Exposed, Uncovered, and Declassified: Lost Civilizations & Secrets of the Past , edited by Michale Pye and Kirsten Dalley, New Page Books, 2012.

The very words “Lost Civilizations” has always made my blood run with excitement, and in this collection, there is plenty of food for thought on various ancient “lost” civilizations.  This collections of essays contains works by some of the most respected researchers in areas of history, pre-history, archaeology and mythology.  Among the authors featured here we find Frank Joseph, editor of Ancient American Magazine and Atlantis explorer extraordinaire, Freddy Silva, one of the world’s leading experts on crop circles and sacred sites, and Erich Von Daniken, the guru of ancient alien theorists.

The first thing that struck me about the writing here is the thorough and well-organized research that has gone into each essay.  These aren’t a bunch of lunatics wildly speculating about little green men and mysterious underwater continents.  These are serious-minded researchers who draw upon many areas of science in search of possible explanations including studies in geology and mythology, the examination of ancient artifacts and writings, and astronomical and mathematical observations.

The book begins with Joseph’s examination of “Archaeological Scandals,” beginning with the Kensington Rune Stone.  I had the privilege of writing a review of the book on the Kensington Rune Stone for Ancient American a few years back.  (LINK)  He also examines Chief Joseph’s Sumerian Tablet, Georgia’s Hearn Stone, and Peru’s La Paz bowl.  These artifacts resist accusations of fraud and Joseph clearly outlines why they cannot be forgeries and therefore must be considered to be genuine relics indicating ancient communication between the continents that far predates our standard assumptions.

In “Paradises Lost,” Oberon Zell examines the evidence of lost places including, naturally, Atlantis, Lemuria and the Garden of Eden.  But he also includes Dilmun, a lost land appearing in Sumerian writings, Doggerland, an area once above water between England and Denmark, as well as discussing the inundation that created the Black Sea.

Other essays include an exploration of Atlantis as being the Valhalla that the Vikings were seeking when they invaded the British Isles, a treatise on an ancient race of giants, the possibility of ancient civilizations using sound as a means of locomotion, evidence in ancient writings of possible nuclear conflict in man’s distant past, and the role of symbols carved into the stone places of ancient landscapes.

In this genre, it is all here—Noah, the Great Flood, Sumeria, Egypt, Easter Island, Peru, Atlantis, UFOs, Native Americans, and time travel.  But it is backed up with genuine artifacts, real ancient writings, accurate geological and astronomical history, and even DNA research!  Which, greatly to my relief, doesn’t end up sounding flaky—instead these thoughtful and well-researched essays will make you think and wonder and speculate on your own.  Perhaps even sparking the reader to delve in and explore man’s history from yet another new perspective. 

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Lightworker:  Understand Your Sacred Role as Healer, Guide, and Being of Light
by Sahvanna Arienta, New Page Books, 2012

There are a few books that come into our lives that strike us as being truly important.  In the category of “metaphysical books to treasure” I am adding Lightworker:  Understand Your Sacred Role as Healer, Guide and Being of Light, by Sahvanna Arienta (no, that’s not a mis-spelling.)

Arienta hasn’t actually told me anything new—I’ve been a student of metaphysics for over forty years—but what she has done is compile important foundational information for all of us who consider ourselves to be “Light Workers” in the world, and provides a framework for understanding the many ways in which this role is fulfilled.

Arienta begins with an introductory course on energy and how it works within the realm of the spiritual.  Her explanations are clear and practical.  And although I have a few minor points I will expand upon in a moment, overall the information and cosmology she presents seems essentially sound.

The issues I have with the book are many of the same issues I have with lots of books in this genre—poor editing and misspellings undermine Arienta’s credibility and authority. Of course, in any book, it is possible to find a typo or two, but here the errors are fairly glaring—“crevasse” when she means “crevice” and a reminder that we “reap what we sew.” (Which makes me think that Arienta doesn’t understand the word “sow” because she grew up in an urban environment where all food comes from the industrialized food-production system.)

My other criticism is one which few readers will likely notice; Arienta occasionally draws conclusions or makes broad assumptive statements with little or no evidence.  For instance, in her preface she states, “As the Earth’s population continues to increase, violence and crime have increased along with it.”  Given the propensity for the mass media to emphasize the awful, I can understand how one might arrive at this conclusion.  However, it simply isn’t true and this is where writers have a responsibility to check their facts first.  It is critically important to ensure that we can support our position, and make rational arguments, if any part of the “New Age” movement is to be taken seriously.  Because we are often regarded as “flakes” or misguided simpletons, the onus is doubly upon us to demonstrate that we are educated, rational and erudite. 

But Arienta is young and still wise beyond her years and this basic guidebook for being a Lightworker will surely provide guidance and comfort to many who now suffer with their sensitive natures in an insensitive world.  For me, it reminded me of my energetic center, of the “mission” I have felt embarked upon my entire life.  Arienta refreshed my commitment to Lightwork, and helped me once again feel the transcendent energy that moves us closer to unity.