Spirit Land - The Peyote Diaries of Charles Langley; is a book written by Charles Langley.
Charles has written this book using material from his personal experiences that he witnessed being a apprentice for a Navajo Shaman.
This book is written from a story telling recollection of experiences, contrary to the author’s statement. The author Charles, states that this book is not a story book but rather a living record. The story telling that Charles shares with the reader is mediocre. He states in the preface that his intent of the book is to keep record of shaman practices that may disappear without his information gathering.
I found the book just as he stated it was not, I found it completely as a story book. One filled with hearsay and speculation. Practices that were named were not well defined for the reader. There were footnotes that actually were added commentary, and did not add or extend the content.
I would not recommend this book for study or wanting to understand more about the ways of Shamanism.
Disclaimer: I would like to preface this review with a confession. I do not practice Wicca. I am a solitary atheist witch. I work in alchemy and dabble in metal work. I use chants, herbs and metals to cast my spells and do a bit of image reading. I also receive no compensation for the reviews that I do. I am sent the books at no cost to me and I provide a review to share with you, and sometimes a freebie to use as a giveaway as well.
This is a great book about the moon. I know this comes as a shock that I would use the word GREAT in describing a book. In fact I have only used that word for two other authors in my history of book reviews. This author really took some time in looking for a more deeper understanding of the different representations of the moon.
While being sure to include the basics on waxing and waning this author also included references to the uncommon names and the familiar names we're used to seeing in reference to this celestial body. For example we all know about the Hare Moon of May but have you heard of the Milk Moon? May's moon is referred tot his due to the mother's milk and the life force present and coming forward in May.
An entire section of this book is dedicated to harnessing the moons magic for positive in your life. From the individual days of the week to the moon phases this book outlines the process for access this natural energy for medical, spiritual and mundane procedures. You can even document your progress by using a worksheet or create a vision board to help manifest your magical intentions.
Parts 3 and 4 are dedicated directly to magical practices. Everyday magic includes altar prep, meditations and basic spell work for an assortment of desired results. Financial, health and relationship woes are addressed with informative and directed rituals. The advanced chapter delves deeper into the astrological aspects of the moon as well as adding crystals and herbs to your spell arsenal.
The last part of the book offers recipes for our old favorites such as moon cakes but then takes it a step further to add some lovely black and blue moon burgers and even vegetarian moon tacos. To please the witch in all of us there's a recipe for Moon Margaritas!
Over all I was extremely pleased with this book and highly recommend adding this to your magical library.
I would like to preface this review with a confession. I do not practice Wicca. I am a solitary atheist witch. I work in alchemy and dabble in metal work. I use chants, herbs and metals to cast my spells and do a bit of image reading. I also receive no compensation for the reviews that I do. I am sent the books at no cost to me and I provide a review to share with you, and sometimes a freebie to use as a giveaway as well.
Now, that we have that out of the way let's have a look at this book. Like most of the of these style books our author takes on on a journey around the wheel of the year. Beginning with Samhain, we have a break down of the history behind each of the holidays and including meditations, a rituals, crafts, references to the astrological influences of the season and some legend and lore. As the title indicates this is a look at the Wiccan holidays and hence employees the typical Wiccan perspective on the seasons and rites. In one of the Samhain meditations titled "Descend to the Realm of Hecate" the author refers to the Goddess as "the crone goddess of wisdom", of which there is no historic reference. In fact quite the contrary. Hecate is most often depicted as a maiden and only Aleister Crowley referred to her as such. I have written several pieces related to this reference and they can be found here. I did like the reference to the Dead Supper and the ritual carving ideas. Most books leave out a way to incorporate our modern traditions into the seasons of the past.
The rest of the book continues through the wheel with similar set up. Ostara of course lists egg decorating as the craft and includes a table of natural dyes which is a nice addition to those wishing to stay along the lines of the natural witch. I found the Litha Mediation "Dancing with the Sidhe" especially rewarding. I can also see how the Edible Lammas Effigy would work wonders, if for nothing else but satisfaction in our current political climate, but I digress. In additional to the standard wheel, the author included a year and a day lunar calendar as well as several tables in the back of the book. Over all a great addition to any Wiccan library and a great companion book to the two books I reviewed last year in the series. You can find that review here.
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