Ancient religions and Mythologies

Rethinks Rome''s Christianisation as a crisis of knowledge propelled by Constantine, with Emperor Julian as its key interpreter and catalyst.

This volume explores the earliest appearances and functions of the five major Egyptian goddesses Neith, Hathor, Nut, Isis and Nephthys.

This volume explores the earliest appearances and functions of the five major Egyptian goddesses Neith, Hathor, Nut, Isis and Nephthys.

*; Explains how the 12 nights after the winter solstice offer the ideal opportunity for inner focusing, seeing signs, and laying the foundation for the year to come *; Shares reflective themes and exercises for each night (and the day to follow) and guided meditations to deepen the experience The season of Yuletide--the 12 nights following the winter solstice--offers the ideal opportunity for inner focusing, for seeing signs, and for planting seeds for the future.

*; Describes the Celtic rituals of honoring death and dying and offers prayers, meditations, and blessings for the time of transition *; Offers reflective questions and exercises to explore your beliefs, attitudes, and fears around your own death *; Includes the sacred meditation of traveling with the dead as offered by an anam-ire or Celtic soul carer THE CELTS BELIEVED in the transmigration of the soul, in the magical rhythm of life with a particular order of coming and going for each soul.

*; Emphasizes how shadow work, integrating past wounds, and healing our ancestry allows us to facilitate the ecstatic transition into the next life *; Offers exercises and visualizations to help us integrate emotions like anger and grief, which impact the soul's readiness to leave the body when the time comes *; Discusses what happens to our cells when we die with regard to the human energy field and explores the soul's journey through the ates or bardos In the Celtic tradition dying is considered an act of birthing, of our consciousness passing from this life to the next.

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.

A guide to ancient beliefs including instructions for magic and spellcasting*; Describes the arcane rituals, ancient beliefs, and secret rites of the Welsh Marches, including those of the Sin Eaters, Eye Biters, and Spirit Hunters*; Shares extracts from ancient texts stored in the archives of the National Museum of Wales, along with many original photographs of related artifacts*; Includes a Grimoire of the Welsh Marches, a wide collection of spells and magical workings along with practical instruction on crafting and castingIn this collaboration between a Druid and a witchcraft researcher, Jon G.

A complete guide to the techniques of the pre-Celtic Druids for understanding the past, present, and future *; Offers step-by-step instructions for a wealth of practices passed down across five generations of Welsh Druids *; Explains the three forms of divination used by the Druids: interpretive divination, such as reading the Sevens; inductive divination, such as reading the wind or smoke; and intuitive divination, whose tools include cup-stones and scrying mirrors *; Provides comprehensive instructions on how to craft and utilize your own magical instruments and tools, including botanical compounds, scrying wands, and slate speculum vitae In this practical guide, Jon G.

Meet the Greek gods as you have never seen themin LEGO form!

An innovative, spiritual workbook that integrates the Tarot and the Kabbalistic tradition of Counting the Omer *; Explores the origins and meaning of the 49-day Kabbalistic meditative practice of Counting the Omer and how it can lead to spiritual revelation, personal insight, and connection with the Divine *; Reveals the correspondence of the Tarot's minor arcana with the Sephirot of the Tree of Life and explains how both relate to the Omer meditation *; Provides a daily practice workbook that explores the related Sephirot and Tarot cards for each day, examines their Kabbalistic and spiritual meanings, and provides questions for daily reflection and meditation guidance The 49-day mystical practice known as Counting the Omer is an ancient Jewish ritual observed between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot (also known as Pentecost).

Reveals the historical roots of the symbology of the Tarot in the Mithraic tradition of the Persian Magi and the Hermetic tradition *; Explores the Magian teachings on the Stoeicheia and how this magical alphabet was the template for the Tarot *; Explains how the sequencing of the Major Arcana is related to the images used in Mithraic initiation *; Looks at the original meanings of the Major Arcana using Mithraic symbolism, as well as the deep-level connections of the Tarot with Egypt, the Romani people, the Semitic tradition, and runes The Tarot is a mythic map of the world and of consciousness.

A practical guide to using the sacred herbs of Samhain for healing, divination, purification, protection, magic, and as tools for contacting the Spirits *; Explores the identification, harvest, and safe practical and ritual use of more than 70 plants and trees sacred to the Celtic festival of Samhain, the origin of Halloween *; Details the most effective plants for protection from the mischief of Fairies, herbs for releasing the Dead, and visionary plants for divination and shamanic work *; Provides instructions and suggestions for a traditional Dumb Supper, offerings to the Land Spirits, Samhain rites, and recipes for the sacred foods of Samhain The ancient Celts separated the year into two halves, the light half and the dark half, summer and winter.

Reveals the long-forgotten prequel to the Grail mythos and how it has profound resonance with modern times *; Includes the complete text of the Grail prequel, The Elucidation of the Grail, a 13th-century poem newly translated by Gareth Knight and Caitln Matthews *; Examines the forgotten story of the Faery Wars and the role of Well Maidens in the Grail story *; Discusses the Seven Guardians of the Stories, the Grail Kings and Anti-Grail Kings, the Rich Company, the Courts of Joy, and the otherworldly Land of Women Unveiling the long-forgotten prequel to the Grail quest stories, Caitln and John Matthews examine The Elucidation of the Grail, a forgotten 13th-century French text, and show how it offers the key to understanding the sevenfold path of the Grail and the deeper stories beneath the Christian Grail narrative.

A collector's edition of the classic, illustrated, and comprehensive history of magic and the occult *; Written by renowned Surrealist and magic scholar Kurt Seligmann (1900-1962) *; Includes all 250 illustrations from the original 1948 edition *; Explores magical practices and beliefs from their origins in the ancient world through the heyday of secret societies in the 18th century In the occult classic The Mirror of Magic, renowned Surrealist Kurt Seligmann (1900-1962) draws from his encyclopedic practitioner's knowledge and extensive antiquarian collection to offer a comprehensive, illustrated history of magic and the occult from Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt through the 18th century.

A step-by-step guide to working with the runes throughout the year *; 2019 Nautilus Silver Award *; Explains how the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark each rule the calendar for a half-month *; Details the runes most powerful during each runic half-month, what they portend for personal and spiritual wellbeing, and techniques for creating relationships with them *; Includes structured devotionals for each half-month and runic initiation rituals for the 8 pagan Sabbats, or holy days, such as the Summer Solstice (Litha) and Lughnssadh (the first harvest holy day) The Old Norse runes, known as the Elder Futhark, have long joined forces with the cycles of the seasons to offer powerful initiations, guidance, and wisdom.

A controversial examination of the influence and presence of the Norse god Odin in contemporary history and culture *; Documents Odin's role in the rise of Nazi Germany, the 1960s counterculture revolution, nationalist and ecological political movements, and the occult revival *; Examines the spiritual influence of Odin in relation to Jesus Christ *; Profiles key individuals instrumental in the rise of the modern pagan renaissance Exploring the influence of the Norse god Odin in the modern world, Richard Rudgley reveals Odin's central role in the pagan revival and how this has fueled a wide range of cultural movements and phenomena, including Nazi Germany, the 1960s counterculture revolution, the Lord of the Rings, the ecology movement, and the occult underground.

A comprehensive examination of the intertwined mythology, folklore, and literary history of the little people *; Explores the pagan roots of dwarfs and elves and their evolution in myth and literature *; Reveals the role the church played in changing them from fearless, shape-shifting warriors with magical powers into cheerful helpmates and cute garden gnomes *; Traces their history from ancient Celtic and Germanic lore through their emergence in the literature of the Middle Ages to their modern popularization by the Brothers Grimm and Walt Disney Most people are familiar with the popular image of elves as Santa's helpers and dwarfs as little bearded men wearing red caps, who are mischievous and playful, helpful and sly, industrious and dexterous.

A comprehensive examination of the historical and mythological evidence for every major theory about King Arthur*; Explores the history of every Arthur candidate and the geographical arguments that have placed him in different locations*; Examines 1,800 years of evidence for Arthur's life and the famous series of 12 battles fought against the Saxons in the 6th century*; Reconstructs the history of the 6th century in Britain, when the first references to Arthur and the core events of his reign appearFew legends have had the enduring influence of those surrounding King Arthur.

Traces the origins of the Sheela na gig from Medieval times to Paleolithic cave art *; Reveals the sacred display of the vulva to be a universal archetype and the most enduring image of creativity throughout the world *; Provides meditations on the Sheelas the author encountered in Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales, allowing readers to commune with the power of these icons *; Includes more than 150 photographs and illustrations from around the world For millennia, the human imagination has been devoted to the Goddess, so it is hardly a surprise to find images of supernatural females like Sheela na gigs adorning sacred and secular architecture throughout Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland.

An experiential guide to the wisdom preserved in Europe's far north*; Includes shamanic journeys to connect with deities and your ancestral shamans*; Provides step-by-step instructions to prepare for and conduct a seir ceremony*; Draws on archaeological evidence and surviving written records from Iceland*; Reveals the long tradition of female shamans in northern European shamanismShamanism is humanity's oldest spiritual tradition.

Discover the untamed paganism of the Vikings and the Germanic tribes prior to the complete Christianization of Europe *; Explores the different forms of magic practiced by these tribes, including runic magic, necromancy (death magic), soul-travel, and shape-shifting *; Examines their rites of passage and initiation rituals and their most important gods, such as Odin, Loki, and Thor *; Looks at barbarian magic in historical accounts, church and assembly records, and mythology as well as an eyewitness report from a 10th-century Muslim diplomat *; Reveals the use and abuse of this tradition's myths and magic by the Nazis Before the conversion of Europe to Christianity in the Middle Ages, Germanic tribes roamed the continent, plundering villages and waging battles to seek the favor of Odin, their god of war, ecstasy, and magic.

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.

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 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.

The goddess origins of the Statue of Liberty and her connections with the founding and the future of America *; Examines Lady Liberty's 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.

*; 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.

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 guide to understanding the phases of astrological Moon signs and their effects on emotions and personality *; Describes the positive and negative character-defining traits of each of the 96 Moon phase/Moon sign combinations *; Explains how to use your natal Moon's sign and phase to predict how current and approaching Moons can affect you *; Explores the universal challenges arising during each Moon phase throughout the year and ways to honor each phase as it passes The Moon's ever-changing phases offer a way to deepen our understanding of our natal Moon sign as well as the Moon's day-to-day influence on our emotional tides.

An exploration of the many forms of the ancient myth of the Wild Hunt and its influence in pagan and early Christian Europe *; Recounts the myriad variations of this legend, from the Cursed Huntsman and King Herla to phantom armies and vast processions of sinners and demons *; Explains how this belief was an integral part of the pagan worldview and was thus employed by the church to spread Christian doctrine *; Reveals how the secret societies of medieval Europe reenacted these ghostly processions for soul travel and prophecies of impending death Once upon a time a phenomenon existed in medieval Europe that continuously fueled local lore: during the long winter nights a strange and unknown troop could be heard passing outside over the land or through the air.

An in-depth look at the history, herbal uses, and spiritual aspects of the sacred trees in the ancient Celtic Ogham Tree Alphabet *; Details the 20 trees of the ogham alphabet and their therapeutic and magical virtues *; Examines the Forest Druid practices associated with each tree as well as the traditional uses in Native American medicine *; Describes the Celtic Fire Festivals and how each tree is featured in these holy days *; By the author of A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth YearThe Druids used the ancient Ogham Tree Alphabet to work magic and honor the dead, surrounding each letter with medicinal and spiritual lore.

What poltergeist accounts through the ages reveal about our own worldviews *; Provides a wide array of case studies from ancient Greece and Rome to medieval Europe to the modern world *; Explores the relationship between poltergeists and troubled adolescence *; Looks beneath the Christian adulteration of pagan practices to reveal the hidden ancestral beliefs tied to poltergeists and haunted houses Stories of poltergeists and their mischievous and sometimes violent actions--knocking, stone or chair throwing, moving objects with invisible hands, and slamming or opening doors--are a constant through the ages.

A comprehensive examination of the rituals and philosophies of the Celtic holiday of Samhain, the inspiration for Halloween.

An examination of the sacred botany and the pagan origins and rituals of Christmas *; Analyzes the symbolism of the many plants associated with Christmas *; Reveals the shamanic rituals that are at the heart of the Christmas celebration The day on which many commemorate the birth of Christ has its origins in pagan rituals that center on tree worship, agriculture, magic, and social exchange.

Filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky's insights into the Tarot as a spiritual path *; Works with the original Marseille Tarot to reveal the roots of Western wisdom *; Provides the key to the symbolic language of the Tarot's ';nomadic cathedral' *; Transforms a simple divination tool into a vehicle for self-realization and healing Alejandro Jodorowsky's profound study of the Tarot, which began in the early 1950s, reveals it to be far more than a simple divination device.

An introduction to the ancient kabbalistic origins and meanings of the tarot *; Reveals the intimate relationship of the tarot to the esoteric teachings of the Torah and the Kabbalah*; Provides kabbalistic interpretations for all 78 traditional tarot cards*; Includes a detailed kabbalistic reading and interpretation of the Tree of Life spreadWhen the Greeks invaded Israel and forbade study of the Torah, the Jewish people began a secret method of Toranic study that appeared to be merely a simple way to fill time: playing cards.

An overview of Mithraism, the ancient Roman mystery religion popular in the Roman Legions*; Provides a comprehensive history of Mithraism, including its influence on Christianity and Islam*; Includes rituals, meditations, and teaching tales for readers who wish to follow the Mithraic path*; Studies the evolution and divergence of the Eastern (Persian) and Western (Roman) forms of MithraismThe Mysteries of Mithras presents a revival of the magical practices and initiatory system of Mithraism, the ancient Roman mystery religion that was immensely popular in the Roman Legions from the late second century B.

More than 60 pagan leaders and teachers describe in their own words what they believe and what they practice.

A detailed interpretive guide to the 16 ';face' cards of the tarot that reveals their core identities and special purpose in a person's life.

The first and only complete guide to tarot interpretation written specifically for teens.

An exploration of mythological and archaeological evidence for prehistoric giants *; Examines the many corresponding giant mythologies throughout the world, such as the Greek and Roman titans, Norse frost giants, and the biblical Nephilim *; Reveals recent finds of giant skeletons in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and India *; Explains how giants passed on their sophisticated culture and civilization to humanity before being wiped out in the great age of cataclysms and floods Giants are a cornerstone of the myths, legends, and traditions of almost every culture on Earth.

A channeled overview of the Celtic path of Arthurian fulfillment, a vision of personal and planetary transformation*; Gives a detailed explanation and overview of the kingdoms of nature and the devic forces that comprise the Divine Mother's kingdom on Earth*; Explains the Celtic calendar and the primary natural forms--animal, stone, tree, flower, plant, and bird--that are activated during the 16-month lunar cycle of emotional growthAccording to the Celtic Way, all spirit forces and forms of nature are here to teach and support every individual in attaining his or her full wisdom status.

The first book to present the true identity of the mythic figure Merlin*; Uncovers historical evidence that the legend of Merlin was based on the life of a real man*; Reveals that Avalon, Merlin's final resting place, was an island in the United StatesThe legendary figure Merlin is known throughout the world as the wizard of Camelot who was counselor to King Arthur and helped that monarch create the Round Table.

Want to make major changes or improvements to your life?

The beloved literary iconoclast delivers a fresh twenty-first century primer on tarot that can be used with any deck.

A guide to Motherpeace tarot cards, a tarot deck created in the 1970s inspired by the Goddess movement and second-wave feminism.

From the author of the classic Motherpeace-an inspiring and practical guide for awakening women's shamanic healing powers to heal ourselves and our planet.

Lose yourself to the mystery and romance of Susan Stokes-Chapman's no.

Unlock the magic of the Tarot, set goals and intentions with clarity and learn how to handle your deck with confidence as a tool of self-discovery with this stunning and beautifully illustrated guide from Tarot expert and creator of the renowned Starchild Tarot, Danielle Noel .