Ilona Andrews is a writing duo made up of husband and wife team, Ilona Gordon and Andrew Gordon. They are known for their urban fantasy novels, including the popular Kate Daniels series. One interesting aspect of their writing is their incorporation of occult affirmations. Occult affirmations are positive statements that are made with the intention of manifesting specific outcomes or channeling specific energies. In Ilona Andrews' novels, these affirmations are often used by the characters to enhance their magical abilities or to protect themselves from harm. The incorporation of occult affirmations in their writing adds an extra layer of depth to the magical world that Ilona Andrews has created.
Some research suggests positive affirmations can have benefits for mental health and general well-being. Sam Zand, DO, a clinical psychiatrist based in Boise, Idaho, points to neuroplasticity as one explanation for the potential health benefits of affirmations. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to create new patterns and adapt, per an article published in Frontiers in Psychology in October 2017.
In a small randomized controlled trial, researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI to better understand how affirmations affected internal processing and reward systems in the brain. They found that participants who used positive affirmations reflecting their values had more activity in the reward center of their brains neural processes associated with positive self-view and self-competence than those who didn t.
The incorporation of occult affirmations in their writing adds an extra layer of depth to the magical world that Ilona Andrews has created. It adds to the sense of authenticity and believability in the fictional realm, and allows readers to further immerse themselves in the story. One example of occult affirmations in Ilona Andrews' books is the use of "protections" by the characters.
Affirmations: What They Are, Health Benefits, and Getting Started
Whether you’re feeling proud of yourself after a major accomplishment or feeling down on yourself after a day when you can’t seem to get it right, the way you talk to yourself matters.
That’s the idea behind affirmations — short phrases you can repeat to change the way you think and feel about yourself. If you meditate or practice yoga, you may already be familiar with affirmations — they’re often integrated with these practices.
In a tweet last year, Jennifer Lopez revealed the affirmations she uses: “I am whole, I am good on my own, I love myself.”
Michelle Obama said in a Twitter post last year that her daily mantra is: “Am I good enough? Yes, I am.”
Affirmations are free and easy to practice anywhere, anytime, so they’re a really accessible tool to cope with stressful current events, says Corey Yeager, PhD, a Minneapolis-based licensed marriage and family therapist and the author of How Am I Doing?: 40 Conversations to Have With Yourself (a book about building self-awareness).
“People are latching onto simple ways to help themselves,” he says.
These protections are essentially spells or affirmations that are recited by the characters to shield themselves from danger or negative energy. These affirmations are often repeated several times, and the repetition is believed to strengthen the protective effect. Another example of occult affirmations in Ilona Andrews' novels is the use of "commands" or "invocations" to harness specific energies or to manipulate the elements. These affirmations are used by the characters to control the magic around them and to achieve their goals. Overall, the inclusion of occult affirmations in Ilona Andrews' writing serves to enrich the magical world they have created and adds a unique and interesting aspect to their novels. It is a testament to the duo's creativity and attention to detail in crafting their fictional realms..
Reviews for "Illuminating Your Path: Ilona Andrews' Guide to Occult Affirmations"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Ilona Andrews Occult Affirmations". The book promised to provide an insightful and unique perspective on affirmations, but instead, it was filled with clichés and generic self-help advice. The writing style felt forced and lacked depth, leaving me feeling like I wasted my time and money. I was expecting a more profound exploration of the occult and how it intersects with affirmations, but this book fell short of my expectations.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Ilona Andrews Occult Affirmations" was a complete letdown. The title had me intrigued, but the content failed to deliver anything substantial or meaningful. It felt like a poorly researched and hastily put together cash grab. The writing lacked coherence, and the concepts presented were shallow and unconvincing. I would not recommend this book to anyone genuinely seeking knowledge on the subject.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I found "Ilona Andrews Occult Affirmations" to be a confusing mishmash of new age ideas and vague occult references. The author attempted to blend these concepts but failed to provide any practical guidance or clarity. It was difficult to follow the train of thought, and I felt like I was left with more questions than answers. I appreciate the effort, but the execution fell short for me.