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Online Holiday Shopping with a Spiritual Twist

The holidays are upon us and I thought I'd explore the idea of searching for gifts that sooth the soul and spirit--and sometimes the body, too--via the Internet. Using the November issue of The Monthly Aspectarian, I launched my search. I quickly found that there were three categories featured in the advertisements: websites that present the store as a wonderful place to visit, but don't offer specific product descriptions; websites that offer details on at least some products, but don't offer online ordering, and websites that offer online ordering.

Come and see what we've got

Healing Earth Resources (www.healingearthresources.com): The home page for Healing Earth Resources states that it is more than a business: "it is a sanctuary that feeds the senses." Click on the store link and you'll see a list of the type of products you can find if you visit this store at 3111 N. Ashland in Chicago: Aromatherapy, Crystals, Incense & Candles, Drums, Massage Tables, Music, Skin Care, Tarot and Divination Decks, Yoga Books, Videos, Props, and Clothing. However, click on the link for any of these categories and you'll get an attractive photo of what that section of the store looks like. It's obvious that the folks at Healing Earth Resources feel that you must physically come to the store to appreciate the total experience.

Divine Inspirations (www.dvineinspirations.com): Click on the "Products" link at the website for this store in Elgin and you get a selection of thumbnail photos depicting different store areas. Click on the thumbnails and you'll see that area enlarged. This gives you an idea of the products that are in the store. There are no text descriptions, though. P.S. make sure you type in the URL correctly. That's "dvine" not "divine" in the address.

A sampling of products

Transitions Bookplace & Café (www.transitionsbookplace.com): Although Transitions Bookplace in Chicago carries some other products, the emphasis here is on books. There is no online ordering, but checking the "Bestsellers" section and the "New Titles" section gives you some great ideas for your holiday shopping list. For example, titles and descriptions under "New Titles" include The Heart of Compassion: A Practical Approach to a Meaningful Life by His Holiness, the XIV Dalai Lama and How to Live in the World and Still be Happy by Hugh Prather.

Sanctuary Crystals (www.sanctuarycrystals.com): This store in Alsip wants you to come in and see what they describe as one of the planet's finest selections of crystals, rocks & rare minerals, unique jewelry, books, music, videos, incense, oils, herbs, unusual gifts, global imports and unique gifts. There is plenty of in-depth information, however, including a fascinating look at their "Stone of the Month."

The Temple of the Four Winds (www.temple4winds.org): Check out the "Favorite Books" link at this site for titles on magic. This is an earth-based spiritual community, so they don't actually sell the titles--but there are some good gift ideas here.

Rosley's Rocks & Gems (www.crystalmaster.com): The site for this store at 2331 N. Elston in Chicago features lots of in-depth information that will allow you to pick out the perfect stones for your loved ones. Check out the "New Items" section for things like The CrystalMaster's Meditation Kit and the CrystalMaster's Chakra Amulet.

Earth and Beyond (www.earthshoppe.com): The site for this store in Orland Park features descriptions of products like Words to Live By Stones, Money Cories, and Worry Stones. You'll have to get the products at the store, however.

Earth Song Books and Gifts (www.earthsongbooksandgifts.com): The site for this store in Janesville, Wisconsin features a list of "One-Of-A-Kind" Gift Ideas like Doreen Virtue Healing with the Angels Oracle Cards, singing bowls and chimes, and dream catchers. Click on the links to these products to get some in-depth information before visiting the store.

Blue Feather (www.bluefeatherforyou.com): There is no in-depth product information for this store in LaGrange, but the site does have a list: Soothing Balms, Libations, Prescriptions for the Soul, Herbs & Tinctures, Aromatherapy & Candles, Jewelry & Crystals, Music, Native American Goods.

Order online

Spirit Tomes & Treasures (www.spirit-tomes.com): This store in Hammond, Indiana also has an extensive catalog of items that can be ordered online. The sections in the catalog include "Rocks, Stones, Crystals, Minerals," "Altar: Athames, Cauldrons, Cloths," and "Fairies, Dragons, Angels & more." Click on these links to get to specific items, prices and ordering information.

Insight Out (insightout-healing.com): The site for this store in Highland, Indiana, also features a section called the "Insight Out Online Store." Dozens of products including chakra banners and heaven scents can be ordered online. One unique item is described as delicious treat that serves a good cause. Profits from the sale of each jar of Kelsey's Cookies for Kids go to the Leukemia Society.

Webaromas.com (www.infinitevisionsinc.com): This is a store that is completely online. Check out their extensive list of oils, herbs, burners, bath products, handmade soaps, Indian items, resins, diffusers, Japanese, and Native American items. The "Handmade Soaps" section, for example, states that the soaps are made in very small batches with saponified oils of coconut, palm, soy, canola and/or olive. Each bar is rich in color, texture and lather and will cleanse without drying.

Archangel Michael's Soul Therapy Room (www.buddhamaitreya.org): The site for this organization located in Medinah, Illinois features a wide variety of etheric healing tools that can be synergistically applied for self healing and soul integration. Some of them are quite expensive. However 70 percent of all sales are donated to His Holiness' Tibetan Refugee Projects. Products include the Shambhala Star, which is worn during meditation or while healing yourself or others. If you're on a budget, check out the CD, Soul therapy Music Performed By Buddha Maitreya.

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Mary Montgomery-Clifford is a certified web author and developer. Her company, Montgomery Media Enterprises ("Freelancing with Finesse!"), specializes in public relations, events, promotions, writing project and web authoring, development and publicity. Ms. Montgomery-Clifford has a Master's Degree in religious studies from Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) in June 2002 and is working on a Ph.D. with a focus on the new scholarship of Unlimited Love and the Other Regarding Virtues in the Fall of 2002. She is also in the process of completing the Morris Pratt Institute Course on Modern Spiritualism. Contact her via e-mail at Monty764@aol.com, by phone at 773-235-8821 or at her web site at www.montymedia.com.

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