Lethal Spots, Vital Secrets provides an ethnographic study of varmakkalai, or "e;the art of the vital spots,"e; a South Indian esoteric tradition that combines medical practice and martial arts.
This book focuses on the question of how different contexts are relevant in the shaping and expression of individual spirituality spanning from early childhood to young adulthood.
There has long been a debate about implications of globalization for the survival of the world of sovereign nation-states, and the role of nationalism as both an agent of and a response to globalization.
A classic initiatic primer for the serious magical aspirant, available now for the first time in English *; Details occult purification and preparations for the path of natural and divine magic *; Explains how initiation into the hermetic science transforms the novice not only mentally but also physically, altering even the very fluids of the body *; Offers a return to the original hermetic path of initiation, following the strict procedures and symbolism as defined in the spiritual practices of Pythagoras and his tradition The main purpose of the hermetic science, as seen by Giuliano Kremmerz (1861-1930), Italian alchemist, hermeticist, philosopher, and member of the Ur Group, is to allow the adept to concentrate on the natural and divine magic that will allow him or her to develop the latent powers innate in every human being.
Frist published in 1999, this book provides an overview of various non-conventional notions of what is sacred, currently held among European young people.
Wonder and Skepticism in the Middle Ages explores the response by medieval society to tales of marvels and the supernatural, which ranged from firm belief to outright rejection, and asks why the believers believed, and why the skeptical disbelieved.
Building on critical work in biblical studies, which shows how a historically-bounded heretical tradition called Gnosticism was 'invented', this work focuses on the following stage in which it was essentialised into a sui generis, universal category of religion.
This book analyzes the variety of ways through which Japanese religions (Buddhism, Shinto, and new religious movements) contribute to the dynamics of accelerated globalization in recent decades.
This accessible introduction by the world's leading expert explains why the study of esotericism is not a marginal pursuit but belongs at the center of modern research in the humanities.
A comprehensive guide to practicing the magic of the Qabbalah *; Spells for everyday problems related to health, love, prosperity, and protection *; Rituals for advanced high-level magic, such as invocation of angelic powers or spiritual vision *; Explains how to make and design talismans, amulets, and magic bowls, including harnessing the power of Hebrew letters in their designs *; Details the magical uses of 150 psalms The Qabbalah--the Jewish esoteric tradition--is richly woven with magical practices, from amulets and magic bowls to invocations and magical use of psalms.
Women come to the fore in witchcraft trials as accused persons or as witnesses, and this book is a study of women's voices in these trials in eight countries around the North Sea: Spanish Netherlands, Northern Germany, Denmark, Scotland, England, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
Natural theology is the process of observing nature and engaging science and reason to provide evidence for God's existence by "e;reasoning to the best explanation.
The story of the most enigmatic of disciples-now fully revised and updated-from "e;America's leading expert on ancient religious texts from Egypt"e; (The Associated Press).
Routledge Library Editions: Witchcraft re-issues eight volumes originally published between 1929 and 1977 and sheds fascinating light on the history, anthropological, religious and mythological contexts of witchcraft in the UK and Europe, including several volumes which focus specifically on the witch-hunts and trials of Early Modern Europe.
A hypnotic, suspenseful novel about the simmering obsessions, passions and rivalries between two young women and an enigmatic lecturer - unfolding on a university campus with the darkest history.
Presenting a rich account of women's faith lives and, mapping women's meanings in their own right, this book offers an alternative to dominant accounts of faith development which failed to account for women's experience.
'Religion as Magical Ideology' examines the relationship between rationality and supernatural beliefs arguing that such beliefs are products of evolution, cognition and culture.
Bei Hitze, Hagel, Kälte oder Trockenheit, als Mittel zur Brandbekämpfung und Abwendung von Wassergefahren hielt man Hostien für allgegenwärtig und allmächtig.
The Witchcraft Sourcebook, now in its second edition, is a fascinating collection of documents that illustrates the development of ideas about witchcraft from ancient times to the eighteenth century.
From early sorcery trials of the 14th century-associated primarily with French and Papal courts-to the witch executions of the late 18th century, this book's entries cover witch-hunting in individual countries, major witch trials from Chelmsford, England, to Salem, Massachusetts, and significant individuals from famous witches to the devout persecutors.
Prudentius' Crown of Martyrs offers an English translation, with introduction and commentary, of the Liber Peristephanon, Prudentius' vivid collection of lyric hymns in honor of Christian martyrs.
Navigating a diversity of religious myths and worldviews in both conventional and nuanced secular ways, this edited volume explores transdisciplinary common knowledge and global citizenship ideology through the lens of spirituality, depth hermeneutics, and multimodality.
