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

"Circles" by A Custom of Youth Music Review by DM 2014

"Circles" by A Custom of Youth

Sometimes when I'm asked to review music it's a massive task to pick out the positives of some really dreadful music. When I was asked to review the brand new album from A Custom of Youth.. I couldn't write anything for 2 days... it's that good!!

From the opening synths of "This Life" to the last note of the title track "Circles" I was transfixed by the journey I was taken on. You can see where the influences come from... from the 60's right through to the 80's and 90's.. yet this album still manages to sound so fresh.

Hailing from Merseyside, A Custom of Youth was born out of a desire to make some good music, regardless of genre or tastes. I can comfortably say this has been achieved with the release of this album. You can tell every track has been thought out to make sure nothing is out of place.. every note is exactly where it should be... the produciton is exemplary, the vocals are fantastic and the music to tie it all together is nothing short of inspirational. I cannot recommend this album high enough it deserves every accolade it's gonna get.

A Custom of Youth "Circles" is due for release sometime mid-April.... get it bought you won't regret it.

DM 2014

Ben Sims Enlightening Times Featured Artist

Back six years ago I had a minor break down while coping with the demands of a new baby and going to work every day, sleep deprivation can have that affect. As a result I had to take thing's a little easier for a while and one day I found myself sifting across material on Youtube on Reptillians. Having always been interested in Aliens I found the whole subject fascinating and began searching for more information, before long I'd came across David Icke and the idea of the Holographic Universe.

I found it so interesting, aliens and reptilians become a very small subject in the context of the world being holographic. The more I watched the more mind blow I was, I soaked up knowledge for a few years from many different sources including Red Ice, Alex Jones, Coast to Coast, Veritas and I also met Gareth Icke. It was Gareth who inspired me to think about what I could do to contribute to the momentum that was building.

It was then I hit the paint brush. I tried all mediums, spray paint to paint markers, oils acrylics. As I started I started running into synchronicity i.e. I want to an event in Manchester to see Thomas Sheridan, Author of Anvil of the Psyche and other titles.  

As I was there I bumped into Ben Stewart from America, Stew Art who was there speaking about art, as we introduced ourselves to each other and realised both our name's were Ben another Ben introduced himself, creating a Ben triangle which I found quite amusing. Ben was also holding an event only a quarter mile from my home which I attended and the following year I bumped into him in a lift in a hotel while going to see David Icke in London.

I have sold about 12 paintings so far and have continued to change from medium to medium, my favourite of which for now is medium sprays maker pens and oil paint on canvas. Ben Sims

Visit Ben's website for more information or to purchase your very own Ben Sims Artwork

All Rights Reserved 2014 

To write or not to write.... It is still your choice, for now.

In the wake of news stories about Journalism being compared to Terrorism and bills being passed through government which make it a criminal offense to take part in lobbying unless you have registered with the government for the right to do so... is it any wonder that more and more people are literally being frightened into silence?

The phone hacking scandal which has been all over the news recently is just one of the gift horses that presented the government with the perfect opportunity to bring in new legislation's to overhaul the industry by placing restrictions on who can act as a lobbyist by passing a law in which you have to register for the right to lobby and comply with a list of rules and regulations which include passing business and personal information and making in an offense to spend over a certain amount of money on campaigning in the year coming up to Elections.

Why would you be interested in lobbying? Striving to influence decisions being made by the government? The News is a perfect example of how to influence opinion in the general public when it is presented in a certain way, alongside images portraying things which the viewers will react with emotionally when they agree or disagree with the content being shown. What about unbiased reporting is there even such a thing anymore in the Mainstream Media?

There was grave concern voiced about the Transparency of Lobbying bill from Greenpeace and other Charities because of the enforced cap on expenditure on political lobbying before an election.   

• Charities National charity campaigns such as those against fracking could also be affected by the new rules if the Electoral Commission rules that they favour one party in the election. At a local level they could also fall foul of the new regulations. (Quote from Independant)

This is alongside all the information from the leaks that were published from information released by Edward Snowden proving that we really are living in an Orwellian surveillance state and that our every move is being logged, categorized and analyzed by someone somewhere sitting behind mountains of personal data that we we neither agreed to have collected or were even aware that it was being collected until the whistleblowing light shone from a great height to illuminate all of these shady goings on.

So where does this leave those of us who would like to know the Truth about matters? Free Speech may not be what it once used to be in the UK but it is not dead and buried just yet. The established Media outlets are not the only source of information. More often than not you will see a story spreading through twitter days before it is picked up by the mainstream and being reported not by trained journalists but by everyday people who are reporting facts, posting images and talking about things as they happen in real time. Surely a way forward is for the audience to participate in the output of information that is being reported and for it to be just as important as that which is carefully dissected, prepared and streamlined to a certain agenda before broadcast.

Mark Glaser, a freelance journalist who frequently writes on new media issues, said in 2006:^[10]

The idea behind citizen journalism is that people without professional journalism training can use the tools of modern technology and the global distribution of the Internet to create, augment or fact-checked media on their own or in collaboration with others. For example, you might write about a city council meeting on your blog or in an online forum. Or you could fact-check a newspaper article from the mainstream media and point out factual errors or bias on your blog. Or you might snap a digital photo of a newsworthy event happening in your town and post it online. Or you might videotape a similar event and post it on a site such as YouTube.

Everyone has a voice, an opinion, thoughts... and yours are just as important as the next persons. Question is will you exercise your right to speak out? Over the last few years the Enlightening Times Magazine has sought to promote creative people from all walks of life who have dedicated their lives to their work. Our youtube channel, the blog and Magazine is opening its doors to YOU to make a difference whether that is through writing Articles or sharing Stories to promoting your life's work and that of others who have chosen to live their dream or to write news stories as you see them! If you would like to be added to the Magazine Blog as a regular contributor please Email Rashelle and she will set you up.

Due to the arrival of two beautiful baby boys I won't be editing the Magazine anymore but will be handing the running of the new site and future editions over to the very capable Rashelle who is very lucky to have lots of helpers lining up to assist with technical advice and support. I have loved every second of the Enlightening Times since its inception and would like to thank each an every single contributor who has helped bring the Magazine to what it is today. You are all awesome! Keep those Articles coming. :)

By Jade Moore for the Enlightening Times Magazine
All Rights Reserved 2014 

Pamela Wells Featured Artist in the Enlightening Times Magazine

Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess deck highlights the universal wisdom, truth and power of each major arcana card as an evolutionary step towards higher consciousness. 

I created “Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess” as a tool to honor the feminine aspects of God. By creating a tarot deck that deeply resonates with my own experience of the Divine Feminine, I knew I would transform myself in the process as well as awaken others to the wisdom and power of the Goddess.  

To me, the Divine Feminine is the gateway to universal wisdom and a compassionate guide into the nature of God and ourselves. The inner journey begins with the feminine task of self-inquiry and our thirst for greater knowledge and meaning in our lives. This is exactly why the tarot is such an exquisite tool. It takes us down into our souls and reconnects us with our own intuitive brilliance we were collectively taught to disregard. When we reconnect to our inner wisdom, we learn how to live from a place of love. We become more connected and compassionate about our own suffering, the suffering of all beings and more engaged in healing ourselves and the planet. 
 

Tarot enthusiasts know this: ask the question and the journey begins! There is a Divine Feminine intelligence within every human being that is ready to empower us, align us with our highest aspirations and fill us with our heart’s desire if we have the courage to begin the adventure into our own souls.

What got me started doing the tarot?

I had reached a transitional period in my commercial illustration and design career where I wanted to pursue creative work with less restrictive design rules. The step was an act of reclaiming my identity as a "fine artist" and overcoming my fear of becoming the "starving artist".

At about the same time I met a medicine woman who encouraged me to paint and draw what I felt passionate about. One of the first images I painted was the Strength card before I even knew it would become the Strength card!

The Strength card is mid-point in a majors only tarot deck and suggests inner growth and awareness that evolves over our lifetimes. Strength says, "I wisely use my life-force energy to create and direct my good work in the world." The archetypal significance or the card represented to me a message of passionate action. I was ready to fully incorporate the meaning of this card in my life.As I painted, I realized I could be guided in the process through meditation. All these wonderful synchronistic events unfolded during the creation of imagery as my faith grew that all would be well even if I didn't know where my creative work would lead me. About ten paintings into this intuitive process a large tarot card company contacted me and asked me to create a tarot deck. 

“Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess” deck has spiritual depth for those who are serious seekers, healers, mystics and intuitives. I included a challenging question and answer section at the end of each chapter in the spiritual guide-book included with the cards. The deck is organized around the universal spiritual teachings of each of the 22 major arcana cards. I was deeply moved by their profound wisdom and immersed myself into translating the spiritual and evolutionary meaning of the cards. The goddess tarot cards highlight each of the wisdom teachings with an affirmation. The book includes quotes from spiritual teachers, mystics and philosophers as well as poetry to elaborate on the meaning of the cards. I designed the box, book and cards to be used for individual contemplation, major arcana tarot readings, and for educational wisdom teachings. This set is also beautifully packaged and perfect to give as a gift or collectable. 

The cards are oversized for the purpose of seeing all the detailed imagery. The box and cards are printed with metallic gold ink. 

Where can people go to buy this deck? “Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess Spiritual Guidebook & 22 Wisdom Cards for Contemplation and Prayer”. It is available for retail or wholesale from ArtmagicPublsihing.com, New Leaf Distribution, Barnes & Noble, Amazon or DeVorss & Company. It is also available at iTunes as an iPhone app.

Becoming Real by Cherry Morris

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." “Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

Isn't that lovely? What a wonderful excerpt from the book, it really does sum up living authentically. It’s also very true; we don’t become real people until we have experienced pain, loss, real love, and what we thought was love. So no matter the source of love or hurt, we become real by acknowledging our true selves in every experience.

So the Skin Horse explains this by saying that people who break easily, have sharp edges, or have to be kept carefully, don’t often become real. Looking at this and applying it to life we can see what he means. If you break easily, everything becomes painful, every new negative experience builds on the last one, and we become so disconnected from our true selves, our dreams, our hopes that it becomes difficult to see clearly.

If you have coped with life by building a wall around yourself for protection, you may keep out the hurt, but you also keep out the chance of becoming real, and recognising real love when it comes. So your edges will be sharp, from a distance you seem okay, but get closer and those edges cut, the saddest thing is that it is you who will be cut the deepest.

If your response to life has been a desire to be carefully kept, (controlling your environment) then you are living a false life. Like living on a very small life raft in a very big ocean, you are very vulnerable to being thrown around by life’s ups and downs.

When we are hurting, we don’t see it at the time but it is the perfect time to take a long hard look at ourselves. To become real (authentic) we have to acknowledge every part of ourselves. The good parts and the not so pretty parts.

You can’t mend other people when they are broken, that’s a fact, an indisputable truth. No matter what you do for them, you cannot mend them. You can help them mend themselves, but they have to truly want to change or your energy and time will be wasted.

You can mend yourself though, with or without help, and the first step is to acknowledge that you are broken.

Just two questions, if you’re really smart you’ll be asking yourself both of them:

Why am I allowing these things to happen in my life?

Why am I treating other people this way?

That’s it right there, your biggest truth, your long hard gaze in the mirror: Two simple questions.

So how do you begin to mend yourself?

It starts with how much we love and value ourselves, those who've read all of my blogs will notice a common theme in that statement. What most people who read it won’t know - is that I have learnt all of these things the hard way by experience!

So right now I will be my authentic self, sharing the one simple fact that I know, if we don’t love, honour and respect ourselves truly, why should others?

Have you ever:

Put yourself last, feeling guilty for having needs

Beat yourself up for making mistakes

Had self-destructive behaviours that stemmed from low self-worth and attracted all manner of destructive people/events into your life

Talked yourself out of doing anything worthy, told yourself that you wouldn’t be good enough

Concentrate on all your perceived shortcomings far more than all the good things you’ve achieved

Develop some habits/strategies to feel loved, get attention

I have done all of the above, and probably a lot more too at various times in my life!

So how did I change? How did I become real?

I went through a most horrendous experience that left me vulnerable and scared, but at the same time something in me snapped and made me embrace everything I was, and everything I wasn’t.

I acknowledged my weak points and made a promise to myself to sort as many of them out as possible, and to love those flawed bits of me I really couldn’t change.

By accepting yourself fully, you begin the healing process, by looking at the dark side of ourselves, as well as the light parts (much more comfortable to look at) that is the route to becoming whole.

So I am not so different from you, except that I am writing about my flaws for the world to read, and I have to tell you – that feels ok, it feels right to acknowledge that I am not perfect. The reason that it feels right is that my foundation is now built on having the love and respect for myself that I deserve.

I don’t need everyone else to love me in order to love myself

I don’t need everyone else’s permission to be happy in order to feel happiness

I am happy being me, perfectly imperfect, and in living this way, I have attracted happiness in abundance into my life that I never thought possible..

So now you know, the whole reason for creating the village of Happyshire, is to help you find peace and happiness in your life too. To give you courage to change, to get out there and create the life you’d really like.

Live positively and value yourself, take chances, take risks...just do it!

The worst that can happen can turn out to be the best you ever could have imagined

Trust me, I know, for now that my hair has fallen out, I have scars, inside and outside, my joints ache... but I am real, and I am truly loved.

You can read the whole story of the Velveteen Rabbit here..

http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/williams/rabbit/rabbit.html

This article was taken from my blog http://happy-shire.blogspot.co.uk/

My name is Cherry Morris and my website is www.cherriesnaturalhealing.co.uk

All Rights Reserved 2014 

Biff Diglett New Book by Sid Wright

Check out Sids 4th book after The Contemplations of a Nobody, The Further Contemplations of a Nobody and Fancy Dress Tips for Bald Men.

Biff Digglett is a comedic piece of light reading which features 3 short stories about a young man called Biff Digglett. He has finished university with a degree in Criminology but inevitably struggles to find a job in that field. Eventually he is forced to move back home to the sleepy town of Cockermouth and he gets a temporary job as a gardener but the job turns out to be a gateway to a world of crime and murder.

Sids books are all available from his website - Biff Digglett and the Secret Gardener, Biff Digglett and the monster on Meadow Grove and Biff Digglett and the horrors of the Four Halls Hotel.



www.sidwright.co.uk 

Creating New beginnings through the Tarot Cards by Jean Redman

Creating New Beginnings through the Tarot cards

Self transformation is important if you want to be in charge of being a co-creator with in your own destiny. A Tarot reading can offer you that opportunity to be that co-creator of change. Why wait for the winds to do that, often smacking you right in the face, let’s take charge now and be the creator of your own New Beginnings. 

Often in a Tarot reading, I am ask how can I change, what do I need to change, how can I create happiness, a healthy body, a new mind set, revitalized passion for my work or for my partner, how can I have a loving relationship? We humans tend to focus more on the problem rather than the solution and you can find tools for solutions through the Tarot cards. To desire a new beginning we must first asked ourselves, why do I want to create a new beginning? In asking this question you would be able to discover what you need to let go of, what needs to die in order to be reborn. What new beginning do I want or desire. For instance, you may want a new business, a diet for a new body, a new way of looking at the world, a new romance or re-modeled and or redesign your home. 

There is a story, your story and many of us cannot let go of “our story”. This is essential to creating a new beginning. Just how can we let go? For the Tarot reading, this is the first question to ask. With five cards in a Tarot spread we can determine the how and the what, for some people they have a difficult time in seeking out the what needs to be let go of, the Tarot can pin point that, clarify what you need. For instance for those who do not know what they want to let go of, the center card of the reading is the “issue at hand” what do I need to let go of. This card could be the Ten of Wands, which would tell us that we need to look at where you feel a burden, a responsibility and or stress and hard work in your life, where it is the heaviest load. 

Perhaps you do not know how to create time for your own soul’s rest or nourishment, or the body that craves a hot bath or a spa day. Maybe you took on too many philanthropic projects and feel guilty that you cannot give yourself fully to all of them this would be the burden of consciousness. Perhaps you have worked really hard on a project and it is coming to completion, the achievement is there, however, the responsibilities will now kick in and this may be too much to handle and you are struggling to let go. The next card drawn is the card of the mind, the sub-conscious, something perhaps you are not aware of, the thinking mind or belief held deep in the sub-conscious. This is what needs to be address, to re-formulate or enhanced. The card could be, The Queen of Swords. This card may show that your associate or even your director, this person is a great thinker, organized and not very approachable. 

However the position of the card tells us that she can be open to you asking her for help. You have thought of her as stand offish, unapproachable and feel her response to you would be stern, like your mother’s was. You have not thought to ask her and in fact do not want to ask. The truth is you have not delegated the work load properly because your own thinking mind is one of perfection and greatly independent, if I don’t do it right, no one will. So how then can we change this thinking and in fact a pattern which may have carried over since childhood. The next card is the “change or helper card” and perhaps it is The Magician Card. This would tell you that it is the right timing to communicate what you need and you will impress people in the process of doing so. This will move things swiftly forward and balance out the burden that you have been carrying. There is seen here as a need for urgency, the need to make things happened now and you will get what you desire. This brings good luck to you, so take that leap forward and change the direction of your life. The next card will tell us what action is needed to create this new beginning.

We now see the ACE of Wands. There is not action needed, the new beginning will be ushered in when the steps talked about before are taken swiftly to delegate priorities and work. The new beginning will be a new creative enterprise a new project will reveal itself with inspiration, power and great potential.

The Outcome of this reading the card drawn is The Six of Pentacles. To unburden your work load and your mind will bring in the ability to be generous with self and others. The new project may be in the form of a Charity, a Non-profit, something you have always dreamed of creating.

The Tarot cards will show you tools to use to facilitate change. One Tarot reading I did many years ago was with a woman I barely knew, but I had known her through various charity events. Her question was about her relationship of 8 years, the passion had died and she was contemplating moving on and letting go. In the place of what tool can I use to facilitate change within me, she drew the card with the imagery of Musical instruments all over it, and it was the Eight of Wands. I had known her for years but did not know much about her and I asked her if she liked Music. She did. I asked her if she ever played an instrument. Wow, I was so surprised at the answer. She had put the Cello in the closet for the last 12 years, she got bored with it and she also felt that she would never be that good, seeking perfection was at her core of being. I suggested to her that the cards were telling her to pick that up again, create the passion of the music just for herself and no one else and to play for meditation. Impress no one. Bring the harmony of life back into your energy and allow the passion to flow in, allow it to happen. I saw her 4 months later, she had renewed her vows with her partner and she was playing the Cello daily, it had brought her to complete joy. 

Jean Redman has read Tarot cards since 1982. She also teaches Tarot classes and created The Bali Tarot Deck, the Major Arcana, un-published as yet. www.tarotbyjeanredman.com and to see more images from the deck, http://balitarotdeck.webs.com

An alternative view of current affairs by Marian Matthews

Reading some of the current views of the shameful things that are happening in the world today, cover ups, loss of privacy and sovereignty, wars over resources , environmental problems, multinational exploitation etc etc I cannot help but feel a great sense of deja vu. 

Thirty years ago, in my radical phase, (CND radical and Labour Party) we were fighting hard for very similar causes. People from all walks of life and all ages saw it as their battle too. We were idealistically trying to make society and the world a better place. I think we thought we had made progress. Things seemed to have at least become more open. The realistic amongst us though had begun to realise that central government was more constrained than was apparent. Big business, multinational and the banking system had actually most of the power. They were operating across borders to further their own interests which did not always take into account our individual or national interests. They were, on some level, unaccountable to anyone.

Time, of course, tamed us all. We moved on to different political parties or just real life. I was in local politics for many years myself. By then a Liberal, my thinking was, although a busy wife and mother, at least that way I could make some small differences for both individual and the greater good. The most distressing part of this was the apathy and almost wilful ignorance of what was going on, seen in the general public. We actually had more in common with our “enemies”, who actually cared, although we felt them to be wrong and vice versa, than with the people who, as long as they were O.K., did not look at the big picture or question what was being done in their name.

With the growing of the information age, I had hoped that with the greater openness via the internet and 24 hour news from different sources, that people would see more. Abuses would be stopped, and wrongs put right. Society, would no longer be able to cite ignorance as an excuse for lack of action. 

Yet, in some ways we seem to be back in the bad old days. Why is this so?

AS far as I can see there are several reasons for this.

Firstly, people always assume that government is always working to improve the greater good. Or solve problems to benefit of us all. There are individuals in all parties and in government who do try to do this. Many though are just trying to improve things for their own particular set. People should both vote and look behind the rhetoric and vote for people of honour and integrity rather than just those with the best sound bite. But please vote.

Secondly, the information age works both ways. With our information has come institutional observation of us all. With this comes the means of control. This is a battle that we fought hard 30 years ago , before most people realised it was a problem. Public apathy defeated us. It is now too late. All we can do about it is just be aware.

Thirdly, there are far too many people who believe that it is not their responsibility to solve society’s problems or their own. They think that someone else , or the government should do something about everything. We need all to take responsibility for our own actions and society’s. It must also be realised that we are one world. If we all did what we could, even on a very small scale, locally or globally, we could make a difference.

Fourthly, there is now no way to control these transnational empires, In some ways we rely on them. All we can do is keep on the ball and shame them where necessary to act for the greater good. The sooner we realise that it is everyone’s problem and not just someone else’s, the more we can mitigate this. So, put down your I pads, switch off your videogames, pick up the batons that we put down years ago. We need you more than ever.

P.S.  Our Toxic Press

Last but not least, when discussing the state of the world and how we are losing the battle for control, honesty and integrity we must never forget the role played in our societal downfall by our toxic media and press.

So much is happening in the world for good or bad that is shown to us in 24 hour media cover, but never forget that what is shown is only a snap shot, someone’s choice of many things that may be available. When something major happens it dominates our screens in blanket coverage at the cost all other sensible News that may be happening at the same time. A balanced view if often missing. Quantity is often mistaken for quality. Not only that but the topic is suddenly dropped ( Like Syria) although the problem is still ongoing. I used to be proud of our BBC but no more…apart from radio 4 that is. Too often the News agenda seems to have been set by people who have a narrow and limited view of what the public may be interested in. I am always particularly appalled when the death of a celeb is given more coverage than seemly, often at the cost of real news. Is the death of someone who is good at acting or singing, or just in some cases just being, worth more than a tragedy involving ordinary people?

The written media are sometimes even worse. I have had many a rant about the celebrity culture in magazines that gives young girls ( and boys ) false goals to aim for. Being happy is portrayed as being only a factor of being slim and being dressed in the latest “must have” fashions. Dating a footballer or celeb is seen as the pinnacle of what should be aspired to. The problem is in the air brushed beauty being the norm. People are made to feel inadequate if they do not begin to match up. The emphasis seems to be on dieting for vanity rather than healthy eating for long and healthy life. This is causing stress and depression among our young people.

Very sadly, characters in soap operas, who often live horrendous and amoral lives, are treated as real people. I have seen magazine headlines with news of the character’s (not the actual actors) doings as if it had really happened. This again gives false norms to people. Not even our more heavy weight papers are always much better. I did see an edition of- I think it was- the Times that gave nearly equal weight on the front page to someone famous’ wonderful waist size and the problems in the Crimea. Come on media stop poisoning the lives of the young with this junk. Real happiness is in living well balanced and thoughtful lives. Where are the inspirational stories? Where are our role models? Where is the crusading zeal that encourages people to take control of their own lives and work for the common good rather than blame everyone else for the mess we are in? A decent media would help us with our fight for a better society, not chase flashy headlines. We need better stories and both sides of each dispute to be properly given, not just in sound bites for entertainment. The press should be our bulwark between us and the often dreadful things done in our name.


There are exceptions, of course, but generally our media seems to have become a branch of the entertainment industry. Come on media, written and visual, raise your game we need you to do the right thing. Who knows, if people start believing in you again together we may actually be able to improve things. Newspapers might even be able to sell more copies again!