* Competition is closed! That was FUN!!! Thank you beautiful souls! *

Hola my darling hearts!

Adorable competition giveaway today!

Deepak’s crew just sent me a copy of Deepak Chopra’s Leela game (for Wii) to giveaway on ze blog!

YAY!

To enter

1. You need to be in the U.S. (bummer I know, but that’s where the game is coded for)
2. Say “hey ho! I’m a sparkling meditation unicorn” in the comments.
3. If you post about this competition on Facebook, Twitter or your blog, say so in ze comments for triple bonus points.

YES. THAT IS THE OFFICIAL RULES. hee hee hee.

Want to know more about ze game?

Leela is like a meditation game on sacred steroids. With mandalas. And scrumptious music.

Probably way more fulfilling than almost dislocating your shoulder after a particularly rowdy round of Wii Boxing. (Is it only me that gets possessed by Mr Ali in that game much to the chagrin of my un-Ali body? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?)

You can get Leela for Wii & X-Box Kinect too.

Enter away, sparkling ohm-ing unicorns!!!

hee hee hee!

grand, gorgeous, fabulous LOVE!!!!!

Judging by the popularity of the last book post, I think I’m not the only bookaphile out there!

Everytime I visit a dear friend’s house, my favourite activity is spying out their bookcase.

So let’s play virtual bookcase tour!

Yaaaay!

Today’s topic! Creativity & writing books!!! Perfect for artists & writers & dreamers!!!

Here’s my uber favourites for creativity & writing books:

1. The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron

This is the consummate go-to book on creativity. It’s a three month course on reclaiming the artist inside you again. Even if you don’t get through the three months – I’ve tried three times and always peter out around six weeks – you will still get bucketloads from dis book. LOADS OF BUCKETS. Gorgeous creating buckets!

2. The Right to Write – Julia Cameron

This book blew my head off. In a nice kinda way. This book is a ginormous permission slip to become a writer. Smart. Funny. Good. If you need support for your writer’s journey, this is the book to go to.

3. Letters to a Young Artist – Julia Cameron

Holy dinger, THREE Julia Cameron books in a row… what the? That’s because JC is THE goddess on creating stuff. Plus she’s ding dang prolific. I read this book every time I need my ass kicked back into creating.

It’s like a loving P.S. Get over yourself and get back to creating!

4. Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper – SARK

I heart SARK. She is in my personal pantheon of goddesses. She’s also a living rainbow of creativity, so when she brought out a book solely on writing, I was a bit enamoured. (Read: bit = ridiculously)

Plus! Weee-oooo! There’s a three page interview of me & Charlie the Happy Healer Dog in it too!

5. Living Out Loud – Keri Smith

Keri has gone on to create a ding dang load of creative manuals including How to be an Explorer of the World, Wreck This Journal, This is Not a Book & The Guerilla Art Kit but Living Out Loud remains my favourite.

Do check out her gorgeous new website too! Muchos inspiring!

6. Make your Creative Dreams Real – SARK

This one is practical and soul-restoring all at once. Perfect if you’ve got a dream wafting around in whimsy land that needs to find some roots in the physical world.

7. The Creative Habit – Twyla Tharp

Twyla is a dancer and a dedicated creator goddess. The Creative Habit is all about making creativity a – oh my goddess – a habit. Twyla isn’t into waiting for inspiration to strike, or muses to visit. She’s about creating day in, day out. Tis a good book, me say.

8. 73 Lessons Every Goddess Must Know – Goddess Leonie Dawson

Heyooooo! What kinda self-believer would I be if I didn’t totally adore my own book?

I piled into this book everything I know about being a Creative Goddess… how to be a prolific creator, how to believe deeply in yourself & how to make wild, miraculous miracles of art.

It hit #4 on Amazon’s religion + spirituality category which is amaaaazing + has turned out to be way popular. It’s got a 5 star ranking on Amazon & some truly delicious reviews!

Plus, it’s turquoise. Everything is better with turquoise. Hee!!!!

Again, I’ve only listed 8 because the rest are *your* tips, darlingheart.

What are your faves? Leonie needs to know so she can place a large order from Book Depository now. Just because it’s her new favourite thing. Not because she’s a bookaphile or anything……..

Want more?

You might like to check out:

• Top 10 Self Help Books
• Top 10 Spiritual Movies
• Top 10 Spiritual Novels
• Top 10 Spiritual Music Albums

yours in creating amazingness,

I heart me some books that are gorgeous stories AND spiritual teachers all at once. Here are my double kisses like ze French do recommendos…

1. The Red Tent – Anita Diamant

When me and Mr Soul Hunk went to the CalmBirth workshop, our teacher was sharing about how women need a dark, safe, sacred space to give birth in.

Chris said: You mean like a red tent right? Women need the red tent to give birth!

(The Red Tent is an ancient tradition of women who have their menstrual moontime staying in a red tent – a place of women’s wisdom.)

And our teacher gaped at him.

“You’ve read The Red Tent?” she asked.

Usually this book is considered a woman’s read.

“Oh yes! It’s probably the best book I’ve ever read!” he replied.

So yus. This book really is that good.

When I finished reading it, I put my head on the table and cried for a long, long time. This book utterly opens you up to the depth, width, fullness, extremity of life. Full full full.

2. The Mists of Avalon – Marion Zimmer Bradley

If you’re wanting to delve more into Avalon or the Goddess tradition, this is the book to do it with.

It’s kinda historical, kinda mythical {depending on what you believe in}.

But once you’ve met Morgaine? Your life is changed.

3. Shirley Maclaine – The Camino

I didn’t realise Shirley Maclaine – that gorgeous flame-haired actress – was intensely spiritual. Then I read this scrumptious book and realised just what a gorgeous, intuitive soul she is.

This is her diary of walking the Camino trail in Europe, and the spiritual awakenings she has while doing it.

Miraculous.

4. Kate Forsyth – The Witches of Eileanan series

Can I just warn you up front that this is not rated for delicate petals? If you are super sensitive like me, think about whether you want to read this fantasy series or not. I decided it would be worth it, and skimmed over the parts that were too intense for me.

Now that warning is out of the way – these books really are beautifully written, and evoke memories of what it would be like to be a woman of the ancient, herbal, healing ways again.

5. Mutant Message down Under – Marlo Morgan

This is the story of an American woman who goes walkabout with an Australian Aboriginal tribe through the Outback, and witnesses their healing and intuitive gifts. There is debate about whether this story happened or not. I do believe in the miracles that happen in this book… it really is a beautiful story about the wisdom of the Australian Aboriginal people.

6. Way of the Peaceful Warrior – Dan Millman

I remember reading this book for the first time. There is a particular moment in there that stands out as being kind of an awakening about death for me – about how we really are all going to be okay.

But anyways. I digress. I think this novel is really wonderful – and is especially good for menfolk. My Dad-in-law loves it!

7. The Celestine Prophecy – James Redfield

And I’m finishing with the book that started it all for me. When I was 17, my dorm headmistress at boarding school gave me this book. Funnily enough – I saw her again just a couple of weeks ago after ten years apart. She is still luminous. We still love to talk about spirit. And synchronicity abounds – she was re-reading this book when we talked.

This book was the first spiritual book I read, and it opened a world for me.

Yup… That’s seven books. I want to make the remaining three based off your recommendations!

What are your top spiritual novels? Let me know in ze comments, dearheart!

Want more?

You might like to check out:

• Top 10 Self Help Books
• Top 10 Spiritual Movies

I heart you with birds and birdsong and the wind too,

Big big GINORMOUS thanks to my beautiful sponsors this month… they are all magnificent souls doing such beautiful work in the world… do check them out!

I’m so grateful to them for helping to support this goddess world here

And if you want to advertise your goodies to a whole bundle of goddesses, check out my advertising info here.

Today’s the day to MAKE MAGIC HAPPEN.

Go, beautiful. Do it.

We can’t wait to hear about it!

I love you!!!

I heart heart heart some good music… music that is beautiful to the ears, and beautiful to the spirit too.

Here’s my top ten list…

1. Grace and Gratitude – Olivia Newton John

I used to make fun of ONJ songs. It’s true – who hasn’t done ridunkulous renditions of Grease songs & Xanadu? And then I was hanging out at my favourite bookstore, and they had this beautiful music playing… Music that was light and translucent and soulful… and I had a High Fidelity moment with Chris – but instead of saying “Is that Peter f**** Frampton?” I was saying “Is that Olivia Newton f**** John?”

And it was. And I had to get over my ONJ shame. And I bought it.

And for the last two years, I have played that CD more than any CD I have ever owned.

That’s right… I listen to ONJ! A LOT!

So this CD really had to be something special to convert me… and it did. My mama plays this one constantly too.

If you ever need a reminder to cheer up, heal and feel love again, Grace & Gratitude is it.

2. Gathering – Brooke Medicine Eagle

Brooke is a staple in so many women’s circles I’ve been a part of.

Her Native American chants and songs are earthy and grounded… like song-prayers.

I often find myself singing one of her songs as a prayer or reminder to open for healing.

And hilariously enough – one of my dear friend’s husbands has started singing Brooke songs because he’s heard them so many times in the car.

Oooooh shoooo waaaaaaaaaa!

3. Embrace – Deva Premale

Deva is a whole lot of light, and a whole lot of loveliness.

Music to go within with. Chants to feel all holy again.

Songs from the sacred soul.

4. Facing Future – IZ

To hear IZ for the first time is to hear enchantment.

There is no other way to explain it… but to feel the presence of a very beautiful heart, singing soft Hawaiian dreams.

5. Acoustic Soul – India Arie

Dear India,

I love you.

Thank you for sharing your bravery, love, soul, essence and courage with the world.

Thank you for saying things are beautiful, because they are.

Thank you for having the courage to find your own beauty, and reclaiming like every woman needs to.

Thank you for always reminding me that everything is lovely, possible and true.

Love,

Leonie

6. Awake is the New Sleep – Ben Lee

I wasn’t a ginormous Ben Lee fan before this album. And I’ve tried to be a Ben-fan with his albums since, and they haven’t really sung to me. But it’s kinda like the ONJ thing – it’s this ONE album that is completely and utterly sublime for me.

That’s okay. This album is enough. It’s sacred and joyful all at once… like reading the journal of a young man’s enlightenment.

7. Abonecronedrone – Sheila Chandra

There are two kinds of people in this world… people who have heard Sheila Chandra, and those who haven’t.

I can’t explain her – except to say she is unlike anything I’ve heard before. The first time I hear her, I got chills down my back, and had to know who she was and how to get her CD.

Magical-songstress-earthy-chanting-experience-of-creation.

8. Between Two Worlds – Daniel Paul

Chris found this one at a bargain box sale, and oh-my-goddess it is spectacular. Whereas I managed to pick some truly spectacularly awful CDs at that sale, he came home with some gems… and this is my favouritest of them.

I’m not much into my ambient music being all electronica… I prefer… you know… actual instruments in them. And this is the perfect example of that.

Just gorgeous to listen to any time of the day.

P.S. Chris is hot. Sorry, I can’t help it. It’s like I’m physically unable to mention his name without adding that somewhere. You understand. It’s a condition.

9. Desert Dance – R. Carlos Nakai

A gorgeous goddess asked me where she could hear more flute music like the kind that’s played at the end of the Divine Dreaming Meditation Kit. Funnily enough… that would be *me* playing that flute. Like woah… it’s like I’m a musician or something! But not really. I play that Native American style flute. And if you’d like to hear more of that kind of scrumptiousness, Mr Nakai is the go-to God of the Flute.

Doooo eeeeeet.

10. Sanctuary – Riley Lee

Dude is like bliss jam-on-toast.

The End.

Riley Lee’s musical loveliness is like a herbal infusion of gentleness and peace into your life-tea-cup.

Amen.

So there you go, divine hotties!

My top ten soulful-music-go-tos!

What are your favourite soulful albums?
Sharesies in ze Comments Circle!

big love,

I’ve got a whole bundle of new gorgeous goddess sponsors this month…

do check out their glorious goodness, and support their work!

I’m so grateful to them for supporting this goddess space here…

Want to be featured as a sponsor here? You can become a sponsor by clickily dinking over here.

big cuddles! goodness! miracles! groovy peoples doing groovy things!

Compassionate Parenting from Goddess Leonie on Vimeo.

i want to create a new kind of parenting.

compassion for our children.

compassion for other mothers and fathers.

and most of all…

compassion for ourselves…

p.s.

13 days left to enrol to discover the creative goddess in you!

Dear Vimeo,

Thank you very much for taking my wonderful review of lovely Goddess Anita’s Goddess DIET book and automatically rendering this as the still image for it.

Goddess DIET Review from Goddess Leonie on Vimeo.

And I know how to force you to choose another still image, but honestly?

This one cracked me up so much, it had to be shared.

That is all.

big love,

P.S. The book is totally gorgeous, by the way. I can totally and enthusiastically recommend it. Funnily enough, it was the whole point of this post… before Vimeo’s hilarimo sense of timing stole the show.

Hola gorgeous souls!

I’m so grateful to have some completely wonderful sponsors here at Goddess Guidebook… they help to keep this place running AND they have amazing gifts to share with goddesses to make this world a lot more shiny. Please do check them out when you’re thinking of doing Christmas/solstice shopping.

Gifted souls:

• Insight Health Coaching – Nona is a gifted soul who provides health coaching to help beautiful souls create the health – and life that they truly need and want.
• Sankofa Song – Fabeku is fabulous, and a dear friend. Amazing Tibetan singing bowls. Sacred sound meditations that will take you from blah to hurrah in 2.5 seconds. Sacred sound healing in person and by distance. Need I say more?
• The Inspired Writer – Shannon is a beautiful and gifted writing & project coach. If you need help with getting back into writing, or finishing a project, I can’t recommend her highly enough.
• Hiro Boga – I can’t remember how many times I’ve recommended Hiro. I just booked my sweet mama in for a session with Hiro this week, actually. Quite simply, Hiro is the most powerful, potent healer I’ve ever experienced. She has healed for me more in a one hour session than years of self-work. If you need emotional, spiritual, or physical healing, Hiro truly is your woman. Get a healing with her and then email me afterwards to tell me I was right, because I love that.
• Be Present Be Here – Liz is a gifted writer, yoga teacher, retreat creator and artist. She is restorative, gentle and healing just to know!

Scrumptious goodies:

• The Usual Error Audiobook - If you need help with working on communication and relationships, my lovely friends Kyeli and Pace are the goddesses of it!
• Divine Dreaming kit – this is one of my own meditations to help you get to sleep faster and have more amazing, inspiring dreams. Just pop it on before you go to sleep for insta-soul-rejuvenation.
• Zen To Done – A cheap, gorgeous guidebook to help you get your dreams DONE.
• Planet SARK e-programs – I adore SARK. She adores my dog. My dog adores me. It’s one big happy love triangle. I love love love that SARK is sharing her rainbow spirit with the online world with her e-courses!
• October Photography – Katrina Dreamer is a gifted photographer (and has a really amazing sale on at the moment), as well as being a dreamworker & intuitive reader.
• Scrumptulicious – This beautiful family is fighting against kidney disease & homelessness by doing the best thing they know how to – making and selling their divine cookies. Please do check them out – they have gluten free options AND they ship all over the world.

Good things in good places:

• Crystalbrook Retreat - my family & I are turning part of our farm into a soulful community, and eventually a retreat centre. If you know anyone who’d like to buy their own piece of land and create their own sanctuary in the Whitsundays, Queensland – please do let them know about us!
• Wild Woman Weekend – The amazing goddess Anita Revel and Lucy Cavendish are running a healing, spirited women’s weekend in March next year in Western Australia. Both of them are such luminous shining goddesses and this weekend would be the most amazing retreat!
• Akiah Elan –  Are you in Proserpine or the Whitsundays? You need to go to Akiah Elan’s shop of healing, books, crystals and spiritual supplies! I’ve known Akiah since we were trying out astral travel when we were 13, and she really is a gifted, intuitive, healing soul.
• NIA Canberra – Are you in Canberra? My dear goddess sister Sone is now running NIA dance classes here! NIA is an amazing, gentle, healing form of movement.

I have three spots left for sponsors for December. Sponsorship is only US $50 for the month, and is perfect for getting extra attention on your beautiful services and offerings. Email me to become a sponsor!

The beautiful Eileen from SoulSleuthing.com made this sweet, tender video about our Goddess Guidance session.

And I cried. She gave me soul-goosebumps.

I’m so, so grateful to be doing this work… sharing this beautiful journey… and connecting with such rich, exquisite, amazing goddesses all around this lovely world…

*happy sigh*