The Aura-Soma Sourcebook: Color Therapy for the Soul author: Mike Booth, with Carol McKnight Healing Arts Press 2006 ISBN #159477077-8 Aura-Soma is an innovative therapeutic approach to healing that relies on bottles of dual-colored liquids, which incorporate plant extracts, essential oils, and the energies and extracts of precious and semiprecious stones. Known as Equilibrium bottles, their energetic properties interact with the individual's aura to help support (bring equilibrium to) the body, mind, and spirit. Author Mike Booth is the principal of the Art and Science International Academy of Colour Technologies and chairman of Aura-Soma Products Ltd. He has studied and practiced Aura-Soma for over twenty years, seven of which were spent working directly with Aura-Soma founder Vicky Wall. He live in England, and teaches Aura-Soma throughout the world. Carol McKnight is an Aura-Soma teacher, a licensed psychologist, M.A., and a licensed clinical health counselor with a private practice in Vermont. The first few chapters of this book deal with the concepts and history of Aura-Soma, as well as the basic concept of color, and how the energies carried by each color can be associated with the chakra system. (Individual colors discussed include rose, red, coral, orange, gold, yellow, olive green, green, turquoise, blue, royal blue, violet, magenta, pink, and clear/white. There is a very concise, very well written section on how to choose the bottles to best reflect the individual (the individual chooses their own bottles). The bottom line here is that the answers are within - the individual needs to be centered within themselves before their choices accurately reflect their current energetic state. The first bottle is considered the "soul bottle", and represents, from the perception of our superconscious, how we view ourselves, and our purpose for this incarnation. The upper half represents the color of the path that our soul will walk in this life, while the lower half represents the our soul ray, our soul's essence, and our subconscious mind. The second bottle represents our greatest gifts and talents, as well as the challenges that we designed for this life. The upper half of the second bottle represents the gifts we are conscious of, while the lower half represents gifts that we are less aware of, gifts waiting to be revealed. The third bottle is an indication of the "here and now", how far we have come regarding our intention for incarnation, and our lessons and talents. The upper half reflects that of which we are conscious, and the lower half reflects energies from our sub-conscious. The fourth bottle represents that which is right in front of us - our near future. That which we are creating, and that which we are drawing to us. the upper half represents that which is more openly expressed and apparent, while the lower half represents that which we are less aware of. The entire Aura-Soma line includes the Equilibrium bottles, Pomanders, Quintessences, ArchAngeloi, and Color Essences. The Equilibrium bottles work with the physical body, balancing and aligning the energies. The Pomanders (herbal essences, in seven groups of seven each) work within, and affect the auric field. There is a short discussion in the book regarding individual Pomanders, and how to apply them. The Quintessences are preparations including herbs in an ethanol base. They work on the astral fields beyond the etheric body. The Quintessences facilitate the flow of energy from the inner plane, and invoke the most positive energies of the color ray that they are associated with. The individual Quintessences are described, along with notations of the corresponding Equilibrium bottle in the Master set, its color, the color that it aligns with, and the keynote. Note: Each Pomander and Quintessence has an Air Conditioner associated with them. Essentially, these are Pomanders and Quintessences that are formulated in a manner in which they can be sprayed in a room. The ArchAngeloi are the most recent component of the Aura-Soma system. Their purpose is to help us become free of conditioned patterns, and to stimulate dormant seeds that will help with the unfolding of the higher plan here on earth. Each ArchAngeloi is paired with specific Equilibrium bottles. There are essences for Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Sandalphon, Tzadkiel, Metatron, and Jophiel. The Color Essences relate to the colors in the Aura-Soma range, rather than to specific bottles. They represent the energetic qualities of each color, and form the contact between the mental and emotional energies of the upper and lower astral fields and the electromagnetic field immediately around the physical body. The colors represented are red, coral, orange, gold, yellow, olive green, green, turquoise, blue, royal blue, violet, magenta, pink, and white. The main body of this book has to do with the Equilibrium color combinations. Understanding the color combinations is part personal journey, and part journey into universal consciousness. Each bottle is presented with a name, a "shakes together" color, a Tarot card, a keynote (indicating the purpose of the bottle), as well as a number and an in-depth discussion of the bottles energy and associated bottles. There are several Equilibrium sets that have evolved - the Rescue Set (representing the opportunity to connect with the integral part of the primary purpose of existence); the Chakra Set (representing the Equilibrium bottles that correspond to each chakra); the Extended Chakra Set, which fills in the gaps in the colors; the Tantric Illumination Set (mirroring opportunities for us to join the male and female aspects within ourselves); the New Aeon Child Set (which works with children as well as our inner child); the Extended New Aeon Child Set (including bottles which emerged later in the Equilibrium sequence); the Master Set (representing the bottles revealed between B50 and B64); and the ArchAngel Set (including bottles B94 through B104). This is an incredibly well researched, well written book. It could be easily understood by those of all backgrounds, including those who have no prior knowledge of energetic work of any kind. The book is well presented, with glossy pages and a myriad of color photographs - a compilation of the work of many different people that shared their energy here. The photo's are not only of the bottles, but of plants, people and places associated with each of the bottles. It takes the understanding of the Aura-Soma process to a very deep level. The greatest gift of this book may well be the last two pages, which show each of the Equilibrium bottles with very clear color distinctions. This allows the reader to start the process of working with Aura-Soma by themselves, as they pick their four bottles and read about them. This is the beginning of the path - it is recommended that to work with the system, an individual work with an Aura-Soma counselor. The wisdom of this book comes through in a very gentle fashion, making it a welcome addition to any library. © August 2006 Bonnie Cehovet Personal Lifestyle Reading - I offer a Personal Lifestyle Reading using Tarot that looks at past, present and future influences in your life, at the energies that are currently available to help you along your path, and at those energies that are appearing as challanges. My goal is to offer you insight into your decision making process, as well as tools that you can use to both better understand your path and make conscious, choice centered decisions. Home Personal Empowerment links Personal Empowerment articles Graphics by Art for the web