marți, 16 noiembrie 2010

[Earthwise] Digest Number 2466

Messages In This Digest (5 Messages)

Messages

1.

BOOK REVIEW - The Cosmological Origins of Myth and Symbol

Posted by: "Mike Gleason" gleason.mike@comcast.net   gleasonm01915

Mon Nov 15, 2010 10:02 am (PST)



The Cosmological Origins of Myth and Symbol by Laird Scranton © 2010 Inner Traditions ISBN: 978-159477376-1 Paperback 208 pages $18.95 (U.S.) www.InnerTraditions.com

This is the third book in a series relating to the concept of ancient cosmologies, and the first of the series that I have read. It arrived unexpectedly in my mailbox one day, and having no other books on hand to review, it found its way into my rotation. I have enjoyed books on assorted mythological themes over the years and, while not terribly familiar with cosmological works, could appreciate the inter-relatedness of the topics. Even though reading this work would mean that I would need to open my mind to new concepts (not something which is necessarily easy to do as I approach my 60th year), it presented me with an opportunity to avoid falling into a rut as far as my review topics went, and thus it was welcomed.

Over the years I have been exposed to certain cultures which lie well outside my own experience - Tibetan, West African, Egyptian, Meso-American and others - and that may have made my acceptance of Mr. Scranton's propositions easier. His mention of Buddhist stupas (and their correlation to the Dogon granary) did not send me scrambling to determine their significance. His proposed correlations made a great deal of sense to me from the very outset. While this may present a difficulty to some readers, all I can say is that it is necessary to approach the topic with an open mind. The scientific mindset can be EM-powering, but it can also be OVER-powering. A certain latitude in thinking may make it easier to see potential similarities.

This work ties together three concepts - of which I am only reasonably familiar with one (Egyptian mythology). The other two components - string (or torsion) theory and Dogon mythology - are terra incognita to me. Added to that is a heavy reliance on the translations of Egyptian hieroglyphics by Sir E. A. Wallis Budge, which is also not a strong suit of mine. All of that increased the difficulty I had in following a number of the author's allegations.

I suppose if I had read the two preceding works in this series (The Science of the Dogon and Sacred Symbols of the Dogon) I would have been able to do a better job of deciphering the threads of his arguments. So, therefore, I feel constrained to offer a warning to potential readers that they need to be conversant with such topics if they hope to be able to read this book without reference materials close at hand. It is not impossible to make sense of the premise without such background or materials, but it is certainly more difficult.

The difficulties I had with this material make it hard to offer a valid consideration. If I were more familiar with the concepts, I might find them extremely basic. As the hypothetical "average reader" I felt I was out of my depth much of the time.

I am sure that "experts" in each of the respective fields could, and probably would, find inconsistencies and "errors" (i.e., things they personally disagreed with). But, by bringing together a number of disparate fields of study, the author is sure to stir up discussion (if not controversy), and that is almost always a good thing.
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2.

BOOK REVIEW - Low Magick

Posted by: "Mike Gleason" gleason.mike@comcast.net   gleasonm01915

Mon Nov 15, 2010 10:14 am (PST)



Low Magick by Lon Milo DuQuette © 2010 Llewellyn Worldwide ISBN: 978-0- 7387-1924-5

Paperback 214 pages $16.95 (U.S.) $19.50 (Canada) www.llewellyn.com

This is not a "Magick 101" book. It is, primarily, a collection of Mr. DuQuette's memories and stories. Its purpose is not so much to educate as it is to inform. There are lots of training books available on the market today (and some of them are even readable AND informative), but there are not so many books which help to make one aware of potential pitfalls (please note, I did NOT say dangers) along the way.

Although this is primarily a book of recollections, there is some useful data contained within the covers which will good for beginning and intermediate magicians. There are tables and graphs which are clearly presented and easy to absorb.

For a book on such a potentially weighty subject, this one was surprisingly readable. Mr. DuQuette comes across as very much an "average man". Far too many books by Ceremonial Magicians are full of ego-driven statements and stories; elaborate tools; grandiose rituals; and attempts to impress the reader with how different the author is from them. Not so with this presentation.

It is not, however, a book which will do a great job of teaching you magick. It will teach you about ways to appreciate your unique universe and your own place in it. For that, Mr. DuQuette is owed a great deal of appreciation and thanks. It takes a particularly talented author to accomplish that without a large dose of tedium. There are no tedious parts of this book, even when dealing with topics as easily misunderstood as Enochian Magick and demonic exorcism.

Looking for magickal instructions? Sorry, try again. Looking for stories about elaborate rituals and conjurations? Nope, sorry again. Looking for insight into the mind of a sincere magician with decades of experience? Okay, now you've got the right idea. Crack open this book and settle down with a broccoli quiche (see Chapter Eight) and a cup of coffee, and enjoy.

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3.

BOOK REVIEW - Sentimental Me

Posted by: "Mike Gleason" gleason.mike@comcast.net   gleasonm01915

Mon Nov 15, 2010 10:17 am (PST)



Sentimental Me by Charles L. Fields © 2010 Outskirts Press ISBN: 978-1-4327-6347-3 Paperback 219 pages $14.95 (U.S.) www.OutskirtsPress.com

Every once in a while, I like to take a complete break from magickal books and enjoy some simple, well-written mysteries. So, if your life and interests are about all things magickal , you can skip this review. This book is simple, mundane escapism, set against a backdrop of drug (and human) smuggling, set on the American/Mexican border. Nothing esoteric here, so simply move along.

Mr Fields knows how to use all the appropriate buzz words, even if his grasp of style and editing leave something to be desired. There is some inconsistency with names (Manual/Manuel), some other spelling errors, and the use of quotation marks isn't what I was taught, but I doubt that the casual reader would even notice these minor points.

The characters are fairly well-developed and believable, even if the dialog is not; there are no outlandish weapons used. Some of the situations seem to be almost completely improbable. however. It is, in short, a believable story set in the here and now. It does not rely on eroticism as a hook, although there is an undercurrent of it running through the latter part of the book.

The one major drawback, in my opinion, is the behavior of some of the protagonists. Some of the motivations are, to say the least, debatable; reactions to situations seem questionable; and many instances of dialog seem, at best, stilted.

Mr. Field attempts to show his knowledge of various locales through descriptions which appear to have come from travel brochures and websites rather than from personal experience. The book is littered with allusions to people and places which seem designed to demonstrate how well-read Charles Stone, the central figure of the story, is. Yet, somehow, it all comes across as very two dimensional, a simple recitation as opposed to something which engages the reader.

Overall, while the book was enjoyable, and I might pick up other volumes by the same author, I cannot honestly say that I would go out of my way to track them down.

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4.

10 Big Myths About Copyright Explained

Posted by: "Moloch" moloch@molochsorcery.com   xx_moloch_xx

Mon Nov 15, 2010 11:03 pm (PST)



Good stuff in this essay. Something that I think anyone who is interested in obeying the copyright laws & respecting the work of others should read.

http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html

Plus if you're a budding author, this is something you should study up on to protect yourself.

Mo'

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5a.

Re: Tantra

Posted by: "Nitaidasa" nitaidasa@yahoo.com   nitaidasa

Tue Nov 16, 2010 3:01 am (PST)




Namaste I Am Interested
--- On Sun, 11/14/10, Goel <lrgoel2004@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Goel <lrgoel2004@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Earthwise] Tantra
To: EarthwiseBOS@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, November 14, 2010, 12:51 AM

 

I am from the state of Punjab India a male doing Tantra meditations for the last 25 years and teaching them to real seekers .You are welcome to contact me for learning Tantra meditations. Thanks

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