Alternative belief systems and spiritual worldviews Books

Book SynopsisThe enigmatic and richly illustrative tarot deck reveals a host of strange and iconic mages, such as The Tower, The Wheel of Fortune, The Hanged Man and The Fool: over which loom the terrifying figures of Death and The Devil. The 21 numbered playing cards of tarot have always exerted strong fascination, way beyond their original purpose, and the multiple resonances of the deck are ubiquitous. From T S Eliot and his 'wicked pack of cards' in "The Waste Land" to the psychic divination of Solitaire in Ian Fleming's "Live and Let Die"; and from the satanic novels of Dennis Wheatley to the deck's adoption by New Age practitioners, the cards have in modern times become inseparably connected to the occult. They are now viewed as arguably the foremost medium of prophesying and foretelling. Yet, as the author shows, originally the tarot were used as recreational playing cards by the Italian nobility in the Renaissance. It was only much later, in the 18th and 19th centuries, that the deck became associated with esotericism before evolving finally into a diagnostic tool for mind, body and spirit. This is the first book to explore the remarkably varied ways in which tarot has influenced culture. Tracing the changing patterns of the deck's use, from game to mysterious oracular device, Helen Farley examines tarot's emergence in 15th century Milan and discusses its later associations with astrology, kabbalah and the Age of Aquarius.Trade Review`Deeply researched and elegantly written, Farley’s is by far the most important contemporary contribution to the academic study of the Tarot. No serious work in the history of Western Esotericism will be able to ignore the author’s ground-breaking study. Engrossing and fascinating’ - Philip C Almond, Emeritus Professor of Studies in Religion, University of Queensland, 'Helen Farley takes the reader deep into the diverse worlds of late Renaissance Italy, Enlightenment France, Victorian England and New Age America - and a host of other milieux - in her impressive study of tarot symbolism. She offers a comprehensive yet detailed study of the changing imagery in the cards as they emerged from their evolving historical contexts. Rarely does a book offer such a wealth of information over such a broad span of time in a way that does justice to its subject: but Farley accomplishes her task with thoroughness and diligence. A Cultural History of Tarot makes a welcome and valuable contribution to the body of recent scholarship on the history of esotericism. More than that, it provides a roadmap to show how scholars of art and culture can engage meaningfully with the fascinating esoteric strands of Europe's past.' - Christina Oakley Harrington, Proprietor, Treadwell's Bookshop, LondonTable of ContentsIntroduction Origins and Antecedents Renaissance Italy and the Emergence of Tarot An Alternative Explanation of Tarot Symbolism The Transformation of Tarot into an Esoteric Device Across the Channel to England Tarot and the New Age Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIn "Stations of the Sun" and "The Triumph of the Moon", Ronald Hutton established himself as a leading authority on the historian of Paganism. His wealth of unusual knowledge, complemented by a deep and sympathetic understanding of past and present beliefs that are often dismissed as strange or marginal, and an ability to write lucidly and wittily, gives his work a unique flavour. The essays which make up "Witches, Druids and King Arthur" cover elegantly and entertainingly a wide range of beliefs, myths and practices.Trade Review ‘essential reading for anyone interested in the history, recent or older, of paganism.' ~ David CohenTable of ContentsIllustrations; Introduction; Acknowledgements; 1 How Myths are Made; 2 Arthur and the Academics; 3 Glastonbury: Alternative Histories; 4 The New Old Paganism; 5 Paganism in the Missing Countries; 6 A Modest Look at Ritual Nudity; 7 The Inklings and the Gods; 8 The New Druidry; 9 Living with Witchcraft; Notes; Index.

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Book SynopsisOver the past few hundred years, animism has been dismissed as a primitive, naive and irrational perspective, irrelevant within the civilised West. In The Wakeful World, Emma Restall Orr argues that this is based on the misrepresentation, drawn in crayon, that each tree and stone has its own Christian-like immortal soul. Taking the reader on a philosophical adventure, Restall Orr explores the heritage of Western thought with precision, enthusiasm and sensitivity, considering how soul, spirit, mind and consciousness have been understood through millennia. Challenging the prevailing worldviews of materialism and dualism, she presents animism as a radically different, yet mature and coherent philosophy. Providing deep green ethics with a wholly rational metaphysical foundation, The Wakeful World is a compelling view of the nature of existence and the experience of reality, giving solid ground for the now necessary journey to a sustainable world.Trade ReviewThis original and lively book brings back animism - a most useful range of ideas which reductivists have somewhat wildly abandoned during the last century - into focus once more just when it is badly needed to cure current confusions about mind and body. Dr Mary Midgley, Moral Philosopher Emma Restall Orr has accomplished a most difficult task: combining academic-quality research with an accessible and compelling narrative. The concepts of animism, panpsychism, and mind in nature are all explored with great dexterity and insight. The Wakeful World offers a fascinating and powerful vision of animism for the present day - a vision that promises to reconnect us to the living Earth. David Skrbina PhD, Author, Panpsychism in the West New science and ancient philosophy contribute to her careful and grounded consideration of the value of being a thoughtful animist today. Graham Harvey, Reader in Religious Studies, The Open University, Author of Animism: Respecting the Living World

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Book SynopsisThis book explores ways to address personal, social and environmental concerns in simple practical steps in our daily lives. It explains how individuals and communities can work together to achieve positive change. It discusses the current political and mainstream paradigms and where they are leading us. The thoughts and actions of people past and present have determined the current state of our planet. If we change our thinking, we can change the health of our own lives, and also the future state of our world. 7 Ways to Think Differently explores ways to address personal, social and environmental concerns in simple practical steps in our daily lives, helping us to make incremental, achievable changes. As well as addressing our internal landscapes, Looby explains how individuals and communities can work together to achieve positive change. She also explores the current political and mainstream paradigms and where they are leading us.Trade ReviewThroughout this very readable book Looby encourages us to think about thinking ... and in doing so she poses a number of fundamental questions including, for example: How do you see the world?, What might influence how you think about this?, What are your beliefs and assumptions?, What are the patterns of thinking that recreate feelings, behaviours and learning?, How can you go deeper and think more critically to challenge these? and How can you reinterpret these stories? The Introduction covers how she developed the basis for the book and briefly lists the seven different ways (and her choice of symbols to illustrate each one). She provides explanations of Permaculture and The Work That Reconnects, Thinking about Thinking, Shifting our Thinking and concludes with Landscape of Thought which pulls all seven ways together into a single graphic image. The bulk of the book has seven chapters, each covering one of the seven ways, which are: abundance thinking, solutions thinking, systems thinking, thinking like nature, co-operative thinking, thinking for the future and from thinking to doing. Each one adds structure and depth to the unfolding story. The final pages are packed with further resources, listing books, websites and films as well as 46 references used throughout the text. There is also a very useful double page Ways of Thinking Summary with multiple examples and the relevant permaculture principles applying to each one. In her closing words Looby asks us to accept that this [book] is an invitation to embark on a beautiful journey of embracing, responding and discovering. I do, I am now using the book and strongly recommend it to you as one very effective tool for being and doing in a very different way.; Alan Charlton, Permaculture magazine

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