Customer Reviews

Illuminations: The Healing of the Soul

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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.

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.

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."

...then this is your book! As the Shinging Paths takes you up the tree of life, Illuminations will take you down starting with Aleph and ending with Tau. Each letter has a meditation, a pathworking, a poem and a ritual. Beautifully written.

This is a beautiful book, from its page layout and illustrations to the wonderful poetry and prose within. As an example allow me to quote an appropriate section:

The letter Peh: Mouth

Through thee let me praise
the One True Creator
the One who is above all
and by whom we are made manifest.
Be thou my way of speech.
Let my tongue be guided by thee
that my words may be fair to all.

I think that short excerpt says it all. Dolores is a living example of devotion and loving kindness.

The first book of Dolores' that I read was the "Shining Paths". I then bought this book. I was so moved and inspired by it that I put together a course that I teach using "Illuminations" for the wonderful, guided meditations that Dolores does so well. This book has expanded my mind and given me immense insight into such a beautiful, magical language. The Hebrew Letters, from Aleph to Tav, have such power, such majesty, such wisdom and love to share with us. Dolores gives us the opportunity to open up to the letters and allow them into our lives. Thank you, Dolores.

poetic writings on each of the hebrew letters to help you understand tarot and the qaballah tree of light and can be applied to other learnings on pathworking includes psalms that kind of bugged me in a kneejerk reaction however they are very applicable and not random judeochristian bible verse or rote. her other books on pathworking are excellent mmust haves

How can one write a review of a book you have written ??All I can say is that this book came out of a time when my belief in myself, my faith, and my purpose in life was at an all time low.I was lifted out of this apathy when I picked up a book on the Hebrew letters and began to first..to meditate on them and then to write a prayer to go with each one. Out of those prayers came a renewal of faith in myself and what I believed in.

There are times in our lives when everyone of us comes to an emotional brick wall and we can only sit and look at it. Then along comes one small idea.. a glimmer of light/hope and suddenly the bricks begin to come down.

I wrote this firstly to clarify what was happening to me... then to let others know that there is always hope. In the story of Pandora she lets all the ills and bad things out of the box... BUT the last thing of all to emerge is HOPE. In order to know/find Hope you have to experience all the disasters first otherwise you donr recognises hope when you finally meet it.
Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki