Please take the time to check out http://princesssarahg.blogspot.ca/
under the Team Member Reviews tab to read two reviews for my paranormal, magic realism book Severed Ties.
Thank you Kami and Christy for your kind words :)
FAE BOOKS - Publicist, Blogger, Reviewing Team
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@ WifeySarahG
@FaeBooks Wishing you the joys of spring!
At last! On the Edge, originally published by Club Lighthouse Publishing in May 2010 has been completely revised. Now titled "AT THE EDGE."
This week I posted an exclusive excerpt for my readers to get glimpse of the YA, magic realism, paranormal book. I'm leaving this excerpt up for only a few days, and then will be taking the read down. I'm excited to search for aYA book publisher to discover the best home for the new and improved story.
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About the Book "AT THE EDGE," - Real people developing relationships; while Carm is struggling to pick up the pieces after the death of her husband.
Two Quick Questions - 1. How important is it to you to create likeable characters?
I portray the characters inner characteristics and emotions as they struggle with issues of their own. The characters are realistic that the readers will believe. Tough and practical Paige takes command; Roxy under a watchful eye intimidates; always helpful Lizzy goes with the flow and Carm is consumed with sorrow and mental anguish. Gretchen, a witch is a welcome relief from life's pressures. To add support and conflict to the story are Thomas a friend everyone wants to deserve and Philip is certainly not safe to trust.
2. What do you most hope that readers will take away from the book?
In this book I provide a unique insight into the drug world and mysticism – addiction and the belief that direct knowledge of ultimate reality is attainable through intuition and the unseen world. I hope the reader will begin to believe if you change your choices while guided by Spirit you can change your life for the better.
Stop bt http://Witchskel.wordpress.com to read an EXCLUSIVE excerpt. Remember to forward this to your friends...so they too can check it out!
Smile and the world Smiles with you!
:-)
Each Soul,
Descending to the physical,
from the spiritual,
from the moment of conception,
the thread of life is given,
to make it what it will. Individual threads drift steadily,
coming together,
align for a brief period,
separating, moving on. Each soul,
lives life ageing,
some longer than others,
the ill and the old pass,
the young come into being,
it all comes full circle,
each ends as it begins. Fate is dictated by moments, you can neither, expect or control. The Three Aspects of the Incarnation of Fate,
Clotho, who spins the the thread of life,
Lachesis, who measures them,
Atropos, who cuts them,
and then the soul moves on,
to the Afterlife. 
Although no easy task,
The Three Faces of Fate,
the ultimate workers,
the ultimate weavers,
measure the threads of life,
weave the tapestry,
spin the pattern,
properly integrated,
determined by interactive compromise,
between positive and negative,
the whole universe balance,
weighing their differences,
to bring harmony,
instead of pitting them against one another in dicord,
to keep the threads orderly.
Pictures taken by me of the Statues at Heart Castle - The Castle in the Sky
Hearst Castle is a National and California Historical Landmark mansion located on the Central Coast of California, United States Hearst Castle is located near the unincorporated community of San Simeon, California, approximately 250 miles (400 km) from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, and 43 miles (69 km) from San Luis Obispo at the norther end of San Luis Obispo County. The estate itself is five miles (eight kilometers) inland atop a hill of the Santa Lucia Range at an altitude of 1,600 feet (490 m). The region is sparsely populated because the Santa Lucia Range abuts the Pacific Ocean, which provides dramatic seaside vistas but few opportunities for development and hampered transportation. The surrounding countryside visible from the mansion remains largely undeveloped. Its entrance is adjacent to San Simeon State Park. Hearst Castle was built on Rancho Piedra Blanca that William Randolph Hearst's father, George Hearst, originally purchased in 1865. The younger Hearst grew fond of this site over many childhood family camping trips. He inherited the ranch, which had grown to 250,000 acres (1,012 km2) [3] and fourteen miles (21 km) of coastline, from his mother Phoebe Hearst in 1919. [4] Although the large ranch already had a Victorian mansion, the location selected for Hearst Castle was undeveloped, atop a steep hill whose ascent was a dirt path accessible only by foot or on horseback over five miles (8 km) of cutbacks. Hearst first approached American architect Julia Morgan [3] with ideas for a new project in April 1915, shortly after he took ownership. Hearst's original idea was to build a bungalow, according to a draftsman who worked in Morgan's office who recounted Hearst's words from the initial meeting: "I would like to build something upon the hill at San Simeon. I get tired of going up there and camping in tents. I'm getting a little too old for that. I'd like to get something that would be a little more comfortable."
Snake Years are sixth in the cycle, following the Dragon Years, and recure every twelfth year. The Chinese New Year does not fall on specific date, so it is essential to check the calendar to find the exact date on which each Snake Year actually begins.
1905* 1917* 1929* 1941* 1953* 1965* 1977* 1989* 2001
February 10, 2013 signals the dawn of the Chinese New Year, and 2013 is the Year of the Water Snake! With all the attendant luck its Water element brings, the Snake is projected to bring exciting and challenging events this year!
Water Snake energy in 2013 will allow you to strengthen your relationships and make progress toward your goals! Some barriers break down, opening you up for great new things. Ride the wave of opportunity!
Through out the world, the snake has long been reguarded with awe and respect - and quite justifiably, too.
Walls and doors present no barrier to them, while to make an emeny of one could well turn out to be fatal. Not surprisingly, this powerful and mysterious creature became an object of worship among many ancient cultures, and even today snake temples still exist in India and Malaysia Westwen mythology, meanwhile, has a long associated the snake with the Underworld - which perhaps accounts for our instinctive fascination and dread at the sight of one in the hands of a snake charmer.
In Chinese astrology the Snake is the complement to the Dragon, both signs forming the House of Mystery. But while the Dragon represents the extrovert magician, brash and guady, the subtle Snake symbolizes the hidden aspect of mystery and occult knowledge. Like the Dragon, the Snake is a sign of good fortune for the Chinese, who believe it to be the guardian of burial treasure. Some are relucant to kill snakes which enter the house, no matter how dangerous, since there is a chance they might bring wealth with them.
Since snakes are closly in tune with the earth, and usually make their home there, the Chinese believe them to be particulary sensitive to the onset of earthquakes. As a consequence, the Snake year is said to be one in which earthquakes are more than usually severe - witness the disastrous events in China and Armenia which proceded the San Francisco earthquake in the Snake year 1989.
Such catastrophes are likely to be matched by policital up heavals. Coups, conspiracies and the ballot box are the means by which governments are overthrown, for it is a rime of internal revolution rather than war Similarly, in business, the dangers are not from takeover bids by outside companies, but through intrigue and insider dealing.
Yet the snake year is also a period when the needs of the environment are hightened. There is greater awareness of the value of the earth's resources, and 'green' issues come to fore.
Generally speaking, it is not such a favourable time to embark on any new ventures or risky projects. The year is best taken up with intitial planning, research and feasibility studie; caution is the key to survial.
How will you fare in the Snake year:
The Rat- this is not a good year for the Rat. But whatever th setbacks, ood will result - often in a surprising way.
The Ox- an excellent year for the Ox prsonality. Routine givs way to welcome change and brings exciting prospects
The Tiger- this year all kinds of unexpected hindrances, such as bureaucratic or legal tangles, impede the Tiger's progress.
The Hare- a year of extremely satisfying progress for the Hare. Both business anromance have a satisfactory outcome.
The Dragon- matters begun last year come to a satisfactory conclusion. Finaces may be reduced slightly, but will be more secur.
The Snake- an ideal time for the Snake to strike. Both in career and relationships, there should be positive results.
The Horse- moderate success might be found this year. It is neither good nor bad; the usual benefits, the usual problems.
The Sheep- Those sheep who favour the quiet life and are realistic in their ambitions will find this a happy and successful year.
The Monkey- a time when the Monkey's schemes and plots may come to grief. It is advisable to play matters very carefully.
The Rooster- a satisfactory time. Many problems from the past will be smoothed out, making the way ahead much clearer.
The Dog- problems will rear their heads, and it is best to be prepared for unxpected delays. Do not push ahead to vigorously.
The Pig- a disappointing year, especially where family is concerned. It is advisable not to consider ambitions plans.
*****
Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen because it means your family will not starve. This could be taken metaphorically to mean that a Snake could never have a problem with his family starving because he is such a great mediator, making him good at business. Or it could mean that a Snake would be willing to sacrifice his possessions, something the Snake has a lot of, in order to pay for his family’s food. Any way it is interpreted is representative of the Snake’s character and is a measure of the value he puts on his material wealth. The Snake is keen and cunning, quite intelligent and wise.
I would like to thank my readers who rushed out to bookstores to read my paranormal book Severed Ties. http://DamnationBooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615728206 Till Death and Beyond - The bond of love can bring two forbidden opposites together. Till Death and Beyond opens with a teenage girl named Zoe, inexperienced in witchcraft, in the woods on a Full Moon cast a spell for a love she feels is lost to her. The teenager new to magic, is careless of her words for her desire. The spirit of a maiden witch appears. At first the teenager is afraid of the ghostly figure, and then her curiosity calms her nerves. The Spirit tells the tale how she and the love of her life were separated by ignorance. Zoe, the teenage girl experiments with magic to reunite the Spirit with her long lost love. As a direct result of the long hours I spent reading the history of witchcraft my novella Till Death and Beyond was created. The main conflict in the short read is the Puritans attempting to keep evil from tarnishing their community and the witches strong belief based on the oneness of self an nature. Puritans against the witches. What happened and what it meant. Historically the Puritans and witches were two very different groups of people with two very different belief systems. Puritan America was based on clear roles between men, women, and God. Witchcraft served as a system of explanations for the ways of nature and a method by which one could gain control over their life. Witches were considered enemies to their God. Puritans linked witchcraft with the devil and hell because their first responsibility was to serve one God. The Biblical regulative principle of worship and commandments was the puritan blueprint toward that duty. Witchcraft became a crime against the church to rid those who did not dedicate themselves to their faith. They became known as immoral and wicked people even though their faith exsisted long before the Purtian's belief system did. I had a very specific idea in mind when I wrote Till Death and Beyond a love story between Emery a Puritan and Frye a witch and the petty rivalry connecting the two faith driven neighbors. The main conflict between the Puritans and the witches' belief systems is the the theme of the romantic story. I wanted to tell the important elements that are in the traditions and of the similarities and difference among them. I hope to say to the reader the story isn't strictly romantic; it will have some history. Check out the first chapter Till Death and Beyond at http://AngieSkelhorn.com/book-trailer-till-death--beyond.html Read an Author Interviews at http://BookGoodies.com/?s=Angie+Skelhorn Join me on Face Book - http://Facebook.com/pages/Author-Angie-Skelhorn-Witchskel/106332176093960 Publisher Link -http://Clublighthousepublishing.com/productpage.asp?bNumb=232
Season of Solstice Work:
Solstice - either of the two points in the ecliptic (the first points of the sign Cancer and Capricorn respectively) at which the sun is furthest from the equator and consequently appears to pause and turn in course: the time when the sun reaches these two points in its orbit, about 21st June and about 21st December.
Around December 21, the Sun enters Capricorn and witches celebrate the Winter Solstice.
In the Northern Hemisphere the Winter Solstice around December 21, marks the beginning of winter and occurs when the North Pole is tilted away from the sun. The word Solstice literally means "standing still." At the Winter Solstice the sun rises, stands still, for a brief moment,then quickly dwindles to disappear beneath the horizon.
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Yule, one of the four lesser Sabbats, takes place each year around December 25. Legend of Santa Claus-Santa is the Holly King, the sleigh is the Solar Chariot, the eight Sabbats and the horns represent the Horn God, the North Pole symbolizes the Land of the Shadows and the dying solar year, and the gifts meant both to welcome the Oak King as the sun reborn and as a reminder of the gift of the Holly King who must depart for the Oak King to rule.
This is a great time to reflect upon the past and make plans for your future as the Sun illumines a pathway toward the achievement of your goals.  Three days before Winter Solstice - Yule:
Contemplation
Thought
Preparation
First Quest of Mastery -
to be granted an identity Discover your roots...your idenity in this world.
If you seek to understand the whole universe, you will understand nothing at all...but seek to understand yourself, and you will come to understand the whole universe.
It can take a life time to understand who you are and your purpose in life.
Live your outer life as a leader, while maintaining the heart and conscience of a Pagan.
The Eve of Winter Solstice - A Midwinter's Dream:
The main ancient formulae guidelines in magic are followed: An herb, a flower and a tree make three.
Herb - sacred to God Form or Spirit Guide being called, Flower - mistletoe, Tree - oak leaf or bark
Incense Dragon's Blood - the breath of the Dragon - burn incense for good psychic atmosphere to be felt.
On the eve of the shortest day call upon your God Form or Spirit Guide to make their will known (speak to your higher power ).
Trust the road you take is a guided one. Just because your God Form or Spirit Guide insn't here in body doesn't mean their love isn't with you.
To call forth Elders from the Deep, one need only to pass into sleep with palms of both hands upon the cheek.
Pose your question. ASK: "Please tell me how to continue; in what direction
shall I search, and for what end?"
Search the depths of the inner world. Leave not a single dream darkened -
until you know beyond doubt who you are, and why you are here; search out your identy...your own destiny.
Remember that dreams are the true interpreters of our desires. To say 'it is
only a dream' is a foolish thing.
Keep moving forward until your dreams come true. Of course, you’ll encounter
obstacles along the way, but you should try to see them as tests of your will and motivation, rather than as setbacks. Seeing obstacles as stepping-stones to success, rather than as barriers, will help you evolve to ever-higher states of awareness.
 Morning of Winter Solstice - Yule
At dawn on the Shortest Day light a small Yule fire of oak, and then triumpt rebirth with bells and boughs of everygreen. Hold a chalice filled with promagrant juice and toast the morning sun. Trust your intial respomse. Follow your intuitions. Ritual inspired by The 21 Lessons of Merlyn A Study in Druid Magic & Lore by Douglas Monroe
-Yule Sabbat-Green Witchcraft SeriesAuthor Ann Moura
http://Annmourasgarden.com
"Keep your eye on the bunny and bird," is a Faery expression meaning that the answers you seek are in nature. Birds are the harbinger of growth and promise. The morning of Winter Solstice, Yule 2012, in the new-fallen snow a Cardinal was the first bird I saw come by and stayed for a meal. The Cardinal represents self-worth, an aspect of one's personality---value - that quality which renders you valuable (important). To see a cardinal or find a cardinal feather means fortunes await love.
The origin of ghosts is always traced to death and it is an accepted fact that spirits are an after death effect. Every human is composed of two elements - prakrita or body, the physical form and sukshma/jivatma, the motivating energy which is metaphysical and invisible, only experienced as soul. When a person dies, deha or the physical form decomposes, but the jivatma, soul or invisible form transmigrates as part of the renewal process of the universe. It is the oorjam or chaitanya which drives the human to function. In Death and After, V R Krishna Iyer, former justice of the Supreme Court, says "physical termination is not physical extinction''...''death is not termination of life; it is only a punctuation". A verse in the Bhagwad Gita says: "Never was the spirit born; neither will it cease to be; It is beyond time; ends and beginnings are dreams; Birthless, deathless and changeless remains the spirit forever; Death hath not touched it at all, dead though the house of it seems." The soul is the energy of life; it can neither be created nor destroyed. It is indestructible. In metapsychosis the energy gets transmitted from one medium to another. Ancients practised this transfer of energy (transmigration of souls. The Gita says, ''In death, all are not equal - circumstances, age, maturity of the deceased - all these factors determine post-death conseque-nces.'' One who has led a full life is completely satisfied, with no unfulfilled desires nor regrets; who has led a happy life - when he dies, his soul gets an eternal sleep and it goes millions of miles above the stratosphere and reaches the land of bliss; joining the celestial world with the ancestors. En route it has only to pass through some correction centres (listed in the Garuda Purana) to answer some omissions or commissions while alive, which any mortal is bound to commit. Once desires are completely exhausted, the birth- death cycle ends with God-realisation. In the land of bliss the departed souls do not enjoy heavenly life forever. They come back to the cycle of life depending on their actions. The spirit of one who commits suicide is not qualified to leave this world and so the spirit wanders and wanders as a floating ghost until someone gives it an ethereal transmission. No one wants to communicate with a floating spirit. Depending upon the circumstances as above, the character and nature of the ghosts differ. A ghost is always a ghost and it is a dreaded thing. Depending upon their potency, ghosts can be friendly or unfriendly, harmful or benign. The nature of the ghost depends upon its origin. Ghosts are known by several names depending on their potency and characteristics. They are referred to variously as ghosts, goblins, gnomes, ghouls, vampires, witches, imps, werewolves and pishachas or wild spirits. There are several manifestations possible in the period after death and these remain a mystery to us. They can be revengeful, cruel, harmful or they could be entirely harmless and soft depending on their origin. There are also a rowdy bunch of ogres, demons and dwarfs who do no harm nor kill, but are mischief-mongers and play pranks to unnerve a person. On the other side, there are sweet angels (equivalent to devatas of Hindu mythology) who constitute the hierarchy and potency of ghosts. The bodhisattvas, too, come in this category. Source: The Times of India http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-13/edit-page/33168290_1_ spirit-death-soul 8/17/12 #684 http://www.conspiracyjournal.com
 Jack was a special friend. He had been with my family since 1953. He was there during the good and hard times. For a period of nine years I personally cared for him. He was kind to me. He came home to celebrate Yule 2011, and then he died.
On Wednesday May 9, the day of his birth and buriel there were moments of wonder.
It was eight am. I awoke, brewed myself a coffee, and then went straight to my black glass table and sat. With a vanilla scented candle burning I prayed for help and strength to carry out what had been put off for months. Fighting through the pain of how he died I composed his Farewell Blessing. I found the words that met my needs.
I read the final draft to my Dad. My anxious look faded into a smile so warm and happy when his voice vibrated with pleasure, pleased by what I wrote.
I was in the bathroom in the middle of getting ready when my purse flew off the table and landed on the floor with a loud thud.
"Oh, Jack's mad at you," my Dad said with a chuckle.
"No, he is letting us know he is here," I told him.
My dad, a friend and I climbed into the van. We closed the doors. Dad put the key in the ignition and then started the vehicle. Almost immediately the song Over You, by Miranda Lambert played in the background. Miranda's voice holds divine spark. Her sound is rich in feeling. The haunting melody of the song harnessess the pure emotion of the day, and the words are interwoven with the reality of our situation. The singer/song writer is able to bring me back to the moment of my friend's passing. On the short ride I felt Jack's presence in the seat beside me. By the time we reached our destination the song finished.
Once we arrived at the cemetery the planning director met us in the diveway. "Would you like to take Jack on his finale ride?" he asked standing alongside the vehicle, holding out his urn.
"I do," I said. My hands grasped him. Taking my friend for a ride in the van was a last wish he had and I could grant.
My Dad parked in front of the burial site. I walked across the cemetery green, holding my friend's remains. I placed him by his grave marker.
It was a grand morning. The sun shone bright in the baby blue sky. A few white fluffy clouds floated by. The song birds sang and the trees were silent of rustle. The mourners stood by the gravesite for nearly an hour sharing memories. And then came the Farewell Blessing. To bless his endless life went as follows:
"We join to bless John 'Jack' Gibbons on his passing into the Otherworld. Grant, O Higher Powers, Jack protetion, strength, And in strength, understanding, And in understanding, knowledge, And in knowledge, justice, And in justice, the love of it, And in the love, the love of all life, And in that love of all life, The love of Spirit and all goodness.
Jack - You died a mineral and became a plant,
You died a plant and rose to an animal,
You died as an animal and you became a man.
You are never less by dying.
Yet, Once more you shall die as man, to soar in the blessed realm, but even from spirithood, You must pass on -
Enjoy your journey our friend. May it be an adventure. Blessed Be."
After the service bouquets of sunflowers were plaed on my grandparents, uncles and Jack's gravemarkers. Sunflower is a plant of the genus Hellianthus with yellow flowers, is ruled by the sun, and because of its circular, rayed shape, symbolizes the sun. It is a powerful charm against evil spirits. If you sleep with a sunflower under your bed, you will learn the truth about whatever you wish.
We then did what our friend liked to do best. We went to our favorite restaurant for lunch. What to eat took second plae to discussing our experiences we had with our companion. I found myself content beause in my heart and mind I know we did right by him.
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