Spirit Allies: Meet Your Team from the Other Side
By Christopher Penczak
Weiser, 2002 ISBN 1578632145
$24.95 CDN

This text is an excellent introductory text to the concept of spirit guides for those who have not encountered the concept before. Penczak outlines the idea of entities in other forms who help us in our daily lives - i.e. totems, power animals, avatars, guardian angels etc. - and does so in a fashion which educates without going too far and too fast. By keeping his information direct and non-threatening, Penczak creates a positive and accessible collection of knowledge. Methods of protection are outlined, and exercises to work with guides and to improve the psychic abilities that everyone possesses are also included, integrated into the appropriate chapters.

The strength of Penczak's text lies in his non-religion-specific approach, allowing people of any faith access to the knowledge. The range of spirit entities varies as well, from the higher self or holy guardian angel, to angels in general, devas, nature spirits, elementals, discarnate souls, the recently deceased, ascended masters, and so on. There is also a strong emphasis on the co-creation of reality. Basic ritual techniques enable readers with no previous ritual experience to implement the exercises in safety.

Overall, this text is perfect for the friend who comes to you and says, "I think there's something in my house", or, "I think I'm hearing voices". Rather than sensationalising the spirit concept, Penczak brings it to a level which is accessible. By using personal anecdote and a clear writing style, combined with basic information and simple exercises, this book succeeds in acquainting the reader with the rudiments of the popular spirit world.

(c) 2003 A. Murphy-Hiscock. Originally published in Wyntergreene, Samhain (October) 2003.