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.
*; Details the author's profound encounters with Thai magick during 4 separate pilgrimages to Thailand*; Explains the ritual process of the author's multiple Sak Yant tattoos as well as other powerful magickal rituals and initiations he experienced*; Shares how his initiatory experiences with Thai Buddhist magicians helped him destroy his destructive former selves and discover profound healing for his mind and soulSharing his profound encounters with Thai magick during four separate pilgrimages to Thailand, writer and musician Sheer Zed details the intense personal initiations and rituals he experienced with the sect of Thai Buddhist magicians known as Ajarns.
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.
This anthology of essays, a companion to Puppet and Spirit: Ritual, Religion, and Performing Objects, Volume I, aims to explore the many types of relationships that exist between puppets, broadly speaking, and the immaterial world.
This book began with a simple question: when readers such as us encounter the term magic or figures of magicians in early modern texts, dramatic or otherwise, how do we read them?
'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.
A profound understanding of the surrealists' connections with alchemists and secret societies and the hermetic aspirations revealed in their works *; Explains how surrealist paintings and poems employed mythology, gnostic principles, tarot, voodoo, alchemy, and other hermetic sciences to seek out unexplored regions of the mind and recover lost ';psychic' and magical powers *; Provides many examples of esoteric influence in surrealism, such as how Picasso's Demoiselles d'Avignon was originally titled The Bath of the Philosophers Not merely an artistic or literary movement as many believe, the surrealists rejected the labels of artist and author bestowed upon them by outsiders, accepting instead the titles of magician, alchemist, or--in the case of Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo--witch.
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.
A guide to the history and practices of the Druids and the Celtic faith *; Reconstructs the Druidic faith from surviving remnants, parallels with other Indo-European traditions, and dedicated study of scholarly sources *; Details magical rites and ceremonies, methods for consecrating an outdoor temple, and customs for celebrating important festivals such as Beltaine and Samhain *; Discusses rules for firecraft, making offerings to deities and spirits, and the ancient Coligny calendar, including the names of the months in old Gaulish Druids and their magic, lore, and rituals have fascinated all those who encounter them, from the ancient Greeks and Romans onward.
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.
In ever-growing gatherings worldwide, the revered teacher Mooji has opened the eyes of thousands through his rare ability to shine light on the ineffable with uncommon clarity, humour and warmth.
