Review: 'Beneath The Veil' by Zingaia

Romance your lover this St. Valentine's Day with sacred music that echoes love and devotion.

Zingaia's Beneath The Veil is the first of three albums and was released back in August, 1997 by Sequoia Records, a well-respected name in New Age Music. Zingaia, the creation of husband and wife team, Katlyn and Michael Breene, was formed in the early 1990s. The Breenes' music is a blend of multicultural, new age, electronica-techno-trance-dance and exotic gypsy.

Beneath the Veil is dedicated to sacred lovers and to the eternal divine feminine, in her many forms and guises. To date, Zingaia has released three albums and has appeared on six compilations.

This album is captivating and addictive, getting into your blood, lighting a flame deep within your heart. Beneath the Veil takes you into a different realm, creating an atmosphere of mystery, mysticism and magic. It is an intoxicating blend of tribal percussion, keyboard, ethereal and haunting voices, repetitious hand drumming, giggles, chants and exotic melodies. Some songs contain a drone-like quality, adding to the already rich hypnotic textures.

The music paints a picture of fantasy lands afar. Visions of gypsies belly dancing, incense, smoke, ritual and lovers' union dance within the mind's gaze, pulling you deeper into the music. Some songs take you to the sea; others to the sand. You can hear elements from all over the world, combined to create a unique sound and style. Zingaia does not try to fit into any one genre of music, but paves a way for its own sound.

The lyrics are a mysterious blend of goddess invocation, poetic expression of the divine feminine and the alchemy of merging polarities creating a sacred union. The album begins with an invitation as "She Beckons," the first track, initiates you into the erotic, mysterious world of Zingaia. The journey moves forward and we are instructed to "Be the key to open something greater and hidden" in track two, "Invocation of the Goddess." The haunting, seductive vocals of Katlyn Breene and guest vocalist, Veronic Fabre, are alluring and enchanting; exciting yet relaxing.

Track three, "Sirens of the Moonlit Tide," my favorite track on the album, awakens your senses, if you are not up and dancing already. Moving forward, the sixth track, "Beneath The Veil," reveals the alluded secret. The album then continues on with one more track, the seventh and final piece of the composition.

The album, as a whole, has a feel of both excitement and relaxation, keeping you engaged, yet distant, creating a heightened alertness and a calm focus at the same time. This is another example of the unification or polar opposites, as earth and sky and male and female energies unite. The album is uplifting, meditative and easy to dance to. People of many different tastes can easily find an appreciation of this work. The aesthetics of the album are also impressive, the artist being the talented Katlyn Breene. Although the music speaks for itself, the art is a nice compliment to Zingaia's enchanting world.

Full length album recordings by Zingaia

• Soles on Earth (2004, Sequoia Records)
• Dancers of Twilight (2000, Sequoia Records)
• Beneath the Veil (1996, Sequoia Records)

Compilations including recordings by Zingaia

• Diani Beach Lounge (2004, Prudence Recordings)
• Buddha-Lounge 3 (2004, Sequoia Records)
• Cafe de Luna 2 (2004, Sequoia Records)
• Ayurveda Lounge (2002, BSC Music GmbH)
• Buddha-Lounge (2002, Sequoia Records)
• Musical Healing (2001, Sequoia Records)

If you want to taste before you buy, please visit Zingaia - Beneath The Veil at Sequoia Records.

Details and Track Listing

Sequoia Records: Healing Music for Relaxation, Yoga and Meditation
Zingaia - Beneath the Veil
Sequoia Records
List Price: $16.98
Also available as an MP3 Download Album for $8.99

Zingaia, Beneath the Veil

1. She Beckons 2:19
2. Invocation 7:38
3. Sirens of the Moonlit Tide 9:03
4. Veil of Inanna 8:39
5. Ast Usari 8:27
6. Beneath the Veil 9:29
7. Breath of Passion 8:46

Review - Divine Rebels: Saints, Mystics, Holy Change Agents - and You

Divine Rebels: Saints, Mystics, Holy Change Agents - and You By Caroline Myss, Andrew Harvey

This is an important time in our world, a time of great change, unlike any other ...

This timely and much-needed 9 disc set fuels the passion of the sacred flame of truth that lives as a potential seed in the hearts of us all.

Facing these challenging times of transformation can be a frightening experience with the threat of a lack of soulful, spiritual direction and truth.  How many people in the world do you think are wandering around in life, wondering and wondering, wandering and wandering while feeling lost? ... lost?  If you have ever felt lost in life, unsure, confused, baffled and even dumb ... If you have ever felt this way, and I know that everyone has or will at one time or another, this CD set will have something for you, offering great hope and inspiring words that are powerfully graceful, while wildly courageous.

Divine Rebellion lives within each and every one of us, as a spiritual revolution takes place within during our evolution and experience as humans ...  

I needed this audio ... honest, soulful and poetic.  It has opened my eyes to the truth that I locked up in my heart, guiding me toward the strength in my foundation that I have been needing for so long.  Nourishing to the soul, even if one sentence in this entire ten hours of audio resonates with you, the purity of the wisdom will stay with you your entire life. 

The truth has caused rebellion through out the ages and this audio is the answer to the many prayers of uncertainty as to what to do in the world today, when lies and corruption are a part of so much in our world.

Myss and Harvey guide us, teaching to listen for the same divine voice that called out and spoke to history's greatest spiritual rebels - Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, Mother Mary, St John and many others.

Caroline Myss is a Saint, a divine rebel herself, whose voice and words are like the nectar of this experience called life.  Her no nonsense, tough, honest approach is enlightening, enriching, empowering and incredible.  I love this women ... the sacred has most certainly called to her.  I feel somewhat converted, as though I have been initiated into the richness of my soul, as though I have gone through the woods of my heart, guided by the mystical and saintly Caroline Myss and Andrew Harvey.  A wave of love, truth and balanced clarity has washed my wombs and purified my soul.

For more information, please visit Sounds True.

Divine Rebels: Saints, Mystics, Holy Change Agents - and You
Caroline Myss, Andrew Harvey
Sounds True 05/12 Spoken-Word Audio $69.95
ISBN: 9781591798064

Review: Practical Conscious Creation by Jackie Lapin

If you are looking to have more health, wealth and overall prosperity, Practical Conscious Creation wants to show you the way.  This is a great book that teaches easy, practical and daily techniques of manifestation.  By learning the ins-and-outs of inspired thought in all actions, decisions, and routines the book provides a concise road map for implementing daily innovative, creative imagery and inspired actions.  If you have tried to manifest or use the law of attraction in the past, with no avail, this book will give you the tools to be successful this time around.  It is an easy read, with lots of usefulness ... 5 Stars.  A book like this can easily change your life.  For more information, or to order please visit Findhorn Press.

Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year 

Susun Weed, author of the Wise Woman Herbal series, is a sparkling, rare gem in the green world of herbalism ... a spirited, passionate and magical teacher whose wisdom is unsurpassed.  

Her extensive knowledge of herbal wisdom and powerful personality put her on top when it comes to our green friends, especially concerning women's health.  She empowers women across the globe, weaving a beautiful design of health, healing and self-love ... teaching about our herbal allies.

The wisdom of Susun is delightful, enriching and green, holding an international reputation for her style and authority in the field of herbalism.  Her words are full of encouragement, inspiration and enthusiasm, creating a spark in the heart of all who read her work.  She believes that herbal medicine is people's medicine and has devoted her entire life to reweaving the healing cloak of the Ancients.  In addition to her books, she offers apprentice programs and correspondence courses.

Written in 1985, Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year is Susun Weed's first book, now in its 24th printing.  This book is truly amazing and loved by child educators, midwives and pregnant women across the globe ... a must-have!!!

Many people do not realize the power that some herbs hold, good and bad.  I feel so blessed to know what I know from this book.  

This book makes a great gift, even if the woman is not really into herbs because it acts as a protective shield, cautioning about the use of certain ingredients.  If you are into using herbs, this book contains everything you will need to have the best pregnancy possible with the help of our green friends.  

I cannot recommend this book enough!  For more information, please visit The Wise Woman Bookshop.