" type book. I expected to read a bunch of short stories of the heartwarming (and possibly a little sickeningly sweet) variety, told from the pagan point of view. However, the book had a bit of a "soapbox" feel to me. It was full of articles, how-to rituals,(which are fine in their own right, but I wanted stories) and just an offhand mention of stories. I felt a little cheated, because I wanted a light hearted and fluffy, feel good book and got what felt a bit like a homework assignment.

Very nice book to pick up read a few passages when you are feeling in need a lift. Helps you remember why you choose to believe in magic.

This book was the most wonderful book I have ever read. I keep a copy with me at all times. It pages are filled with love and knowledge and things that enrich my life. I could not imagine my life without it

The Unanswered Question is one of those books that I realize I have been waiting my whole life for. As I read the material and integrate it into my mind and my life, I am feeling shifts in my understadning and daily "Ahas!". Leland combines accounts of his experiences in "otherwhere", and specifically what he terms the afterlife, with accounts of near death experiences, the Tibetan Book of the Dead and the Egyptioan Book of the Dead. For just that combination the book is fascinating, but Leland takes us much deeper than that. The understadning of how negative or unexpressed emotions hold us back, or keep us from growing into our soul's purpose is something everyone could take to heart. I find this and the information on how to do this to be the key behind the fascinating topic of the Unanswered Question. As I read the book, I feel myself connecting more to my own soul's purpose in this lifetime and, although not always an easy journey, I welcome it as I sink deeper into my lessons. Kurt Leland has done the world a huge service by recording his experiences and sharing them with us. His analysis and scholarly attention to detail leaves no questions unanswered, in terms of the material in the book. Because this book is so easy to read and so entertaining, I was not prepared for all the shifts that began happeing in my mind and in my life, but as I said before, I have been waiting for this book for a long time.

In "The Unanswered Question", Kurt Leland explores the age-old questions re: what may happen to us after physical death - is there an afterlife? If so, what is it like? What might await us at the time of our death?

In order to explore such questions, the author discusses the information gleaned from several sources, including: NDE accounts, various books of the wisdom traditions (such as "The Book of the Dead), as well as his own out-of-body adventures into the place that he calls "Otherwhere".

It's postulated that NDE accounts can't tell the full story, because the individuals who experience them haven't gone far enough into the unchartered territory of the Afterlife to bring back a full sense of what it's all about - they may see a piece, but that is all.

The power of myth is also discussed, including the author's belief that all accounts of NDE's and other such experiences (including out-of-body experiences) can be described as myth. His idea being that just because something is myth does not mean that it isn't real & true, but that it's impossible to prove one way or the other.

Overall, I found this to be an interesting, thought-provoking exploration into the topic. As such, I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in spiritual ideas &/or life after death.

Where else can you find a book that is simultaneously a cross-cultural survey on the myth and philosophy of the afterlife and a strange adventure tale about a man's gradual introduction to the strange customs of the other side? Well written, philosophically rigorous, and very entertaining, this book will definitely influence your world view if you approach it with an open spirit.

My only qualms were that Leland sometimes hedges his bets too much in making his arguments appeal to scientifically-minded people who probably won't be interested in the book to begin with, and that the important concept of the "cosmic normative balance" isn't explained in enough depth when it is first introduced.

This is an amazing book! I couldn't put it down. Reading it provided a most powerful validation for me. Much of what the author recounted of his own explorations in the Afterlife resonated strongly with many experiences I've been having in the afterlife zones of what I call the astral plane during my own Out-of-Body experiences (or 'Adventures in Consciousness' as Leland calls them.) I've already ordered his previous offering--'OTHERWHERE'--and I'm sure it will be just as fascinating. In this book, Leland offers a 'triangulated' approach--he compares current NDE research, his own experiences, and sources from the Tibetan and Egyptian Books of the Dead, as well as Swedenborg's 'Heaven and Hell'. It's Leland's contention that the NDE experience--though compelling and valid in itself--might not be enough to go on when we're navigating our own post-death journey. His claim that NDE-ers may only be seeing 'death's threshold' seem valid to me. As both an OOBE-er and also having experienced a non-standard and ecstatic NDE myself, I found that I made much more of my NDE because I was already quite practiced at OOB explorations when this event occurred. This is an amazing title, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking interesting and stimulating perspectives on the afterlife.

While it certainly does stand on its own, this book is to some degree a sequel to "Otherwhere" as there are a number of references to that previous book in this one. So if you are seriously interested in out-of-body exploration and the afterlife, my recommendation would be to read "Otherwhere" first. The difference between this book and the first is that this one is a more in-depth and scholarly look at the subject.

A lot of ground is covered here: There are Mr. Leland's own adventures in nonphysical reality which are compelling reading. In addition he delves into areas such as NDE's (near-death experiences), early Christianity, Swedenborg's "Heaven and Hell", Buddhism, and ancient Egyptian beliefs with regard to the afterlife--and then offers us his own relevatory insights into them. I personally found this book to be utterly fascinating and illuminating--and would highly recommend it.

Santeria is not an easy theme to tackle--I've written about it myself--It is a much-misunderstood religion, filled with magic and controversy. Raul Canizares, a practitioner and scholar simultaneously, translates the faith of his soul to the world at large with remarkable elegance. The book is thoroughly readable, extremely informative without being pedantic, and unique in some aspects, such as when the author writes about white-on-black racism in supposedly color-blind Communist Cuba. For the knowledgeable, the book is like a tease: it leaves you wanting for more. But for a first book on the subject, there is no better.

In a very odd turn of events, *I* do not have anything further to say about this wonderful book. To read it is to know what I mean.(-_-)

Baba Canizares is a well known and highly respect Babalorisha of New York. He has written about a dozen books, each aimed for the beginner in Santeria, Orisha and Voodoo religion. Cuban Santeria is another of his good books; there are no secrets revealed here, or ceremonies or none of that. What the book has is a mixture of autobiography, and tales as told to him buy his godparents. The book is a good read, and lets those who are curious, come into a world of mystery, beauty and wisdom. All of Baba Canizares books are entertaining, informative, and a pleasure to read. Check out his other books or Orishas ISBN: 0942272692 as well as his respecteful selling book The Life and Works of Marie Laveau. Which Amazon.com should sell. "Hint Hint"

While a seasoned Santero will not learn anything from this primer, a person who wants to get his/her feet wet will find this a delicious volume. A seasoned Santero, however, will appreciate the fluidity of language and the beauty of the stories Baba Canizares expounds on. A master of the English language as well as a master Santero, Canizares' book has withstood the test of time (look at his consistently high rating on AMAZON.COM sales, where it is usually the top-rated orisha book). I hear Inner Traditions is planning a greatly expanded 10th anniversary special edition, as well as a Spanish Language edition--I can't wait to get both. CUBAN SANTERIA: WALKING WITH THE NIGHT is a little masterpiece, and the best book from Canizares's pen so far.

El libro presenta de forma amena e interesante la santería. Su presentación profundiza sin llegar a abundar en los detalles. Para un primer libro sobre el tema es excepcional.

Visionary Mohawk medicine woman, Ohky Simine Forest's first book is a comprehensive and poetic reporting of long misunderstood ways of the Red Lodge of indigenous peoples. Had Europeans come to this continent as gracious guests, these are mysteries of the matriarchal Mohawk society that could have been shared with them. Herself an initiate in Mohawk, Mayan and Mongolian shamanism, Forest reveals the spiritual matrix which these cultures share and embeds it in a contemporary, real world political urgency. Synthesizing these core spiritual beliefs and practices, Forest offers compelling evidence that the view from the Red Lodge is what the world requires for individual and collective restoration to well being. The Red Lodge ways also provide, in the Medicine Wheel, an earth-derived map to self-governance that modern people are questing for in many guises. She teaches that the Medicine Wheel equips us to relate to planet and self in ways that are nearly inseparable, self-supporting and without which no sane system for enduring societal governance can arise. How do we build, nurture and sustain community? The matriarchs of the Mohawk have been doing it since antiquity and through perils most of us will never face. Forest, a Mohawk matriarch with a vision lives among the Maya people with this community building governance backed by the spiritual backbone of shamanism. Forest has little patience with hit and run shamanic wannabes and the extraction of "techniques" from their cultural matrix which leads, she observes, to further soul and societal illness. In this book she reveals with surprising candor, depth, and her characteristic humor, the world into which the shaman walks with expanding perception and deepening experience. It's no cake walk and Forest's book is unflinching in its descriptions of the challenges and dangers of this work. For instance, trotting out a Power Animal "technique" or forming a relationship with the incorrect Power Animal can have debilitating effects on personal energy and health. It is a sacred relationship born of the waters of the Red Lodge, she cautions, not a one size fits all concept that can be extracted safely from its matrix and doled out casually in workshops. Forest both describes and elucidates the interwoven meanings of the Medicine Wheel, dream body work, lucid dreaming. power animal allies, earth burial ceremony, vision questing, journeying in the nine Mayan underworlds and the thirteen Mayan upperworlds as well as giving a comprehensive recounting of native prophecies and their considerable energetic, economic and political significance for our modern times. This is a text to which those who study or practice shamanic work will refer again and again.

This book is one of the most serious, dense, and challenging of its kind in a genre saturated with slim, superficial volumes. The wisdom is clearly ancient and rich, and is carefully measured out for the reader. The teachings are not easily absorbed (by this North American, at least), but are excellent if you are looking for a deeper, truer understanding of shamanic traditions. Highly recommended.

Dreaming The Council Ways is a beautiful, complex work of synthesis and rebirth. Author Ohky Simine Forest weaves together spiritual training disciplines and practices from several cultures, including Mohawk, Mayan, Mongolian, and others. An added feature is her beautiful fold-out full color art work on several points of teaching. These are truly lovely, deserving extra attention. Forest patiently and warmly encourages the reader to respectfully explore beginning from their own racial perspective(s) and not to expect quick fix New Age short cuts or other cultural appropriation practices to yield valid, lasting insight or growth. Material on matriarchal traditions will interest students of feminine perspectives. Forest is not a comfortable read. That is not her way or her goal. She opens and hopes for a deeper spiritual connection with the reader, sharing information on dreaming, medicine wheel practices, interpreting power animal guides, and vision quests. She seeks the larger view, the convergence of spiritual paths. She challenges and teaches, reflecting the responsibility to heal back to each individual (where it belongs). As with all worthwhile experiences, more will be gained from giving more. That also applies to reading and understanding her book. Dreaming the Council Ways is accessible to nonNative readers, but it will yield more to the better, more thoughtful effort to understand with respect.

I'm a young one and I have the book it is great. My grandmother is Native American and she thinks we need to remember the magic of our people and not live in the anger and hate of the old days. We almost lost the spirit of our people and we need books like this to remember. I find the book easy to read and great to learn from. It make my Granny smile. Wolf Mooondance is a good writer. Thank you Frank from South Dakota

This book is a contemporary teaching tool to reach out to all people that strive for a better life. Many would say that this isn't "traditional" material or that shamans don't write books. The idea of this book is to reach out to the public in a contemporary Native American spiritual way, and allow people to find happiness in a difficult world. This book accomplishes the goal, and succeeds in being an excellent healing tool. Doubt or anger is not what this book is about. It is about sharing a vision (contemporary) and helping people to have a guide for self healing and happiness. No, this isn't "tradional" Native American writing, but it IS great contemporary Native American writing. We are all on this earth to share our ideals and culture, so do yourself a favor and read all of Wolf Moondance's work. Native American's do write books and they also share their visions with the rest of the world. Remember anger and negative opinions do NOT mend the hoop. The book is a great beginning to help people get acquinted with spirituality whether it is Native American or a personal experience. The book is a quality experience and I recommend it highly.

My purpose for writing this review is by no means motivated by any intent to slander the author in any way. In fact, after reviewing the author's website and other books, I think my review can be applied to all bookstore shamans. Unforunately, it seems that many of you non-natives are unable to distinguish authentic native spirituality from this type of material. My concern is for the interests of the reader. The approach that most Native Americans have taken in response to this type of misrepresentation of culture has not been a peaceful one. There is no shortage of protests and lawsuits against mispresentation in Indian country. There are many people today who are taking advantage of Native American people through their presentations of bogus teachings. I implore you to use common sense. You must know that today, in this modern age, there are many charlatans at work, especially in this genre. I do not mean to insult the intelligence of the readers but what you have here by "Wolf Mood Dance," is a romanticized version of Native Spirituality. In a sense, maybe this book's information is what you "want" to hear. If it adds something positive to your life, ..fine. But for those of you who are genuinely interested in learning about Native Spirituality, you must approach these presentations in a skeptical manner. Real Medicine healers are few and far between. Again, you must use common sense on this one. Authentic Native spiritual leaders usually keep to themselves and live a simple life usually among their own people and not in a corporate headquarters. It would seem very fishy to my people if our spiritual leaders were to suddenly begin to write books and create websites in order to promote an image. For those of you who seek spiritual guidance from an authentic leader, I'll leave you with a few points to contemplate. In short, you must seek the authentic healer in the proper place, and that is NOT in a bookstore. Also, each tribe has its own cosmology and heirarchy of deities and spirit helpers. It is not a case of lumping a Native practices in to one group and labeling it "Native Spirituality." As I seek to bridge the gap between non-indians and my own people. I am willing to share what I have experienced and how a genuine Native American percieves life. I do not "KNOW IT All" but I do know my culture and offer my hand for the sake of helping another in life, however I can. yellowrobe@hotmail.com

I got this book Rainbow Medicine right after meeting the Author in 94. What a powerful person and book I read it over and over. The spirits in this book open doors to healing each day of my life. I will always trust the writings of Wolf Moondance. It will help all who look. Dan Bentely

I think there are a lot of ways t see a Truth and I want to say this book is full of truth. I was sad and very angery at the lies that are told about good people and the indian ways. I was lost and drunk and this book pened me up to the memories of my Grandmother and father. I remembered the love and the truth and I'm alive and teaching school because of the book. Please, if you need spirit and are looking to learn grab this one and keep it close-It is Great!!! Carol Smith

totally debunks all theories and sacred beleifs of the lucid and labeled paranoid schizophrenic. Not a serious investigation of any sort on any topic. No evidence to back up claims. Only opinionated garb.

Maybe if you live in lala land with all the other psychologist and psychiatrist who pop upteen daily happy pills, this book is for you. Otherwise it isn't very serious at all.

The Lucid View: Investigations In Occultism, Ufology, And Paranoid Awareness (2004) by Aeolus Kephas is a highly interesting and readable exploration at the forces Kephas feels may be controlling, and thus manipulating, almost every aspect of human life and civilization.

Kephas, whose name is most likely a pseudonym reflecting his broadly implied magikal practices, makes the repeated error of failing to clearly distinguish between the terms "paranoid view," "lucid view," and "free-thinking view," which are often, but not always, used interchangeably. Thus, it is difficult for the reader to tell where Kephas draws certain lines within his thesis.

In the hands of another writer, the text of The Lucid View would most likely read like the anchorless ravings of a madman, but Kephas is an eloquent, highly intelligent, perceptive, discerning, and organized writer.

A brief accurate summary of the book's argument, which combines magik with history, physics, psychology, and technology, is nigh impossible, but goes something like this: a shadowy group of "Custodians," who may or may not be human (or may be an alliance of both humans and non-humans), have attempted (and largely failed) to control the human race literally since the time of Adam. Their ultimate, millennia-long goal is "the synthesis of the earthly with the cosmic code, the splicing of Matter with Spirit," and thus the birth of a 'New Man.'

However, in the process, mankind as we presently know it will be completely obliterated. We, as individuals, will be obliterated, and the day of our obliteration may come as soon as tomorrow. In the service of their goal, the uber-elite Custodians, who are incapable of any quality resembling human remorse (even if human themselves), are relentless, and will use every tool and trick imaginable to obtain their end.

Sometimes representing "the lucid view" and sometimes "the paranoid view" once-removed, Kephas knits together an enormous number of complex subjects.

A partial list includes a hollow moon and Richard Shaver's Hollow Earth, secret lunar military bases, Nazi 'flying discs,' Scientology, Charles Manson and his 'Family,' CIA mind control, The Knights Templar, Ira Levin's 1967 novel Rosemary's Baby, the Old Testament and the Book of Revelations, the social phenomenon of "alien abduction," the life and death of John Lennon, the 'Sirius Mystery,' the 1978 Jonestown Massacre, the work of Aleister Crowley and Carlos Castaneda, traditional faerylore, government-created implants, the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center, Jungian psychology, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, harmful additives in mass-produced foods, subliminal messages embedded in form of media, gross political subterfuge, and the internet as "the web of the Great Voodoo Spider Queen."

Largely due to its magikal, and presumably spiritual and survivalist, underpinnings, The Lucid View takes the position that all of this, if accurate, vitally matters in the name of truth, knowledge, and what little genuine liberty and free will are left to us as individuals.

"Awareness (free from paranoia) creates a natural hierarchical structure in the Universe, according to which every apprentice must some day become a master, every paranoid lucid. Awareness is the currency, then, and unto those that have it, shall be given, and from those that have it not, shall be taken even the little they have...freedom is the freedom of the aware, finally, and awareness of freedom leads ever on to more of the same."

However, if Biblical fallen angels are in league with cosmic forces so vast as to be completely beyond our ability to presently conceptualize them, and the CIA and the Scientologists additionally, clearly no human being or group of human beings has a chance of combating, much less overthrowing, this intergalactic, trans-dimensional cabal.

While 'the average man' does need to awaken to the vast, deceptive smokescreen of engineered disasters, fostered events, and empty social causes perpetrated by the "military-industrial complex" and the media (the never-ending Middle East War; 'Global Warming' and 'Climate Change'; the Cult of the Victim; mass illegal immigration into the United States; the gross over-prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; 'gay marriage'; 'Oprah Fever'; even the recent Clinton-Obama contretemps and "the emerging economic recession," etc.) to keep him distracted, submissive, and fearful, The Lucid View, with its alien kidnappers, mind-controlled assassins, and harrowing secret societies, is unlikely to have any practical value for him.

However Forteans, many of whom are capable of accepting that our entire universe may be no more than a drifting grain of pollen in a far vaster reality existing around us, will have a field day with it.

But if the entire universe we know is in fact, however improbably, only a random grain of flotsam, such a fact would ultimately flummox even the lofty Custodians and their most nefarious schemes.

Readers may also want to consider another lucid, and more probable book, Albert Budden's UFOs: Psychic Close Encounters (1995), which posits that most 'paranormal' experiences are the spontaneous result of natural and artificial electromagnetic waves interacting with man's psyche, especially his unconscious. Interestingly, Kephas recommends Budden's work in the Further Reading list which closes the book.

Lucid View shows how consensus reality is coming apart before our eyes and the various ways in which ufos, occult phenomena, and conspiracy theories (paranoid awareness) both reflect and accelerate this inevitable, inexorable process. The author argues not for the actual reality of these things as physical facts, but rather as harbingers of a greater (only partially physical) reality, which he terms the Imaginal, the realm of the archetypes, or more atavistically speaking, the gods.

The book may not appeal to hard core nuts n bolts thinkers who believe in actual reptilian conspiracies, since it challenges their assumptions as much as it does the rationalists and religious fanatics, all with their collective heads in the sand of personal delusion.

Lucid View not only describes but evokes, imagines, a reality beyond the consensus in which miracle and sorcery are part of the natural order of things. As such it is a romantic work and stands head and shoulders above most other books on the subject.

This book has a refreshing ability to refrain from judgment regarding its outlandish subject matter, being less interested in questioning (or proving) the veracity of occult/ufo/conspiracy beliefs than in whence they come and why, what they say about the collective consciousness of humanity in these current times of insecurity and paranoia. Perhaps this is why some readers are unable to appreciate this book? If they are looking for something to buoy up their flagging belief systems and support their flaccid "new age" worldviews, then this isn't it. Lucid View is the very antithesis of New Age fluff (though it does offer self-empowerment as the reward of paranoia): rather than downplay the darkness in order to provide comfort and solace in flimsy simulations of light, it is unafraid to plumb the depths of shadow, in order to test, prove, and fully engage that spark of light called "reason." Like Morning of the Magicians in its time, The Lucid View offers an overview that no other book I know of seems to offer at this time. A Masterpiece of creative research, and one of its kind.

Aeolus Kephas has a very inviting ,and easy to understand writing prose reminicent of the great authors of psycology or philosphy Jung,Freud and Nietzche,very good book,a must read for those interested in the occult and paranormal.
RRM

I thought the ideas presented in this book were very interesting but I dunno maybe it's the way it's written or a bit beyond my scope. I didn't find it very interesting or readable. I stuck with it for as long as I could before I gave up and got rid of it. I didn't even get halfway through the book. I can see some of the points he was making though.

I had high expectations of this book, but they really weren't fulfilled. The essence of the author's hypothesis is that ETs are behind the origins of humanity. That's fair enough, and he presents a lot of supporting evidence, but there are simply too many holes. Nevertheless, I applaud his conviction that neither Darwinian evolution nor biblical fundamentalism have relevance in the quantum age.

Being an avid ancient history buff has taken me in some really interesting directions lately. So much is being discovered so fast that it's a real challenge to keep up. It has become quite evident that mankind has been heading down a deteriorating road ever since the stuff really hit the fan somewhere around 11,500 to 13,000 years ago. There is so much of human experience that has been lost. This whole caveman\stone age thing until the birth of civilization 6,000 years ago is ridiculous.It is refreshing to see the disconcerting habit of 'mainstream' science to ignore whatever doesn't fit its entrenched consensus, posing as fact, so rigorously assaulted. Mr Von Ward's call for a new metascience is long overdue. Want to see where your prejudices lie regarding who and what you are, and what mankind has been up to for the last 100,000 years or so? Read this book. A bit dry in parts, but very thought-provoking. The Hermetic principles of the ancient world still have much to teach!

This is a good book covering the paradoxes of newfangled scientific approaches such as Quantum physics and parapsychology - two "modern" approaches of the last century, which have transformed Humanity's potential perception of both its worldly reality and prior metaphysical concepts. Ordinarily, people tend nowadays to lump all such material as "new age" stuff, along with mumbo jumbo on things such as aliens, reincarnation, aromatherapy, spells and soothing music, etc. No doubt all these are part of the vast new "genre" spawned by such new awakenings, but this book is definitely an upmarket type as it deals in detail with the theoretical and scientific investigative aspects of this new direction. There are of course umpteen such books, and umpteen are fit to be called excellent. During the last 20-30 years of the previous century, the developed world produced a sea of "human potential" literature arising from this new awareness, aimed at self-help and improvement. Thousands of prophets and teachers also appeared, some fake charlatans, some average, some remarkable... Like all such enlightened thinkers, Paul Ward also sees a niche for himself as one such messenger, and suffers from the naivete and idealism of believing in the totality of his solutions to the crises from which modern humanity suffers. These however seem to be the drawbacks of most such enthused teachers. Sugesstions such as "if we just do this" or "if we behave like that" are simply not valid determinants of the course of human fate, and sadly won't cure its maladies with the wave of such a magic wand, even if they succeed in bettering them by 90%, which many modern innovations appear to have done individually as well as collectively, for those affected by them... If that were so, history would be a different tale altogether, and wouldn't suffer from the shortcomings we now lament and call the shackles of reality. Or Francis Fukuyama's "The End of History" concept would be valid... (or perhaps he really meant the end of a certain type of historical process, which is what I forsee eventually). It takes more to effectively better the collective human condition and change history than just adopt new ideas openly. That is the lesson of reality.

We are children of the world, the universe, the solar system, and ours is a solarian legacy. We are not mere products of natural selection or clay worked by a Maker. We are instrumental parts of a conscious, self-learning universe. The longer we ignore the implications and obscure the facts, the longer we will grope blindly (and dishonestly) through a narrow alley of conscious awareness.

What causes this blind groping? What causes us to block out the idea or realization that we, as holographic portions and children of the universe, are probably endowed with the same miracle producing power we delegate to gods and angels? The cause of our blindness is our steadfast refusal to take responsibility for who and what we are. We deny our identity and buy into the notion that we are victims and lowly creatures... and for all we know, there may have been such a thing as alien intervention at some point in our evolution, which may have fostered this feeling. Nevertheless, we seem to feel secure when we conclude that our best minds have everything figured out. The truth is, we avoid responsibility every time we argue that, "experts say," "science says," "the bible says," "God says!" How many people are in mental chains because of someone who claims to speak for God?

Thousands say they have had encounters with aliens or advanced beings (ABs), yet, instead of seriously studying these encounters in an attempt to develop some understanding of life and consciousness, governments and mainstream scientists write off such claims as delusional or fraudulent. Meanwhile, believers may secretly worship/fear ABs as our good or bad superiors instead of viewing them as our other-dimensional siblings.

Myths, stories and channeled histories of Atlantis persist, yet we make no formal effort to uncover evidence or shed further light. The same goes for investigating the paranormal, uncovering our relationship to plants and animals, or finding whether there was ever life on Mars. These are just a few of the many things written off as unscientific (or at least, not financially profitable). If we study the connections rather than the differences between things, we might uncover important patterns and hidden laws. We've had science, now we need a metascience that looks for dynamics. We need a 21st Century discipline that includes rather than excludes evidence-- in fact, we need to develop a perspective that transcends science and religion. For the remainder of this summary of the book, go to [...]