Mysticism, magic and occult interests

An exploration of the wild spirits that once roamed the lands and inhabited the waters and the pagan rites used to gain their good will *; Explores medieval stories and folk traditions of brownies, fairies, giants, dragons, will-o'-the-wisps, and demons *; Explains the specific rites performed to negotiate with the local spirits and ensure their permission before building on new land *; Shows how these beliefs carried through to modern times, especially in architecture Our pagan ancestors knew that every forest has brownies and fairies, every spring its lady, and every river malevolent beings in its depths.

A practical guide to the magical history, customs, and practices of pre-Christian Northern Europe *; Details the everyday magic of the Northern Tradition, including household magic, protection spells, and the significance of the days of the week *; Explores direct natural magic, such as shapeshifting and soul travel, and talismanic or sigil magic, including runes and rituals to unlock the power of crafted objects *; Explains how many of these customs continue to the present day In the pre-Christian societies of Northern Europe, magic was embedded in the practical skills of everyday life.

A complete introduction to Sanatana Dharma, the spiritual science of the Hindu sages *; Examines how many core concepts of Hinduism, including Brahman, Atman, bhakti, karma, and reincarnation, relate to modern science *; Explores the scientific discoveries of the rishis, ancient Vedic sages, and how they have only recently been rediscovered by Western scientists *; Reveals the concepts of quantum physics hidden within the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and the Puranas Called ';the scientists of Hinduism,' the rishis of ancient India were the scribes of the Vedas.

Explains how to successfully navigate the process of initiation, instruction, testing, and self-transformation under the guidance of a spiritual teacher *; Explores how to approach a teacher for initiation and the importance of gauging your inner response and feeling of trust and resonance with the teacher *; Discusses the process of separating from a spiritual teacher and how to negotiate the emotional conflicts that can arise at this stage *; Shares the author's experiences with several remarkable teachers and details lessons learned through testing and confronting doubts and fears In the search for inner awakening and self-realization, a spiritual mentor can be key to advancement.

An inside look at sex magic in Eastern and Western Mystery traditions *; Details the sex magic practices of P.

A story-based guide to the techniques of shamanic healing*; Details indigenous medicine tools and soul healing techniques, including diagnosis and energy cleansing with plants, stones, fire, flower essences, and sound*; Offers protection and self-defense techniques for confronting negative energies such as spirit attachment and possession*; Shares healing stories that each address a specific condition, such as panic attacks, PTSD, depression, cancer, chronic pain, grief, and relationship problemsShamanic healing is making an astonishing comeback all over the modern technology-driven and consumerist world.

A comprehensive handbook of more than 1,000 magical words, phrases, symbols, and secret alphabets *; Explains the origins, derivatives, and practical usage of each word, phrase, and spell as well as how they can be combined for custom spells *; Based on the magical traditions of Europe, Greece, and Egypt and recently discovered one-of-a-kind grimoires from Scandinavia, France, and Germany *; Includes an in-depth exploration of secret magical alphabets, including those based on Hebrew letters, Kabbalistic symbols, astrological signs, and runes From Abracadabra to the now famous spells of the Harry Potter series, magic words are no longer confined to the practices of pagans, alchemists, witches, and occultists.

Discover the shamanic powers within each of us*; Explores ayahuasca rituals in the Amazon, messages from power animals and plant spirits, intuitive dreams, soul retrieval, and holograms of past lives and spirits*; Explains the shamanic way of ';seeing' to diagnose spiritual, emotional, and physical ailments via candle readings, remote viewing, and shamanic journeys*; Details how the author has helped individuals communicate with loved ones who have passed on and release themselves from negative spiritsEach and every one of us has shamanic powers.

Reveals how Christian mythology has more to do with long-standing pagan traditions than the Bible *; Explains how the church fathers knowingly incorporated pagan elements into the Christian faith to ease the transition to the new religion *; Identifies pagan deities that were incorporated into each of the saints *; Shows how all the major holidays in the Christian calendar are modeled on pagan rituals and myths, including Easter and Christmas In this extensive study of the Christian mythology that animated Europe in the Middle Ages, author Philippe Walter reveals how these stories and the holiday traditions connected with them are based on long-standing pagan rituals and myths and have very little connection to the Bible.

A visionary guide to safely using psilocybin mushrooms to tap in to the wisdom of Nature and reconnect humanity to the biosphere *; Explores the ecopsychological effects of wild psychedelic mushrooms, including enhanced biophilia, expanded awareness, eco-shamanic encounters, and access to the ancient wisdom that binds all life on Earth *; Examines the most recent scientific studies on psilocybin in the U.

Humility, being open and receptive to all experience, is the key to becoming one with the spontaneous patterns of the universe *; Integrates classic teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism with principles of quantum physics to reveal the science of the enlightened masters *; Reveals how we are each capable of shifting from the aggressive path of the warrior to the humble path of the sage *; Explains how the key to catching the current acceleration of conscious evolution is humility From Krishna and Lao-tzu to Buddha and Jesus, each enlightened master discovered how being receptive to all experience was the key to becoming one with the universe and its spontaneous patterns of order and chaos.

Humanity's creative role within the living pattern of nature *; Explores important scientific discoveries that reveal the self-organizing intelligence at the heart of nature *; Examines the idea of a living cosmos from its roots in the earliest cultures, to its eclipse during the Scientific Revolution, to its return today *; Reveals ways to reengage our creative partnership with nature and collaborate with nature's intelligence For millennia the world was seen as a creative, interconnected web of life, constantly growing, developing, and restoring itself.

The moving story of an expatriate coming to terms with her country's history, and her joyous spiritual and emotional rebirth as an African healer.

A ';what to expect' guide for first-time ayahuasca users paired with accounts from the author's extensive shamanic experiences in the Amazon *; Describes how to prepare for the first ceremony, what to do in the days afterward, and how to maintain a shamanic healing diet *; Details some of the author's own ayahuasca experiences, including an intensive trip in 2009 when he underwent 17 ceremonies *; Explores the many other plants that are part of the ayahuasca healer's medicine cabinet as well as the icaros, healing songs, of the ayahuasca shaman Since 1999 Jan Kounen has regularly traveled to the Peruvian Amazon to participate in ayahuasca ceremonies.

By understanding osogbo, the spirits of misfortune, we can better overcome them and return to health and balance in our lives *; Explains how misfortune works in this world as living spirits that plague humanity but are also a catalyst for self-development and conscious evolution *; Shows that we can overcome osogbo through eb, sacrifice, and hard work as prescribed by consulting the orishas through the casting of the diloggn *; Shares more than 40 ancient African sacred stories about the spirits of osogbo Beginning with the story of his goddaughter's battle with stage IV cancer, Lucumi priest cha'ni Lele explains the role of osogbo, or misfortune, in our lives.

A fully illustrated guide to the Masonic origins and present-day Masonic sites of Washington, D.

A fully illustrated history of the Temple of Solomon *; Examines the Temple of Solomon in the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and Apocryphal writings *; Explores its role in the founding of Freemasonry, the legends of the Knights Templar, the doctrines of the Kabbalah, and the teachings of Islam *; Explains the sacred nature of the Temple Mount--the site of the Temple of Solomon--and the secrets that may still be hidden there *; Richly illustrated, including many photos and images from rare archives The spiritual heart of many esoteric societies, the Temple of Solomon was located atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a site venerated by the three great monotheistic religions as the intersection of Divine and human.

Explores the hidden history of Freemasonry from ancient Rome, through the Middle Ages, to the present*; Shows the close connection between medieval masons and the Knights Templar*; Illustrates the sacred nature of Roman and medieval trade associations*; Reveals the missing link that connects the lodges of modern Freemasonry to the medieval brotherhoods of buildersHistorians often make a sharp distinction between the operative Masonry of the Middle Ages and the speculative Masonry of modern times, emphasizing that there is no direct bridge connecting the two.

Sheds new light on the identity of the alchemist Fulcanelli*; Provides new understanding of the relationships between the most important figures of the esoteric milieu of Paris in the first half of the 20th century*; Includes a wealth of rarely seen documents, photos, and lettersFulcanelli, operative alchemist and author of The Mystery of the Cathedrals and The Dwellings of the Philosophers--two of the most important esoteric works of the twentieth century--remains himself a mystery.

A handbook for unlocking the soul's purpose and manifesting a fulfilling life *; Reinterprets the traditional Dharma system of ancient India as a map for revealing one's true purpose *; Provides tests for determining one's Dharma type *; Explains the benefits, challenges, and social, interpersonal, and health dynamics associated with each of the 5 Dharma types Have you ever wondered why, despite great obstacles, some people achieve success, while others, though given everything, seem to squander it away?

A comprehensive study of the use of talismans and amulets in the Western Mystery Tradition *; Provides an in-depth look at the medieval and Renaissance use of amulets and talismans, including the work of Agrippa, Albertus Magnus, and Athanasius Kircher *; Provides a full summary of the magical knowledge required to make an amulet or talisman, including the invocations required to activate their powers *; Reviews different kinds of amulets and talismans, from ancient jewelry and magical objects to the modern rabbit's foot or lucky horseshoe The use of talismans and amulets stretches back nearly to the dawn of man, from everyday items magically prepared, such as horns or coins, to intricate and beautiful jewelry imbued with protective powers.

An exploration of the profound Sufi practice of Itlak Yolu *; Examines the three main facets of this practice: zikr or breathing exercises, fasting, and mental suffering *; Shares new Sufi parables, the sayings of Sufi master Hasan Lutfi Shushud, and Rumi's philosophy on annihilation of the Self *; Reveals how once the Self is annihilated higher levels of perception are reached In this exploration of the profound spiritual practice of Itlak Yolu, the Sufi path of annihilation, Nevit Ergin examines the three main facets of this path: zikr or breathing exercises, fasting, and mental suffering.

A practical guide to creating plant extracts, essences, and complexes for use in Druidic sex magic rituals *; Explores the identification, harvesting, and magical properties of more than 70 flowers and trees *; Details the careful and meticulous spagyric preparation of plant extracts and complexes *; Demonstrates how plant compounds are used in Druidic sex magic rituals by both couples and groups In this practical guide to Druidic plant magic, Jon G.

An exploration of the chemical, biological, psychological, and experiential dimensions of ayahuasca *; Details the scientific discovery of ayahuasca's sophisticated psychoactive delivery system in the brain and body and its potential applications in medicine and psychology *; Includes contributions from Dennis J.

A biographical history of Aleister Crowley's activities in Berlin from 1930 to 1932 as Hitler was rising to power *; Examines Crowley's focus on his art, his work as a spy for British Intelligence, his colorful love life and sex magick exploits, and his contacts with magical orders *; Explores Crowley's relationships with Berlin's artists, filmmakers, writers, and performers such as Christopher Isherwood, Jean Ross, and Aldous Huxley *; Recounts the fates of Crowley's friends and colleagues under the Nazis as well as what happened to Crowley's lost art exhibition Gnostic poet, painter, writer, and magician Aleister Crowley arrived in Berlin on April 18, 1930.

The classic follow-up to the bestselling The Crack in the Cosmic Egg *; Explains the process of acculturation and the mechanisms that create our self-limiting ';cosmic egg' of consensus reality *; Reveals how our biological development innately creates a ';crack' in our cosmic egg--leaving a way to return to the unencumbered consciousness of childhood *; Explores ways to discover and explore the ';crack' to restore wholeness to our minds and reestablish our ability to create our own realities In this classic follow-up to his bestselling The Crack in the Cosmic Egg, Joseph Chilton Pearce explains the process of acculturation and the mechanisms that create our self-limiting ';cosmic egg' of consensus reality.

An exploration of sacred geometry, space, and time encoded in stone structures during four successive ages of megalithic building *; Examines the sacred knowledge carefully preserved in the Stone Age structures of Carnac, Stonehenge, Giza, and Teotihuacan *; Shows how our Stone Age ancestors created a practical system of mathematics, sophisticated enough to discern cycles lasting up to thousands of years *; Reveals how the Earth's shape and proportions mirror the time cycles of the heavens above Our Stone Age ancestors discovered that the geometry of the Earth provided a sacred connection between human experience and the spiritual worlds.

Details the process of spiritual initiation from aspirant to the highest Adept *; Explains the characteristics of each stage of initiation, including the associated psychological issues that need to be faced to move to the next stage *; Explores the long history of the Mystery traditions from ancient Egypt, Babylonia, and India to the modern Theosophy of Blavatsky and Bailey *; Reveals how the Brotherhood of Spiritual Adepts is increasing global tensions to prepare humanity for the Age of Aquarius and spiritual revelation As the precessional cycle transits from Pisces to Aquarius, great shifts in spiritual evolution are on the horizon--not for all of humanity as many in the New Age movement have generously hypothesized but for those who have undertaken the necessary spiritual preparation and initiatory work.

Naturally occurring DMT may produce prophecy-like states of consciousness and thus represent a bridge between biology and religious experience *; Reveals the striking similarities between the visions of the Hebrew prophets and the DMT state described by Strassman's research volunteers *; Explains how prophetic and psychedelic states may share biological mechanisms *; Presents a new top-down ';theoneurological' model of spiritual experience After completing his groundbreaking research chronicled in DMT: The Spirit Molecule, Rick Strassman was left with one fundamental question: What does it mean that DMT, a simple chemical naturally found in all of our bodies, instantaneously opens us to an interactive spirit world that feels more real than our own world?

The Moon is not a cold, dead rock but a rich, fascinating world just as alive as Earth *; Investigates the Moon as the home of an alien intelligence who controls humanity *; Examines several of NASA's Apollo missions and the findings they concealed *; Reveals the many holes in the ';Giant Impact' theory about the Moon's origins and the evidence for a hollow, artificial Moon *; Explores the deep influence of the Moon on the collective mind of humanity and occult teachings about the Moon from the Qabbalah, tarot, and other sources Despite being the most prominent celestial body after the Sun, the Moon has many qualities that science has yet to explain.

A practical guide to recognizing and overcoming the patterns and influences of the four generations before you *; Provides exercises to uncover your family's psychological heritage, heal negative patterns of behavior and illness in your family tree, and discover your true self *; Explains how we are the product of two forces: repetition of familial patterns from the past and creation of new ideas from the Universal Consciousness of the future *; Interwoven with examples from Jodorowsky's own life and his work with the tarot, psychoanalysis, and psychomagic The family tree is not merely vital statistics about your ancestors.

A detailed account of the transformation of consciousness and discovery of life's purpose brought on by peyote *; Shows how peyote and other visionary plants do not distort reality but gloriously unveil it, pulling the mind out of its cosmic slumber and revealing our unity with all life *; Explains the necessity when working with peyote to remain the master of one's mind and consciously work on oneself *; Examines how modern society's revulsion to sacramental plants and other consciousness expanders is deeply rooted in Western philosophy Charles Duits was caught in the grip of a dead-end existential and spiritual crisis.

BDSM sexuality as a powerful tool for self-transformation and the realization of magical and spiritual aims *; Details how to combine the 6 major types of S&M stimulation with sexual stimulation for magical and transformative purposes *; Explores sado-magical workings from both submissive and dominant perspectives *; Traces the roots of the BDSM tradition from ancient pagan and shamanic rituals to historical figures such as the Marquis de Sade, Aleister Crowley, and Anton LaVey Sex magic allows us to tap in to the most abundant power source available: sexual energy.

The first English translation of articles from Maria de Naglowska's newspaper, La Flche *; Introduces Naglowska's advanced occult teachings on the Third Term of the Trinity and the spiritually transformative power of sex *; Includes two never-before-published essays by Julius Evola *; Contains the complete collection of articles from all 20 issues, from October 1930 to January 1935 From October 1930 to January 1935, Maria de Naglowska--Russian mystic, esoteric high priestess, and self-styled ';Satanic Woman' of 1930s Paris--published 20 issues of her newspaper, La Flche, which she sold on the streets of Montparnasse and by mail-order subscription.

An exploration of shamanism and the archetypal symbolism that sits at the foundation of all human life*; Not just an academic work.

An inspirational call for a return to the tenets of traditional architecture as a remedy for the dehumanizing standards of modern architecture *; Explains how modern architecture is emblematic of our current estrangement from the spiritual principles that shaped humanity's greatest civilizations *; Reveals how the ancient laws of sacred proportion and harmony can be restored The ugly buildings that characterize the modern landscape are inferior not only to the great cathedrals of medieval Europe and the temples of ancient Egypt and Greece, but even to lesser buildings of the more recent past.

A guide to how meditations and principles from the Kabbalah can be used to profoundly renew spiritual practice.

*; A study of the primordial figure of the Great Goddess and her continued worship through time as shown by the myths, shrines, and sanctuaries around the world that honor this powerful symbol of creation.

An insider's experience and personal transformation with ayahuasca and the religious philosophy surrounding it *; An intimate account of the genesis of the Santo Daime tradition *; Edited and introduced by Stephen Larsen, author of The Shaman's Doorway In search of something to restore his spiritual connection to life after his release from captivity as a political prisoner in Brazil, Alex Polari de Alverga had a transformative encounter with Padrinho Sebastiao Mota de Mela, one of the two revered founders of Santo Daime.

A diagnosis of cancer leads to healing and transformation in the Amazon jungle *; Explains in vivid detail De Wys's experience of being healed from cancer through visionary ayahuasca rituals in Ecuador *; Describes her apprenticeship and relationship with the shaman who cured her *; Explores the ways this spiritual medicine can heal the emotional origins of disease now plaguing our modern technological culture *; Chosen as one of the ';Top 10 Books of the New Edge' by Jonathan Talat Phillips on The Huffington Post When composer and Bard College music professor Margaret De Wys learned she had breast cancer, the diagnosis shattered her comfortable life.

Examines how the ancient customs of constructing and keeping a house formed a sacred bond between homes and their inhabitants *; Shares many tales of house spirits, from cajoling the local land spirit into becoming one's house spirit to the good and bad luck bestowed by mischievous house elves *; Explains the meaning behind door and window placement, house orientation, horsehead gables, the fireplace or hearth, and the threshold *; Reveals the charms, chants, prayers, and building practices used by our ancestors to bestow happiness and prosperity upon their homes and their occupants Why do we hang horseshoes for good luck or place wreaths on our doors?

An investigation into experiences of other realms of existence and contact with otherworldly beings *; Examines how contact with alien life-forms can be obtained through the ';inner space' dimensions of our minds *; Presents evidence that other worlds experienced through consciousness-altering technologies are often as real as those perceived with our five senses *; Correlates science fiction's imaginal realms with psychedelic research For thousands of years, voyagers of inner space--spiritual seekers, shamans, and psychoactive drug users--have returned from their inner imaginal travels reporting encounters with alien intelligences.

The first collection of poems translated into English from the forbidden volume of the Divan of Rumi*; Presents Rumi's most heretical and free-form poems*; Includes introductions and commentary that provide both 13th-century context and modern interpretationAfter his overwhelming and life-altering encounters with Shams of Tabriz, Rumi, the great thirteenth-century mystic, poet, and originator of the whirling dervishes, let go of many of the precepts of formal religion, insisting that only a complete personal dissolving into the larger energies of God could provide the satisfaction that the heart so desperately seeks.

A working guide to the proper methods of interacting with the full Vodou pantheon *; Includes the myths, cultural heritage, and ancestral lineage of the lwa and how to honor and serve them *; Provides an introduction and guide that is especially useful for the solitary practitioner *; Discusses the relationship between Vodou, Haitian culture, and Catholicism In The Haitian Vodou Handbook, Kenaz Filan, an initiate of the Socit la Belle Venus, presents a working guide to the proper methods of interacting with the full Vodou pantheon, explaining how to build respectful relationships with the lwa, the spirits honored in Haitian Vodou, and how to transform the fear that often surrounds the Vodou religion.

A journey from Burning Man to the Akashic Field that suggest how 5-MeO-DMT triggers the human capacity for higher knowledge through direct contact with the zero-point field *; Examines Bufo alvarius toad venom, which contains the potent natural psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT, and explores its entheogenic use *; Proposes a new connection between the findings of modern physics and the knowledge held by shamans and religious sages for millennia The venom from Bufo alvarius, an unusual toad found in the Sonoran desert, contains 5-MeO-DMT, a potent natural chemical similar in effect to the more common entheogen DMT.

A guide to the practice of planetary magic *; Offers tools for practitioners of green magic and folk magic to incorporate astrology into their practice *; Includes an extensive collection of magical remedies to resolve astrological afflictions *; Provides information on creating planetary altars and the astrological correspondences of traditional pagan holidays Traditionally, magically oriented astrology has focused on Sun-sign horoscopes while modern Western astrology has focused on attempting to become as ';scientific' as possible in hopes of aligning with its sister science of astronomy.

The first book to reveal the history of Western sexual mysticism *; Reveals the secret sexual practices that have been used since ancient Greece to achieve mystical union with God *; Details the sects and individuals who transmitted the radical sexual practices that orthodox Christianity never completely silenced *; Distinguishes between sexual magic and sexual mysticism Beginning with the ancient Greek Mystery traditions, Gnosticism, and the practices in early Christianity, Arthur Versluis uncovers the secret line of Western sexual mysticism that, like the Tantra of the East, seeks transcendence or union with God through sexual practices.

A clinical psychiatrist explores the effects of DMT, one of the most powerful psychedelics known.

The first insider account of an ancient and secretive tradition *; By the first foreigner to become a member, and later an elder, of the Juna Akhara, the oldest and largest grouping of Naga Babas *; Filled with true accounts of magic, miracles, ghosts, and austerities *; With lessons on Hindu gods, ayurveda, and Indian culture woven throughout After traveling at age 18 from his native California to India in 1969, Rampuri was drawn to the Naga Babas, an ancient and wild order of naked yogis whom he calls the ';Hell's Angels of Indian Spirituality.

A working guide on how to achieve financial success by working with the lwa, the spirits of Haitian Vodou *; Provides spells and spirit work for job hunting, financial success, and career advancement *; Spells included are detailed and easy to follow--learn to Heat Up Your Business with Ghede or Peruse the Want Ads with Legba Haitian Vodou is a very practical and scientific craft: either you please the spirits and get results or you don't--often for good reason.