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The Source: A Journey to the Heart of Your Own Personal Power; Magical Messages from Mother Shipton-Prophetess, Healer andSeer Paperback – May 12, 2011
Shot through with life-altering rituals, rites and spells, The Source guides readers to the place in their lives where true magic can finally begin Ever since she was a little girl, Ursula James has heard a voice. For years she tried to ignore it, but a personal crisis at the age of forty forced her to finally listen. That, as well as the actual appearance of the speaker-also named Ursula-at her bedside one dark and cold night. The woman who revealed herself to James was Ursula Sontheil, known as Mother Shipton, a sixteenth-century prophetess, healer, and-some say- witch. Legend has it that Mother Shipton was burned by the king's men for her heresies, and her spirit became trapped in a cave in Yorkshire. This cave had an unusual Anything taken there was turned to stone by the action of the lime-suffused waters from a nearby well. Mother Shipton used this water to create an image of herself on the wall, and then split the cave open to call the needy. Sick at heart or in body, people came to her in the cave to offer her objects in return for her healing powers.In The Source, Ursula James describes how Mother Shipton appeared before her with urgent new prophecies for our troubled times- prophecies that include spells for, as Kabbalah says, Tikkun Olam-the healing of the world. Mother Shipton asked James to put these messages into writing to share with others-and record them she did, verbatim, in this book.
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First published May 12, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 26, 2011
2.5 STARS
Review provided by Sarah for Black Lagoon Reviews:
The Source by Ursula James was most definitely not what I was expecting. I’ll be honest - I had no clue at first that this was not from the fiction section (I was at the end of the second chapter before I caught on). This is a book with rites, rituals, trances and about creating your own magic. There is no wand waving but there is a bit of soul searching.
There are parts of two life stories told within these pages. You learn a bit of Mother Shipton’s (Ursula Sontheil) life and trials and how she became legendary. You also follow along with Ursula James as she decides she wants more from life and how Mother Shipton showed her the path to the Source.
The book reads easily and is almost reminiscent of a letter from an old friend filled with advice. With each step of the journey James shares with the reader how she succeeded and sometimes failed only to try again. After all, letting go (no matter what it is we are holding on to) is almost always difficult.
If you strip everything down to the basic messages and tasks, I think even skeptics can benefit from the lessons that James/Shipton imparts. To borrow a line from James “That is true magic, to take the clay of your life and model it in your hands.”
Review provided by Sarah for Black Lagoon Reviews:
The Source by Ursula James was most definitely not what I was expecting. I’ll be honest - I had no clue at first that this was not from the fiction section (I was at the end of the second chapter before I caught on). This is a book with rites, rituals, trances and about creating your own magic. There is no wand waving but there is a bit of soul searching.
There are parts of two life stories told within these pages. You learn a bit of Mother Shipton’s (Ursula Sontheil) life and trials and how she became legendary. You also follow along with Ursula James as she decides she wants more from life and how Mother Shipton showed her the path to the Source.
The book reads easily and is almost reminiscent of a letter from an old friend filled with advice. With each step of the journey James shares with the reader how she succeeded and sometimes failed only to try again. After all, letting go (no matter what it is we are holding on to) is almost always difficult.
If you strip everything down to the basic messages and tasks, I think even skeptics can benefit from the lessons that James/Shipton imparts. To borrow a line from James “That is true magic, to take the clay of your life and model it in your hands.”
June 22, 2017
At some point in the future I'll work through this in its entirety. I honestly don't know when that will be!
This book is new age self-help heavily seasoned with modern witchcraft. Ursula James' writing is absolutely gorgeous, and the book itself is a pleasure to read. Maybe I'm just not ready for the kind of work contained herein. I keep starting and stopping the projects and rituals, which are also absolutely beautiful, for what it's worth! My biggest issue with James' process is that she advocates attempting to enter a trance state while you're laying in bed, right before you fall asleep. This is honestly a terrible idea, and I would advise against it. Why? Because the act of laying in bed sends a signal to the subconscious (it's a 'trigger' if you will) to prepare to sleep. This is why sleep therapists will advise their patients to refrain from using the bed for anything other than sleep or sex.
When you are new to these sorts of processes, attempting to enter a trance while in bed is the same as setting yourself up for failure. I can very easily enter an altered state and I have issues doing this in bed! Someone just getting their bearings will most likely throw their hands up in disgust and give up, thinking that they don't have what it takes to do this kind of work. Not true. I suggest finding time in the evening to sit in front of your altar and do this. If you don't have an altar, choose a place that is peaceful and relaxes you. Maybe light a candle so you can focus on the flame. You will likely surprise yourself with how easy it really is to change your consciousness.
This book is new age self-help heavily seasoned with modern witchcraft. Ursula James' writing is absolutely gorgeous, and the book itself is a pleasure to read. Maybe I'm just not ready for the kind of work contained herein. I keep starting and stopping the projects and rituals, which are also absolutely beautiful, for what it's worth! My biggest issue with James' process is that she advocates attempting to enter a trance state while you're laying in bed, right before you fall asleep. This is honestly a terrible idea, and I would advise against it. Why? Because the act of laying in bed sends a signal to the subconscious (it's a 'trigger' if you will) to prepare to sleep. This is why sleep therapists will advise their patients to refrain from using the bed for anything other than sleep or sex.
When you are new to these sorts of processes, attempting to enter a trance while in bed is the same as setting yourself up for failure. I can very easily enter an altered state and I have issues doing this in bed! Someone just getting their bearings will most likely throw their hands up in disgust and give up, thinking that they don't have what it takes to do this kind of work. Not true. I suggest finding time in the evening to sit in front of your altar and do this. If you don't have an altar, choose a place that is peaceful and relaxes you. Maybe light a candle so you can focus on the flame. You will likely surprise yourself with how easy it really is to change your consciousness.
January 22, 2023
“The inner reality is what matters most.” -pg 133
May 22, 2011
Article first published as Book Review: The Source by Ursula James on Blogcritics.
If told magic were real …would you believe it? If given the opportunity to learn magic from a book … would you take the chance? In The Source by Ursula James, you are given just such an opportunity. A work springing for her own inner search and discovery, part of that step to the source requires passing on the magic, and Ursula James has put together a ‘Source Book’ of learning for the uninitiated, and those wanting to find that bit of magic inherent in themselves. This book is for those believers wanting to live a life of their own, fulfilling their own dreams.
The Source is also the story of Mother Shipton, and her life and death as well as her part in the power of magic. Known as a Prophetess, healer and seer, she is a wellspring of knowledge of the secrets of magic. It is a book of journeys and passage, a road to your own power.
The book is a story and yet written in textbook style with lessons and guidance to help the user in their path. It is full of information on the phases of the moon, an integral part of the process, and set and styled with ritual, again one of the prerequisites to attaining and pursuing that dream of life.
James shares her own story as she weaves the instruction, a story of excess and heartache, a life on the verge and how she also was able to learn, to open her vision and imagination to what is available to anyone who is looking for it.
The book is set with the ritual and guidance necessary to walk this path, listing the seven trances to attain that passage. Seven is a magical number, rife with meaning and James walks you through the process and just sets the stage, allowing the reader to move at their own pace should they choose this path.
This book is both interesting and intriguing, who hasn’t wanted to have a little magic at some time in their life, Bewitched (TV Show) made it fascinating and took away some of the stigma.
I believe this would be a great book for a reading group,creating an interesting and likely heated discussion of the merits of magic. It is well written and easy to follow.
If you are even a bit interested in this subject it is thoughtful and insightful, and a different and unique vehicle to help you achieve a more meaningful life. It is a book about values and becoming a better person, an alternative to the self-help books abundantly available.
This book was received free from the author through their publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
If told magic were real …would you believe it? If given the opportunity to learn magic from a book … would you take the chance? In The Source by Ursula James, you are given just such an opportunity. A work springing for her own inner search and discovery, part of that step to the source requires passing on the magic, and Ursula James has put together a ‘Source Book’ of learning for the uninitiated, and those wanting to find that bit of magic inherent in themselves. This book is for those believers wanting to live a life of their own, fulfilling their own dreams.
The Source is also the story of Mother Shipton, and her life and death as well as her part in the power of magic. Known as a Prophetess, healer and seer, she is a wellspring of knowledge of the secrets of magic. It is a book of journeys and passage, a road to your own power.
The book is a story and yet written in textbook style with lessons and guidance to help the user in their path. It is full of information on the phases of the moon, an integral part of the process, and set and styled with ritual, again one of the prerequisites to attaining and pursuing that dream of life.
James shares her own story as she weaves the instruction, a story of excess and heartache, a life on the verge and how she also was able to learn, to open her vision and imagination to what is available to anyone who is looking for it.
The book is set with the ritual and guidance necessary to walk this path, listing the seven trances to attain that passage. Seven is a magical number, rife with meaning and James walks you through the process and just sets the stage, allowing the reader to move at their own pace should they choose this path.
This book is both interesting and intriguing, who hasn’t wanted to have a little magic at some time in their life, Bewitched (TV Show) made it fascinating and took away some of the stigma.
I believe this would be a great book for a reading group,creating an interesting and likely heated discussion of the merits of magic. It is well written and easy to follow.
If you are even a bit interested in this subject it is thoughtful and insightful, and a different and unique vehicle to help you achieve a more meaningful life. It is a book about values and becoming a better person, an alternative to the self-help books abundantly available.
This book was received free from the author through their publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
May 11, 2011
I hate to give the low rating, but this is not the type of book that we normally read, self-help. From what I read, I can say that the author wrote using her own experience and bared her sole to make the reading seemed less like an instruction book and more like a journal.
A good book for those with an open mind and believers of the power of magic. She gives instructions how to use the influence of the moon cycles and the use of rites and spells to help yourself and others.
review link: http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2011...
A good book for those with an open mind and believers of the power of magic. She gives instructions how to use the influence of the moon cycles and the use of rites and spells to help yourself and others.
review link: http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2011...
April 18, 2013
I read up to page 148. When I bought the book I didn't read the back very closely and thought it was a fantasy novel. It was $0.25 at Goodwill. The book is actually a self help guide about finding the magic in life. The author just totally lost my interest and I can't get back into it. She claims that she was actually visited by a dead witch. I don't believe that real magic actually exists. There are interesting parts. I don't hate the book but I just can't buy into all of it. So, I'm passing this book along without finishing it.
February 26, 2013
Discover your magic and bring about balance in your life with this book. Coinciding with the phases of the moon, each chapter guides you through an exercise to help bring about personal harmony and peace, which is where the source of your personal magic starts. I would recommend this book for readers looking to make a life change and are somewhat familiar with meditation and natural magic.
June 20, 2011
it wasn't that great. not what I expected.
January 26, 2012
Really good
May 1, 2015
Wonderful book. Very informative in helping ease your mind and calm your mind before following the path
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews