Review: The Magic of Trees by Tess Whitehurst

Title: The Magic of Trees

Author: Tess Whitehurst

Publication Date: January 8th, 2017

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications

Genre: Spirituality

Pages: 384

ISBN: 073874803X

Source: ARC from Publisher

Rating: 

Synopsis (from Publisher):

Connect with the deep wisdom and power of trees in order to create positive change in your body, mind, and spirit. Featuring detailed descriptions of the magical and energetic properties of more than one hundred trees, The Magic of Trees shows you how to work with them―physically and spiritually―through rituals, spells, and much more.

Trees are symbols of the interconnectedness of life and represent the interwoven web of everything on which magic draws power. This comprehensive guide helps you tap into that web and enrich your life in the spiritual energy it provides.

Amazon | Goodreads

Tess Whitehurst is an intuitive counselor, energy worker, feng shui consultant, and speaker, and the author of Magical Housekeeping. She has appeared on the Bravo TV show Flipping Out and her writing has been featured in Writers Digest, Whole Life Times Magazine, and online at Lemondrop.com. 

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

First, I would just like to comment on what a lovely person Tess Whitehurst is. I had the pleasure of joining her New Moon Ritual on her Facebook page for this November new moon, and she just glows with light, joy, and love. I am honored to have the opportunity to be introduced to her work, and as this is my first (or really second) impression of her, I feel like I've been kissed with magic.

I've always found trees to be magical and necessary elements to life. If you saw my apartment, one of the first things you may notice is how much of it is embellished with different forms of the Tree of Life, or the World Tree. They are older than man, and are, in many ways, the essence of what set us apart from the other known planets. As a lover of nature and science enthusiast, there isn't a day that passes where I am not fascinated or curious about the brilliance of the raw world that surrounds us. There is an entire universe they dwell in beyond the state in which we interact with them from day to day through furniture, paper, medicines, and salads.

Whitehurst goes through a myriad of trees and describes each one from various perspectives of faith, culture, agriculture, medicine, and magical correspondence. The detail is very impressive, and Whitehurst clearly did her research. I love all the different aspects she pulls from to enrich every single one so carefully and delicately. In the back, you will find a useful Appendix that lists each tree that fits under different uses and intentions. Then you have each tree that fits beneath a particular element and planetary correspondences.

This is not a scientific encounter with the plants that give us breath, it delves into the spirituality and cultural uses that connect us with them. If you're looking for a comprehensive overview of different tree species, this is definitely not for you. As one who believes that "anything is possible unless proven impossible," I was able to read this book with an open mind. From an outsider, this might look like the Hippie's Bible, but there is a lot that can be learned from such a deep and intimate study. There are paths and cultures that have a reason for finding a connection with nature important, and that does not necessarily mean they are wrong simply because one may not understand. I, however, find my grounding in nature, as it is the one thing that stays consistent as the sun and moon.

I read a digital version of this book which, although wasn't the final draft, was a bit difficult to go through. It's possible that if there is a future ebook available, it will be more user friendly than my version. However, as this is more of a resource that can be used for reference, having a physical copy would likely suit best. I would prefer it!

Whitehurst's love and soul poured out in this book is beautiful and enlightening. For my own application, there was a lot I was able to take from it. It is very well organized and filled with endless amounts of information. If you study the metaphysical at all, this is a wonderful addition to your collection.

Review: The Unbound Soul: A Spiritual Memoir for Personal Transformation by Richard L. Haight

Title: The Unbound Soul: A Spiritual Memoir of Personal Transformation

Author: Richard L. Haight

Publication Date: May 18, 2016

Publisher: Createspace

Genre: Religion & Spirituality 

Pages: 202

ISBN: 1533380463

Source: ARC from Author

Rating: 

Synopsis (from Publisher):

The true story of a young boy's mystical vision and his subsequent study of meditation, healing and martial arts in search of enlightenment. Tormented by visions mass-corruption and coming worldwide economic, social and ecological collapse, he presses ever onward in his search and eventually realizes the elusive truth of spiritual awakening. Through The Unbound Soul, Richard L. Haight reveals the understanding that will transform your life and he provides a unique meditation method and set of powerful awareness tools to assist you on your personal path towards practical spirituality in everyday life.

Amazon | Goodreads

Richard L. Haight instructs martial, meditation and healing arts. He spent 15 years living in Japan training in the ancient martial arts ultimately receiving the menkyo-kaiden (certificate of total mastery), which is the equivalent of a 10th degree black belt in modern ranking. Throughout his life, Richard has had a series of profound visions that have ultimately guided him to the realization of the Oneness that the ancient spiritual teachers often spoke of. Through his new book The Unbound Soul, his meditation and martial arts seminar, Richard Haight is spreading a practical method of spiritual unfoldment that is free of all constraints. Richard Haight now lives and teaches in southern Oregon, U.S.A..

Richard has a free online course at his website www.richardhaight.net to help expedite the spiritual unfoldment process.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Richard L. Haight's The Unbound Soul is quite an interesting read for those who are curious about spirituality. Haight takes us through the journey of his own spirituality, beginning with a childhood many others may relate to. At a young age, he was told to believe who God was in an unbiblical light, but fortunately was encouraged by his parents to seek truth. Not long after, he began to experience spirituality in an unexpected form that aided him in his quest for answers. One instance in which he dreamed that Jesus told him to find his bones, as they are the core of his teaching. 

Be prepared to soak in information like a sponge, because there are many layers to Haight's writings. The further you delve into the book, the further you immerse yourself into the ideology that humanity and everything that surrounds it is one essence with what could be considered the "Presence." We are consciousness with infinite potential, but are ignorant of our identity within the context of universal dimension. He also states that it isn't that there are "spiritual" and "non-spiritual" people, the absolute is that we are all spiritual beings, but not all realize the level of spirituality within their being.

Some of the concepts and practices outlined throughout the book are, at times, difficult to follow. However, if you expand your reading to the resources on his website, you may gain better understanding and application. I would recommend at least giving the Observation Meditation and/or Dance of Self a try, as you may find them helpful in re-grounding yourself for the day. There are well detailed outlines in the book on how to perform these meditations.

Haight is also a coach in Shinkaido, which is a practice that works to achieve 4 primary goals (as stated at richardhaight.net):

1. Martial Arts: dealing with fear and violence through relaxed movement and awareness.
2. Dynamic Meditation: discovering what is innate yet beyond the mind, while realizing and resolving the barriers that have served to block that realization. 
3. Autonomic Stretching: Creating a balance between strength, flexibility and relaxation while resetting nerve organs throughout the body, you will realize the most efficient, silent, aware body possible.
4. Autonomic Therapy: Using reverse innervation and healing touch to resolve disharmony and disease.

I am very impressed that Haight struggled with a learning disorder growing up and was able to make so much progress as an adult to not only pen a book, but one with this much depth. It was definitely an interesting read. As with any book on spirituality, the only real way to take any of it literally is by applying it and seeing if it works for yourself. If it doesn't, that could mean it just isn't for you, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Throwback Thursday Review/Spotlight: The Alchemist/Manuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho

Title: The Alchemist

Author: Paulo Coelho

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: May 1, 1993 (first published 1988)

Pages: 167

Genre: Spirituality

Source: Purchased @ Amazon.com

Rating:

Summary (from Goodreads): PAULO COELHO'S enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom points Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transformation power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

   

In honor of Paulo Coelho's latest edition of his book Manuscript Found in Accra, I decided to do a review on an oldie but a goodie. His work that started it all: The Alchemist. I finally read this book last year when it was a pick for a book club I was in at my church. I had heard about it and knew of a lot of people who just thought it was the best book ever. Did I find it to be the absolute best book I've ever read? No, not really. But I did find it very unique and inspiring.

In The Alchemist, we travel on a journey with a boy named Santiago who leaves his home and so-called "destiny" of being a shepherd boy to search for an unknown treasure, his "Personal Legend." Along the way, he comes into contact with people and situations that help or hinder them, but he perseveres nonetheless. 

There are a few things I would recommend a reader to be aware of before diving into this book: 1) This isn't necessarily a novel as it is an extended parable. Coelho writes in a way that is simple and to-the-point so don't expect a lot of "fluff." 2) This book was originally written in Portuguese, not English. ....That's all I have to say about that. 3) Even though this book is written in simple-terms, there is an endless number of symbolism to keep an eye out for.

That being said, the general intent of The Alchemist is to paint a picture of man's journey out of the mundane life to pursue his calling. There are many obstacles in the way, doubts that creep in, and even people who may be against you, but that doesn't make the things that you have set out to accomplish any less real or out of reach. It's a beautiful thing and that's what The Alchemist portrays. It leaves the reader thoughtful and hopefully even a little inspired.

Stay classy my friends,

Title: Manuscript Found in Accra
Author: Paulo Coelho

Publisher: Knopf

Publication Date: April 2, 2013 (first published 2010)

Pages: 208

Genre: Spirituality

Summary (from Goodreads): There is nothing wrong with anxiety. Although we cannot control God's time, it is part of the human condition to want to receive the thing we are waiting for as quickly as possible. Or to drive away whatever is causing our fear....
Anxiety was born in the very same moment as mankind. And since we will never be able to master it, we will have to learn to live with it-just as we have learned to live with storms.

July 14, 1099. Jerusalem awaits the invasion of the crusaders who have surrounded the city's gates. There, inside the ancient city's walls, men and women of every age and every faith have gathered to hear the wise words of a mysterious man known only as the Copt. He has summoned the townspeople to address their fears with truth:

"Tomorrow, harmony will become discord. Joy will be replaced by grief. Peace will give way to war.... None of us can know what tomorrow will hold, because each day has its good and its bad moments. So, when you ask your questions, forget about the troops outside and the fear inside. Our task is not to leave a record of what happened on this date for those who will inherit the Earth; history will take care of that. Therefore, we will speak about our daily lives, about the difficulties we have had to face."

The people begin with questions about defeat, struggle, and the nature of their enemies; they contemplate the will to change and the virtues of loyalty and solitude; and they ultimately turn to questions of beauty, love, wisdom, sex, elegance, and what the future holds. "What is success?" poses the Copt. "It is being able to go to bed each night with your soul at peace."

Now, these many centuries later, the wise man's answers are a record of the human values that have endured throughout time. And, in Paulo Coelho's hands, The Manuscript Found in Accra reveals that who we are, what we fear, and what we hope for the future come from the knowledge and belief that can be found within us, and not from the adversity that surrounds us.