Great Britain, The Secret Destiny of the British & Their Isles, new title by Richard Abbot

OUT IN SPRING 2016: Great Britain? The Secret Destiny of the British & Their Isles, with choice of four covers. Understand how the Elements, the Numbers and the Tarot have shaped the Land in which we live. Don’t make your mind up about Europe until you have read this!

What a journey!

From start to finish this has been an entirely ‘guided’ endeavour.

“Write a book about Britain,” they said.

“But I don't like Britain, and I want to leave!” I complained.

But my words were in vain, and I knew it. The work had to be done.

Having travelled extensively around Britain I knew that Walsall, for example, was a very different place to Cheltenham. And I also knew that those differences were nothing to do with the local economy, roads, industrial estates or house prices. I knew the forces which influenced these places were bigger than that. I just did not quite know how, until I started to look at everywhere and everything through the three lenses of The Elements, the Numbers and the Tarot.

The Elements do not just sit as the bit on the side of your astrological chart. The Elements are THE creative forces at large in the world, and wherever they gather and concentrate great power is unleashed, which can afterwards be ‘read’ in the same way that cards or planets can. These influences form the Big Picture of what was, is and will yet be in Great Britain.

Numbers are, of course, everywhere. They show themselves as forces in the world through words and dates. Whether it is the Battle of HASTINGS in 1066, the Great Fire of LONDON in 1666 or the World Cup in 1966, numbers are alive. The NHS is understood by looking at the date of its founding, 5th July 1948, and the European Union by the date we signed the Treaty of Accession (to the then EEC) on 22nd January 1972. (That last date 22/1/1972 is in fact my estimated date of conception! This has been karmic work indeed!)

The answers to all the great questions of modern British life are given by the numbers. Why was the BBC so ignorant of Savile for so long? Answer: it’s in the numbers. Why did Tony Blair win a landslide in 1997, and then blow everything in the Iraq War six years later? The answer is in the numbers? Why did the Tories win so unexpectedly in 2015? The numbers tell us. Why do some Scots want independence? It’s in the numbers. Why did the banks go bust? Why was Jeremy Corbyn elected Labour leader? Even why is ‘The Only Way is Essex’ so popular a TV programme? The answers are not Muggle based matters of politics, celebrity or economics – they are in the numbers. And they are all in this book.

The Tarot is another remarkable component of this work, based on the principle that every single Tarot card is numbered, or part of a sequence of numbers. As such it is possible to map the history of these Isles since 1066 in relation to the Tarot and to map every single British Prime Minister since Robert Walpole in 1721 using the same. The findings are paradigm-altering.

From Liverpool to Glastonbury, via Trumpton and Walmington-on-Sea, this book contains insights into every person, place and institution that affects this country and the people who live in it (be that for a fortnight or a lifetime). The Numerology of the British Army, the Pet Shop Boys, King Charles I and Princess Diana all come together to create a brand new picture of life in this country during these pivotal times. Many things can be seen through this these lenses, but one thread seems to hold true, no matter where you look – that Britain has always been the home of Magic. The book explains how this has made the nation what it is today, for good and for ill.

I hope you will order, and enjoy the delights of this book. Everyone gets a choice of cover, so please let me know which one you would like. It’s the same text inside every one. Thank you for your ongoing support

ORDER HERE

 

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Dates for the Diary

ONE DAY COURSE: Numbers are Alive! How to read People, Places and Things using Numerology. This Sunday 6th March, The College of Psychic Studies, London. 10am - 5pm. More information and booking here

ONE DAY COURSE: Balance, Protection & Safety. Sunday 20th March, here at The Hermitage, Irthlingborough, East Northamptonshire. 10am-4pm. Enquire and book here

TALK: How to be An Armchair Mystic at The Isbourne Centre, Cheltenham. Thurs 10th March. 7pm.

TALK:  Numerology as a Spiritual Language at The Cygnus Cafe, Stapleton, near Hinckley. Sat 12th March 2pm.

TALK: The Numbers, Energy and Magic of Great Britain at New Directions, Halifax. Tues 15th March 7.30pm.

READINGS: Psychic Fair at Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham. Wed 16th March. From 7.30pm.

TALK: The Tarot & Numerology of 2016 at Stanion Complementary Therapy Group, Kettering. Thurs 17th March 7.30pm.

 

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Pagan Portals - Brigid

Meeting the Celtic Goddess of Poetry, Forge, and Healing Well

The Irish Goddess Brigid is as powerful and popular today as ever; in this short introduction find out why.

• Paperback £4.99 || $9.95Mar 25, 2016
  978-1-78535-320-8
  
  Publishers Page
• e-book £2.99 || $3.99Mar 25, 2016
  978-1-78535-321-5
  
  Publishers Page

Brigid is a basic introduction to the Goddess Brigid focusing on her history and myth as well as her modern devotion and worship. Primarily looking at the Irish Goddess but including a discussion of her Pan-Celtic appearances, particularly in Scotland. Her different appearances in mythology are discussed along with the conflation of the pagan Goddess with Catholic saint. Modern methods for neopagans to connect to and honor this popular Goddess include offerings and meditation, and personal anecdotes from the author's experiences are included as well.

Who was Brigid to the pre-Christian pagans? Who is she today to neopagans? How do we re-weave the threads of the old pagan Goddess and the new? Learn about Brigid's myths among the pagan Irish, the stories of Bride in Scotland, and the way that people today are finding and honoring this powerful and important deity to find the answer.

Review of "Pagan Portals Brigid" By Segomâros Widugeni formerly Aedh Rua, author of Celtic Flame 

Morgan Daimler has written another accessible and scholarly book in the Moon Books Pagan Portals series, this time on the Goddess Brigid. 

As seemingly always, this book contains Daimler’s signature hallmarks – an ability to write from the real sources on her subject, to make that scholarship understandable to modern readers, and to make her subject relevant to the modern Pagan experience. The book starts with an introduction summarizing the complexities of Brigid and Her popularity as Goddess and Saint. 

The initial chapter delves into that complexity, and clarifies it, describing each of the roles of Brigid, or each of the Brigids, in terms any reader can understand. The second chapter describes the various other Goddesses from other cultures who either are forms of Brigid or else play very similar roles. This section is excellent for its ability to present obscure material the reader may never have encountered before. Saint Brigid is described, both in terms of how she resembles and differs from the Goddess Brigid, can contribute to our understanding and obscure it. 

This chapter is followed by one which describes the mythology of Brigid in detail, in terms of which stories occur in which texts and how. Here, what could have been an intimidating mass of material is instead made clear for the reader, who will come away with an exact and mature understanding of what we really know. The fourth chapter is a very good and practical summary of the traditional symbols, animals, and holidays of Brigid, with an emphasis on what is useful for real worship. Again, the virtue of Morgan’s writing is to render her material practical and accessible. In the fifth and sixth chapters we see that Brigid’s worship is still very much alive. Here we see modern myths still being written about Her by 20th Century Irish poets, technique of worship, the making of altars and shrines, guided meditations, and an entire chapter of poems, charms, and prayers, some Christian, some Pagan, some essentially both, in both the Irish Gaelic and English languages. This chapter is invaluable for the worshiper of Brigid, allowing them to know precisely how to worship Brigid in traditional ways. 

The book is rounded out with a conclusion that summarizes and caps off what has gone before. Finally, there are two appendices – a pronunciation guide and an excellent media guide – as well as the usual extensive bibliography. One of the features of Morgan’s Pagan Portals books is her section at the end of each chapter in which she describes how the chapter’s material impacts her life. This is an excellent feature that makes each chapter relevant to the reader, and allows them to see practical applications for even the most academic of topics.

In sum, this book once again takes difficult material and makes it easy. It allows the reader with little previous exposure to Celtic Polytheism to begin worshiping Brigid in ways that are traditional, practical, and relevant. To devotees of Brigid, the book is a practical little gem, a summary of much they know, and probably quite a bit they don’t. To devotees of other deities, the book serves as an introduction to one of the most popular of Goddesses. In short, I can’t recommend it highly enough. ~"

Why it is ok to be loving & tolerant to Muslims, but suspicious of Islam By Richard Abbot

It is neither hateful, discriminatory nor racist to suggest that the religion of Islam today poses an enormous threat to human evolution. The key word here though is today. If I were writing this in 1930 I would probably say the biggest threat was Nazism, if I were writing after in the last days of the Roman Empire I would say Christianity, and if I were writing in the last days of the Roman Republic I would probably call out the Emperor as the puppet of Darkness. In each case I would be painfully against the grain of the times, yet ultimately proved correct.

It is not that Islam is inherently evil; it is that evil has found a comfortable home in Islam.

This has happened because the same old playbook is in use – suppression of women, denial of individuality and worship of death at the expense of life. Couple this with the supine refusal of many in the West to call this out for what it is and you have a toxic combination of 1.5 billion people co-opted into a mode of living that is completely anti-evolution. It is not for nothing that Islam once had a Golden Age. Once, five hundred years ago and never since.

Numerology gets us started with a simple truth. In the Islamic World I am not writing this in the year 2015, but in the year 1436. Where Western societies are in their twenties, the Islamic World is still in its early teens. I sincerely urge you not to fall into the trap of dismissing this snippet of truth as simplistic or childish for it contains a great deal of Light.

Islam contains some interesting principles, which when taken with detachment and curiosity can bring benefit. The notion of Submission to God sets in place a helpful conversation about the limits of man, while the notion of Jihad – the spiritual war within oneself – is most illuminating. However, Islam is dominated by literalists who insist on taking these practices at face value. Thus Submission becomes submission to the intermediary of Allah - the Mullah or Imam - and Jihad becomes war with the rest of humanity. Jihadists may well believe that they have a direct connection to God, but without any knowledge of the existence of their own Dark Side this connection will always be flawed. Those who have faith in a revealed wisdom or direct connections to higher powers must always reserve 1% of themselves for the possibility that they may be wrong and moderate their behaviour accordingly.

Where Islam is a free choice, lined up on equal standing with all the other religions and none, then no problem exists. All religions should be tolerated on the basis that a personal path to truth may be found through the most unlikely doorway. But we must be free to join, leave, extol or renounce all religions and Islam refutes this utterly, with grave penalties (sometimes even death) for apostasy. Many of its followers refuse to accept the slightest challenge to their beliefs, insisting that the Qur’an and Hadith are the final words of God which cannot be challenged or improved upon in any way. In this regards Islam seems very easy to offend yet if we are in the business of growth then to receive offence is actually a blessing. If we are offended in any way about anything at all then we should recognise how privileged we are to be exposed to an alternative view that we had not considered, in order that it may test our own fondly held beliefs and maybe allow us to free ourselves from their chains. How far we have turned from the path of light when those that offer such gifts are stoned, beheaded, condemned and vilified.

Much of Islam therefore resembles the Rigor Mortis of Death, characterised by the absence of movement. The assertion that the spiritual dimensions of life have been nailed completely is claimed throughout Islam, yet all that results is a profoundly anti-choice, anti-growth, anti-individual, anti-female philosophy. Islam is not exclusive in this kind of repression, but it is the most vocal of the old ‘book’ religions, the least tolerant, the least integrated, and the most unreformed. It is true that it is people who do evil, but fully formed belief eco-systems like Islam provide the framework within which evil is encouraged, condoned, tolerated, justified and ignored. This has forever been the case in patriarchal organised religions, but whereas most of the others are dying, Islam’s influence is growing. This is why these uncomfortable words must be said.

Its influence in global financial affairs is particularly concerning. Islamic banking is now big business, a multi-billion pound industry that demands the erosion of liberal values in favour of the pretence of community cohesion, otherwise known as Sharia. These are not UK specific issues, when traditionally tolerant, open and liberal countries like Holland and Denmark start to kick against it you know that it’s not just bad old fashioned British xenophobia.

Discussion of the role of religion generally, and Islam particularly is only just getting started in the West, but it is a discussion that must be had. There are many peaceful and tolerant Muslims, with strong family values who prioritise their children’s education and do a great deal for their community. But there are many intolerants who would impose Sharia law in a heartbeat. There can be no tolerance for this for no matter how culturally relative, open and forgiving we are no subject, practice or principle of an esoteric, occult or magical nature would survive five minutes in a Sharia driven society. All mystics, healers, pagans and readers should think carefully on this. Live and let live only works if everyone does it.

Islam and Muslims are separate issues. Islam is an ideology; Muslims are human beings who have adopted a role. I have fond memories of the summer of 1991 in a Parisian banlieue with a French Muslim girlfriend. I have been offered great generosity (not to mention great food) by many Muslim families and enjoyed intelligent and enlightened conversations with Sufi mystics about the nature of God and Life. In the same way that I dislike and disagree with Six Nations Rugby it does not stop me going into a pub for a pint of Guinness when the match is on. I display tolerance of my surroundings, and the supporters display tolerance of people who aren’t into it as much as they are. Yet when one side becomes inflamed by hate, then the other side is placed in danger. It is only through two-way tolerance that both sides can flourish, yet Islam is dominated by intolerants at every turn.

These questions about the nature and value of Islam extend far beyond the barbarity of Islamic State and the recent events in Paris. During these emotive times the rush to say 'It's Islam' is matched in strength only by the rush of others to say ‘It’s nothing to do with Islam'. Step back and observe this for yourself. The 'It's Islam' Brigade often conflate Muslims and Islam together, and that is dangerous. But within the 'It’s nothing to do with Islam' Brigade there is a wilful blindness to the unreformed nature of the religion and it’s resistance to hearing new perspectives. Haters of Muslims should go out of their way to break the Ramadan fast with an Islamic family and observe the close, supportive bonds around the table. They might also want to connect with Islamic architecture and learn about the advances of the Golden Age. But all those who proclaim 'It’s nothing to do with Islam' need to read or watch Sam Harris or Christopher Hitchens and then make up their own minds. Education about Islam is vital - and that means taking on information that comes from different perspectives, not simply reaffirming our prejudices from our favourite media outlet. Your personal truth on the question of Islam may then be found, when you can make an informed decision on which Islamic country you would like to live in?

Richard Abbot learned about the unseen nature of life, over a 20 year study period, with the late British occultist Arthur Norris, drawing on old English, pre-Wiccan esoteric practices. His Centre offers instruction in all mystic arts and psychic skills, globally, from its base in Northamptonshire, England.
Richard has written two books which are out now. The first – The Armchair Mystic – contains the record of fifteen years pathworking, guided visualisation, journeying and astral adventures using Tarot, Numerology, Kabbalah and the I Ching. The second – Darkness – looks at the Shadow side of popular New Age thinking and the genesis of the current problems facing the world.

These books and more information about the work is available at www.thehermitage.org.uk

Neter release Debut album Liquid Gold

D

avid and Jade began recording the Liquid Gold album two years ago after the birth of their twin baby boys. Neter write, record and produce all of their own music in their home studio.

“A Custom of Youth” from Liverpool feature on some of the tracks on this album and their new vocalist Jae. The first EP Love is a Gift tells the story of the coming together of Neter and this album is a memoir or “Living Liturgy” of the life of Neter so far. Inspired by influences like Black Submarine, Noel Gallagher, and the Imagine Dragons the band produce soaring melodic tunes that ring in your ears a long time after hearing them.

The single “Echo” due for release at the same time as the album is an anthemic movie soundtrack piece. Next year the band hope to move into production of music for film and TV.

There are lots of different genres over the course of the album so that there is something for everyone. “Living liturgy” is a piano driven ballad, whereas “I See You” is almost a dark dance track, the “Siren” is pure pop, and “Silver Sun” is a bit gospel in parts.

The piano hook line from “The Siren” came about while Jade was sitting at the piano bouncing Charlie on her knee. David started off with some electronic samples and they built the song around the piano layering instruments and vocals together. Lyrics usually start out as poetry which then get edited into verses and choruses.

“Action of Love” is otherwise known as the Flimby blues by the band and you will know why when you hear it.

Because of circumstances its difficult for them to get out and play the live circuit so Neter have opted for the multi media route for now, concentrating on getting airplay on the radio and producing Music Videos. The landscape of the music scene has changed over the years, we are in an age now where technology has put Artists in a much better situation to be able promote and distribute their own music. Neter chose the Winter Solstice to release the album as it is symbolic when darkness is at its peak and light begin to emerge.

Over the two years since beginning the recording of Liquid Gold Neter have had a definite shift from the traditional “band” archetype into recording experimental music which has opened up new vistas for their creativity. Next year they have very special guests lined up who will be working with them, to be announced at a later date.

Liquid Gold was released on the 21st of December 2015 on iTunes

Amazon download and CD

Watch the latest video on the Neter Youtube channel:

Magic in Christianity - From Jesus to the Gnostics book review by Jade Moore

Magic in Christianity - From Jesus to the Gnostics  

by Robert Conner

Looking for evidence and research that the Church has ties to Magic? After reading this book I challenge anyone to argue with the ideas presented in it that Christianity is not rooted in Magic!  Yes everyone has heard the "it was stolen from the pagans" cry but to read this text presented so clearly was an absolute joy. Robert compares early Christian texts with its Pagan and Jewish counterparts and puts forward a very convincing discourse that Jesus was likely a practitioner of Magic and that the very name of Jesus itself can be, and has been, used like a magical spell to perform exorcisms and some other very interesting rites. What's in a name indeed? He tells us that Divine names have been strung together over the years creating a mishmash in a cultural cooking pot which resulted in the ideas that are prevalent today in Religion.

This fascinating text would appeal to students of magic, comparative religion and and those who want to get to the  beginnings of the Christian faith. It is an extremely well written book of extraordinary depth and clarity, and personally I have come away from reading it with a completely different perspective than I had beforehand.

I particularly enjoyed the chapter which presented the idea of the resurrection of Christ as a spectral apparition rather than a physical bodily sighting. Unlike some books in which the authors wax lyrical about their viewpoints without any references to other people's work in a similar field Robert's book has an admirable glossary from which the interested reader could investigate his ideas further. 

Is there a distinction between Magic and Religion? The core of the text that the author argues that there is no clear distinction between them and Magic is Religion for the Individual and the idea that Religion is Magic for the masses. That the Priesthood - Religious Seers, Soothsayers etc, their Odes are Songs which become incantations or spells that can enchant those under its influence.  He discusses the common place act of people being sacrificed so that their spirits may be used to carry out specific tasks.

Book review by Jade Moore 2015

Goddess Calling by Rev Dr Karen Tate

Goddess Calling by Rev Dr Karen Tate

Feb 27, 2014: Reveiw by Wendy Stokes | Published in MBS Magazine

This book has been glowingly reviewed and praised by Jean Houston, Barbara G Walker, Szuzsanna Budapest and many other ‘greats’ of the women’s spirituality movement of our time. I opened it with considerable excitement to drink in it its beauty and riches and enjoy its poetry, delight and magic. The author provides here a useful manual to explore the many aspects of the Sacred Feminine and to access inspiration, encouragement and empowerment, not just on a personal level, but also to create a “Wisdom Circle”, a community in which rituals can be held to further explore this dynamic and transformational spiritual path specially for women.

It is not realistically possible to exclude spirituality from politics because politics is the way in which we are governed and also conditioned. Under patriarchy, women have been in a subservient role to men. Men have acted as intermediary between themselves and a male, authoritarian Godhead who applauds hierarchy and oppression. Under patriarchy, there is no suitable role model for spiritual leadership by women. Yes, thealogy, not theology! Rev Tate, an ordained minister, tells us about the goddess as deity, archetype and ideal, and through devotion to the Divine Female, we can reshape our personal and societal values and culture. She explains how we can create our own services and rituals to honour the goddesses of the seasons or specific goddesses for particular purposes, such as fighting injustices that are inflicted on our sisters around the world. These can be simple acts of devotion, with lighting a candle and reciting an opening prayer, then providing readings, affirmations, meditations, chants, storytelling and the sharing of experiences. Beautiful prayers are provided with meditations and other useful material to support the work of the group. Rev Tate guides us in the conservation of our unique planet’s precious resources - a political stance which is at the heart of goddess and Earth based spirituality.

Whether you are called to teach, write, campaign, heal, inform and raise awareness or give of your time, skills or monetary capacities, the path of the goddess is one of the most important and enjoyable a woman can take. This book will help to awaken you to the goddess by creating a group for ceremonies and meetings to honour the goddess in all her many forms.

Heed the calling! Trust the journey! Make a difference!
Other titles by Rev Dr Karen Tate:
Sacred Place of Goddess 108 Destinations
Walking an Ancient Path Rebirthing Goddess on Planet Earth and various anthologies.

Karen Tate has a radio programme titled: Voices of the Sacred Feminine, visit this link: http://www.karentate.com/Tate/radio_show.html

Review by Wendy Stokes www.wendystokes.co.uk

Endorsements for Goddess Calling:  Inspirational Messages & Meditations of Sacred Feminine Liberation Thealogy

Jean Houston, Ph.D - World-renowned American scholar, lecturer, author, and philosopher.
A strong, courageous book that will either set your teeth on edge or make you laugh with joy.
Barbara G. Walker, Beloved Foremother and Author of "The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets". Karen Tate's inspirational work celebrates Goddess spirituality and encourages all women to rediscover their sacred history, to break the shackles that patriarchal culture has imposed on them, and to take action for the preservation of our Mother Earth. Her meditations on the state of our world, past, present and future, are profoundly engaging. 

Rev. Ava, Founder and Presiding Priestess of the GODDESS TEMPLE of Orange County.
Women all over the world are rising up to create their own circles, churches and organizations to empower themselves, to express female spirituality and to better the world. This amazing book serves us well in offering brilliant wisdom, joyful ideas and gentle structure to our gatherings. We have been waiting for such a book and I'm so glad it's now here. Rev. Karen Tate is a treasure...one of our most profound thinkers and doers for an ancient spirituality that is coming through just in time for all humanity, that of "goddess."

Joan Norton, The Magdalene Within: 14 Steps to Awaken the Sacred Feminine, Women in the Circle of Mary Magdalene. To feel loved by the Sacred Feminine is a cure we need and Karen Tate's Goddess Calling helps bring it forth. She offers intellectual food, intuitional inspiration and experiential nourishment to seekers on the path of restoration of the feminine principle for our world. Goddess Calling can be used as a manual to create a wisdom circle or public ritual for a holy-day. She offers words to say for the important yearly cycles of renewal of the deep feminine, as well as guided visualization meditations to take us inward to meet the world goddesses.
  

Reverend Tate honors the archetype of Sacred Union through the story of Mary Magdalene and returns Mary to the company of her sister goddesses where she belongs. Mary Magdalene is but one facet of the world-changing strength of the feminine spirit that comes through in this book of rituals, meditations and political perceptions.

M. Isidora Forrest, author of Isis Magic: Cultivating a Relationship with the Goddess of 10,000 Names.

Goddess Calling is a valuable resource for those regularly called upon to create services or ceremonies for the exploration of Goddess spirituality. Karen Tate offers a selection of "Messages" relating the values of Goddess Spirituality - as expressed through the sacred myths of ancient and living Goddess traditions - to today's society, politics, and culture. Then she provides a series of "Meditations" that can help participants awaken those Goddess values in their own lives. Karen brings her deep experience with Goddess Spirituality and the liveliness of her long-running internet radio program, Voices of the Sacred Feminine, to this inspirational book. 

Donna Henes, Urban Shaman, Author of The Queen of My Self.
....a hearty “Brava!” to Karen Tate who has created such a powerfully lovely vehicle to help us invoke Her spirit and connect with Her wisdom and guidance as we struggle to create a world of peace, understanding and sustainability in Her name.

Book Review of Stephanie Sorrell's "Understanding the Black Dog" by Jade Ashcroft

Understanding the Black Dog by Stephanie Sorrell.

This is a fabulous well written and insightful little book which is a must read for anyone who cares for somebody suffering from depression. It is simple, concise and straight to the point. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get a better understanding of how Depression can affect the whole of a persons life, whether from a work related perspective or for a friend or relative trying to understand how to help someone to cope with their darkest moments.

Stephanie explains some of the different reasons and possible causes for the onset of depression, the symptoms of the different levels and how it might affect the ability to deal with even the simplest of tasks, and offers up to date information on the range of medication that is invaluable for friends and family caring for someone who is suffering from Depression. 

She explains very well the difficulties that come with this debilitating disease, and attempts to eradicate some of the stigma by sharing her personal experiences which no doubt will touch the hearts of anyone who has experienced Depression in their lives. She gives lots of common sense advice and from her perspective as a long term sufferer shining a ray of hope for anyone struggling by showing that life can and does go on after acceptance and suitable changes are made in ones life to work with it, and understand it rather than than the popular misconception that it can be eradicated and overcome.  

Book review by Jade Ashcroft Oct 2014

http://www.amazon.com/Depression-Understanding-Black-Stephanie-Sorrell/dp/1782791655