Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: star

  • Desert Star

    Desert Star

    Because he was a former Police Reporter, Michael Connelly has an innate understanding of procedures and strategies used by Police. This gives his novels such an authentic feel that the reader becomes engrossed in the pathways taken by the Law agents, and the care with which they must proceed. Add to this the characters of Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch, who we have followed and embraced, and the reader is ready to settle down for a serious session.

    Both these officers have been coerced into returning to a special branch of Policing. They have agreed to join a “Cold Case” team. For Renee it is a promotion and for Harry, a chance to finally see justice for a murdered family. Desert Star moves Ballard and Bosch into the fascinating world of forensic science which is paramount in these cold cases. It is amazing to see what can be discovered from a few drops of urine left at a murder scene, and a half palm print left on a windowsill years’ before.

    Harry has always struggled to conform to rules, but his thorough research and inability to leave any stone unturned in an investigation, make his input invaluable. The most innocuous object could trigger his focus and open a whole new aspect of the case. Renee has set down rules which she wishes the volunteers to abide by and all, but Harry, can be relied on.

    The characters are realistic, the writing crisp and clear and at no stage does the reader have to check on who or what is happening. Michael is a master Crime fiction author who always enables the reader to unfurl the case along with the Police. There is drama, humour and satisfaction in this wonderfully crafted novel.

  • Mindful Astrology

    Mindful Astrology

    Finding Peace of Mind According to Your Sun, Moon, and Rising Sign

    Astrology is a fascinating pursuit and is also something that is addictive to the novice and all enveloping to the Astrologer as they plot star paths and set out life journeys. Fascinating and fun, as well as having a serious aspect to the art and skill of Astrology, Mindful Astrology is packed full of fascinating facts that entice you to set out on your journey of discovery, mindfully!

    Seeking out what is going to happen tomorrow is something we all have indulged in at some time or other in our lives. Taking it one step further to discovering Sun Signs and what they mean can be contagious, as these somewhat mysterious somethings can and do have bearing on so much of who we are and how our life can unfold.

    Astrology has been around for more the five thousand years and is an art that has been practiced by the wise as it has an ‘uncanny ability to give insight into a person’s character’, which is totally irresistible. But how does it work is where the mystery and mystique comes in and where  Monte Farber and Amy Zerner have done a fantastic job, bringing this time old art into the modern forum of short attention span and quick results!

    Heraclites, along with many other things, said ‘Character is destiny’, in other words who you are, how you act and react to life events as well as understanding your goals, habits, virtues and of course, vices builds your character!

    An excellent introduction sets the tone of the chapters to follow which look at Sun Signs, Moon Signs, Rising Signs and finally Understanding Your Celestial Trilogy which completes a comprehensive guide to all those things you always wanted to know about yourself but did not want to ask about.

    Both Monte Farber and Amy Zerner are very well respected in the world of Astrology and have created a fresh, easy to understand guide to understanding how the alignment of the planets effect who we are and how we go about our daily life.

    Fascinating and definitely addictive, Mindful Astrology is perfect for the beginner, the seeker and the professional Astrologer as it sets out in a clear, easy to understand style the art of Astrology and benefits of discovering who you really are!

  • Return of the Star Elders

    Return of the Star Elders

    Connection with the Divine ones is indisputable and never more so apparent than through the music of Lia Scallion in her latest album Return of the Star Elders, the perfect vehicle for deep meditation and the ushering in of tranquillity.

    Exquisitely constructed, each of the mystical pieces reaches out to cradle the soul in harmony, to allow the messages of the Ancient Ones to be felt, heard and understood. In most ancient cultures it is clearly understood that  ‘earthlings’ are deeply connected to the heavens, with the stars to guide the way to understanding and knowledge, a belief which has been submerged  in the madness of modern civilization.

    Over her many years of travelling the world visiting ancient sites, Lia Scallion has gathered much sacred knowledge, which she shares through the medium of music, tapping into the deep knowledge and beliefs held sacred by many civilisations such as the American Indian, the First Nations people of Australia, the Druids and  many other ancient cultures of the world.

    The arrival of the Star Elders or Ancient Ones has been recorded for all in time in legend, on walls in rock art and in sacred writing, with many of the ancient prophets talking of a time when the Star Elders will once again return to walk amongst us.

    The richness of the soundscape created in homage to this eventual return is one filled with a unique magic as in Arrival of the Star Elders a piece which is totally enchanting, holding within the concept of the piece a wonderful journey of the mind and spirit to a place of richness; an elder chanting, the music wrapping around, offering comfort and solace during spiritual blessings.

    One song that stands tall is the glorious Ancient Katchina Wisdom, best listened and absorbed via headphones in order to capture the true elements of divine creation ; a piece handed down through celestial connection and far more timeless than can possibly be imagined.

    On Return of the Star Elders the vocals of Lia Scallion are perfection. It could be considered that hers is a direct voice of the Star Elders reaching out offering peace, hope and a certainty that change is coming. Couple this with instinctive knowledge which tells us that even though the times in which we all live are challenging, there is love and enlightenment to be found by reaching deep within, to the fundamental beliefs deeply held within the psyche, which will eventually usher in the heralding of ‘A New Golden Age’! 

  • We Follow the Star

    We Follow the Star

    ‘Tis the season to be jolly or so the old rhyme does state, but ‘tis also the season to listen to and sing much loved carols, regardless of whether the ground is covered in snow, or dust from a long drought. There is something special about the Christmas season and the underlying sentiment which is as always, perhaps best translated through the magic of music

    Richard Dillion has, in his usual unique style created an album of Christmas music, We Follow The Star, featuring the enchanting vocals of Corinne Seganos, over cover versions of much loved, lesser known and traditional carols, as well as two new works from Dillon, A Winters Night and We Follow The Star.

    Simplistic in the presentation of nine tracks, the subtle blending of the instruments with voice, take each of the pieces to a fresh new level of carol, leaving well in the distance, the often-sugary tones of traditional Christmas albums.

    Charming and with an almost Celtic overlay, the overall concept is one of music from a bygone era, where music was once for the privileged, with the everyday folk creating their own songs and music from whatever was to hand; the voice, lute, flute or drum.

    A Winters Tale, an original composition features a wonderful mix of ethereal voices and electronic blends, creating a fusion of elements that is almost eerie in the execution, before the voice of Seganos arrives to tell the age-old tale of the birth of Jesus.

    Another original work and the title track We Follow the Star, tells of the journey made by the three wise men to discover if what had been foretold had come true and to bring gifts to the Christ child. This soundscape creates with music the vast seas of the dessert, the magical omnipotence of the event unfolding. A beautiful song and well worthy of the album title.

    Silent Night is sung almost as a benediction whereas I Saw Three Ships return the piece to its origins as a popular 17th century carol from Derbyshire in England, with the inspired use of clapping sticks, hurdy gurdy and vocals.

    Wrapping up a fresh take on Christmas carols is In The Bleak Midwinter a piece derived from a poem by English poet Christina Rossetti, set to music by Gustav Holst in 1906, to create the work as a Hymn. A fitting finale to a delicately created album.

    If you are looking for something a little different to help bring in the Christmas season this year, you could not do better than this lovely, eclectic work from Richard Dillon and friends.