Paganism – An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce and River Higginbotham.

Paganism – An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions

Joyce and River Higginbotham

Welcome to Agrimony’s Book Nook. Grab a cuppa and get comfy in your chair and join me while we explore a book I love. Tonight I am reviewing Paganism – An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce and River Higginbotham.

This is a wonderful book and is a great read for anyone wanting to know more about what exactly Paganism is, what Pagans believe and do. The Higginbothams took on a big task, but, I think they succeed admirably. This book is an excellent overview at Earth Centered Spirituality. It briefly looks at the various paths, or sects that make up modern Pagans, although if one desires an in depth look at the various paths, this isn’t that.

For people who are new to Paganism, but, feel some draw, this is a great book, a workbook if you will, to explore what you believe and point you in a direction for further study and practice.

For people who aren’t Pagan, but, know someone who is, this is an excellent book to explain what Pagans are, and, aren’t.

For those who have been around a while, it is a good look at other paths, and also a checkup on one’s own beliefs. It is a wonderful book to use as a text for teaching one’s own classes.

No spells or rituals here, this is not a how to book, it is more of a why to book. The book has great exercises, meditations and journal prompts that help one explore and develop their views. This book isn’t Wiccan, as so many “Pagan” books are. It is written and presented in an easy to understand format, but, it doesn’t condescend or preach. The book is wonderful to use in one study, and also useful to have for reference.

Paganism gives a look at what various Pagan Rituals are like and looks at various rites of passage. It also gives an overview of the Wheel of the Year and the various Pagan Holidays. At the same time, while giving overviews on some things, please don’t think this book is simply a skimpy overview type book, the heart and soul of Paganism is that overall, this isn’t a how to book. As I said, it is a why book.

The Higginbothams look at the why behind the various beliefs that are widely held by those who are under the umbrella term Pagan. They look at what those beliefs are about, and what they have in common with other beliefs. The book includes chapters on the Pagan View of Deity, The Living Universe, Magick and Satan. There is also a look at Ethics and Personal Responsibility. These chapters I have singled out are at the same time introductions to those topics while giving a satisfying discussion.

They give plenty of references should one want to study further. At the same time, for someone of another faith, who only wants a good knowledge of Pagansim, this book would probably be enough. It is also very helpful for Pagans who want to be able to converse with Christians about what their beliefs are and are not.

Joyce and River Higginbotham are prominent in the Pagan Community in the St Louis area, and in the interest of full disclosure, I should say I have been blessed to have known them for years. They have taught classes for a long time and have done a wonderful job of putting their teachings into a book for those who aren’t fortunate enough to attend their classes. They have created a book that has, and, will, be considered a classic basic Pagan text and has become a must read book on booklists of teachers on a variety of Pagan paths.

Paganism – An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce and River Higginbotham is available online and at finer bookstores everywhere.

Thanks for joining me. I hope you have a wonderful week!

Chakra Clearing - Awakening Your Spiritual Power to Know and Heal By Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.

Chakra Clearing

Awakening Your Spiritual Power to Know and Heal

By Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.

Welcome to Agrimony’s Book Nook, pour a cuppa, get comfy and let’s visit.

I don’t know about you, but, there are a lot of things I find confusing. One, that I used to find very confusing is Chakras. I would hear others mention Chakras and I would just feel so overwhelmed thinking I would never be able to find what I need to know, and didn’t want to say anything cause I didn’t want people to know I didn’t know.

Then I happened to find the MOST wonderful little book. Chakra Clearing by Doreen Virtue. A handy book that explains

just about all one really needs to know. Of course, one can make a study of Chakras and really get into it; but, this is a good basic guide for those of us who want to understand them on a really basic level. Those of us who want to make use of a wonderful system of healing and self awareness, but, at the same time, we don’t want to make it our life’s study.

Did I mention it comes with a meditative CD that complements the book, well it does.

“This book and CD will help you understand the functions of the major chakras, and esoteric methods for clearing them of fear. Your natural state is one of high energy, intuition, and creativity. You don’t need to add anything to yourself to enjoy these characteristics – you already own them within yourself. Just like a sculptor needs to chip away the parts of the statue that aren’t part of the ultimate creation, you only need to clear away fear to reveal your innate qualities.” (Doreen Virtue)

Doreen explains the major chakras, which are the Crown Chakra, Ear Chakras, Third Eye, Throat Chakras, Heart Chakras, Solar Plexus Chakra, Sacral Chakra and Root Chakra. After reading this book, you will understand the basics and also how to clear them. Clearing your chakras on a regular basis keeps you feeling balanced, whole and centered and allows you to feel the power you have within yourself. Power to heal, create and make full use of all the powers and abilities we are born with.

I love guided mediations, and I love the CD that comes with this book. There are two wonderful meditations, one for morning which is designed to help you begin your day with a bright and positive energy and an evening meditation which clears away excess energy you have absorbed during the day, and set the stage for good, restful, restorative, sleep and make you more receptive to messages from the divine.

One doesn’t need to use the CD, reading the meditations can be a very powerful experience by itself, the book does a great job of teaching you how to clear your chakras on your own, the CD is simply a delightful bonus.

I know for me, I have learned that when I am feeling out of sorts, out of balance, a chakra clearing will restore me to balance, help me feel inspired and make me feel more energetic. A clearing makes me feel fantastic, refreshed and renewed. I find a good clearing helps any time, but, especially at the dawning of a new season, and for this season, Spring, which is all about rebirth, a chakra clearing allows me to fully experience the blessings of the season.

Chakra Clearing works across a wide range of beliefs. This book and CD make a wonderful gift, especially to the most important person in your life, YOURSELF.

Chakra Clearing by Doreen Virtue is available at fine booksellers both on and offline.

Thanks for joining me, I know having you visit the Book Nook helps my week start off great, I hope you have a fantastic evening and a wonderful week! See you next Sunday!

Be Blessed - Daily Devotions For Busy Wiccans and Pagans

Be Blessed

Daily Devotions for Busy Wiccans and Pagans

By Denise Dumars

Welcome back to Agrimony’s Book Nook. Pour a cuppa, get comfy and let me tell you about a book that I love and find incredibly useful. Tonight’s book is Be Blessed, Daily Devotions for Busy Wiccans and Pagans by Denise Dumar.

If you are anything like me, and, I am not sure how I feel about that either way, sometimes you get stuck in a rut. We know that doing certain things daily makes us happier, healthier and wiser. Exercise, eating well, meditating and paying attention to our spiritual life – we KNOW we are better for doing these things, yet sometimes we let things slide. I don’t know why exactly, when I figure that one out I will be sure and share.

Anyway. We slide, we want to do better, we want to get back to the way we felt when we were newer on our path. When we followed closely everything our teacher told us. Or our book suggested. But how?

Do we dig out our notebooks or books and just do that? No, we don’t. What we do, if we are wise we reach for Be Blessed by Denise Dumars.

Ms. Dumars is a Isian minister and Priestess and co-founder of the Iseum of Isis Paedusis in Manhattan Beach, California. She is also teaches English at a college in Southern California. The book is well written and edited – I really like that!

Be Blessed guides you in a gentle, loving way to reestablishing a daily practice that works for you. Or setting one up – I also highly recommend it for newer folks as well. Ms. Dumars never talks down, she makes you feel you are sitting in her parlor, having a cuppa with her and listing to her share her wisdom, just like the very best teachers do.

She also shares some amazingly wonderful guided meditations – so not the normal Tree ones. Not that I don’t love a good Tree meditation, but, I do like some variety. My favorite in the book is Goin’ to the Roadhouse: (with) Thor. I LOVE this one so very much. But, Ms. Dumars also gives clear instructions to create your own. I love that too.

Topics include, Greeting the Sun, Self Esteem for Life (regular visitors to the Nook, KNOW how I feel about that), Mindfulness, Dialogues With Deities: How to Talk to a God, That 4 Letter Word: Work, In Sickness and in Health: Yours and Others, Everyday Magick, And a Good Night to All, Physician, Heal Thyself along with useful Appendixes and an Index.

Greeting the Sun, the opening chapter shares terrific ways to get going in the morning. I adore her including this Morning Prayer:

I am born of earth and sky

I awaken with the morning dew and sunray

I hold my arms out to embrace the world

I reach for the spark of life divine

I am dust and water walking

Which is taken from The Egyptian Book of the Dead.

In the Chapter Everyday Magick she includes some simple, yet highly effective tips for Clearing and Balancing the Chakras. I know when I am feeling strange, a visit to my Chakra centers is often in order and this balancing and clearing works.

These are just some of the fabulous goodies you will find in Be Blessed.

This book is a perfect gift. It is one I keep handy as I refer to it fairly often. Be Blessed is a daily guide which doesn’t spoon feed you, it gives you the tools to feed your self. Check out Be Blessed, which is available at finer bookstores on and offline, and Be Blessed.

Thanks for stopping by the Nook! Have a great week and Be Blessed, Be Blessed, Be Blessed!

An Ordinary Fairy

Thanks to Cuzin Casey and Lady Ruthann for giving me this chance to branch out in my contributions to Akaska Temple Live.

The book I am reviewing tonight is An Ordinary Fairy by John Osborne

Normally, I don’t read fantasy/science fiction, I don’t do vampires, fairies, etc. And I don’t read a lot of what might be classed as “Pagan” Fiction, as what I little I have read in the past, was so badly done with Witches being portrayed in the Hollywood fashion, as either evil or very unrealistic, and well, I just don’t like that.

A while back, though, Ruthann asked if I knew of this book. She had recently heard of it, that it was set in Hoopeston, IL. Hoopeston as you may or may not know was home to the Correllian Tradition and their Witchschool for a few years. And way back I was involved with them. I have always found Hoopeston to be a great small town, one my family and I really enjoy visiting. By and large the people there are nice and the pace of life is endearing.

So I did a little research and found this book. The author has the Prologue and First Chapter on the book’s website. I read it, not knowing what to expect and liked it so much I bought the book.

The story is set in Hoopeston. On of the main characters, Noah Phelps is a photographer for a regional magazine. With an assignment to photograph rural Midwestern ponds, Noah decides to base this trip out of Hoopeston, which as a solitary Wiccan, he knows is home to Witchschool. Having said that, Witchschool plays no real role in the book and is no longer in Hoopeston.

While in Hoopeston, a friendly local steers Noah to a spectacular (although fictional) pond south of town. Noah meets the charming owner, Willow, who is just an ordinary fairy.

But there isn’t anything ordinary about this book. The author is very adept at description, so good that you feel like you are there. The characters are realistic and endearing. The story is enchanting. The mystery in the story is very well done.

At several points in the book, Noah falls back on his Witchcraft skills, and performs a spell or ritual or two. I really credit the author with getting all of this very, very right.

Truly, An Ordinary Fairy is a book that is hard to put down. And while I loved all of it, I was left wanting more. Luckily, according to the author’s blog, he is at work on the next book.

The book is available in paperback, which Amazon has just lowered the price on, and at Amazon for the Kindle, and at Smashwords. Author’s website is anordinaryfairy.com

An Ordinary Fairy is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter’s night. Or any time you want to read a really good novel that sparkles with an unordinary magic.

We Took To The Woods

We Took To The Woods

Louise Dickinson Rich

Welcome to Agrimony’s Book Nook. My little on the air cottage , pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and let me tell you about a book I just love, We Took To The Woods, by Louise Dickinson Rich.

Despite my love of modern conveniences, being an avid consumer and city girl, deep in my heart I have always had an urge to live in a remote cabin. I have no idea where this comes from.

Sometimes I satisfy this desire with vacations or getaways were we stay someplace like this. We are planning a brief getaway now. Of course the cabins we stay in are usually somewhere in the Ozarks and have amenities such as running water, indoor plumbing and electricity.

But I always end up wondering, what would it be like to live remotely all the time? Reading We Took To The Woods gives me an idea.

This gem of a book, was published in 1942. Don’t let that deter you from picking this up. If you didn’t know that going in, it would take a while to realize it.

Louise Dickinson Rich had the dream of living in a cabin in Maine and writing. Then life got in the way, and this dream got filed away. Later, she met her husband and ended up living her dream. And happily for us, she wrote about it.

This book goes through her life, in the form of chapters that answer the questions she is most often asked. Such as “Why Don’t You Write a Book?” “But How do You Make A Living?” “Don’t You Ever Get Bored?” “Is It Worthwhile?” amongst them.

Louise and her family live in two remote Maine cabins. One for Winter, one for Summer. They have to travel by a succession of boats on a chain of lakes to get to their homes. (side by side on the same property). They have to make an effort to get to the nearest small town, let alone a city. Mail comes ONCE A MONTH!!!. Reading is a good entertainment. Any visitors are a major deal. Life is not easy, but, at the same time, life is simple and rewarding.

Louise does an awesome job of describing her life. One is left with the feeling that they are living it with her. A page turner, this memoir moves along at a novel’s pace.

Reading this book, I realized several things. The longing to cut oneself off from society, isn’t exactly a rare longing. And that living more authentically is a desire we all have, and, can all realize. Maybe we can’t all Take To the Woods, but, we can adopt some ways of living more simply.

We Took To The Woods is still widely available. At Amazon and others you can find by Googling. Google We Took To the Woods and you will find some websites and blogs where other fans of Louise have posted pictures of her homes and talk about what this book means to them.

Thanks for listening and I hope you join us next week when I will have another review. Have a great week!

Fierce Style

Fierce Style

Christian Siriano

It seems to me that developing self esteem is one of those things that fails to come easy to many of us. And I think having good self esteem is an important part of being a well rounded individual. Being able to truly feel that the opinions of others doesn’t matter, or rather the opinions of only certain people matter can be one of the hardest lessons we have to learn. And I feel we have to learn that or we will continue to be stuck trying to please others and won’t go on to grown and fully develop into the fantastic person we are meant to be.

One area I think is important to having good self esteem, is having and being comfortable with one’ s own sense of style. When we feel good, we find it easier to face the world. And feeling good about our appearance is, in my opinion, one of the hardest lessons to learn.

We are bombarded with images and opinions. It is easy to pick up the idea that one must have a certain body style, certain hair style, certain clothes in order to look good. I think it is easy to look at magazines for example and come away depressed if we don’t feel we measure up to the models inside.

Christian Siriano was the winner, and, youngest to date, of the reality show, Project Runway a few years ago. I am not a fan of a lot of reality shows, but, some time back, my husband and I began watching, and enjoying Project Runway. It is a competion of aspiring fashion designers. After Christian won, Tim Gunn, one of the hosts of Project Runway, and a fashion industry executive, called Christian the next big American fashion designer. I think he is correct, in the time since the show, Christian has done great work and he is showing up all over, from Payless Shoes, to Speigal, to Victoria’s Secret, to department stores and online. I am happy about this, I think he deserves wonderful things to happen to him, and I think he will impact the fashion industry in a very positive way.

Fierce Style is a lovely book. I am glad I bought it in hardback, and not for my kindle. The photography makes it an awesome book to look. It is part memoir, part advice. Christian shares his experiences growing up marching to a different drummer. He shares how he developed self esteem, and developed his own sense of style. He offers tips and ideas for developing your own. He has great advice for developing your own image and also finding out what suits you in all facets of life. While this is a guide to developing your own fashion sense, it is also a guide to developing life sense.

There are excellent tips for overcoming obstacles. One of Christian’s fearless tips, that I just love, is “even if something seems out of your league or out of the ordinary, be bold and go for it.” He follows this up with ways to do this. Simple idea? Maybe but, one that is important to learn, and one I needed to be reminded of.

I sincerely wish I had had this guide when I was 18, or in my early 20’s. It would have made life much easier. It is absolutely top of my list of books I recommend for self actualization and development. It is a ideal gift for the teen or young adult you know that is struggling with finding their way in this scary world. And it is an ideal refresher for the rest of us.

Fiece Style is available at most booksellers and online at Amazon.com

Welcome to the Book Nook

Welcome to Agrimony's Book Nook. This is a separate blog for my book reviews and thoughts on books. I will also include free Kindle and ebook links on here. I am part of the "adorably certifiable" gang at Akasha Temple Live, which is broadcast on blogtalk radio every Sunday and Thursday at 8 p.m CST (http://www.blogtalkradio/akashatemple) I am Associate Producer and do book reviews every Sunday.