Illuminations: The Healing of the Soul [Paperback]

Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2003

Even the most enlightened seekers can experience the Dark Night of the Soul: feelings of spiritual desolation, loneliness, and hopelessness. Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki shares a magical healing process she discovered during her own "dark night," a system based on the mystical energies of twenty-two Hebrew letters. Through prayer, meditation, and ritual work, the energies of the Hebrew letters can provide strength, wisdom, and creative power of an infinitely compassionate source.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki is one of the most respected and experienced esoteric practitioners currently at work in the British Isles.  Dolores was born in Channel Island of Jersey off the coast of France. She was trained in the Fraternity of the Inner Light and worked as a Cosmic Mediator with Walter Ernest, the Grand Maistre of British Occultism. Dolores is a third degree adept and Qabbalist.

She not only teaches the Craft but also is the current director of the Servants of the Light, a Hermetic order descended from Dion Fortune's Society of the Inner Light. She travels extensively, teaching a wide range of occult subjects to pupils in both the U.K. and United States. Ashcroft-Nowicki lives in Channel Island of Jersey with her Husband.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (May 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738701866
• ISBN-13: 978-0738701868
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #700,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Song of Silence, July 10, 2003

By 

a.m.c. custers-van bergen (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illuminations: The Healing of the Soul (Paperback)

As a student of the Occult for many years I highly recommend every book of Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki. But this book is a special one; this is the Master Magician playing the concert piano of the Holy Qabalah, performing the Music of the Spheres with such exquisit images, meditations, rituals that the Sound of the Creater becomes visible when you read the book. It moves me and toutches me deep in my heart.
I recommend this book as well for the beginning student as for the advanced student on the path of magic; Dolores is one of the greatest teachers of our time who is truly able to 'tap into the Universe' herself; she is original and inspiring.
She has the skill to make abstract ideas and images very accessible. Her writing style is very personal, when you read her book it is almost like she is sitting in your home and telling you her story, and in the mean time she seduces you to take on a gigantic amount of Work. But you know what... you will love it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compassionate and healing, July 5, 2003

By 

Anonymous in Boston (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Illuminations: The Healing of the Soul (Paperback)

I am in the process of reading this book, and will update this when I have finished it. So far, it strikes me as a profoundly healing work. Born out of her own pain, as the author states, it not only introduces the unfamiliar reader to the power of the Hebrew letters, it also contains new insights and information for those already familiar with them.

It provides the reader with clear instructions on how to work with the letters. A beautifully written prayer begins each chapter, setting the scene for her ideas about and analysis of each letter. A clear picture of each letter is included. Her instructions for how to use each letter in meditation, as well as a ritual specifically written for each letter, are all included.

In her introduction, Ashcroft-Nowicki sets out a course of study for the entire alphabet. Students can do as much with these instructions as they wish. As one follows along in the book, the idea of how to heal the self of past hurts and sadness is clearly built up. This is a powerful, compassionate process, reflecting the personality of the author of the book, and of course even more reflecting the true nature of the letters themselves.

I have known the author for many years and want to disclose this to be honest in this review. However, long before I met her I had read some of her books, and the way her writing spoke to me--the way she presents ideas--was what drew me to meet her eventually. But even if I had never met her, I would be writing an identical opinion of the book. If you have any interest in these letters, which form the basis of one of the world's great religions and also contribute so much to the Western Mystery Tradition, read this book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Illuminating experience, June 20, 2003

By 

Brian Timmins (Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illuminations: The Healing of the Soul (Paperback)

I must confess to a vested interest in any book by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki... she is my Master.

Having said that I was totally "blown away" on first reading through "Illuminations". So much so that I have put aside all my other books (I normally have about 4 or 5 on the go at anyone time) and restarted it to use it in the way it is meant to be used - as deep meditative study. I will not attempt to spoil your adventure by describing the contents, but will only catechise you to go out and buy this book.

You will not regret it.

Comment by Gareth Knight:
"This may not be the Qabalism of the library guru or of the ivory tower esotericist, but it is a sleeves-rolled-up, no-nonsense approach to practical occult development, that at the same time maintains the essential sense of reverence to the divine power that the alphabet of the secret wisdom represents."

Comment by Stanley Cohen:
"Her (Dolores) work is to be applauded as it is crucial to our humanity that we understand His ways from within ourselves. I hope that this book enables each reader to become more aware of those eternal fundamental truths that lie within his or her innermost being."