Folklore studies / Study of myth (mythology)

A rare look into the history, theory, and craft of the black mages and sorcerers of Russia Examines practical rituals and spells, the demonic pantheon, places of power, offerings and sacrifices, Hell Icons, and instructions for cemetery magic Provides insight into the fundamental ideology of black magic practitioners, from the universal laws of magic to the principles of morality Details how the Russian practice of black magic preserved ancient pagan traditions and evolved as the antithesis of Christianity Born in the Soviet Union and descended from a matrilineal line of witches, Natasha Helvin offers a rare look into the secret practices of Russian black magic, passed down from teacher to disciple for generations both orally and through their grimoires bound in black.

Learn to cultivate a traditional, beneficial relationship with the land by embracing the forgotten practices of our ancestors Details the ancient art of geomancy and Earth magic, including how to work with ley lines, astrology, and the four directions to honor a space and make it a place of power Explores the magic of the land around us and how our ancestors interacted with Earth energies and the forces of Nature Discusses the power of boundaries and magic circles, the proper feng shui of graveyards and cemeteries, and magically powerful places such as crossroads, fairgrounds, and the mystic triangles found in no-mans lands Our ancestors were deeply aware of the magical power of their local landscape, no matter where they lived.

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.

Julius Evola's masterful overview of the political and social manifestations of our time, the "e;age of decline"e; known to the Hindus as the Kali Yuga.

With unflinching gaze and uncompromising intensity Julius Evola analyzes the spiritual and cultural malaise at the heart of Western civilization and all that passes for progress in the modern world.

A comprehensive exploration of familiars and their many forms and powers Explores witchs familiars in folklore, shamanic, and magical traditions around the world, including Africa, India, Scandinavia, ancient Greece, and China Explains how familiars are related to shamanic power animals and how the witch draws on her personal sexual energy to give this creature its power Examines the familiar in alchemical, Hermetic, and Egyptian magical literature, including instructions for procuring a supernatural assistant Exploring the history and creation of a witchs familiar, also known as a spirit double or guardian spirit, Maja DAoust shows how there is much more to these supernatural servant spirits and guardians than meets the eye.

A comprehensive look at the history and practices of rural English witchcraft Explores witchs familiars and fetches, animal magic, and the forms of witchcraft practiced by rural tradespeople, such as blacksmiths, herbalists, and artisans Offers practical insight into spells, charms, folk incantations, herbal medicine practices, amulets, sigils, and tools of the craft Details the evolution of public perception of witchcraft throughout Englands history, including the laws against witchcraft in place until the 1950s and witchcrafts contentious relationship with the Christian church In this practical guide, Nigel Pennick takes the reader on a journey through the practice of operative witchcraft in the British Isles from the Middle Ages and the Elizabethan era to the decriminalization of witchcraft in the 1950s and its practice today.

A practical guide to the ancient magical tradition of Russian sorcery and Eastern Slavic magical rites Offers step-by-step instructions for more than 300 spells, incantations, charms, amulets, and practical rituals for love, career success, protection, healing, divination, communicating with spirits and ancestors, and other challenges and situations Reveals specific places of magical power in the natural world as well as the profound power of graveyards and churches for casting spells Explores the folk history of this ancient magical tradition, including how the pagan gods gained new life as Eastern Orthodox saints, and shares folktales of magical beings, including sorceresses shapeshifting into animals and household objects Passed down through generations, the Slavic practice of magic, witchcraft, and sorcery is still alive and well in Russia, the Ukraine, and Belarus, as well as the Balkans and the Baltic states.

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 comprehensive guide to the history and practice of Angular Magic Details the development of the magical system of the Nine Angles by the Church of Satan and the Temple of Set, as well as its internal body, the Order of the Trapezoid Analyzes the 3 key rites of Angular Magic: Die Elektrischen Vorspiele, the Ceremony of the Nine Angles, and the Call to Cthulhu Explores historical influences on Angular Magic, including Pythagorean number mysticism, John Dees Enochian magic, and the writings of H.

Original tales inspired by Native American and Norwegian folklore that highlight the wisdom of the divine natural world Shares unique stories about Earth Medicine and animal magic, inspired by the authors unusual Native American (Hopi) and Norwegian upbringing Interwoven with ancient teachings and everyday practical applications of Earth Medicine, such as grounding and dream interpretation Each tale is beautifully illustrated with the authors original art, which promotes spiritual understanding and the power of the Earths healing properties Paper with French flaps Drawing on both her Native American (Hopi) heritage and her Norwegian upbringing, renowned mystic and intuitive healer Sonja Grace shares original wisdom tales, received through her heart and soul, to take you on a journey into the magic of Raven and Bear and the healing power of Earth Medicine.

An intimate portrait of Evola and his wartime activities that rebuts many of the Fascist pseudo-myths about him Traces the Barons activities in Italy, Germany, and Austria during World War II Clarifies Evolas relations with Nazism and Fascism and reveals how he passionately rejected both ideologies because they were totalitarian Draws on personal conversations with those who knew Evola, new documentation never before made public, and letters from the Hakl and Scaligero archives Baron Giulio Cesare Andrea Evola, known to the English-speaking world as Julius Evola (18981974), was an Italian philosopher, magician, painter, occultist, Orientalist, linguist, and champion mountain climber.

Follow Aleister Crowley through his mystical travels in India, which profoundly influenced his magical system as well as the larger occult world Shares excerpts from Crowleys unpublished diaries and details his travels in India, Burma, and Sri Lanka from 1901 to 1906 Reveals how Crowley incorporated what he learned in India--jnana yoga, Vedantist, Tantric, and Buddhist philosophy--into his own school of Magick Explores the world of Theosophy, yogis, Hindu traditions, and the first Buddhist sangha to the West as well as the first pioneering expeditions to K2 and Kangchenjunga in 1901 and 1905 Early in life, Aleister Crowleys dissociation from fundamentalist Christianity led him toward esoteric and magical spirituality.

A collectors 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 practitioners 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.

Reveals how the art of memory is the origin of the Masonic method Explains the classical techniques of the art of memory, how they were reworked by hermetic thinkers during the Renaissance, and how they contributed to the transformation of operative Freemasonry into speculative Freemasonry Traces the creation of speculative Freemasonry to 1637, one hundred years earlier than previously thought Explores how the memory palaces created with the art of memory enabled access to universal knowledge as well as represented the Masonic temple in its imaginary state In Antiquity, the art of memory was a mnemonic device that allowed an orator, such as Cicero, to recall all the points he wished to make by associating each of them with an image or architectural element in the site he was speaking.

Reveals the occult wisdom and multidimensional layers of meaning hidden in the Nordic Rune stones Explores the practice of the Uthark divination system encoded within the traditional exoteric Futhark system of reading the runes Traces the relationship between the rune stones and numerology, the Cabbala, alchemy, Gothicism, and sigil magic Examines the history of the runes and the ancient spiritual mysticism of Odin Uncovering the dark side of the Nordic rune stones hidden beneath their traditional interpretation, Swedish scholar and runologist Thomas Karlsson examines the rune work of Swedish mystic and runologist Johannes Bureus (1568-1652) and professor Sigurd Agrell (1881-1937), both of whom devoted their lives to uncovering the secret uses of rune stones concealed from all but the highest initiates.

Reveals the origins and history of the New England witch hysteria, its continuing repercussions, and the multilayered practices of todays modern witches Shares the stories of 13 accused witches from the New England colonies through interviews with their living descendants Explores the positive role witches played in rural communities until the dawn of the industrial age, despite ongoing persecution Includes in-depth interviews with 25 modern witchcraft practitioners, interwoven with practical information on the sacred calendar, herb lore, spells, and magical practices New England has long been associated with witches.

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 comprehensive account of the rich folk culture preserved in the rural secret societies of the British Isles Describes the secret rites, ceremonies, and initiation rituals of guilds and rural fraternities such as the Shoemakers, Horsemen, Toadmen, Mummers, and Bonesmen Explains their use of masks, black face, and other disguises to avoid persecution Draws not only on scholarly research but also the authors personal contacts within these still living traditions Centuries ago the remote, marshy plains of eastern England--the Fens--were drained to create agricultural land.

Learn how to use the principles and practices of natural magic for personal development and spiritual empowerment Offers detailed descriptions of the magical properties of minerals, animals, plants, and the earths cycles and how to use them in your own practice Explores the magical laws of nature and how to guide your inner energy to work in concert with cosmic energies Details how to design your own ceremonies, practice elemental meditations, and craft your own magical talismans, wands, and divining rods An expert on European rural folk magic traditions, author Nigel Pennick presents a comprehensive introduction to the principles, rituals, practices, and magical tools required to draw on the magic inherent in the natural world.

A practical guide to the Anglo-Saxon Futhark and how runes were used in Old England Examines the 33 Northumbrian runes of the Anglo-Saxon Futhark, providing the meanings, historical uses, symbolism, and related tree and plant spirits for each Explores geomancy divination practices, the role of sacred numbers, and the power of the eight airts, or directions Provides a magical history of Northumbria, as well as a look at the otherworldly beings who call these lands home, including boggarts, brownies, and dragons Shows how traditional spirituality is intimately tied to the landscape and the cycle of the seasons In the early Anglo-Saxon period, the region of Great Britain known as Northumbria was a kingdom in its own right.

A surrealist exploration of the marvelous in ancient, classic, and modern works from around the world Long considered one of the most significant and original books to have come out of the surrealist movement Reveals the marvelous in works from William Blake, Edgar Allen Poe, William Shakespeare, Chrtien de Troyes, and Arthur Rimbaud; legends and folktales from around the world; classics from Ovid, Plato, and Apuleius; Masonic ritual texts, Mesopotamias Epic of Gilgamesh, the Popol-Vuh, Lewis Carolls Alice through the Looking Glass, Solomons Song of Songs, and Goethes Faust First published in French as Miroir du merveilleux in 1940, Mirror of the Marvelous has long been considered one of the most significant and original books to have come out of the surrealist movement and Anas Nin suggested it as a source of inspiration, far ahead of its time.

A practical handbook to the history, exercises, and techniques of German rune work Explores the four traditional runic systems: the Older Futhark, the Anglo-Frisian Futhorc, the Younger Futhark, and the Armanic Futhork Details powerful rune work techniques and exercises, including rune yoga and dance, runic hand gestures (mudras), rune singing (mantras), runic healing, runic tantra and sex magic, rune rituals, runic divination, and the runic theory of crystals Examines the history of esoteric runology and the trailblazers of modern rune magic, including Guido von List, Friedrich Bernhard Marby, and Rudolf John Gorsleben Although the rune renaissance began blossoming in Anglo-American occult circles in the 1970s, the runes have been part of the occult revival in Germany since its beginning in the late 19th century, with roots that go back centuries further.

The most in-depth work in English on the most influential secret magic group of 20th-century Germany, the Fraternitas Saturni, or Brotherhood of Saturn Explores the history of the Order from its founding the late 1960s Transcribes many rituals and practices in such detail that readers will be able to undertake their own experiential work Examines the Orders teachings on cosmology, the Kabbalah, the Saturnian Sacraments, electrical magic, and sexual mysticism--the Yoga of the Dark Light Includes biographies of prominent members, including founder Gregor A.

Authentic initiatic practices, rituals, and wisdom collected by the UR Group Shares a rigorous selection of initiatory exercises, including instructions for creating the diaphanous body of the Opus magicum, establishing initiatic consciousness after death, and the construction of magical chains (the enchained awareness of initiates) Offers studies of mystery traditions throughout history, presenting not only the principles themselves but also witnesses to them and their continual validity today The Gruppo di UR was a group of Italian esotericists who collaborated from 1927 to 1929.

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 Santas helpers and dwarfs as little bearded men wearing red caps, who are mischievous and playful, helpful and sly, industrious and dexterous.

Explores the role of magic and the occult in art and culture from ancient times to today Examines key figures behind esoteric cultural developments, such as Carl Jung, Anton LaVey, Paul Bowles, Aleister Crowley, and Rudolf Steiner Explores the history of magic as a source of genuine counter culture and compares it with our contemporary soulless, digital monoculture Reveals how the magic of art can be restored if art is employed as a means rather than an end and offers strategies to rekindle intuitive creativity Art, magic, and the occult have been intimately linked since our prehistoric ancestors created the first cave paintings some 50,000 years ago.

A comprehensive A-to-Z reconstruction of the oral tradition of the Rom--gypsies--based on sources never before available in English Presents the origin myths and magical traditions of the gypsies, including their legendary ties to Egypt, animal ancestors, and tree spirits Examines the three major settings of gypsy folktales--the forest, the waters, and the mountain--and shows how their world is full of spirits Shows how the religious concepts of the Rom testify to a profound syncretism of the pagan traditions and Christianity Although their own myths and their common name point to Egyptian origins for the gypsies, the Rom, as they call themselves, originated in India, as evidenced by studies of their language.

A tale of initiation, adventure, and romance set within the medieval Crusades Shares in novel form the mystical rituals and techniques of the Nizari Ismailis (the legendary Assassins) communicated to selected Knights Templar during the Crusades Shows how the Gnostic traditions of the Cathars and Nizaris were blended to become the core of the heretical doctrines for which the Templars were later condemned Sheds light on the contemporary conflict between Islam and the West and offers a natural path of reconciliation between these disparate culturesSet within the dramatic tableau of the medieval Crusades, this story of initiation, adventure, and romance follows members of the Knights Templar and Assassins as they discover a mystical tradition with the potential to unify, protect, and liberate humankind--the very heresy for which the Knights Templar were later condemned.

A complete guide to the theory, practice, and history of Mazdan magic, the first organized system of magic Provides a complete curriculum of magical study and initiation centered on exercises keyed to the sacred Zoroastrian calendar Details advanced magical rituals and practices based on archaic Persian formulas, including fire rituals and divine invocations Explores the history and lore of Persian magic, explaining how the author reconstructed the original Mazdan system of magic Stephen Flowers explores the history, theory, practice, rituals, and initiations of the Mazdan magical system practiced by the Magi of ancient Persia, who were so skilled and famed for their effectiveness that their name came to mean what we today call magic.

An exploration of Crowleys relationship with the United States Details Crowleys travels, passions, literary and artistic endeavors, sex magick, and psychedelic experimentation Investigates Crowleys undercover intelligence adventures that actively promoted U.

An in-depth collection of ancient spells and magic practices drawn from rare and newly discovered texts Presents more than 600 magical prescriptions for healing and protection from both pagan and Christian sources Examines the practice of diagnosing illness through magic and explores ancient beliefs about curses and other evil spells and about devils, demons, and ghosts Includes spells from the heavily guarded gypsy tradition of magic and healing, drawn from newly discovered materials Since the beginning of history, people have sought remedies for the many ills that have beset them, from illnesses afflicting the body to threats posed by evil and hostile individuals.

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 Arthurs 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.

An experiential guide to the wisdom preserved in Europes 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 humanitys oldest spiritual tradition.

A comprehensive look at the life and continuing influence of 16th-century scientific genius and occultist Dr.

The first book to explore the history and influence of egregores, powerful autonomous psychic entities created by a collective group mind Examines the history of egregores from ancient times to present day, including their role in Western Mystery traditions and popular culture and media Reveals documented examples of egregores from ancient Greece and Rome, Tibetan Buddhism, Islam, modern esoteric orders, the writings of H.

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.

Identifies the patterns of our planets design within the natural landscape Explains the geometry inherent in the mountains and coasts on all continents Reveals how ancient monuments were built to reflect and enhance the Earths design, often connecting sites around the world Includes detailed maps that show the simple geometrical relationships among the worlds mountains, coastlines, islands, and ancient monuments From continent to continent across the globe, Mark Vidler and Catherine Young reveal that order is everywhere on Earth.

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 traditions 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.

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.

Explains the relevance of ancient myths to the awakening to higher states of consciousness and enlivened experience of the world Shows how higher consciousness can arise within each of us by following the guidance found in ancient myths Reveals how myths influence our personal development without our awareness through their influence on our core values and culture Examines ancient Sumerian, Egyptian, Babylonian, and Hebrew myths, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and the story of Osiris and Isis In this study of ancient Sumerian, Egyptian, Babylonian, and Hebrew myths, authors Lloyd M.

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.

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 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.