Vision 8

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Vision

Magazine Ltd 42a Main Street, Garforth LS25 1AA Tel: 0113 286 3939 Fax: 0113 287 2293

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Managing Director: Sammi Addey General Manager: John Addey Editor/Promotions: Clare Sheridan Senior Graphic Designer: Stewart Leech Graphic Designer: Angela Benson Distribution: 0113 287 6557 Telesales: 0113 286 1551 Subscriptions: Lindsay Deane 0113 286 6789 Accounts: Percy Trevelyon

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t’s that time of year again: the nights are drawing in, we dig out our winter clothes from the closet and there’s an unmistakable chill in the air. Yes, aside from winter drawing in, it’s Halloween!! The time of year when things go bump in the night, fires blaze and the sound of raised voices fill the air – and that’s just the trick or treaters! Well there’s no need to be scared as Vision is here to keep you company. Curl up on the cold autumn nights with our guide to Druids.

On a different note, this will be my last Vision. I am jetting off to new climates and fulfilling a lifetime ambition to travel the world. So thank you to all of you who have read the magazine since its humble beginnings last year, and also to all of those faithful contributors who we couldn’t have done it without. I’ll miss you all.

Please give Vision’s new Editor, Diana Jarvis, a very warm welcome.

So until our paths cross again, keep those spiritual bonfires burning!

Clare

Hello! A warm welcome to this issue, our Halloween special. Halloween is also known as Samhain (the Druid’s New Year): a time of new beginnings. I’m sure you would all like to join me in wishing Clare the very best of new beginnings for what I hope will be a bright and happy future.

I will now be taking over as Editor – but for this edition join us both for a bumper collection of ghostly-goings and a journey into the realm of the Druids.

Diana

Letters

Each letter published will receive a copy of Pure Calm from the Pure Series worth £10.95, courtesy of New World Music. Let Stuart Jones’s fluidity and perfection on keyboards clear your mind.

The Star Letter will win four titles from the Pure series including Pure Calm, Pure Dreaming, Pure Love & Light and Pure Tranquility – worth a total of £43.80.

For further information and a free catalogue, contact New World Music on 01986 891600, or visit www.newworldmusic.com We reserve the right to edit letters.

Contributors:Wagner Allegretti; Steve Bryan; Matthew Burton; James Christie; Carole Chui; Margrit Coates; Clint Denyer; Marian Green; Michael Hallowell; Samantha Hamilton Anna Kaye; Rachel Lacy; Georgia Mead; Patricia Milner; Nick Richardson; Nance Turner; Sangeeta Uppaladinni; David Williams.

Content competition winner I just wanted to say thank you so much to both your magazine and to Karen Aitken of Willow Lodge Healing Therapies. I was lucky enough to win places on their Indian Head Massage course from April’s magazine.

Both myself and my friend had an absolute ball and it was a thoroughly enjoyable day. Karen is a wonderful teacher. I would certainly recommend Indian Head Massage for anyone who is stressed, needs relaxation or simply a bit of pampering.

Joanne Crook, Manchester.

Logo ©Vision magazine Ltd The Vision logo is a registered trademark. It may not be used by anyone other than ourselves under any conditions.

Founder: Sammi Addey Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those held by the publishers and editors. © Copyright Vision magazine Ltd and/or contributors. All rights reserved. No part, written or visual (including adverts typeset by Vision) of the magazine (including the logo) may be reproduced, without written permission from the publishers. Call 0113 286 6789 for subscriptions and back issues.

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Competitions are open to all residents of the UK aged 18 or over except employees of Vision Magazine Ltd, their families, contributors, its printers and anyone else connected to the competition. There is no cash alternative unless otherwise stated. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Thank you!

I had to write to tell you how wonderful I have found Vision. It was recommended to me by a psychic artist at a Mind Body and Spirit show I went to. I got hold of the May issue and was so impressed that I decided to subscribe to it. I also requested the back copies so I could catch up on what you had been telling us before and to my amazement they all arrived within 3 days. It’s such an interesting and informative magazine I just love it and fortunately have enough copies now to keep me going until the next one!!!!

Thank you from one very happy reader.

Karen Micklethwaite, Nottingham.

Star Letter Praise for Gordon Thank you for your article on Gordon Smith. I first met Gordon 5 years ago and have attended several of his workshops.

He’s a lovely guy with a great sense of humour and is one of the best mediums around today. I followed the exercise he demonstrated about how a medium receives their messages. It was great fun as well as being very instinctive.

I wish you all well on your spiritual path.

Joyce Brown, Hawick.

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P6 Derek’s world P8 Harry Oldfield P11 Visionaries P14 Big cat tales P16 Experiences Explained

And the rest...

P26 Destiny Doctors P33 Competitions P75 Subscriptions P76 Reviews P82 Day Tripper

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P18 A celtic creation P20 Celtic traditions P21 Beasts of britain P22 Merlin, magic & mystery P24 Seasonal selebrations

P38 Angelic inspiration P28 A medatative mind P30 Talking trees P34 The unseen realm P36 Sacred sites P40 Life’s a scream P42 Are you waxing or waning?

P50 Energetic crystals P44 Find your wings P48 Healing druid gems P52 Retrocognition: a doorway to selfknowledge P54 EFT P56 Heal your pet - crystal healing for pets P58 Coven Corner

P60 Branching out with the zodiac - Druid astrology P63 Horoscopes -

your November forecasts

by James

Christie

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Derek’s

One of Britain’s most famous mediums could be coming to a town near you thanks to his new TV show. Derek Acorah took time out to talk to Clare Sheridan about his life philosophy, angels and his newfound passion for go-karting.

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nyone who tunes in regularly to Living TV’s Most Haunted will be familiar with Derek’s face. The medium who is now synonymous with the show, is a veteran of theatre demonstrations, live TV shows and scary vigils.

But when Derek first started seeing Spirit at the age of 6, he never imagined that one day he would make a living out of his contact with them. He was more interested in football.

“All I ever wanted to be from a very early age was a footballer. Little girls would go to bed with their dolls but when I was a tot I wouldn’t go to sleep unless I had a football,” he said.

He went on to play in the reserves for his favourite team, Liverpool, before moving onto Wrexham, Stockport County and then venturing to Australia. Even at the age of 55, Derek has not hung up his footie boots just yet. He recently took part in a celebrity Soccer Six tournament, but didn’t get to help his team to victory in the final, due to an ankle injury.

He gave up his passion for football at the age of 27 to follow his spiritual path. His grandmother was a medium who had nurtured Derek’s talents from an early age: “When my nan sat me down at the age of 9 I didn’t want to be a medium. I suppose I suppressed a lot of it. She helped me develop it,” he said.

She even told him the name of his now infamous spirit guide, Sam. Derek explained that a common misconception about spirit guides is that we have more than one – apparently that is not so: “No-one has any other spirit guides other than one,” he said. “We are designated a spirit guide or guardian from birth to physical death. Any other beings that are with us are helpers who help us get through something they had experienced in their lives.”

Much of his work is with Spirit, but does he believe in other realms or reincarnation? “I believe there’s an angelic realm totally separate to ours.

They are souls who have never been born

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Derek Acorah in one of his spooky haunts.

into a physical body and they work tirelessly for mankind. They are totally compassionate and are here for the greater good of mankind.

Reincarnation is part and parcel of evolution. Our spirit continues to evolve and we keep coming back until we eventually learn that every lesson is part of our soul ... and we don’t come back again.” And he should know: he had a former life in Ethiopia with his spirit guide Sam. Derek also believes that animals play a vital role in our lives. So much so that he has dedicated one of his books to his beloved dogs: “We can never be without the animal kingdom in our lives: I trust them as much as humans.

They have important lessons to teach us: if we listen and watch their actions we can see the way we go about our lives. If

one of our dogs is naughty we may scorn him and tell him it’s wrong. But you come back an hour later, and who will greet you at the door, no matter if they have been shouted at? There’s no grievance – it’s unconditional love. It’s the opposite if it is a friend: our so-called brain/intelligence kicks in and they scorn you back. That’s the difference between the human and animal kingdom.”

Derek and his wife Gwen have 3 cats (Mork, Mindy and Toby) and 2 dogs (Jack the poodle and Penny the German shepherd) in their home near Southport.

Derek likes nothing more than walking the dogs in his spare time. So how else does one of Britain’s top mediums relax?

“I have taken up go-karting with my grandson Daniel, who’s 12. I bought him a quad bike recently and I wouldn’t mind one for myself. I have also been up in microlites and I’m hoping I can take that up when I have more time,” said Derek.

But he doesn’t look like he’ll have much time in the near future as his new show airs on November 7 on Living TV: Derek Acorah’s Ghost Towns. This show sees Derek visit towns across the country and helping locals plagued by presences.

“This show takes dealing with the paranormal to the public, getting them to tell their stories,” said Derek. “I go into a place and explain what they are experiencing, who the spirits are and what they are there for. I help rescue Spirit that have been caught in this atmosphere, help them go over to the other side. I have wanted to do this for the last 10 years – I am so, so pleased.”

But that’s not all – he also has a show about Guy Fawkes due to air on Living

“

I believe there’s an angelic realm. They are totally compassionate and are here for the greater good of mankind.

”

world

TV on November 5: Quest of Guy Fawkes.

And he promises a few surprises: “I travel to different places to see artefacts that belonged to the plotters or Guy and I use psychometry to find out the truth about the story. We end up at Parliament and span 400 years of history,” said Derek.

But it’s sad news for Most Haunted fans, Derek’s last programmes will be the live shows on October 28-31, which this year will be filmed at a secret location in East London. He will miss the show: “I enjoy Most Haunted, particularly the Live show for many reasons, but mainly because it’s live.

There’s no editing or anything like that – the experience is live. That’s more of a thrill for me as a medium.”

So with Halloween on the horizon, does he celebrate at all?

“I am always working on Halloween, usually on shows, live theatre or vigils. The Summer Solstice is actually the most active time of the year for Spirit due to Mother Nature and the changing of the 4 seasons: it’s about change and renewal,” he said.

And that is vital during the current shift of spiritual consciousness which the world is going through. It started last year and is due to end in 2012.

“It’s an 8-year cycle. We have entered the phase of Spirit – that’s for the greater good. A lot of people are going to find it alien – they will have to adapt and they will see the greater good,” he said.

So with this new shift in progress, what is his philosophy on life? “I say live your life to the fullest and be as happy as you can because your loved ones in Spirit are. They want to see you joyful. They want you to live your life in the knowledge that you will reunite with them eventually. You haven’t lost them for all time. They are waiting for you.

That keeps me happy and the people I love happy.”

Derek’s new book Ghost Hunting with Derek Acorah is out now.

Visit www.thorsonselement.com for more details.

Derek Acorah’s Ghost Towns will air on Living TV on November 7 and Quest of Guy Fawkes will air on November 5. For Most Haunted Live tickets visit www.livingtv.co.uk

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Homeopathic physician, inventor, biologist and physicist Harry Oldfield (pictured left) reveals to Clare Sheridan how his quest to heal has highlighted possible evidence of life after death.

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any of us would love to capture a spirit light or entity on camera but Harry Oldfield may have managed to do just that through his pioneering work as an alternative therapist.

The former biology and physics teacher became interested in Kirlian photography 25 years ago and left his teaching career to pursue one in alternative medicine.

His unwavering search for knowledge guided him to spend the last 15 years developing his own photoimaging system which can reveal a person’s aura and detect any imbalances – Poly Contrast Interference Photography (PIP) – as well as a method of scanning the body with the ElectroScanning Method (pictured right). He has also subsequently devised a method of redressing any imbalances within the human energy field via the therapeutic use of natural energy with Electro-Crystal Therapy (EleCT).

The PIP can measure and record energy levels around the body, which Harry uses to detect any imbalances which could cause illness. He then uses the non-invasive Electro-Crystal Therapy to redress these imbalances. This method of energising a variety of chip crystals in a tube with an electronic frequency and placing them on areas of the body (or chakra energy points) which need healing, rebalances the patient’s energy field (see our feature on page 50).

His original research with Kirlian Photography focused on the phantom leaf effect: “I took several leaves from a tree or bush which had been organically fertilised. I then removed 1020 per cent of the leaf from the top and in more than 50 per cent of cases, the energy outline of the missing leaf reappeared on the image taken. The Kirlian system showed a natural field, a

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sub-atomic field matrix while looking at the natural image,” said Harry.

So from a pioneering technique initially developed to help improve health, Harry has discovered something that may even prove the presence of paranormal entities.

“Light is always around us. When you look at an object you see light reflected off it, not the actual image. The light is developed through the energy field of the body and is reflected out of it. I needed a photonic interface setup which I could use to detect. photons on the underlying energy field. this led to PIP imaging.

“I have also used it on people with missing limbs where we have seen the phantom limb in the image. We have also seen a phantom arm and hand that were not there on the physical plane but were on the energy plane.

“I devised it to look at health matters but people would say they would come from psychic problems and environments so I took it to look at those environments when they were becoming ill in psychic environments.”

Harry has taken PIP around the globe and his research has even led him to haunted houses and morgues! “Entity presences have been detected by my system,” he said.

“I have picked up things in haunted houses – manifestations of energy on walls and hands coming out of them! I went to a morgue in the Mediterranean and we picked up energy

lights floating above corpses. A psychic I was with during the investigation told me where to point the camera.”

He was called to the morgue by a pathologist who had witnessed the apparition of a young lady –the same lady whose body he had been working on in the early hours of the morning! When Harry investigated, the psychic he was with sensed the presence of a Spirit priest (which he also captured on the PIP imaging system – see image on opposite page) who is a ‘soul collector’ – a spirit who helps new spirits pass into the light.

“When people die suddenly, sometimes the soul (particularly in young people) is in a state of shock. It’s a bit like a bad dream or nightmare. Certain special people in Spirit catch them and bring them into the light. It makes complete logical sense. If you have a bad dream you look for some way to get out of it. I want to do more research on this,” he said.

Harry always had an inkling that entities existed, but his PIP imaging system has confirmed this for him: “There were a few incidents in my childhood where I saw people by my bed at night. I found out some years later that the house was haunted.

“It’s a human experience.

Wherever you go you hear stories of ghost sightings. You can’t argue with humanity – or my photos. The jury is still out though – I am convinced more or less that there are things out there. I’d call them spiritual presences rather than ghosts – another plane of existence,” said Harry.

“I believe when we die we go into another realm or altered state of consciousness, if you like, another octave up in the musical scale of the universe. I believe these other realms are just as real as the one we are occupying now which we call physical reality. It is a higher level of vibration that a lot of us can’t see – like an x-ray. I also believe in the mindbrain non-location theory where mind and brain function can work independently.”

He has visited the site of psychic disturbances and haunted houses and picked up energies of spirits on the PIP system: “We picked up a ghost dog in the garden of Whalley House in America. We went to the curator and she said the lady of the house in the 1800s had a Scottish All images © Oldfield Systems Ltd.

Above: The shape of a ‘phantom’ priest was captured on Harry’s PIP camera equipment: Below: The energy field of a missing arm clearly shows up in the PIP camera.

terrier called Doris who was buried near the oak tree – which is where we saw her.”

His Electro-Crystal Therapy has also garnered some surprise results when observed through the PIP equipment:

“One lady patient brought in some quartz and tourmaline crystals. When we scanned them we saw globes of light come out and dance over the crystals – like fairy lights,” said Harry.

So what is his next step in terms of research? “In terms of research I would like to have more time and perhaps research funding to help me study and acquire more cases and explanations,” said Harry. “I would like proof that mankind is more than the sum of his body parts and so-called electrical intellect, which dies, supposedly, with brain function.”

Harry is the principal and founder of Oldfield College, which hosts regular training courses in the UK and overseas. For more details call 020 8841 1716 or visit www.electrocrystal.com NB It must be emphasized that ElectroCrystal Therapy, ESM and PIP scanning do not take the place of medical diagnosis and treatment. However, Oldfield College does have medical practitioners supporting its work and there is always a doctor available.

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Patricia Milner

I N T E R N AT I O N A L P S Y C H I C MEDIUM AND REIKI MASTER

Genuine, caring, positive advice Face to Face and/or Telephone Readings Available ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS & SWITCH ACCEPTED

Telephone 0870 1436738 International Callers: +44(0)207 5264803

www.patriciamilner.com

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The time: an autumn evening.

The place: Fir Tree Cottage, Catforth, Lancashire.

The Visionaries: Diana Jarvis, Rachel Lacy, Georgia Mead & Nance Turner.

by Nance Turner

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ello again my friends and welcome to another monthly Visionaries vigil. This month we are in a 17th century cottage in Lancashire. As usual we are armed with our equipment and our enthusiasm. So sit back and enjoy.

Master bedroom As I entered this bedroom, I got the feeling of a very strong male presence, who had a very ‘lord of the manor’ attitude. He wore high leather boots, which clinked as he walked down the corridor. He was quite authoritative and he had a very pushy attitude! He thrived on power and was very smug. The time period was somewhere between 1700 and 1750. All the spirits in the house knew about each other, no matter which period they were from, and they accepted that

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Opposite right: Nance tuning into Spirit in the master bedroom.

Below right: Rachel and Georgia testing for activity with night-shot camcorder and dowsing rods.

Below: Orb captued in the hall.

they shared the same space. However, it would seem that this man ruled the cottage with an iron fist and I felt that the others were scared of him. I didn’t feel that he was evil, just a strong presence that liked people to know he was there.

When Di entered the room, she also sensed the man. She wasn’t sure about his emotions, she felt cold and spaced out. She said he wasn’t a huge man, but she wouldn’t upset him! He mentioned something about a load of ledgers, and told Di she must find the deeds to the house, as he would be found in them. Di then got very breathless and the atmosphere changed, it became so cold that she had to leave.

Corridor As Di was walked down the corridor, she got a sense she was being followed and watched. She said the feeling wasn’t nice at all, and felt that this man was following her. As Di passed certain rooms she could hear 2 ladies talking and gossiping, but said that they were harmless.

As I walked down the corridor I was suddenly surrounded by children, and with them I got a real sense of confusion!

It was if they couldn’t understand what they were doing in the house. There was

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at least 10-15 of them. They were very solemn, and looked like little ragamuffins. I also picked up that there had been lots of farmland around here at some point which related to some kind of small industry or business.

Rooms off the corridor In some of the rooms, it seemed that Spirit didn’t want to step forward as much, they just gave confusing images and wouldn’t be specific about anything.

As I approached the end of the corridor, I saw a lady. She wore a bright red dress which looked medieval but I couldn’t be sure. She was a blonde, middle-aged lady who just wanted the owner to know she was there.

Kitchen When I entered the kitchen the energy seemed to change quite suddenly. I could sense that someone had been hanged, and there had been some kind of secret or conspiracy surrounding the incident?

I got the year 1600, and there was some

History of Fir Tree Cottage By owner Angela Carrington Fir Tree Cottage was established in 1650, when Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector. It was originally a thatched cottage and a lot smaller than it is today.

The cottage stood in grounds of approximately 6 acres and the land was tenanted. The farmer kept cattle mainly, although part was arable. Dirt tracks and drover’s trails surrounded the land all around. The house in those days stood in the village of Woodplumpton in the Lancaster County and the Duchy of Lancaster owned much of the land in this village and surrounding villages. It is today in the Lancashire County.

The house had many outbuildings, a blacksmith also operated from the house, where the main bedroom is. The long hallway use to house cattle and horses.

The road outside was a main road in those days and widely used by highwaymen. Allegedly it was also used by the notorious Dick Turpin. Mediums have picked up a horse and coach on the spot where a coach driver was killed – the driver has been seen and heard in and around the house.

The land surrounding the house and village has been the scene of many an armed conflict before and after Cromwell’s time. The nearby canal was used widely for transportation.

The first inhabitants of the house died in 1657: their names were John and Ellen Boulton. When they died they left the house to the Charities Trust for use as a Poor House and a charity to help the

needy and homeless. This was widely used and the Trust also used to grant loans. This would explain the spirit children picked up by Nance and the women that Di heard gossiping. It would also explain the often depressive and oppressive atmosphere that the house has. The Trust and Church often had general meetings at the house, which may explain the nobleman that was felt by the mediums. It is also possible that this nobleman is the William Spencer that Di named ...

The Honourable William Spencer (1630-1688) was High Sheriff for a short period, he lived in Ashton Hall, Preston, not too many miles from Catforth. High Sheriffs were keepers of the peace and had a number of community duties.

Although we cannot find any confirmation as yet, it is more than likely that William Spencer would have visited the house when it belonged to the Trust in his capacity as High Sheriff. William Spencer is a direct ancestor of the Spencers of Althorp (Princess Diana’s family). There were 6 Trustees for the house – including a Reverend Wilfrid Speakman and a Thomas Shaw (surgeon). The Reverend and surgeon have been seen at the house before.

The house was originally called Raby’s Cottage or (Ray’s Cottage) and the land known as Raby’s Farm or Ray’s Farm. It was named Fir Tree Cottage in 1956 when the house was owned by a Mr and Mrs Clifford Kippax.

kind of alehouse within the premises, which a secret society would have used, and only a few people would have known about it. I got the initial T, but couldn’t be sure if it was for a first name or a second! I also saw an image of skeletons hidden in an old chest somewhere near the kitchen door.

The Living Room When Di entered the living room, she started to get a headache and pressure round her head. She sensed a 1940s connection and a man who had a handkerchief in a 1940s-style with the initial A in red. Di also picked up on a man named William Spencer, who she thinks was the man in the main bedroom. He moves things around and makes the noise of footsteps that can be heard up and down the corridor! Di also picked up on a slave trading connection and she could also see a cat, which she said was mostly in the bedroom.

When I entered the room I picked up on the name William, and a small black dog!

The room itself was very oppressive, and I experienced lots of pains, and at one point I had to leave the room as I had an extremely bad headache. The room just had a negative and tired feeling attached to it.

Georgia also said that she felt the room had a different feel to the hall and kitchen, not uncomfortable, but a very different energy.

Well my friends there you have it, another vigil and another exciting night!

We would like to thank Angela Carrington, John Ewing and Kathy Ball for their hospitality.

If you are interested in investigating Fir Tree Cottage, call Angela on 07957 659026.

NEXT MONTH: We will be in the Lake District at the Glen-Wynne Guest House in Windermere.

Left: The Visionaries and their hosts in séance with orbs.

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Paranormal investigator and Visionary Rachel Lacy investigates the strange phenomenon of Kellas Cats.

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veryone loves to watch wildlife, but on August 27, 2004, I saw a sight that was larger than your average rabbit or fox.

It was 10.30pm and I was in a car on the A924 from Pitlochry to Kirkmichael, in Perthshire. It was a dark but clear night with a full moon, and I was with 3 other people, one of whom had fallen asleep.

We were on the last day of our holiday and had already seen a wide variety of wildlife – but the best was yet to come.

The driver slowed down as we approached a village and suddenly braked as something ran across the road in front of the car. What we first thought to be a domestic cat had run from right to left, and I clearly saw it slink along the verge. From there it climbed onto the dry stone wall, which ran round the garden of the first house of the village. I was level with the cat when it looked straight at us: and it snarled! This was no ordinary domestic cat, it was a cat angry enough to act threateningly towards a car!

We discussed the cat for most of the evening, and agreed it was more than a domestic cat, but it certainly was not big enough to be an escaped non-native cat despite its similarity to a small puma.

It was black, looked incredibly sleek and moved fluidly. The ears were level with the head (as opposed to on top), and it had a long tail (unlike a wildcat). As it looked at me I didn’t see the shape of its head, unfortunately.

I submitted a report to the British Big Cat Research Group upon my return home and it was while I looked on their website that I first found out about Kellas Cats. At first I thought they were merely a cryptozoology legend, but it soon became apparent that they are real creatures: they exist and have been captured and DNA tested. They may also have been with us for a very long time.

Scottish folklore tells of big black cats called Cait Sith (pounced cat shee, it means fairy cat) – a black cat the size of a dog, known by the white spot it has on its

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breast. These cats were said to be aggressive, and often associated with witches. In Sorche Nic Leodhas’s book of eerie Scottish tales, Twelve Great Black Cats, they are the tools of Satan and aggressive enough to carry off a sheep.

The 16th century English chronicler Raphael Holinshead believed large cats lived in Scotland and said: “Lions we have had very many in the North parts of Scotland and those with manes of no less force than those of Mauretania; but how and where they were destroyed I do not know yet.”

Joking aside, his group have made a detailed study of big cat sightings, and are open minded as to what each individual cat could be.

Kellas Cat facts: The average length from head to tail is 42 inches for a mature male, which rules them out as responsible for deaths of adult sheep, as is believed in some areas; Snaring and shooting by gamekeepers in the 1980s meant that a number of specimens were available for study, most notably by Di Francis, amateur naturalist and ABC (Alien Big Cat) investigator;

“

Kellas Cats are not exclusive to Scotland, although they are named after the Scottish village where they were commonly sighted in the 1980s.

”

The description of the cat with the white spot on its breast also occurs in JG Campbell’s late Victorian book Superstitions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and the stories date back to at least medieval times.

Kellas Cats are not exclusive to Scotland, although they are named after the Scottish village where they were commonly sighted in the 1980s, which could account for most if not all of the sightings of large black cats across the country – which have all been described as the size of a Labrador dog.

Mark Fraser of the British Big Cat Research Group said: “It’s strange regarding the sightings and movements.

You will get a spate in one area for several months, and every kind of cat will be reported in that area (leopard, puma, lynx and white ones) then it stops and moves to another area, it’s not straight forward and it’s as if someone is playing a game with us!”

Those captured include one trapped by a BBC film crew working for Tomorrow’s World in 1986. The female specimen was a wildcat/domestic cat hybrid, and she became one of a breeding pair kept by Di Francis, sadly their stripy kittens didn’t survive; Unlike wild cats, they hunt in pairs, and appear to be built for running, not climbing like the Scottish wildcat; The tails, limb length, size, white hairs and patches do not appear to be uniform in size throughout the species; Dr Andrew Kitchener of the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh, examined 8 of Di Francis’s specimens and concluded that 7 were hybrids, but the eighth cat he believed to be the first black Scottish wildcat ever documented; Professional and amateur researchers believe a range of theories from thoughts that they are a new species, to that they are a hybrid. A DNA test of a Kellas Cat caught in 1986 showed it to be a

wildcat/domestic hybrid, but not all Kellas’ may be, and even Scottish wildcats are thought to be a hybrid mix of feral cats too. Di Francis’s believes that there is a second species in Scotland, which she has called the Rabbit-Headed Cat due to its skull shape. A third species, or a sub-species of which there are eye witness reports, are the King Kellas Cats, which are around five-feet long (nose to tail).

If you would like more details about Kellas Cats or think you have seen one, visit the British Big Cat Research Group at www.scottishbigcats.co.uk or the Scottish Big Cats Trust (charitable trust) at www.bigcats.org If you see a Kellas Cat, please DO NOT approach it – Kellas Cats are vicious, untameable and should not be handled by members of the public.

There are exhibitions on them at the following venues: Elgin Museum, Elgin, Morayshire; Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh; and Aberdeen University, Zoology Dept. foyer, Aberdeen.

DON’T MISS this year’s York Ghost Festival! Get the chance to take part in all-night paranormal investigations, past life regression and aura workshops, Pagan and Wicca forums, ghost walks and a psychic fair from October 28-31. Call Rachel Lacy on 01904 641174 or 07903 509216 for more details or to book. For more details visit www.psi-chicks.co.uk or www.ghostfindergeneral.co.uk/events

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Diana Jarvis explains your weird experiences.

Mysterious light This photo was taken on a Friday in August at approx 9.45pm. I went out into the garden with my digital camera to see if I could capture any spirit fairies, angels or spirit orbs. For some reason I felt I had to go outside and film. As it was quite dark I couldn't actually see through the viewfinder or screen so I just aimed at different areas of the garden.

When I looked at the photos there were no spirit orbs, however I was amazed to see a very bright object in front of the Ash tree trunk. I don't know what it is. It appears to be quite large. Have you seen anything like this before? I can't say that I sensed anything really apart from the excitement while taking the photos. I would be pleased to hear what you think this could be.

Lesley, Kirk Ella, East Yorkshire.

Diana says: I’ve had a close look at this picture and I have never seen anything like it! It is possible that you have photographed the shell of a large insect (such as a Stag Beetle) and the light is a reflection. There is also the possibility that it is something of an otherworldly origin, probably something that was never human! If this is the case, I would think you have the fairy spirit (or elemental) that you were hoping for! I will have to reserve judgement – and I would love to hear from any readers that have captured anything similar!

Scary spirit I was staying in a motel but could not sleep. Suddenly I felt something pull the quilt and I felt frightened but pulled it back. I turned the light on and had a sleepless night. The next night I couldn’t sleep again. I had turned the light off but something turned it on.

The third night I left the lights on all night. However, someone shouted in my right ear “MARIA!” (a man's voice). I jumped up in bed and shouted: “Leave me alone!” (what was amazing was that I am deaf in my left ear and the spirit knew which ear to shout in!). What was this?

Maria, Wigan.

Diana says: Someone is keen to get your attention! I think that the spirit is a relative or friend on the other side, desperate to contact you. I can’t imagine that a spirit attached to the building would bother scaring you 3 nights in a row, especially as you were only passing through. Wherever you are staying, wish your spirit visitors “Good morning” and “Good night”. Wish them well and ask them to communicate with you gently as it’s hard to be receptive if you’re scared out of your wits! Once your visitor knows he’s got through, he will be subtle and maybe speak to you in your dreams.

A strange coincidence?

My ex-partner lost his father some years ago. One day, I suggested going to find his grave – I felt compelled. We went to where the grave should have been, but couldn't find it. After enquiring, we were told to get plot details from the council. The lady at the desk took details and told my ex to return later.

When he returned to the car he was silent . . . he said the lady had said how uncanny it was – as it was exactly 21 years ago to the day that the plot was purchased. When we got home, we talked things over and I experienced the smell of very strong beer. We don’t drink, but his father was a beer drinker. Was this a message or just coincidence?

T Holtby, Stanstead Abbotts.

Diana says: Thank you for your letter. I personally think that in every coincidence there is a message, either from Spirit or something ‘higher’. In this case, scientifically, nothing happened here that can’t be explained away. How do you feel? I know that if it had been me I would feel that there was contact. It seems from your description of your ex-partner’s demeanour that he also thought it was odd, at the very least. I can’t confirm that this was a message, but I suspect you will ‘know’ in your heart of hearts, whether it was. I think you already know the answer…

If you would like to share your experiences, send them to Diana Jarvis at the Vision address or email: experiencesexplained@visionmagazine.uk.com Please give as many details as possible – tell us what you saw, how you felt, and what you sensed etc. We reserve the right to edit letters.

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Writer Steve Bryan examines the origins of the Druids.

Dragon Leaf (pictured) is a practising Druid.

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he Druids were the mysterious and shadowy priests of the Celts, but where did they come from? What are the links between modern and classical druids?

The Druids first appeared around the final millennium BC (around 800), during the golden age of the Celts.

They developed iron working, which enabled them to plough more effectively.

They also developed horse riding from contact and intermarriage with the Cimmerian nomads. These factors led to a rapid expansion, culminating in the sack of Rome in the 4th century BC, and a rampage through the Greek world, well documented by classical authors.

The existence of the Druids as a separate priestly class shows a level of sophistication which belies the Roman insistence that the Celts were barbarians.

The Celts were not barbarians, even if they had no cities or libraries. They were an advanced and vigorous culture, and the Druids were the guardians of their values.

Druids took on an importance well beyond the role of priests. Celtic society had little political organisation.

The tribes were independent of each other, banding together only at times of severe difficulty. Druids therefore took on the roles of teachers, advisors and judges, and also carried out religious and ceremonial functions. They were in many ways the glue that bound the Celtic world together.

The Druids were protective of this role, and secretive. They refused to commit their beliefs or practices to writing, and the training of a Druid could take anything up to 20 years, spent mainly in isolation. This secrecy makes it very difficult to know exactly what they believed. There seems little doubt that they brought order to the complex web of beliefs of the early Celts.

The Druids believed in the importance of ritual. The correct ceremonies, carried out in precise and arcane ways, were a feature of Druid

practice. This differs considerably from the more easy and intuitive practices of their pagan predecessors.

The deities of the Druids are equally difficult to pin down. In one sense there were many, each with their own attributes. On the other hand, many argue that all are simply local manifestations of the ‘mother’ goddess and the ‘father’ god, with local names.

Indeed many of the names for these simply translate as ‘the god of the people’.

Certain symbols regularly occur, however. The ‘horned god’ seems to be a significant manifestation of the male deity, and was called Cernunnos in Britain. The various manifestations or incarnations of the ‘mother’ are also important. These include the benevolent nature goddesses, often ritually married to the tribal chief, as well as more sinister war goddesses, such as the Morrigan in Irish mythology.

The symbol of the severed head also reoccurs. This has given rise to suggestions that the Druids were headhunters, cannibals, or at the very least, eager participants in human sacrifice. There can be little doubt that much of this was Roman propaganda.

The Romans accused all their enemies of eating children. However, remains of people with skull fractures have been found at Druid ceremonial centres, suggesting that the rumour may well have some foundation in fact.

The horse was another important symbol which was linked to the goddess Epona. Some scholars see in this the influence of the Cimmerian horse-riding nomads, but whatever her origin, Epona and the horse were important elements within Druid rituals as well as Celtic society.

Persecution The end of the classical Druids was rapid and bloody. Normally the Romans were tolerant of other religions, simply allowing native gods and goddesses to be

worshipped as facets of their own pantheon. The Druids, however, represented a different threat. As an organised and secretive body, drawing the Celts away from absorption into the Roman world, they had to be eliminated.

Julius Caesar desecrated many of the sacred druid sites in mainland Europe.

Some have argued that the invasion of Britain the following century was at least partly motivated by the desire to root out the remaining centres of Druidism, which were still providing some assistance to the Celts under Roman rule.

The importance of the persecution of the Druids can perhaps best be seen by the massacre of the Druids on Anglesey in 60 AD. The army that carried this out was deliberately diverted from the south in the middle of Boudica’s revolt. Important Roman cities such as Colchester and London were left undefended and burned to the ground.

The elimination of Druidism was more significant than defending these centres.

Druidism then lay in twilight for many centuries; first under the yoke of Rome, and then as a scantily remembered predecessor to Christianity.

It was not entirely forgotten however.

The Arthurian cycle links back to older tales, and Merlin, in many respects, as advisor to the king, was the archetypal Druid. He is also the direct literary precursor of Gandalf, in JRR Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Druids never entirely disappeared.

In the 19th century interest in the Druids increased, both as part of the general Celtic revival, and also because people began to seek new spiritual roots.

Modern Druids seek the goals of wisdom, creativity and love. Some seek to discover and replicate the hidden beliefs and practices of their forefathers. Others seek simply to reconnect to the land and its history. They give their followers a greater sense of ritual than modern pagans, and a structure some find lacking in other beliefs.

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he indigenous belief systems of every nation and continent are always shaped and influenced, at least to a degree, by the local landscape.

Native Americans, Australian aboriginal peoples and the Lapps of Finland, for example, have always been at one with the land, even if the land they live in is unique. In Britain, there is no greater testimony to this spiritual rule of thumb than Druidry.

In ancient times Britain was a land filled with trees, hills and mist; a timeless place not given to exoticallycoloured flora and brightly-plumaged birds, but a place which still exuded its own mystical beauty. Then Britain truly was the stereotypical Enchanted Isle.

No-one knows when the Celtic people first came to Britain, although many think they were descended from the peoples who inhabited the Black Sea area circa 4-5000 BC. Many scholars suggest 200BC or thereabouts as the time when the Celts first set foot here, bringing the roots of Druidic belief with them. However, there are potential problems with this idea. When Julius Caesar made his first (and unsuccessful) attempt at invasion in the 1st century BC, the Druids already had in place an extremely sophisticated and wellestablished culture. Had the Celts introduced Druidry to Britain merely 150 years before the Roman invasion this wouldn’t have been the case; unless, of course, Druidry was already well established before even the Celts arrived, which I personally think was likely.

Ancient Beliefs Essentially there are two types of Druids prevalent in the British Isles: both persuasions have differing views about their own spiritual history. Paleo-Druids are very much wedded to the idea that the values and teachings of their ancient ancestors have largely survived intact, and that modern Druidry, when properly practiced, is not too dissimilar from the way it was practiced in pre-Roman Britain. The perpetuation of “the Old Ways” is important to Paleo-Druids.

Modern Druids (sometimes called Neo-Druids or Neo-Pagan Druids), who see themselves as part of the

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Essentially there “are two types of

Druidry prevalent in the British Isles.

”

broader Neo-Pagan movement, view things differently. They point out, with some justification, that the ancient Druids placed little emphasis on the written word. As Druidry was virtually exterminated in Britain, how can modern Druids be sure, then, that their beliefs and practices are the same? They can’t, they argue, and all modern Druids can do is try their best to get it right.

Some Druids go even further.

Saying it is not possible to know precisely the ways of the ancient Druids, they say, but it isn’t even necessary. One movement, the British Druid Order, states specifically on their website that they see Druidry as a movement in the process of constant change and, hence, they are not bound by beliefs which may date back hundreds or even thousands of years.

Druids work together in small collectives known as ‘Groves’, but I have been told by a Druid that it’s more a way of thinking or being. Druidry is essentially divided into 3 different orders, persuasions or grades. Some Druidic orders utilise these persuasions as steps up a hierarchical ladder; one may begin as a Bard and work through the rank of Ovate upwards to becoming a full Druid, although in some traditions the Ovate is actually the introductory rank. However, other orders see these 3 stations of Druidry not so much as ranks to be worked through, but rather as different tendencies or expressions within the same spiritual path.

Bards: Bards are essentially the ‘collective living memory’ of the Druidic path. They commit to memory songs, poems, traditions and stories which hold the essence of Druidry. The apprenticeship for a Bard can be up to 12 years, and the traditional colour of a Bardic robe is blue.

Ovates: In some traditions Ovates seem to be the nearest Druidic equivalent of a prophet. They speak of life and death, heal the sick and form an intense bond with the natural world. In other systems the Ovate is the initiatory rank open to beginners. The apprenticeship for Ovates can be up to 15 years, and the Ovate robe is normally blue.

Druids: The rank of Druid is generally held to be the highest. No public rituals were ever held without the supervision of Druids. The Druid was a physician and philosopher, alchemist and astrologer, artisan and innovator, magistrate and mystic. The fully-initiated Druid commands respect. The apprenticeship for Druids can take up to 20 years, and the Druidic robe is white.

A word needs to be said here about the position of women within Druidry. In some traditions women play a full and active part and are known as Druidesses.

In other forms of Druidism only males are allowed and women are encouraged to follow Wicca, which is seen as the feminine expression of the faith.

Throughout the various orders and organisations within the Druidic world, there is a central core of common beliefs.

These include: Belief in a universally–present ‘flowing Spirit’ or ‘Awen’; The soul is immortal; A belief in the brotherhood and/or sisterhood of believers; That learning and education are to be encouraged; Respect for the beliefs and rights of others; The dignity of all living things should be maintained and respected.

Acknowledgements: Dragon Leaf, and Morgan Adams of the British Druid Order (Hedd Wyn’s Grove).

Carole Chui (pictured left) examines beastly tales of British folklore.

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ragons may be consigned to folklore, however tales of them can be found in all lands, including Britain.

One theory of their origins states that the Romans introduced the dragon because their cohorts in Britain carried dragon standards rather than the usual eagle of the legion. The Romans had adapted the device from their Dacian and Parthian enemies.

Travellers’ tales of large, fierce lizards such as the Komodo Dragon might have attributed to the dragon legend.

Some people believe that humanity and dinosaurs overlapped, so the dragon is a distorted ancestral memory.

The Western dragon has scales, 4 legs, leathery wings and usually breathes fire.

Firedrakes and wyverns are called “dragonets”, but a wyvern is not really a small dragon. It has only 2 legs with eagle talons, and as with birds, the front limbs have become wings.

There are many dragon legends involving knights. The wizard Merlin owed his life to a dragon. King Vortigern built a fortress, but every time it was completed, it fell. His wise men advised him to sacrifice a boy without a father: Merlin was chosen and brought to the place. He had a vision of a red (Welsh) and a white (Saxon) dragon battling in a lake beneath, disturbing the foundations. He showed how to release them, forecasting victory to the red dragon, which features on the Welsh flag to this day. The wise men were killed and Merlin lived to fulfil his destiny.

Local dragon legends (under the old English name of worm, or wyrm) are found throughout the land, often related to landscape features. One example relates to Bamburgh Castle in Northumbria. A well-known ballad tells

the story of the “Laidley Worm”: legend has it that a wicked stepmother turned a lovely maiden into a loathsome dragon.

A hero was sent against her, and as he fought her, he saw the dragon weep. She told him to give her 3 kisses before the end of the day and when he did, she resumed human form. Her stepmother turned into a toad, and reputedly still lives deep beneath the castle.

The unicorn, the loveliest of mythical beasts, is usually depicted as a white horse with a single spiral horn, but more properly it has a lion’s tail, cloven hooves, and a beard. It was mentioned in the Bible, and the Greeks, hearing travellers’ tales, wrote about it in natural histories. In 398 BCE the historian Ctesias described it as “a single-horned white creature with a dark red head and blue eyes”. Europe and Britain embraced the unicorn in mediaeval times. The most famous legend is that the unicorn is wild and cannot be tamed, except by a virgin.

A maiden will sit alone in the forest, and the unicorn will lay his head in her lap and sleep. His reward is that the sweet girl will call in the hunters.

The horn is what the hunters wanted.

The story goes that a unicorn came to a poisoned waterhole where the animals feared to drink. Once he dipped his horn in the water, it became clear and good to drink. This set a fashion for mediaeval nobility to own drinking cups made from

unicorn horn.

Where did the story of the unicorn come from? It is amazing that the tales at the basis of the lovely beast are said to stem from travellers’ glimpse of the unlovely rhinoceros. True, it has one horn, but otherwise it does not really fit the picture! The grace of antelopes may have coloured the picture.

Unicorns have been exhibited at fairs.

These were probably white goats whose horn buds had been operated on in youth, when they are not yet attached to the skull. In Drawing Down the Moon Margot Adler describes one such modern creation of unicorns from goats. She admits that they are very goatish, but noone has yet seen a herd of unicorns emerge from the morning mist.

Other legendary British beasts, such as black dogs haunt many locations. To see the beast usually foretells a death. One example is the Yorkshire Barghest, as big as a calf and silent but for the clicking of its claws. Others involve beasts transforming into human shape, as do the Selkies from the Scottish Isles when they step ashore. If a man could find her sealskin, he could keep her as his wife.

To the present day, legends linger and some are created. There are now many large black cats haunting localities – although these are probably escapees from private menageries.

Nessie the Loch Ness monster keeps on intriguing us. Prehistoric survival or modern myth? Although her modern fame dates from sightings in the 1930s, she is not so modern, and not so isolated after all. St Columba in 565 BC claimed to have seen the Niseag (her Celtic name),and beasts have been seen in Loch Morar and in Ireland in Logh Ree and Lough Fedda. So keep an open mind next time you see ripples in a loch!

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Lecturer and author Marian Green delves into the story of Britain’s greatest Druid and his monarch: Merlin and King Arthur.

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ritain has many great legends, perhaps none moreso than that of King Arthur, the quest for the Holy Grail and Arthur’s wise counsel and one of the most famous reported Druids – Merlin the wizard.

Merlin is usually depicted as an old man with a long, white beard, a magical staff and a dark cloak. Merlin was destined to die as a young boy as a sacrifice for the Saxon King Vortigern.

Vortigern was trying to build a tower, but it kept tumbling so his personal wizard advised him that the blood of a fatherless boy would fortify it. Merlin was the fatherless boy he chose: Merlin’s mother was a Celtic princess but his father was an otherworldly being (some say he was an angel, some say a demon), from whom Merlin inherited his magic.

Merlin escaped death by persuading Vortigern that the fortifications of his tower were unsafe as a result of two duelling dragons deep underneath: one white for the Saxons and one red for the Welsh. Before Vortigern could check properly, the Welsh army attacked and Vortigern was driven back.

The origin of the Arthurian legend is hidden in the mists of time but there were some Welsh versions recorded in the 9th century. His story began with magic when Uther Pendragon fell madly in love with Igraine, the wife of Gorlois of Cornwall. Uther persuaded Merlin to enchant him to look like Gorlois, and he claimed Igraine while Gorlois was away fighting. Arthur was the result of their union.

Later that day Gorlois was killed in battle. Igraine and Uther quickly married but because the existence of her child was brought about by magic, she

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“Merlin is usually depicted as

an old man with a long, white beard, a magical staff and a dark cloak.” asked Merlin to take the baby away.

Arthur was reputedly born during midwinter at Tintagel Castle in Cornwall.

He was taken by Merlin to a secluded forest where he was fostered to Ector. He grew strong and his foster father entered him into a knights and squires tournament – but Arthur forgot his sword. He saw a beautiful sword stuck in a stone in a nearby churchyard and managed to pull the blade free. It was not until after he retrieved the sword – Excalibur – that he read the inscription in the stone underneath: ‘Only the true born king can pull this sword from the stone’. His friends were astonished and persuaded him to replace it so that other worthy people would try. Several knights attempted to withdraw the sword, but only Arthur succeeded.

Merlin explained to Arthur about his magical heritage as the son of King Uther Pendragon, and he was quickly accepted by the populace as the new king. Britain had been under attack from Saxon invaders so Arthur called upon the powerful knights who sat around the Round Table to defend his realm. Battles were fought across the realm until peace finally reigned.

However, as the land has been laid to waste, the knights became restless and fought among themselves.

When the Saxon invaders returned, Merlin left Camelot for the safety of the forest where he watched the stars and wrote poetry – some of which reputedly survives today. During this time, Merlin learned about the legend of the Holy Grail: a hidden sacred vessel which could reputedly heal the sick and make the land green again. He returned to Camelot to tell Arthur, who instructed his knights to search for the Grail and bring it back to his walled city of Camelot. Arthur waited patiently with his wife Guinevere as the knights scoured the land for many years seeking the elusive Grail.

Merlin returned to the forest and told many of his magical secrets to a young woman named Nimue, but her motives were not pure and she enchanted the old wizard into a castle of glass within a thicket of magical hawthorn and bound him with potent spells. He may still be there today.

Meanwhile, a darkness had descended over the country as the quest continued and knights who had ventured out in disguise unknowingly fought their brothers. Knights who proved themselves in this time included Lancelot and Bors the Green Knight. Very few came close to the Grail, however, as none knew what it was.

According to Grail legend, a young man called Perceval, came to Camelot, whom Arthur knighted. He soon joined the quest for the Grail.

During the search, Perceval sought refuge in a castle where he witnessed a procession of beautiful young women who carried a veiled object which shone brilliantly: the Grail was later revealed to him.

But Arthur never got to see it – he was wounded in battle by his sister’s son, the evil Mordred. A magical boat guided by 3 dark queens bore Arthur to the Isle of Avalon: the mystical landscape around the Somerset town of Glastonbury, to be healed. He is reputed to still be there, awaiting his call to help Britain.

Arthur’s story is based on actual historical events. After the Roman army withdrew from Britain in 400AD, the population came to rely again on their local chiefs and tribal shamans: the prototypes of Arthur and Merlin.

According to evidence from tree rings alive when Arthur would have lived around 500 AD, there were years without summer when no crops grew and people starved. The country was a wasteland during this time – a landscape that the Holy Grail could have healed.

This land was susceptible to attacks, of which the Saxons from Europe took advantage of – they needed land to farm. During this time a king such as Arthur – whose name means ‘bear’ – would have become a popular leader.

Some say that Merlin was a Druid, trained by Celtic bards, ovates and Druid priests who served the British people after the Roman invaders left.

Others say he was a prophet with

oracular dreams and visions. Merlin remains a mystery, but his influence is seen in many modern books and films with magical themes.

Different versions of Arthur and his quest have moved into the realm of fantasy and science fiction. We may no longer have Merlin to guide us but we do have real, modern magicians who aim to bring our planet the healing power of the Holy Grail – so perhaps we should not resign these legends to mere folklore?

Marian Green is a lecturer and the author of 15 books on magic and witchcraft including The Grail Seeker’s Companion with John Matthews.

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Writer Steve Bryan examines the festivals that shaped the Druid world.

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ruids mark the passing of the seasons with festivals, as befitting the priests of an agricultural society. The correct rituals ensure good health and good harvests. Ensuring the festivals are held at the correct time is important.

One of the few Druid writings that have come down to us is the Coligny Calendar, used to make sure the cycle was correctly calculated.

This Druid calendar is more sophisticated than our own, taking into account the phases of the moon as well as the solar year. It is misleading to say that particular festivals fall on particular days; they can, and do, vary to take account of a more holistic approach.

At each festival, the barriers between our world and the spiritual ‘Otherworld’ become thinner. This enables people to discourse with the gods and goddesses, and seek their help. The primary festivals of the classical Druids were the Earth festivals, marking the agricultural season. The solar festivals,

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marking the equinoxes and solstices, were later additions.

The cycle of festivals celebrate the turning of the year, and in particular the changes between summer, represented by the god Maponos, and winter, represented by the god Cernunnos. A third representation of the god is Lugh, who mediates on behalf of people with the goddess to allow the harvest.

The goddess also has 3 aspects; the crone or hag of winter; the maiden of spring; and the Queen or Matrona of summer.

Triads such as these are particularly significant to Druids. While one facet of the god and goddess is normally in the ascendant, at no time are the other facets ignored. Indeed to ignore them would endanger their eventual return.

Samhain (November Earth Festival) This festival marks the beginning of winter and the end of the harvest season

– this is the start of the Druid year. Key features of the festival include ritual fires and in classical times the slaughter of animals.

These days the casting of offerings into the fire have replaced this element. The dead, in the form of the ‘silent company’, are invited to attend some parts of the ceremony.

Deuorious (December Sun Festival) Held in the depths of winter to mark the solstice, this festival is, however, one of hope. The secret birth of Lugh, the god of harvest, takes place in the depths of winter.

Mistletoe and Holly are important elements of this festival, where the goddess appears in her ‘crone’ guise and must be appeased.

Imbolc (February Earth Festival) A festival to mark the imminent arrival of Spring, Imbolc is normally held to coincide with the beginning of the

lambing season. The goddess in the form of Brid the maiden presides. She is represented either by people in costume, or a doll. She is invited into people’s houses, and often walks down an avenue representing the birth canal. Ritual washing of hands and feet with water, the gift of the goddess, cleanses people of winter and prepares for the coming of spring.

Alban Eilur (March Sun Festival) There is no indication that this festival, celebrating the Spring Equinox, was particularly celebrated by classical Druids. In more modern times, it is a festival marking the inevitable triumph of light over winter, with the egg as a symbol of impending birth.

Beltane (May Earth Festival) This is an important festival marking the start of high summer. The Beltane Fires on high places mark the start of the ceremonies. Hawthorn, representing the

grip of the Otherworld on the goddess in her maiden form, is often burned.

A key note of the festival is the symbolic marriage of the sun god with the Flower Bride. In classical times the tribal chief would play the role of the sun god.

Mediosaminos (June Sun Festival) Again this appears to have been a less significant festival in ancient times, but coincides with midsummer, and marks the triumph of light over darkness.

It is an auspicious time to pick herbs and medicinal plants, which have greater power now than later in the year.

As well as being a celebration of the height of summer, it also marks the secret birth of winter.

Lughnasadh (August Earth Festival) Lughnashadh marks the beginning of the harvest season, when the people prepare to reap the bounty of the earth.

The presiding deity is Lugh. The ceremonies are normally held on high

ground, and re-enact the Lugh myth cycle.

This cycle shows how the efforts of Lugh enable people to harvest crops without offending the goddess.

Offerings include the first fruits of the harvest, and sometimes a cauldron holding the ritual water used in the Beltane festival is returned to the earth.

Alban Elfed (September Sun Festival) This festival marks the autumn equinox, and falls between Lughnasadh and Samhain.

Symbolically it represents the passing of the god from his summer to his winter incarnations. A ritual last hunt was formerly held, where the Boar of the Otherworld ‘killed’ the summer god, and in a ritualised form this still is part of the ceremony. In agricultural areas a large corn dolly, representing either the crone, if the harvest has been poor, or a Queen, if the harvest has been good, is made and kept until the next Alban Elfed.

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Michael Looking Coyote.

Anna Kaye.

Do you have a problem which you lack intuition to solve? Do you have any spiritual questions to which you seek answers? Native American Michael Looking Coyote will use his Spirit Stones and clairvoyant medium Anna Kaye will consult her Tarot to offer a fresh view on matters.

Is my son at peace?

My son was killed in an accident and his fiancée was seriously injured. She is angry at everything and everybody.

I have a few things of his from his fiancée but many belongings were not made available to me, such as his leather coat and a signet ring.

She says she can’t find them. Will I get them back? Will his fiancée find love and be happy?

Will I ever see him again in the afterlife? Is he at peace and does he know how much I love him? Can you help ease my torment?

Dawn, Peterborough.

Looking Coyote’s Spirit Stone reading – the Porcupine & the Lightning People: By focusing on your son’s possessions you’re doing what every bereaved parent would like to do; maintain links with a child who has “crossed over the river”. Porcupine speaks of joy, indicating that both you and your son’s fiancée will eventually find the peace that you seek.

Don’t give up trying to gain possession of the items in question if they’ll bring you comfort, but do not let their absence unduly distress you.

Lightning People symbolically portrays a link between this world and the next, indicating that your son is at peace, and one day you will see him again.

Anna’s Tarot reading – the Devil, the Hermit & the Pope: The Hermit tells me of your pain and the Devil of your anger. The Pope tells me of prayers and visits to church. Your son, who had very serious head injuries, has passed on but is still around you as he has unfinished business here on the earth plane.

Your son also maintains strong links to a Capricorn person in the spirit world.

I feel the leather coat may have been discarded. Don’t worry about the signet ring; just remember the son you love.

Looking Coyote’s Spirit Stone reading – the Mountain & the Listening Stick: The Mountain indicates ascent to greater spiritual understanding, urging you to spend time meditating on the spiritual path that you will walk in the future. When you are certain what that path is, your spiritual and psychic abilities will develop naturally.

Listening Stick wants you to pay attention to those around you who have already begun their spiritual journey; they will help you as you start yours.

If this sounds daunting, don’t worry. The way ahead will open up for you at the right time. For now, all you need to do is prepare for the journey with contemplation and meditation.

Anna’s Tarot reading – Death, the Chariot & the Empress: Death indicates that it is time to initiate changes into your life. The Chariot suggests you’ll be victorious in your quest for spiritual and psychic development. I see you being guided through all stages of your development by a very powerful medium. She’s around 57-years-old, blonde and quite wellknown in your area. You will be guided towards this lady. This is a message from the Empress: good luck!

Advice on psychic development

I am writing to you with regards to my spiritual and psychic development. I have always been interested and want to develop further. Can you give me any advice?

Andrew, Warrington.

Road safety fears

Ever since my 9 year-old daughter was little I’ve been paranoid about road safety. I started having dreams of her getting badly injured by a car when she was around 5-years-old. She can hardly cross the road without a car swerving to miss her. Should she have died at the age of 5, or is this a past-life memory? I’m psychic myself and I did think maybe this was her lesson, to be careful on the road. How she doesn’t get knocked over I don’t honestly know.

Trish, Barnsley.

Looking Coyote’s Spirit Stone reading – the Chipmunk &, the Papoose: Chipmunk speaks of your daughter’s uncertainty. She lacks road confidence, and herein lies the problem; not “karmic payback” or hard lessons to be learned – so don’t worry on that score. If your daughter was “meant” to die when she was 5 she would have, plain and simple.

Your nervousness stems from your past dreams, which were simply manifestations of your maternal protectiveness. However, there is an answer. Papoose simply wants you to give your daughter a solid lesson in road safety without alarming her. Crossing the road will always be risky, but no more or less so than for any other child.

Anna’s Tarot reading – Temperance & the Devil: Your fears are manifesting in your dream state. Temperance says your daughter is spiritually protected by a higher source; so it is unlikely that she will die in this way.

The Devil card is about your fears. You say you are psychic. Try and get rid of your fears and anxieties regarding this issue. Don’t make this a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Looking Coyote’s Spirit Stone reading – the Elk & the Skunk: You effectively issued a challenge to the spirits by setting them a test, and I’m not sure this was a good idea. Maybe your keys were taken temporarily to remind you of this. They didn’t leave you high and dry, though, as you presumably had a spare set which enabled you to take your car to your friend’s?

Skunk speaks of self-protection and Elk of strength. You were never in real danger that day from burglars or anything else. Although your guides may have been a little ticked off at you for testing them, they still love you dearly and walk with you constantly.

Anna’s Tarot reading – Temperance, the Hermit & the Hierophant: Why would you ask your angels to impress you, and give them 48 hours to do so? Actually, I think you very much doubt their presence. Nevertheless, together your cards say you are strongly connected to the spiritual aspect of life although you must find balance between both the material and spiritual sides. You also have strong psychic abilities, so stop doubting and let the magic from higher realms enter your life. Finally, don’t ask the angels to impress you – you may get more than you bargained for!

How can I solve my problems?

Years ago I had problems in my life and wanted to know why they were happening. I studied spirit guides, angels, shamanism, dreams, meditation, ancient Egypt etc, to see if I could improve things. I believe in Spirit and that they help, but things have started to go wrong again.

I keep everything going and look on the positive side, but I feel I‘m on my own with this (even though I know I’m not). Will my life get sorted out, and things look better for my family? It’s a constant struggle deciding which direction to go in.

Karen, Perth, Scotland.

Angelic proof?

I asked my angels if they could hear me. I gave them 48 hours to impress me by moving something. Later I couldn’t find my keys and thought I’d been burgled even though I’d never left the house. I worried that the thieves would return for my car, so a friend told me to leave it in her drive. On the way I heard a whispering voice say something. I couldn’t make out what was said and asked the voice to repeat it. I still couldn’t understand, but then I remembered what I asked my angel. Was that my answer, or was I really burgled?

Lisa, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire.

Looking Coyote’s Spirit Stone reading – the Wolf & the Spider: Wolf teaches that there is no “quick fix” that guarantees us a problem-free future, but Spider says we can control the way we deal with the future when it arrives. Instead of looking to various spiritual disciplines to help reduce your quota of problems, focus instead on handling them better and avoiding situations that bring them about.

You see life as a struggle, but you are not alone. Give your burdens over to Great Mystery in prayer and then do your best. Your struggles will then become challenges that you can, with faith and courage, overcome.

Anna’s Tarot reading – the Devil, Strength & Justice: Sensitive, emotional, caring Karen: the Devil says you have been restricted for too long by putting everyone before yourself.

You have a strong, creative energy within you so please start to use it. The Strength card speaks of the inner strength you have; you’ve come up against so much, but you have survived.

Justice indicates that balance and change are coming into your life, bringing improvements.

Good luck. Remember you are not alone.

Looking Coyote’s Spirit Stone reading – the Chipmunk, the Frog & the Whale: Chipmunk speaks of confusion and uncertainty, as you’re re-examining aspects of your life and looking for purpose. This won’t be made clear until you listen to the wisdom of the Frog; carry on loving and supporting your family, but jettison from your life all unnecessary distractions.

The Grandfathers will then fill the gaps with new and exciting challenges. Whale indicates that these will be spiritual ones, and your numerous spiritual experiences testify that you already have a close link to the world beyond. Simplify your life, be still and wait for a new pathway to open up in front of you.

Anna’s Tarot reading – Death, the Hermit & the Emperor: The Death card tells me changes are ahead; changes you’ll make for yourself. The Hermit says you need something in your life, and now is the time both to learn and teach. You’re open to the world of Spirit, and you must use this to help others. The Emperor indicates you’ll be in a strong position as you move into the future. You have a very strong male spirit guide and a lot of wisdom from a past life.

Your path is to work with Spirit. Relax, remember what peace there is in silence and enjoy the wonderful journey ahead.

How can I develop contact with Spirit?

I’ve always felt I had a purpose, and now I want to know what. As a small child I frequently woke at night to find a bright, misty shape hovering over me – it used to frighten me. I couldn’t go into my late great-grandad’s room as I always felt I was being watched.

I have premonitions, have felt the presence of Spirit in most of the houses we’ve lived in and I have seen spirit people. I also seem to sense when something is wrong with people I love, and I want to help people. What should my next step be?

Wendy, Bury St Edmunds.

Send your letters to: Destiny Doctors, Vision, 42a Main Street, Garforth, LS25 1AA, or email destinydoctors@visionmagazine.uk.com

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Psychic Samantha Hamilton continues our psychic awareness course with a practical guide to meditation.

T

here are many different disciplines of meditation and numerous spiritual or religious traditions have their own wonderful meditation practices. At its simplest, meditation can be divided into 2 categories.

The first kind of meditation is concerned with engendering a level of stillness and tranquility by giving the mind something to concentrate on which focuses it away from the thoughts and illusions of everyday life.

The second kind is more directional: offering particular thoughts, scenarios and visualizations to stimulate specific forms of mental and emotional activity, as well as engendering relaxation. Both kinds of meditation are helpful in the development of psychic potential.

In the meditations that follow I invite you to use some positive mental images. Some people see strong images when they do this, some don’t. For this exercise to work for you, it is enough just to hold the idea, feeling or concept in your mind.

It would be helpful to begin each of these exercises with a couple of minutes’ gentle deep breathing and a conscious decision to relax and settle your mind before proceeding.

You could imagine each thought that

enters your mind turns into a beautiful bird or butterfly before flying away, leaving you feeling calm, clear and still.

Once you have calmed your thoughts a little, read through the details of the meditation exercise a couple of times to get the general idea of it, then close your eyes and relax back, trusting your mind to take you wherever you need to go.

It is not essential to get every detail correct or in the right order. If you prefer, you could get a friend to guide you through the meditation or you could record your own voice, slowly reading it aloud and use the tape to guide you.

Visualization Your gut feelings and imagination are the keys to getting you to strengthen your visualization skills. Trust that you have the ability to achieve photographic pictures in your mind. Find a place of peace in your favorite room where you will not be disturbed. Calm your thoughts as it would be best to begin with your eyes closed: you should either lay down or sit in an upright chair.

Make sure you breathe deeply and consciously decide to relax and settle your mind before you proceed. Once you have calmed your thoughts, take time to read through the details of this exercise a

couple of times so that you get the general idea. Then close your eyes and relax.

I would like you to imagine that you are looking at the front entrance of your property and try to answer the following questions: What type of door is it?

Where is the bell or door knocker?

Is it a big door?

What surrounds the door?

What is the colour of the door?

Does the door have a letterbox?

When you have answered the questions, go and have a look at your door to assess how accurate you were. Do this exercise again and see what details you may have missed out.

Once you have completed this, look around the room that you are in. Is there an object that catches your eye?

Take this object and put it in front of you.

Look at it closely for a few moments.

Then close your eyes, take 3 deep breaths, make sure that your mind is relaxed, your breathing is steady, and try to visualize the object.

Open your eyes and check the results.

This is a very good exercise to practice with a friend, to guide you through this technique.

NEXT MONTH: Spiritual bathing.

Develop the psychic in you Bubbles of psychic protection When carrying out any psychic development work, protection is vital. The most popular form of psychic protection is to create a protective shield around yourself.

It is best to imagine that you are inside a bubble, and that nothing negative can enter this bubble.

To proceed make sure that you are comfortable and relaxed. To ground yourself, you must guide your breath to a rhythm that feels comfortable and relaxed.

See yourself and imagine yourself surrounded by a protective bubble or egg, which protects you from everything that is negative. = Allow yourself time to sense this bubble all around you.

Imagine it spread over your head, down your back and under your feet. Sense that your own vibrations can exit through the coat of the bubble. Sense that the bubble allows only good energies to flow through. Feel deeply relaxed in this protective environment.

When you have established your bubble, breathe in slowly and exhale white light, sensing the warmth inside your body. Breathe out slowly and believe that you are now positively connected to the breath. Fill your bubble with your own sense of self-love and positive vibrations. Count to 10 with each breath.

Fill the bubble with any colour you wish to choose. How about blue or pink? Be experimental and try different colours: perhaps even a rainbow. You may find that different colours work better at different times. If you feel drawn towards blue perhaps it’s because you need to speak your truth, if you are drawn towards pink maybe it’s time for you to accept unconditional love. Keep experimenting and be patient with yourself as you practice this technique.

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by Wiccan author David Williams.

L

ong before the invasion of Britain

by Imperial Rome, which brought a form of imposed civilisation to the inhabitants, Albion (as it was then known) was populated by the Celts.

They lived in tribal groups closely connected to nature by their religious beliefs. Surrounded by the raw elements of nature, they sought an understanding of the world around them.

Their traditions and knowledge were guarded by an organised priesthood of elders who passed the knowledge of each generation on

through poetry and song. These priests were the forerunners of what are known today as Druids.

Their tradition was an oral one, and very little remains today in written form of their rites. They created one of the West’s earliest alphabets called the Ogham.

This is also known as the Celtic Tree Alphabet, and the Beth-Luis-Nion.

It consists of 20 symbols in 4 groups, made up of vertical and horizontal lines designed so that they could be carved upon stone or wood with ease. Later, as language

developed, a further 5 symbols were added.

Originally it was used so members of the priesthood could convey information to each other secretly, but it was also used for magical ritual and divination.

Trees played a important part in Celtic beliefs. They saw them as living creatures, each one with a life force or soul. The Druids themselves were known as men of Oak, and worshiped in Oak groves.

Each symbol of the Ogham contains the energy of a particular tree, and symbolically represented various myths, sounds, and knowledge.

Which Ogham will you pick?

Why not have a go yourself and pick out the best Ogham symbol to suit you? Simply relax, close your eyes, hover your finger over the pages and let it drop when you are ready. Whichever stick your finger falls on, is the one you need at this time.

BEITH represents the Birch. It is the tree of the first month of the Celtic year – November – and represents new beginnings.

LUIS is the Rowan. It rules December and represents protection against bad magic or intentions.

FEARN is the Alder. It governs January and offers protection in arguments.

SAILLE is the Willow Sacred to the Crone Goddess. This represents February, womanhood, knowledge and the healing arts.

NUIN the Ash tree was sacred to the Germanic and Nordic Tribes as well as the Celts. The Nordic believed it was the Ash upon which Odin hanged himself for 9 days and 9 nights to gain the wisdom of the runes. To the Druids it was the bridge between the worlds and represented rebirth. It governed the month of March, the Ancient festival of Eostre was held at the time of the Spring Equinox, and later Christianity chose this time to celebrate the festival of Easter.

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NEAL the reed rules the month of October. It is necessary now to get everything done before the dark rises and winter begins. Reed represents action – do it now!

HUATHE is the Hawthorn. This is the tree of purity, virginity and cleansing. It is female in nature and rules April. The festival of Beltaine falls at the end of this month and is celebrated both as a time of purification and of the sacred marriage of the virgin Goddess and the God – positive and negative, Yin and Yang.

DUIR the Oak rules the month of May. In Celtic times doors were made of Oak and it is from this that we have derived the word in modern English. It represents doorways and entrances not only in the world of the living, but also between the other worlds.

TINNE is the Holly. The wood of this tree was once used to make the shafts of spears, and handles for axes. It represents strength and victory in conflict. Twice a year the Holly King, and his brother the Oak Lord meet and fight to represent the waning and waxing year: on June 21 and again on December 21.

COLL the Hazel represents intuition and psychic awareness. The wood was traditionally used in dousing and divination. It governs July.

OUERT is the Apple. This fruit-bearing tree represents choice, beauty, and understanding.

MUIN the Vine rules August. This is traditionally the time of harvest. The Vine has a strong link to the Celtic God Lugh whose festival Lammas falls at the beginning of this month. The Druids also believed that the Vine held the gift of prophecy. From this comes the saying ‘Drunk Men always speak the Truth’.

GORT the Ivy rules the month of September and the self. A time when many people look inside themselves for answers.

STRAIF the Blackthorn has the sharpest thorns. Because of this the Druids saw it as unpleasant and harmful. A traditional death spell consisted of a heart pierced with blackthorns.

RUIS the Elder was symbolic of the last 3 days of the 13-month Celtic calendar: Samhain, now celebrated as Halloween (the festival of the beginning and the end of the year).

AILIM is the silver Fir. This is the tree of karma and past lives. The Druids saw life as a neverending spiral of birth, death and rebirth.

The Fir was a symbol of this as it never appeared to die and stayed green all through the autumn and winter.

OHN the Furze is not a tree, but a shrub which displays yellow flowers. The Druids considered it a gift from the Gods as it gave off a strong scent which attracted a host of insects.

It represented a gathering or a meeting.

UR the Heather represents links to the inner self.

EADA the White Popular has close connections to the elements as it withstands the strongest gales and storms. The wood was used to make shields and the Druids valued it as a protector against mortal death.

IOHO is the Yew. The tree represents eternity and rebirth as the Yew grows from within.

Legend also maintains that the Yew, if placed in a churchyard, will send a root to each grave.

This gave the reputation in myth as a symbol of rebirth and life.

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Discover your life purpose!

H ave you ever suspected that there is more to life than you’re currently experiencing?

Have you ever wondered if there is a specific purpose to your life?

Do you ever feel ‘empty’ but are unable to pinpoint what is missing? Now you could!

Vision has joined forces with the International Academy of Consciousness (IAC) to offer 3 places on its renowned Consciousness Development Program (CDP). This unique course offers participants techniques and resources for identifying their purpose in life and for moving towards it with selfmotivation.

Delivered in 4 modules of 10 hours each, the CDP combines theoretical classes on the subject of consciousness with practical activities including exercises aimed at developing mastery of one’s bioenergy (chi, prana) and guided attempts to provoke lucid Out-of-Body Experiences (OBEs).

Emphasis is given to the OBE and the conscious use of bioenergy. Both are tools that can be used to advance selfawareness, as they allow us to understand our current existence within a broader context. That context includes

WIN your very own hero!

non-physical realities, past lives, karma, and the evolution of the consciousness, all of which have a bearing on the direction of our current lives.

The IAC is a non-profit organization dedicated to consciousness research and studies, offering courses in the UK, US, Australia, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland and Mexico.

Vision has 3 places on the CDP to give away worth £380 each.

To enter, simply answer the following question: What is the Indian word for bioenergy?

Send your name, address and daytime telephone number to: IAC CDP Comp, Vision, 42a Main Street, Garforth. LS25 1AA by November 16, 2005.

If you would like to receive an information pack from the IAC, please state this clearly on your entry.

Visit www.iacworld.org for more details.

Some Silent Hero (pictured left) is the debut spiritual novel from author and publisher Stephanie Brookes.

We have 10 copies to give away to lucky readers. It is an ideal starting point for anyone beginning their spiritual journey.

The story centres around Viv, a young woman struggling with an unhappy home life and no sense of purpose.

She decides to take responsibility for her life and experiences the joys of synchronicity as she embraces the concept of Spirit. David, a mysterious biker and spiritual medium, enters her life and offers to help unravel the secrecy surrounding the death of her father.

Their journey to America is shadowed by a young girl in Spirit.

This novel illustrates that if you listen to your intuition and trust what Spirit gives

Terms and Conditions: The first 3 names chosen after the closing date will each win a place on the IAC CDP course; places on all modules of the CDP are subject to availability; prizes must be redeemed within 12 months; winners must be 18 or over; no more than one entry per person; winners must arrange their own travel arrangements to the course venue; competition open to UK readers only; Vision accepts no responsibility for the fulfillment of prize obligations or the distribution of prizes.

you, you are on your way to fulfilling your unique life path.

To enter, simply answer the following question: The character of David is a spiritual... musician; medium; or chef?

Send your answer, name and address to: Some Silent Hero Comp, Vision, 42a Main Street, Garforth, LS25 1AA, by November 16.

Visit www.spiritualphilosophy.co.uk for more details.

Terms & Conditions: Only one entry per person; the first 10 correct names picked after the closing date will each win a book; Vision will forward the winners’ details on to Spiritual Philosophy Publishing who will dispatch the prizes; Vision accepts no responsibility for the distribution of prizes.

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Writer Sangeeta Uppaladinni unearths the ancient Druid doctrine of human destiny after death.

T

he priests of the ancient Celts were called Druids. They walked the path of the ‘Otherworld’ to gain knowledge and insight into the problems of their people.

The Druids were prominent as a powerful group in Celtic society with wide ranging powers. They studied herbal medicine, astrology and philosophy.

The Druids were great believers in the sanctity of life, of fertility and life after death. They also learned about immortality, theology and folklore. They were tribal historians who transferred beliefs orally to initiates, as they did not want the sacred beliefs and rituals to be accessed by just anyone.

Hence after the last Druid died, secrets disappeared. Whatever we know about them today stems from archaeology, folklore and legends which span 2,700 years. The Celtic beliefs were at the root of Indo-European origin, with emphasis on their love of nature, hero and ancestor worship. The Celts believed in the immortality of the soul, and believed that the Druids knew the pathway towards a happy afterlife.

Ancient Druids believed that life was eternal – that all of existence had a cyclic nature and there was a direct continuity between the material world and the ‘Otherworld’. Although the Otherworld was an unseen world, it was thought to have an affect on the visible world. The Celtic culture had expression in nature and expressed itself likewise.

Druids considered spirits to be in all living things, including inanimate objects. Deities were purported to dwell in hills, wells and the pouring rain.

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Reincarnation Celtic religion taught the reincarnation of all human souls and the appearance of divine beings on earth. Souls of men were considered immortal to the extent that there was a system of being able to repay a debt in the Otherworld.

The ancient Celts were not afraid to die. So strong were the reincarnation beliefs that they had the utmost faith that their soul would live again in another body in the Otherworld.

Future life was life in the body in the next world and it was a replica of the life

Ancient Druids “ believed that life was eternal – that there was a direct continuity between the material world and the ‘Otherworld’.

”

once lived in the visible world, with the same needs and affections. After the person died in the Otherworld, their soul lived again in another human body. At every birth, the Celts mourned the death of a person in the Otherworld, which made the new birth possible.

Although extremely religious, the Celts did not believe in Karma, where the Gods transferred their soul to a lower life form. The new body was given in the Otherworld, and the Celt continued to be the person he had been. His new body was but the old body glorified. This was similar to the Vedic teaching that the

soul, after the burning of the body, went to the heaven of Yama and there received its body complete and glorified. These two Hindu and Celtic conceptions stemmed from early Aryan beliefs.

At funerals, all that had been dear to the dead man (including living creatures) were thrown onto the pyre.

Some of the internments found in archaeological sites support the theory of the human sacrifice of wives, children and slaves. Goods were buried with the dead, such as weapons, armour, chariots, coins and utensils. At the burial site, some threw letters addressed to dead relatives on the grave, believing that it would reach the beloved ones in the Otherworld.

According to Breton (Celtic immigrants from Brittany, France) and Irish belief, the dead reappeared on earth in bodily form and customary dress. They remembered unpaid debts and could not rest until they were paid. In Brittany, Ireland and the Highlands, the food and clothes given to the poor after a death, fed and clothed the dead in the Otherworld.

The Celts believed that the soul resided in the head, so in taking the head of the enemy they could gain his power and possibly decrease the possibility of having a powerful enemy in the Otherworld.

The Irish were strong believers in immortality. Their philosophy extended to propose that there were no ghosts. They returned as they were when they were human, and fully clothed. Irish texts also described how the dead warriors were buried: it was custom to bury them in their armour, with weapons. Their bodies faced the region where enemies might be expected, in the hope they would prevent further attacks.

Wives of heroes requested to be buried alive with their dead husbands.

Celts viewed the omnipresent

Otherworld as a transition phase in the course of a long, eternal life. According to Celtic myths, the deities or the fairy people lived in this domain, and it was hidden from mortal eyes. The dead were escorted to the Otherworld by the God Belenus.

The Otherworld was a horizontal plane, residing in the realm of a triad of land, sea and sky. The dead were envisioned as living on beautiful islands or in magical lands under the surface of the waves. The King of this wondrous place was the benevolent Sea God. His magical horses could stride on the surface of the ocean. The Sea God’s hounds were faithful guardians and if viewed by a mortal, they foretold of impending death.

The concept of the Otherworld as a peaceful and benevolent place of rest had implications on ancient Druid customs. Their funeral rites of passage and worship practices softened the journey to the world beyond the grave.

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Writer Steve Bryan takes us on a tour of sacred Druid sites.

M

ist surrounds standing stones as the first ribbon of light on the horizon hints at the coming dawn. Figures in white robes wait in eager silence for the appearance of the midsummer sun between the menhirs, ready to greet its arrival with a cacophony of sound and celebration.

This is the image many people have of Druids at work. It is, however, misleading. The Druids did not build Stonehenge, or any other of the more famous stone circles in Britain. They arrived nearly 2,000 years after these

were completed. They were and still are used for some festivals, but are not central to Druidism.

For Druids, the whole land is sacred. It is a manifestation of the mother goddess herself, who gives life to all people, plants and animals. This is not to say that some sites are used more for ceremonies and festivals than others.

They are, but it is important to remember that the whole landscape is holy, rather than simply certain places within it.

The word Druid itself means ‘oak’, and groves of trees are particularly significant for Druids. In former times when much of Britain was covered in thick forest, most settlements would have had a suitable stand of oaks nearby.

Now such thick groves are rarer, and in many places the native oak has been supplanted by imported varieties and species. Nevertheless, the oak grove remains the single most important sacred place for Druids. It provides a link

with nature, a certain amount of secrecy, and a plentiful supply at certain times of the year of the sacred mistletoe.

Water is also significant. It represents one of the gifts of the mother goddess to her people. Because of this, places where water emerges from the ground, such as springs and wells, are of particular importance. The custom of throwing coins into a wishing well is an echo of the Druid practice of making offerings to the mother, and many Christian ‘holy’ wells were originally centres of Druidic practice. Holywell in Flint, with its associated legend of the severed head, is an example. According to legend Gwenfrewi, a local woman, was attacked and beheaded by a local prince: her head, however, was reattached and she was brought back to life.

The warm water springs at Bath are of particular importance. The facet of the goddess said to be in control of them was Sulis. The Roman name for Bath was Aqua Sulis, and her worship was allowed to continue under their occupation.

Rivers and river mouths, where the life-giving water meets the sea, are also revered. All across Europe riverbeds around estuaries have yielded abundant finds of jewellery, coins and other valuables, cast into the water by the Druids and their followers as offerings.

Islands too provide many useful features for the Druids. Britain was seen as the centre of European Druidism, and part of the reason for this is its position as an island, slightly detached from the ‘real world’, and therefore a bridge to the

“

For Druids, the whole land is sacred. It is a manifestation of the mother goddess herself.

”

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Above: Glastonbury Tor; Bottom right: The sprmgs at Bath. These two photos provided

by Dreamstime.com.

‘Otherworld’. Within Britain, Anglesey, or Ynys Mon, was clearly an important Druid site, as a detached island far to the West, and therefore nearest the setting sun. The legendary island of Avalon is the perfect holy site, albeit part of the ‘Otherworld’.

Islands and islets in rivers are particularly important. Isolated, often wooded, and difficult to reach, these are ideal sites for more secret ceremonies and initiations. As the wetlands of Britain have been drained, many places retaining the name of ‘island’, are in fact now not so easily identifiable. For Druids, an island rising from a swamp is of equal importance as an island surrounded by water. Ely in East Anglia is a case in point, but more famous is Glastonbury, called Ynys Witrin in Irish sources, the island of glass. The conjunction of ley lines may define Glastonbury today, but its position as an isolated hill rising from

better. However, most evidence of human sacrifices has come from bodies retrieved from such places, accompanied by things such as oak and mistletoe which must have been brought there from elsewhere. Oak trees do not grow well in swamps.

Higher ground can also be a place of sacred ceremonies. Hills are particularly important for the festival of Lugnasadh, and for the lighting of fires on Beltane and Samhain. Hills could also be thought of as entrances to the Otherworld. Many faery cities are placed under hills in Irish mythology, echoing through to the legends of Arthur lying in wait after his death, and to the Pied Piper.

Of particular significance are pairs of hills. These are seen to represent the breasts of the goddess. Tara in County Meath is well known as the sacred centre of Ireland, but less known is that it is part of a pair of hills, symbolising earthly power and the seat of Kings, while its partner actually has more religious importance for Druids.

The strict association of Druids with stone circles is then far too limiting an image. For them, the whole countryside is holy, and a whole range of its features appropriate sites for their worship.

the surrounding wetlands gave it its original significance.

Swamps, marshes and bogs themselves also feature in Druid practice. They have never been seen as happy places however, rather as realms of otherworldly creatures. As with river mouths, considerable numbers of archaeological finds have come from such sites. This may be misleading, as such land tends to preserve human and animal remains

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Clare Sheridan talks to angel expert Diana Cooper about her new book and her angelic co-writers.

Diana relaxes at home (above); Inset: her new book.

D

iana Cooper laughs when she recounts her years as a housewife when she had no spiritual inclinations. Now, 20 years later, she works with angels on a daily basis and is an internationally-renowned author and teacher with her very own School of Angels.

Diana has focused on Atlantis for her 13th book, Discover Atlantis, which is out now. Co-written with spiritual consultant Shaaron Hutton, it explores the golden age of Atlantis: “There was a 1,500 year period on the planet when spiritual energy was the highest it has ever been – and it was during the golden years of Atlantis,” said Diana. “The book is about how it was set up, why, and what happened during that time.”

Diana and Shaaron wrote it with the help of the spirit guide they share, Kumeka, as well as the angels: “Kumeka told us he wanted everything about

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Atlantis in one place – he wanted a book with all the information in it.

The angels of Atlantis are back here on earth and they are now looking for people they can work with to bring back the energy of pure Atlantis,” she said.

“Atlantis was an experiment that had been tried before and failed. The golden age was the 5th experiment. The people that came into the experiment were all from the 5th dimension. They were joyous and radiant beings. They had the most amazing spiritual gifts.

Everyone was clairvoyant and telepathic – they didn’t speak very much.

Teleportation was a perfectly normal gift too. They could manifest objects but would rather craft a bowl because of the experience. They appreciated the physical so much,” she said.

“There were 12 tribes in

Atlantis. A High Priest or Priestess was in charge of each one. Before they finally left for good, they created quartz crystal skulls and placed the records of their tribes and wisdom into the skulls so they could be accessed. The 13th one was made from amethyst. Only one has been found so far,” she said.

Diana has recorded meditation CDs, written books, runs workshops and is even in the process of writing an angel correspondence course. She takes a very active role in writing her books. She has written one every 12 months for the past 13 years. Research for her first 3 adventure novels, The Silent Stones, The Codes of Power, and The Web of Light took her to India, Peru, America, Australia and Africa.

“On average it takes about a year to write a book,” said Diana. “But when I had almost finished my first novel, The Silent Stones, which was my tenth book, the angels visited me and said they wanted me to write Angel Inspiration before I’d finished the one I was working on! I sat at my desk for 3 weeks and I didn’t move for 14 hours a day.

They helped me write it.”

So how did this intense connection with the angelic realm come into being? “I was a housewife for 20 years. I went through a divorce and was in complete despair. I had no spiritual or religious background. I said if there is anyone out there, please show me in one hour. My guardian angel appeared in front of me, took me out of my body and showed me the future. It changed my life.

“I told my daughter that I had had a vision and the angels wanted me to work with them. We just looked at each other in complete horror! I thought the world will think I am mad! But now there’s an angel shop in every town and it’s completely normal to talk about angels – it’s amazing!”

Diana trained as a hypnotherapist and a healer before the

angels returned 10 years later to guide her towards teaching.

“When the angels asked me to teach I was in the bath! We live in such exciting times! It’s most extraordinary,” said Diana. “I was in the garden recently and I saw a unicorn. I’ve never thought about unicorns before but they are coming back now.

They were in Atlantis originally but the energy became so low towards the end that they withdrew.”

All of Diana’s findings point towards one thing – a cosmic event set to take place in 2012 which will set the stage for a greater spiritual understanding on the planet. “2012 is a very important point of change on the planet,” she said. “There will be an astrological cosmic moment on the winter solstice on December 21 when all sorts of opportunities will become available to us.”

And she has this advice for readers who want to connect to their own angels: “The most important thing is, if you ask, the angels will help you. Make a relationship with your angel.

“Do something that will take 2 minutes every day. Get up in the morning, light a candle and ask your angel to guide you, protect you, help you see the very best in everybody and make decisions for the highest good. It sets you up for the day. It starts a connection with your angel. As you talk to the angel during the day, your connection gets stronger. Then more angels come to you because they know you are going to use them.”

Diana is already working on her next book. She has walked a medieval pilgrim trail in Spain for the research on this one: “I’ve walked the Camino (de Santiago) – 550 miles across Spain! It is full of esoteric symbols, which were left by the Templar knights, and there are a lot of Atlantean influences in it. Spirit wanted me out there, so I went,” she said. So even angels like to spread their wings and travel!

Discover Atlantis (Hodder Mobius) and the Atlantis Oracle Cards (Findhorn Press) are out now.

For more details about Diana or the Diana Cooper School of Angels and Ascension visit her website at www.dianacooper.com Order your copy of Discover Atlantis and her new Atlantis Cards from Vision Shop (page 80).

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Cornish writer Nick Richardson picks over the bones of Halloween and makes a spectre of himself

I

’ve never seen a ghost. I’ve looked like one many a time, but I’ve never actually set eyes on one. The only thing that goes bump in the night in our house is me, falling downstairs at 2am trying to find the toilet, whilst half asleep.

I often wonder what my reaction would be if I did indeed meet one. Do they look like the ghosts on the ScoobyDoo cartoons? The spook is, of course, always ‘old man Palmer’, the owner of the amusement park covered in an old sheet.

I’d like to think I would be very adult and have ‘a nice little chat’ with it, but in truth, I dare say a change of underwear would be quickly needed.

I have various friends who have seen them. One, who worked as a security guard at a centre in Birmingham, swears that one of the major halls is haunted, and that an old monk has been seen on CCTV. Apparently none of the guards will patrol this particular spot at night.

My sister worked in a hospice

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where ghosts were occasionally seen. One night her colleague followed a lady along a corridor. The lady turned and smiled, then walked into a storeroom. Thinking a visitor had taken a wrong turn; she followed her. Once inside, she realised she had come in through the only door and that the storeroom was completely empty. The smiling lady had vanished into thin air! The poor nurse had to go home.

Some people, of course, love being frightened. Hence the very popular ghost hunt programmes on TV. Now call me a wimp and dress me in girls’ pants, but my idea of fun is a long way from spending the night in a pitch black dungeon waiting for the cold, grey hand of a long dead person to fondle my hair!

People often say that the atmosphere changes and strange smells materialize when a spook is present. Believe me when I tell you that any strange smell would emanate from my direction should I ever be confronted by a ghoul. If the ghost couldn’t run through walls, then I certainly would!

I’m also a bit of dunce when it comes to horror films. I thought Freddy’s Revenge was a documentary on the latest Queen tribute band. I did once see Nightmare on Sesame Street, but I have to say it wasn’t very scary – although, that Big Bird character was rather menacing. To be honest, you wouldn’t want to find him nesting in your attic! As for the film I Know What You Did Last Summer; so do I, I re-pointed the house and hung new kitchen cupboard doors.

What’s scary about that?

I do, however, really enjoy Halloween. I never need asking twice to dress up in a silly costume. Last Halloween my two young sons asked if we could go trick-or-treating. I spent hours preparing my outfit: a long floorlength black cloak and black hat. I pulled a stocking over my face, which made me look very ugly indeed. All of my features changed and looking in the mirror was

more of a shock than usual. I hadn’t shaved for a few days and the bristles on my chin poked out through the nylon.

Once outside I decided my neighbours’ wife would be the ideal prey for a good scare. As luck would have it, as I was walked down the road to their house, I saw her come out of her front door and make her way down the path.

Ooh this was too easy...

I hid behind a convenient bush and eagerly awaited my victim. Her footsteps echoed as they got nearer and nearer to me. Just one more step…

I leapt out of the shadows with a bloodcurdling scream, my arms thrown high into the night air above my head. I bellowed like a rabid wolf.

“Aaggghhh!”

“Oh, hi Nick,” she said with a pleasant, nonchalant air. “Nice outfit!” She walked past me with hardly a glance.

Thoroughly dejected I walked back home and got changed; I put my feet up and had a cup of cocoa. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’m just not cut out for spooking.

Four hours later, in bed, my wife turned to me and said: “Don’t you think you ought to take your stocking off now darling?”

Cruel creatures, women…

Reach Nick via his website at www.NickRichardson.co.uk

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Georgia Mead examines how we can live in harmony with the moon’s cycles.

D

o you ever feel as if the moon is in charge of your life? If the sky is completely dark do you feel alone and unprotected? When the moon is at its fullest do you feel completely in safe hands?

Do you remember your grandmother ever telling you to have your hair cut on a growing moon as it would grow quicker and that on a decreasing moon it would stop growing?

Or the time your friend said to you that they felt really strange because it was a full moon?

How does the moon affect you? Maybe you don’t even notice it sitting silently in the sky at night, or perhaps like myself and many others, the things you do in your day-to-day life are always affected by the moon.

Many people ask, how does the moon work? What’s this waxing and waning all about? Read on as I shed a little light to guide you through your nights.

New moon: When the moon is new, there’s nothing you can’t do. You don’t have to be a witch, Druid or pagan to use the power of the moon. Just acknowledge new projects and things you’re looking forward to starting. If you’re thinking of making changes, wait until the night of a new moon to put them into action.

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Opening a business on the day of a new moon is a great omen. Check things out with an astrologer, as choosing the correct moon and date can be the making of a great business venture.

Waxing moon: When the moon is waxing, nothing is taxing. This is your time to learn, grow and spread your wings. The moon is now growing towards being full. Use the waxing moon to acknowledge projects that are already in progress – a bit like a builder who has four walls but no roof.

Use these days to concentrate on keeping relationships going and spend time with friends and family. Take time to see the things that are constantly good about yourself and perhaps pay yourself a compliment or two.

Full moon: When the moon is full, our dreams come true. This is what we all wait for each month, bright and bold in the sky, full of energy and power. Do you ever find yourself just staring at a full moon, thinking about dreams of success and fulfilling ideas that have eluded you until now? Ask, and you never know, you might receive! Man has worshipped the moon, especially the full moon for thousands of years; don’t you think that if it didn’t work we would have given up

by now? Don’t worry about feeling silly, shout out to the moon: “Help me find a way to pay my bills” – what have you got to lose?

Waning moon: When waning is the moon, cut off ties that will not bloom. Let it go – you know deep down that sometimes things just can’t be and when the moon is decreasing from full to dark, it’s time to let things go. If you’re having problems with relatives, now would be a good time to try to decrease the issue.

This is a time for banishing negatives, allowing the power of the moon to wash you clean, ready to start again with the new moon. This is also an excellent time to weed your garden, as things that are removed now will tend to stay away.

So, new is for growth, waxing to nurture, full to dream and waning to banish. Now when you find yourself staring into the night sky, you might think a little differently about the light shining down on you. Perhaps you’ll calculate your projects by her power and join the millions who live by the light of the moon.

Intuitive astrologer, psychic and dream interpreter Samantha Hamilton continues Vision’s monthly alphabet round-up of the most common dream scenarios.

Common dreams beginning with the letter Ice Cream Whether you were eating, making, buying, selling, or serving ice cream, if you dream of ice cream it predicts big success and suggests that aims can be achieved.

Idol When you dream about an idol it forecasts that you are about to discover something major such as important facts and secrets, or perhaps learn the reason behind a complicated situation. Keep this information close to your chest.

Illumination Dreaming of bright illuminations indicates an omen of great good fortune and that your deepest desires are about to come to fruition. Keep the faith that you will gain everything that is good for you on an emotional, spiritual and practical level.

Index Dreaming of an index suggests a deeper understanding between you and the opposite sex. This also signifies gatherings, happy times, and indicates that social and business involvements will go well. This dream is telling you to balance the most important things in your life.

Infant If the baby had a pleasant face, you will be helped by a friend, but if the baby was unpleasant in manner you must watch your back with someone you believe you can trust. If an infant is sick this is usually a warning of a stumbling block or difficulties ahead so be careful in your business or love affairs.

A baby who is about to take its first step indicates independence, and if you dreamed of many babies, great

‘I’

fulfillment and happiness is coming your way.

usual standards, all your endeavors will work out to your advantage.

Inheritance To dream of an inheritance can sometimes mean that you are in great need of growth in monitory matters. It may be simple wishful thinking and you could take a risk on gambling for something that is not in your destiny. If your dream foretells that you dreamt of a family member passing over and left you an inheritance, this can sometimes be a premonition.

Insects To dream of an insect can indicate an obstacle. If you succeeded in killing it/them, you will get rid of your current problems. But if you were unsuccessful, be cautious not to take on too many tasks as this will cause tiredness, exhaustion and bad temper.

Injury If it was not you but somebody else who was injured, this can predict unpleasant circumstances ahead. If the injury was to your reputation, it is a dream of the opposite and indicates pleasing recognition. But if the dream was about a physical injury, it is a warning that you are surrounded by hostile situations and that you must take action to protect your interests in any difficult situation you could find yourself in.

Inn If you were alone in the hotel, standing in the lobby, you are about to venture into a new business – expect wonderful surprises and a foreign connection that could be long-standing which will open up new doors for you.

If you were alone with the opposite sex, it predicts your love life and domestic affairs will go well and that you should take time out to think things through about what you would like to change in your life.

If the hotel was grand and the interior was more luxurious or sophisticated than your usual standards, this predicts failure or disappointment in the outcome of an important situation. But if it was to your

Intercourse To dream of intercourse is a strong indication that you want personal involvement and understanding about your deepest feelings in your current situation. Also this dream can indicate sexual frustration or betrayal on many levels. If you are having intercourse with your partner you can expect a positive outcome to a karmic connection that is now being resolved between the both of you. If you were involved with a stranger, this tells you to crave your desires but stay focused on your goals.

Italy To dream of being in a foreign place predicts your heart’s desire is close at hand but if it was raining and the weather was miserable, you can expect unwanted troubles. If the sun was shining and the atmosphere was pleasant this indicates an auspicious omen. And to meet a foreigner who is friendly to you predicts happy times ahead.

Ivy This plant growing out of a small door signifies casual encounter. If it is growing out of a big door, this indicates faithful friends. If it is indoors in a pot, this indicates personal happiness. If it is growing on a house it predicts future health, wealth and happiness.

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Clare Sheridan touches base with angels on a 3-month Discovering Angels course with Soul School.

Y

oga and T’ai Chi courses seem to be all the rage. Spiritual retreats and breaks are as popular as ever. But have you ever heard of a course about angels?

Well now you can study just that from the comfort of your own home thanks to Theolyn Cortens and her Soul School.

Theolyn is the director and founder of Soul School. She has been channelling messages from the angelic realms since she was visited by an angelic being in 1974. “Soul School isn’t just about angels, my mission is to help people discover their own power and wisdom,” said Theolyn. “The angels help us on that journey. Humans have amazing possibilities because we are divine creators – angels support creativity, but they cannot start things, or change things themselves.

“I had an amazing experience 30 years ago – I was visited by an

44 Vision 8

overwhelming golden light, and heard sweet voices giving me heavenly messages. Soul School courses are designed to help people to get in touch with the wonder and beauty of the Divine, like I did.

“This experience will transform a stressful, anxious life into a life of abundance and joy. Meeting angels is part of this adventure, spiritual guides and teachers are also there for us – guiding and teaching, but never dictating or restricting us. Opening our own hearts and minds to the angelic worlds allows us to contribute to the spiritual evolution of all humanity,” she said.

There are 3 courses students can study: the Discovering Angels Foundation Course; the Advanced Course; and the Diploma Course in Teaching, Healing and Counselling.

I started at the beginning and tackled the Foundation Course. This 3month, home-based course comes

complete with 3 visualisation CDs, course notes, worksheets and a handy binder to keep it all in.

Equipped with no preconceptions and only a brief knowledge of angels courtesy of a pack of oracle cards, I dived in with enthusiasm.

Each week is split into modules and there is a worksheet with exercises to complete at the end of each one. The beauty of each module is that they are easy to read and the exercises, although in-depth, are manageable for those of us with a hectic schedule.

The first month begins with an explanation of what angels are and how they are created, before moving on to the different celestial beings, the angelic hierarchy, the Four Worlds and guardian angels. A handy morning visualisation sets up angelic protection for the day for you and loved ones, and the bedtime visualisation invites the Archangels Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Auriel and

the divine presence of the Shekinah, to surround you, ensuring a peaceful night’s slumber.

Angels span so many religions and the course delves briefly into various aspects of some of them, particularly the Jewish faith. But this course is nondenominational, so don’t let that put you off. Embark on a journey through the Four Worlds, visit the Archangels, and even meet your guardian angel!

The second month divulges which Archangels are attached to each sign of the zodiac, introduces us to the Tree of Life – a Kabbalistic metaphysical system describing different levels of reality – and get to know all 12 Archangels personally and discover which Archangel is the governor of which planet in the solar system. The Tree of Life is a mystical system which concentrates on a path of energy throughout the body and each of these 11 points has an Archangel/s associated with it – think chakras but split into 3 columns with passive and active pillars.

You also get to know The Angels’ Script – a unique pack of oracle cards devised by Theolyn. Use this colourful creation to get answers to questions or even to discover your soul’s purpose. Each pack contains cards and a book explaining how to use them.

The workload is manageable and thankfully there is only one essay to complete – the final assignment, an overview of what you thought of the course. Do be prepared to keep an angel journal though, in which you can record all of your experiences – essential at the end of each visualisation, believe me! The angels often provide vital gems of wisdom when asked and the fascinating

“

This experience will transform a stressful, anxious life into a life of abundance and joy.

”

insights I gained into myself and how to connect with the angelic realm were real eye-openers.

All of the weekly exercises are designed to boost your creativity and connection with the angelic realms.

Meditation, connecting with nature, helping the community, the environment and creating your own art through drawings, as well as empowering yourself by healing situations and reflecting on your life are just a few of the ways in which the exercises integrate you into the course.

As a sceptic, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but by the end of the course I had created colourful drawings, asked the angels for help with problems, connected with nature and even discovered my soul’s purpose! It was great to draw again – something I haven’t done since school, but something I will definitely continue on a regular basis. Being creative is the key and this is a fantastic skill to develop – how many of us forget it in this 24/7 mad world?

There is full support by phone and also by email should you need it and the option to go onto the next course if you wish to take it further. The real beauty, of course, is that you can do it in your own time, at leisure. Academic courses can often be stale and uninspiring, however, the Discovering Angels Foundation course is as uplifting as it is exciting. The fantastic thing about this course is that it is made clear from the start that students should not take statements at face value – they must experience things for themselves in order to accept them. Wise advice for us all, not just in spiritual matters!

The Soul School Discovering Angels Foundation Course costs £198 (paid in monthly instalments). For more details visit www.soulschool.co.uk or call 0845 458 0628.

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Medium and life coach Patricia Milner examines the Druids’ use of crystals.

Garnet.

Citrine.

Merlinite.

Labradorite.

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C

rystals, minerals, light and sound have all been used throughout time to access shamanic visions and healing in ancient traditions.

The real magic of crystals to the Druids was their ability to refract white light into the colour spectrum – wellknown as producing the rainbow phenomena. Through such patterns the Druids believed that man was privileged with a rare opportunity to know something of Divinity.

In the book The 21 Lessons of Merlin, Douglas Munrow says that one of the underlying principles of every form of Druidism is the secret of colour – which has a history in the long-standing mystery of the Druids’ affiliation with both light and crystal scrying. Crystal spheres and carvings have been known to be important in sacred ceremonies.

The Druids have a great affinity with quartz crystal. The rock crystal is a naturally occurring substance that has the ability to make light visible by refraction. The alchemists and magicians of medieval Europe claimed that if it was cut in a certain way and exposed to the sun, it could also render a solid object invisible. It is a transformer of energy that relates to inception, the spiritual significance of the birch tree. The Druids reputedly used rock crystal to make themselves invisible and thus were able to travel great distances undetected. If held in both hands, rock crystal is said to induce serenity, a peace of mind and to sharpen the mental processes. It is written that stones were used in rituals (mainly quartz) however, the importance was not put on the stone, but the words that were spoken.

The Druids saw the world as the triple realms of the earth, sea and sky.

Druids were believed to be able to change into the form of all birds and beasts – their favourite was the eagle. The very idea of shape-changing is difficult for modern man to accept, but metaphysical studies relating to the rapid changes of molecular structure do not rule out such a phenomenon. The Druids had perhaps tapped into energies that are still waiting to be explored and understood by modern man.

It is written that Merlin was the son of a Druid bard and a Princess of Atlantis. Labradorite is known as ‘Merlin’s Stone’. Labradorite symbolizes

the moon and helps one to advance, without constraint, through the cycles of progression, heralding the arrival of ascension. It also symbolizes the sun and provides vitality, as well as a sense of “self” during transitions. The energy of Labradorite facilitates the transformation of intuition into intellectual thought, aligns the physical and etheric bodies and accesses spiritual purpose.

Labradorite also treats disorders of the eyes and brain, relieves stress and regulates metabolism. It treats colds, gout and rheumatism, balances hormones, relieves menstrual tension and lowers blood pressure.

The Druids “ reputedly used

rock crystal to make themselves invisible.

”

Merlinite is a magical stone that holds the imprint of the combined knowledge of shamans, alchemists, magicians/priests and other workers of magic. Its dual colouring pulls the spiritual and earthly vibrations together giving access to the spiritual and shamanic realms. This stone supports shamanic practices or magical ritual. It also facilitates reading the ‘Akashic Record’ inducing travel into past or future lives to gain insight on how to live life in the future. Merlinite is used for past life healing and to bring harmony into the present life. It balances the yinyang and masculine and feminine energies, conscious and subconscious, intellect and intuition.

The Druids loved all forms of quartz and citrine is a variety of quartz. It is one of two minerals on the planet which does not accumulate negative energy, therefore it never needs clearing or cleansing. Citrine is useful for balancing the yin-yang energy and for aligning the chakras with the ethereal plane.

This is an excellent stone for energising and recharging. Citrine stimulates digestion, the spleen and the pancreas. It combats infections in the kidney and bladder, helps eye problems,

increases blood circulation, detoxifies the blood, activates the thymus and balances the thyroid.

Garnet is another stone that is a powerful energising and regenerating stone. The Druids used it to treat blood problems/disorders and purify the blood.

It is said to warn of approaching danger and was long ago carried as a protective talisman. This is a useful crystal to have in a crisis. It fortifies, activates and strengthens the survival instincts, bringing courage and hope into seemingly hopeless situations. Garnet activates other crystals amplifying their effect. It also clears negative chakra energy. Psychologically, garnet sharpens your perception of yourself and other people.

Crystals are used for healing and in ceremonies; Druids wore crystals that they were personally drawn to, for their energy. The Druids were acute and patient observers of nature and were the scholars and scientists of their day.

Druidry is a compelling spiritual path which is more popular today than ever.

Druidry honours the spirits of nature and celebrates individuality and creativity.

Deeply rooted in the soil, at its heart, is a respect for the earth and the crystals that come from it.There is lso a respect for osur ancestors that bring with it a sense of purpose and belonging.

Knowledge, nature and truth were the foundations of their belief and the Druids were walking encyclopedias, following up to 20 years of rigorous education: they were the intellectuals of the Celts. Ancestor worship was important, the connection to the history of the tribe and culture absolute. In the Present they may have differing views which are about individuality and creativity, but the sense of purpose, belonging and community is strong. The past is only a means to carve out their future path.

Druid craft draws on the traditions of scholarship, storytelling, magical craft and seasonal celebration, to offer inspiration, teachings, rituals and magical techniques that can help you access your innate powers of creativity, intuition and healing.

Visit www.patriciamilner.com for more details about Patricia. Alternatively, call 0870 1436728 or +44 (0) 207 5264804 (international callers).

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Clare Sheridan investigates Electro-Crystal Therapy.

W

e all know that crystals emit healing energies, however, what would happen if those energies were boosted with electricity?

Well, that’s exactly what pioneering scientist Harry Oldfield did when he developed Electro-Crystal Therapy. Manchester-based therapists Joan Evans and Stephen Rowen (above right) were happy to explain the process to me.

Everyone has an energy field or aura around their body. This is affected by day-to-day variables such as state of mind or the people around you. Health problems often relate to imbalances in this energy field and Electro-Crystal Therapy can help to correct those imbalances.

By combining electromagnetic frequencies from a unit called an ElectroCrystal Generator (the EC400) with chip crystals in saline-filled transparent polycarbonate tubes, the energy generated has the ability to correct imbalances. The therapy seeks to redress any energy imbalances in the body’s energy field and can be used in conjunction with PIP (Polycontrast Interference Photography – see our feature on page 8).

Red areas on the PIP images of a client can indicate an energy imbalance.

However, if these areas are symmetrical, or appear around the base chakra area of the body (which is normally a red/ brown colour), this is ‘normal’. Non-symmetrical ‘patches’ may indicate an energy imbalance. Muddy browns and black colours may also be observed, but it is up to the skilled practitioner to analyse the results of these images.

“I must stress that we are not using this imaging as a diagnostic tool,” said Joan, who was a civil servant for over 20 years before she took a degree in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. “We are not saying that a person has a specific problem. The energy around a chakra or

50 Vision 8

organ may be ‘scattered’ or ‘blocked’ according to observation and/or a scan.

Those energy imbalances could regain a normal pattern through Electro-Crystal Therapy treatments.

“The therapy can be used independently of PIP thanks to the

Electro Scanning Method, which measures energy around the body’s main chakra and organ points. An area of the body which has suffered no breakages or injury will be used for the base reading – usually the inside of the forearm above the wrist,” said Joan.

“After a thorough consultation with the therapist, the client’s body will be scanned once the client has removed any jewellery, keys from pockets etc and also any metal accessories. During a scan, the client will hold a polycarbonate tube, which contains multi-coloured crystals in a saline solution – this helps conductivity.

When the generator is switched on, it excites the crystals. The person’s chakras (plus any areas which the practitioner

Opposite page, bottom: Stephen Rowan with the PIP equipment; This page, left: The Electro Scanner in action; Below: Joan and Steve demonstrate Electro-Cystal Therapy and the EC400.

thinks demonstrate an imbalance) will then be scanned.

“Once we have found any imbalances, the client then sits with the crystals – which are colour coordinated according to the chakra area which needs treating – normally for around 30 minutes. The tubes of crystals are positioned on areas of the body where energy imbalances have been detected and the settings made in accordance with the readings taken during the scan,” said Joan.

“The readings can be positive or negative. You pick a frequency to stimulate the area – if a meter reading is positive around a chakra you tranquilize the crystals, if negative, you stimulate them,” said Steve, a former gas fitter, whose HNC in Electronics has helped him in his use of the equipment.

Developer Harry Oldfield has discovered in his research that the colours of the heart and solar plexus chakras may actually be the opposite way round: ie the heart chakra could be yellow and the solar plexus chakra green.

“Harry found that certain crystals are better with the colour yellow for the heart chakra and green for the solar plexus,” said Steve.

“I like this treatment because it is different from most complementary medicines; I’m using electronics and I’m measuring things – it’s more adapted to me. I like equipment where I can actually see and measure any imbalances in the energy,” he said.

The chakra centres cover the entire body: “The body’s organs can be in more than one chakra. For instance, the lungs can be in the heart and solar plexus

chakra. Colours intermingle over different areas of the body,” said Joan “We are not only looking at the physical, we are looking at the energetic too. If you have an energy imbalance around the throat, maybe you feel afraid to speak out or there may be other issues relevant to the throat chakra which need to be addressed.”

Any imbalances could be helped in one treatment, or it may take several visits – it depends on the client. “We had a lady visit a couple of months ago who had readings in her legs of -7. She had restless leg syndrome. I treated it and did a re-scan and it had gone down to -1! I spoke to her last week and she hasn’t had a problem with her legs since,” said Joan.

“Some people need 1 treatment, some people need 1 or 2 – it varies. It doesn’t work for some people at all. We don’t make any claims that we can cure any condition or suggest that the therapy or imaging can replace conventional medicine, but Harry Oldfield has medical doctors supporting his work. We are putting energy back to where it should be through the organs and the chakras – we are regulating the energy.”

PIP plus Electro-Crystal Therapy is £50 (just PIP is £8 an image). Electro-crystal Therapy is £30 or £25 for subsequent therapies.

Visit www.moscompmed.co.uk or call Joan or Stephen on 0161 682 2733 for more details.

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by Wagner Alegretti (pictured left), President of the International Academy of Consciousness (IAC).

F

ew themes within the field of consciousness studies and extraordinary experiences incite more curiosity than reincarnation and the possibility of recalling previous lives.

Despite its popularity, most people familiar with these topics think that the only way of having some form of past-life recall is through the use of hypnosis. Nonetheless, the recollection of events experienced prior to this life can happen voluntarily too, under the control of the individual. The phenomenon of recalling previous experiences is technically called retrocognition (from the Latin roots: ‘retro’ meaning ‘back’; and ‘cognition’ meaning ‘knowledge’ or ‘to know’).

Retrocognitions are typically used with the aim of overcoming certain psychological problems that might have as their cause some trauma from a previous life. Whilst aversions and phobias are amongst the most common problems that people try to overcome through retrocognitions, the importance of this phenomenon extends far beyond simple or immediate therapeutic applications.

Retrocognitions are actually a remarkable way of acquiring more information about ourselves (who we really are) and our actions in the past.

Such recollections help us to understand

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why we are the way we are now and, consequently, to resolve some of the difficulties we still face. For example, you may have recollections of several past lives and are able to see that in each life you failed to reach your full potential due to a predominate shortcoming such as arrogance or shyness. You will subsequently understand that unless you make an effort to overcome this limitation in this life, you will continue to suffer from it both now and in future lives. In this fashion, retrocognitions work as a catalyst for our personal growth and maturation.

An example of the broader perspective of this phenomenon is its application to remembering our last period between lives; in other words, before we were born into this life, but

the opportunities that life presents you for learning and helping others to do the same.

The Out-of-Body Experience (OBE) and some other forms of contact with the non-physical dimensions show that a large percentage of those who pass away regret the manner in which they conducted their lives, mostly because they failed to accomplish what they had planned to do prior to being born.

Conscious retrocognitions can thus act as a way of avoiding this common afterlife melancholy.

Unfortunately, due to conditioning or a lack of knowledge, most people think they are unable to produce their own retrocognitions or Out-of-Body Experiences. Nonetheless these and many other psychic abilities

are typically used with the “Retrocognitions aim of overcoming certain psychological problems that might have as their cause some trauma from a previous life.

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after our last life ended. This type of recollection can bring to our conscious mind and memory important information about our purpose in being here, helping us to better focus our resources on fulfilling what we planned to accomplish in this current life. This is an extremely useful tool for avoiding wasting time with issues and tasks that have no relevance to our karmic links and obligations.

The most efficient approach to retrocognitions is to have as many retrocognitions as you can of your past lives to identify what behaviour you should avoid repeating, and have retrocognitions of your last period between lives to know exactly what you should be doing now. In this way you will be better equipped to take advantage of

are quite natural to human beings and are just lying dormant, waiting to be developed and utilized in a productive way. Any motivated and disciplined individual can achieve these experiences.

In explaining the mechanism behind retrocognitions, it is important to stress that our current physical brain does not contain the memories of previous lives, as it did not exist at that time. So when human beings are able to remember fragments or full details of previous experiences, it is because they have accessed those memories from their integral memory which is stored in their non-physical body (more popularly known as the astral body) and transferred to them via their physical brain.

Once this process is understood, it is easy to appreciate that the best way to remember past experiences is via the OBE. During an OBE a person manifests beyond the limitations of the brain, in the non-physical body that contains their integral memory. Most retrocognitions happen when there is at least a small disconnection or non-alignment of this subtle, non-physical body from the dense, material one.

Usually retrocognitions occur during altered states of consciousness such as sleep, dreams, trances and hypnosis. It is worth highlighting,

however, that not everyone might be ready to have such experiences on their own. It is important that individuals attempting to access information from their past are: emotionally healthy and stable; not affected by energetic imbalances; and knowledgeable about energies (chi, prana) in general, including being able to establish a good level of energetic self-defence.

It is essential for anyone who is ready, competent and interested in studying themselves, to develop ways of triggering retrocognitions on their own and of assessing the truth of their

recollections. There are techniques and methods available to help motivated individuals achieve positive results, avoiding the need to rely on others to produce the phenomenon for them.

Wagner Alegretti is the author of Retrocognitions: An Investigation into the Memory of Past Lives and the Period Between Lives. He gives courses internationally on retrocognitions, Out-of-Body Experiences, bioenergy, cosmoethics, and consciousness studies in general. For more information telephone the IAC on 0207 723 0544, visit www.iacworld.org, or email London@iacworld.org

Images Š IAC.

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S

o many people lead stressful lives.

We all learn to cope with everyday problems, rather than try to make life easier on ourselves by using techniques to combat and relieve stress and all of its symptoms.

Originating from TFT (thought Field Therapy) EFT was founded by Gary Craig in the early 90s.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is a meridian therapy, an emotional form of acupuncture without the stress of needles. It is a procedure that can be done with the help from an EFT practitioner or on your own, by tapping on meridian points in a particular sequence whilst being tuned in to the problem.

Meridians are the invisible channels through which energy circulates throughout the body. These channels can become blocked when we experience

EFT (Emotional “ Freedom Technique) is a meridian therapy, an emotional form of acupuncture without the stress of needles.

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trauma and negativity in our life.

Subsequently, our body creates more symptomatic problems to tell us that there is a blockage.

Unfortunately, it is very hard to pin point a blockage within our meridians if we are unaware of the emotional problem. These emotions can arise at any time but can stem back as far

Focus on the worst spot for the headache and imagine it glowing red.

Identify the intensity of it by scoring it from 0=10 Tap the Karate chop point about 4 times Tap Gamut point for 1 minute or about 50 taps Tap collarbone each side about 4 times Score again Repeat this sequence until you get to an acceptable level.

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as childhood. It is possible that such an emotion, which may not have been a problem at the time, can increase the blockage and cause an even greater problem such as a phobia or recurring illness of which the cause cannot be found.

We can release these blockages by stimulating them, with EFT this involves tapping on certain points along each meridian (see diagram opposite and refer to website for the complete sequence).

EFT has been shown to help alleviate symptoms such as panic, anxiety, fears, phobias, depression, addictions and cravings, pain relief, emotional trauma, anger, asthma, diabetes, allergies, weight loss and basically anything else that you could possibly think of that can create blockages in your life!

The first step to working with EFT is to identify the problem you would like to relieve. This could be an illness, a physical pain, or an emotional problem that you would like to overcome. Locate the ‘sore spot’ on yourself, which is found just under the collar bone (you’ll know it because it is ‘sore’: or see the website).

When you have done this, identify the intensity of the problem from a scale of 0-10. The aim is to reduce the emotional ‘charge’ down to zero. Make a statement out of this i.e. if you suffer with severe headaches, the statement may be; “Even though I have this headache, I

deeply and completely accept myself ” and gently rub the ‘sore spot’ while repeating this phrase.

The next phase is to create a reminder phrase for the EFT tapping technique that will be used when you tap on the meridians.

This may simply be “Headache”. When you have completed the process of tapping, the next stage aims at balancing the brain and cutting through any emotional conflict.

Re-evaluate the intensity or emotional charge of the problem you have just tapped on. The score should

have reduced (remember you are aiming to score zero). If this is not the case it may be that the statement is worded wrong. You may find another problem comes to the surface for you to deal with, if you feel happy enough to deal with this emotion then you just make a new statement and go through the procedure.

Unfortunately it would take more than 2 pages to go through the whole process and we can only give you an overview but we have put all the step by step instructions of how to treat yourself with EFT on our website www.visionmagazine.uk.com.

We can release these “ blockages by stimulating

them, with EFT this involves tapping on certain points along each meridian.

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Crystal healing for pets

by Margrit Coates – the UK’s number one animal healer and communicator.

C

rystals are not merely pretty stones that help aid healing or the atmospheres of the home and workplace, or set in pieces of jewellery.

There are many cells in both our own and our pets’ bodies that contain liquid crystals which vibrate with subtle energies. These vibrations have been shown to be similar to semi-precious crystals.

The aim behind

Amethyst.

Tiger’s eye.

using crystals with pet healing is to help link with the animal’s individual energy field. By the careful selection of stones, to best match the pet and a particular problem, we can even introduce a ‘ fine tuning’ vibration to help on the deepest possible levels.

We can build up our own collection of stones for healing with pets, and these may be individual pieces, or stones set into jewellery such as pendants or rings.

Once a crystal is chosen it will last for a lifetime as the energy healing benefits do not wear out.

There are several ways that stones can be used with pets: Pendants/necklaces: we can wear these around our necks so that the particular stone enhances our own energy, therefore when we touch the pet, that vibration is transferred to them through our hands. It is very important to keep neck adornments tucked inside clothing when giving healing to animals, so that they cannot grab them, or they do not dangle in the animal’s face, causing injury.

Rings: as with pendants we can wear a ring with a stone that we feel has particular qualities of benefit to the pet.

Care must be taken not to hold the ringed hand near the pet’s face to avoid the stone causing injury to eyes etc.

Placing stones near to pets: with sick pets selected crystals may be placed

around a pet bed, with great care taken that the animal cannot take pieces into the mouth and risk swallowing or choking on them. With caged animals leave crystals outside cage to prevent animals from becoming injured. Do not leave crystals where horses could tread on them, but place high up on a ledge, taking care that they cannot fall onto the horse.

Crystals need cleansing before use. I do this by leaving them in cold water for 10 minutes. Then I leave the stone to dry naturally on a piece of unvarnished/unpainted wood. If possible, I like to leave the crystal to dry in moonlight. Crystals used for healing should be cleansed around every 2 weeks.

Choice

There are many crystals to choose from.

When selecting one, take your time to handle them in the shop, seeing which ones resonate with you and feel good in your hand. Particular crystals will have a personal attraction to your own body’s liquid crystals and for this reason I do not recommend buying crystals without touching them – ie mail order or over the internet is probably not the best way.

The table opposite includes my personal selection of stones which make up a useful starter kit.

Remember the golden rule – if you are at all concerned about any aspect of your pet’s health, well-being or behaviour

Rose Quartz.

Topaz.

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Ruby.

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Pet crystal starter kit Amber This is a personal favourite which I find works well for many emotional and physical conditions. It’s not a stone but a resin and the best pieces contain bits of insect or plant life inside.

I find that I get best results with clear, dark amber. I use amber for any physical problem to help speed cellular repair, and also for emotional conditions.

Turquoise This stone helps strengthen the bond between human and pet, so it is useful with new animals in the home.

Rose Quartz I find this a useful stone to use with body chakra clearing on animals. Never use a crystal around any animal’s face or head because if it moves suddenly it could be injured, particularly in the eyes. Rose quartz is good for energising and clearing negative energy.

Tiger’s Eye I recommend this for show cats, dogs and rabbits as it is linked to creativity and courage. Tiger’s Eye is also good for pets lacking in confidence.

Clear Quartz The qualities of this stone amplify healing energy, helping to clear away energy blockages.

Amethyst This is reputed to be beneficial placed in a fish tank to help reduce parasitic invasion. Cleanse it thoroughly in clear water first if you wish to try this.

Ruby Ruby is renowned for its re-vitalising qualities and I like to use it when a pet or horse has had an illness or surgery.

Topaz This is a fertility stone and can be used to benefit animals which are used for breeding.

Agate I use this with sad, grieving or depressed animals, or pets with eating disorders. Agate is used when a boost of well-being or joy is needed.

consult a vet for advice. Natural therapies should not be used as a substitute for calling a vet – a minor problem can quickly escalate into something major.

More information on crystal healing for pets can be found in Margrit’s books, Healing for Horses and Hands on healing for Pets both by Rider Press.

There is also information in the accompanying booklet to her new CD Music for Pets, which is available from www.newworldmusic.com

Turquoise.

Margrit Coates is a registered healer and partner in a clinic offering natural therapies for animals. Her partners are a homeopathic vet and a veterinary physiotherapist. Margrit is the author of 2 groundbreaking books on animal healing, and 2 CDs of animal healing music. Margrit is one of the experts in a new ITV series called Animal Roadshow.

Agate.

Clear Quartz.

Amber.

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Samhain/Halloween Ritual October 31st Pronounced ‘sow-ain’, Samhain is the most important festival of the witch’s year. It is the end of the old year and the beginning of the new.

At this time, the Goddess takes her role as crone or wise woman, and now we look to her for guidance.

I

t seems like only yesterday that the first signs of spring were popping through the soil, and now here we are watching the earth get ready to go to sleep once again.

The trees are nearly bare and yet beauty is still all around us. Look outside your windows and watch the earth wrapping herself in a blanket of warmth and notice the many changes in nature. If you normally feed the birds in the coldest part of winter, why not start now?

Introduce them to your bird table; this lets them to know where they can find food when they’re really desperate.

This is sadly my last article for Vision magazine as I’m moving on to other adventures, but I’d like to say a warm thanks to you all for your letters and support during my time here.

Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry Meet again.

Samhain Ritual This is the night when we remember our loved ones who have passed over. Those members of our family and friends who can’t be with us in life now join us in the form of Spirit for one special and magical night. My favourite way of celebrating Samhain is a simple table ritual and this year I’m going to share it with you: Lay your table for dinner and use a tablecloth with an autumnal colour such as gold, brown, yellow or red. At the centre of the table place fresh vegetables, homemade

biscuits and bread as thanks for all that you’ve received during this complete wheel of the year. Place a black candle at the left end of the table to symbolise the past 12 months and a white candle at the right end to symbolise the future 12 months.

When you sit down to eat your meal, light the black candle and spend a few minutes thinking about the things that have happened over the past 12 months. Perhaps spend a little time talking about the past events. Then as many of you as are together, blow it out as one.

Now light the white candle and spend a few minutes thinking about all of the things you want over the next 12 months and share these thoughts and dreams with one another.

Allow your white candles to burn down if possible.

When you have finished, spend a few moments thinking of those who can’t be with you wherever they may be and share fun stories of them with everyone present.

Georgia

Goddess of the Month Artemis was the Greek goddess of the moon and of the hunt. She was also one of the virgin goddesses and she was said to protect women in labour, small children and wild animals.

Artemis is associated with the ancient Egyptian goddess Bast, as well as the Roman goddess Diana. Artemis is also associated with Luna, Hecate, and Selene.

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a i g r o e Ask G

Ask Georgia

How can I evict an unwanted lodger?

I have a problem with an unwanted visitor. I have found mouse droppings in my attic and now it has moved to my kitchen. I have put down humane traps but the mouse seems to be alluding me, can you help?

Zoe, Leicestershire.

Georgia says: Get a cat! But if you can’t, then here’s a great spell to help.

You will need: 1 picture of a cat (draw one if you like).

1 picture of a closed door.

1 picture of a mouse.

Cast this spell at the light of a waning (decreasing from full to dark) moon.

Go to a place that you know your little friend uses to visit you, or as close as you feel comfortable. Sit sown with your 3 pictures and start to fold the picture of the mouse up; first in half, then half again. As you do this, recite these words: Leave this house, Come no more, Mice unwanted, Hear my law.

Once you’ve finished, take the picture of the cat, place the mouse picture in the centre and once again start to fold, ensuring that the mouse image is folded inside. Recite these words as you fold: Take this mouse, From this space, Cat most clever, Guard this place.

And finally... a parting word from Georgia The Wiccan Rede Bide the Wiccan Law ye must, In perfect love, in perfect trust.

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfil: An harm ye none, do what ye will.

What ye send forth comes back to thee, So ever mind the rule of three.

Follow this with mind and heart, And merry ye meet, and merry ye part.

These are the most important words of the craft for me.

If you can live truly and honestly by these simple words, your life will be filled with love, hope, inspiration and many true friends. Even if you aren’t a Witch or Wiccan, read them and perhaps you too could apply them to your life.

Be true to yourself and all the rest will follow!

If you have a question or need help with a problem, you can write to Coven Corner at the Vision address or email covencorner@visionmagazine.uk.com Please remember that we may not be able to respond to all your letters, but we will try to cover all the subjects on these pages.

Finally, take the picture of the door and fold that around the cat and mouse images and recite these words: Guard this house, Protect this door, So that mice, Can enter no more.

When you’ve finished, leave your small package in the place where you’ve been laying your traps and watch how your cat protects you.

TIP This spell won’t work on mother-in-laws, believe me I’ve tried!

The witches’ kitchen CAMOMILE

This herb prepares the body and mind for magic, healing and prosperity wishes.

Drink as a tea or place a small amount in the bath to prepare for magic.

Use as an amulet for prosperity.

Burn on a charcoal disc in your bedroom for restful sleep and to help you visualise your desire.

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Clint Denyer (Dip. Ppsy. Ppsc. Dip.RV) reveals the secrets of the Celtic Tree Zodiac.

I

n the ancient worlds, the study of astrology was as important as the study of astronomy. Magic and science were not separate disciplines, but part of the same coin. The Celtic tribes were renowned for their knowledge of wisdom, including astrology.

The Celtic people eventually settled on the British Isles, but originally

migrated westerly across Europe. The Druid priests of these people held their lore in oral tradition, so unfortunately a complete system of Celtic astrology never survived in anything but a fragmentary form.

The first piece of the puzzle was retrieved by Robert Graves, the famous author of the White Goddess. He

Birch (Dec 24– Jan 20): Associated with the sun, the eagle, stag and the bard Taliesin, Birch tree people tend to shine like the sun. They are very ambitious people. Work is taken very seriously and they are usually successful in business if they can find an area to excel in.

Although they are stars with career, they tend to keep their private life private. As the family tree, Birch people also take family responsibilities very seriously and are often heads of the household by default.

Rowan (Jan 21–Feb 17): Associated with Uranus, the dragon and the goddess Brigid, Rowan tree people are futurists. Not necessarily in a technological way, but as visionaries for the future. They are humanitarians and take up worldly causes, but often in an unusual way. As the Rowan is said to magically break curses, Rowan people break control, authority and conformity. Although very kind and thoughtful, they can tactlessly express their controversial opinions.

Ash (Feb 18–March 17): Associated with Neptune, the trident and Lir, the sea god, Ash tree people have 2 currents running through them. One side is very artistic and sensitive, while the other is quite down-to-earth. Compassion is the key word here, as they see the best and worst the world has to offer.

Because of this dual nature, their motives are often misunderstood by those around them.

Alder (March 18–April 14): Associated with Mars, the pentacle and King Arthur, Alder tree people are the warriors and adventurers: the heroes from myth. They are very physical and like a challenge. They take the lead with their competitive drive, but sometimes their actions are foolishly dangerous. Alder people may get impatient when action is low. They make great and loyal friends, but ego and a need for praise can hide a deep sensitivity.

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correlated the 13 letter Celtic Tree Alphabet, the Ogham, with a Celtic lunar calendar of 13 months. The Ogham is a system of symbols, sounds and sign language used by Druids.

Each one represents a whole host of complex associations, based on the imagery of the sacred trees. Trees played an important function in Celtic myth and society. The word Druid comes from the word Duir, or oak, and is believed to mean “one who has knowledge of the oak”. If you had knowledge of the trees, you had wisdom and magic.

Much like your traditional Sun sign can give you a lot of information, your tree sign can as well. Look to see what tree sign the sun was in when you were born. Some people relate much better to their Celtic Sign than their traditional zodiac.

Willow (April 15–May 12): Associated with the moon, the serpent and Morgan le Fay, like the moon, Willow tree people have a hidden, mysterious nature. On the outside they appear as very sensible, practical people, but on the inside they are very psychic and mystical. Unusual experiences follow them. Although they are wise counsellors, their emotions and moods can change suddenly and negatively influence their usual reasoning ability.

Hawthorn (May 13–June 9): Associated with Vulcan, the chalice and the smith god Govannan, those born under the Hawthorn tree probably have a variety of talents aimed at communication. They are charismatic and well versed in many things, similar to the Celtic Druids. They are great leaders and strategists, but at times their expressive nature is armed with the sword of anger. Verbal spars pepper their otherwise colourful existence, as they experiment with life.

Oak (June 10–July 07): Associated with Jupiter, the wheel and the father god Dagda, Oak tree people have a wide range of talents. They combine some of the best qualities, including vision, personal charm, optimism and a drive for success. Such individuals often find themselves in leadership positions. They enjoy their achievements and fulfilling their plans, but can be self-sacrificing, risk taking, vain and naïve when executing their schemes. Later in life, they are drawn to spiritual and philosophical pursuits.

Holly (July 8–Aug 4): Associated with earth, the flaming spear and the mother goddess Danu, this is the tree sign of honour and regalness. People under the Holly tree hold to their values, backed by a strong will. They are trustworthy and loyal. In short they have a great sense of character. Unfortunately this regalness can manifest as pretentious or patronizing behaviour. History and past hold sway over this sign, and their homes are often filled with historical collections.

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Hazel (Aug 5–Sept 1): Associated with Mercury, the rainbow fish and the god Ogma, Hazel tree people are not only wonderful communicators, but gatherers of knowledge and wisdom. They have incredible memories and ways of relating information. Many express themselves in writing, scholarly pursuits or as administrators. Such people have an excess of nervous energy and can hold to their tension or manifest it as an argument. Overall, they are highly interesting and challenging people.

Vine (Sept 2–Sept 29): Associated with Venus, the swan and Queen Guinevere, high emotions are a key aspect in the lives of Vine people. There is a restless quality in life. At times their gentleness and enthusiasm are on top. At other times they are excessively angry or sad. Even so, in the face of any opponent they are calm and collected, ever ready with a back up plan. They enjoy the finer things in life and like sharing with family in an almost a motherly way.

Ivy (Sept 30–Oct 27): Associated with Transpluto, the butterfly and the goddess Arianrhod, even though technically not a tree, like Vine, Ivy is part of the Celtic calendar. Ivy is the sign of the strong will and power to persevere. They have a strong sense of justice and responsibility, are shrewd investors and generous providers for family. Unfortunately they can attract unstable elements to their life and can be manipulative. They are unusual people, learning skills for life and less from books.

Reed (Oct 28–Nov 24): Associated with Pluto, the stone and the underworld god Pwyll, Reed people are imbued with a strong sense of personal power, an almost magnetic quality that attracts others to them and aids in the overcoming of problems. They are imaginative yet enigmatic. Sometimes their powerful emotions turn into jealousy or obsessions.

Elder (Nov 25–Dec 23): Associated with Saturn, the raven and the god Pryderi, the last of the signs, Elder people go through a transformation throughout their lives. At a young age, they are extravagant and energetic, but as they grow older, they grow into their power and earn respect. They can be very self-disciplined and overcome hardship that would break others, but can appear to be emotionless.

The personal lives of the Elder tree people are very open and public.

They like to travel the world for adventure, fame and fortune.

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Let Vision’s no-nonsense astrologer James Christie guide you through the month ahead...

November forecast

T

his is a very empowering month – and if others don’t do this for you, don’t worry too much because you’re more than able to do it for yourself.

The first thing on the agenda is to sort out some problems with an old love affair (between the 1st and the 9th) and the second aspect of this same situation is to make it perfectly clear to all and sundry that you are now in charge of your own life and you will not allow yourself to be bullied into doing anything you don’t want to do. If other people have a problem with this, this is their problem, not yours! Long established relationships go through a degree of change between the 11th and the 20th as new priorities are defined. New unions hit major turbulence in this same period and it is touch and go as to whether or not they survive – if they do, then it will be on your terms. Financial and practical matters dominate the last week of the month and this is not a bad thing if it diverts your attention away from overly intense emotional scenarios.

24 Oct – 23 Nov

Cash & career: November

Romance & relationships:

promises to be an eventful month on the work scene with new faces and personalities having some effect, but particularly during the first week or 10 days. There are some changing work routines between the 6th and the 13th which are to your advantage, especially if it puts some space between yourself and a troublesome colleague! If there is one person who has been making your working life a bit of a misery, back off and bide your time and they’ll be hung by their own chord long before Christmas!

During the third week of November you might find your concentration slipping – you can put this down to tiredness – but it is important that you get a grip. This is a critical career period and you can’t afford to make any mistakes if other people are relying on your judgement.

The fact that other people are relying on your judgement is something that clearly comes to light between he 24th and the 27th when you will have to make an executive decision that has profound influence over other people around you.

Some of you will feel compelled to do something Draconian in the process of turning your back on a past that has long outlived its best-before date.

Certainly, an old love may pull at your heart strings, but there are new romantic interests beckoning and, more importantly, a new sense of determination within your psyche to move forwards rather than backwards.

If this causes a third party some distress, let us just remind ourselves that they had their chance with you and blew it, and now some new rules need to be applied to your love life that give you greater choice and control.

The 8th of November sees you making a key romantic decision, but you’re not likely to act on that decision until the 19th or 20th – when you do, there will be a reaction from other people who are taken by surprise by both your actions and your attitudes.

If this reaction is at all negative, kindly ignore it. It seems to me that you know exactly what you’re doing!

November forecast

A

lthough younger members of the sign can enjoy feelings of freedom and sexual hedonism, more mature Sagittarians will feel the weight of responsibility pressing heavily upon their shoulders.

Domestic routines become claustrophobic, work commitments become tiring and a drain on spiritual reserves. How wonderful it might be if mature Sagittarians could take a leaf out of their younger brethren’s book, and concentrate on finding some fun and laughter without worrying too much about the days after tomorrow!

A boost to personal finances between the 15th and 20th will do a lot to lighten your mood, and an intensification in your sex life between the 23rd and 30th will put a smile on your face. Even so, you’ll still be aware of deeper issues locked away inside that need some airing and an element of resolution before you can truly enjoy some of the things that are causing pleasurable ripples up there on the surface.

Cash & career: There are some interesting offers being made between the 1st and the 7th but do be cautious

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24 Nov – 21 Dec

because there will be strings attached and hidden agendas.

You may end up feeling a bit more important in your place of work, but for little financial gain and a hell of a lot more responsibility that may end up weighing heavily on your shoulders.

Some legal aspects demand your attention on or around the 8th or 9th – or maybe there is just a profound sense of injustice and unfairness coming to the surface of your psyche around this time when you contemplate just how overcommitted you are to other people and to what extent your hands are tied when it comes to the exercise of your own free will.

The quiet mood of dissatisfaction that has hovered over all career aspects during this autumn season becomes ever more cloudy during November and not for the first time this year you’ll find yourself contemplating a major career change. Although you should be able to rely on other peoples’ support, especially from within the framework of the family, ultimately you have to make this decision on your own.

I doubt that you will actually make this

decision in November of 2005 – but you will come one significant step closer.

Romance & relationships:

If situations and long-term plans are not brilliantly clear on the work front, take heart, because at least in all emotional and family affairs you are on very solid ground. Although there may be a few ruffled feathers when something turns turtle during the first week of the month, the following 3 weeks or so provide plenty of evidence to indicate just how much you are needed, loved and wanted by those people that you yourself love, need and want. You can have faith in your own assessments, instincts and intuition.

Some bright and cheerful news lights up your life between the 14th and 21st and this has something to do with an engagement or a wedding; if you find yourself actively involved in someone else’s romantic drama, rest assured that this will be in a positive way and that there will be a most positive outcome. All of these events conspire to convince you that there are more important things in your life than work routines and career ambitions.

November forecast

B

etween the 1st and the 14th there must inevitably be a degree of tension in relationships caused by overwork, tiredness, and a marked lack of objectivity.

This mood breaks on the 15th and from that point on there could be a far greater degree of emotional harmony making its presence felt – as long as you’re prepared to work at it, rather than sitting back and just hoping it’s going to happen all by itself. There are some dark anniversaries from your past looming in November, and you have to work very hard to keep these negative memories in check, not allowing them to have any sway in present situations.

From the 21st onwards someone will work very hard to please and impress, and if they have an agenda of their own, then there’s no harm in this. You can afford to follow their lead and they won’t lead you astray, but if you don’t want to do this, you are obliged to come up with a few better ideas of your own.

Cash & career: You like things to be predictable and on an even keel, but

22 Dec – 20 Jan

the essence of November is stop/start and up/down, so you’ll never really get a grip on what is happening. Between the 1st and the 8th there is a tremendous amount of work energy being expended and although cash flow should be very high in your favour, the chances are you’re going to get very tired and wrung out. Not a good omen for Capricorns, who of all the 12 signs of the zodiac need their 8 hours sleep a night, and preferably 10 if they can get it.

One kind of pressure comes off on the 9th or 10th only to be replaced by another kind: now you have time on your hands, it is perhaps time for some leisure and pleasure, but not if you’re too knackered from the events of the first week to do anything about it. Also, although you may have been earning some good money, you now have to look ahead over the mid-winter and recognise that there’s quite a way to go before the gravy train starts rolling again.

Romance & relationships: There’s not much room for romance in the first half of the month. Between the

1st and the 8th you won’t have the time and between the 8th and the 21st you won’t have the energy.

However, things do shift around the 20th/21st and this could herald a renaissance in your love-making, providing you don’t find yourself arguing with a partner over petty little things that shouldn’t even be on the agenda for discussion. What could provoke a more worthwhile argument is the subject of financial priorities, but this should not be allowed to get out of hand and some firm compromises will have to be made.

Christmas holidays and travel plans will be under some discussion, and here is another area wherein a few compromises may have to be made and other peoples’ agendas accommodated. Long-term plans, including property and relocation, careers and new business pathways are all under revue, and if you can get your act together with a partner, this should bring an element of excitement and adventure into your life. If not, then I guess there could be a few moods and a number of long silences.

B

November forecast

etween the 1st and 5th of the month you’ll be on the receiving end of important news which will cause you to review a number of plans that have been laid for quite some time.

If you need to change your mind about something and realign some of your priorities, then don’t hesitate in doing so.

Finances are strong, becoming notably stronger between the 7th and the 14th but this is not a time to be careless with money – rather to be canny, crafty and thoughtful. Banks and banking will come under revue and while at least one new bank account will be opened in November, there may well be one or two accounts being closed.

Over the broad sweep of the month you will look to your mid and long-term future, and will put a few plans in place to make sure that whatever happens, you’re going to be alright. People who already have a plan B will be formulating a plan C just in case: property and tangible assets are seen as being preferable to paper and promises.

Emotional promises are different, and are as strong as the rock of Gibraltar.

66 Vision 8

Talking of Gibraltar, the concept of getting money off-shore seems to be a very good one.

Cash & career: Money-minded Aquarians will be monitoring the markets and will probably come up with a number of hunches, half a dozen bad vibes, and based on a degree of knowledge and circumspection, will now start shifting money away from high risk areas. Stocks and shares will go in favour of hard tangibles such as property, bonds go in favour of bullion, and pressure will be applied to recoup outstanding debts and bills. If the rest of us had any sense, we should be following this Aquarian lead because obviously they know something that the rest of us don’t!

This general trend of fiscal consolidation is constant across the whole of the month, and indeed, probably across the main thrust of the mid-winter. In the last week of November a decision will be made to get rid of something – either an unprofitable business or an old business idea that has not worked out the way it was supposed to do. It’s also a time for pulling out of dodgy deals and for being

21 Jan – 19 Feb

very careful in your dealings with the tax man and those curious people from customs and excise.

Romance & relationships:

Aquarians who feel that they’ve got to go it alone may find themselves having a bit of a lonely and isolated month. Those other Aquarians who can share their concerns and worries with their families and partners will find an absolute plethora of support and understanding, that turns a potentially dark and worrisome month into a very bright and positive emotional period wherein some new ideas and long-term plans can be looked at with a degree of optimism and enthusiasm. There does not appear to be any great opportunity for finding bright new love affairs, but there is a most powerful trend that suggests the finding of new solidarity within the framework of established unions. Regardless of age grouping there seems to be a new boost of sexual energy kicking in from 11th November onwards and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Aquarian females were to become a little more instigative and adventurous around this time.

November forecast

P

erspective is a funny thing. Here’s someone trying to help you – to open a door of opportunity for you – and as far as you’re concerned they’re just being a flaming nuisance. Be careful how you put people down this month: what to you could be a light-hearted rebuff might be seen by someone else as a gut-wrenching rejection, not to be easily forgiven or forgotten!

Legal contracts are looked at and signed on or around the 10th which should put you in a good mood for the rest of the month. Even if you’re not getting exactly what you want right now, then you’re making sure someone close to you is, and by your standards that’ll be good enough.

Christmas plans may leave you feeling a bit like a prawn in the paella – something to be pushed around the plate with a degree of expediency – so November might be a good time for you to announce your own holiday season plans, and if someone else doesn’t like what you’re planning, then I guess they’ll just have to lump it.

Cash & career: It is a very productive month on the Piscean money

20 Feb – 20 Mar

front with an old debt being settled in your favour between the 1st and the 7th, a very astute and profitable property deal falling into place between the 6th and the 15th and a tremendous feeling of jubilation and celebration dominating the calendar between the 17th and 23rd.

November is a period wherein a number of long standing obstacles and restrictions seem to be removed enabling you to rocket forward at a great rate of knots, and if there is something really spectacular falling into place between the 19th and the 27th of the month, then this should be seen as a springboard which bounces you forward into your next area of achievement and endeavour.

A younger male person will present you with some good ideas and opportunities – at least he will think they’re good ideas – but if, say between the 23rd and the 30th you’ve got to say no to this guy, then don’t be too surprised if he’s a bit hurt and disappointed. Cash flow should be quite high throughout November and even if you’re spending more than you’re earning, drawing on capital or whatever, you seem to be doing so with good

reason and with valid goals and ambitions.

Romance & relationships: I’d expect there to be a new element of emotional excitement coming to the surface throughout the whole of November as partnerships move progressively forward towards common aims and ambitions. New romantic unions should fall into place for the unattached (and unwary) around the new moon on the 16th, but do be warned that what could be perceived as a one night stand could so easily blossom into something significantly more substantial, and very damn quickly at that!

Either way there’s a controlled frenzy of physicality bubbling away beneath the surface right the way through the second half of the month which opens the door to a lot more spontaneity and adventure in your love life. Yes, okay, this might cause some minor embarrassment if you’re in your mid-teens or mid-eighties, but it just goes to prove that the energy is there, consistent across the board, and affecting everyone in a variety of different ways.

November forecast

A

number of Arians are going to find their patience and goodwill stretched pretty thin throughout November, especially when other people just won’t do as they’re told. On the other hand, female sexual conquests abound in the latter part of the month and there will be a nice monetary boost during the last week or so. There will be some undercurrents of emotional nostalgia when you look behind you and recognise that a certain chapter of your life is over – you’ve come full circle. Yes, there is some sadness here, but also an increasing buzz of exhilaration as you survey your future prospects.

New faces, new people, new friendships, and in some cases new romances start kicking in around the 19th/20th, which make it easier to start looking forwards rather than behind you.

Cash & career: New work routines seem to dominate the opening days of November and although this seems to be to your advantage (especially if you are the instigator) do be warned that these new routines might not be quite so popular with colleagues and

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21 Mar – 20 Apr

workmates who will feel that they’re being given the wrong end of the stick.

You might be okay, but if others are not, then they are going to let you know about it in no uncertain terms and therefore there may be opposition to some of your plans between the 1st and the 7th and some unavoidable delays must be expected until other people start getting their own way.

Some legal aspects will need your attention between the 8th and the 11th and this could well be a time for finalising important contracts and long term business plans.

A female friend or colleague is likely to cause some disruption between the 15th and the 20th when they pull a “sickie” and put you in the firing line, either because you’ll have to cover their workload – or cover the fact that they’re not really ill at all, but just taking some illicit time off.

A minor cash boost around the 22nd should be related to extra-curicular work activities, but watch out for one very nasty and unexpected bill around the 27th or 28th which should be something

to do with an electrical problem, either in the home or under the bonnet.

Romance & relationships:

November brings a mixed bag of confusing emotional scenarios, but one or two things do stand out quite clearly: 1) Those of you who might be trying desperately hard to get your act together with an old flame will realise that there’s more chance of a snowball surviving in hell, and will forget it; 2) single male Arians will remain unattached and will wriggle out of a compromising commitment (albeit not without egg on their face) on or around the 8th or 10th; 3) single female Arians also remain single but enjoy a very carnal boost to their sex lives from the 15th onwards when confronted by a new masculine challenge that cannot be resisted – huntresses bag trophies!; 4) boring old Arian farts will recognise the fact that they are boring old Arian farts, and for the first time in a long time, will feel inspired to do something about this undesirable situation. The rest of us should watch out for old blokes wearing gold medallions and a lot of mutton dressed up as lamb.

November forecast

S

o you’ve got this spade. You can refer to it as a “multi-purpose garden enhancing and earth moving artefact” or you can call the damn thing a shovel. You, being you, will call the thing a shovel – but unfortunately there are some very refined folk around you who really don’t like that crude word and would much rather you referred to it as the other. You will tell ‘em where they can put said “artefact” and as usual the manure will hit the fan. And as usual it’ll be your fault, just because you insisted on calling a spade a shovel! Goodness knows what might happen if you decided to go the whole hog and call the spade a spade!

Now, all this goes to prove you’ve got some really weird people around you who are completely self-obsessed, and it is in this wonderful, empowering, memorable month of November 2005 that you are going to tell a few clever so-and-sos to GO AWAY and you are going to feel GREAT doing it. Right On! Cash & career: There’s a tremendous energy burn during the first 10 days of November, and although the cash should be rolling in, you are going to

21 Apr – 21 May

get very tense, very tired, very irritable, and possibly just a bit ill through trying to do too much.

Watch out for a major argument around Bonfire Night – avoid it if you can, but if you can’t, then don’t let it fester. Get some apologies out in the open fast, and don’t let your pride run away with your common sense. Around the 15th or 16th things will become deathly quiet, and although you could start bemoaning the fact that the cash flow is suddenly being reduced, this “quiet” period could be something of a life-saver. Use the time well and get some quality rest. Also, considering your bulging pockets, do make sure you put some cash to one side for December and Christmas commitments, for although there are some fees coming in throughout December and January, the rollercoaster probably won’t start rolling again until February/March ’06.

Romance & relationships:

If the first couple of weeks is a low key period for love affairs and emotional relationships, then you can put the blame for this fairly and squarely on work-

related commitments that will draw a lot of your energy.

However, moods swing and shift around the 17th and this should herald a warmer period in the conduct of relationships – warm increasing to hot by the 23rd or 24th.

There’s a twinge of negative energy getting in the way of total emotional harmony likely to be caused by conflicting financial priorities between partners, and although the vision of one future is a shared vision, there may be disagreements with regard to what is and what is not the right pathway to take.

Some external interference in your personal affairs by an older relative may not go down well, and if the word “interference” is too strong, then “influence” will do just as well. Male Taureans will feel pushed out of place with their noses out of joint if they aren’t getting the attention they feel they deserve, so if you’re with a male Taurean, redefine your emotional priorities for a better love life.

I

November forecast

t is inevitable that some of the tensions and frictions that were relevant throughout September and October carry on into November, but at least in November there seems to be a greater willingness within you to stand up and fight for your corner; even if it means risking some popularity.

Providing you stand your ground you will find that other people are more than willing to make a number of key compromises and will work a little harder to meet you half-way – this is a good sign and is to be encouraged, but do make sure that you expect people to stick to their halves of the bargain and make it very clear that all deals are off if they don’t.

There could be some interesting links coming to the fore in connection with old boats and weekend hobbies that get you out of the house and put some space between your leisure and your responsibilities.

Cash & career: Exciting doorways of opportunity open up for you during the first week of November, and although

70 Vision 8

22 May – 21 June

this might mean a small risk and an even smaller rescheduling of some of your personal affairs, you’d be a bit of a nitwit if you passed up on what I perceive as being a beautiful deal! Even if you passed up on something in the last 12 weeks or so, this time you can get it right by committing yourself to something new, and thereby making up for a few old failures and past mistakes. Jump forwards now to the last week of the month and there could be some extra cash from something to do with an insurance claim, especially if there is a medical link. Either way, any cash that is owed to you should now find its way back into your pocket. A member of the opposite sex will be very influential in helping you make important financial decisions (especially between the 22nd and 28th) but in matters of pure business, don’t follow anyone else’s advice until they are first prepared to put their own money where their mouth is.

Romance & relationships: A lover or a prospective partner will be working very hard to please, but there

might be a small problem: do they advise you as your lover or do they advise you as your friend? There must be some dichotomy in this situation, and if you find that you’re not hearing what you might expect to hear from a loved one, it is perhaps because they are acting as your friend and not just as someone with whom you might have an emotional entanglement. Gemini parents might be particularly concerned for the educational welfare of their children during this autumn/winter period, and if so, they shouldn’t be afraid to tackle their kids head on and ask them what it is that they want. Some of you are going to have a problem with an older relation or relations, who will be very stubborn in some of their views and opinions. You could back down for the sake of a quiet life, but if we’re talking about you, your life, your responsibilities and the number of hours you have available in any given day, you should stand up to this rather selfish person and make a minor, but important stand on a matter of pride and principle.

November forecast

U

nexpected guests or visitors who outstay their welcome could cause a small problem during the first few days of the month – this is hardly a major issue, but it is sufficient to put you in a negative mood which does not improve as you move into the second week of the month and find yourself up to your neck in: (a) legal issues; or (b) sorting out someone else’s problems that have red tape stamped all over them.

Emotions and mood swings are all over the place, especially between the 14th and the 20th when there are so many things you want to do for yourself – but can’t because you are over-committed to other people and their needs.

A building head of steam probably comes to boiling point around the 22nd or 23rd at which time you’re likely to throw all caution to the winds, have a major tantrum, and start behaving in a very impulsive (and some might say selfish) manner. It’s just a damn shame that you didn’t do this at the beginning of November rather than waiting until the end!

Cash & career: This should be a very interesting month for Cancerian

22 June – 22 July

females who are fed up of being just females and now demand to be recognised as Cancerian people. Anyone married to or romantically associated with this breed of woman is in for a very hard time, as the veneer of housewife/motherhood is peeled away to be replaced by a degree of raw moneygrabbing ambition.

Cancerian ladies who can embrace this new persona should find themselves on a rocket ship ride throughout the month and November isn’t going to be boring!

Overseas property may become relevant between the 12th and 18th – which is also a period for any kind of property investments to start paying some worthwhile dividends. Even if you’re only reaping the benefit from a few home improvement schemes that have been ongoing throughout the summer.

In some ways it is the last week of November which may turn out to be the most challenging and exciting period, for this is when some new work routines start falling into place and although you may have your nose to the grindstone you really will feel as though you are achieving something worthwhile, a fact

proven by hard cash flow falling in your favour.

Romance & relationships: There should be no problems for single Cancerians this month – it is a bright time for asserting your individuality and your independence and for enjoying all kinds of different conquests.

If you’re looking for greater depth in relationships you should find it, but if, on the other hand, you just want to keep things light and casual, no-one is going to give you a hard time over this.

Although there could be some changes of mind and mood swings from the 23rd onwards, it is those people who feel trapped and taken for granted in long term unions who are going to have a much more exciting month. Increasingly they will feel themselves under pressure to break free from some of these restraints.

Now, some people will be ‘for’ you in this quest, but you will meet with some resistance from an older member of the family who doesn’t want you to rock the boat – specifically their boat… which must inevitably get rocked in your bid for freedom.

November forecast

T

here is a Leo attitude that says “If I want something doing properly then I’d better do it myself” and while this is commendable, the truth of the matter is that there are people around you at this time who really do want to help. You don’t have to wait for the offers – they will be there in abundance – but you do have to say yes when those offers are made.

During the first week of November there is a particular situation that you cannot sort out by yourself, so swallow your pride, and take some help and advice. Try not to be impatient, especially between the 6th and the 15th, when things fall into place, but very much in their own way at their own time. If there is some mental moodiness (or even a pocket of ill-health) coming to the surface between the 15th and the 23rd, do not over-react to this… just take it in your stride, and rest assured that by the 24th or 25th something positive falls into place to lighten moods.

Cash & career: Let’s face it –

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23 July – 22 Aug

Leos have expensive tastes! They like the toys! Ferrari’s for the guys and Gucci for the girls! Trouble is when there’s hardly enough cash in the kitty to run an old Ford Mondeo, it’s difficult to maintain a certain lifestyle. So there will be some belt tightening, but this is likely to put you in a foul mood for the better part of the month and you’ll be wheeling and dealing, scheming and screaming and doing just about anything to get back to where you feel you rightfully belong – namely at the top of the pile with power in your hands and cash in your pocket.

Sadly, you might have to cut a few throats along the way, and if you’ve got to stab someone (or two) in the back, well, that’s bad, of course, but any means justifies your end. You must win, you will win at all costs. Sure, there may be a few corpses along the way but they don’t really count as long as you get what you want.

Romance & Relationships:

I don’t want to sound like the prophet of doom but there isn’t much sweetness and

light bombing around in November.

Gentlemen of the sign are probably not going to have too much time to spend on affairs of the heart – they’ll be too preoccupied with cash/business/career aspects. Ladies of the sign might be getting a bit more of their action, it’s a shame that their hearts won’t be in what they’re doing – unless they’re doing it as a means to an end.

There are some wonderful chances for burgeoning romances between the 13th and the 23rd but unless there can be some ironclad commitments and a number of hard guarantees, there’ll be tears before December.

If your love life isn’t as good as you’d like it to be, it’s your own fault and it falls directly upon your own shoulders to do something about it. To those of you who have been saying “I can’t carry on like this” I’ll say damn right you can’t, and the sooner you start changing a few things around (both in your head and in your bedroom) the easier and better it will become.

November forecast

N

ovember opens predictably with you clearing up after other peoples’ messes. Will you never

learn?!

As you pass the 7th and start moving into week two, more serious issues that demand quick decisions come to light and whether they like it or not, you may have to intervene in someone else’s emotional battles and nip something in the bud. The third week of November is significantly brighter with anniversaries and celebrations, and where a few old wounds and feuds are concerned, you may be inclined to forgive and forget old sins. Forgive them by all means, but it would be stupid to forget them. Two issues (well, two strands of the same situation really) interweave through the month… one is the need to find more quality time for romantic partnerships and affairs of the heart, while the other has to do with children and some problems regarding discipline.

Cash & career: Although a bit complicated, November promises to be a very positive month.

The “positive” side of things can be identified as: a) enhanced income; b)

23 Aug – 22 Sept

achievement of a specific business ambition any time between the 6th and the 15th; c) green lights given by a partner that enable you to act on a number of decisions that have been pending for the last few months; and d) a feeling of moving forwards towards where (and what) you want to be at this stage in your life. Complications come from the need to be clear in your own mind about what exactly it is that you do want, but it will be easier to assess that now, than it might have been a couple of months ago.

Some new business interests may necessitate a steep learning curve over these mid-winter months ahead, but this is something you will probably welcome.

A change of work routine and direction that falls into place during this month of November is likely to have an ongoing influence in your life over the next 2 or 3 years, so it’s worth taking your time to get it right.

One lovely aspect is that there is plenty of support from both business partners and emotional partners at this point in time so you mustn’t feel as though you’re struggling on your own.

Romance & relationships: Wow, what a change of mood and circumstance from last month! Not exactly overnight (but seemingly so) there will have been a number of emotional u-turns that make you feel a lot better about the shape and direction of relationships and there is a bright new feeling of confidence both in a key relationship and also in yourself.

Although there may be a few distractions during the first week of November, the period between the 11th and the 18th augers well for finding some one-to-one quality time, and all Virgos should make a point of remembering that two’s company but three is a crowd. This is especially applicable where holidays and weekends away are concerned.

Virgo parents may have a few awkward moments juggling their family loyalties and priorities during the latter days of the month, and in particular watch out for November 26th when you must inevitably take a very much harder line with a younger person who is well out of order! If they’re living beneath your roof but won’t live by your rules, maybe it’s time for them to go.

November forecast

T

here are some very nice things happening to Librans at the moment and perhaps, rather than questioning them or looking a gift horse in the mouth, you should just accept what is being offered and let yourself be taken where life wants to take you.

It is a period wherein emotions and affairs of the heart dominate the Libran world and there should be no shortage of emotional reassurance from lovers and partners. True, they might be looking for a degree of reassurance in return, and that is something you do need to keep in mind. Love, after all, is not a one-way street! You may find yourself spending more money than you can afford between the 14th and 21st on luxury indulgences, but if this is a bit of self-investment I don’t see it doing you any harm. There’s a terrific feeling of self-confidence coming to the surface during the last days of the month; you’ll be able to look over your shoulder and just know that yes, you have made the right choices and decisions.

Cash & career: From a

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23 sept – 23 Oct

foundation stone of greater security and stability you should now be able to look forwards into your mid and long-term future and start planning some options that may have a great deal to do with property, both in this country and overseas. Also start developing an idea that will change the face of your business life – not overnight but over half a dozen seasons as you project 18 months or so into the spring of 2007.

On a more parochial level, two business colleagues may go at it head-to-head, in which case let them get on with it and don’t take sides. As you move into the last 10 days of November you’ll become gently aware of the fact that you are getting a lot more support and understanding from loved ones on the home front, which makes your professional life a lot easier and more worthwhile. There’s no hidden agenda here – this is simply an indication of greater harmony in affairs of the heart.

Romance & relationships:

Romantic aspects are extremely powerful throughout the whole of November and

whether you’re 15 or 85 you should find yourself enjoying some very high highs and very few lows!

Watch out for a present that is unashamedly a love token during the first days of the month – this could be an engagement ring for some or a box of expensive chocolates for others. Either way, it represents an opening door of opportunity for you to start getting a lot more out of your emotional life, and on or around the 17th you’ll find yourself able to make one specific commitment that may have been a stumbling block for you in the past. The 20th to 23rd highlights travel aspects, and if this is only a couple of quiet nights away in a small hotel, it’s exactly what your libido needs. Some of you might find you have a small problem with a few haunting ghosts from the past and during the last days of the month you might feel inclined to apply the brakes slightly if you feel that things are rushing away and out of your control. This is understandable but it is also unnecessary. Go with the flow and trust your heart.

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A

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Vision 8

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by Clare Sheridan

Recommended Some Silent Hero by Stephanie Brookes (£7.99 Spiritual Philosophy Publishing) This is the debut novel by young writer Stephanie Brookes, and what a debut!

This rip-roaring tale follows the fortunes of Vivienne Goddard – a 20-something who has no idea what she wants to do or where she wants to go with her life.

Rocked by the accidental death of her father a year earlier, poor exam results

and the fact she still lives at home with an alcoholic mother, Viv sees no way out until her friend Rena takes her to a local spiritualist church.

She strikes up a friendship with the medium there, David, and from then on a whirlwind of synchronicities and amazing events take them on a rollercoaster journey to America. Once there they are both forced to face some hard revelations from the past which Viv never could have imagined in her wildest dreams!

Spirit of Havana CD by Kargo (rrp £10.95 New World Music) Picture Latin America and you think of hot salsa dancers – well, Spirit of Havana uncovers a gentler side to the region.

Kargo, aka James Diplock and Mat McLean, have captured the sultry sounds of Cuba on this colourful release.

This calming CD combines the culture and history of a country on a CD soundtrack. The chanting in Intro for Lily is combined with some melodic acoustic guitar and a great catchy beat in Spirit for good measure.

Add some calm piano and synthesizers in Atlantic Big Sky and you have a subtle sound to float away to. Song for Lily has a distinct salsa-esque feel to it, bringing the real rhythm of Cuba out – you could imagine yourself in a Cuban bar soaking up the atmosphere! Salsola has the same funky beat – practice those salsa moves Fresh CD by Nick Weaver (£8 The Big Heart Company) This CD certainly lives up to its name and it has been designed as a refreshing change to much of the meaningless pop drivel out there today.

It certainly has an uplifting effect, many of the songs have funky bass lines and the meaningful lyrics certainly hold much more weight than your average tune.

Highlights on this cheery release include the invigorating synths of Soulfire, the dance track Get Into Life!, the acoustic guitar strings of Under My Skin and the rocky feel of You can do (what you want to).

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This inspirational tale delves into the concepts of spirit guides, guardian angels and spirituality with a fresh, openminded approach which is as compelling as it is gripping. To give any more away would spoil it.

Stephanie herself has contact with Spirit and no doubt she brought some of her experiences to bear in this novel, however, it is a work of fiction and is actually part of a trilogy – I personally can’t wait for the next two!

to these hot Latin rhythms! Cubalibra is a track to chill to – complete with acoustic and electric guitar combinations, this is the perfect tune to stroll along the Cuban streets to.

From Dusk till Dawn is the perfect soothing finale to a refreshing and uplifting CD. So go on, dig out those castanets and chill with the Cuban beat!

The underlying message is to literally get into life (which is actually the title of one of the songs) and go out there and witness the world in all its beauty. There is also an underlying theme of living life to the full and not hurting anyone along the way. There is the odd bit of cheese such as Sunshine in your Shoes, and perhaps a couple of the choruses on certain tracks get a little repetitive, however, this CD serves as a lovely pick you up after a hard day and just adds a little dose of sunshine to your life.

A relaxing and uplifting sound that makes a change from instrumental relaxation CDs. Good fun.

A Mere Grain of Sand by Ray & Gillian Brown with Paul Dickson (£12.50 Tagman Press) This is a good value tome as essentially it is 3 autobiographies in one. It focuses on the remarkable story of trance medium and spiritual surgeon Ray Brown, who claims St Paul takes over his body when he heals people.

He had childhood tuberculosis and suffered at the hands of an abusive father and stepfather during his early years. His childhood Out-of-Body Experiences were dismissed by his mother so his talents were not honed until he became an adult.

He miraculously escaped death several times during his early adult life and went through 2 failed marriages before he met his present wife Gillian. Paul was with him every step of the way. At first he introduced himself as Andrew Portlock, until he felt Ray and his colleagues were

Purrfect Symphony CD by Jeff Moran & Jack Stewart (£14.99 Unique Sounds) If you’re a cat lover and like nothing more than listening to your favourite feline’s subtle purrs then this is ideal!

It may sound like a bizarre concept but sound therapist Jeff Moran and psychotherapist Jack Stewart have managed to mix relaxing melodies with cats purring!!

They manage to combine a whole host of soothing sounds with sounds from the sea on Infinity to didgeridoos on Breeze!

Initially the underlying noise of cats purring is a little distracting and can take a lot to get used to, and at times it does

sound like a radiation detection meter is going off, but eventually you don’t notice it and the gentle hum ingrains itself as part of the relaxation. Each track has specific benefits such as energising or health and well-being. Recent research has also proved that cat purring can lower stress and reduce blood pressure – so this CD may have healing benefits too!

There is even an introduction in the sleeve notes to all the cats who contributed their purrs to the recording along with some interesting cat facts!

Never again will you dispute the fact cats can be therapeutic. And 50p from each recording is donated to the Cats Protection charity.

ready for him to formally introduce himself as St Paul.

Ray’s wife Gillian was terrorised by a nasty spirit for some time, but was told repeatedly by mediums that she would be a full-time healer. She developed her skills in various healing circles before she visited Ray for some healing herself. They then joined forces and have travelled all over the world healing. They opened a healing centre together and have appeared in various newspapers and on TV demonstrating Paul’s unique skills.

But the story does not end there. Paul himself contributes with spiritual teachings including an explanation of the different stages of Spirit, what happens when we die and even an insightful ‘interview’. It details his method of group healing and also his views on the pitfalls of reincarnation!

This is followed by sometimes amazing

yet heartfelt testimonies from people who have worked with Ray and Gillian, including Gillian’s family.

Compelling reading.

Healing with your Guardian Angel CD by Jacky Newcomb (rrp £10.95 Paradise Music) This is a meditation CD with a healing touch.

‘Angel Lady’ Jacky has created a simple meditation that everyone can do at the beginning of each day to connect with their guardian angel. The CD contains two versions of the same meditation: one for when you are short of time, and a longer version.

Essentially both meditations take you on a journey down a beautiful path to a

beach and then a waterfall or even a lush garden, but in each scenario your guardian angel gives you healing.

The soothing and serene music of Kevin Kendle is a mesmerising backdrop for the journey and helpful sleeve notes give advice on how to work with angels, a handy angel chart, healing affirmations and how to prepare a sacred space.

Sadly the long meditation is only about 30 minutes, so the seasoned meditator may well be left wanting. It is, however, ideal for beginners, is easy to use and is great for boosting meditation confidence.

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Send your events to: Day Tripper, Vision, 42a Main Street, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 1AA or email editor@visionmagazine.uk.com Every Monday: An Evening of Clairvoyance, Chrystal Spiritual Centre, Lupton Avenue, Leeds. 79pm. Cost is £6 (includes a light buffet). Call 0113 249 5355 or visit www.chrystalspiritualcentre.co.uk Every Tuesday: Spiritual Awareness Group, Spiritual Inspirations, 4 Hurn Road, Drayton, Norwich, Norfolk. Develop your own spiritual gifts.

Regular Groups link to angels, crystals and all aspects of the mind, body & spirit. Call 01603 897724, visit www.spiritualinspirations.co.uk or email: info@spiritualinspirations.co.uk Every Tuesday: Psychic and Tarot Night, Chrystal Spiritual Centre, Lupton Avenue, Leeds. 7-9pm. Cost is £5 (includes refreshments). Call 0113 249 5355 or visit www.chrystalspiritualcentre.co.uk Every Thursday: Open Circle with Andrew, Chrystal Spiritual Centre, Lupton Avenue, Leeds. 79pm. Cost is £4 (including refreshments). Call 0113 249 5355 or visit www.chrystalspiritualcentre.co.uk Every Friday: Evening of Clairvoyance with 2 mediums, Chrystal Spiritual Centre, Lupton Avenue, Leeds. 7-9pm. Cost is £6 (including a light buffet).

Call 0113 249 5355 or visit www.chrystalspiritualcentre.co.uk October 14: Reiki Level I Empowerment Workshop (Usui teachings) taught by Reiki Master and Holistic Practitioner, Northamptonshire. Cost is £75 (including lunch, tuition, empowerment, manual and certificate). For more details call 01536 260350, email jane@holisticharmony.demon.co.uk, or visit www.holisticharmony.me.uk October 14-16: Working with Angels & Meditation course, Heights of Tranquility, Ipswich. 10am-4pm.

This 3-day course will teach you how to work and communicate with angels, read angel cards and learn how to use meditation for relaxation and insight. Call Debz on 07753 637897 for more details.

October 15: 2005 Healing Conference with Michael Bradford, Krista Mackinnon, Maya Preece & Joe Hoare, Grand Atlantic Hotel, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. The event will explore many different types of healing traditions and will also look at the role of healing in the 21st century. Tickets £35 (including vegetarian buffet lunch).

PLUS An Evening with Tareth (internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher and healer). 8-10pm , same venue. Tickets £10 or £40 offer full both events. Visit www.soulsearchingpromotions.co.uk or call 01934 429148 for details about both events.

October 15: The Soul Workshop with Carol Ash. An introductory day in which students will learn about past lives, aura-soma and understanding the ascended master. Cost £45 (includes a light lunch).

Call 01903 740759 for more details.

October 15/16: British School of Spiritual Knowledge event, Ancholme Leisure Centre, Brigg.

10am-5pm daily. Over 80 stands. Admission is £3.50 (concessions £3) or £6 for a two-day pass. Entry is free for under-15s.

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October 17: International Academy of Consciousness (IAC) free lecture on Astral Travel as a Tool for Personal Development, 45 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London. 7.30pm.

Call 020 7723 0544, visit www.iacworld.org or email London@iacworld.org for more details.

October 20: ‘The Earth is a Zoo’ talk with Clint Denyer, The Awareness Centre, Yeovil. Part of Clint’s Tour of Truth 2005/2006. 7.30pm. Contact 0798 089 4420 or email cosmicrebirth@btopenworld.com October 22: 1-day Hopi Ear Candling Practitioner Training, Willow Lodge Healing Therapies, Stoke-onTrent, Staffordshire. 10am–5pm. Cost £95. Call 0845 226 3132 to book or visit www.healinglodge.co.uk October 22/23: 2-day First Degree Reiki Attunement, South Devon. £150. A workshop introducing the principles of Reiki and its history.

You will learn the basic hand positions and receive four energy attunements. Groups are small to support individual growth and progress. Full training manuals are provided. Call 01803 770276 or visit www.intouchdevon.co.uk for more details.

October 23: 1-day Indian Head Massage Practitioner Training, Willow Lodge Healing Therapies, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

10am–5pm. Cost £95. Call 0845 226 3132 to book or visit www.healinglodge.co.uk for further information.

October 24: Aqua Cleanse Detox Practitioner Training, Willow Lodge Healing Therapies, Stoke-onTrent, Staffordshire. 10am–2pm. Special offer price £670 (includes full therapy kit and therapist referral system). Call 0845 226 3132 to book or visit www.healinglodge.co.uk for further information.

October 25: ‘Soul of the Paranormal/Hollow Earth’ talk with Clint Denyer, Bristol Theosophical Society, 14 Tyndalls Park Road, Clifton. 7.30pm. Part of Clint’s Tour of Truth 2005/2006. Contact 0798 089 4420 or email cosmicrebirth@btopenworld.com October 29: ‘Soul of the Paranormal’ talk with Clint Denyer, Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury. 4pm.

Part of Clint’s Tour of Truth 2005/2006. Fore more details contact 0798 089 4420 or email cosmicrebirth@btopenworld.com October 29/30: Autumn Complementary Medicine Festival, Kings Hall, Winter Gardens, Ilkley. 10am5pm each day. Admission £2.50 adults or £2 concessions (children free).

Over 100 stands covering a wide range of therapies, services and natural products. Visit www.ilkleyfestival.co.uk or call Michael Weaver on 01943 872 387 for more details.

October 29/30: International Academy of Consciousness (IAC) Consciousness Development Program (Module 1), 45 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London. 1–6.30pm. Call 020 7723 0544, visit www.iacworld.org or email London@iacworld.org for more details.

October 30: ‘The Psychic in You’ talk with Clint

Denyer, Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury. 5pm.

Part of Clint’s Tour of Truth 2005/2006. Fore more details contact 0798 089 4420 or email cosmicrebirth@btopenworld.com November 1: ‘Soul of the Paranormal/Hollow Earth’ talk with Clint Denyer, Richard Lander School, Truro. 7pm. Part of Clint’s Tour of Truth 2005/2006.

For more details contact 0798 089 4420 or email cosmicrebirth@btopenworld.com November 3-6: School of Awakening Vertical Reality Level 1 Course with Demari Armehlle Italiano, 33 Croftdown Road, London. Have you ever felt at one with the world during meditation, only to sap back to reality when you come back down to earth? This course will help you stay connected with the ‘oneness’ at all times.

Cost is £430 (including Silver Vortex pendant) or £440 (including Gold Vortex pendant). For more details or course information contact Demari Armehlle Italiano on 07973 315 950 or email demari-armehlle@mantracolour.com November 5: 1-day Hopi Ear Candling Practitioner Training, Willow Lodge Healing Therapies, Stoke-onTrent, Staffordshire. 10am–5pm. Cost £95. Call 0845 226 3132 to book or visit www.healinglodge.co.uk November 6: 1-day Indian Head Massage Practitioner Training, Willow Lodge Healing Therapies, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

10am–5pm. Cost £95. Call 0845 226 3132 to book or visit www.healinglodge.co.uk for further information.

November 6: ‘Soul of the Paranormal/Hollow Earth’ talk with Clint Denyer, Wessex Research Group, Totnes Bogon House, Totnes. 7.30pm. Part of Clint’s Tour of Truth 2005/2006. Contact 0798 089 4420 or email cosmicrebirth@btopenworld.com November 7: Aqua Cleanse Detox Practitioner Training, Willow Lodge Healing Therapies, Stoke-onTrent, Staffordshire. 10am–2pm.

Special offer price £670 (includes full therapy kit and therapist referral system). Call 0845 226 3132 to book or visit www.healinglodge.co.uk for further information.

November 7: International Academy of Consciousness (IAC) free lecture on Astral Travel as a Tool for Personal Development, 45 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London. 7.30pm.

Call 020 7723 0544, visit www.iacworld.org or email London@iacworld.org for more details.

November 12/13: International Academy of Consciousness (IAC) Consciousness Development Program (Module 1), 45 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London. 1–6.30pm. Call 020 7723 0544, visit www.iacworld.org or email London@iacworld.org for more details.

November 12/13: British School of Spiritual Knowledge event, Lincolnshire Oak Hotel, Sleaford.

10am-5pm daily. Over 40 stands. Admission is £3.50 (concessions £3) or £6 for a two-day pass. Entry is free for under-15s.

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