Carry on the Flame: Ultimate Magic

"Visionary fiction speaks the language of the soul"

  

During this time of the upcoming full moon, my newest novel, Book Two of Carry on the Flame: Ultimate Magic just released. This is right on the heels of Book One of Carry on the Flame: Destiny's Call receiving four awards, including being an award winning finalist in the USA Books 'Best Books of 2011' for New Age fiction.

Ultimage Magic is an urban fantasy, magical realism, visionary fiction novel for adults and young adults alike. It is fourth in the Goddess of the Stars and the Sea series, and is an initiatory experience into the mysteries of the divine feminine in union with the divine masculine through visionary fiction.

“I am that which is at the end of all longing.
The love you desire is within.”

~The Goddess of the Stars and the Sea

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Carry on the Flame: Ultimate Magic Book Two

Born into a lineage of priestesses in modern day Glastonbury, England, Sharay is chosen by the Goddess of the Stars and the Sea to help humankind move through the fear and chaos of today’s world. To do so, she has to face her grief, loss, and her own dark side. Her way is blocked by her jealous Aunt Phoebe, who uses black magic against Sharay to steal her fortune and her magical powers. When Phoebe accuses her of insanity and murder, it’s the elder, eccentric wizard Dillon who sets Sharay on the Celtic ‘Imram,’ a quest designed to awaken her magical abilities as a priestess. And it’s Dillon’s grandson Guethyn who shows Sharay how to open her heart in the Beltaine Ritual, the ancient Celtic ceremony of sacred union.

Hunted by the police, stalked by a demonic Tracker conjured by her aunt, and torn from everyone she loves, Sharay struggles with the temptation to fight Phoebe’s dark powers with her own. She must transform her fear and hatred for her aunt in order to uncover the mystery held deep within her cells that will allow her to fulfill her destiny – a secret only she can discover. When separated from Guethyn’s protection, Sharay continues on her Imram alone, in this spellbinding conclusion to Carry on the Flame.

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You can view the book trailer here:

You can purchase Carry on the Flame: Ultimate Magic here.

Ultimate Magic has some wonderful endorsements so far:

This book is a revelation of deep spiritual truths that are the foundation for a new humanity based on love. It is a page turner with a profound message that might change your life.

~Tiziana DellaRovere, author and founder of Adorata, the spiritual path of Enlovement

If you feel you are not listening to your most authentic heart and want to, Sharay's bumpy journey is yours. If you have ever felt you have a calling or a mission in life that you resisted or if you are experiencing the challenges of stepping up to meet that call, Sharay's journey is yours.

~Alissa Lukara, author and founder of Transformational Writers

If you have not yet discovered the magical and visionary work of Jodine Turner, now is the time.

~ Kathleen McGowan, International bestselling author

This gripping tale of magic and adventure, set in both ancient and modern Britain, should appeal to lovers of Celtic fantasy everywhere!

~Mara Freeman, author and Director of the Avalon Mystery School

Carry on the Flame is an exciting read for modern day people who love the Divine Feminine; with intrigue, fighting the dark arts, and the challenges of facing a great destiny. This is a Goddess- inspired page turner you won't put down until the end.
 ~Kathy Jones, author, Priestess of Avalon Initiator and teacher.

  

Carry on the Flame: Destiny's Call

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A book Blessing ceremony

I love my writing group. We've been together for 7 years. Published authors, nearly published authors, and editors. At our recent one day writing retreat we took the day to, well, write of course. But
we also collaged our novels. I love the right brain exploration and the surprise of what wants to show up when I collage. I got a lot of inspiration for my next novel and was able to write the first
chapter that day. It was a day to nourish our muses. And of course we all contributed delicious food to nourish our bodies. But the highlight for me was the surprise gift of a book blessing ceremony from
my group.

My group led me to Ashland's Lithia Park for my book blessing. The park centers around a huge and swiftly flowing creek. Both creek banks are flanked by walking paths, trees, greenery, and brightly colored azaleas and rhodendrons. It's one of those magical places that I return to again and again to receive nature's rejuvenation. It works everytime, and no less so for this special occasion. We gathered beside the creek, at the foot of one of the many wooden bridges that criss-cross the creek. Everyone, including me, stated a blessing and intention for my novel Carry on the Flame. Each woman had a powerful and prophetic piece to offer. Among the many blessings were wishes for a far-reaching readership, for success on all the levels that were important to me, for joy in taking on a new identity with  my third novel, and wishes that the Goddess of the Stars and the Sea's energy that permeates my novels would help humankind navigate our world's turbulence with love.

We crossed the bridge single file to symbolically step into sacred space for the continuation of the ceremony. I was handed a basket of stones and was instructed to take them, one at a time, name something I wanted to let go of, and release the stone along the path or creek. Since my book is about the transformations our destiny's require of us all, quite a few things came to mind! After tuning in more deeply, I chose to let go of things like self doubt, control, and worry. Those things that I wrestle with in writing as in life.

We crossed another bridge to symbolically enter what was called sanctified space. My group put a beautiful green velvet, beaded pillow on a picnic bench for me to sit on. A bowl of creek water infused with water from Glastonbury's Chalice Well and Spikenard essential oil was placed at my feet. One by one, my fellow authors washed and consecrated my feet for my authorship and book's journey. Sanctifying and blessing. They let me sit in silence alone to quietly embrace the special blessings the oils and foot washing represented.

I carried a candle and joined them where they waited for me across yet another bridge for the final part of the ritual. A park bench was adorned with soft, colorful cloths and flanked with more candles. Such
a beautiful throne to sit on. Our group facilitator read information gathered about the number 13 - August 13th being the birthdate of Carry on the Flame into the world. Far from being an unlucky
number, 13 has some extraordinary meanings. It is the number of months in a lunar cycle based calender; it signifies cleansing and purification; and it is the number associated with Mother Mary. This particular August 13th was also a full moon (in Aquarius - what an auspicious book birthdate). A group member presented me with two photos of the full moon as it processed across the nighttime sky. This fellow author was awakened from sleep with the urge to go outside and take these photographs, unaware that my book was being delivered at exactly that time.

To complete the ceremony, the group sang me a song. Putting my book title and themes to the tune of The Age of Aquarius, my writer friends turned chorus singers showed their awesome creativity yet again.

I cherish my writing group. And I can honestly say, the book blessing they gifted me with is something I will also cherish for the rest of my days. Thank you Shoshana, Alissa, Maggie, Lori, and Nancy.
You're the best.


photo by Alissa Lukara

If you create the space the muse will come

I don’t write every day. I write most days. And I have written eight or more hours a day for days in a row when inspiration comes strongly. That creative inspiration can be all consuming...and I love that feeling, that passion, that juiciness!

I find this quote from Joseph Campbell crucial to the days I write:

“You must have a room, or a certain hour or so a day, where you don't know what was in the newspapers that morning, you don't know who your friends are, you don't know what you owe
anybody, you don't know what anybody owes to you. This is a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be. This is the place of creative
incubation. At first you may find that nothing happens there. But if you have a sacred place and use it, something eventually will happen.”

And this gem  from Jan Phillips always inspires me:
I believe from her book entitled, "Marry Your Muse" c 2002
 
 The Artist's Creed
I believe I am worth the time it takes to create
    whatever I feel called to create.

I believe that my work is worthy of its own space,
    which is worthy of the name Sacred.

I believe that, when I enter this space,
 I have the right to work in silence, uninterrupted,
    for as long as I choose.

I believe that the moment I open myself to the gifts of the Muse,
       I open myself to the Source of All creation
   and become One With the Mother of Life Itself.

I believe that my work is joyful, useful and constantly changing,
 flowing through me like a river with no beginning and no end.

I believe that what it is I am called to do will make itself known
    when I have made myself ready.

I believe that the time I spend creating my art is as precious
    as the time I spend giving to others.

I believe that what truly matters in the making of art
 is not what the final piece looks like or sounds like,
    not what it is worth or not worth,
but what newness gets added to the universe
in the process of the piece itself becoming.

I believe that I am not alone in my attempts to create,
and that once I begin the work, settle into the strangeness,
the words will take shape, the form find life, and the spirit take flight.

I believe as the Muse gives to me, so does she deserve from me:
    faith, mindfulness and enduring commitment.