Sacred Sounds: Transformation Through Music and Word

Rating:
Summary: Universal Language of Music
Review: This is the first book I've seen that links music, sound, and spoken word to chakras and healing centers in the body. Just as chakras respond to certain thoughts, and colors, the vibration of certain notes resonate to corresponding chakras. The right combination of sound and tone can be used to aid in spiritual healing. Ted Andrews describes a fascinating history of storytelling and music throughout time, the importance of maintaining oral and musical traditions. Sacred Sounds also covers the important power of words, and what actions they can create. This is a great and informative handbook on music and healing.

Rating:
Summary: Magical properties of music and words
Review: This valuable book is divided in two parts. The first is The Secret Power of The Word, in which the author discusses the science of sacred sound with reference to its principle of resonance (sympathetic vibration), the principles of rhythm, melody and harmony, plus qualities like pitch and timbre. The scales and the healing elements of music are investigated - the section on the musical interplay with the charkas is particularly enlightening. Other fascinating sections are The Occult Significance of Speech and Mystical Words of Power which deals with ritual words and sounds like the Hebrew God-names plus Sanskrit Mantras and chants.

Part Two, the Renaissance of the Bardic Traditions, provides a history of the mystical bards and deals with magical storytelling. It includes a section on musical instruments like the lyre, harp, guitar, keyboard instruments, flute and others. There is also a captivating section on magical poetry with a discussion of forms such as alliteration, repetition, anagrams, assonance, meter, rhythm and rhyme. The book concludes with the chapter Bardic Healing that provides practical techniques for tuning and healing the human body.

There are notes to every chapter, a select bibliography on (a) sound, music and voice and (b) on the Bardic traditions. The illustrations include musical notations, the human body and the charkas, plus the astrological musical wheels of the spheres. Several helpful tables are also provided, for example on the God-names.

Andrews has succeeded in bringing to life the lost tradition of the Word in this well-written and engaging book that opens the door to our understanding and using the power of sound, music and words for regeneration, healing and enhanced creativity.

This book is ideal for those interested in esoteric healing, in the metaphysical aspects of sound and music and for those who love sacred music in any tradition. If sound has always been considered the direct link between humanity and the divine, this excellent book, Sacred Sounds, serves as the key that provides access to that link again.