Alternative belief systems

The mythology, rituals, meditations, and practices used in Tantric worship of the goddess Kali in the tradition of Kashmiri Shaivism Reveals the practices of Vamachara, known as the Left-hand Path but more accurately translated as the Path of Shakti Includes a Kali ritual from the Nirrutara Tantra, translated here for the first time Presents devotional chants, meditations, and mudras specific to Tantric worship of Kali According to traditions going back to pre-Vedic times, Kali sprang from the third eye of the Goddess Durga as a destructive and terrifying manifestation of feminine power sent to lay waste to the forces of evil.

How fin-de-sicle Paris became the locus for the most intense revival of magical practices and doctrines since the Renaissance Examines the remarkable lives of occult practitioners Josphin Peladan, Papus, Stanislas de Guata, Saint-Yves dAlveydre, Jules Doinel, and others Reveals how occult activity deeply influenced many well-known cultural movements, such as Symbolism, the Decadents, modern music, and the psychedelic 60s During Pariss Belle poque (1871-1914), many cultural movements and artistic styles flourished--Symbolism, Impressionism, Art Nouveau, the Decadents--all of which profoundly shaped modern culture.

A thorough reference to the many deities, magical beings, mythical places, and ancient customs of the Norse and Germanic regions of Europe Explores the legends and origins of well-known gods and figures such as Odin, Thor, Krampus, and the Valkyries, as well as a broad range of magical beings such as the Elf King, the Lorelei, the Perchten, dwarves, trolls, and giants Draws upon a wealth of well-known and rare sources, such as the Poetic Edda and The Deeds of the Danes by Saxo Grammaticus Examines folktales, myths, and magical beliefs from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and England The legends of the Norse and Germanic regions of Europe--spanning from Germany and Austria across Scandinavia to Iceland and England--include a broad range of mythical characters and places, from Odin and Thor, to berserkers and Valhalla, to the Valkyries and Krampus.

An exploration of the historical origins of the witches ointment and medieval hallucinogenic drug practices based on the earliest sources Details how early modern theologians demonized psychedelic folk magic into witches ointments Shares dozens of psychoactive formulas and recipes gleaned from rare manuscripts from university collections all over the world as well as the practices and magical incantations necessary for their preparation Examines the practices of medieval witches like Matteuccia di Francisco, who used hallucinogenic drugs in her love potions and herbal preparations In the medieval period preparations with hallucinogenic herbs were part of the practice of veneficium, or poison magic.

An overview of how esoteric brotherhoods have shaped history Examines the secret chronology and clandestine causes of seminal world events Shows how secret societies feed into one another, and how they have worked together For thousands of years secret societies--guardians of ancient esoteric wisdom--have exercised a strong and often crucial influence on the destiny of nations.

Explores how a secret cabal of influential families has shaped the United States according to the principles of sacred geometry and Goddess veneration Exposes the esoteric influences behind the National Grange Order of Husbandry Examines the sacred design and hidden purpose of the Washington Monument Reveals how the three obelisks in New York City depict the stars of Orions Belt Explains how every baseball diamond is actually a temple to the Goddess In America: Nation of the Goddess, Alan Butler and Janet Wolter reveal how a secret cabal of influential Venus families with a lineage tracing back to the Eleusinian Mysteries has shaped the history of the United States since its founding.

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.

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

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.

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.

Humanitys 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 natures intelligence For millennia the world was seen as a creative, interconnected web of life, constantly growing, developing, and restoring itself.

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 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 rabbits 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.

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.

A practical guide to the many healing and purifying uses of the mineral known as shungite Explains how shungite counteracts the harmful effects of EMF and radiation from computers, cell phones, Wi-Fi, and other electronic devices Cites many double-blind scientific and medical studies on shungite Explores how shungite acts as a natural antioxidant, immune booster, pain reliever, and allergen suppressant as well as water purifier and revitalizer Reveals how shungite contains fullerenes, which recent research shows are able to slow both the growth of cancer cells and the development of AIDS Found near the small village of Shunga in Russia, the remarkable mineral known as shungite formed naturally more than two billion years ago from living single-cell organisms.

A biographical history of Aleister Crowleys activities in Berlin from 1930 to 1932 as Hitler was rising to power Examines Crowleys 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 Crowleys relationships with Berlins artists, filmmakers, writers, and performers such as Christopher Isherwood, Jean Ross, and Aldous Huxley Recounts the fates of Crowleys friends and colleagues under the Nazis as well as what happened to Crowleys lost art exhibition Gnostic poet, painter, writer, and magician Aleister Crowley arrived in Berlin on April 18, 1930.

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 Earths 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.

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 NASAs Apollo missions and the findings they concealed Reveals the many holes in the Giant Impact theory about the Moons 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 familys 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 Jodorowskys own life and his work with the tarot, psychoanalysis, and psychomagic The family tree is not merely vital statistics about your ancestors.

The goddess origins of the Statue of Liberty and her connections with the founding and the future of America Examines Lady Libertys ties to Native American spiritual traditions, the Earth Mother, Roman goddesses, Black Madonnas, and Mary Magdalene Reveals the sharp contrast between depicting liberty as a female and the reality of women and other suppressed classes even today Explains how this Goddess of the New World inspires all people toward equality, compassion, peace-keeping, and environmental stewardship Uncovering the forgotten lineage of the Statue of Liberty, Bob Hieronimus and Laura Cortner explain how she is based on a female symbol representing America on the earliest maps of the continent in the form of a Native American Queen.

Meditation practices to awaken the body and create a mind like a mirror, to literally see things as they are Draws on the story of the monk Shenxiu to create a meditation practice for profound relaxation, inclusion and connection to the world around us, and realization of our essential nature Explains how our attitudes, beliefs, and bodily tensions distort our perceptions and lead to our sense of separation from the world outside our bodies Details techniques of vision, such as sky gazing, eye gazing, and mirror gazing, that lead to an ecstatic mindfulness Right behind your eyes, you are there.

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.

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 insiders 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 Shamans 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.

Explores the future predictions of cutting-edge scientists, spiritual teachers, and other visionaries and how we can affect the future Shares insights from the authors discussions with Dr.

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 ones 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?

Also available in an open-access, full-text edition at http://oaktrust.

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 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.

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 dont--often for good reason.

A healing path using the power of dreams, theater, poetry, and shamanism Shows how psychological realizations can cause true transformation when manifested by concrete poetic acts Includes many examples of the surreal but successful actions Jodorowsky has prescribed to those seeking his help While living in Mexico, Alejandro Jodorowsky became familiar with the colorful and effective cures provided by folk healers.

A comprehensive study of the major occult writings on Atlantis Fully examines the many occult teachings on Atlantis, including those from G.

Sacred myths from Santera centered on nature and the natural world Includes more than 40 myths, stories, and histories from the Lucum tradition Reassembles the oral fragments from the African diaspora into coherent stories Demonstrates that the African peoples, specifically the Yoruba, had deep philosophies and metaphysics involving nature and the natural world Since ancient times the Yoruba of West Africa created sacred stories--pataks--to make sense of the world around them.

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.

A study of the importance of psychedelic plants and drugs in religion and society With contributions by Albert Hofmann, R.

The first book to provide complete, specific instructions for casting the obi oracle of the Santera faith.

How sacred sites amplify the energies of consciousness, the earth, and the universe Examines the web of geometrical patterns linking sacred sites worldwide, with special focus on the sacred network of ley lines in Paris Unveils the coming state of shared consciousness for humanity fueled by the sacred network Reveals how consciousness is a tangible form of energy First marked by the standing stones of our megalithic ancestors, the worlds sacred sites are not only places of spiritual energy but also hubs of cosmic energy and earthly energy.

Presents the mystery of the Divine Mother in all her manifold aspects Explores more than 30 different goddess aspects of the Shakti force, both beneficial and malefic Includes Sanskrit hymns and classic verses by Sri Auribindo for each of the goddesses Shakti is synonymous with the Devi, the Divine Mother or divine power that manifests, sustains, and transforms the universe.

A compelling argument that connects the lost treasure of the Knights Templar to the mysterious money pit on Oak Island, Nova Scotia, that has baffled treasure hunters for two centuries Fascinating occult detective work linking the Cathars, the Scottish Masons, and Renne-le-Chateau to the elusive treasure pit on Oak Island Draws on new evidence recently unearthed in Italy, France, and Scotland to provide a compelling solution to one of the world's most enduring mysteries When the Order of Knights Templar was ruthlessly dissolved in 1307 by King Philip the Fair of France it possessed immense wealth and political power, yet none of the treasure the Templars amassed has ever been found.

A working guide on how to find love and sexual fulfillment by working with the lwa, the spirits of Haitian Vodou The first book on wanga (love magic) by an actual Vodou initiate Provides spells and spirit work for many different problems associated with affairs of the heart Spells included are detailed and easy to follow Haitian Vodou, like other folk traditions, is an eminently practical craft.

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.

Rahns personal diary from his travels as occult investigator for the Third Reich First English translation of the authors journeys in search of a Nordic equivalent to Mt.

The spiritual teachings of Israels biblical prophetesses from a kabbalistic perspective Explores the lives and symbolic significance of seven female prophets: Sarah, Miriam, Devorah, Chanah, Avigail, Chuldah, and Esther Uses the gematria of Jewish metaphysics to demonstrate that prophecy is a mystical initiatory path by which Divine Will is made known, not only a tool for telling the future Presents practical applications of kabbalistic teachings for spiritual development The seven prophetesses of Israel--Sarah, Miriam, Devorah, Chanah, Avigail, Chuldah, and Esther--lived between 1800 and 350 BCE.

First English translation of the book that introduced the realm of Hollow Earth Explores the underground world of Agarttha, sometimes known as Shambhala, a realm that is spiritually and technologically advanced beyond our modern culture One of the most influential works of 19th-century occultism Written by the philosopher who influenced Papus, Rene Gunon, and Rudolf SteinerThe underground realm of Agarttha was first introduced to the Western world in 1886 by the French esoteric philosopher Alexandre Saint-Yves dAlveydre with his book Mission de lInde, translated here for the first time into English.

A verse-by-verse examination of Arjunas soma experience and Krishnas psychedelic guidance in the Bhagavad Gita Explains how the Bhagavad Gita provides complete guidelines for the spiritual use of entheogens--from prior mental preparations to the integration of profound visionary insights into everyday consciousness Examines Chapter XI of the Gita in detail to illuminate Arjunas hallucinogenic experience and expose Krishna as the ultimate psychedelic guide Shows psychedelic experience to be an essential and ancient part of the path to spiritual transformation Known as a text of liberation and enlightenment and praised not only by Indians but also by prominent modern thinkers such as Aldous Huxley and Albert Einstein, the Bhagavad Gita is one of the most commented-upon books of all time, yet one aspect has never before been examined: Arjunas psychedelic soma experience with his guru Krishna.

The first English translation of Maria de Naglowskas sexually magical novella, Le rite sacr de lamour magique Contains autobiographical material from Maria de Naglowskas life Continues, in symbolic story form, the sexual initiatory teachings expounded in Naglowskas The Light of Sex and Advanced Sex Magic Includes a summary of Naglowskas religious doctrine in her own words Available for the first time in English, The Sacred Rite of Magical Love is a mystical, sexually magical novella written by Maria de Naglowska--the Russian mystic and esoteric high priestess of 1930s Paris.