Testimonials /

Praise for:

On the Care and Feeding of Spirits:

Excellent! This is what I’ve been experiencing my whole life. You have a great knack for linking things together — recognized authorities, theories and definitions, and accepted schools of thought, with the “new,”controversial,” spiritual concepts you’re presenting. Great real-life examples. This is really advanced stuff, yet presented in a very down-to-earth, practical and understandable way… AND with welcome humor and light-heartedness! So true! So great to see it in print! — Helen — Energy Worker

For some reason I find it hard to put this book down…. I find it interesting that I often learn about things that I’ve been previously doing, sometimes for years…. I finished the book and when I got to the end I found myself wanting more! — Gary W.

The Patriot’s Spell Book:

Excellent job!…. I hope all the Spells for Democracy crowd will consider it required reading…. From studies by groups working on cosmic consciousness, alternative modes of prayer, etc., we only need about the square root of 1% of the population to start the ball rolling, and the effect increases as we gain support over that amount. — Donnaich

Praise for Vivienne D’Avalon:

Here in Orlando, I have had 3 teachers, and you have been the best teacher I have had…. You are excellent at explaining complicated concepts and what’s more important, you are a very loving person and that comes through when you teach. I was very blessed and honored to have you as my guiding light…. I really enjoyed it and I learned so much! You are an excellent teacher. — Carla — Artist

I’m just glad to see a different kind of magic… the intellectual aspect is absolutely fascinating…. I’m also very glad to be introduced to Gods and Goddesses that I’m not familiar with…. Your knowledge, expertise, and talent goes a long way!! … It’s always fun and interesting when you expose your brain!! You’re awesome! — Ronda — Massage Therapist and Reiki Practitioner

Real Life Stories - Real People, Real Spirits

One woman, a musician who attended my class on the subject and bought the book, had lost her husband, also a musician. Her friends, family, and therapist all told her the “healthy” thing to do was to put him behind her and move on. But she still felt him close. Sometimes she even felt he was playing through her. She wanted to maintain that connection, but felt guilty about going against the well-meaning advice of those around her. She had some of his instruments in a corner. She just couldn’t bring herself to get rid of them.

I told her how to set up a special, dedicated area in one room, in memory of her husband. She should decorate it with objects that belonged to him or that meant something to both of them, such as wedding photos. I explained how she could use that focus to connect with him whenever she wished. She would feel his love surrounding her. The connection she already felt would be enhanced. It would let him come through more easily when she was playing music. They could continue to create beauty together.

That night reports came to me from independent sources about a woman who had played so beautifully that she seemed to have a glow around her. The music and her mannerisms had changed as she laid down one instrument and picked up another (an instrument she had told me was her husband’s specialty). Her eyes had glowed, I was told. She played with a fire and passion that electrified her audience.

***

A young couple told me they had a mischievous spirit in the house. It didn’t seem malevolent, so they didn’t want to get rid of it. They just wanted to learn how to communicate with it so they could get it to behave a bit better.

I told them a bit about different kinds of fairy folk. I also referred them to the section of the book that would show them how to open a line of communication with their particular spirit. I suggested leaving an occasional sweet or toy out for their “guest” as a token of good will. This would likely stop its mischief if it liked the gifts. Perhaps it would even start doing good deeds around the house (like helping to find the car keys, instead of hiding them).

***

Another couple had a young toddler that was plagued by bad dreams. They felt that malevolent spirits were disturbing his sleep. They wanted to find or create a guardian spirit for him. Hopefully it could also serve as an “imaginary” friend and playmate to keep their son company.

I told them about Eleggua, a spirit or orisha in the Santerian pantheon with a child form. I suggested they ask Eleggua to watch over their son. I also told them how my mother had created a guardian spirit for me, based on “Puff, the Magic Dragon.” Puff made such a difference in my childhood, keeping night terrors at bay!

***

Another person spoke of Drawing Down the Moon (a Wiccan technique). She could feel the Goddess enter her body, thrilling at the power She conveyed by Her presence. But this priestess was frustrated that she just couldn’t seem to remember the lines of ritual she had memorized, lines that the Goddess was supposed to speak.

I pointed out the futility of invoking a Goddess only to try to tell her what She was “supposed” to say! The whole point of bringing a deity down into the physical plane is to listen to what She wishes to communicate, not the other way around. It apparently hadn’t occurred to anyone involved in the creation of the ritual that it was rude to try to tell a Goddess what to do!

(More fascinating stories like this will be included in the newsletter as they come in from readers).