Other religions and spiritual beliefs

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.

A rare in-depth look at the inner workings of Huichol shamanism *; Describes the five sacred sites of the Huichol and their peyote ceremonies *; Explains how the Huichol teachings of awareness, centered on the five points of attention, connect you to your true essence *; Reveals the deep relationship between Huichol cosmology, Gnosticism, and Christianity, especially Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary Taking place in the heart of the Huichol homeland in western Mexico, this book offers a rare in-depth look at the inner workings of Huichol shamanism, which is permeated with the use of the sacred peyote cactus.

A guide to the mental disciplines and visualizations that Masters have used for ages in their quest for illumination.

Translation and commentary of one of the most important texts of the Kashmirian Shivaism tradition of Tantra*; Author was a student of the late Kalu Rinpoche*; Explores the transmission of Mahamudra, the Great Cosmic Gesture*; Includes the Vijnanabharava Tantra, which contains the totality of the oldest source text on Yoga The Spandakarika, the "e;Tantric Song of the Divine Pulsation,"e; is said to have been transmitted directly to the sage Vasugupta from the hands of Shiva on Mount Kailas.

An intimate account of an ancient shamanic ritual of Siberia *; Illustrated with vivid, full-color photographs throughout *; Details the many preparations and ritual objects as well as the struggles of the shamans to complete the ceremony successfully Near the radiant blue waters of Lake Baikal, in the lands where Mongolia, Siberia, and China meet, live the Buryats, an indigenous people little known to the Western world.

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 Orion's 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 story-based guide to the techniques of shamanic healing*; Details indigenous medicine tools and soul healing techniques, including diagnosis and energy cleansing with plants, stones, fire, flower essences, and sound*; Offers protection and self-defense techniques for confronting negative energies such as spirit attachment and possession*; Shares healing stories that each address a specific condition, such as panic attacks, PTSD, depression, cancer, chronic pain, grief, and relationship problemsShamanic healing is making an astonishing comeback all over the modern technology-driven and consumerist world.

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.

Discover the shamanic powers within each of us*; Explores ayahuasca rituals in the Amazon, messages from power animals and plant spirits, intuitive dreams, soul retrieval, and holograms of past lives and spirits*; Explains the shamanic way of ';seeing' to diagnose spiritual, emotional, and physical ailments via candle readings, remote viewing, and shamanic journeys*; Details how the author has helped individuals communicate with loved ones who have passed on and release themselves from negative spiritsEach and every one of us has shamanic powers.

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.

The moving story of an expatriate coming to terms with her country's history, and her joyous spiritual and emotional rebirth as an African healer.

A ';what to expect' guide for first-time ayahuasca users paired with accounts from the author's extensive shamanic experiences in the Amazon *; Describes how to prepare for the first ceremony, what to do in the days afterward, and how to maintain a shamanic healing diet *; Details some of the author's own ayahuasca experiences, including an intensive trip in 2009 when he underwent 17 ceremonies *; Explores the many other plants that are part of the ayahuasca healer's medicine cabinet as well as the icaros, healing songs, of the ayahuasca shaman Since 1999 Jan Kounen has regularly traveled to the Peruvian Amazon to participate in ayahuasca ceremonies.

By understanding osogbo, the spirits of misfortune, we can better overcome them and return to health and balance in our lives *; Explains how misfortune works in this world as living spirits that plague humanity but are also a catalyst for self-development and conscious evolution *; Shows that we can overcome osogbo through eb, sacrifice, and hard work as prescribed by consulting the orishas through the casting of the diloggn *; Shares more than 40 ancient African sacred stories about the spirits of osogbo Beginning with the story of his goddaughter's battle with stage IV cancer, Lucumi priest cha'ni Lele explains the role of osogbo, or misfortune, in our lives.

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.

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.

An exploration of the chemical, biological, psychological, and experiential dimensions of ayahuasca *; Details the scientific discovery of ayahuasca's sophisticated psychoactive delivery system in the brain and body and its potential applications in medicine and psychology *; Includes contributions from Dennis J.

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.

The traditional understanding of Shiva told through stories and teachings from the Shiva Mahapurana *; Explains Shiva's contradictory forms, such as destroyer or benefactor, and how his form depends on the needs of the devotee *; Reveals how Shiva's teachings allow one to see through the illusions at the root of all grief and alienation in human life *; Explores Shiva's relationships with Durga, Shakti, Sati, and Parvati and with his sons Ganesha and Kartikeya Shiva, the most ancient and complex deity of the Hindu pantheon, has been portrayed in many contrasting lights: destroyer and benefactor, ascetic and householder, wild demon slayer and calm yogi atop Mount Kailash.

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.

A practical guide to recognizing and overcoming the patterns and influences of the four generations before you *; Provides exercises to uncover your family's 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 Jodorowsky's own life and his work with the tarot, psychoanalysis, and psychomagic The family tree is not merely vital statistics about your ancestors.

A detailed account of the transformation of consciousness and discovery of life's purpose brought on by peyote *; Shows how peyote and other visionary plants do not distort reality but gloriously unveil it, pulling the mind out of its cosmic slumber and revealing our unity with all life *; Explains the necessity when working with peyote to remain the master of one's mind and consciously work on oneself *; Examines how modern society's revulsion to sacramental plants and other consciousness expanders is deeply rooted in Western philosophy Charles Duits was caught in the grip of a dead-end existential and spiritual crisis.

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.

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.

An exploration of shamanism and the archetypal symbolism that sits at the foundation of all human life*; Not just an academic work.

An insider's 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 Shaman's 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.

A diagnosis of cancer leads to healing and transformation in the Amazon jungle *; Explains in vivid detail De Wys's experience of being healed from cancer through visionary ayahuasca rituals in Ecuador *; Describes her apprenticeship and relationship with the shaman who cured her *; Explores the ways this spiritual medicine can heal the emotional origins of disease now plaguing our modern technological culture *; Chosen as one of the ';Top 10 Books of the New Edge' by Jonathan Talat Phillips on The Huffington Post When composer and Bard College music professor Margaret De Wys learned she had breast cancer, the diagnosis shattered her comfortable life.

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 one's 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.

The Six Healing Sounds that keep the vital organs in optimal condition *; Presents vocalizations and accompanying postures that dissolve the tensions at the root of unhealthy chi flow and organ malfunction *; Shows how to release excess heat trapped around the organs and redistribute it to cooler regions of the body to bring balance, health, and calmness to the entire system Thousands of years ago Taoist masters discovered that a healthy organ vibrates at a particular frequency.

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 don't--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.

True account of a decade-long apprenticeship with Huichol shamans in the Mexican Sierra Madre *; Contains an insider's view of the Huichol's shamanic spiritual practices, including their ritual use of peyote *; Offers the Huichol path to sustainable healing for individuals and our planet Never conquered by Europeans, the Huichol--known for their use of peyote in spiritual ceremonies--have thoroughly retained their ancient way of life.

An illustrated guide to releasing emotional and physical blockages in the pelvic area through massage *; Presents step-by-step instructions for sexual organ massages for women and men *; Explains techniques to release knots, unravel nerve and lymphatic tangles, dissolve toxins and sediments, and increase blood flow *; Effective for impotency, frequent and difficult urination, painful menstruation, ovarian cysts, menopause symptoms, painful intercourse, and low libido as well as back pain, sciatica, and hormone imbalance Our sexual organs play a major role in our physical and emotional health.

The shamanic roots of Taoist practice *; Explains the principles of the Taoist Medicine Wheel, including the Five Elements, the animals of the Chinese zodiac, and the trigrams of the I Ching *; Includes exercises from the ';Wheel of Love' to access the Tao of Ecstasy *; Contains illustrated teaching stories about the Eight Immortals Thousands of years ago the immortals known as the Shining Ones shipwrecked on the Chinese coast.

A guide to nourishing the body through bone marrow rejuvenation exercises *; Presents exercises to ';regrow' bone marrow, revive the internal organs, and prevent osteoporosis *; Explains the use of bone breathing and bone compression, ';hitting' to detoxify the body, and sexual energy massage and chi weight lifting to enhance the life force within Most Westerners believe that a daily physical exercise program helps slow the aging process.

A guide to the advanced practice of Inner Alchemy, which brings the physical body into balance with the energy body *; Presents the second level of Inner Alchemy practices that use the eight forces of the pakua (bagwa) to collect, gather, and condense chi in the body *; Explains how to balance negative emotional energy with positive energy to detoxify, nourish, and integrate the physical and the energy body with the forces of nature *; Shows how to collect and channel the greater energies of the stars and planets to create unity between what is above and below Cosmic Fusion is an advanced level of Inner Alchemy that teaches how to bring the physical body into balance with the energy body--a necessary prerequisite for the formation of the universal body, the pearl of compassion that is one with Original Creation and the Universal Tao.

An introduction to the ancient Taoist exercise system of Tao Yin*; Includes 45 fully illustrated exercises that promote flexibility, strength, and balance in one's physical, mental, and spiritual energy*; Addresses the health needs of the musculoskeletal system and the unique physical stresses of a modern urban lifestyleIn the Western world, exercise focuses mainly on physical fitness and developing muscular strength.

Advanced Inner Alchemy exercises that promote the free flow of energy throughout the body in preparation for the Practice of the Immortal Tao*; Explains how to open the Great Bridge Channel and the Great Regulator Channel*; Includes exercises to strengthen and wrap the spinal cord with energy*; Reveals how to create a thicker aura to protect the body and receive the higher frequencies of the Universal ForceThe Fusion of the Eight Psychic Channels practice builds upon the Fusion of the Five Elements and Cosmic Fusion practices and is the final step in preparation for the Practice of the Immortal Tao.

A guide to the practice of Inner Alchemy, which allows you to control the energies of your inner universe to better connect with energies of the outer universe *; Teaches the essential first-level meditations in Taoist practice, also known as Fusion of the Five Forces, for self-healing and emotional and spiritual development *; Shows step-by-step how to remove negative emotions from the organs in which they are lodged by neutralizing and transforming the negativity back into positive energy *; Includes basic and advanced-level meditations Fusion of the Five Elements is the necessary first step in the Taoist practice of Inner Alchemy, in which one learns to control the generation and flow of emotional, mental, and physical energies within the body.

A guide to the foundational practice of ';smiling to the organs' to promote deep relaxation and internal health *; Presents exercises that dissolve the physical and mental tensions that can cause energy blockages and unhealthy chi flow *; Shows how to recognize illness at its inception on the organ level and how to balance the emotions to heal it The Inner Smile is a practice that focuses gratitude and joy on the internal organs to resolve the physical and mental tensions that can lead to illness.

Explores the deep, internal work necessary for the effective practice of tai chi*; Reveals the Taoist principles that gave birth to the Yang-style tai chi forms*; Shows how tai chi can circulate powerful healing energies through the bodyTaoist adepts developed tai chi as both a martial art and a way to cultivate their physical body, energy body, and spirit body.

A fundamental Taoist practice for enhancing and utilizing chi*; Includes breathing and movement exercises to promote vitality and healing through the cultivation of chi in the tan tien and perineum areas*; Presents the foundational exercises that are essential for more advanced practices such as Iron Shirt Chi Kung and Cosmic HealingTan Tien Chi Kung is the art of cultivating and condensing chi in the lower abdomen--the tan tien--the fundamental power storehouse of the body.

A guide to the practice of the Lesser Kan and Li that gives birth to the soul body and the immortal spirit body *; Shows how to awaken higher consciousness through practices in total darkness that stimulate the release of DMT by the pineal gland *; Shows how to transform sexual energy into life-force energy to feed the soul body The Lesser Enlightenment of Kan and Li practice combines the compassion of the heart energies (yang/fire) with sexual energies originating in the kidneys (yin/water) to form and feed the soul or energy body.

Taoist meditation practices for increasing and maintaining mental awareness, memory, and clarity *; Details techniques to increase the level of chi energy in the brain *; Explains how to synchronize the left and right brain by activating the body's energetic potentials *; Shows that by emptying the mind there is more energy to heal the body Wisdom Chi Kung teaches practitioners how to revitalize the brain: to repair function, increase memory, and expand capacity.

Cómo trabajar con los centros de los chakras a fin de curar lesiones psíquicas no resueltas

• Revela cómo las lesiones síquicas se quedan atrapadas en el cuerpo energético.

How to work with the chakra centers to heal unresolved psychic wounds *; Reveals how psychic injuries become lodged within the energy body *; Links one major developmental stage with each major chakra *; Provides a detailed guide to healing and clearing the tensions each chakra holds The chakra system identifies eight centers in the psycho-anatomy of humans, each one associated with a different part of the physical or energy body.