Seven Stars: Mystical Poetry, Michaela Sefler. InnerCircle Publishing; Selah, WA, 2007. 184 pages. $25.00 USD.

review by J. S. Kupperman

Michaela Sefler’s book of inspirational poetry, Seven Stars, is much like her previous works. Sefler’s mystical aspirations and experiences are here laid bare before the reader. Seven Stars contains over 170 poems, each kept to a single page. Fans of Sefler’s poetry will be happy to see that she has retained the poetic and visual style of pervious collections such as Through the Ages.
The poems of Seven Stars faithfully present for the reader Sefler’s own spiritual and mystical experiences. While this may prove to be both enlightening and inspirational it can also present a difficulty. The poems reflect one mystic’s spiritual journey and as is the case with mystical poetry the results are both specific and personal. Such poetry can be uplifting to those who have had similar spiritual experiences and may help a lone mystic connect with others. However as the poetry is so very personal it may leave those who have not had those types of experiences left wondering what they are really about or if they are missing some necessary understanding to make them truly meaningful.

As with previous books, Sefler’s current work will be inspiring and uplifting to many of its readers. The work draws upon numerous mystical traditions, making especial reference to Qabalah, though these are of course interpreted through the author’s own mystical point of view and a certain amount of romanticism. This may disappoint some readers looking for something coming from a more traditional orientation.

Overall, Seven Stars is an interesting and insightful look into the mystical life of its author. The poetry can be beautiful and insightful while simultaneously being nearly opaque, as though one needs the correct mystical experience to gain entrance. Those looking for poetry more directly inspired by the sources of the Western mystery traditions may wish to look elsewhere. However those looking for poetry of an inspirational and spiritual nature will find Seven Stars both enlightening and fulfilling.

Through the Ages: A Compilation of Inspirational Poetry, Michaela Sefler. PublishAmerica.com; Baltimore, MD, USA, 2005. 160 pages. $16.95 USD.

review by J. S. Kupperman

Through the Ages represents one woman’s spiritual journey through life. It contains 149 poems, each restrained to a single page, and deals with a wide range of topics that have affected her life. Being a collection of poetry Through the Ages is somewhat difficult to review due not only to the personal nature of much poetry but also due to the personal tastes of the reader.

The poems of Through the Ages clearly reflect the author’s own experiences and this is simultaneously enlightening and problematic. The poems show one person’s response to life and how their spirituality has helped them cope with both the good and the bad. Such poetry can be uplifting to those who have experienced similar life circumstances for here is a woman who has not only survived them but has thrived. However the poetry is so very personal, leaving those who have not had their experiences wondering at the context of the poems and feeling that in some instances the poems are incomplete or missing some key to their interpretation.

While Through the Ages is certainly going to be inspiring and uplifting to many of its readers many readers of occult poetry by luminaries such as W. B. Yeats or masters such as Shakespeare may feel somewhat disappointed in the poetry’s presentation and depth. The work also purports to be inspired by numerous sources including Qabalah, scripture and creation itself. While this might be true in a general way again the reader, especially if looking for a specifically Qabalistic content, may be disappointed as any such content, when present, is typically allusive and relies greatly on the author’s own, and Romantic, take on the subject.

Overall, Through the Ages is an interesting and insightful look into the spiritual life of its author. The poetry has moments of beauty and deep insight but also has moments of opaqueness. For those looking for poetry directly inspired by the sources of the Western mystery traditions may wish to look elsewhere. However those looking for poetry of a generally inspirational and spiritual nature may find Through the Ages both uplifting and fulfilling.

Michaela Sefler
PublishAmerica
ISBN: 1-4241-0251-0
Poetry
Reviewed by Tami Brady



Through the Ages is an impressive compilation of a large number of poems by the author. These works are truly enlightening and inspiration with the primary focus of most of the pieces on faith and hope. Although the author does refer to God throughout many of these poems, I would classify the tone to be spiritual rather than dogmatically religious or pertaining to one particular belief system.

Though I enjoyed many of these selections, my top four favorites were I Cannot Return, A blessing, Seven, and A Fine Line. In I Cannot Return, the author realizes can no longer go back she has to got forward. Basically, it’s the old saying that you can’t go home again. A Blessing contains my favorite line “A blessing, can come true, if you can only believe”. How remarkable. Seven includes some very beautifully and vividly describes various Christian sacred number symbols. A Fine Line discusses that fine line that we all must walk to reach honesty and our own truth, between truth and lies.

Through the Ages by Michaela Sefler is available at Amazon