Book Review: Decoding the Stars by Allison Scott

 

Title: Decoding the Stars

Author: Allison Scott
Genre: Astrology - Divination - Spirituality
Publisher: Wellfleet Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: January 3, 2023
ISBN: 9781577153290
Read: January 4, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Find harmony between your self and the cosmos. In Decoding the Stars, examine the details of your birth chart and discover your soul’s true purpose through astrology. 

Astrological archetypes are highly fluid and subjective in nature and your personal relationship with them can change over time. While we may look to our zodiac signs to help us navigate our relationships, career, finances, and family matters, astrology can also help us align the personality and the soul. 

You may have already learned how to interpret the external influences through astrology—the paths your life may take, who you will make friends with and love. Now’s the time to find what’s inside you. This guide will help you understand your desires, skills, and unique talents and guide you toward identifying your purpose and motivation. 

With this book, you will awaken self-knowledge and awareness of your larger spiritual planetary influences. The more self-aware you become, the greater your possibility of finding inner peace and happiness. With a walk through your birth chart, reflective questions, and writing prompts, Decoding the Stars will help you to better understand your creative spirit and bring your life’s purpose to light.

Review: Decoding the Stars is an in-depth guide to discovering what makes you...you. Even though the book isn't as lengthy as some on the subject of astrology, Allison Scott packs a lot of information into 240 pages.

The reading is quick, especially because Scott has a conversational tone to her writing, so the reading is more like having a conversation with a knowledgable friend. However, the self-reflection isn't as quick or as easy, and in all honesty, it shouldn't be, which is one aspect of Decoding the Stars I especially liked. I've read plenty of astrology books that tell you how to interpret a birth chart, but not so many that have encouraged true self-reflection or given the option to work with what resonates and then leave other aspects alone. 

Many of the books I've read have given an "all or nothing" presentation to the zodiac and the aspects of each sign--meaning, either accept everything about a sign even if it doesn't truly fit you as an individual or continue to feel as though something is missing. Scott doesn't offer a hardline black and white view but rather shades of gray. For example, as someone who has a Sagittarius Sun Sign, Capricorn Moon Sign, and Aquarius Rising Sign, I haven't always felt 100% in line with everything surrounding my Sun Sign. Thanks to Decoding the Stars, I now have a better understanding of why I've felt this way as well as a better understanding of not only who I am as an individual but why I'm drawn to some of the interests and hobbies I've had. 

Overall, Allison Scott has produced a solid and unique book for anyone interested in astrology, especially from a personal point of view. The charts are detailed and make for easy reference. The illustrations compliment the writing. Decoding the Stars is a great addition to the growing field of astrology books available today.

Book Review: The Karmic Birthday Book by Amy Zerner & Monte Farber

Title: The Karmic Birthday Book

Author: Amy Zerner & Monte Farber
Genre: Astrology - Divination
Publisher: Fair Winds Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: January 3, 2023
Read: December 20, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Drawing on their enchanted psychic abilities, renowned psychics Amy Zerner and Monte Farber present a fun and easy way to use birth dates to gain insight into our true selves. 

For each birthday, Zerner and Farber have included five perceptive entries: 

• PERSONALITY identifies, evaluates, and helps you understand the true nature of a person through the patterns revealed in their birth date. 
• DESTINY is like a castle being built, stone by stone—it is where the person is heading in this life. 
• LIFE PATH is how one achieves destiny, including the lessons they must learn so they can then help and teach others. 
• KARMIC LESSONS are what are encountered on the journey along one’s life path. 
• SECRETS offer insights designed to help readers discover hidden talents and character traits based on the day they were born. 

Each birthday includes a profound quote with special meaning for those born on that day, as well as a list of famous people who share the birthday and space to add significant people in the your own life who have that birthday. This engaging and interactive guide will prove enjoyable, informative, and useful as you navigate your relationships and tune into your true self. 

The Karmic Birthday Book will unlock the secret of your birth date and guide you along your true life path, teaching you a karmic lesson and opening the door to your destiny.

Review: The Karmic Birthday Book covers all 366 days in a year--including February 29, Leap Day. Each day is giving its own dedicated page with information regarding personality, destiny, life path, karmic lessons, and secrets to help each individual along their path. Each day also includes a short list of celebrities who share the birthday as well as a place to record the names of family or friends born on that day. There's also a quote that sort of summaries or resonates with the energy of the day. The illustrations are vibrant and definitely lend a mystical feel to the book. While interesting, the information provided is fairly general. It's obvious the authors pulled inspiration from astrology and other sources to present the entries. However, to gain a fully developed picture other sources of astrology should be consulted. Anyone interested astrology will find The Karmic Birthday Book handy as a place to record birthdays as well as discovering some insights into specific days.

Book Review: The Magic of Astrology by Jessica Allen

 

Title: The Magic of Astrology

Author: Jessica Allen
Genre: Astrology - Divination
Publisher: Driven - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: November 29, 2022
Read: December 10, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Find your place in the stars with this fun and accessible guide to the 12 signs of the zodiac. 

Are you spontaneous and impulsive, or do you like to look before you leap? Are you constantly full to the brim with big ideas, or do you prefer to tackle your goals and dreams one at a time? Learning about your astrological sign can help you find out what energizes and challenges you, how you relate to different signs, and how to get to know not only yourself but also your friends and family better. 

• Organized by the 12 zodiac signs, each chapter covers everything you need to know about how astrology relates to you. 
• Beautiful illustrations and helpful charts throughout feature each sign’s classic and lesser-known traits, tips on travel and décor, communication style, health and wellness, and beyond. 
• Fun bonus material includes a sun sign yearbook page, a zodiac compatibility matrix, lists of famous duos and their zodiac signs, and career ideas for each sign.

Review: I've reviewed several astrology books in the past couple of months, and The Magic of Astrology is one of the better books I've read. It's not a long or difficult read (only 176 pages) but is packed with lots of useful information. Unlike some authors, Allen doesn't spend time explaining how to create or interpret a birth chart, and instead focuses on the individual zodiac signs. Each sign is provided with information on ruling planet, compatibility with other signs, health, careers, and a lot more. Handy charts make it easy to reference and cross-reference everything Allen packs into these pages. If you're looking for a quick-reference guide to the zodiac, this is the book for you.

Book Review: Astrology Magick by Lindsay Squire

Title: Astrology Magick

Author: Lindsay Squire
Genre: Astrology - Divination
Publisher: Leaping Hare Press - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: November 8, 2022
Read: December 7, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Astrology is a powerful tool for tuning into and better understanding yourself and others around you. Aligning your actions with the patterns and signs of the stars can bring you comfort and control in the 21st century, and empower you to really reflect on your present and future actions, and live your happiest life. 

Whether you're new to witchcraft OR astrology, discover how to use simple witchcraft and astrology to boost your wellbeing, find self-love and acceptance, and harness the power of the stars and universe in your life as well as your craft. 

Beautifully illustrated by Viki Lester, of @forensicsandflowers, this visually enchanting book will help you reconnect with the astrological bodies, rebalance your energies, and find spiritual meaning in the universe. 

Learn about: 

• How to incorporate astrology into your witchcraft practice 
• The different types of astrology (predictive, natal, karmic, and synastic) 
• The 12 zodiac signs, 9 planets, and 12 astrological houses 
• Your sun, moon, and rising sign 
• How to calculate and read your birth chart 
• What retrograde means and how to survive (and thrive!) when mercury is in retrograde 
• Astrology and its relationship to the moon 
• How to use astrology as part of your magickal and self-care practice

Review: Lindsay Squire makes astrology accessible to all in Astrology Magick. Whether you're new to the practice or an experienced follower of the stars, this book takes the complex subject of astrology and breaks it down into easily digestible chunks. Handy diagrams and a conversational writing style add to the book's overall quality. The illustrations by Viki Lester are beautiful and enhance Squire's information. 

Each chapter covers a different aspect of astrology--everything from creating a birth chart to how the placement of planets on the chart affect an individual's personality, outlook on life, relationships, and more. Also included are suggestions for tarot readings based on the different zodiac signs. Astrology Magick, regardless of whether or not you practice Wicca/Witchcraft, is by far one of the best resources I've found on the subject, and certainly one of the most approachable.

Book Review: Tea Magic by Jenay Marontate

Title: Tea Magic

Author: Jenay Marontate
Genre: Witchcraft - Wicca - Tea Magic - Kitchen Witchery
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: December 8, 2022
Read: November 16-24, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Pour a Steaming Cup of Health, Intuition, and Enchantment 

Brewing tea is more than just magic, it is an intimate act steeped in rich history, exciting pageantry, and ceremonial rituals. This beginner-friendly book covers everything you need to know about tea, including all six true varieties, herbal tisanes, and even cannabis tea. You will learn how to: 

• Create your own blend • Properly brew the perfect pot • Safely charge your tea with crystals • Connect to spirit guides and guardian angels • Draw on the influence of the zodiac • Scry into your teacup • Call on gods and goddesses • Read the leaves and water 

With chants, sigils, visualizations, and other tools, there is likely more to tea witchery than you ever imagined. This book's gentle guidance through the world of tea will help you improve meditation, increase wellness, enhance spell work, and expand your joy one cup at a time.

Review: Tasseography, the use of tea leaves (or coffee grounds) for divination, is an ancient art and one I've been personally interested in for a number of years but have never found a truly satisfying book on the subject. Imagine my excitement when I was gift an e-ARC from the publisher for Tea Magic by Jenay Marontate! "Finally," I thought, "here is a book that will explain tasseography." Alas, my search continues because the actual section on interpreting tea leaves and symbols is small and comes at the very end of the book. The majority of the book is dedicated to the various types of teas, blends, and their preparations. 

This is not to say the book isn't interesting because it is! I had no idea tea could be such a complex subject, and I'm also grateful to have information provided on different types of water that can be used for steeping tea in order to enhance its mystical properties. Marontate differentiates between green tea, black tea, white tea, and herbal infusions, which aren't truly "tea" as they generally don't contain any actual tea leaves. She also provides information on steeping times, water temperature, and a host of other brilliant insights into how to incorporate tea magic into daily life. I will certainly be referring to this book in the future.

However, I still wish the author had spent more time exploring the actual practice of tasseography as a form of divination. Whether it be in the form of interpreting visions found in clouds of milk or cream added to tea (or coffee) and signs/symbols in leaves (or grounds), I would have liked more pages devoted to the practical side of tea magic than to the selection of the tea itself. There are certainly little insightful nuggets throughout the book, such as using a tea bag as a pendulum (something I'd never considered before and I use pendulums a lot), that I found helpful and will definitely try in the future. 

Overall, I had hoped a book titled Tea Magic would spend a little more time on the practical side of the magic. But, I'm happy to have read the book and will gladly add a physical copy to my shelf upon publication.

Book Review: Tarot for Beginners by Ann Crane

Title: Tarot for Beginners

Author: Ann Crane
Genre: Spirituality - Divination - Tarot
Publisher: New Shoe Press - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: October 11, 2022
Read: November 9-11, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Unlock your own innate psychic potential with this accessible tarot reference 

This is your step-by-step guide to learning to read and interpret this mystical deck of seventy-eight cards. Tarot for Beginners explains the mystery and power of tarot through easy-to-understand text and simple, interactive lessons and exercises. Learn the symbolic mirror of opportunity that tarot provides to help you to make crucial decisions, confirm your true desires for the future, and enhance self-understanding. 

Tarot for Beginners will help you build your skills and learn all there is to know about reading the tarot without the complication and confusion that burdens more advanced books on the subject. You will be successfully channeling the messages offered in the tarot almost immediately. This essential reference features: 

*Tarot basics—Perfect for the absolute beginner, learn the history of tarot, what deck to choose, how to care for your deck, the significance of card-selection order and card positions, and how to access and learn to trust your intuition. 

*Paths to connect with the meanings of the cards—The book includes a survey of the meanings and example interpretations of every card of the major and minor arcana accompanied by exercises for connecting with their individual energies. 

*Tips for building confidence—Get acquainted with a variety of different spreads, learning from example interpretations, and build your intuitive power culled from the cards for your growth and self-awareness. 

Build your confidence quickly as you learn to harness the psychic power of the tarot deck, and soon you will begin to see what you couldn’t before. This new power will strengthen your decision-making at work and with money, relationships, family, and your own path to happiness.

Review: I love tarot cards almost as much as I love crystals and gemstones. At last count, I've collected somewhere between 20 and 25 tarot decks, and each has its own unique art, suggested layouts, and suggested interpretations for cards. However, to paraphrase a statement by Crane in Tarot for Beginners, the tarot is based on archetypes and symbology that speak to a universal language so regardless of the deck, anyone can learn to understand this language through practice. Tarot for Beginners is a great place for those just starting to learn the tarot as well as seasoned users.

Crane breaks the book down into four primary sections: The Basics, The Major Arcana, The Minor Arcana, and Interpreting Spreads. The first sections covers precisely what it states--the basics. Crane begins with a brief history of the tarot and then moves into how to choose the deck that is right for you, caring for your deck, the deck's structure, and finally, using the cards. Exercises, affirmations, and rituals are sprinkled throughout to help you in choosing, maintaining, and becoming familiar with the deck so you aren't always relying on the suggested interpretations provided by deck creators. These also build confidence in the user's abilities and are a great way for someone new to divination with the tarot to learn to trust their intuition. 

The next two sections cover the Major and Minor Arcana with exercises, rituals, and suggested interpretations for each card. I really like that Crane takes the time to address the Major and Minor separately and then further breaks the information down to individual cards all the while encouraging the reader to follow their own intuition for interpretations. There are many books on the tarot and all provide slightly different approaches and suggested ways of finding meaning within the cards. The fact that Crane states multiple times that the user shouldn't simply rely on suggested interpretations from a deck's creator but should develop their own approach and intuition is refreshing. 

The final section offers several different spreads that range from a simple three-card daily draw to a nine-card complex reading. Each spread has its own benefits, but when presenting each, Crane offers an explanation of the cards' positions and an example reading. I'm always searching for new spreads to try and found a couple I hadn't tried here so I can't wait to but them to use. 

Overall, Tarot for Beginners is a perfect book for anyone looking to start working with tarot cards or a seasoned reader who may be looking for ways to deepen their connection to tarot. Crane's easy writing style and conversational tone make for a quick read. This is one book that's found a permanent place on my shelf.