Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: healing

  • The Crystal Directory 100 Crystals for Positive Manifestation

    The Crystal Directory 100 Crystals for Positive Manifestation

    For many, many years, century’s actually, Crystals have been a geological formation that have been revered, abused, treasured, used for their magical properties to heal, to manifest, to adorn or simply to create a beautiful something to bring pleasure and joy.

    As the millennium has progressed, the true ability of these wonderful formations known as Crystals have been explored to better understand their properties, with many books being written and researched now on the market.

    The Crystal Directory – 100 Crystal’s for positive manifestation in many ways singles out the uses for crystals that many seek to use for manifestation, healing and their health giving properties. In this beautifully presented book, Section 1 Basic Crystals sets out clearly the importance of understanding how to use Crystals, their types, shapes, formation, colour and history which should be considered as essential reading, particularly if you are just beginning to understand and work with these beautiful and enriching stones.

    Manifestation Basics begins Section 2 offering a step by step guide to working with stones, which is considerably more complex than is first thought as manifestation, regardless of how you are going about it, is best to understand comprehensively before beginning the journey. Clearly laid out each area is comprehensive and should be considered as basic training as the seven steps required are well explained, and need to be clearly understood.

    Set out once again in an easy to use, well presented dictionary style is Crystal Sourcebook or Section 3, which is further divided into crystals for abundance and good fortune, success, well-being, love and more forming a section that is incredibly helpful when searching for the right crystal to use for manifestation, protection or well-being.

    Overall, The Crystal Directory – 100 Crystal’s for positive manifestation is a well-constructed, beautifully presented  book that will guide the newcomer, enrich the casual users knowledge base, as well as help understand better the true power of Crystals and the positive effect they can have on everyday life.

  • Healing Sound Project 1​:​1

    Healing Sound Project 1​:​1

    Sarah Jane Hargis believes in following dreams and overcoming obstacles, and doing what it takes to be able to follow a pathway in life that could be considered as a pre-defined destiny, that of becoming a world class flutist and Neurological Music Therapist.

    Born into a family of farmers, her love of music was encouraged by her grandmother, who played piano and her father a cornet player and guitarist, little did she realise as a child, she would go on to make music her life. When she began to partially lose her hearing, she moved away from music for some time, eventually returning to her passion through the study of Neurological Music Therapy.

    There she met Andrea Cortez whose intention it was to learn the harp, to incorporate the healing vibration with the framework of Healing music. Hargis, a composer as well as instrumentalist over several genres, always had a desire to compose and record with a harpist.

    After a session where they combined harp and flute melodies a decision was made to collaborate, to create the beautiful relaxing and healing Healing Sound Project 1:1 for practitioners working within the range of healing arts.

    Overall, the work has immense charm, encompassing a range of elegant and comfortable melodies, which will have a wide appeal and will undoubtedly find a permanency within the healing modalities. But this collaboration has a far wider appeal, as it sits very nicely within the relaxation, meditation and healing fields, encompassing New Age, but not being defined within the structures, which will appeal to the wider community.

    Perfect for background music, the subliminal elements craft a sense of well-being and peace, offering a sense of calm making this combination of harp and flute with electronic influences, a wonderful choice to help with overcoming much of the distress now prevalent in in a rapidly changing world.

  • The Witch’s Herbal Apothecary

    The Witch’s Herbal Apothecary

    From the beginning of this beautifully presented subject of Herbal Apothecary it is clearly explained that we are more than just our human form, that “We are not a part of nature. We are nature.” This, while it appears to be simplistic is far from that, as it is the basis of understanding the connection between the sacred Earth and ‘self’.

    As The Witch’s Herbal Apothecary unfolds, each of the chapters carefully sets out and explains the many facets of what it is to be ‘working witch’, dealing in the mystical elements of healing, with the offerings from Mother Earth as she and the plants are ready to offer their wisdom and healing to all who would chance to listen and understand.

    But do you have to be a witch to do this, you may well ask and the answer is no, as all you do need is a true heart, a desire to heal and understand the ‘magik’ all around. Understanding the wicca arts is most helpful though, as it definitely adds a further dimension of understanding and healing.

    If you enjoy rituals, remedies, recipes and potions, with a delightful smattering of seasonal content The Witches Herbal Apothecary is ideal, especially should you be a beginner in the arcane arts.

    Divided into three sections, which are then subdivided into specifics, is excellent as this allows a very large amount of information be easily read, understood and enjoyed, as there is nothing simple about understanding many of aspects of heavenly and earth energies, which without a doubt, are powerful.

    Pleasingly set out, the illustrations throughout help break down the text, creating a lovely, almost whimsical, aspect to what is serious subject matter. As with all books written on a spiritual plane, those who are seeking will find information to be treasured, while others will enjoy the work as informative and structural.

  • Moon Magic: A Handbook of Lunar Cycles, Lore, and Mystical Energies

    Moon Magic: A Handbook of Lunar Cycles, Lore, and Mystical Energies

    There is absolutely no doubt that Moon Magic is a beautifully presented book about the magic of the Moon and the effect it has on everyday life, its ability to heal, and the importance the Moon as an entity, holds in the craft of Wicca, or Witchcraft.

    Perfect for the beginner, or those simply interested in understanding more about Witchcraft, Magic and Spirituality, Aurora Kane takes you through the many aspect of the importance of the Moon, the Beliefs, Phases, Magic, Astrology, Tarot and Spells to present a clear understanding of the importance of connecting with the Universe.

    The Moon is generally portrayed as a feminine energy, based on the imagery of a  young girl moving through the phases of her life until she is an old woman at the end of her reign over the night skies, only to be reborn again; a gentle energy blessing the earth with her light, offsetting the massive and destructive energy of the life giving sun. This is fundamental basis of Moon Magic and is set out in such a way as to offer a basic understanding, accompanied by Affirmations to be used at the respective times.

    Wicca and Moon Magic in todays world is well explained, as is the use of Herbs in conjunction with the four phases of the Moon. Astrology and Tarot have long held a fascination with the wider community which is also explained in a simple style, presenting each of the Zodiac signs and Tarot Card figures clearly and with a good understanding of their purpose in relation to the Moon.

    As to the mystique of Spell Casting. This is covered well, but once again on a basic level with a section at the end of the book devoted to Simple Rituals and Spells which is tempting to read first, but without some deeper understanding, will not be comprehensively understood as to the true magic and power contained within the most simple of spells and rituals.

    Moon Magic is a perfect book for the beginner which will allow a new understanding of the Moon, the magic with which it is associated and the peace and blessings which can be discovered as the power of the Moon is better understood.

  • A Better Life – An Introduction to the Mindful Music Association

    A Better Life – An Introduction to the Mindful Music Association

    Mindfulness for some time passed has almost seemed to be the latest catch phrase to be used widely, occasionally practiced and in many ways, little understood for its healing ability and soothing benefits. Along with Mindfulness it is It is also well understood that music has the incredible ability to heal, relax and to transform.  When these two forces combine to be used in relaxation, healing and calming modalities to name a few the results are often impressive, therapeutic and always amazing.

    When music and the musician who create delicate, healing music come together to promote the very essence of Mindfulness throughout their music and also in a genuine desire to keep their music alive, something wonderful is created.

    The Mindful Music Association (MMA), a not-for-profit organisation formed in 2017, is available to musicians and the wider community to reach out to and into the healing world of Mindful Music, to promote the simple, elegant and healing abilities of music as well as the wide uses of music in the world in which we live.

    As a two-disc album many musicians have offered their music to create this healing work: Gliding with the Current from Robert Linton begins the work, with Lynne Tredeau’s lovely Afternoon Reflection adding to the mellow ambiance of the first disc. Equanimity from Jennifer DeFrayne adds to the overall charm. Musician, and sound engineer Tom Eaton’s ambient In The Gleaming, a subtle electronic piece, completes the first disc.

    When I Was Young from Neil Tatar introduces disc 2 which in the same style as the first disc, wanders through the field of ambient/new age music at a will.  Offering works from Meg Bowles Berceuse for a Star Child, spacey and ethereal in the presentation is Al Jewer’s delicious neo-classical Dream Time, with the final selection Meditation on a Moonlight Lake from pianist Karen Biehl drawing a sensually pleasing collection to a close.

    A Better Life, a first release from MMA is a composite collection containing a little of everything, with a lot of magic woven throughout. Perfect for easy listening during the day, as well as a focus for Mindfulness as and when required, these 26 tracks form the basis for some extremely effective healing from world of music.

  • The Long Road

    The Long Road

    Life seldom delivers what is expected in so many ways. Sadness, loss and heartbreak pave the way on life’s road: with the sad loss of friend Juliette Calayag Pralle, Monica Logani has created her second album The Long Road, as a way of acceptance, of making sense of life’s most confronting emotion, that of death, and also as a  tribute to a dear friend, whose life was short but filled to the very brim with living.

    From the first track, Birds, the sombre tone of the music is established, allowing the listener to understand that this collection is a far remove from her previous up-tempo work Secret Garden, released to acclaim in 2016.

    As each of the songs unfold, a differing aspect of the grieving process is revealed, with the third track Juliette, written as a delicate and beautiful reminder of a dear, beloved friend. The intertwining of strings adds a depth of emotion to a short, emotional piece.

    Poette is in tribute to life lessons, a sombre reflective, almost waltz-like melody, with a slightly more dramatic, overarching feeling of acceptance and moving on through the weeks and months ahead.

    Poignant, hesitant and beautiful is The Long Road, which encapsulates the hesitancy of real acceptance, the time when disbelief must make room for reality, a place and time required to be felt, in order to let go and begin to heal.

    Valencia ushers in a breath of freshness, of lightness, of the dark spirit lifting to allow the joy of everyday life to be felt, enjoyed once again, softly, gently; this song contains a lovely lilting tempo: a glorious piece.

    Short and yet captivating Summer’s End precedes The Last Embrace which is as expected, a measured composition full of sadness, acceptance, drawing a very personal sharing of grief to a sombre conclusion.

    Although the album is the embodiment of sorrow, within the emotion is beauty, acceptance, healing and love, which in a sombre style allows the wonder, healing and magic of music to sooth the soul in time of great need.

  • Healing Hands

    Healing Hands

    Listening to the first track of Cathy Oakes latest work, Healing Hands it was obvious this was something special, a work that contained a deep emotion. As each of the tracks unfurled this depth of feeling remained, seeping into every note which is played with thankfulness and in homage for the many healing hands that helped her on her journey with Breast Cancer.

    Simply reading the titles of the tracks gives an idea of what is behind this glorious celebration of life and healing, as well as reaching out to all the women who are walking the same pathways.

    Cathy Oakes has always spoken with immense feeling in her compositions and heartfelt playing, much of which comes from a deep religious faith, and although this work comes from a vastly different platform, her soul deep love of music is very apparent, emerging as gentle, peaceful and almost divine music.

    Discovering you have Cancer is cataclysmic, turning your world upside down immediately; The Threshold presents this shattering numbness to perfection, representative of the time when a new journey is beginning with no sure or positive ending to be seen. Hesitant and almost tremulous in many ways this would have to be the stand out track in a series of songs from the heart.

    The longest piece Letting go, captures the realisation that in order to heal, one must let go, place your very life into others skilled hands and accept that they also, work tirelessly to achieve the best outcomes.

    The Darkest Hour emerges from the period of time when crossroads are reached, when outcomes are yet to be determined and the hand being cast can go either way. Simple, pure and perfectly presenting the time when acceptance is achieved and an inner peace attained.

    Lifting the melody with a lighter hand and heart is Anchor of Hope, a gentle, elegant piece as hope begins to appear, that once again there is light and hope in the long and torturous journey. Following on Thankfulness is a cautiously jaunty, cheerful song, full of happiness that a corner has finally been turned, milestones achieved and life waiting to be lived to the fullest once again.

    Only Cathy Oakes could call a journey with Breast Cancer a Blessed Journey, but then who is to say it is not, as in many ways, her journey was blessed by wonderful people, professionals who guided her safely and with love through the way points of her journey.

    Healing Hands is a glorious, rich, heartfelt tribute to fellow travellers; one that has been created in true thankfulness for every day newly given.

  • Beautiful Desolation

    Beautiful Desolation

    When tragedy strikes, we all turn to something tangible we love, enjoy and know will bring solace to a weeping heart. For Jim Ottaway it is his music, his expression and his beloved time spent creating, stepping out of everyday life to create a time-scape of sound that travels and takes with it, the voyager.

    On the death of much beloved friend and mentor Father Reg Mills in 2019, his world redefined, as it does with the endings and beginning of life. To this end, Beautiful Desolation portrays the intense sadness, the eventual acceptance and healing which only time has the ability to begin to mend.

    Two tracks make up the soundscape, raw, beautiful and full of deep expression. Although Jim Ottaway refers to this as dark and deep, it is far from that, although without a doubt it contains the very basis of all these emotions.

    The first section, Apocalyptic Signs, is spacey, intangible, clean, clear and simply asks to be accepted as it is, whereas the second part, Beautiful Desolation, begins with an almost ghostly summoning of the bells, reminding one of the ancient mariners and their superstitions; the deep sea mists, the eerie nature of the sea at dead calm, the ghostly stillness of the shroud like sheets as they hang lifeless, the timber creaking and groaning in the stillness of the mists.

    Created to define the journey of the soul to the other world, the otherworld of many things, of the leaving, the journey and eventual destination unknown to us all, this soundscape, as does life’s journey, contains many things and interestingly, could be considered as a work that redefines the ‘boundaries of electronica’; a style of music which could almost be classed as non-emotional in what can often considered as a clean, precise construction of sound.

    Beautiful Desolation is dark and infinitely intriguing without a doubt, and in so many ways is perhaps Ottaway at his finest. Pure, stripped back and without and predefined targets, the music or sound should you prefer, simply flows, allowing the emotions to be brought forth, examined and eventually replaced with a glimmer of acceptance, healing and light.

  • Becoming Light

    Becoming Light

    From rock star to sound healer seems like a giant leap of faith, but to Ben Carroll it is simply a natural expansion of something he has always done, created music for a variety of reasons with his focus now on using the power of music to heal, to sooth and to allow the body, mind and soul to reprogram and make a fresh connection with the inner self.

    Becoming Light takes its inspiration from the transitional process we as humans are currently undergoing, returning to the concept that we are and have always been beings of light. This peaceful, beautiful mediational work has been created with the intent of encouraging people towards this destination, that of raising our vibration and expanding the consciousness.

    This is not a new idea but one that has perhaps been sidelined for a number of years, which is once again demanding to be recognised, accepted and practiced for the benefit of mankind.

    Each of the melodies on this beautiful, transcendental work have been channelled through a series of Sound Healing Journeys undertaken by Carroll since the release of his last album Multidimensional Voices in 2016. Once again, he is using the power of his voice combined primarily with Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls to achieve the correct levels of vibration needed to raise the energy to the required levels for healing and higher dimensions of meditation.

    For the purist this work is perfection, for the beginner setting out on a journey of seeking light and healing, a little at a time would be recommended, until the concept of allowing the mind and soul to float free has become the accepted norm.

    As with all transitional sonic work, the influence on the psyche is powerful, cleansing, refreshing and when created specifically to raise vibrational levels by removing the dense layers surrounding the body, incredibly liberating, allowing a feeling of rebirth, of lightness, to enter where darkness and heaviness have lived.

    Ben Carroll as a master of Sound Healing, has in this slightly more than one hour of sound vibration, opened the door to a simple, easy and healing way to, in his words, “remembering who we truly are.” ………..“We are becoming Light”

  • Crystals A complete guide to crystals and color healing

    Crystals A complete guide to crystals and color healing

    Perfect for the person who is interested in Crystals for healing, or simply as an identifier of various beautiful stones, Jennie Harding’s latest book Crystals will make understanding but more importantly, identifying stones simple and easy.

    Drawing on her knowledge gained over more than twenty-five years as a healer working with various modalities, Harding has created a well thought out and constructed reference book, which as it is colour coded, simplifies the task of discovering the names and properties of more than 100 crystals in daily use.

    Brightly coloured stones or crystals have held massive fascination down the centuries, being endowed with, in many cases, powerful magic, healing properties, with their uses for adornment being legendary. They are also a simple and yet beautiful way to instantly connect with the earth, with their fascination still as popular today as it was centuries ago.

    Jennie Harding sets out to educate from the beginning of the book, with a very informative chapter on Colour and the importance of colour in everyday life, the effects it can have on the body, mind and spirit.

    In an excellent chapter, The World of Crystals, looks at how crystals are formed, the different structures, forms and the reasons why these precious objects need to be treated with respect, before getting into the various colour codes and specifics of the gems being researched.

    Towards the end of the book there is a section Crystals in Your Life, which goes on to explain how to use the crystals, how best to utilise their energy in your home, in healing, or when wearing as a simple piece of jewellery, and so very much more.

    For the novice or avid collector of these beautiful gems, Crystals, with its stunning images, clearly showing the gems, their colours and individuality, along with a well presented set out history and structure, makes this the perfect reference book for collectors, practitioners or anyone who simply enjoys collecting small, elegant stones of great beauty.