Although Romani Shamanism has been practiced in Europe for hundreds of years, much of this tradition remains steeped in mystery. This is partly because most people have long viewed Gypsies with a mixture of fear and fascination, either persecuting or overly romanticizing them so that understanding falls short of what this incredible culture truly embodies.

Drawing upon personal experience, as well as stories from his grandfather and family, author Patrick Lee, one of the few remaining practicing chovihanos (Gypsy shamans) in Europe, presents a fascinating account of the history, culture and practices of the Romani peoples. Lee focuses not only on elements of healing, magic, and shamanic journeying, but also upon our deeper connectedness to plants, animals, nature spirits, the living earth, as well as the many worlds that exist simultaneously with our own.

Lee reminds us that all aspects of life -- from rocks to rain -- are sentient beings with knowledge to share if only we quiet ourselves enough to listen. For example, Gypsies look upon many animals as witty guides and teachers, often courageous in their actions, profound in their relationship to life and each other, and sometimes more advanced than ourselves. Lee also shares tales of the Biti Foki, the fairy people, and links the Romani fairy-tale form of journeying to our Indo-European past when we related to the magical, imaginative world in a much more meaningful manner.

In this respect, one of the most important bits of Lee's sage advice is that all experiences are real, no matter what they are, for they are our experiences, part of our own personal inner world, with the power to charm, transform, heal and enlighten us in myriad ways.

Patrick Lee writes with simple elegance and this book is certainly one of the best you will find on Romani shamanism, and perhaps shamanism in general. Lee offers a great deal of knowledge in an engaging, entertaining and utterly enjoyable format.

~Review by Dawn Brunke

Although you might think this book is about the tales of King Arthur, the knights and the Holy Grail, it is actually about "the sought after unity of soul and spirit…the attainment of the peaceable kingdom that can only be achieved after a spiritual quest."

Kathleen Jacoby receives the message "find the Grail" during a moment of meditation while walking with a friend. As she asks people what they know about the Grail, she is led to others almost like a scavenger hunt, with each person contributing more to the riddle of the true meaning of the Grail.

Among other things, Jacoby discovers that the reason everything is currently more intense is due to an attunement process whereby we are forced to face our past fears and judgments. It's getting harder to blame somebody else for things not working in our own life. Also, reaching out heart to heart with others is a risk, but we're not here to be safe.

Other insights include changing our diets to help clear physical conduits for higher electrical frequencies. Positive thinking will clear the emotional body and refine our field of perception so that we can maintain higher vibrations. By clearing our physical bodies, mental capacities and emotional baggage, we'll be better able to recognize what's in front of us.

Overall, Jacoby discovers that the process of finding the Grail is to 1) simplify life, concentrating more on being than doing; 2) be aware that we are not here to be safe; and 3) give up our history. The result is becoming a clearer, more objective version of oneself so as to hold a tone and resonate in such a way as to portray a living light.

This book scared me, inspired me, informed me and comforted me. Read it!

~ Review by Sue Walsh

Do you have a book to recommend? Would you like to write a guest book review? Please call or e-mail Dawn Brunke at (907) 373-4667 or brunke@matnet.com.