Saturday, November 22, 2008

Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything

Author and blogger Phil Bolsta brings us a wonderful spiritual book, Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything. Phil is one of those highly motivated people who you just want to sit and talk with for hours...believe me. I met Phil right here in Santa Fe for dinner, and a slice of blueberry cheesecake... several hours later I was wondering where the time had gone and rapidly making a checklist of things I needed to explore in my mind.

Phil has been writing all sorts of fun things for quite some time, but Sixty Seconds is actually a collection of experiences from 45 different, powerful voices in this world. Think I'm kidding? Check out some of the contributors:

Christiane Northrup

Tom Gegax

Bernie Siegel

Kathryn Harwig

James Redfield

Robert Jaffe

Larry Julian

Don Jose Luis

Jim MacLaren

Dan Millman

Caroline Myss

Esther Sternberg

The book is divided into three sections:

Part 1: Glimpses into the Unknown
Part 2: Living Life
Part 3: Insightful Incidents

My Experience: Phil sent me a copy of his book for review and I've been carrying it around with me on all of my travels. When I have a few spare moments (!) I'll open it up to a random chapter and read... Yes, it really is one of those books. I feel like this book shows the commonality of experiences we humans have...it is so easy to get caught up in our individual dramas, forgetting that even those successful, spiritual people we admire also have their fair share of events. The beauty, of course, is in how these people have chosen to view their experience.

Specifics:
  1. Book- Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything
  2. Price- $18.95 (or $14.21 through Amazon) OR $25 will get you an autographed copy if you email Phil directly.
  3. On the Map-Minneapolis, MN
  4. Email- Email Phil for more information or alerts on his book: sixtyseconds@mac.com
  5. Website- You can purchase through Amazon. Also see the "Official" Sixty Seconds Page or check out Phil's Blog for more information: Triumph of the Spirit

Thursday, November 13, 2008

The Cat and Cauldron

The Cat and Cauldron is an online store featuring "The Magical Art of Thalia Took." Appealing to all those who might honor the goddesses and gods of present day, past and obscurity, The Cat and Cauldron brings the delightful artwork of Thalia to the mundane world of T-shirts, mugs, baby-wear, and other gifts. While I may make that sound ordinary, the unexpectedly masterful artwork of Thalia is really something to be proud to display. Her store has been in operation for 5 years and self describes like this:
Here you can find a variety of Goddess, Tarot, and other Pagan designs, including art from my Goddess Oracle Deck as well as other God, Tarot, and Goddess art on a variety of products including prints, posters, tile boxes, greeting and postcard sets, pillows, and about a zillion different kinds of t-shirt.
But, although the store makes gift-giving a cinch with organic shirts, cool mugs, practically every goddess you can think of, mousepads, etc...you have access to another very cool site featuring Thalia's artwork. A-Muse-ing Grace Gallery showcases Thalia's artwork, but also features an Obscure Goddess online directory and a new blog called Amused Grace.

Want to know more of Thalia beyond her two sites? Check out this interview I found. Here's an excerpt:
My advice for the whole entire world? As if they'd listen, but I'd say: Stop. Look around you. Get out of yourself; get outside of what you're used to doing, and look. If you really look at world and the way things are done, you will sooner or later see the tragic absurdity of so very much of it. When you can see that, you can stop contributing to it. And then you can actually do something beneficial.
My Experience:
Thalia Took is a purist when it comes to her artwork, but because I live in a town of artists, I tend to think that just means she's highly talented.
I have found that I absolutely
have to be inspired to create my art;
I think this makes it more likely to be a
true face of the Divine.
Since I haven't actually seen her work up close, I can only marvel at the online versions of her artwork.

Specifics:
  1. Store- The Cat and Cauldron
  2. Price- Variable depending on the product
  3. Website-http://www.cafepress.com/catncauldron
  4. Email- thalia@thaliatook.com
  5. On the Map-New England

My Spiritual Profile

Who doesn't like knowing about how forces came together in themselves? Here's a fun little mash-up of different spiritual "ologies" for you to sample for free and then buy a full report for $3.99 if you are interested. The site describes the service this way:
With so many websites about astrology readings and profiles, it's difficult to make a difference. mySpiritualProfile.com offers an easy, nice and insightful summary of your spiritual profile and personal characteristics. It's not just one sign, we use astrology, numerology, colorology and whatever 'ology' you can think of, to create a quick report of your signs, like Western or Chinese Zodiac, Element, Celtic Tree, Color, Season and so on.
The reading comes back fast and allows you to click through for a little description on what these items mean.

My Experience: This was a really fun program, and although I didn't order the full report, I had a really good time looking up everyone I know. You simply enter your first name and birth date and Presto! You have results! The only problem I had was with the drop down menus for birthdays. They didn't want to stick initially...you have to move your mouse over the numbers and then they will stay.

I think this is something fun to try and for $3.99 not a bad buy if you are looking for a profile. Please do comment if you have bought this and let us know what you think of the full report.

Specifics:
  1. Service- Spiritual Profile Online Service that combines several different "ologies" into one report.
  2. Price-Free to sample and $3.99 to buy full report
  3. Website-http://www.myspiritualprofile.com/
  4. 4. Email- There is a contact form on the site, although if you scout a bit you'll find the developers site too.
  5. 5. On the Map- This is an online service only, although the developer might be in Scotland?