Thursday, December 27, 2012

The January New Moon Is Out--Check Your Inbox



For those of you who currently subscribe to our email newsletter for booksellers, The Moon, you may have noticed a few changes.

We've streamlined the look, included new features, and christened it with a new moniker: The New Moon. As with this blog, our goal is to really connect with you, our selling partners, each month and offer support, guidance, and resources with the aim of helping you grow and thrive in this ever-changing market.

Our January issue of the New Moon was mailed yesterday. This issue includes:
-Booksellers as Love Counselors
-Shelftalkers (Witchy Crafts, Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences, Your Psychic Self, and Haunted Route 66)
-February New Releases
-Llewellyn's Spring/Summer 2013 Catalog
-Indie Stores' Top Five Picks
-And Much More!

If you did not receive a copy in your email inbox, you can also view it here: The New Moon, January 2013 Issue.

You can also visit our website to subscribe to The New Moon, ensuring that it reaches you each month (please note that you will need to log in/register to be able to join our mailing list).

Monday, December 17, 2012

Booksellers as Love Counselors

Dear Booksellers,

Before we know it, Valentine’s Day will be here. Chocolate will fall from the skies, the birds will sing love songs, and relationship problems will cease for twenty-four hours. Or maybe that’s what should happen, right?

The complicated topic of love may get the spotlight in mid-February, but people look for relationship guidance year round. With so many guides available on a wide variety of relationship issues, from bitter breakups to crushing crushes and other matters of the heart, do customers need your advice in choosing the right one?

We invited Cyndi Dale, author of Beyond Soul Mates, to discuss the tricky—and rewarding—process of guiding customers towards the books that will meet their unique needs.

***

Booksellers as Love Counselors
By Cyndi Dale


Remember Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip? Lucy sat behind a table and dispensed advice for five cents a pop—usually about love. You’ve probably figured out that your role as bookseller is comparable to playing therapist for the starry-eyed or heartbroken.

Beyond Soul Mates
Cyndi Dale
January 2013 release

Books are probably the number one way that people figure out how to negotiate their relationships; okay, Dr. Phil might be number one. If you’ve been the book business for a while, you know that most romantic notions embrace the idea of a soul mate, a philosophy that my own book, Beyond Soul Mates, seeks to evolve.

Most of our relationships are soul relationships, including friendships and companion animals. Inherently soul relationships challenge us to work through our “stuff.” That makes many of them, especially the romantic variety, especially challenging.

Instead of soul relationships, we can seek out true love relationships. These relationships reflect our true selves and because of this, are more joyful and purposeful than those reflecting the soul. Following are ways you can help your buyers select love books, potions, and principles that will put real smiles on their faces. Why not play Lucy and help all their relationships reflect the highest truths about themselves, others, and love?

By-Way or Highway: What’s Your Buyer Going Through?
Sometimes buyers need a book that is a bandage. Their love life was smashed on the rocks or they lost someone important. Maybe a dream just died and with it, a part of their soul. They need to veer of the main road and sit in a “by-way” for a while. The selected books needs to provide warmth and solace, like a comforter.

Other times, a buyer is comparable to a highway driver. They are ready to get on the Indy 500 and attract a mate, new friends, or network the heck out of their jobs. These individuals require a book with action steps, complete with a ticket to a cheerleader rally.

Setting Up the Sections
It can be hard for buyers to figure out exactly how to find the type of book they need. Imagine two women. One is pregnant and excited about the next few months and the other just miscarried. The first woman needs a “highway” book and the other a “by-way” book. Think through how you place books according to these needs. Are they both under parenting? Or is there a sub-section on grieving?

Playing Therapist
If you’re standing in your store, you most likely double as a therapist, not unlike a hairdresser or bartender—or Lucy. Because I’ve written books about relationships, people constantly tell me what’s going on. I’ve learned a few stock phrases, like, “I can see that you are feeling (sad, excited, scared, overwhelmed, etc.,” or “It sounds really hard, marvelous, challenging, confusing.”

You’re the lucky one because you then get to make a difference. Placing that special book in their hands is a sure way to help them soothe or express their hearts.

The Symptoms of Heartache
Sometimes your buyers are heart-broken. There are telltale symptoms, such as shoddy dress, a woebegone face, and the ever-present Kleenex. Maybe they’ll come right out and say it, like my 14-year-old son recently did in this exchange.

“Mommy, what are the symptoms of love?” Gabe asked me recently.

“Well,” I began. “They include thinking of the other person all the time, not knowing what to say around them, and getting used to having your heart beat too fast.”

“Why?” I asked after a moment.

“I think I’ve caught it, Mom,” he whispered.

When people feel “cursed” by love, they need a special kind of book, one that helps ground and anchor them—that tells them it will all be okay.

Making Magic
The fantastical dreamer inside each of us believes in magic. Candles, potions, oracle cards, runes, and other devices are inspirational and tap into our invisible side. I’m a big believer in empowering people with ceremony and tools to heal and open their hearts.

Staying Hopeful
Ultimately, those seeking relationships books are searching for hope. Yes, this time, they will fall and stay in love. For certain, their kids or moms or dads or co-workers will respond and accept them. Believing in the power of love can help your buyers do the same.

***

Cyndi Dale (Minneapolis, MN) is an internationally renowned author, speaker, healer, and business consultant. She is president of Life Systems Services, through which she has conducted over 35,000 client sessions and presented training classes throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Visit Cyndi Dale online.

Cyndi Dale on her favorite bookstore:
I love Breathe Books in Baltimore—full of mystical, zany, lovely energy and best of all, Susan and Larry.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The December New Moon Is Out--Check Your Inbox


For those of you who currently subscribe to our email newsletter for booksellers, The Moon, you may have noticed a few changes.

We've streamlined the look, included new features, and christened it with a new moniker: The New Moon. As with this blog, our goal is to really connect with you, our selling partners, each month and offer support, guidance, and resources with the aim of helping you grow and thrive in this ever-changing market.

Our December issue of the New Moon was mailed this morning. This issue includes:
-Invoking the Holiday Spirit on a Budget
-Shelftalkers (Beyond Soul Mates, As Above Tarot Deck, I Saw Your Future And He's Not It, and Magical Qabalah for Beginners)
-January New Releases
-Llewellyn's Winter 2013 Catalog
-Indie Stores' Top Five Picks
-And Much More!

If you did not receive a copy in your email inbox, you can also view it here: The New Moon, December 2012 Issue.

You can also visit our website to subscribe to The New Moon, ensuring that it reaches you each month (please note that you will need to log in/register to be able to join our mailing list).

Monday, November 19, 2012

Invoking the Holiday Spirit on a Budget

Hi Booksellers,

Enjoying the holidays—and getting into the “spirit” of the season—doesn’t come easily for everyone. It may be especially tough for those who work in retail. Long hours, crowds of stressed shoppers, and pressure to make your year end financial goal can shred anyone’s nerves. After weeks of this madness, who’s got energy for fa-la-la-la-la?

Luckily, it’s possible to keep the Grinch at bay and actually enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. We invited author Deborah Blake to talk about easy, inexpensive ways to create a festive, uplifting atmosphere in your store that will influence your staff, as well as your customers. With a little luck, all this positive energy will result in strong sales, too!



 
Invoking the Holiday Spirit on a Budget
By Deborah Blake


The holidays are a wonderful time to run a shop—I know, since I manage The Artisans’ Guild, a not-for-profit artists’ cooperative shop that I co-founded thirteen years ago with a friend. We feature local and regional artwork and crafts, not books, but we face many of the same problems other small stores do at this time of year. In short, how can we be festive and make the most out of the sales opportunities—without spending too much money or ending up burned out and crabby?

Press Releases Versus Ads
Whether your store emphasizes Christmas, Yule, or everything in between, there are a few fun, simple, and inexpensive things you can do to make the most of the season. As someone who runs a not-for-profit, I am used to doing things on a shoestring. For instance, since we have no advertising budget to speak of, we use events and special occasions as excuses to put out press releases (which are free, as opposed to taking out ads). A guest author visit coupled with a fun giveaway might be just the ticket.

Inspiring Ornaments and Decorations
There are lots of ways to decorate on the cheap, too. Get in the holiday spirit by hanging evergreen swags (real or imitation). Make ornaments that double as advertising of your merchandise by cutting out pictures of book covers from your catalogs and pasting them on to poster board or cardboard. Hang each one from a red ribbon and fasten them to your swags, so people can see them and get inspired.

Write up a large “Santa’s List” of top ten gift ideas in the shape of a faux-scroll and hang it on a wall. And be sure to set up a display table with great books, and any other merchandise—but make it special by adding snapshots of happy people showing off their gifts. You can take advantage of any cute kids, animals, or staff you happen to know.

Add a Spiritual Touch
If you want to add a spiritual touch, you can set up a store altar with candles (if it is safe to do so) or tiny battery-powered tea lights. Encourage both staff and customers to light a candle for a wish for the coming year, or to send good energy out into the world. If you don’t want to use candles, set up a small tree, and leave cut out “ornaments” of paper in seasonal shapes for people to write their wishes on, and then hand on the tree. You can use this to increase your mailing list, if you use one, by combining the ornaments with a giveaway. Anyone who hangs a wish on the tree can be entered into a giveaway for a gift basket of goods from your store (or a gift certificate), and they must write their name, address, and email on the back to be entered.

Holiday Giving
In this especially tough year, you may want to use your store to help give back to those in need. Put out a basket to collect canned goods for local food pantries, and let everyone who contributes be entered into a giveaway for a book that has some spiritual meaning.

Help Staff De-Stress
The holiday season can be stressful for shop owners and employees, so don’t forget to do a little something special to make this fun but busy time a little easier on everyone who works at your shop. If you have space, a small altar set up for the staff can give people a place to de-stress and relax for a moment or two each day. Encourage everyone to add a small item with special meaning to the altar or table, or have everyone bring in a picture of themselves celebrating the season with family or friends. And feel free to light a candle every day for prosperity.

A Contest Starring Pets
For a lighter note, you can run a “Pets who read,” contest. Have customers bring in photos of their pets “reading” a favorite book that was purchased at your store. You can enter everyone in a contest and pick a winner at the end of the month, or let people vote for which photo they like the best. Don’t forget to include treats for the pet in with the prize!

Happy holidays!

***

Photo by John Mazarak
Deborah Blake is the author of six books from Llewellyn Worldwide, including Everyday Witch Book of Rituals (2012), Witchcraft on a Shoestring (2010),  Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook (2010) and The Goddess is in the Details (2009). She also has a regular column in the Witches & Pagans Magazine and has articles in many of the Llewellyn annuals. She lives in upstate New York where she is theoretically in charge of five cats and fifty artists. Visit her online.

Deborah on her favorite metaphysical store:
“I get most of my supplies from AzureGreen and I have for many years. They have a wide range of stock, good quality and low prices, and the nicest folks working there. They’re a small company and I love them.”







For more articles on keeping your cool throughout the holiday season, check out “Merry Blissmas: The Key to a Stress-Free Holiday” by Andy Baggott, “Joy to the Store: 5 Keys to a Happy, Sane, and Prosperous Holiday Season” by Tess Whitehurst and “Enjoy a Ten-Minute Bliss Break this Holiday Season” by Kala Ambrose.

Do you have a strategy for staying positive throughout the hectic holiday season? Please share!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The November New Moon Is Out--Check Your Inbox!

For those of you who currently subscribe to our email newsletter for booksellers, The Moon, you may have noticed a few changes.

We've streamlined the look, included new features, and christened it with a new moniker: The New Moon. As with this blog, our goal is to really connect with you, our selling partners, each month and offer support, guidance, and resources with the aim of helping you grow and thrive in this ever-changing market.

Our November issue of the New Moon was mailed this morning. This issue includes:
-Yule Ideas for Everyone
-Shelftalkers (From the Cauldron Born, Great Sex Made Simple, New Paths to Animal Totems, and Our Children Live On)
-December New Releases
-Llewellyn's Winter 2013 Catalog
-Indie Stores' Top Five Picks
-And Much More!

If you did not receive a copy in your email inbox, you can also view it here: The New Moon, November 2012 Issue.

You can also visit our website to subscribe to The New Moon, ensuring that it reaches you each month (please note that you will need to log in/register to be able to join our mailing list).

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Yule Ideas for Everyone

Sigh. It seems as though another year has flown by; wasn’t it just Labor Day yesterday, and Midsummer the week before that? Though many of us will be loathe to see the longer, warmer days of summer and autumn end, there is something magical about the palpable change in the air, the feeling of renewal that comes with that change, even if we are entering the dying, and then dormant, portion of the seasonal cycle.

The crisp autumn air, the smell of wood-burning fireplaces, followed by the promise of the season’s first snowflakes…to me, these things bring such happiness. And Yule! A most magical of holidays, when we celebrate the turning of a new year, and the promise of warmth and rebirth ahead.

As we near this magical time, it can be hard to reconcile plans (both personal and business) between the sacred and the secular, as well as between the spendy and the thrifty. That said, there are many ways to make Yule more than just trees and candles –without breaking the bank—at both your home and your store.

Décor
For me, decorations are always a great way to set the mood for any holiday season, Yuletide included.
  • Candles. One of my favorite parts about having shorter days (or, perhaps, the only thing I really like about having shorter days) is lighting candles around my home, creating a sparkling, warm atmosphere. Candles can be found at many retailers, both offline and on, and made from many different ingredients.
  • Incense. Smell is one of the first things we notice when we enter a building or home; why not use some that celebrates the season? For a magical, uplifting, and thrifty option, try making your own incense or potpourri.
  • Decorations. At this time of the year, stores are overflowing with a vast assortment of holiday decorations; however, I think it is much more magical (not to mention cheaper!) to create my own. These crafts also make for fun party activities.
  • Colors. Colors are a huge part of décor, and I like to use those that are not only traditionally seasonal but also magically appropriate. White is great for spiritual strength and purity, and reminds us of the snow outside our windows; Green is reflective of the renewal and generosity of the season; Blue brings us inner peace and tranquility; and Silver removes negativity and reflects the beauty of the Full Moon.
  • An Altar. Perfect for store or home, a Wheel of the Year altar can be suited to any Sabbat, including Yule.

Rituals
Another strong way to connect to the season, to our friends and family, and to our ancestors is through rituals. These make great activities to do alone, to do with friends or family members, or to host as a store activity.

Activities and Parties
There is something about Yuletide that just seems to warrant having a party or other event. Looking for ideas? Look no further!

Still looking for more ideas? Check out "Celebrating Yule without Losing Your Mind—Or Your Life Savings."

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The October New Moon Is Out--Check Your Inbox!

For those of you who currently subscribe to our email newsletter for booksellers, The Moon, you may have noticed a few changes.

We've streamlined the look, included new features, and christened it with a new moniker: The New Moon. As with this blog, our goal is to really connect with you, our selling partners, each month and offer support, guidance, and resources with the aim of helping you grow and thrive in this ever-changing market.

Our October issue of the New Moon was mailed this morning. This issue includes:
-"Scott Cunningham: The Real Deal," from author Donald Michael Kraig
-Shelftalkers (Cunningham's Magical Sampler, Dragons for Beginners, Initiate, and My Conversations with Angels)
-November New Releases
-Llewellyn's Winter 2013 Catalog
-Indie Stores' Top Five Picks
-And Much More!

If you did not receive a copy in your email inbox, you can also view it here: The New Moon, October 2012 Issue.

You can also visit our website to subscribe to The New Moon, ensuring that it reaches you each month (please note that you will need to log in/register to be able to join our mailing list).

Friday, September 21, 2012

Scott Cunningham: The Real Deal

Legendary Wiccan author
Scott Cunningham
Dear Booksellers,

Anyone who is familiar with Wicca and Witchcraft undoubtedly knows the work of Scott Cunningham. Nearly two decades since his passing, he remains an iconic and revered figure in the magical community. Many of his books—including Wicca: A Guide for Solitary Practitioners and Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs—are considered classics and continue to inspire and inform those new to the Craft.

Llewellyn is proud to present a special collection of Scott Cunningham’s essays, spells, and rituals—originally published in the first editions of Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac. Cunningham’s Magical Sampler contains timeless wisdom on perennially popular topics such as the sabbats, Hawaiian magic, magical gardening, protection magic, bird charms, moon spells, Yule trees, herbal remedies, and ancient Greek oracles.

To celebrate the November release of Cunningham’s Magical Sampler, I’ve invited Donald Michael Kraig to share a few stories about the legendary Wiccan author who was also his esteemed friend and colleague.

Scott Cunningham: The Real Deal
By Donald Michael Kraig

“Hey Don, watch this!”

Cunningham’s Magical Sampler
November 2012

I was sitting in the big, ugly, green chair in the living room of the apartment I shared with Scott Cunningham. I hadn’t known him at all when I sub-leased a room from him in 1980, but in four years we had become good friends. Now, the tall, skinny, young man came out of his bedroom. He was holding a small cauldron, perhaps three or four inches in diameter, by the metal ring that looped over its top. I could smell a piece of saltpeter-laced charcoal burning inside.

He waved his hand over the mini-cauldron. As he did, I noticed his fingers moving as he dropped some sort of granulated powder onto the coal. The powder, which I later learned was made from benzoin resin, sparkled and flared dramatically. “Wow,” I said. “I think I may have something even better. Wait here.”

I was working part time at a sleight-of-hand magician’s supply shop. Yes, I was a magic geek as well as being a student of Western ceremonial magic. I had a small squeeze bottle that was filled with the powder of a dried moss called lycopodium. This combination allowed you to spray a fine, aerated stream of the powder past flame, leaving a trail of fire. The effect was called “Dragon’s Breath.” I went into my room, found my bottle and brought it out. Hiding the small bottle in my hand and squeezing out a spray of powder over the red-hot coal in the cauldron, I intoned in my best geeky magician voice, “Behold! The breath of the dragon!”

A thin line of fire lit up the room. To my surprise, Scott suddenly pulled away the tiny cauldron. “Hey!” he said, rather sternly. “That’s my ritual cauldron for personal use. It’s not a magic trick.”

I apologized profusely. I didn’t know the cauldron was a sacred ritual object and realized that he would now go back to his room and do some intense purification and sanctification rituals for this small cauldron, just the size of a coffee cup.

Scott and I knew a couple, I believe they were married, who had a concept of magic based upon what they read in novels. They said that the people they had met who claimed to be great magicians weren’t. They were looking for people they called “realies,” people who did real magic and were not self-deceived or just poseurs.

Even though Scott’s magic (he never spelled it “magick”) wasn’t the kind you found in fiction, it was definitely real. Scott was a realie.

It’s often surprising to see a true magic practitioner at work. They don’t need to show off or be the center of attention at rituals. Instead, they just do the work. They do it passionately and with intensity. I believe this intensity is a key to both real magic and creativity. It’s something I learned from Scott.

Scott passed to the Summerlands in 1993, years before the explosive growth of personal computing. Although he was using a computer toward the end of his all-too-short life, for most of the time we shared an apartment, he used an old IBM Selectric typewriter. The machine printed a very beautiful page. But because of its complexity, and his constant use, it was always breaking down. He had a repair contract so he could get it fixed quickly.

I remember many times hearing his astoundingly fast typing from behind the door to his room. Then, there would be a pause, followed by some tentative letters being pressed. This was followed by pounding on his desk with his fists as he shouted, “Damn! Damn! Damn!” He then came out to the living room where the phone was located, called the repair service, and set up an appointment.

You might think that this would give him an excuse to take the rest of the day off. Not Scott. He would immediately bring out some books from his library and start taking notes, or travel to the library to do research on books he didn’t own, or work with herbs and candles or other magickal objects to determine if some ritual or technique he was describing actually worked.

Nothing, save his final illness, would really stop him. He did everything with a calm intensity and focus—his writing, his magic, and his relaxation.


* * *

Donald Michael Kraig is the author of The Magical Life of Scott Cunningham, Modern Magick, and Modern Sex Magick. He writes The Magical Universe blog and teaches courses in the Southern California area on such topics as Kabbalah, tarot, magic, tantra, and psychic development.

Donald Michael Kraig on his favorite bookstore:

“I literally grew up at the Bodhi Tree in West Hollywood. They have in-depth sections on every metaphysical topic. Here’s hoping new owners will make the store even greater when it reopens in the spring of 2013!”




Are you a fan of Scott Cunningham? Is there a particular book of his that strongly influenced you?






Get a Jump on the Holiday Hoopla: Must-Grab Gifts

Hi Booksellers,

With Halloween yet to arrive, I admit it seems a tad early to bring up the holidays. It’s the calm before the storm, right? So, before we’re blown away by a whirlwind of parties, decorating, and baking, let’s talk about some exciting gifts that will satisfy a variety of tastes. 

From cat lovers to fairy fanatics, the steampunk crowd to Witches and Pagans, we’ve got you covered.



Felines Forever

Eyes on cover
glow in the dark
!

 
Cat’s Eyes Journal

Black Cat Satin Tarot Bag

Tarot of Pagan Cats Mini Deck

Tarot of the White Cats
 
Cat Note Box



Witches and Pagans






Enchanting and Beautiful Faeries

  










  

Steampunk and Goth




















Powerful and Pretty Runes

 Blue Onyx Runes
           
 Golden Quartz Runes Hematite Runes
Blue Onyx Runes Golden Quartz Runes Hematite Runes



Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Watch a Behind the Scenes Video About The Book of Shadows Tarot

The following entry was originally posted by Barbara Moore on the Llewellyn Tarot Blog Tarot Pathways on August 28, 2012. The Book of Shadows Tarot is a unique project, many years in the making. It is an ambitious project based on a two-deck system. Each deck is designed to work independently but also to work together. The decks are based on the concept of As Above, So Below. The first deck, As Above, is a non-traditional (that is, not based on the Rider Waite Smith images) exploration of Wiccan/Pagan theories. So Below is a traditional deck that shows how magic is manifest in everyday life. The kit comes with the book and the As Above deck. The box includes a space for the second deck, So Below, available in February 2013. Below is a video created by Lo Scarabeo. Take a peek into the creation of this fascinating new tarot system. You can also view more behind-the-scenes videos on Lo Scarabeo's YouTube channel.

The September New Moon Is Out--Check Your Inbox!

For those of you who currently subscribe to our email newsletter for booksellers, The Moon, you may have noticed a few changes.

We've streamlined the look, included new features, and christened it with a new moniker: The New Moon. As with this blog, our goal is to really connect with you, our selling partners, each month and offer support, guidance, and resources with the aim of helping you grow and thrive in this ever-changing market.

Our September issue of the New Moon was mailed this morning. This issue includes:
-Embracing the "Spirit" of Your Business, from author Deonna Kelli Sayed
-Shelftalkers (Witches Tarot, So You Want to Hunt Ghosts?, America's Haunted Universities, and The Healing Power of Reiki)
-October New Releases
-Llewellyn's Winter 2013 Catalog
-Indie Stores' Top Five Picks
-And Much More!

If you did not receive a copy in your email inbox, you can also view it here: The New Moon, September 2012 Issue.

You can also visit our website to subscribe to The New Moon, ensuring that it reaches you each month (please note that you will need to log in/register to be able to join our mailing list).

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

A Round-Up of Fall Paranormal Titles

Editor's Note: This was originally posted in Llewellyn's Paranormal Blog.

Fall is my favorite time of year for many reasons: football, cooler weather, my birthday, the colorful fall leaves, and Halloween. It's my favorite holiday, and what goes along with Halloween? GHOST STORIES! And do we ever have some fabulous books debuting this fall.

Being the paranormal editor here, I read a lot of spooky things. I'm a bit immune to getting freaked out (I thought Paranormal Activity was boring, in some parts inaccurate, and shut it off after the first half hour), so when I AM freaked out when I read a proposal, that really speaks to me. I clearly remember the day I read the proposal for Restless in Peace by Mariah De La Croix. I read the section that involves spirit graffiti, turned to my coworker in the cubicle across from me, and stated, in a shaky voice, "I just read a story from a psychic mortitican and I'm really freaked out! I have goosebumps!" Yes, you read that right: psychic mortician. Mariah has tales that will scare you, warm your heart, and make you laugh. Her book really has it all, and it's such a fascinating book that you absolutely must read.

Another ghostly tale that will make you hide under the covers is In the Presence of Spirits by Barbara Parks. Imagine how terrifying it must be to be the focus of poltergeist activity as a teenager and to be absolutely petrified when someone you know passes away because you know they will visit you and say goodbye. Barbara has had paranormal experiences ever since she can remember. Spirit encounters have always left her terrified and caused her to shut out her abilities. This book is a chronicle of her life through the terrifying experiences, but she has learned to embrace her abilities, which have helped many (including herself) deal with grief and be comforted with the fact that loved ones are always around us. Barbara is such an excellent storyteller, you will get so wrapped up in this book you will not want to put it down!



If you love ghost stories and want to search out ghosts yourself, So You Want to Hunt Ghosts by Deonna Kelli Sayed will arm you with all the information you need to know in order to investigate haunted locations and form a team. Deonna is a member of Haunted North Carolina and has been investigating for many years. Her expertise and excellent perspective is exactly what you need in order to get off the couch and be proactive when it comes to ghosts.


True Casefiles of a Paranormal Investigator by Stephen Lancaster relays some of the most amazing and scary investigation that Stephen Lancaster has conducted over his years as an investigator. The Brentwood Wine Cafe, which is a chapter in this book, was featured on Bio's My Ghost Story. Stephen was interviewed for the segment as the paranormal investigator.


If you want to discover and explore some haunted locations, why not go to your local college or university? America's Haunted Universities by Matthew L. Swayne roams the halls of higher learning and unearths some spirits that are still bound to their alma mater. Check to see if your local school has some spirits that are still hanging out on the campus mall.



As the temperature drops, curl up on the couch with a steaming cup of cocoa and a spooky tale or two from Llewellyn. If you are like me, you'll have a black cat perched beside you as a sentinel to keep you safe as you read some truly hair-raising tales.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Embracing the “Spirit” of Your Business

Dear Booksellers,

It’s a quiet evening and the store is empty. You're locking up for the night and hear a thump. The lights flicker for no reason. A book inexplicably tumbles to the floor. The feeling of being watched is overwhelming.

Is your store haunted?

With Halloween approaching, it’s a great time to explore this question. Deonna Kelli Sayed, a paranormal investigator and author of So You Want to Hunt Ghosts (Oct 2012), can help you figure out whether you’ve got spirit guests. Maybe a few otherworldly visitors can help you build publicity and expand your customer base.

Even if your store isn’t a hotspot for paranormal activity, there are plenty of opportunities to take part in your community’s Halloween festivities to boost your business.

Embracing the “Spirit” of Your Business
By Deonna Kelli Sayed


Halloween is around the corner, and ‘tis the season for the spooky and the spectrally spectacular. This time of year celebrates everyone’s interest in ghosts and hauntings. The slew of paranormal reality TV shows has turned spirit talk into water cooler discussion among an unprecedented part of the population. Bookstores and booksellers can capitalize on this interest to help bring new customers in the door.

So You Want to Hunt Ghosts
October 2012
All the better if your business is actually haunted!

Bumps in the Night

A quaint, locally owned bookstore in a small Southern coastal town started experiencing some no-so-subtle paranormal events. Most noticeable were loud bangs that occurred in the early evening, and sometimes during business hours. The noises even shook the building. The owners were baffled, yet intrigued by the happenings.

They quickly capitalized on these occurrences and called in a reputable paranormal investigative team to conduct research. Local media was also contacted, and the team and the bookstore obtained some great local coverage from the investigation.

Not only did the bookstore get free media exposure, but also their willingness to share their stories created a unique way for people to identify with the business. Local residents began coming forth with their own experiences at the location, some of which occurred before the site became a bookstore. Interestingly, it was soon discovered that the entire downtown area shared an affinity for unusual occurrences.

Got Ghosts?

If you work (or live) in a location that you feel may be paranormally active, here are a few things you need to do:

•    Start keeping a journal of paranormal events. Note the time, place, people around, and provide as much description as possible.

•    Start asking others about their experiences on site. Research suggests that paranormal events occur when people are just doing their everyday routine—not when actively seeking out a ghost. Also, events do not exclusively occur at night.

•    Try to find out as much as you can about the location’s history. Contrary to what many people believe, no one has to die in a place to make it haunted.

If you find that you are having consistent or intriguing activity, consider calling a reputable paranormal investigative team. The Atlantic Paranormal Society has “family” teams around the country, and teams are listed by state on their site (look for the TAPS family). There are also many professional non-TAPS affiliated teams around, as well.

If you are lucky, a team may collect evidence of paranormal events and will provide you with a copy of any audio, video, and photographic anomalies. A team should also submit a report documenting their personal experiences at the location. Most teams, likewise, will ask you how much information from the investigation (if any) you want to make public, thus giving you control of how you represent your resident spirits.


Piquing Public Interest, Even When You’re Ghostless

Evidence of paranormal activity isn’t necessary to get the public buzzing about the ghostly side of your business. The Halloween season is a great time to welcome authors of paranormal topics (particularly those writing about ghosts) to host talks.

Even if your business doesn’t have ghosts, your customer base will have stories of their own. Having a “share your ghost story” hour at your location over hot cider gets customers in the door and also creates a sense of community around your business. Invite well-respected paranormal teams to come in and talk about local haunts or to conduct lectures on how to ghost hunt.

Locations housed in historic buildings have an added bonus of using public paranormal interest to teach local history. This is one of my favorite things about ghost stories—they are really retellings about who we are and our local communities. You can also invite local historians, coupled with local paranormal teams who have investigated historic sites, to provide an educational and spooktacular event at your store.

Ghosts or not, utilizing public interest in the paranormal is a great way to build a fun, personal relationship with your customer base!

***

Photo by Jessica Labbé
Deonna Kelli Sayed is a writer and paranormal investigator in North Carolina. She is the author of Paranormal Obsession: America’s Fascination with Ghosts & Hauntings, Spooks and Spirits and the forthcoming So You Want to Hunt Ghosts?  A Down-to-Earth Guide (October 2012). Visit her website.

Deonna on her favorite bookstore:
My favorite is the local Greensboro-based metaphysical store, Eclectic by Nature. The place is so bewitching, it comes with its own cats. It is unclear, however, if there are any ghosts.





Do you suspect your business or home is haunted? We would love to hear your spooky stories!


Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The August New Moon Is Out--Check Your Inbox!


For those of you who currently subscribe to our email newsletter for booksellers, The Moon, you may have noticed a few changes.

We've streamlined the look, included new features, and christened it with a new moniker: The New Moon. As with this blog, our goal is to really connect with you, our selling partners, each month and offer support, guidance, and resources with the aim of helping you grow and thrive in this ever-changing market.

Our August issue of the New Moon was mailed this morning. This issue includes:
-The Art of Blissful Storekeeping, from author Tess Whitehurst
-Shelftalkers (The Art of Bliss, Witches Tarot, Meditation for Your Life, and Restless in Peace)
-September New Releases
-Llewellyn's 2012 Tarot Catalog
-Indie Stores' Top Five Picks
-And Much More!

If you did not receive a copy in your email inbox, you can also view it here: The New Moon, August 2012 Issue.

You can also visit our website to subscribe to The New Moon, ensuring that it reaches you each month (please note that you will need to log in/register to be able to join our mailing list).

Monday, July 23, 2012

Meditation and the Workplace

Dear Booksellers,

You’ve probably heard a lot about the benefits of meditation. I find it amazing that this simple, yet powerful exercise can relieve stress, boost energy, increase overall satisfaction and serenity, improve memory, and help with insomnia. But I never considered its positive influence on our work life.






Here, Robert Butera, author of Meditation for Your Life, explores how meditation impacts how we respond to problems in the workplace—whether you’re a business owner making tough decisions or a bookseller helping customers on the floor.

Meditation Tip for Work
By Robert Butera, Ph.D.


People who spend time each day quieting their mind (meditating) typically for five to thirty minutes see an increase in their work performance. Some of the common benefits are:

  • resilience to stress because you see the bigger picture and meditation offers processing time
  • decision-making based on reality versus emotion
  • conflict resolution—listening for meaning and remaining patient
  • an upbeat and positive attitude due to feeling centered
  • have more energy during and after work
Meditation for Your Life
Robert Butera, Ph.D.


Consider the concept from yoga translated as “pure thinking.” Yoga philosophy offers a triad of possibilities for the mind: negative, positive and pure. Most of us know our own tendencies for negative thinking and wish to refrain from that. However, when you catch yourself with a negative thought, you can follow it with a Pure response to understand from where the negativity arises. Negative thoughts can carry important messages.

Positive thinking, where every situation has an uplifting spin on it, is certainly better than negative thinking. For example, when a customer complains about something and we respond negatively, no one wins. If we spin it positively, we might think, “Mr. Customer is having a bad day, so I will be nice to him this time around.” These positive responses require a lot of mental energy to deflect the negativity. In effect, the positive response in this triad depletes our energy… and when the day is over, we are beat.

Pure thinking rests above the polarity of negative and positive. The customer complaint, met with purity, is merely a customer complaint. Our mind sees reality for what it is without judging it as good or bad, negative or positive, rude or nice. It just is. When the mind can stay unbiased, the listener can hear more and be free of any animosity or forced kindness. You simply are kind as you listen.

Daily meditation helps with this process of seeing reality as it is. During meditation practice the mind has one task in front of it, one focal point to consider. However, the mind has lingering thoughts, desires and memories alongside the meditation focal point. During this process, the mind thinks positive and negative thoughts, and the meditator learns to patiently accept those thoughts without thinking, simply accepting.

This process of accepting reality without emotion reinforces our ability to make sound business decisions and handle a wide array of work problems with confidence and grace.

***

Photo by www.jackramsdale.com
Robert Butera, MDiv, Ph.D., is the author of Meditation for Your Life and The Pure Heart of Yoga. He has studied meditation and yoga since 1984. He founded the YogaLife Institute of Devon, Pennsylvania, where he trains yoga instructors and publishes “Yoga Living Magazine.” His advanced degrees are from the Yoga Institute of Mumbai, India, Earlham School of Religion, and California Institute of Integral Studies. Visit him online.








***

Do you meditate? If so, have you noticed its influence on your work day? Do you feel meditation has increased your resilience to stress? Do you have an easier time resolving problems? Do you remain energized after a long day?



Friday, July 20, 2012

The Art of Blissful Storekeeping

Dear Booksellers,

Does a business have an emotional center, a heart? Do you find that customers are drawn to energy that’s fueled by joy?

Tess Whitehurst, the author of Magical Housekeeping and The Good Energy Book, is an expert in creating and maintaining positive energy. We're excited about her fabulous new book, The Art of Bliss, that focuses on how to activate your innate life force energy for success and happiness. Here, Tess talks about how these principles also apply to a business. Check out how easy it is to activate key areas in your store to encourage creativity, productivity, and genuine bliss.




The Art of Blissful Storekeeping
By Tess Whitehurst

With just a modest bit of alchemy, you can benefit your business—and beautify your relationship with your business—for years to come.

The Art of Bliss
Tess Whitehurst
You may already know that your business’s floor plan has nine life areas as designated by the bagua, or the I Ching-derived feng shui floor plan. And if you do, as a business-minded individual, you’re likely aware of what’s commonly referred to as the “prosperity corner.” (Hint: it’s the far left corner when standing at the front door, facing inwards, or the upper left corner in the diagram you’ll be drawing below.) You might also know that to help activate your finances, you can do things such as keep the prosperity area clutter-free, place a citrine quartz or chrysocolla in this area, and/or hang a large mirror to bring in extra energy and symbolic space.

What you may not know is that there are two other areas that are exceptionally important when it comes to maintaining a business in the most sustainable, profitable, enjoyable way possible.

Almost as Simple as Tic-Tac-Toe
Before I reveal where these areas are and how you can make them work for you, take a quick moment to make a super rough sketch of your floor plan. Honestly, no measuring or artistry necessary—rough is totally fine. Just an outline of the place that is expressly designated for your business is all you need (if there’s a larger main area and little asymmetrical offshoots such as bathrooms or offices, you might just want to include the main area for this exercise). Now, if the outline of what you just drew happens to be something other than a square or rectangle, use dotted lines to make it into one by filling in the missing corners. Once it’s a square or rectangle, draw a tic-tac-toe board over it, dividing it into nine (roughly) equal squares. OK—done! (See I told you! Not too terribly tricky.)

Locate the Spots
To locate the important areas I’m about to teach you about, first locate your front door. Draw an arrow pointing straight at it, in the direction you would be going if you were entering the business. Now, if necessary, turn the paper so that the arrow is pointing up. In the bottom center square, write, “Life Path.” In the top center square, write, “Radiance.”

Aha! Now we can move ahead to the fun stuff.

Life Path
The Life Path area—traditionally referred to as the Career area—is the place in your business that has to do with a natural sense of flow and an authentic, joy-fueled direction. For you, and for anyone else who works at this location, when this center is activated and flowing, there is a deep sense of fulfillment that fuels creativity, productivity, and enthusiasm. Because everyone can sense the genuine bliss at the heart of the business, additional benefits include loyal, longstanding customers and employees, which consequently support financial flow and word-of-mouth publicity.

There are a number of ways to activate this area, and to balance it energetically in the most ideal of ways, and all of them have to do with the water element. (Think depth, natural nourishment and flow, and a fluid wellspring of joy.) For example, you might place an actual water feature in this area, such as a fountain, or you might place something here that represents water, such as a painting or photo of the ocean, one or more items made out of glass, or a large mirror.

Of course, you might also have items for sale that fit with the water element, such as water globes, seashells, or books about mermaids. It might be fun to activate the Life Path area by placing these in this area of the store.

Radiance
The Radiance area—traditionally known as the Fame and Reputation area—is particularly important in businesses, as it has to do with how one is seen and known in the world. This area works synergistically with the Life Path area. You might say that each nourishes and balances the other: the Life Path area has to do with being in alignment with one’s own inner sense of purpose and joy, while the Radiance area has to do with generously sharing this joy with the outside world.

Again, there are a number of ways to activate this area. This time, most of them have to do with fire. (Think of how the sun and stars light up the sky from an incomprehensible distance, and how even fireworks can be seen for miles around.) And so, to activate and energize this area, you might want to add excellent or eye-catching lighting, candles, or artwork/items depicting red, pink, orange, stars, sun shapes, triangles, diamonds, or radial shapes (such as daisies).

Artwork depicting people or animals also brings in the fire element, and items that advertise or name your business—such as signs or complementary newspaper articles—are also excellent ways to visually affirm that your business is well-known and highly regarded.

And, of course, inventory relating to the fire element—such as candles, incense, lamps, brightly colored prayer flags—might be cool things to place here as well.

But What if it’s Missing from the Floor Plan?
The Radiance and Life Path are not commonly missing from most floor plans, but if one or both is missing from yours, never fear. You might symbolically bring in the energy of the area by hanging a large mirror or watery art with depth on one of the walls bordering the missing Life Path area, or a large piece of fiery art with depth on one of the walls bordering the missing Radiance area. This way, the chosen piece will be like a window looking into—and energetically holding the space of—precisely the type of energy you want to bring in.

For affirmations, rituals, and other fun stuff related to the nine life areas, check out The Art of Bliss: Finding Your Center, Getting in the Flow, and Creating the Life You Desire.

***

Tess Whitehurst is an intuitive counselor, energy worker, and feng shui consultant. She has appeared on the Bravo TV show Flipping Out, and her writing has been featured in Writers Digest, Whole Life Times Magazine, and online at The Huffington Post and Lemondrop.com In addition to The Art of Bliss, she is the author of Magical Housekeeping and The Good Energy Book. Visit her online.

Tess on her favorite bookstore:
Alexandria II in Pasadena, CA will always occupy a special place in my heart because it was the first metaphysical bookstore I ever had the pleasure of finding myself in. I’ll never forget how awestruck I felt as I explored it those first few times.

***

Do you have any feng shui tips to share? What are some of your favorite ways to create positive energy in your store?


 
 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

New Tarot Catalog: 2012 and Backlist

Tarot Catalog  —  2012 & Backlist

It’s here—Llewellyn’s new tarot catalog featuring 2012 products and backlist. Download the PDF.

Headlining 2012 is a wide array of visually stunning decks and kits from Llewellyn and Italian publisher Lo Scarabeo, including:

 The Steampunk Tarot
 Favole Tarot
 Witches Tarot
 The Faerie Guidance Oracle
 I Ching: Dead Moon Deck
 Astrological Oracle
 Dark Fairytale Tarot
 The Book of Shadows Tarot Kit







Perfect for browsing, this annual, full-color catalog features a complete backlist of tarot and oracle decks, nicely organized into eight categories:
The Steampunk Tarot
  • Art & Contemporary
  • Celtic, Pagan & Goddess
  • Esoteric & Egyptian
  • Faeries & Fantasy
  • Historical
  • Love & Erotica
  • World Cultures
  • Oracle Decks

You’ll also find tarot books and a full selection of divination sidelines, such as tarot cloths, runes, pendulums, journals, and more. New this year are three gorgeous tarot bags from Llewellyn:


            


Steampunk High Priestess Satin Tarot Bag

Witches Moon Satin Tarot Bag










Llewellyn Velvet Tarot Bag












A print version of Llewellyn’s 2012 tarot catalog is available upon request (while supplies last). Please send your request to maryr@llewellyn.com.


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

NetGalley: Advance Copies at Your Fingertips

Dear Booksellers,

Do you love reading galleys of forthcoming titles that you’re excited about?  Now you can find advance copies of Llewellyn books on NetGalley.


NetGalley is an innovative, easy-to-use website that provides digital galleys free of charge to booksellers and other industry professionals. These electronic advance copies are available three to six months prior to a book’s release.

A few advantages of digital galleys:
  • Nearly all forthcoming Llewellyn releases are available as an e-galley for a limited time. (Our imprints Flux and Midnight Ink are available, too.)
  • Easy online access.
  • Reduces environmental impact and waste.
  • Weightless. Go ahead and bring an unlimited number of e-galleys to the beach, on a plane, or anywhere.
Right now, you’ll find digital galleys of October and November releases on NetGalley, including:


Everyday Witch Book of Rituals: All You Need for a Magickal Year

Deborah Blake
Amplify your wishes and manifest positive change all year long with this inspiring collection of simple rituals. These empowering ceremonies—for new moons, full moons, sabbats, and rites of passage—will help you find love, build courage, boost creativity, achieve balance, and deepen your faith. Witches of all levels will appreciate the easy rituals that require only common tools and ingredients.




The Healing Power of Reiki: A Modern Master's Approach to Emotional, Spiritual & Physical Wellness
Raven Keyes
Raven Keyes, the first Reiki Master to practice in an operating room with Dr. Mehmet Oz, has brought Reiki to the defining events of our time. He tells moving stories of giving Reiki to rescue workers at Ground Zero, professional athletes, and trauma patients, as well as experiences of connecting with angels and spirit guides. Also includes exercises and meditations.


Dragons for Beginners: Ancient Creatures in a Modern World
Shawn MacKenzie
The fascinating truth about dragons—how they evolved, what they really look like, and how to safely interact with them—is documented in this unique, essential guide. Discover scientific facts on three major Dragon species, their role in art, magic, and religion, and how to safely go Dragon watching, raise an orphan, and save these majestic beasts from extinction.





Initiate: A Witch’s Circle of Water
Thuri Calafia
After becoming initiated into the Craft, most students long to dive deeper and foster a lifelong commitment to serving the gods and the community. This second course of study in Thuri Calafia’s four-volume Wiccan series teaches Initiaties how to take this next step on the path. These practical lessons—exercises, rituals, meditations, and more—correspond to the lunar and solar wheels.



It’s easy to sign up. Register at www.NetGalley.com and search the catalog to view available galleys. Then just hit the “Request” button for the titles you want.

Once you request the title, you’ll just need to wait until we approve your request, and then the galley will appear on your NetGalley homepage (under “New Invitations to View Titles”). You will receive an email notification once your request is approved, so that you’ll know to login to view the galley.

You’ll have the option to download the galley to your computer or read it on any of these devices.

Be sure that you download Adobe Digital Editions (the program you’ll need to view our galley) first. It’s quick and free.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact NetGalley: support@netgalley.com