Do you ever feel connected to the Moon as if there’s “moon power” or rather power within it that affects your moods, your inner knowing or more? The moon is a powerful thing and from this creative moon power comes its magic. For example, the Moon phases create energies that have an affect on us as much as its gravitational pull does.
From the moon power to understanding your chakras and whether they’re flowing correctly and crystals which can boost your mood or your health, we’ve picked three books which will unleash a whole new awareness for your body, your mindset and emotions and of course, your overall well-being.
Moon Power
This great read on Moon Power by Simone Butler, brings with it lunar rituals for connecting with your inner Goddess, but there’s more. The author includes profiles on many powerful strong women you can learn from and gain insights to help your own life.
With Moon Power, says Butler, women can connect with the primal, feminine, lunar power. She helps you identify and learn what the skies above are telling you, how to read them and how to act on this knowledge; plus profiles on many strong women.
Think about history for a moment. In ancient times, it was all about the feminine divine and her guiding light, the Moon — and its Moon Power — were all-powerful.
Men were seen primarily as consorts to the Great Goddess, as embodied in every woman. In these peaceful, agrarian societies, primal feminine powers such as intuition, emotions, sexuality, creation, communion with nature – were honored. And, the moon, which waxed and waned in predictable cycles, was a symbol for the birth, growth, death and andrenewal of life on Earth.
There are 12 chapters in Moon Power and each chapter in the book represents a moon sign. You learn what Butler means by “Moon Power,” and learn a whole lot about ancient moon worship, the feminine divine and also why it disappeared from modern life.
I love the rituals that she includes for connecting with the power of the moon because they’re as relevant today as they’ve ever been, and perhaps even more important as we’ve gotten so far away from knowing “who” we are and from being close to the Earth itself.
Moon Power also helps you work with each sign as the moon passes through it. For example – I’m a Sag, so when the moon is in Sag, it gives you guidance. I have friends who are powerful spiritualists (mediums, psychics and healers) who won’t start a new project or make a decision when the moon isn’t in a good place to. While it may seem a bit odd that someone would live their life with moon as their guide, know that it is one guide of many that can assist you on your path.
For example, Butler says when the moon is in Aries, take assertive action, but watch impulsivity. Did you know that there is a Goddess and Power Animal for each moon sign? I know quite a bit about Goddess history and wisdom, but didn’t know this until I read her book.
The other thing I like about Moon Power is that its lay out makes it easy to use as a reference guide for ongoing spiritual work. I have found myself looking things up now and then and haven’t even had the book for that long.
She includes activities and rituals for connecting with your energy during certain moon phases and if you think it’s all hog wash, give it a try and see how you feel. Experience is the best method and what works for one person may not work for another.
That said, what I love about Moon Power most, is that it is an inspiration for women and an encouragement if you will, to look inward and in doing so, you’ll hear their inner voice, that higher self and their soul calling. In this process, by connecting to yourself (your true selves), you may find yourself in nature more and this in itself, can be more healing. You’ll find yourself paying attention to the ebbs and flow of seasons more and over time, developing your true lunar nature.
Through a mindshift, deep reflection, rituals, mantras, new knowledge and purposeful action, Moon Power guides women to their inner power and helps you stay on course after tapping into its strength and wisdom. Get it over on Amazon.
The Key to the Chakras
This text book-like read by Vicki Howie is very different than any other book on Chakras I own. Why? It’s laid out a bit like an educational text book in many ways, which serves as a useful guide to return to when you want to look things up over time.
For example, other books on chakras I have read and reference all guide you through understanding your chakras and why keeping them open, flowing and healthy can affect everything in your life, from your mood and emotions to your physical health. They are part of us, after all, albeit the “unseen” part to most human beings.
If you’re not new to a spiritual journey and chances are if you’re reading this site and section, you’re not a newbie to spirituality and mindfulness. And so, you probably know that the chakras are the seven centers through which energy flows in the human body.
Like many books on chakras, you’ll learn about their associated colors, emotions, and physical actions as well as practical techniques for healing and unblocking the chakras. You’ll also discover how the chakras can work in tandem with aura reading, crystal healing and aromatherapy to improve your life.
I personally use a pendulum for checking chakra flow on a semi-regular basis and am a huge believer in both aromatherapy and crystal healing. (see my last book choice and I’ve written extensively about crystals and gemstones before and recently did a write up on 10 “Healing” Book Choices, and there are several books on chakras included)
This guide is more for the beginner and intermediate level, however I love Howie’s interactive lessons, meditations and exercises that will teach you to find balance and inner calm in your day-to-day routine, especially when your world feels like its been turned upside down.
Often we forget to look inward and assume the stress we are feeling is solely based on external factors. Sometimes, little tricks and rituals that we can do proactively can overhaul the quality of our week.
I also love that the book includes positive qualities and underactive signs for each chakra. For example, underactive signs for the throat chakra, she asserts, is Hypothyroidism, TMJ, sore throats, and well…a pathalogical liar. (in her words not mine).
This doesn’t mean that everyone with underactive signs is a pathalogical liar, but she’s suggesting that it is in the spectrum. This is why when you read about symptoms you may be having and there’s a long list of potential diseases, you should never jump to an assumption and panic – as always with any book or recommendations on healing or that increase your awareness, always seek a health practitioner’s advice when something concerning comes up for you.
There are also suggestions on healing methods that may work, such as chanting mantras, crystal bowls (am a huge believer in the power of sound as a healer), certain yoga poses and gemstones and crystals you can wear, such as Turquoise, Malchite or Lapis Lazuli. That said, each “sign” also offers suggestions — see my write-up on an astrologist out of Los Angeles who not only creates your natal astrological chart, but then aligns it with gemstones in each of your houses that may help for particular times of your life. (she can do this remotely too if not in LA)
There’s the other thing I love about this book: like Moon Power, there are interactive parts throughout. You can take a chakra test for each of your chakras, i.e., Root Chakra Test, Sacral Chakra Test and so on. You’re given a set of questions to answer which will help you learn a lot about yourself in the process. The Key to Chakras is available over on Amazon.
Crystal Bliss
Last up is Crystal Bliss by Devi Brown, which is a guide to healing crystals with advice for selecting, preparing, and using crystals for meditation and energy healing.
I love crystals and personally believe in their innate energy, power and vibrations. One thing to note in my own experience with working with them and wearing them regularly — what works for one person doesn’t work for another.
It’s important that you use your intuitive voice to guide you to what gemstones and crystals work best for you, even if one crystal is known to work for an ailment or purpose, i.e., indigestion as an example of an ailment and abundance and prosperity are great ones to explain “purpose.”
Crystal Bliss walks you through the process of selecting crystals, cleansing and preparing them for use, and incorporating them into your meditation and energy healing process. Don’t have an energy healing practice? Then, keep reading. Included in this guide are tips to accompany how you can use crystals in your life, including meditation. We have written about the power of having a meditative practice quite a bit so be sure to check out our Spiritual Books section as well as our Spiritual Voices section.
Did you know that some gemstones can boost your own energy, beat back negative vibes, open your heart to love, manifest wealth, and promote good health, among other things?
In addition to tips and tricks, I love that Brown includes Mantras with recommended crystals. While this guide can easily be one for beginners, there is plenty in the book to keep those who have been dabbling in crystals for awhile.
For real beginners, pick up the Crystal Bible by Judy Hall if you’re super excited about the world of crystals – it’s known to be the go to for practitioners and crystal addicts alike — she has three versions: Crystal Bible I, Crystal Bible 2 and Crystal Bible 3. Although Hall’s “bibles” are must-haves, they serve more as reference books you’ll turn to when you have questions or want to look something up.
Since the “bibles” serve more as reference guides, you’ll want books that provide more texture and depth and we think Crystal Bliss is a great resource for a myriad of reasons.
One of the things that sets Crystal Bliss apart is the layout — smooth sailing, easy on the eye and her fabulous mantras throughout. Brown also includes some rarer lesser known crystals. For example, I’ve been into the world of crystals for awhile now and hadn’t read about some of the crystals she mentions in her book — shattuckite crystal and gold tektite come to mind.
She also includes a few others that I do know about (and actually own, such as Nuumite and Shungite) but they’re not so common, whether in books or when trying to find them in a crystal store. Even online, the former is rarer to find. I love that she takes you a bit into the path less traveled with some of her recommendations and thoughts.
Brown includes tips on furthering your crystal journey as well and offers advice on other things to compliment your spiritual practice, like singing bowls, smudging, crystal essences and elixirs. She also also has a section on chakras as well. We loved it — you can grab it over on Amazon.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
