At WonderWorks we offer tools, both ancient and modern, to help people deepen their view into their own hearts and illuminate their path in the world. We specialize in books about spirituality, creativity, holistic health, and death and dying. At WonderWorks you can also find out about bodywork and Buddhism, tarot and tantra, goddesses and gardens.

WonderWorks is a place where you can find ways to honour all of life's transitions. The Goddess is there in all her forms in our beautiful selection of jewelry statues and artifacts. You will also find journals, tarot cards, music, and a large selection of audio tapes. For those like us who are awed by the magnificent power of plants we have a large selection of Flower Essences.

Watch this site for exciting new changes as we redesign the website - online shopping, up-to-date inventory and photos, customer reviews and more...all coming soon!

Summer Newsletter Here!

Click here to download the latest WonderWorks News in pdf (107 kb).

^{Summer Newsletter 2009}

Book Launch    Bright Dark Madonna  June 12^th

Please join us on Friday June 12^th from 7 - 9 pm for the Wonderworks launch of Elizabeth Cunningham’s newest book  Bright Dark Madonna , this is the third in her Maeve Chronicles trilogy that creatively weave stories of Mary Magdalene with a poetic and passionate vision. (Please note 7pm is the correct time, not 6)

"Elizabeth Cunningham has again delved into her fabulous treasure trove of impeccable research, and come up with gold. In Bright Dark Madonna, her interweaving of Biblical-Celtic themes brings the first century to life with unexpected freshness and many surprises."  Katherine Neville

http://www.passionofmarymagdalen.com/

Juicy Fridays!!

All Juicy Fridays are free events presented by Wonderworks and guests, featuring an eclectic range of spiritually related topics and celebrations. Call or email Wonderworks to register. Juicy Fridays begin at 7.

Friday June 19th^th  Djembe Jam Out Session

Join us for a casual but informative djembe jam and introduction to the drumming instrument by professional djembe player and teacher Vlad Nicolic and djembe enthusiast, Monica Bodirsky.

While the djembe seems deceptively simple, it carries a deep and complex history within the West African culture. Join us in a lively discussion about the drum, appreciation versus appropriation, and pick up a couple of basic rhythms 

Bring your djembe, if you have one. Although an introduction, all levels including novices are welcome.

Wonderworks - Out in the City

AT OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education)

Author, activist and eco-philosopher, Joanna Macy presents a public talk: “Taking Heart in Tough Times” at the OISE Auditorium, 252 Bloor St. Thursday June 18^th , 7 – 9pm. Advance tickets are on sale at Wonderworks ($25 adult, and $15 student/senior). www.joannamacy.net

Scholar and cosmologist, Dr.Brian Swimme, presents “The Way of the Universe: Wisdom for the Ecozoic Era” at the OISE Auditorium, Friday June 26^th, 7 – 9:30pm &  Saturday 9am - 5pm (range: $39 – $159 )

To register contact Gaia Centre: www.gaiacentre.org   info@gaiacentre.org  or 705-754-2427

On Bloor Street:

BIG on Bloor and CULTUREWORKS Festival – Saturday June 20^th from 1 – 6pm Wonderworks will be participating in the second annual best (and longest) street fest in Toronto! Stretching from Christie to Lansdowne featuring hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions,  BIG on Bloor celebrates community and local business with a special focus on arts & culture. The day will be followed by a 600 table-long community dinner from 6 – 9pm, right on Bloor street!  Check it out at www.bigonbloor.com

Upcoming Workshops

Goddess Alive -  8 Point Wheel of Celebration with Mary Marzo

In these times of great shifts and changes, celebrating the ancient Goddess Festivals and honouring the Earth’s cycles connects us to an inclusive life-affirming force that aids the process of healing ourselves, each other and Mother Earth.  Come join these safe sacred circles to celebrate the next two points on HER Wheel of Celebration.

Summer Solstice - Summer Quarter Festival -  Thursday  June 18^th  7 - 9:30pm

This is a festival of the height of Midsummer’s Eve.  It is a time of magic and revelry.  It honours the longest day and shortest night.  We celebrate the return to the inner realms (Summerlands) and its rich potency.

Mary Marzo - holistic psychotherapist/healer/ritual maker. Creatress of the internationally acclaimed Goddess Healing CDs (Goddess Blessings, Goddess Relaxation & Meditations, Goddess & Child) that have touched many worldwide.

Registration: $25  Contact:  416 424 2086  mm@goddesshealing.com   www.goddesshealing.com

The Magic of Tarot with Mary Greer  

Saturday June 20^th  10:30am - 5:00 pm

In this workshop you will learn to consciously work with the magical elements of Tarot to achieve your goals. You can, like The Magician, use these images to draw from the Spiritual plane to create what you desire on the material plane. In this workshop you will learn practical techniques for using the Tarot to move into the realm of archetypes and Spirit, and then return, changed by their qualities and characteristics. Discover how to focus your abilities in order to become an agent for conscious creative change. Transform your readings into conscious acts of magic.

Contact James Wells:  416 966  2685  or  evolutionary_tarot@yahoo.ca

Tarot Workshop 1  'Symbolism'

Wednesday  June 24^th   6:30 - 9pm

Don't be intimidated by the myriad of symbols in a tarot deck!

Learn to read the cards without that little white book...or any book. The first step is to understand the components: colours, numbers, suits, trumps, archetypes and symbols. We will discuss how to put the pieces together in this light-hearted but information-packed session. You will leave knowing how to interpret single or three card spreads.

No experience with tarot is necessary, but please bring a deck to the workshop. Rider-Waite and Morgan-Greer are great beginner tarot decks.

Tarot Workshop 2  ‘Designing Your Own Spreads’                       

Wednesday  July 15^th   6:30 - 9pm

Free yourself from the traditional Celtic Cross spread.

Learn how to create a personal tarot spread that speaks to your individual questions. We will also discuss the most popular spreads and how to decide which to use for yourself or others. We will do practice readings in small groups with your newly designed layouts.

No experience with tarot is necessary, but please bring a deck to the workshop. Rider-Waite and Morgan-Greer are great beginner tarot decks.

Cost: $30 for each tarot workshop

Space is limited to 12 participants.  Please e-mail monica.bodirsky@gmail.com  to register

You can also experience a private tarot reading with Monica at Wonderworks.

Tarot  Mondays are from 12 – 5pm, every Monday. Walk-ins and appointments are both welcome.

Brennan Healing Science with Akashic Record Reading

with Lorna Charley, Energy Healer

Sunday July 5^th   11am – 6pm

Energy therapy utilizes the human energy field to explore and release blocks that prevent one from fully engaging in life. Through dialogue and hands-on healing work, Lorna assists clients in identifying and correcting the underlying causes preventing them from moving forward. Therapy may include:

* basic chelation

* reconnecting energy lines

* reconstructing chakras

* reconstructing organs

* spinal cleaning & brain balancing

* 5th level spiritual surgery

Fee: $75 per 1 hour session.

Contact Lorna: 647 203 7580 or lornacrescan@yahoo.ca

FREE Open Talk and Group Healing Facilitated by Lorraine Stobbe Goldbloom

              Thursday  July 23rd  6:30pm

Experience and learn about VortexHealing(R)

VortexHealing(R) is an incredibly powerful, energetic healing practice which works solely with divine light and consciousness.  It derives its name from a particular energy-vortex that is the interface between our physical world and a special, divine healing realm.  VortexHealing is a complete system of energetic healing training from the Spiritual Healing tradition of Merlin.

For information visit www.vortexhealing.org  or contact Hilary: vortexhealingtoronto@gmail.com

Wonderworks & Fleishman Gallery

 79a Harbord Street (west of Spadina) Toronto, ON, M5S 1G4

Tel: 416 323 3131   Toll Free: 1 800 329 0757

info@gowonderworks.com     www.gowonderworks.com

http://fleishmangallery.blogspot.com/

Store Hours: Monday to Friday  10:30 - 7pm   Saturday 10:30 - 6pm   Sunday 12 - 5pm

Working wonders for women

Mar. 8, 2006

by DAPHNE GORDON
THE CONSTANT SHOPPER

THE ITEM: Canadian Forest Tree Essences

THE COST: $20 each

WHERE TO BUY: WonderWorks bookstore (79A Harbord St.).

CARLO OSORIO/TORONTO STAR

Canadian Forest essences are made from such trees as silver maple and white pine, and are said to ease emotional challenges.

It's International Women's Day and the Constant Shopper suggests a visit to the speciality bookshop WonderWorks as a means of celebrating all that is naturally and powerfully feminine.

I've long been a fan of this spiritual bookstore and meeting place on Harbord St. near Spadina. With a space in the back of the shop available for Goddess gatherings and healing seminars (see http://www.gowonderworks.com/workshops.html), the shop has become a resource on the subjects of creativity, spirituality and healing over the past 20 years, under the ownership of Mary Anderson.

Anderson recently sold the store to a new owner, and the Constant Shopper is excited about Rochelle Holt's plans for WonderWorks.

Holt, 40, will continue to stock the books, audio and video tools, and healing flower essences for which WonderWorks is known. But there will be some subtle and interesting changes.

With a degree in art history and a background as administrator in the local visual arts scene, Holt is poised to renovate the workshop space into an art gallery, and will show work that addresses ideas of spirituality.

It's a subject that has long been avoided in the art world, says Holt, who previously worked at A-Space, an artist-run centre that focuses on experimental work, and Leo Kamen gallery, a successful commercial gallery. She has always been attracted to works that examine the role of women and spirituality in the wider culture.

"In the '70s and '80s you had a huge outpouring of Goddess imagery. It was very important and very political. But we're moving to a more conceptual, challenging imagery around spirituality," she says, pointing to the first exhibition at the WonderWorks gallery, a video installation by local artist Deanna Bowen (http://www.deannabowen.ca) called (truth)seer, as an example of such challenging work. The show opens this summer.

Holt is also a practising Wiccan and she plans to expand the shop's selection of books, tools and accessories devoted to the pagan religion. Despite its ancient roots, Wicca is relevant to the lives of modern women, she says.

"It's an earth-based religion, and reverence for the earth is hugely important for us as humans, to understand that the earth is part of us and we are part of the earth," she says, explaining that environmental activism is a natural extension of Wiccan beliefs.

To fill the shelves with modern spiritual tools for pagan practitioners, Holt is planning a road trip, with a fellow Wiccan friend of hers, to Salem, Mass. The area is a pilgrimage for Wiccans, particularly at the spring equinox, and the shopping is said to be wicked. There, Holt will source modern Tarot cards, challices and swords — necessary tools for performing ancient pagan rituals.

The store has always been a resource for books and tools related to natural healing methods. Expanding on that focus, Holt plans to invite a Shiatsu practitioner to work at the store. And she wants to create an online shopping site devoted to flower essences, aiming to serve rural and suburban customers who can't buy the healing tinctures close to home.

She's also added a unique line of essences made from trees native to our forests. Formulated in Quebec, Canadian Forest Tree Essences are said to have a healing effect on the body, emotions and psyche. (For more info, see http://www.essences.ca.)

Holt's goal is to bring spirituality and contemporary culture together, she says, noting that WonderWorks customers aren't all new age hippies. Alternative practices have gone mainstream.

"You've got corporate types meditating and using flower essences and going back into a big meeting," she says. "We're really waking up to the body and waking up to the spirit. People are becoming aware of the need to integrate all of these levels of experience."

IN THE NEIGHBHOURHOOD: The strip of Harbord St. between Spadina and Bathurst is a shopping hot spot for women who love books. Visit the Toronto Women's Bookstore (73 Harbord St.) for a wide range of estro-charged books both fiction and non, Caversham Bookseller (98 Harbord St.) for self-help and psychology resources, Atticus Books (84 Harbord St.) for scholarly finds about anthropology, art history, philosophy and religion, and Good For Her (175 Harbord St.) for erotica.

Daphne Gordon's Constant Shopper column appears every Saturday in the Shopping section and Monday to Friday online at http://www.thestar.com/constantshopper.