The Magical Power of Sound and Music - by Vijaya Schartz

In the Chronicles of Kassouk, sound is sometimes used to power levitating vehicles
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Sound is a vibration – Everything in our universe is vibration. Depending on the frequency of a vibration, it is perceived differently, sometimes as sound, color, or other sensory perception.

The ancient Greek and Egyptians believed music was a gift from the gods… and the musical scale is based on divine mathematical science. Since antiquity, music has been played in sacred spaces. Some artificial caves in Turkey and Sicily were built thousands of years ago, to enhance a specific frequency, thought to elevate the soul.

The Gregorian chant, also divine in origin, when enhanced by the high vaults of churches and cathedrals, does elevate the soul. To this day, music and choirs are still part of worship.

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Some sounds have the power to soothe the mind and the body. They are used in therapy (singing bowls). Specific frequencies have been linked to healing different parts of the body. In the temples of India, Tibet, and Nepal, Similar kinds of sound frequencies (mantras like OHM or specific chimes) are said to resonate with the Shakras to awaken psychic abilities.

A Chi Warrior can also manifest psyhic abilities
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Closer to home, the purr of a cat also has healing powers. Its vibration naturally regulates the heart and can prevent some types of heart problems.

Plants and trees also vibrate at frequencies that can be recorded and amplified, to be heard as music. I’ve heard it, and it’s amazing to realize these beautiful harmonies originated in nature itself. But it shouldn’t surprise us. We’ve all heard the trill of a bird, the sound of the wind in the branches, the gentle pitter-patter of rain, which are also nature’s soothing sounds. Waterfalls and jungle-sounds recordings have been used to promote sleep.

The Azurans on the Phantom Ship protect the universe from evil
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In the past, some melodies have been forbidden on the radio, because they’d been determined to drive some listeners to suicide. Other melodies can bring peace, and others yet can give you energy and even bring pure joy.

Film makers know this well, as they use music and sound in every scene to create suspense, love, fear, empathy, or happiness on the screen.

On the darker side, some sounds can incite violence or drive people insane. Armies and revolutions all had their martial songs – During WWII, Wagner’s music became a symbol of Hitler’s third Reich. In America, hard rock was once accused of holding dark magic. Some conspiracy theorists even believe that sound can be used to control the mind of entire populations.

The Ladies of the Lost Isle also have magic powers
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Whether we like it or not, sound is a big part of our lives. TV commercials exploit the power of music or the special quality of a voice to create a mood, a need, a yearning for whatever product they are selling.

But if we are aware of the effect of sound on our mind, body, and soul, we can choose to listen to elevating sounds, enjoy the music that makes us feel good, and ignore or mute the negative sounds in our lives.

Good luck, and happy reading.

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Kick-butt Sci-fi Heroines, cats, romantic elements

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When Does Christmas Season Start by Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

The Twelve Dates of Christmas

https://www.bookswelove.com/shop/p/twelve-dates-of-christmas

https://books2read.com/The-Twelve-Dates-of-Christmas

https://www.amazon.ca/Twelve-Dates-Christmas-Joan-Donaldson-Yarmey/dp/1772992518

Single Bells

https://www.bookswelove.com/shop/p/single-bells

https://books2read.com/Single-Bells

https://www.amazon.ca/Single-Bells-Joan-Donaldson-Yarmey/dp/0228628385

When I was a child (not quite pre-history) Christmas season started when our school put on the Christmas concert for parents. We children practiced our roles in plays and choirs and got our costumes organized by our parents (mainly mothers). The concert was held on a school evening about mid-month and most of us and our families walked to the school for the event. Santa appeared when the concert was over and we each received a bag of goodies from him. We were all excited to see Santa and each of us happy with what was in the bags.

Dad would go and buy our real tree, since there weren't artificial ones, about a week before Christmas and put it in a stand of water. We would decorate it and that was the only decorations in our house and most houses in our neighbourhood. No one had outdoor lights. Some of the stores put up decorations in their windows and painted scenes on their windows.

Nothing much changed until I was in my teens, when we added a few more decorations around the house and Dad and some other homeowners hung outdoor lights on their houses.  But, because television channels were limited, there still wasn't much advertising for toys or other gifts. People would go to the stores and wander around looking for the right toy for their children, the right clothing or piece of jewelry, or tool, or household appliance for other members of the family. The types of gifts and costs were limited.

But nothing good lasts for long. Soon stores put the Christmas decorations on their shelves in November and then in October, and now in September. They even start playing Christmas music in September. Television advertisers bombarded parents with what they need to buy for their children and then switched to bombarding children with what they should want from Santa. This is even before Thanksgiving and Hallowe'en.

When I was a child, the Christmas hype lasted about two or three weeks and then we had the gratification of Christmas morning. Now the hype lasts for months and many people get hype fatigue so that by the time Christmas actually arrives, they just want it over with.

So then, why am I advertising my Christmas novels now, in October and before Hallowe'en? My sister and I wrote both of them and now we have a third one coming out November 1st. Since I only post on the 24th of each month, this is my chance to start promoting it, and the first two, and gives readers time to check them out.  

Writing "The Book of Dreams" a part of the Paranormal Canadiana Collection by Dean Hovey

 My first mystery was published in 2000, followed by 43 others. The Doug Fletcher series continue to be among my publisher's best sellers. When my publisher and I discussed writing a paranormal book, I was intrigued, but also uneasy. After several email discussions, I suggested that I write a paranormal set in Nunavut, using that opportunity to deal with the dangling thread left at the end of "Bad Omens:Nunavut" when my protagonist makes a decision on his life's direction.

Based on the characters and location suggested by John Wisdomkeeper, I took Peter Pokaik back to Nunavut. He's married Connie, his high school sweetheart, and they are dealing with the death of his father-in-law. The book opens several years earlier with an attack on Connie's mother. As the scene closes, she curses her attackers, telling the leader he will "burn in hell."

We jump ahead to Connie (Kootoo) Pokaik taking leave from her radio broadcasting job to sort her father's estate. In the course of clearing out her childhood home, Connie discovers a dusty book that's warm to her touch. The book, hand-written long ago, suggests the meaning of dreams.

Over the course of the following days, Connie and Peter begin to discover the book's power and Connie's newfound ability to actually interpret dreams. This discovery makes them question the unsolved death of Connie's mother and whether she had been interpreting dreams, and possibly more. With the help of an RCMP Special Constable, they learn the fate of her mother's attackers.

By visiting with Hanta, an Inuit shaman who'd been introduced in "Bad Omens", they learn how to use Connie's newfound abilities, but also learn there's a downside to the use of her powers.

I drafted the first chapter and asked myself if I could do justice to the story. Within days, Peter and Connie were speaking to me. Hanta took on life and I felt like John Wisdomkeeper was channeling that character. 

When I finished the first draft, I took a deep breath and sent a copy to my daughter, who is into paranormal books. Because of her busy work schedule, it took her weeks to open the book. Once she started reading, she finished it in two days. I received a text, "Dad, this is the best book you've ever written.

If you're curious about what happened to Christopher Pokaik after "Bad Omens", or into paranormal books, I encourage you to pick up a copy of "The Book of Dreams" from Amazon or your favorite retailer when it's published next year.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dean-L.-Hovey/author/B00J78JMLY

Keely's Scary Dream from Allure of the Crystal Palace, by Diane Scott Lewis

 

Allure of the Crystal Palace will be available in November.

My books are also available at Barnes and Noble. Or scroll down for Amazon.

My heroine, Keely Harper, is trapped back in time, a harrowing experience. A modern woman in mid-Victorian London.

How would you react to such a change?

She is taken in by the kind Lady Sanderlund, but one night, she has a troubling dream. October is the time for spookiness:

Gasping for air, Keely ran through a shadowy alley that twisted and turned and seemed to have no end. Why was she here? She looked down, and she was dressed in her tight skirt again. Had she returned home? It felt too fuzzy to be really back in her modern world. She continued to scramble through the narrow, dark passage, the walls slimy to the touch. She appeared to be going around in circles.

Amanda emerged, holding the hands of her children, Ella and Hughie. “We miss you but understand your need for change.” Her sister gave her a sad smile. Then she moved away around a corner.

“Take me with you!” Keely rushed around after them, but no one was there; her heart sank.

A man loomed out of the shadows. He wore the frock coat and stovepipe hat of a Victorian. “Why are you here all alone?” he asked.

She backed up several steps. “I’m lost. Can you help me? I want to go home.”

“Oh, I’ll assist you, my dear.” He moved closer. At first, he looked like her ex-husband, Mark. Then he changed into someone grotesque, his face skull-like. “You’re a fine-looking whore.”

She tried to turn around to flee, yet couldn’t. “Don’t come any closer. Why can’t you help me?”

“There’s no help for it. You require a different life.” His gnarled hands reached out for her. His grin was predatory, his teeth rotten.

She raised her knee and struck him in the groin. She did it again, harder, her body shaking, a scream rising in her throat. It felt like striking a pillow. The man laughed as if her efforts meant nothing.

Baron Lambourne came from somewhere, broad-shouldered and handsome. “Be gone; you have no right to cause undue strife!”

Did he speak to the grotesque man or to her? She reached out to—

Keely woke suddenly, sat up in bed and clutched the blanket. She wheezed in her breath. A dream. A bizarre dream. Her subconscious was letting out her fears. Her own sister telling her she understood? Did this mean she was really exiled to the past and might never see her again? 

Keely choked back a sob. She massaged her temples, steadying herself. The skull-man must represent the obstacle she couldn’t get around.

Will Keely ever get home or must she make a life in 1851? No more cell phones, cars, or seeing her family. Will she find love with Baron Lambourne, who has obstacles of his own? 

To find out more about me and my books.

                    

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with one naughty dachshund.

Boucheron Excitement by Bonny Beswick

 

  

 BULLWINKLE SPOTTED!  

This weekend, I was treated to sightings of a mama moose and her two calves  browsing in the ravine behind my condo complex. Of course, I’ve seen moose  (plural: moose, not meece) a number of times here in the city, but still, I am  always amazed that they can exist in the narrow green belts and along the river,  navigating busy roads, dogs, and people who approach far too closely.  

It was too dark for me to get a good photo, so just in case you need reminding  what a moose looks like, I’ve copied a photo, courtesy  

of www.factanimal.com. 

If you’re outside of North America, you will probably  

call them “elk”, but here, our elk are a different  

animal species entirely. 

These magnificent animals, so much larger than you  

first think, look ungainly, but move with incredible  

grace. I’ve watched them step over five-foot fences. No, not jump. Step. They  seem to float over the ground with each stride of their long legs. And though you  might find it hard to believe, this huge animal can simply disappear into aspens.  They often appear simply as a dark void. 

Amazing though they are, they are a danger to motorists. For example, in  Newfoundland, with an estimated population of 117,000 ranging the province  (working out to about one moose per square kilometre), the province logged an  average of 539 moose-vehicle collisions per year — almost six percent of all  accidents. (2012-2020). 

Moose are among the top ten fastest land mammals, easily reaching 60 kmph  when they want to get some place in a hurry. They are excellent swimmers, too,  and often choose to browse on aquatic plants. 

I haven’t had a close call with one (yet) on the roads within the city, but I’m  keeping my eyes open. 

Other than being on moose-watch, what’s coming up in October? 

I’m going to try to get out for a final camping trip of the year, weather permitting,  of course. I will tag along with my sister- and brother-in-law — they have a trailer  that I can flee to in case snow starts to fly. Tentative plans are to go to St. Mary  Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area before they close for the season at the  beginning of the month. 

And what else? Well, Bouchercon 2026, of course! I’ve mentioned it before, but  it bears repeating. On October 21 – 27, this reader-oriented literary festival  features an international roster of authors, fans, and special guests. Come meet  Louise Penny, Kathy Reichs, Abir Mukherjee, Mark Greaney, Jennifer Hillier,  Vicki Delany, Kevin Sands, and Toastmaster P.J. VERNON. There are five days  of panels covering everything from “Walking on the Gritty Side (Complex and  Resilient Characters Surviving Tough Times) to “What happens when a writer  changes genres”, to “Fire Behavior and Arson Investigations for Writers”. I’ve  been pouring over the event schedule trying to whittle down the sessions I want  to attend, either because the topic sounds so intriguing or because I MUST hear  the speaker.  

There is a Pub Trivia Night (co-sponsored by Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters  in Crime (Canada West Chapter), a Cocktails & Cozies reception, books signings,  and (whew) so much more! 

I’ll be hosting a 20-minute meet-and-greet on October 22 from 1:40-2:00 with  other BWL authors. We’ll be discussing how to write when the ink in our pens  freezes and other writing conundrums. 

Registration for Bouchercon 2026 closes on September 30, but next year it is  being held in Washington DC., and you have plenty of time to think about  attending.  

In one of my next blogs, I’ll mention some of the other fantastic opportunities to  attend literary festivals. Some I have already attended; others are on my list. 

I can’t end this month’s blog without mentioning it’s trademark event – Hallowe’en. 

For many, Hallowe’en is a major cause for celebration,  

marked by the over-consumption of candy, dressing in  

costumes, and falling prey to outlandish myths of  

zombies, vampires, and witches riding broomsticks. 

Aside from the commercial and frivolous celebrations.  

for those who honour pagan traditions, it coincides with  

Samhain, one of the most important holidays of the  

year. It marks the final harvest and the beginning of  

winter. For Wiccans, it is the New Year, a time to honour

the dead, to let go of habits and things that no longer have purpose in their life, and to step into the darker, colder half of the year with the help of powerful  rituals. 

Whatever you’re up to this month, the time when we relish the wonders of fall, I  hope you find joy in the colours, breathe deeply of the crisp fall air, and celebrate! 

While fireworks fill the sky on the last night of The  

Greatest Show on Earth, also known as The Calgary  Stampede, a man with a past is shot on his front doorstep.  Detectives Janice Maidstone and Scott Amble are called to the  quiet suburban neighbourhood. Love has many forms, but  which one led to this innocent man’s death?  

As far as police work goes, Janice can’t imagine working  

with a better partner than Scott. The problem is, it’s a race  against time, as one or both of them may soon follow their  hearts and seek new lives outside of the city.  

Available on Amazon, www.bonnybeswick.com, and bookstores near you! 

I hope at least some of you can come to one of my signings. Watch my website for up-to-the-minute dates and locations.  

And it all started with book 1: 

The Aquamarine Necklace: A Janice Maidstone Mystery, by  

Bonny Beswick — Books We Love Publishing Inc. 

The Aquamarine Necklace: Beswick, Bonny: 9780228634737:  Books - Amazon.ca