Eclectic and esoteric religions and belief systems

Spiritual and Mental Health Crisis in Globalizing Senegal explores the history of mental health in Senegal, and how psychological difficulties were expressed in the terms of spiritualism, magic, witchcraft, spirit possession, and ancestor worship.

First published in 1902, this book investigates the history and development of early religion from an anthropological perspective.

This book explores the role of altered states of consciousness in the communication of social and emotional energies, both on a societal level and between individual persons.

Throughout history, magic has been as widely and passionately practiced as religion.

This hugely controversial work demonstrates convincingly how the worlds three major monotheistic religionsChristianity, Judaism, and Islamhave attempted to suppress knowledge, science, pleasure, and desire, condemning nonbelievers often to death.

This accessible study of Northern European shamanistic practice, or seidr, explores the way in which the ancient Norse belief systems evoked in the Icelandic Sagas and Eddas have been rediscovered and reinvented by groups in Europe and North America.

Platonism and Christian Thought in Late Antiquity examines the various ways in which Christian intellectuals engaged with Platonism both as a pagan competitor and as a source of philosophical material useful to the Christian faith.

The resurrection of the dead was, as Tertullian says, 'the chief article of the whole Christian faith' (De resurrectione 39.

This book explores the struggling genesis of a women's movement in the Orthodox Church through the ecumenical movement of the twentieth century at a time when militant conservatism is emerging in Orthodox countries and fundamentalism in the diaspora.

Within the past twenty years, contemporary Pagan leaders, progressive Christian and Goddess theologians, advocates for queer and BDSM communities, and therapeutic bodyworkers have all begun to speak forcefully about the sacredness of the body and of touch.

The neglected history of how intellectuals since the Renaissance have approached ideas of the occult which challenged biblical religion.

New Religious Movements: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to the field of New Religious Movements (NRMs).

This collection of essays explores the rhetoric and practices surrounding views on life after death and the end of the world, including the fate of the individual, apocalyptic speculation and hope for cosmological renewal, in a wide range of societies from Ancient Mesopotamia to the Byzantine era.

Science and Catholicism in Argentina (1750-1960) is the first comprehensive study on the relationship between science and religion in a Spanish-speaking country with a Catholic majority and a "e;Latin"e; pattern of secularisation.

These appropriations fall into two main groups: those pertaining to the name Bohme or a life assigned to it, and those involving concepts or images from the mystic's oeuvre.

All Religion Is Inter-Religion analyses the ways inter-religious relations have contributed both historically and philosophically to the constructions of the category of religion as a distinct subject of study.

Muhammad 'Abduh (1849-1905) was one of the key thinkers and reformers of modern Islam who has influenced both liberal and fundamentalist Muslims today.

The number of people claiming no religious affiliation has skyrocketed in recent years, and that growth shows no signs of slowing down.

Not every lie sounds untrue.

An illustrated reference book on a seminal figure of occult philosophy and Renaissance thought *; Explains Fludd's thoughts on cosmic harmonies, divination, the kabbalah, astrology, geomancy, alchemy, the Rosicrucians, and multiple levels of existence *; Includes more than 200 of Fludd's illustrations, representing the whole corpus of Fludd's iconography, each one accompanied by Godwin's expert commentary *; Explores Fludd's medical work as an esoteric Paracelsian physician and his theories on the macrocosm of elements, planets, stars, and subtle and divine beings and the microcosm of the human being and its creative activities, including material never before translated One of the last Renaissance men, Robert Fludd (1574-1637) was one of the great minds of the early modern period.

Viewing the world with abhorrence, members of utopian sects isolate themselves from its influence.

This book rediscovers a spiritual way of preparing the actor towards experiencing that ineffable artistic creativity defined by Konstantin Stanislavski as the creative state.

Spirited Histories combines ethnography with critical theory to provide a sophisticated exploration of the intersection of haunting and the paranormal with technology, media, and history.

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.

While humanist sensibilities have played a formative role in the advancement of our species, critical attention to humanism as a field of study is a more recent development.

Peter Chrysologus is the first book to offer an introduction to the life of Peter Chrysologus and a selection of his most important sermons in translation, as well as his letter to Eutyches.

Goddess as Nature makes a significant contribution to elucidating the meaning of a female and feminist deity at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

All religions undergo continuous change, but minority religions tend to be less anchored in their ways than mainstream, traditional religions.

* Gives an account of the history, the theological basis, the practice and the current state of the study of religion and religions throughout the world* Combines a clear and non-technical style of presentation with a structure and range of contributions which reflect the richness and complexity of religion itself, of the religions of the world and the study of religions* Comprehensive index, bibliographies and suggestions for further reading`Intriguing philosophical questions are raised about the nature of religion and the qualities needed for studying it.

This book examines a number of landmark shifts in our account of the relationship between human and divine existence, as reflected through the perception of time and corporeal experience.

Exploring European changes in religious and secular beliefs and practices related to life passages, this book provides a deeper understanding of the impacts of social change on personal identity and adjustment across the life course, According to latest research, Europeans who consider religious services appropriate to mark life passages significantly outnumber those who declare themselves as believers.

Magical realism has deep roots across many African languages and regions.

This new edition of Parapsychology continues to challenge and provoke readers with some of psychology's most puzzling phenomena.

Stories about witches are by their nature stories about the most basic and profound of human experiences-healing, sex, violence, tragedies, aging, death, and encountering the mystery and magic of the unknown.

The contributors to this volume describe the many facets shamanism and depth psychology have in common: animal symbolism; recognition of the reality of the collective unconscious; and healing rituals that put therapist and patient in touch with transpersonal powers.

What is Wicca?

This unique work – the fruit of many decades' research and experience – throws new light on the supersensible history and karma of the Michaelic movement since Rudolf Steiner's death.

'A compelling, prescient tale of an alternate world with far too many scary similarities to our own.

Learn how to use the principles and practices of natural magic for personal development and spiritual empowerment *; Offers detailed descriptions of the magical properties of minerals, animals, plants, and the earth's cycles and how to use them in your own practice *; Explores the magical laws of nature and how to guide your inner energy to work in concert with cosmic energies *; Details how to design your own ceremonies, practice elemental meditations, and craft your own magical talismans, wands, and divining rods An expert on European rural folk magic traditions, author Nigel Pennick presents a comprehensive introduction to the principles, rituals, practices, and magical tools required to draw on the magic inherent in the natural world.

A guide to the practices, tools, and rituals of New Orleans Voodoo as well as the many cultural influences at its origins *; Includes recipes for magical oils, instructions for candle workings, and directions to create gris-gris bags and Voodoo dolls to attract love, money, justice, and healing and for retribution *; Explores the major figures of New Orleans Voodoo, including Marie Laveau and Dr.

Bennett first read Beelzebub's Tales in 1948.

A comprehensive account of the rich folk culture preserved in the rural secret societies of the British Isles *; Describes the secret rites, ceremonies, and initiation rituals of guilds and rural fraternities such as the Shoemakers, Horsemen, Toadmen, Mummers, and Bonesmen *; Explains their use of masks, black face, and other disguises to avoid persecution *; Draws not only on scholarly research but also the author's personal contacts within these still living traditions Centuries ago the remote, marshy plains of eastern England--the Fens--were drained to create agricultural land.