Reviewed by Gordon D. Durich for Readers' Favorite

Katherine Skaggs’ enlightening book Artist Shaman Healer Sage: Timeless Wisdom, Practices, Ritual, and Ceremony to Transform Your Life and Awaken Your Soul is a treat for the mind, body, and spirit. Shamanism is not only defined and explained but illustrated with transcendental works of art throughout. The concept and mystery of Divinity (God and other Higher powers) are thoroughly explored and the multi-cultural Shamanic teachings are woven in with a personal storytelling style. Each chapter in Skaggs’ beautiful book is a development of the studies of the Spirit, Native American legends, and other spiritual callings. As my niece is an “Urban Shaman,” I was intrigued by the content and I learned a great deal about the ancient and timeless truths and the universal spiritual practices and principles of the Shamanic path.

The search for the meaning of life is examined from a spiritual perspective in understandable language and is very well researched. The elaborate and rich colorful illustrations by Katherine Skaggs enhanced my experience of reading this fascinating book. Metaphysics and spiritual studies are something I have always been interested in and attracted to. Artistically, I liked the design of Artist Shaman Healer Sage and the way it “spoke” to me, as a reader. I enjoyed the journey through the chapters and the practical application they had in everyday experiences.

Reviewed by Manik Chaturmutha for Readers' Favorite

Return to the Absolute: Bridging the Gap between Physics and Consciousness by Calvin McCoard is a fascinating exploration of the concepts of physics and relating them to spirituality. The first section explains the concepts of quantum physics and electromagnetism in simple words. Terms like local balance and imbalance, duality, relativity, and the Absolute are put across in a way that will give readers a fresh perspective. The author explains that the concept of the Absolute and all things moving toward universal balance are fundamental to many belief systems and philosophies worldwide. He talks about some of the world’s oldest religions like Hermeticism, Buddhism, Taoism, Sikhism, Kabbalah, Islam, and Christianity. He also asserts that consciousness cannot be limited to biological entities. Instead, it is an all-encompassing force that permeates everything in the universe. Finally, he brings the conversation back to personal experiences from his everyday life.

The subject matter of the book is complex, but Calvin McCoard makes even abstract concepts easily understandable to the layperson. The vocabulary is straightforward and the illustrations are thought-provoking. The writing style is narrative, and readers are taken on a journey into the author’s life. The book does not force readers to accept a particular interpretation of the world. Instead, the author systematically begins by explaining universally accepted facts, principles, and concepts and then goes on to substantiate his arguments with evidence from various religions and philosophies. This book will be an exciting read for anyone inclined to ponder questions about human existence. I recommend Return to the Absolute by Calvin McCoard for its abstract illustrations, concise subject matter, and gripping premise.

Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The Ascended Master El Morya (also known as El Moyra in some circles) is a highly evolved being who is no longer incarnated. He is nevertheless accessible to seekers of the truth through psychic mediums, notably the late Madame Helena Blavatsky, whose work was distributed worldwide through the Theosophical Society. More recently author Tatyana Mickushina has been assigned this role. In this second edition of Morya, she has presented channeled material dictated to her during the period 2005 to 2015. The teachings are timeless and relevant, but the instruction and advice have become more pressing due to the long-anticipated transition to the New Age - in whatever form that may manifest. In this case, Master Moyra speaks very directly about the state of the planet and the need for humankind to embrace higher consciousness. It is a strident call to action, directed at those souls incarnated at this time who aspire to assist in the transition. We live in a world of illusion, distracted by material possessions and the need to earn a living. Against that background, the responsibility of raising human consciousness falls to those few chelas (disciples or students) who find themselves on the planet and who agreed to serve. It is not an easy path and requires aspiration, constancy, and devotion. God’s plan must be followed and we hold the detail in our hearts. We are cautioned to use discernment and reject false prophets. The message is clear – the standards set are high.

Moyra comes at a significant time in the spiritual evolution of the planet. Tatyana Mickushina has captured the essence of the Master's messages in an authentic and relevant manner. Many of the lessons channeled echo those of other Masters, which adds further credibility. A common theme in all of the channeled material - not unique to Moyra - is criticism of the chelas, who have not reached the required level individually, nor have they raised the collective consciousness. This places the transition process at risk. These earthly volunteers are needed, as the Masters may not intervene directly from the higher realms. This places the onus of human spiritual evolution in the hands of a few. The gulf between the Masters at their higher levels and those stuck in third-dimensional reality on earth is wide. Master Moyra himself acknowledges the fact that at best he may have a few hundred committed disciples under his care. Much work remains to be done and a sense of frustration permeates the more recent sessions. As is often the case, no timelines are given, but the tone of the teachings point to an imminent shift - ready or not. There are some jarring notes in the messages, but these relate to the opinion of the Master and are in no way a reflection on the quality of the channeling. The message remains one of hope, but little external evidence of a quantum leap exists, given the dense energies on the planet.

Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

Dreams are something that every culture pays attention to, but have you ever been curious about the meaning of your dreams? Or have you ever experienced moments of synchronicity and serendipity? What if these are ways to receive guidance? Thanks to Symbol & Synchronicity: Learning the Soul's Language in Dreams and Waking Life by Julie Loar, it will be much easier to understand all this. Here, curious readers will learn how dreams have been approached in the past and the current era and explore ancient oracles and dream temples. They will also discover information on symbols, synchronicity, and serendipity. Above all, they will have access to in-depth interpretations of their dreams thanks to the Seven Steps in Dreamwork process, which will make it possible to have insight into themselves and their lives.

Symbol & Synchronicity is a mind-blowing book for anyone who wants to learn how to interpret their dreams and wants to start receiving guidance when awake. I must confess that, at first, I was skeptical, but only because I expected a different, more superficial explanation. Julie Loar was very good at making me change my mind because she dealt with the subject thoroughly. This is why I liked the introduction in which she tells us about the past and science; it is what helps us skeptics to understand and become passionate about the topic. Also, I put the Seven Steps in Dreamwork process into practice as I read, and it revealed things about the dream I analyzed and about myself that I would have overlooked without it. I hope the same experience will happen to all who read Symbol & Synchronicity with curiosity and an open mind. This book deserves it.

Reviewed by Grace Masso for Readers' Favorite

The Unfakeable Code: Take Back Control, Lead Authentically and Live Freely on Your Terms by Tony Jeton Selimi instructs, motivates, inspires, and provides the tools readers need to transform their lives — and the word “transform” should be read in its strictest sense. In a world where people easily get used to “wearing masks,” it is as easy to lose the sense of self, get disillusioned about who one really is, and be stuck in a life that doesn’t befit one’s deepest desires and dreams. The author writes about the strength of being authentic and explores the different ways in which the masks we wear trump our desire for growth and success. He proposes an actionable guide to usher readers on the path toward personal growth, freedom, and success.

This book provides five powerful principles that equip readers with all they need to take the lead in their lives. Selimi articulates with mastery and confidence on strong and relevant themes like unmasking who we really are and mastering the language that allows us to redefine ourselves, the power of our choices and how it shapes our reality, trumping our emotions, transforming the sad experience of loneliness to purposeful leadership, and a lot more. This book is an eye-opener as it reveals how people give away their power and how they get stalled by the illusions they have grown up with. For fans of New Age literature, this book will be another important tool in their arsenal of everything dealing with success and personal growth. The Unfakeable Code: Take Back Control, Lead Authentically and Live Freely on Your Terms is well-researched and expertly written. Readers will have many “wow” moments as they begin to understand their negative scripting and what has been keeping them back while identifying actions that will bring them to where they want to be.

Reviewed by Cassie Widjaja for Readers' Favorite

Whispers of Love by Gina Simone is an inspirational book designed to help you find the answers you desperately need. A certified Spirit Medium, Gina began to experience the presence of the Spirit and energy around her at age eleven. She recounts how her gifts, coupled with being an immigrant, made her feel like the odd one out. Through describing her life experiences, including a traumatic pool accident with her toddler son, Gina guides us through making sense of the signs that the Spirit and our loved ones have given us our entire life. Gina provides insightful advice on dealing with loss, whether it'd be a loved one's death or a lost job opportunity. This extraordinary book helps us explore why we are here, how to connect with the Spirit, and how we can find meaning in life's challenges.

As I had lost my beloved grandma a few years back, Whispers of Love really hit home for me. Back then, death had seemed final, and I found myself drowning in my grief. As time passed, the pain dulled, but I never really healed until I read Whispers of Love. Gina Simone reminded me that there's life after death, and I'm never truly alone. I fell in love with how Gina vividly describes her doubts about belonging, especially as a minority in America, and explains how she slowly overcame it and embraces her identity. As someone who has also struggled with self-doubt, I found this book incredibly useful. This book is a must-read as it gives us hope, even when we have hit rock bottom.

Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite

The rewarding consequence of having read Candice M. Sanderson’s first installment of spiritual messages, The Reluctant Messenger, is the ability to appreciate the evolution of her (and the reader’s) understanding of the higher dimensional messages in her timely sequel, The Reluctant Messenger Returns. As if the revelations in the first volume had time to pervade and settle, thus allowing an expanded capacity for knowledge and guidance as more cogent information appeared. In a satisfying manner, Ms. Sanderson presents the material in a non-sequential but perfectly organized construct designed to mimic or reflect the actual manner in which Earth lessons are applied to spiritual growth. In so doing, she is not embarrassed to co-habit her explanations with both classically potent images (angels, religious figures, mythical entities) and modern scientific models (energetics, medical and psychological rationales.) This adds relevancy for the contemporary reader/student.

Perhaps the best example of Candice M. Sanderson’s escalating spiritual revelations in The Reluctant Messenger Returns, as if one is progressing from high school into college, is her deeper understanding of “The Life Review”, a process described in many books about the transition into death. While most have accepted the reality of this experience, Ms. Sanderson offers a more potent, cogent, and ultimately acceptable spiritual rationale for why it is necessary. It is not a judgment. It performs a vital, tangible operation required for further advancement on the non-physical plane. In the end, with the intelligence and diligence Ms. Sanderson brings to inviting, accepting, and sharing the messages she receives, her books are elevated to mandatory reading for spiritual matriculation.

Reviewed by Renee Guill for Readers' Favorite

Third Eye Meditations: Awaken Your Mind, Spirit, and Intuition by Susan Shumsky is a self-help book that teaches you how to use meditation to find your inner self. The author gives you facts on how meditation can be useful for you. Susan Shumsky also gives you a step by step guide on how to do the meditations. She has meditations for everything from spiritual guidance to manifesting more money. She explains that these mediations are okay for anyone to use no matter what your beliefs. She also shares her story on how she found these mediations.

I liked how Third Eye Meditations by Susan Shumsky was useful for anyone although you do have to have an open mind. I loved how she uses facts to show how meditation can be useful, and you would be surprised by some of the uses. I was intrigued by all the health benefits it has. I loved how Susan Shumsky divided them into categories, so if there is one particular thing you want to work on, it is easy to find, such as manifesting money. I also liked that she reminded you she is not a doctor so she cannot claim to be able to heal you. Her step by step guide makes it easy. I also loved that she reminds you how you may not be able to get it right away, that it takes practice before you can perfect it, just like any other skills. If you are soul searching or need a new meditation technique, then this is a definite must-read.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Your Destiny is Inside You: Be Your Own Guiding Light by Ana Pat is an insightful and thought-provoking book that takes readers on a spiritual journey along with the author and will encourage them to listen to their inner selves so that they can get rid of their self-limiting beliefs which might be blocking their peace, joy, success, abundance, and creativity. No one chooses their life and they just have to live it, irrespective of being bothered about what others say. Reading this book is a good way to have a deeper understanding of the self by listening to the heart carefully and consciously. It is also a good way for readers to start observing what is happening inside them in the world of their emotions and feelings.

This approach to an often-discussed topic is unique and different and will make readers invest some of their time in self-discovery. The tips and tools discussed by Ana Pat are inspiring and motivating enough for readers to make changes in their lives, and draw love's energy. The Parable/Metaphor in every chapter is useful for comprehending what the author is trying to convey. The author speaks about the importance of meditation to achieve inner peace, soothe emotions and calm the mind.

Your Destiny is Inside You is a good way to help readers understand the magnitude of the world and living in tandem with the spiritual energy of the Universe so that they can have true happiness, real strength, and true friends. So let us all embrace consciousness and let our hearts and intuition guide us to live happily and in harmony with others. I would recommend owning this book because there is a lot of wisdom and insight which can be re-read during times of stress and while facing challenges to achieve peace and calmness.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The Sacred Vagina: My Portal into the Soul by F. Sam Gleason is the author's inner mythic quest to become conscious of who he is, and he looks at the sacred vagina as the key symbol for the radical opening of his heart. This is the story of his awakened soul that gave birth to his authentic self, the saga of his challenging midlife transition, and transformation. The author shares the metamorphosis of his soul, hoping readers will be able to discover some of the gifts buried in their souls. The thread of dependency runs through the book beginning with his symbiotic attachment to his family, and he uses the symbol of the umbilical cord to depict his attachments to five women during his adulthood.

The memoir is honest, well-expressed, and personal and the author speaks about various topics such as marriage, divorce, remarriage, romantic love, suffering and transformation, Jung and the divine feminine, midlife crisis, men's anger, wisdom and truth of the soul, unearthing one's authentic self and other interesting themes. F. Sam Gleason speaks of the influence of Carl Jung's philosophy on him and how Jung's map of the soul has helped him experience and understand the shadow, the anima, and the self as parts of himself. The memoir chronicles the most important details of his inner and outer life, expressions, feelings, thoughts, and nighttime dreams that will help readers understand his deeper aspects. The Sacred Vagina knits together the author's healing, spirituality, self-discovery, and psychology in a fascinating way, keeping readers glued till the end. His psycho-spiritual transformation will motivate many readers who find themselves in similar situations. The glossary at the end of the book is helpful to understand the terminology used in the book.