ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS
2017: South Indian Ritual Magic Clears Negative Karma in the Birthchart: Cosmos and Culture
This paper examines the practice of celestial magic in contemporary South India as it relates to the individual birth chart. Specific celestially oriented rituals can minimize the unpleasant effects of the birth chart and positively influence the planetary deities. The rituals incorporate various magical techniques including mantras, acts of worship, prayers, yantras, ceremonial offerings, icons, gemstones, and shrines. This paper is based on participant observation during a research trip to Tamil Nadu, South India. An astrologer suggested a ritual was needed to clear the negative karma he saw in my birth chart. This led to a multifaceted ritual at a 9th century snake temple, which I documented with photos and interviews. This specific site was chosen because the celestial snakes Rahu and Ketu in the Indian astrological system, were the cause of the difficult karma and would need to be approached for help clearing it. I will share the stages of this ritual, including the magical techniques and symbolic meaning of the actions taken. I will conclude with my proposal that ritual is both a container and vehicle for celestial magic.
2011: Religious Diversity on the Labyrinth: Rituals that Engage a Sacred Cosmos: Lambert Academic Publishing
2008: Astrology as Religion: Theory and Practice: Journal of Religion and Nature. Issue 1.2
2001: Harmony Society Labyrinths, Caerdroia: vol. 32 (August 2001) pp. 8-20.
POPULAR PUBLICATIONS
MoonLetter: Conversations with the Moon, a monthly understanding of the Full Moon- 2017
Coaching a Dream: Natural Awakenings Magazine, February 2009
Creative Expression in Everyday Life: Natural Awakenings Magazine, September 2008
Heart for the Holidays: Focus on What Really Matters: Natural Awakening Magazine, December 2007
Astrologically Speaking: Sacred Sites of Astrology: New Life Health and Wellness, October 2005
Astrologically Speaking: The Water Element: New Life Health and Wellness, July/August 2005
Astrologically Speaking: The Elements of Life: New Life Health and Wellness, May/June 2005
Astrologically Speaking: The Rhythm of Life: New Life Health and Wellness, March/April 2005
Seeing with the Mind: How I used Visualization to Heal my Body: New Life Health and Wellness 2/2005
Healing the Soul: Or How I learned to Phone Home: New Life Health and Wellness, January 2005
Walking into the Future Through a Labyrinth Path: New Life Health and Wellness, December 2004