Maria Duval - Occult Fiction: Novels for Your Private Collection, Part 1

Occult Fiction: Novels for Your Private Collection, Part 1
For years I’ve heard complaints about a lack of Occult fiction portraying Witches realistically in a contemporary setting. And it’s true. As a Wiccan and novelist writing Occult fiction, I’m just as much a fan of the genre as any reader. However, I have found if you search carefully, there are dazzling gems awaiting discovery, novels that should be a part of your contemporary Occult fiction collection.

To find these novels I have narrowed my search criteria to dark urban fantasy novels set in contemporary times or in the near future. At least half the rituals, magick, or sorcery used by the main character must be based on real magickal principles. The main character must be human, and the plot not overshadowed by trendy leagues of vampires.

Having set those guidelines, I want to present my first recommendation for must-read Occult fiction. All I can say is if you’ve never read Lilith Saintcrow’s “Dante Valentine” series you are in for a treat!

Saintcrow is best known for her paranormal romance novels, the “Watcher” series, featuring elemental Witches and their handsome guardians. However, Dante Valentine was created from an entirely different cut of cloth.

There are five novels in the series. The first two, “Working for the Devil” and “Dead Man Rising” have already been published. The last three novels are scheduled for publication in 2007 and 2008.

Dante Valentine is a Necromance, who works for lawyers, raising the spirits of the dead when wills come into question. She also takes a few bounty hunting jobs on the side to help pay her mortgage. “Danny” is a wise-cracking whirlwind of energy with a haunting past that won’t quit. Devoted to the Egyptian god Anubis, she entertains Pagan readers with plenty of rituals, spells, and magick.

The series takes place in the near future, as the plot races from one high to the next at lightning speed. This is contemporary Occult fiction at its finest, the kind of book you can’t put down until you finish it. And one you’ll still be thinking about months later.

Saintcrow is a master at creating memorable characters and deftly plotted novels. If you’ve been searching for awesome Occult fiction to add to your personal collection, this should be the first series on your list. You won’t be disappointed!

Laura Stamps is an award-winning novelist, as well as a Wiccan and feral cat rescuer. The recipient of a Pulitzer Prize nomination and seven Pushcart Award nominations, she is the author of a popular series of Occult Novels for Women found at www.KittyfeatherPress.blogspot.com

Perception of psychic reading

Today, the psychic reading has become as one of the businesses in world which has a lot of worth. Each day of the week a millions of people are inching towards the psychic readers so as to get satisfied regarding the prospects. A psychic reader is he who simply gives the know how of an individual’s past, present and future. Today we are going to discuss some important versions of psychic readings such as Tarot, Online, Live online and psychic phone reading. Let’s discuss them one by one.

Styles of Psychic Reading

Online psychic reading

The online psychic reading has been emerged as the most incredible and influential technique to the society’s people all around the world. It has four different kinds of artistic elements. These are sparkling, traditional, Egyptian, and dreamscape psychic readings. The entire scheme would revolve around the cultural web of experiences like love, sexuality, money, education, career etc. Moreover the functionalities of spell caster and wish granter have also been the brilliance of online psychic readings. Sudden trials of online spiritual reader would be treated under the symbols of time and space. A particular choice of channel would be given to the client as a conduct of online psychic reading. Where free horoscope services would also be given to the clients. Hence the online as well as the live online psychic reading is done in a pretty cheap way by the psychic reader without consuming a lot of time. It would involve tarot card, live online, love spells, astrology, palmistry etc psychic readings.

Psychic phone Reading

A psychic phone reading is the most prolific choice of an individual who wants to know about his life profile. It is not interlinked with a straight forward meeting and confrontation. However a state of mind of phone psychic reader does tend towards the procession of space and time where it has no binding forces either from the natural and supernatural world. He although strictly follow the spiritual lessons of his monks. Such types of psychic readers might have the arts of tarot card, online psychic reading, live online psychic reading astrology, palmistry; distant learning’s etc.They would charge their amount of payments through the online services of credit cards or any intermediate. Before consulting a phone psychic reader you have to follow some kinds of practices. These are discussed as under.

Commands of phone Psychic Reading

Before consulting and choosing a phone psychic reader, the person must have the knowledge of psychic reading. He should have the information regarding to its history, background and the certain types of implications.

• A proper know how of the methods would give you a sort of confidence before choosing a phone psychic reader.
• A complete list of questions would give an emphatic level of satisfaction at the end of consultation.
• The questions with full of command would give a clarity without answering the yes and no.
• During the phone psychic therapy, the unpicked answers must be questioned again. That would revolve a more solid belief upon the psychic reader.
• Before calling a phone psychic reader, make it clear that he would be the spiritual person in your life who could bring stunning miracle in your life. It’s all about the beliefs.

Tarot Reading

It is one of the ancient times art which is still revolving around this earth now a day. A trot reading is the injunction of imagination. The artist would predict about the love spells, wonder, career, edification and knowledge. The methodology is quite concise and traditional. A deck of 78 cards would be employed by the tarot reader. He would give a sudden prediction of an individual profile by implementing the play cards. This is in fact recognized as the tarot reading. It is more influential in the concerns of religion, ambiguity, sensations, reverence and occult dreams.

Tarot psychic reading has several kinds of divergence and actions in its terminologies during the exhibition of cards. An optimistic web of happy and dark predictions abruptly spread over to the receiver. Every tarot card has it uniqueness because of the divergent character. Yet alike deck of tarot card might have the same sort of forecasting to the receiver. Indeed a tarot card is the art of divergence.

Concluding Remarks

By having discussed the above mentioned topic, we can conclude that a psychic reading is not the art of someone common. It is the art of some culturally oriented people who have the strong learning’s and grip on the spirits of space and time. They would enchant the people by tarot, online, live online and phone psychic readings etc. Society has got to belief in these artists because they could change the life within a minute.

Content Writer at PsychicCosmos.com Online Psychic Reading

Have You Ever Had Your Palm Red? Online Psychic Readings Are As Easy As 1, 2, 3
Okay, I couldn't resist flashing back to childishness and old jokes, and I don't have any red paint on me at the moment. Nowadays, you don't need to leave your own home to have an online psychic reading of your future and like everything else, you will find it online. You can even train to be a psychic online because many psychics are offering to teach you how. They ?provide clear information? about the latest psychical research with news from ?trustworthy? official psychic organizations with the official bodies and federations, along with teaching about psychic abilities and offer to teach you how to do readings. There are classes, study courses, clairvoyance readings practice, just to name a few options. You can learn to read Tarot cards and different practices such as Mediumistic and Rune readings, along with listening to audio recordings of the New Age gurus. Some online psychics invite you to visit their chat rooms and be social with other psychics and meet new people.

There are true psyches around, and the good ones offer their services for the good of others. Many work for police departments looking for missing people or searching for bad people. True psychics are not out to clean you out and some do make a living out of telling people their futures. There are many though that are just complete thieves and those are the ones you need to look out for. They promote themselves as clairvoyants or psychics and claim they have powers that enable them to read a persons future, make contact with a dead loved one, or tell you who your going to marry. However, they are not psychics, they just have the ability to read people well and tell them what they want to hear, and all the while filling their pockets with peoples' hard earned money. Here are a few tips to help you see a fraud psychic.

? The most common method is ?cold reading,? this involves reading body language, and listening to your voice.

? Over confidence is a good warning, if they build themselves up to were they can do no wrong, watch out!

? Questions about your background. This is unnecessary, if a ?psychic asks you where were you born, your parents religion, or even educational level, move on.

? Gaining your cooperation in advance. These ?psychics? claim they need your full cooperation and if nothing happens, you weren't a ?true believer.?

Now, you are not able to see these things with online psychic reading, so you should be very careful when paying for online readings. Try not to take online psychic readings too seriously and use them for what they are there for, to have fun and to satisfy your curiosity about online psychics. Do you really want to know what your future holds for you? Wouldn't you rather be surprised about what exciting things the future holds for you and yours?

Leeanna is an expert author writing for online psychic reading

Mini-Movies in Our Mind
What mini-movies are playing in your head right now? Are you just watching them, or are you taking control as the director of the movies? Tiger Woods is possibly the greatest golfer of all time. When he enters a professional golf tournament he already pictures himself winning the tournament before he walks up to the first tee on the first day. Jack Nicklaus was criticized for taking a long time on the green to line up his putt. He said he wouldn't hit the ball until he could mentally see the ball dropping in the cup. What is the picture in your mind before you begin an important task? I have worked with literally thousands of business people and professional athletes across the country, and I discovered a very significant fact. For instance, I have found that the vast majority of sales people in any field expect every prospect to say "no" to them. They are literally shocked when they get a "yes" at the end of their presentation. Their expectation is a conditioned response. Psychologists say that our personalities are well formed by the time we reach the age of 4. When I ask a group of people what two words a toddler hears most often in his or her early years, and the response is always "no" and "don't". Our mind has been programmed by repetition to expect to hear "no" whenever we ask for something. No wonder so few sales people are as successful as they deserve to be. On the other hand, the top professional sales persons expect to hear the "yes", and are shocked if the prospect responds in any other manner. The good news is that we already have the power to overcome our early conditioning by changing the mini-movies playing in our mind's eye. I was doing some field training with a salesman recently, and we were about to get out of his car to meet with his prospect for a sales presentation. I then asked him to tell me what was going to happen when we went in. His reply was, "This is going to be a tough sale because:", and he went on to describe all the objections he expected to hear. I stopped him and said, "I want you to have a different picture in your mind before we go in". I told him to close his eyes and picture the prospect with a big smile on his face, saying , "This is the best decision I have made all year", as he signed the paperwork. I had him focus on that scene in his mind's eye for a few minutes before we went in to the appointment. The meeting went exceedingly well, with a successful sale as a result. The salesman told me that our visualization routine was the major factor in the achieving the positive outcome. He continues to benefit from that little exercise now before every presentation. Before you undertake anything significant task in your life, review the movie playing in your mind. How do you picture the outcome? Is it really what you want to have happen? If not, then be the Steven Spielberg of your own mental mini-movies and change the image to the outcome you really desire. You will be amazed at how this simple tip can change the results you get in life.

Howard Tangler has devoted more than 30 years to helping people live their dreams. Henry David Thoreau said, �"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation�. Tangler has guided countless thousands of people out of that misery to a life they dreamed of, but never thought they could achieve. They now found they could live their dreams every day when they followed his advice and counsel. His tips and strategies have proven their worth over the years. To learn more about what Howard Tangler has to say, click the link, http://www.StressFreeLifeStrategies.com

COPD, How Did I Get It And What Can I Do Now?
The Doctor says I have COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a fast growing affliction amongst Americans. If you have been diagnosed as having COPD you know how devastating it can be. Your quality of life deteriorates as you no longer are able to do simple task that involves physical movement. It’s true that COPD will slow you down but chances are, it will not lead to your demise. What is COPD anyway? Your airways branch out inside your lungs like an upside-down tree. At the end of each branch are small, balloon-like air sacs. In healthy people, both the airways and air sacs are springy and elastic. When you breathe in, each air sac fills with air like a small balloon. In COPD, your airways and air sacs lose their shape and become distorted, like a stretched-out rubber band that won’t retain its original shape. In short, COPD is a disease that effects the lungs in which the air passages have become partially non functional. It is not reversible or curable but it is treatable. Included in the family of diseases that make up COPD is emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Asthma is not COPD as it is caused from allergies but over a long period of time it may develop into COPD. Where did it come from? I contacted Asthma in nineteen seventy two when I moved from Southern California to New Hampshire. I had no idea moving to a different climate would result in breathing problems but it did and here I am thirty six years later, with COPD. Quite frankly it sucks and anyone who says different probably does not have it. Not being able to breathe is frustrating as you feel like you can do anything but can not. You can not have normal relations with your spouse, grandchildren or the environment. No more intimate interludes, long walks, swimming or any moderately strenuous activities. COPD is more common than you might think. As our environment deteriorates breathing problems increase. One problem is it goes unrecognized in many cases as it gets attributed to seasonal allegories or having the flu. A sad fact is there are 24 million people in the United States with some degree of impaired lung function yet only 12 million have been diagnosed with COPD. People can not take charge of their breathing if they don’t know they have a problem. A symptom cannot be treated unless it is diagnosed as a viable, treatable condition. How could I know? What are the signs of COPD. Mild COPD is when: You feel a little short of breath after working hard or after strenuous exercise. (like jogging, doing yard work or climbing stairs) You cough often resulting in spitting up mucus. Moderate COPD is when: You run out of breath when walking up a hill. You have trouble doing common chores like walking the dog or taking out the garbage. You cough frequently resulting in extricating mucus. You need a few weeks to get over the flu or a lung infection. You have to cut back on activities you have always enjoyed. Severe COPD is when: You get short of breath during low energy activities like showering or getting dressed. You are not able to work or take part in simple activities you have always enjoyed. You need an extended length of time to get over a cold or lung infection. You experience labored breathing day and night. Some people with severe COPD may need oxygen therapy. I had no idea Many people with COPD know what their condition is but don’t do anything about it until they have lost a lot of their lung function. People tend to contend with their affliction by adjusting. They become less active which is likely to accelerate their condition without proper treatment. Because COPD usually occurs slowly, people become accustom to their condition. The people they are in contact with don’t realize the magnitude of the ill person’s difficulty and are apt to inject toxins into the afflicted person’s environment. This results in an even greater stress being brought to bear upon the person with COPD. Clean, fresh air is difficult enough to breath without being contaminated by aerosols or other toxic products. What is normal to a normal person could be toxic to a person with COPD. It’s not over yet All is not lost. With proper medications, a person with COPD can live a functional, somewhat average life. You may not be able to play football but you can cheer from the sidelines. You may not be able to dance with the stars, but you can enjoy watching as they dance. It’s a matter of keeping a good attitude and accepting your limitations. COPD will slow you down, but then, growing old will also. If you have a history of smoking or working in a contaminated environment, are over forty and have shortness of breath, you should see your doctor. The doctor will probably do a lung function test to measure the elasticity and capacity of your lungs. The Calvary is on the way Today, many things are available to help people manage their COPD. First of all like any disease, get a diagnose early. Next it is important that you and your family learn about the disease and the changes in lifestyle you have to make. The drugs your doctor will prescribe will help open your airways and allow you to breathe easer which will reduce the risk of any complications. Adjust and enjoy what you have COPD, like heart disease, can be a wake up call to a healthier lifestyle. Take better care of yourself, get rid of stress, if you are a smoker, now is the time to quit. Work with your doctor to prevent or reduce the likelihood of exacerbations, or worsening of your symptoms. Start a limited exercise program. Don’t overdo it, but do it with prudence. That’s about it. Life is full of change, adjustments and difficulties. COPD is the lesser of many thing that could happen. Don’t give up, simply adjust. Happy Trails

Donald Yates, Former Director of Business and Leadership Development for Imperial Research, is now retired but continues to assist young people in engaging life through self discovery, Life course planning, intuitiveness and fulfillment. Learn how you can build a powerful organization of your own. See How To, Run Your Car On WATER
Find Out About Self Employment

Second Chance at Your Dream: Energypscyhology's gifts for optimal aging and health
Second Chance at Your Dream: Energy Psychology's Gifts for Creativity, Health and Optimal Aging by Dorothea Hover-Kramer, Ed.D. RN, DCEP We are born with possibilities. As we grow, we imagine a great dream for our lives. This dream can get submerged or even derailed by the many challenges of adult life. The second half of life, usually sometime after 50 or 60, offers us a second chance. With recent advances in healthcare, we have been given the gift of 30-50 more years. It is imperative that we find ways to use them wisely. Because most of us have extra time, we have untold opportunities for creating change within ourselves. And from there, to influence our friends, our communities, our world. Our culture avoids discussing the possibility of creative and meaningful aging. Instead, fear and denial are associated with the later half of life and its most discernible tasks such as job retirement, lifestyle changes, grandparenting or mentoring others, coping with changes in the body, losing loved ones and facing our own mortality. Rather than a time of decline, the second half of life can be an opportunity for abundant new beginnings. Through the gifts of energy psychology, a newly emerging discipline within psychotherapy, we have access now to numerous ways to stay in optimal physical balance, release dysfunctional emotional patterns, change perceptions of difficult situations, build a sense of hope and positive expectancy and to connect with our innate creativity. Unlike thinking that suggests there is some external factor, medication, or device for treating later life's challenges, self-care with energy psychology's gifts can easily be learned. Within your body resides your vital life force, the quality called Qi (pronounced "chee") discussed in classical Chinese texts for over 5,000 years and the basis of the current practices of acupuncture and acupressure. Directing this Qi with self-care techniques from the field of energy psychology assists persons to resolve internal conflicts, remove blocks to creativity and empower living more fully. EP is an excellent resource for maintaining health and flexibility. To demonstrate, please take one deep breath and let it go fully as you read this. Continuing with the breath, allow yourself to make a self-affirming statement such as, "I deeply appreciate myself with all my gifts, talents and abilities." Now add gentle rubbing of a tender spot on the left upper mid-chest toward the left shoulder while you repeat the self-affirming statement. If you are working on a challenge you might say, "Even though I have this challenge, I deeply appreciate myself and my gifts and choose to find the best solution." Continue with the breath to release any tension from your body. Once you start using similar patterns to help yourself you may find you are much less likely to get stuck on an issue or to feel helpless. It is a creative act to help yourself and open to new possibilities. Creative acts such as helping yourself and others give deeper meaning to life and, in turn, enhance your health and sense of well-being. Thriving in the second half of life is intricately linked to flexibility and creativity in interpersonal relationships. Contrary to traditional thinking that associates living well with lots of activity, the full-energy life is about connecting to inner wisdom and refining the arrow of intention. This orientation is filled with joy, peacefulness, openness, curiosity, wonder, appreciation, flexibility, exploration, new viewpoints and moving "beyond the box" of traditional thinking about aging. Moving from longevity to "fun-gevity" is made possible by letting go of stressful issues rapidly so there is available energy for more satisfying choices. For most issues, energetic self-care offers drug-free paths for relieving anxiety, finding inner harmony and thriving in advancing years. Energy psychology (EP) is the broad term describing a growing body of knowledge that joins together a large family of therapeutic approaches. They share focus on effecting rapid emotional relief with the resources of the human energy system. These resources include the meridians and their related acupoints as well as the body's biofield and the energetic centers known as charkas. In the past twenty years, energy modalities have gained popular acceptance in hospital settings for relief of anxiety and pain with methods such as Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch or Reiki. Energy psychology (EP) includes interventions known mainly by acronyms such as EFT, TFT, TAT, TAB, EDxTM, and is recognized and frequently used in psychotherapeutic settings. The international association, ACEP (Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology), has existed for 0ver 10 years and boasts a large and growing membership, research studies, conferences, and the books of Energy Psychology Press/Elite Books led by Dawson Church, author-publisher. EP also gives direct tools for overcoming limiting beliefs or releasing negative emotions. Specifically, dysfunctional beliefs about our own aging can be addressed to ensure that the next thirty to fifty years of life medical advances have brought us are vibrant, free of emotional burdens and bursting with the energy so needed to help our imperiled planet. Many myths about aging need to be debunked. Long-held beliefs such as genetic determinism, brain cell stagnation, and "natural involution" can be countered with methods to expand mental activity and optimize genetic expression. The new science of epigenetic research clearly shows how gene expression lies within control of the conscious mind and the choices we make. Neuroscience supports evidence for the plasticity of brain cells which respond continuously to our intention and emotional reactions. The more we expand the apertures of consciousness with creative thinking the more our neurons will grow and regenerate. Many baby boomers who are now over sixty are showing that life can be wonderfully fulfilling when they follow long put-off interests, reconnect with friends of their youth, and explore ways of contributing for the greater good of their communities. I encourage you to envision a new picture of audacious aging in which engaged, passionate elders bring their collective wisdom to our imperiled world. We are the talented and essential beings who, by healing and empowering ourselves, can heal and empower others. We are the ones who bring love of humanity and the natural world to our families and communities. The second half of life is indeed the opportunity to reclaim our life's dream!

Dr. Dorothea Hover-Kramer, psychologist and clinical nurse specialist, is author of the first book to present the breakthrough techniques of Energy Psychology for assisting the creative individuals who are in the second half of life. It is entitled Second Chance at Your Dream and will be published November 15, 2008 by Energy Psychology Press, Elite Books, Santa Rosa, CA. for more information please visit Dorothea�s Website: www.SecondChanceDream.com

FLORIDA GHOST HUNTERS JOINED BY OHIO STATE TESTED MEDIUM, TINIA ROSS
FLORIDA GHOST HUNTERS JOINED BY OHIO STATE TESTED MEDIUM, TINIA ROSS

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla.�Today, Tinia (Ty-knee-ah) Ross joined the Florida Ghost Hunters, Investigation Team. "She brings a lot to the table." says, Jay Shoemaker, Lead Investigator from the Florida Ghost Hunters.

Tinia Ross, who has appeared on "Larry King Live" has joined the Florida Ghost Hunters in an effort to assist in Paranormal Investigations on businesses, homes, and wherever paranormal activity is reported in Florida.

Tinia has been clairvoyant since a small child and uses her clairvoyance together with terot cards when performing her readings. "I've been reading most all of my adult life." says Tinia, whose regular clients range from professionals in all fields to people in everyday life.

Originally from Michigan, Tinia graduated from the University of Michigan, with honors. She has read for John Edwards (of "Crossing Over" fame), and performed at numerous psychic fairs in the upper Midwest. As her Psychic reputation grew in Central Ohio, Tinia was tested by the University of Ohio, Department of Psychology, for her Clairvoyant abilities and scored extremely high, surprising testers, but not Tinia.

Recently Tinia moved from Columbus, Ohio to the beautiful Treasure Coast to be with her soul mate Gary, who she came to know while giving him a reading — which surprised the both of them.

Tinia is looking forward to living in Florida, providing her psychic abilities to the area and working with the Florida Ghost Hunters.

Tinia will assist in the paranormal investigative process, by using her gifts as a medium. Her feelings will be compared to any scientific evidence collected during an investigation conducted by the Florida Ghost Hunters Team.

For more information on Florida Ghost Hunters visit FloridaGhostHunters.com

Jay Shoemaker, a Lead Investigator for Florida Ghost Hunters .. http://www.floridaghosthunters.com

A Natural Treatment For Depression: SAM-e
As of late the molecule SAM-e has become known as a natural treatment for depression, the number one mental disorder in terms of affected patients world-wide. Today various medicinal treatments for depression exist ranging from well known prescription drugs such as the Serotonin-Reuptake-Inhibitors, to so-called natural treatments for depression. A natural treatment for depression is loosely defined as a medicinal agent that is not a prescription drug and commonly of natural origin such as herbal treatment for depression, fish oils or, as in the case of SAM-e, an agent that is chemically synthesised for treatment purposes, but also occurs naturally in the body. (As an aside it needs to be pointed out that prescription drugs often are also derived from organic sources, including plants, so the definition of “natural” is actually quite imprecise). SAM-e SAM-e (S-Adenosyl Methionine) is an essential amino acid that is naturally produced in the human body, and primarily the liver, where it is also metabolized to a large extent. It plays a central role in the body’s metabolism, where it is involved in the transfer of Methyl-groups to various substrates such as proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. Among its many effects in the body this natural treatment for depression increases the level of neurotransmitters in the brain. Discovered in the 1950s SAM-e has been known as a treatment for various diseases since the 1970s. With an increasing awareness for depression and a growing tendency for self-medication the compound has recently received more and more attention as a potential alternative treatment for depression. This natural treatment for depression is sold in the US as a nutritional supplement rather than as prescription drug, although, as will be seen later, its side effect profile is not to be underestimated. The compound is marketed as either SAM-e or under other trade names such as Gumbaral, Samyr, Adomet and Admethionine. Apart of being marketed as natural treatment for depression SAM-e is also sold as remedy for liver diseases and osteoarthritis. It is commonly taken in the form of a pill at various concentrations. As for the compound’s potential as alternative treatment for depression various clinical studies have shown its positive effect on depression. Many users of SAM-e reported that this natural treatment for depression improved their symptoms significantly; while others stated that there depression even disappeared completely. However, the compound is not without its risks as in some patients it can cause neurological conditions such as worsened depression, anxiety, mania, nausea and headaches as well as other organic side effects such as diarrhoea, dyspepsia, insomnia and allergic reactions. It may also lose its potency over time as the patient’s body adjusts to the chemical. Long term effects of SAM-e are unknown. Concluding it can be said that SAM-e may be a viable natural treatment for depression for a given depression patient. However, while not a prescription drug it is recommended not to take it without medical guidance. In particular it is important to start taking this alternative treatment for depression at a low dosage, since overdosing is commonly reported often leading to the side effects mentioned above.

Find more on drugs classified as natural treatment for depression at www.beatdepression.org.

Why Metaphysics Part 2
Basically, arrogance is an inferior attitude masking as superiority. Inferiority or superiority complexes are both egoic expressions. The human ego often wishes the Self to appear what it is not. Even if we knew a lot, if we have read a thousand books, studied under countless Gurus, have permanent contact with a Cosmic Master, experienced a 1001 delights and terrors, meditate constantly, possess the world, or are powerful in some psychic way, it still does not give us a reason to egoically compare others with ourselves, or to judge them--by seeing others as inferior to us, by labelling them as bad, low, and vile. Many so-called spiritual teachers still do this. They criticize and condemn others without realizing that, spiritually speaking, there is no separation between others and themselves. What we see in others also lies below the conscious threshold within ourselves; what we do to others, we also do to ourselves, what we think of others, we also think of ourselves. What another is doing in the present we may well have done so ourselves in the past or perhaps will do so in the future. There is no need for judgment but a lot of need of mercy, understanding, and tolerance. Essentially, a spiritual being will not indulge in the judgment of dualistic concepts and the relativistic opposites such as good and bad, right and wrong, rich and poor, strong and weak, etc. These things are reconciled or transcended by the mage. St. Paul once said that if we owned the world and all powers and gifts of the spirit but lack love we were nothing. This is felt by all true spiritual teachers and practitioners.

Metaphysics should not be confused with the paranormal nor with parapsychology. The paranormal and parapsychology are simply aspects of metaphysics--using the term in its broadest sense..

In regards to metaphysical experiences we should keep in mind that metaphysics encompasses the two basic divisions of psychicism and mysticism, thaumaturgy and theurgy. Experiences in both fields may be considered "metaphysical," however, a psychic experience is dissimilar to a mystical one, and vice versa. One relates to the perception of events occurring in the lower planes or dimensions, the other to spiritual Self-awareness and the expansion of the consciousness encompassing the Whole.

As can be understood from the above, metaphysics has a transcendent value. It caters to both the physical and spiritual aspects of man. Metaphysics begins where traditional psychology leaves off, it goes where dogmatic religion is afraid to go, it extents further than mainstream science is able to reach with its laboratory equipment--although we must admit that many technological advances have been made in this direction, most of which have not yet been made available to the general public for reasons of censure. The release of such technology would dethrone the powers that seek to enslave the world and the Dark forces are trying very hard to prevent humanity from being empowered.

One of the misconceptions regarding metaphysics is that it is unscientific and based upon superstitious ideas. This is not in our experience. Metaphysics is scientific, rational, empirical and pragmatic, or it could indeed well be "superstitious" depending on one's attitude, beliefs, and manner of approach, or how one would like it to be. This might seem as a paradox and yet it may be reconciled. We liberate our minds or impose limitations upon it by our beliefs and attitudes, and by those limitations we circumscribe our mental and spiritual growth. Our beliefs and attitudes form our basic interpretation of Reality. If a thing is of value, because of prejudice we will not see it. We will see what we want to see, and refuse to see what we refuse to see.

Metaphysics may be approached in various ways. If one has a background in mathematics, one's approach would be mathematical. If one has a psychological background one would naturally approach it from a psychological standpoint. And if one simply believes or disbelieves in metaphysical principles then the result would be in accordance to that mental condition. For instance, if we disbelieve that man may go to the moon we would not exert effort to putting him there. If we believe that we are doomed to failure we would never motivate ourselves to work for success. This concept relates to how we form our own personal experiences in life, our own personal reality. Intrinsically, however, personal opinions do not affect the natural laws operating in our universe. We may discount the reality of gravity, for instance, and yet the law still functions in our everyday experience. The same goes with the other natural laws like karma and reincarnation. Belief or disbelief in them will not affect their existence and operation. Just because these laws are not mentioned by prophets and written about in Holy Scriptures do not nullify their activity. Come to think of it, many scientific natural laws are not mentioned in Holy Writ, does this prove their non-existence?

Though certain aspects of metaphysics may be considered to be speculative, as it deals with the Ultimate Reality, the First Cause, creation, and ontology or the nature of being--what interests us is the application of its principles and direction of Cosmic laws in everyday life. The worth of a science lies in its value, relevancy, and applicability in everyday living. If it is inefficient in aiding humanity to create abundance, peace, health, etc., then it is impractical and worthless. Some people have this kind of misconception concerning metaphysics, they believe that metaphysics is impractical, too abstract, or that it violates natural law and hence, religion; however, the opposite is true. Metaphysics and its principles work in harmony with Cosmic laws and is extremely practical. Applied Metaphysics, as differentiated from Speculative Metaphysics, is wholly practical and essential to daily life. It empowers us with the tools and knowledge necessary to achieve a successful and fulfilled life.

Though the art and science of metaphysics is still in its infancy compared to what lies ahead, there is enough teachings, techniques and systems to assist us live a fruitful, productive and creative life in accord with the Divine Will. The more we know and understand, the more wisdom we possess, the more motivated, focused and confident we are--the more chances we have of fulfilling our mission in life.

There is an on-going electromagnetic regeneration occurring in our solar system in our present "time-period." The present interaction and interfacing of energy fields in the part of our galaxy that our solar system is entering are causing the transformation of worlds and all beings connected to them in an evolutionary manner. Electromagnetic energies radiating from power centers in multi-dimensional universes are affecting and transforming everything in its path or field of influence. These energies induce and impel all beings to rise in their awareness level. They stimulate Man and Nature to form a new relationship based on trust and healthy cooperation. St Francis of Assisi was a pioneer and a model for us in this regard. This friar considered all beings--trees and animals, included--as his brothers and sisters.

The transformations that are currently occurring politically and socially in the world are just a few of the physical effects of the cosmic bombardment of these energy rays. Changes will occur at every level lifting humanity to a new state of being, to a higher level of divine expression. The transmutational process currently operating is represented by the Water Bearer-the sign of Aquarius, and the Aquarian Age. The water flowing from the vessel represents the energies flowing from the Mental, Buddhic and Atmic realms. These are just some of the higher dimensions operating above the personality level. Collectively, these three dimensions are represented by the pail held by the Water Bearer from whence these energies flow, and the Water Bearer as the Higher Christ Self within each individual.

The New Age or the Aquarian Age can be interpreted as the "second-coming" of Christ, for His sign (Aquarius) shall appear or is appearing in the sky in an astronomical sense; he "appears" in the clouds or energies of the New Age, and every eye shall "see" him--that is, feel his influence.

How can we appreciate the value of metaphysics? It takes careful study and analysis with a non-prejudicial mind before a true evaluation can be made of any science or thing. Metaphysics is of no exception. The problem is that too many people have preconceived the nature of metaphysics without having investigated the matter. Some consider it as the science of Lucifer or other such nonsense. All knowledge is essentially neutral in nature. Nothing is good or bad in itself. We attribute a thing as good or bad, right or wrong from the standpoint of our own moral standards or preference and this is constantly changing in consonance with the level of our spiritual awareness.

Metaphysical teachings help us in various ways. It teaches us the existence of the many Cosmic laws operating in the universe and how these laws function in the world of beings. If understanding just a simple Cosmic law like karma helps one to correct misconceptions and alleviate our struggles, and relieve certain psychological pain, can you imagine how the awareness and understanding of a dozen Cosmic laws would help improve the quality and value of one's life? It should be realized that if a person were to cry out in pain to God for an explanation to all of her problems and excruciating experiences, and that if she were confused and at a loss of knowing how to react or respond to certain situations, then it should be known that there are possible errors in that person's philosophy of life, in that person's understanding of the functions and laws of the universe, and the purpose of life, or of the person's personal mission. Since one's philosophy of life is associated with one's cultural and religious beliefs, then those beliefs should be looked into for possible false notions and dogmatic errors that do not reflect the workings of Nature.

True religion brings joy, bliss, understanding and wisdom to the heart, and is scientifically inclined. If it does not do so, and if it simply causes one to believe a thing without offering personal determination of its truth through experience, knowledge and understanding then it may be seen as a diversion from the true spiritual path. We state emphatically here that to be religious is not synonymous to being spiritual. A spiritual person may be religious, but a religious person is not always spiritual. A spiritual person knows whereas a religious person simply possesses faith, which at times may be expressed blindly in the condition called fanaticism.

In metaphysics we develop power, intelligence and wisdom. Wisdom is a blend of knowledge, understanding, and experience directed by the buddhic principle of love--unconditional love. It is thinking with the heart and feeling with the mind. This distinguishes the higher metaphysical development of spirituality from the lower metaphysical unfoldment of psychicism. In a lower metaphysical development we may solely possess psychic ability or power but no wisdom and understanding to use it. We unfold in an unbalanced way. When power exceeds the wisdom to apply it, the seeds of self-destruction is inherent and might be the probable outcome. Advanced metaphysicians have all three aspects of divinity in full development or unfolding in a balanced and harmonious way, these three are: the aspects of love/wisdom, power/will, and intelligence/activity.

The more Cosmic laws and truths we apprehend with our souls and apply in our every day lives, the more spiritual, divine, and powerful we become. The more we purify ourselves from all the dross and toxins in our energy-structures, and the more we liberate ourselves from preconceived human mortal limitations, the more we are able to access divine energies and express our divinity, or our divine attributes. We are able to manifest our Christ Self. The term "Christ Self" should be understood as a component within the microcosm, or Man--both visible and invisible, and as the True Self functioning at a certain consciousness level beyond personality functions and expressions. In metaphysics Christ is not conceived as a historical person but rather understood from a mystical and mythical standpoint. Christ is often apprehended as a state of awareness of man functioning at a spiritual level. This is real power: the power derived from one's own spiritual knowing, awareness and being. Most of the so-called powers claimed by some psychics are borrowed from disembodied entities and are basically illusory and impermanent. Such temporal and borrowed powers in the end may seek to control and obsess the person using them. This is one reason that one should be aware of the dangers in psychicism before embarking upon its development. It is always safer to first develop true spirituality and the taming of the false ego. The injunction is to first seek the kingdom of God that all things shall be added unto us.

In metaphysics we come to learn of many teachings of Cosmic laws and principles that aid us to deal with life, to master our lower self and express all that is divine in us. This is true mastery. The word Master does not mean being able to control Nature or others, it is the ability to effectively work in cooperation with Her and with our fellow man in creating harmony, peace, and abundance in our world, in our shared reality, in our conjoined dream. Real Masters are those who have mastered the animalistic and humanistic elements of their being and are now expressing their god-hood. Cosmic or Ascended Masters do not generally consider themselves as Masters for they realize that they themselves are in a state of learning. Such is their humility.

Copyright © 2006 Luxamore

Leonard Lee aka Luxamore
Metaphysical teacher, counseler, healer and merchant of occult/magickal items of Indonesia.
Magickal Items from Indonesia: talismans, mustika pearls, kerises, etc.
Magickal Bezoar Mustika Pearls from Indonesia.