NEW AGE SOFTWARE COMES TO THE AMIGA

Not long after the introduction of the PC and the Macintosh 
computers, a species of software quickly emerged for the use of 
these machines. Perhaps best known as "New Age" software, this 
class of software products includes a broad variety of programs, 
ranging from astrology, the "I Ching" and bio-rhythms to psychic 
phenomena and witchcraft. Surprisingly, very little of this kind 
of programming has appeared within the Amiga community, even 
through the Amiga, with its outstanding sound and graphics 
capabilities, has been around since 1985. With the introduction 
of two products by Blue Valley Software, however, this situation 
may be changing.

The first of these programs is "The Magic Mirror", created by Dr. 
Ernstein Kinnie, clinical psychologist and author of "The Magic 
Theatre". "The Magic Mirror" is intended to enable its users to 
create the life they always wanted  for themselves. It consists
of a number of psychological tools, tricks and tactics for 
changing the way in which an individual perceives and feels about 
the world and his or her place in it. By changing how we view the 
world, relate to it, or feel about it, we change our lives and 
our chances for success or failure, happiness or dissapointment. 
Blue Valley Software claims that the program is "direct and 
experimental" and "the best program available if you want to 
understand and change your life".

The second program is entitled "Merlin", after the magician of 
Arthurian legend. Written by Jonathan Muir McGregor, "Merlin" is 
a role-playing adventure for those gamers who want to be changed 
-- as well as challenged-- by the games they play. It begins with 
a journey through the Underworld guided by three "nice ladies" 
(according to its literature). As the user learns to deal with 
his or her emotions, responsibility and past experiences, and 
develops a ability to focus his or her mind and emotions, (s)he 
is led on a journey proceeding up out of the Underworld through a 
castle and forrest -- a pilgrimage both long and arduous. 
Finally, when the great lessons of live have been learned at 
last, the pilgrim is led by Merlin to the top of a enormous
mountain for a final encounter with Truth and an experience of 
what (s)he always has been.

Both "The Magic Mirror" and "Merlin" share in Blue Valley's 
philosophy af the "OldWay", a world-view and living tradition 
that views the unconscious not as a source of danger and defeat, 
but as an "incredibly powerfull source of energy, creativity and 
knowledge". The Oldway assumes that awareness, not data, is 
ultimate in human knowledge and that we create and maintain our 
individual world's through out own personal fears, imaginings and 
desires. In this view, once we learn to tap into and direct the 
enormous resources of our unconscious, we shall be able to change 
our individual lives for the better. And it is just this purpose 
that Blue Valley's programs seek to help us realize.

It should be noted that "the Magic Mirror" an "Merlin" are both 
'ports' of programs originally written for PC's. Each is 
available from Blue Valley Software; 29 Shepard Street; Walton,NY 
13856. "The Magic Mirror" costs $39.95, while "Merlin" is $ 29.95 
(US) -- including postage


Review by:         S. M. Oackland
                   3511 Cook Avenue
                   Billing, Mt
                   59102-4314
                   USA

Special thanks to: Martin Jansen (NL) for converting the original 
review we received from paper to a textfile.

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