Destiny Books

Pagan Astrology: Spell-Casting, Love Magic, and Shamanic Stargazing

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:01:00 +0000

Astrology and magic have been topics that I have been interested in over the years. I had my chart done years ago, and found the correlations between my sign and my personality amazingly accurate (I am truly an Aquarius). What interested me about Raven Kaldera's book, Pagan Astrology: Spell-Casting, Love Magic, and Shamanic Stargazing, was that different magic is used depending on the astrological alignment.

If you have never read anything on pagan astrology, this book can look overwhelming. Since the magic Kaldera discusses refers to charts, knowing a little about them beforehand can help greatly. Kaldera starts with a chapter on charts, explaining deciphering to beginners and goes into detail about the different glyphs on the chart. For people already quite knowledgeable, he also includes a more advanced chapter.

For each of the planets, Kaldera has in depth explanations about the planetary magic, when during the astrological cycle each planetary spell is performed, and what is the significance of each spell; for example, Jupiter magic brings out the different gifts, such as courage or ingenuity. There are spells for the eight moon phases (New, Crescent, Waxing, Quarter, Gibbous, Full, Disseminating, Waning, Quarter, and Balsamic), Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (Kaldera includes an author's note in the beginning of the book regarding Pluto). Further into the book, Kaldera describes planetary altars, which change on which sign the planet is in. Kaldera also includes magical prescriptions for Western readers, which are used for positive and negative transits of the planet.

When I started reading Pagan Astrology, I felt a tad overwhelmed, due to a lack of previous knowledge. However, Kaldera does a good job explaining every detail, making it easier for astrology amateurs, like myself, to catch up. Having your natal chart while reading this book, which can be done online, definitely helps with understanding the material. For anyone interested in pagan astrology, Pagan Astrology is an excellent resource for spells, altars, and magical prescriptions.

Written by: Elizabeth Stannard, February 16th 2010

Vodou Love Magic: A Practical Guide to Love, Sex, and Relationships

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:30:00 +0000

By Kenaz Filan

Destiny Books

Kenaz Filan’s book Vodou Love Magic: A Practical Guide to Love, Sex, and Relationships is just that—a practical guide, arguably perhaps a little too practical. At times, it even felt like I was reading a self-help book with Vodou spells thrown in as a bonus. The chapter that focuses on treatments and cures for lovesickness has more detailed information than you may want to read about on codependency, sexual addiction and stalking—if you’re just trying to learn more about Haitian Vodou, that is.

Filan not only provides an in-depth definition of these issues; they are dissected and analyzed with the eye of an amateur psychologist with lots of “practical” advice on how to deal with them. So, what’s the first thing you should do if you realize you’re being stalked by a jilted lover, stranger, or an ex who just can’t accept it’s over? “Cut off all contact with your stalker now”, Filan recommends. Also: “Record every stalking incident” and “Take steps to ensure your safety.” If that isn’t practical advice, I don’t know what is.

Yet in this chapter, as in the rest of the book, the spells Filan suggests we consider trying in order to help us work through our problems will keep you interested. Having a hard time battling your sexual demons? Go to a crossroads with a tiny pouch filled with a corncob pipe, tobacco, a bottle of rum, and some loose change to consult Papa Legba (guardian of the gateway between the two worlds) for guidance. Feeling intense sadness and depression after a breakup? Performing Damballah’s (the most ancient and powerful of all the Iwa) Transmutation of Love Spell may help.

For those new to Haitian Vodou, Filan’s work is a good introduction to the Iwa (spirits) and how to go about contacting them for counsel. Along with Legba and Damballa, descriptions and spells for other Iwa include Freda (“bringer of beauty”), La Sirene (“bringer of glamour”), Ogou (“bringer of strength”), Simbi (“bringer of communication”) and Ghede (hilariously described as “bringer of booty calls”). Filan is an official Houngan (Vodou priest) and seems to have extensive knowledge about the spirits and the history of Haitian Vodou—though much of that knowledge is absent here). This is simply a light, enjoyable introduction to Vodou and how the ancient spirits can help you handle any kind of love drama imaginable.

Written by: Natalie Maxwell, June 19th 2009

Magic and the Power of the Goddess: Initiation, Worship, and Ritual in the Western Mystery Tradition

admin — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:06:00 +0000

By Gareth Knight

Destiny Books

The planet is in turmoil and, according to Magic and the Power of the Goddess by Gareth Knight, we can heal it by connecting with the Goddess - the feminine energy that runs though our world. To fully connect with the Goddess though, one must study how she has been represented in various cultures throughout history.

The first part of the book deals with exercises and rituals (most involve meditation, circles, and candles) that one can perform in order to become more in sync with nature and the energy that runs through the planet. Knight claims that this energy is feminine and takes the form of the Goddess. By focusing on this energy, we should be able to heal not only ourselves, but the environment around us. The rest of the book concentrates on different myths from various cultures and how the Goddess is represented in each of these stories. Isis, Andromeda, Psyche, and the Virgin Mary are just a few of the women that Knight cites in these chapters.

Personally, I found this book to be a bit much. To me, meditation is a simple, stress-free practice, and I found Knight’s almost scientific approach to be very unappealing and complicated. The same goes for his take on ancient myths. I would have appreciated an in-depth analysis of how women and goddesses have been represented in mythology over time, but Knight’s analysis just seems to go in circles, never reaching any real conclusion. I’ve read a few new age books before, and while I’ve never really been a follower of what they preach, I could appreciate the author’s point of view. This book was different. I found Knight to be longwinded, rambling and, worst of all, boring. Maybe if I practiced Wicca I would be more impressed with Magic and the Power of the Goddess, but somehow I doubt it.

Written by: Victoria Kroeger, June 11th 2008