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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best on the subject, June 22, 2009
This review is from: Spirit Speak: Knowing and Understanding Spirit Guides, Ancestors, Ghosts, Angels, and the Divine (Paperback)
Living in and around Philadelphia, I had heard a lot about Ivo Dominguez over the years, but never got to meet him personally until just recently. I ran in Buddhist and Ceremonial Magick circles, he ran more with the Pagan crowd. There was a lot of overelap, and people kept telling me that we should meet, but it just never happened. When I saw that my publisher, New Page Books, had picked up Ivo's book Spirit Speak, I figured this would be a good chance to see what this guy is all about. If I had only known how good he really was, I would have made a special effort to meet him years ago.
Spirit Speak is exactly what it says it is and more. Many books like this tend to try to make encyclopedic lists of spirits and mythical creatures that stem from different cultures the world over. These occult taxonomies are interesting to read but have little to offer in the way of practical information. Dominguez avoids this pitfall by dealing with large general groups of spirits that the practitioner is likely to encounter, and than makes subdivisions within each category. Rather than rely exclusively upon tradition for these divisions, the author parses on the basis of the observable qualities of the beings. In so doing he provides a genuinely useful taxonomy of the occult that describes the nature, behaviors, and ways in which we can communicate with the spirits.
But the book offers more than just information on spirits. In the first four chapters he presents his vision of the subtle body, examples of various levels of spirit contact, common impediments to communication, and exercises for facilitating contact and for dealing with problems that can arise from spirit contact. These potent exercises are original and won't be found anywhere else. The emerald heart technique alone is worth the price of admission. These exercises and rituals are fleshed out further in the appendixes of the book.
The book is not written in the voice of a Witch or Ceremonial Magician, though it is clear Dominguez has a profound understanding of both. This book is written simply from the perspective of one who knows. Spirits are spirits after all, and tech is tech no matter what tradition of magick or witchcraft you approach from. Not to be smug, but after twnty plus years of intense study and practice, there are few occult books that I learn a lot from anymore. I learned quite a bit from this book, which is the highest recommendation that I can give.
Jason Miller,
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A rare and valuable treatise on nature of spiritual world, November 23, 2008
This review is from: Spirit Speak: Knowing and Understanding Spirit Guides, Ancestors, Ghosts, Angels, and the Divine (Paperback)
I had the pleasure of attending several of Ivo's workshops at the Harvest Home Gathering festival in 2008. He is the quintessential teacher and his evident authority over his chosen subjects translate seamlessly into his writing. I must warn you that if you're looking for yet another book on how to contact spirits or become more psychic, you will find little of that in "Spirit Speak". Although Ivo does refer to exercises and practices that would enable spirit communication, "Spirit Speak" focuses more on the nature of the spirit world. None of the material is speculative, but a direct result of wisdom acquired over many years of practice and collaboration with other talented seers. "Spirit Speak" does not sugar-coat, paint a picture of dancing cherubs and New Age spirit guides. Nor does it inflate unnecessarily the role humans play in spirit contact. There are theories and views presented in "Spirit Speak" that I've yet to see anywhere else. And the language used therein reminds me of my old university texts, so be forewarned. This isn't an easy read or even a one-time read. I see myself referring to this book and re-reading it entirely over the length of my practice. Anyone who wishes to deepen their spiritual experience and be more than a passive observer (or likes to visit the local psychic parlour) should read this book.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Insight into the Realm of the Otherworld, June 18, 2008
This review is from: Spirit Speak: Knowing and Understanding Spirit Guides, Ancestors, Ghosts, Angels, and the Divine (Paperback)
Ivo Dominguez, Jr., in his book Spirit Speak, provides a clear and concise approach to working with the realm of the other world based on his years of study and personal experience. This book not only provides excellent insight into working with the ancestors, spirit guides and so forth, but also provides practical advice for the spiritual practitioner looking to broaden his or her practice.
Ivo understands the challenges, trials, and tribulations that come with higher workings, and he helps his reader by providing exercises to help prepare for those challenges. His is a much more thorough and thoughtful approach than one might see in many of the books available on the market. Many of these exercises have applications that can be used under many other circumstances.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in spirit contact, working directly with divine embodiment and understanding the guiding spirits that wish to support humanity.
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