Eclectic and esoteric religions and belief systems Books

Book SynopsisAn initiatory and practical guide to creative alchemy. In this initiatory guide to the hermetic art of alchemy, artist Marlene Seven Bremner reveals how the alchemical opus, the Great Work, offers a practical means for liberating the authentic creator within and attaining gnosis, or true self-knowledge. Exploring the connections between Surrealism and alchemy, as well as the rich and complicated symbolism of alchemical art, Bremner elucidates how both Surrealism and alchemy seek to unfetter the imagination and dissolve the boundaries between dream and reality, thus reconciling the conscious and unconscious minds. She details how the three principles (salt, sulphur, and mercury), the four elements, and the seven planets interact together and within the self in creative alchemy, and she explains how to work with and transmute these energies for increased levels of insight, intuition, and imaginative expression. The author shares practical hermetic and alchemical techniques for liberating creative expression and clearing energetic obstructions that prevent us from reaching our higher potential. She also looks at the zodiacal and planetary timing of creative operations. Revealing how the stages of alchemical transmutation are relevant to the creative process, the author shows how the initiate comes to experience for themselves the relationship between consciousness and matter, which is the essence of alchemical teachings. By creating, one transmutes spiritual energies through matter for greater self-knowledge and awakening. Allowing you to truly realize your own creative power, this in-depth guide to creative alchemy shows how the alchemical path attunes the Self to the rhythms of the spheres, so that one is naturally creating in time with the seasons and zodiac signs and in harmony with elemental forces and planetary influences.Trade Review“Marlene Bremner’s The Hermetic Marriage of Art and Alchemy is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in the fascinating intersection of art and the occult. Marlene’s knowledge and passion will captivate any reader, making this book an indispensable companion for those seeking to unlock the mysteries of the unseen.” * JASON LOUV, author of John Dee and the Empire of Angels and teacher at Magick.me *“The Hermetic Marriage of Art and Alchemy is a sumptuous examination of where our relationship with imagination and our capacity to create intersects with the spiritual and psychic realms. . . . A fantastic guide for both the artist and magical practitioner alike!” * LAURA TEMPEST ZAKROFF, author of Sigil Witchery and Visual Alchemy *“A book rich in colorful illustrations, poignant imagery, and penetrating analysis. Written in a clear and easy-to-understand language that will appeal both to the specialist and the curious alike. This scholarly work is certain to please connoisseurs of the Royal Art with a useful aid to reference, time and again, on decoding the mysteries of life.” * DAVID PANTANO, translator of The Hermetic Physician *“Capably researched, vividly illustrated, and trenchantly argued, this is a treat for those who know their way around the realm of the magical imagination and a revelation for those who are just setting foot on that potent and life-affirming path.” * JOHN MICHAEL GREER, author of The Twilight of Pluto *“This new volume makes me all excited again! I would not call it a sequel but a way of going deeper into that magical realm, where alchemical thinking and practice meet the art world. . . . Another gem from Marlene Seven Bremner, including the wonderful paintings that accompany the book.” * RUDOLF BERGER, performing arts professionaland creator of the Thoth Hermes Podcast *“A remarkable work in scope and depth that explores art as alchemy, Bremner provides the ground for a much-needed discussion on the esoteric currents that have surfaced throughout various art movements such as Symbolism, Dada, and Surrealism. And in doing so, she articulates the basic premise of alchemy—that all creations arise from the same principles. Then, using these alchemical principles and processes, Bremner shows how to incorporate them into your work with clear, insightful descriptions of exercises for the artist/alchemist. The Hermetic Marriage of Art and Alchemy is a ‘must-have’ for anyone seriously working in or investigating the intersection of art and alchemy.” * Brian Cotnoir, author of Practical Alchemy, Alchemy: The Poetry of Matter, and On Alchemy *“Bremner envisions the integration of the modern-day practice of creative alchemy with a deep understanding of its representations in the visual and poetic arts. By locating imagination at the center, Bremner makes evident the hidden connections between alchemy and artists whose gaze initiates psychological change and spiritual evolution. This book is both an esoteric meditation and a feminist call to reclaim personal authority over consciousness and reject hierarchical ideologies in favor of personal exploration. This book is a must-read for historians of ideas, the arts, and practitioners of the esoteric.” * Leslie Korn, Ph.D., M.P.H., author of Rhythms of Recovery *“The Hermetic Marriage of Art and Alchemy is an unprecedented work in decoding the opacity of alchemical allegory and charting the pervasive cultural influence of esotericism. Its rich imagery discloses the intimate mechanisms of modernism within a panoramic assimilation of occult philosophy. Bremner evokes a textured interpretation of ancient arcana through informed and embodied knowledge of their processes, imparting effectual praxis for sacred operations that impel the reader toward spiritual and creative actualization.” * Micki Pellerano, artist, astrologer, and host of Time Lord TV *"For those looking to explore more layers of their creative processes, undertaking the arduous process of transforming lead into gold, The Hermetic Marriage of Art and Alchemy is a wonderful resource. This book is rich with insights about how consciousness and matter can merge to usher in new levels of self-awareness and personal insights, along with uniting readers with spiritual energies to reach their highest potential. By following the path that’s been carved by artists of centuries past, Bremner assists readers in undertaking their own creative alchemy." * Alanna Kali, Musing Mystical *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsINTRODUCTION Imaginatio Vera PART I Alchemy and Imagination 1 Romanticism: Irrational Freedom 2 Symbolism: Dark Dreams and Ideals of the Other World 3 Dada: Cutting to the Chance 4 Surrealism: The Automatic Solution PART II The Magnum Opus 5 Creative Alchemy: Essentials of the Great Work6 Nigredo: Putrefaction and the Generation of the Idea7 Albedo: Purification and the Lunar Stone 8 Citrinitas: Solar Inspiration and Integration 9 Rubedo: The Royal Marriage and the Philosopher’s Stone CONCLUSION Creatio Continua APPENDIX A Chakra Correspondence Charts APPENDIX BPlanetary Correspondences APPENDIX CElemental MeditationNotes BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisSensory overload can leave us feeling empty, or even thirsting for ever more stimulation. Here is a more balanced, health giving way of experiencing and understanding the human senses. The author starts by appreciating the rich tapestry of not just five, but twelve senses. These are the senses of touch, life, self-movement, balance, smell, taste, vision, temperature, hearing, language, the conceptual and the ego senses.

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Book SynopsisThe central contention of the “New Atheism” of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens is that there has for several centuries been a war between science and religion, that religion has been steadily losing that war, and that at this point in human history a completely secular scientific account of the world has been worked out in such thorough and convincing detail that there is no longer any reason why a rational and educated person should find the claims of any religion the least bit worthy of attention.But as Edward Feser argues inThe Last Superstition, in fact there is not, and never has been, any war between science and religion at all. There has instead been a conflict between two entirely philosophical conceptions of the natural order: on the one hand, the classical “teleological” vision of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas, on which purpose or goal-directedness is as inherent a feature of the physical world as mass or electric charge; and the modern “mechanical” vision of Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, and Hume, according to which the physical world is comprised of nothing more than purposeless, meaningless particles in motion. As it happens, on the classical teleological picture, the existence of God, the immortality of the soul, and the natural-law conception of morality are rationally unavoidable. Modern atheism and secularism have thus always crucially depended for their rational credentials on the insinuation that the modern, mechanical picture of the world has somehow been established by science. Yet this modern “mechanical” picture has never been established by science, and cannot be, for it is not a scientific theory in the first place but merely a philosophical interpretation of science. Moreover, as Feser shows, the philosophical arguments in its favor given by the early modern philosophers were notable only for being surprisingly weak. The true reasons for its popularity were then, and are now, primarily political: It was a tool by which the intellectual foundations of ecclesiastical authority could be undermined and the way opened toward a new secular and liberal social order oriented toward commerce and technology. So as to further these political ends, it was simply stipulated, by fiat as it were, that no theory inconsistent with the mechanical picture of the world would be allowed to count as “scientific.” As the centuries have worn on and historical memory has dimmed, this act of dogmatic stipulation has falsely come to be remembered as a “discovery.”However, not only is this modern philosophical picture rationally unfounded, it is demonstrably false. For the “mechanical” conception of the natural world, when worked out consistently, absurdly entails that rationality, and indeed the human mind itself, are illusory. The so-called “scientific worldview” championed by the New Atheists thus inevitably undermines its own rational foundations; and into the bargain (and contrary to the moralistic posturing of the New Atheists) it undermines the foundations of any possible morality as well. By contrast, and as The Last Superstition demonstrates, the classical teleological picture of nature can be seen to find powerful confirmation in developments from contemporary philosophy, biology, and physics; moreover, morality and reason itself cannot possibly be made sense of apart from it. The teleological vision of the ancients and medievals is thereby rationally vindicated – and with it the religious worldview they based upon it.

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Book SynopsisFound 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. Used in Russian healing therapies since the time of Peter the Great, shungite contains almost the entire periodic table of the elements as well as fullerenes, the hollow carbon-based molecules that recent research shows are able to slow both the growth of cancer cells and the development of the AIDS virus. Citing many double-blind scientific and medical studies on shungite, Regina Martino explains its many protective, healing, and detoxifying properties, including its ability to counteract the harmful effects of electromagnetic fields and radiation from computers, cell phones, Wi-Fi, and other electronic devices and appliances. Acting as a natural antioxidant, immune booster, pain reliever, and allergen suppressant, shungite and "shungite water" can be used to treat skin ailments and musculoskeletal diseases, accelerate the healing of cuts and wounds, cleanse internal systems, and increase the body's intake of vital energy. Detailing shungite's many microelements and biologically active substances, Martino reveals how the stones have been proven to purify and revitalize water. Exploring the energetic properties of shungite, she reveals how it facilitates energetic transfers between the chakras and higher energies outside the body and can be used to harmonize living spaces. Truly a marvel of the natural world, shungite offers protection against the perils of our modern technological world and healing for both body and spirit.Trade Review“Regina Martino’s book is unique in the literature of metaphysical stones in that it contains a much higher ratio of science to metaphysics than is frequently the case. Her writing is strong and convincing, her research is fascinating, and the stone she has focused on is certainly powerful and compelling in its own right. Martino takes the reader through chapters dealing with the geography, history, geology, and biology related to shungite as well as what she calls the ‘energetic or practical chapters.’ The result is a fascinating and thorough depiction of the substance and energy of this remarkable new stone. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about this modest-looking but energetically exceptional stone.” * Robert Simmons, author of The Book of Stones and Stones of the New Consciousness and publisher of th *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction My First Encounter with Shungite 1 What Is Shungite? 2 Shungite in History 3 The Origin and Geography of Shungite 4 Shungite and Fullerenes 5 Shungite Properties and Effects on Health: Twenty Years of Russian Research 6 Bioenergetic Research on Shungite 7 Practical Applications 8 Shungite and Other Stones 9 Shungite and Agriculture Conclusion Appendix I Tests: Shungite and Electromagnetic Waves Appendix II Bioelectrographic Tests Using GVD Capture by Stéphane Cardinaux Appendix III Shungite and Electrosensitivity: The Importance of the First Chakra Resources Selected Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis Mark Booth’s The Illustrated Secret History of the World expands upon his New York Times authoritative text on the subject of esoteric belief systems and secret societies, adding to its thorough and revealing information of more than 350 illustrations—many of them rare—of the symbols, drawings, engravings, paintings, and photographs that are a key part of the world’s secret history.“Maddening, challenging, provoking and inspiring. Beautifully written. My mind is on fire with argument and wonder.” —Anne Rice, author, Interview with a Vampire This richly illustrated edition features exclusive material accompanying the original text in a beautiful package and oversize format. The Illustrated Secret History of the World presents a radical reinterpretation of human existence and a view of the world previously hidden from us. Featuring: Alchemists & Freemasons<

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Book SynopsisIn 16th century Italy, in the midst of the Renaissance, two powerful movements took hold. The first, the Hermetic Movement, was inspired by an ancient set of books housed in the library of Cosimo de' Medici and written by the Egyptian sage Hermes Trismegistus. The movement expounded the return of the "true religion of the world" based on a form of natural magic that could draw down the powers of the heavens and incorporate them into statues and physical structures. The other movement, the Heliocentric Movement launched by Copernicus, was a direct challenge to the Vatican's biblical interpretation of a geocentric world system. Declared a heresy by the Pope, those who promoted it risked the full force of the Inquisition. Exploring the meeting point of these two movements, authors Robert Bauval and Chiara Hohenzollern reveal how the most outspoken and famous philosophers, alchemists, and scientists of the Renaissance, such as Giordano Bruno and Marsilio Ficino, called for a Hermetic reformation of the Christian religion by building a magical utopic city, an architectural version of the heliocentric system. Using contemporary documents and the latest cutting-edge theses, the authors show that this Temple of the Sun was built in Rome, directly in front of the Vatican's Basilica of St. Peter. They explain how the Vatican architect Bernini designed St. Peter's Square to reflect the esoteric principles of the Hermetica and how the square is a detailed representation of the heliocentric system. Revealing the magical architectural plan masterminded by the Renaissance's greatest minds, including Bernini, Jesuit scholars, Queen Christine of Sweden, and several popes, the authors expose the ultimate heresy of all time blessed by the Vatican itself.Trade Review“Robert Bauval is a brilliant investigator of the hidden corners of history, and he has surpassed himself with The Vatican Heresy. It is a true time bomb of a book revealing stunning intrigues that have shaped the modern world and that call into question our most fundamental perceptions of the role of the Church of Rome.” * Graham Hancock, author of War God and Fingerprints of the Gods *“With his usual care and attention to detail, Robert Bauval spins out the thread that joins the solar religion of pharaonic Egypt to the utopian hopes of the fading Renaissance. His theory climaxes with the dramatic and dangerous project of a pope (Urban VIII), a polymath (Kircher), an architect (Bernini), and an exiled queen (Christina). Their dream was of a united Christendom orbiting around Rome; their method, the marriage of Hermetic philosophy with the new astronomy, through symbolic architecture. Like Bauval’s other books about times and places when science and magic were one, The Vatican Heresy arouses curiosity, disbelief, nostalgia, and finally hope.” * Joscelyn Godwin, Ph.D., author of The Pagan Dream of the Renaissance and Athanasius Kircher’s *“In this enchanting book, Robert Bauval and Chiara Hohenzollern reveal an astonishing fact hiding in plain sight. Surely thousands of visitors to the Vatican’s Saint Peter’s Square over the past three centuries have been puzzled by the gigantic ancient Egyptian obelisk featured in its center. Through meticulous research, The Vatican Heresy illuminates the profoundly evolutionary adventurers who employed deep symbolic insights and astute political maneuvering to construct a talismanic Hermetic City of the Sun in the heart of the citadel of Christendom. Read The Vatican Heresy. . . . I couldn’t put it down.” * Thomas Brophy, Ph.D., coauthor of Black Genesis: The Prehistoric Origins of Ancient Egypt and Imhote *“It looks like Robert Bauval (now with coauthor Chiara Hohenzollern) has done it again, revealing that not just the pyramids but the Vatican itself is a celebration of sacred architecture. A fascinating theory and very timely.” * Adrian G. Gilbert, coauthor of The Orion Mystery and author of Secrets of the Stone of Destiny *Table of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: Hiding the Truth in Plain Sight 1 The True Religion of the World 2 The Hermetic Movement, Part I 3 The Hermetic Movement, Part II 4 The City of the Sun 5 Urbiet Orbi: To the City and to the World Postscript The Jesuit Pope Appendix 1 Campanella, the Rosicrucians, and the Miraculous Birth of the Sun King Appendix 2 The Ellipse of St. Peter’s Square by Sandro Zicari, Ph.D. Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAs demonstrated in this book, Rudolf Steiner had the ability to speak to the British in a very lively an d direct way. This volume provides readers with a fuller pic ture of Steiner''s work in Britain and his approach to esoter ic ideas whilst here. '

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Book SynopsisThe Western Esoteric Traditions offers a concise history of a distinct form of philosophical spirituality extending from Hermeticism, Neo-Platonism, and Gnosticism in the early Christian era up until the present. New paradigms in medicine and science attest to the continuity of esoteric ideas into the twenty-first century.Trade Reviewa useful introduction to a wide range of esoteric traditions and an important reminder that orthodoxy is not the only story. * Charlotte Methuen. The Journal of Theological Studies *In his ground-breaking work Professor Goodrcik-Clarke summarizes a huge amount of research into esoteric literature across more than two millennia * Christopher Moody. Theology *Table of Contents1. Ancient Hellenistic Sources of Western Esotericism ; 2. Italian Renaissance Magic and Kabbalah ; 3. Planetary and Angel Magic in the Renaissance ; 4. Alchemy, Paracelsus and German Naturphilosophie ; 5. Jacob Boehme and Theosophy ; 6. Rosicrucianism ; 7. High-Grade Freemasonry and Illuminism in the 18th Century ; 8. Emanuel Swedenborg ; 9. Mesmerism and Spiritualism ; 10. Ritual Magic from 1850 to the Present ; 11. Helena Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society ; 12. Modern Esotericism and New Paradigms

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Book SynopsisBased upon the old tale of "The Marriage of Sir Gawain", "Kissing the Hag" brings us face to face with the nauseating horror of the hag - the raw side, the dark side, the inside of a woman's essential nature. Here we find the untamed soul, the wild, angry, selfish, lustful, manipulative and incomprehensible elements of woman: all that makes us unacceptable and badly behaved. Too often we have been guided to point a finger of blame, accusing our parents, society, our partners of being dysfunctional. Here Emma Restall Orr doesn't allow us that option. As a Druid and animist, she takes the negative stereotypes of the irrational, emotional woman - feisty bitch to shameless whore, smothering mother to grumpy old bag - and finds the archetypes behind them, the faces and forms of the dark goddess.Instead of dismissing these as unacceptable, she encourages us to ride their wild emotional currents, surfing the awesome tides that threaten to overwhelm us. In "Kissing the Hag", we come to accept the fullness of our nature, celebrating the deep mystery, the magic and power of all we are. "Kissing the Hag" is a book written for women who long to loose the chains of insecurity, convention, guilt and self-negation, and rediscover the freedom and creativity of their true nature. It is also a book written for men fascinated but infuriated by the women they love.Trade ReviewKissing the Hag is a wonderfully intelligent, earthy, cosmic diary of the feminine life. I love the way it walks the edge between personal and collective, physical and poetic, highly ethical and thick in the uncertainties. While many writers fall into spiritualizing and intellectualizing "the feminine," this life-soaked book remains close to the fluids of body and soul, even as it gives birth to one trusted insight after another. It's an obvious gift-book for women going through a life passage, but it could also be important for men, who are closer to the mysteries presented here than they might wish to be." Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul and A Life at WorkKissing the Hag tracks the initiatory phases of womanhood through the titles that women get cat-called throughout time. Here the raw reality of the Dark Goddess speaks her honest truth, going beyond the bad-mouthing and the sweet-talking fantasies surrounding women, to the compassionate heart of female identity." Caitlin Matthews, author of Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom and In Search of Woman's Passionate SoulI will one day give my daughter Kissing the Hag and hope she has less need of it than I do ... Kissing the Hag demands your full attention, it calls passionately to something deep inside, something that will not be denied. The book is both devastating and life affirming and there is no doubt in my mind that it will change the life of every person brave enough to read it. Embrace your hag or she will bite you ... Shannon Smy, free spirit and singer/songwriter in award-winning protest band, Seize the Day

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Book SynopsisRudolf Steiner's beautiful meditative verses for the yearly cycle have been used by countless people over the years. Their purpose is to awaken a feeling of unity with nature, and at the same time to stimulate a discovery of self. In listening to the changing language of the year and awakening a profound sympathy for it, we can in turn discover our own individual nature. Steiner's original and unique meditations facilitate this process, leading to a healthy feeling of being at one with the natural world. This edition features Anne Stockton's 52 celebrated and evocative paintings, which are a wonderful complement to Steiner's text. Steiner's words are newly translated for this edition by John Thomson.

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Book SynopsisAn examination of the beliefs and history of the secretive Yezidi sect• Explains how the Yezidis worship Melek Ta’us, the Peacock Angel, an enigmatic figure often identified as “the devil” or Satan, yet who has been redeemed by God to rule a world of beauty and spiritual realization • Examines Yezidi antinomian doctrines of opposition, their cosmogony, their magical lore and taboos, the role of angels, ritual, and symbology, and how the Yezidi faith relates to other occult traditions such as alchemy • Presents the first English translation of the poetry of Caliph Yazid ibn Muawiya, venerated by the Yezidis as Sultan Ezi The Yezidis are an ancient people who live in the mountainous regions on the borders of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. This secretive culture worships Melek Ta’us, the Peacock Angel, an enigmatic figure often identified as “the devil” or Satan, hence the sect is known as devil-worshippers and has long been persecuted. Presenting a study of the interior, esoteric dimensions of Yezidism, Peter Lamborn Wilson examines the sect’s antinomian doctrines of opposition, its magical lore and taboos, and its relation to other occult traditions such as alchemy. He explains how the historical founder of this sect was a Sufi of Ummayad descent, Sheik Adi ibn Musafir, who settled in this remote region around 1111 AD and found a pre-Islamic sect already settled there. Sheik Adi was so influenced by the original sect that he departed from orthodox Islam, and by the 15th century the sect was known to worship the Peacock Angel, Melek Ta’us, with all its “Satanic” connotations. Revealing the spiritual flowering that occurs in an oral culture, the author examines Yezidi cosmogony, how they are descended from the androgynous Adam--before Eve was created--as well as the role of angels, ritual, alchemy, symbology, and color in Yezidi religion. He also presents the first English translation of the poetry of Caliph Yazid ibn Muawiya, venerated by the Yezidis as Sultan Ezi.Showing the Yezidi sect to be a syncretic faith of pre-Islamic, Zoroastrian, Christian, Pagan, Sufi, and other influences, Wilson reveals how these worshippers of the Peacock Angel do indeed worship “the Devil”--but the devil is not “evil.” God has redeemed him, and he rules a world of beauty and spiritual realization.Trade Review“If as some Yezidis maintain, we are all angels enjoying a temporary existence as men and women, we need no rulers, regulations, or exoteric religions. In Peacock Angel a lifelong defender of anarchism blends poetry, erudition, and spiritual insight to honor this misunderstood and persecuted group, perhaps our closest link with the primordial tradition itself.” * Joscelyn Godwin, author of Mystery Religions in the Ancient World *“Peacock Angel penetrates the esoteric secrets of Yezidi spirituality. The Yezidi, who believe they are followers of the oldest of religions, likely go back more than 10,000 years. Wilson explores Yezidism as a pure religion that rejects the law in order to be free to choose religious spontaneity, freedom, and passion: the way to be mad for God. Delving into their oral and shamanic roots, Wilson shows how the Yezidi ferociously practiced their love of the divine. This lovely book is a pearl of wisdom that reveals the Yezidi passion to know God in our soulless world. A must-read for spiritual seekers in our times.” * Barbara Hand Clow, author of Awakening the Planetary Mind and The Mind Chronicles *“Only the heterodox intellect of Peter Lamborn Wilson could expose the deeper truth behind today’s tragic headlines: that one of the world’s most brutally persecuted religious sects, the Yezidis--reduced by the thoughtless to be worshippers of a Satan that the thoughtless neither understand nor wish to understand-- may hold the key to the revitalization of didactic religion. As Wilson’s enthralling arcanum reveals, the question is less whether the Yezidis can survive but whether we can survive without them.” * Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award-winning author of Occult America, The Miracle Club, and Uncertain Places *Table of ContentsPreface: Who Are the Yezidis? Introduction1 Books 2 Cosmogony 3 The Delirium of Origins 4 Sheikh Adi and the Sufis 5 The Redemption of Satan 6 Angelology PeaAng.indd 7 Ritual 8 Symbolique 9 Color and Alchemy 10 Esoteric Antinomianism 11 Legend and Life of the Caliph Yazid ibn Mu'awiya 12 Poems of the Caliph Yazid Appendix: IndiaNotes BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisIncludes the History of the Tablet, Followed By Multiple Translations, Textual Remarks, Commentaries, Appendix, and Bibliography -

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Book SynopsisA clear, concise and detailed historical analysis of the eclectic and beautiful visual and material culture of paganism. For more than a thousand years, a diverse range of peoples, from Ireland to India and from the Andes to Australia, have been labelled âPaganâ by the Christians who encountered them. Since the twentieth century new groups have emerged â wiccans, druids, neo-shamans and heathens â who openly call themselves Pagans. But who are these Pagans and what do they believe? Which gods and goddesses do they revere? Do they worship nature? Do they practise divination and magic? From sacred plants imbued with supernatural powers to hand-carved amulets that repel evil, and from mischievous spirits of nature to holy mountains, Pagans find divine value in the natural world and spiritual significance in the material universe. Delve within these pages and examine the myriad paintings and sculptures, shrines and ceremonial objects that reveal the stories, symbols and rituals of PagTrade Review'A beautiful book … provides the reader with a very comprehensive picture of Paganism and the many different forms it can take' - Alexander Alich, University of Birmingham'This exploration of non-Abrahamic religious traditions has such visual punch that art lovers will be quickly converted' - RA Magazine'Corrects misconceptions and explains [Pagans’] intricate belief systems and rich histories, some stretching back to the dawn of civilization... Some of the book's most intriguing material focuses on practices that are nearly extinct today' - New York Daily NewsTable of ContentsIntroduction Ancient Ways 1: Goddesses + Gods 2: Myths + Legends 3: Numinous Nature Ritual 1: Sacred Sites 2: Witchcraft 3: Oracles + Divination Community 1: Festivals 2: Embodied Faith 3: Journeying

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Book SynopsisAcknowledge your feelings and their origins, heal your wounds and understand who you truly are through the cathartic process of shadow work in this beautifully curated workbookThe idea of the shadow was first developed by psychologist Carl Jung in the twentieth century. He described the shadow as the disowned aspects of our personalities that we either subconsciously or intentionally repress.This book will help you explore your life from all angles and shed light on its darker parts so that you can become your most authentic self. Via guided exercises and easy-to-follow advice you will discover:- What shadow work is and why you should use it- What the essential techniques of the therapy are and how you can apply them to your daily life- How to connect with repressed experiences and difficult emotions, and challenge your inner critic- How to love yourself unapologetically and move on from negative past experiencesIt''s time to illumi

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Book SynopsisRecounts the spectacular history of Esalen, the institute that has long been one of the world leaders in alternative and experiential education and stands at the center of the human potential movement.Trade Review"The first all-encompassing history of Esalen: its intellectual, social, personal, literary and spiritual passages. Kripal brings us up to date and takes us deep beneath historical surfaces in this definitive, elegantly written book." - Playboy "Kripal tells the story of this beautiful retreat in California's Big Sur region - its history at once sexy, salacious, intellectual and political - with reverence and playfulness.... He is an engaging storyteller and Esalen a worthy subject (a kind of Us Weekly for the discerning intellectual)." - Publishers Weekly "An impressive new book.... Kripal has written the definitive intellectual history of the ideas behind the institute." - San Francisco Chronicle "Kripal examines Esalen's extraordinary history and evocatively describes the breech birth of Murphy and Price's brainchild. His real achievement, though, is effortlessly synthesizing a dizzying array of dissonant phenomena (cold war espionage, ecstatic religiosity), incongruous pairings (Darwinism, Tantric sex), and otherwise schizy ephemera (psychedelic drugs, spaceflight) into a cogent, satisfyingly complete narrative." - Atlantic Monthly"

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Book SynopsisRecent years have seen a significant shift in the study of new religious movements. In Satanism studies, interest has moved to anthropological and historical work on groups and inviduals. Self-declared Satanism, especially as a religion with cultural production and consumption, history, and organization, has largely been neglected by academia. This volume, focused on modern Satanism as a practiced religion of life-style, attempts to reverse that trend with 12 cutting-edge essays from the emerging field of Satanism studies. Topics covered range from early literary Satanists like Blake and Shelley, to the Californian Church of Satan of the 1960s, to the radical developments that have taken place in the Satanic milieu in recent decades. The contributors analyze such phenomena as conversion to Satanism, connections between Satanism and political violence, 19th-century decadent Satanism, transgression, conspiracy theory, and the construction of Satanic scripture. A wide array of methods areTrade ReviewThe contributors to The Devils Party have established a significant foundation from which other researchers can draw inspiration. * Susan Raine, Religion *Table of ContentsContents ; Introduction: At the Devil's Crossroads ; Per Faxneld and Jesper Aa. Petersen ; The Question of History: Precursors and Currents ; 1. "It is better to believe in the Devil": Conceptions of Satanists and Sympathies for the Devil in Early Modern Sweden ; Mikael Hall ; 2. Sex, Science and Liberty: The Resurrection of Satan in 19th Century (Counter) Culture ; Ruben van Luijk ; 3. Witches, Anarchism and Evolutionism: Stanislaw Przybyszewski's fin-de-siecle Satanism and the Demonic Feminine ; Per Faxneld ; The Black Pope and the Church of Satan ; 4. Categorizing Modern Satanism: An Analysis of Anton LaVey's Early Writings ; Amina O. Lap ; 5. Sources, Sects, and Scripture: The Book of Satan in The Satanic Bible ; Eugene V. Gallagher ; 6. Hidden Persuaders and Invisible Wars: Anton LaVey and Conspiracy Culture ; Asbjorn Dyrendal ; The Legacy of Dr. LaVey: The Satanic Milieu Today ; 7. Conversion to Satanism: Constructing Diabolical Identities ; James R. Lewis ; 8. The Carnival of Dr. LaVey: Articulations of Transgression in Modern Satanism ; Jesper Aa. Petersen ; 9. The Making of Satanic Collective Identities in Poland: From Mechanic to Organic Solidarity ; Rafal Smoczynski ; Post-Satanism, Left-Hand Paths and Beyond: Visiting the Margins ; 10. The Left-Hand Path and Post-Satanism: The Temple of Set and the Evolution of Satanism ; Kennet Granholm ; 11. Luciferian Witchcraft: At the Crossroads between Paganism and Satanism ; Fredrik Gregorius ; 12. Secret Identities in The Sinister Tradition: Political Esotericism and the Convergence of Radical Islam, Satanism and National Socialism in the Order of Nine Angles ; Jacob C. Senholt

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Book SynopsisWhat if religions are neither all true nor all nonsense? Alain de Botton’s bold and provocative book argues that we can benefit from the wisdom and power of religion—without having to believe in any of it.He suggests that rather than mocking religion, agnostics and atheists should instead steal from it—because the world’s religions are packed with good ideas on how we might live and arrange our societies. De Botton looks to religion for insights into how to build a sense of community, make relationships last, overcome feelings of envy and inadequacy, inspire travel, get more out of art, and reconnect with the natural world. For too long non-believers have faced a stark choice between swallowing lots of peculiar doctrines or doing away with a range of consoling and beautiful rituals and ideas. Religion for Atheists offers a far more interesting and truly helpful alternative.

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Is religion dying out in Western societies? Is personal spirituality taking its place? Both stories are inadequate. Institutional religion is not simply coming to an end in Western societies. Rather, its assets and properties are redistributed: large parts of the church have gone into liquidation. Religion is crossing the boundaries of the parish and appears in other social contexts. In the fields of leisure, health care and contemporary culture, religion has an unexpected currency. The metaphor of liquidation provides an alternative to approaches that merely perceive the decline of religion or a spiritual revolution. Religion is becoming liquid. By examining a number of case studies in the Netherlands and beyond, including World Youth Day, television, spiritual centers, chaplaincy, mental healthcare, museums and theatre, this book develops a fresh way to look at religion in late modernity and produces new questions for theological and sociological debate. It is both an exerc

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Providing an accessible and comprehensive overview, The Story of the Salem Witch Trials explores the events between June 10 and September 22, 1692, when nineteen people were hanged, one was pressed to death and over 150 were jailed for practicing witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts.

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Book SynopsisNew Religious Movements: Challenge & Response is the most comprehensive, wide-ranging study on the global impact of new religions.* New religions discussed include Hare Krishna, Sikh Dharma, The Unification Church, The Church of Scientology, The Jesus People and Wicca.* Focuses on the rise of new religious movements in Italy, Brazil, United States, Germany and Britain. * The contributors are among the most respected and reputable experts in the field.Trade Review'Almost without exception, the contribution are informative, interesting and well written. The book is also logically organized' - Peter Beyer, Journal of Contemporary Religion'... helpfully wide in scope while providing up-to-date detail ... [it achieves] achieves a sensitivity and listening ear towards adherents of the new religions of the last 200 years ... useful and up-to-date, interesting social analysis, and contribution[] towards a more comprehensive understanding of religious dialogue in a pluralistic context' - Chris Maunder, World Faiths Encounter'Together these essays offer a valuable comprehensive overview of the engagement of new religious movements with contemporary society.' - John Pridmore, The Way'While the entire book will be an indispensible resource on New Religious Movements and will appeal to sociologists of religion, individual chapters in this impressive collection will appeal to a wide range of other readers.' - Richard O'Leary, SociologyTable of ContentsForeword, Jamie Cresswell, Institute of Oriental Philosophy, European Centre, Introduction, Bryan R. Wilson, All Souls College, Oxford, Chapter 1. New Religious Movements: Their Incidence and Significance, Eileen Barker, London School of Economics, Chapter 2. The Easternization of the west, Colin Campbell, University of York, Chapter 3. Prosperity and the New Age Movement: The Efficacy of Spiritual Economics, Paul Heelas, University of Lancaster, Chapter 4. New Religious Movements: the Legal Dimension, Anthony Bradney, University of Leicester, Chapter 5. The Mass Media and New Religious Movements, James Beckford, University of Warwick, Chapter 6. New Religious Movements and Mental Health, Lawrence Lilliston & Gary Shepherd, Oakland University, Michigan, USA, Chapter 7. Women in New Religious Movements, Elizabeth Puttick, British-American College, London, Chapter 8. New Religious Movements and the Churches, Very Rev. Colin Slee, Provost of Southwark, Chapter 9. Damanhur: A Magical Community in Italy, Massimo Introvigne, CESNUR, Turin, Chapter 10. Japanese New Religious Movements in Brazil: From Ethnic to 'Universal' Religions, Peter Clarke, King's College, London, Chapter 11. Anti-Cultists in the United States: An Historical Perspective, J. Gordon Melton, University of California Santa Barbara, Chapter 12. The Response to New Religious Movements in Eastern Germany after Re-unification, Frank Usarski, Efurt Pedagogische Hochschule, Chapter 13. Britain's Anti-Cult Movement, George Chryssides, University of Wolverhampton.

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Book SynopsisGiordano Bruno is known as the Prophet of the New Age, and his vision of an infinite universe grounded in science is increasingly celebrated. One of the principal forces behind his rediscovery was the great British historian Frances Yates. In calling attention to Giordono Bruno, she paved the way for a revaluation of the esoteric influences at play during the onset of the modern era. Today, when traditional answers about the universe and our place within it are under increasing scrutiny, Giordono Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition proves itself a true classic for our time.Trade Review'This brilliant book takes time to digest, but it is an intellectual adventure to read it.' – Hugh Trevor-Roper, The New Statesman'Explodes the idea that the intellectual foundations of the Renaissance were exclusively logical and coherent, and lets back the mysterious into history' – BBC History Magazine'Explodes the idea that the intellectual foundations of the Renaissance were exclusively logical and coherent, and lets back the mysterious into history.' – BBC History Magazine'Among those who have explored the intellectual world of the sixteenth century no one in England can rival Miss Yates. Wherever she looks, she illuminates. Now she has looked on Bruno. This brilliant book takes time to digest, but it is an intellectual adventure to read it. Historians of ideas, of religion and of science will study it. Some of them, after reading it, will have to think again. That will be no bad thing.' – The New StatesmanTable of ContentsPreface, Abbreviations, Introduction J. B. Trapp 1. Hermes Trismegistus2. Ficino’s Pimander and the Asclepius 3. Hermes Trismegistus and Magic 4. Ficino’s Natural Magic 5. Pico della Mirandola and Cabalist Magic 6. Pseudo-Dionysius and the Theology of a Christian Magus 7. Cornelius Agrippa’s Survey of Renaissance Magic 8. Renaissance Magic and Science 9. Against Magic: (1) Theological Objections; (2) The Humanist Tradition 10. Religious Hermetism in the Sixteenth Century 11. Giordano Bruno: First Visit to Paris 12. Giordano Bruno in England: The Hermetic Reform13. Giordano Bruno in England: The Hermetic Philosophy14. Giordano Bruno and the Cabala 15. Giordano Bruno: Heroic Enthusiast and Elizabethan 16. Giordano Bruno: Second Visit to Paris 17. Giordano Bruno in Germany 18. Giordano Bruno: Last Published Work 19. Giordano Bruno: Return to Italy 20. Giordano Bruno and Tommaso Campanella 21. After Hermes Trismegistus was Dated 22. Hermes Trismegistus and the Fludd Controversies.Index

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Book SynopsisNew Religious Movements (NRMs) came into being as a distinct subfield of academic study in the 1970s in response to the explosion of non-traditional religions that took place in the waning years of the Sixties counterculture. (The designation âNew Religionâ is a direct translation of a Japanese term coined for the many new religions that emerged in the wake of the Second World War, and was adopted by Western scholars in the late Sixties/early Seventies in preference to the pejorative term âcultâ.) These movements, and those termed âsectsâ and âcultsâ, initially attracted the attention of American and European sociologists of religion because of the controversy that arose in response to their expansion.Religious Studies, which at the time was still in the process of establishing itself as a legitimate discipline distinct from Theology and traditional Biblical Studies, was only too happy to leave NRMs to Sociology. This situation gradually changed, however, so that at present at least as many scholars of NRMs come from Religious Studies backgrounds as come from the social sciences.The collection consists of four volumes which together provide a one-stop source for crucial information onâand theoretical/methodological approaches toâcontemporary New Religions. The set brings together thinking on a wide variety of themes associated with NRMs (e.g. apocalypticism, typologies, conversion, gender) and major works on the NRMs that have attracted the most scholarly attention (e.g. the âMooniesâ, The Family International, Osho Rajneesh). Some influential âanti-cultâ articles (normally not considered part of mainstream scholarship) have also been included as well.Sects, Cults, and New Religions is fully indexed and includes a comprehensive introduction, newly written by the editor, and is destined to be valued as a vital research resource.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisIn 2007, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett filmed a landmark discussion about modern atheism. The video went viral. Now in print for the first time, the transcript of their conversation is illuminated by new essays from three of the original participants and an introduction by Stephen Fry. At the dawn of the new atheist movement, the thinkers who became known as “the four horsemen,” the heralds of religion's unraveling—Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett—sat down together over cocktails. What followed was a rigorous, pathbreaking, and enthralling exchange, which has been viewed millions of times since it was first posted on YouTube. This is intellectual inquiry at its best: exhilarating, funny, and unpredictable, sincere and probing, reminding us just how varied and colorful the threads of modern atheism are. Here is the transcript of that conversation, in print for the first time, augmented by material from the living participants: Dawkins, Harris, and Dennett. These new essays, introduced by Stephen Fry, mark the evolution of their thinking and highlight particularly resonant aspects of this epic exchange. Each man contends with the most fundamental questions of human existence while challenging the others to articulate their own stance on God and religion, cultural criticism, spirituality, debate with people of faith, and the components of a truly ethical life.Praise for The Four Horsemen “This bracing exchange of ideas crackles with energy. It’s fascinating to watch four first-class minds explore a rugged intellectual terrain. . . . The text affords a different, more reflective way of processing the truly vital exchange of ideas. . . . I commend the book to those seeking an honest reckoning with their religion—and those curious about how the world looks from a rigorously naturalistic and atheistic point of view.”—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “The full, electrifying transcript of the one and only conversation between the quartet of luminaries dubbed the ‘four horsemen’ of the New Atheism, which took place in Washington, D.C., in 2007. Among the vast range of ideas and questions they discuss: Is it ever possible to win a war of ideas? Is spirituality the preserve of the religious? And, are there any truths you would rather not know?”—The Bookseller (UK) (starred review)

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisRepresents one of the responses to the defects and potentialities of modern times. This book traces the growth and development of the Movement, identifies some of its key characteristics, and provides a critical perspective. It provides a treatment of New Age 'celebration of the self', and situates it within the cultural context.Trade Review"Drawing on a vast and rich body of sources, Dr Heelas has produced a remarkably comprehensive picture of the multi-faceted contemporary New Age movement. His knowledge of everything from human potential movements to the new Gurdjieff-inspired religious systems and modern paganism is in itself no less impressive than his discerning commentary on what all this means for modern society. His deeply researched but lightly-worn scholarship informs every page, and anyone who wishes to get an understanding of the present-day fringe religious scene will need to acquaint themselves with this book." Dr B R Wilson, Emeritus Fellow of All Souls, University of Oxford "A pioneering book, and a remarkable feat of sympathetic interpretation which will change the way we perceive the New Age. Paul Heelas makes sense out of a wider range of materials than I'd have believed possible. A book to buy and keep, as a document of our times." Don Cupitt, Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge It should be clear from all of this that Heelas takes the New Age seriously and is able to point to it as cultural expression of modernity as well as, in some ways, a resource for modernity. Voices are often shrill and unidimensional in dealing with the New Ages; so his careful, searching judgements are surely welcome... Still, Heelas has contributed significantly to the small list of truly good books on the New Age movement. With its plethora of concrete examples, his work is rich in conveying the texture of the movement, and it is evenhanded in its evaluation of evidence and claims" Professor Catherine L. Albanese, Department of Religious Studies, University of California. "Heelas' work presents a particularly good introduction to the subject. Heelas' book will be of great assistance to everyone interested in undertaking research into some aspect of the New Age Movement." Religion "Paul Heelas has produced an extremely useful account of the new Age and this book will no doubt be a standard text for some time to come." Fiona Bowie, BASR Bulletin. "... Heelas' book provides a good comprehensive guide to the New Age Movement. This book is a valuable resource for those studying the sociology of religion, particularly for those interested in the New Age Movement." Andri Soteri, London School of Economics and Political Science "We have long needed a scholarly and objective description and assessment of the New Age Movement, and at last Paul Heelas... has provided us with one... Comtemporary Christians in particular need to know why New Age ideas attract, and they need a guide through this perplexing welter of beliefs, therapies, lifestyles, hopes and aspirations. They could have none better than The New Age Movement." The Christian Parapsychologist "Heelas's description of contempory New Age phenomena provide a valuable resource for the student of new Religious Movements" Wendy W. Young, University of FloridaTable of ContentsList of Illustrations. Acknowledgements. Introduction. PART I. PORTRAYAL. 1. Manifestations. 2. Developments. 3. The New. 4. Significance. PART II. APPEAL. 5. Uncertainties of Modernity. 6. Certainties of Modernity. PART III. EFFECTIVENESS. 7. Sel-Understanding. 8. The Future. Appendices: (1) Characterizations of the New Age; (2) Before and After Exegesis. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisThe Clearest and Most Detailed Guide to Ætheric Magic and How to Use ItThe æther, the energetic realm at the heart of esoteric traditions and vital to nearly every type of magic, has long been veiled in obscure language and mystery. Now, Baker demystifies the æther and teaches you how to use it in your practice.Step by step, Baker walks you through the history, theory, and practice of ætheric magic, leaving no question or topic unexplored. This comprehensive book presents not only historical evidence of this energy, but also fifty practical exercises?ritual, breath work, visualization, and more?that teach you how to sense it and direct it toward magical goals. Uniting Western ceremonial traditions with Eastern energy healing practices, Ætheric Magic helps you achieve material, spiritual, mental, and physical transformation in ways previously unimagined.

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Book SynopsisPrizewinner in the twenty-fifth annual AMERICAN BOOK AWARDS for 2004, presented by the Before Columbus Foundation.What is New Age? Crystals, meditation and astrology. T''ai Chi, Reiki and Feng Shui. Reflexology, aromatherapy and past-life regression. Esalen, the Findhorn Community and Damanhur. Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra and David Spangler.But many such examples of alternative spiritualities are explicitly not New Age - and few practitioners now describe themselves as New Age. Scholars cannot agree on a definition of New Age, or even whether it exists at all!Trade ReviewThis guide to the New Age is a helpful introduction that not only provides insightful descriptions of practices and beliefs, but also reviews a wide range of academic and nonacademic perspectives. For the serious student or researcher! Kemp provides an excellent guide to the academic resources that can be brought to bear on the phenomenon. Concise but challenging. An excellent guide to the academic resources that can be brought to bear on the phenomenon. This is a very good book. Indeed, as a basic introduction to the many facets of the 'New Age' phenomenon, it would be hard to beat. It manages to combine descriptive accounts of various aspects of New Age spirituality with reflection on its wider significance, and to do so in a highly readable format. Perhaps the greatest strength of the book is the way it offers summaries of a vast number of existing studies, both published and unpublished, demonstrating a remarkable ability by the author to combine large amounts of material into a readable synthesis ... a well written book that deserves to be widely read and appreciated. This guide to the New Age is a helpful introduction that not only provides insightful descriptions of practices and beliefs, but also reviews a wide range of academic and nonacademic perspectives. For the serious student or researcher! Kemp provides an excellent guide to the academic resources that can be brought to bear on the phenomenon. Concise but challenging. An excellent guide to the academic resources that can be brought to bear on the phenomenon. This is a very good book. Indeed, as a basic introduction to the many facets of the 'New Age' phenomenon, it would be hard to beat. It manages to combine descriptive accounts of various aspects of New Age spirituality with reflection on its wider significance, and to do so in a highly readable format. Perhaps the greatest strength of the book is the way it offers summaries of a vast number of existing studies, both published and unpublished, demonstrating a remarkable ability by the author to combine large amounts of material into a readable synthesis ... a well written book that deserves to be widely read and appreciated.Table of ContentsI. Overview and Starting Definition; 2. The Course: A Case Study; 3. History of Ideas; 4. Philosophy; 5. Anthropology; 6. Sociology; 7. Psychology; 8. Non-Academic Approaches to New Age; 9. Academic Literature Survey; 10. Future; References.

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Book Synopsis- Organized by themes which are central to understanding religion today - Suitable for advanced undergraduates: emphasis on controversy and debates in the field - International range of sources and religions - Includes popular as well as scholarly sourcesTable of ContentsContents: Preface; Part I: From sacred text to internet - contributions from: Clive Marsh and Steve Moyise; Marcus J. Borg; Diana L. Eck; Rammohun Roy; Dayananda Sarasvati; Swami Vivekananda; M.K. Gandhi; Geshe Kelsang Gyatso; Stephen Batchelor; Denis J. Sullivan and Sana Abed-Kotob; Margaret Wertheim; Part II: Religion and social transformation - contributions from: Józef Tischner; Shaik Hamid Al Nayfar, interviewed by François Burgat; Kyung Hyun Chung; Ana Maria Bidegai; Jacquelyn Grant; Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza; Sallie McFague; Chris Pauling; The 14th Dalai Lama Tensin Gyatso; Ajahan Pasanno and Nick Scott; Part III: Perspectives on Civil Religion - contributions from: Robert Bellah; Charles Regan Wilson; Vine Deloria Jr.; Tony Walter; Timothy Pain; Paul Barker; Cara Sutherland; Charles Harbutt; Marilyn Knapp Litt; Jan C. Scruggs and Joel L. Swerdlow; P. Ciabattini; Alan Dundes and Alessandro Falassi; Alessandro Falassi and Giuliano Catoni; Part IV: Global Religions in Regional Context - contributions from: Oliver Barclay; Dave Tomlinson; N.O. Hatch and M.S. Hamilton; Billy Graham; Todd Hunter; Luis Palau; Felicity B. Houghton; Guido Lombardi; M. Manazir Ahsan; Seán McLoughlin; Nichiren; Daisaku Ikeda; Win Hunter; Elio Montel; Part V: Belief beyond boundaries - contributions from : Prudence Jones; Wouter J. Hannagraaff; Sabine Magliocco; Graham Harvey; Ronald Hutton; Caitlin Matthews; Ian Bradley; Simon James; J.H.T. Davies; Sara Simon et al; Vine Deloria, Jr.; Catherine L. Albanese; Amanda Porterfield; Delores LaChapelle; Margot Adler; Gerald Gardner; Starhawk; Jules Michelet; John Updike; Jill Murphy; Walter de la Mare; Dorothy Edwards; John Hedley Brooke; John Brooke and Geoffery Cantor; Carl Jung; David Tracey; Index.

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Book Synopsis- Organized by themes which are central to understanding religion today - Suitable for advanced undergraduates: emphasis on controversy and debates in the field - International range of sources and religions - Includes popular as well as scholarly sourcesTrade Review'Nicely produced and not too expensive. Reflects UK authors whom students have heard about. Good level of detail and illustrations and clear font' Sophie Gilliat-Ray, Cardiff Research Fellow, Department of Religious and Theological Studies, Cardiff University, UKTable of ContentsContents: Preface; Part I: From sacred text to internet - contributions from: Clive Marsh and Steve Moyise; Marcus J. Borg; Diana L. Eck; Rammohun Roy; Dayananda Sarasvati; Swami Vivekananda; M.K. Gandhi; Geshe Kelsang Gyatso; Stephen Batchelor; Denis J. Sullivan and Sana Abed-Kotob; Margaret Wertheim; Part II: Religion and social transformation - contributions from: Józef Tischner; Shaik Hamid Al Nayfar, interviewed by François Burgat; Kyung Hyun Chung; Ana Maria Bidegai; Jacquelyn Grant; Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza; Sallie McFague; Chris Pauling; The 14th Dalai Lama Tensin Gyatso; Ajahan Pasanno and Nick Scott; Part III: Perspectives on Civil Religion - contributions from: Robert Bellah; Charles Regan Wilson; Vine Deloria Jr.; Tony Walter; Timothy Pain; Paul Barker; Cara Sutherland; Charles Harbutt; Marilyn Knapp Litt; Jan C. Scruggs and Joel L. Swerdlow; P. Ciabattini; Alan Dundes and Alessandro Falassi; Alessandro Falassi and Giuliano Catoni; Part IV: Global Religions in Regional Context - contributions from: Oliver Barclay; Dave Tomlinson; N.O. Hatch and M.S. Hamilton; Billy Graham; Todd Hunter; Luis Palau; Felicity B. Houghton; Guido Lombardi; M. Manazir Ahsan; Seán McLoughlin; Nichiren; Daisaku Ikeda; Win Hunter; Elio Montel; Part V: Belief beyond boundaries - contributions from : Prudence Jones; Wouter J. Hannagraaff; Sabine Magliocco; Graham Harvey; Ronald Hutton; Caitlin Matthews; Ian Bradley; Simon James; J.H.T. Davies; Sara Simon et al; Vine Deloria, Jr.; Catherine L. Albanese; Amanda Porterfield; Delores LaChapelle; Margot Adler; Gerald Gardner; Starhawk; Jules Michelet; John Updike; Jill Murphy; Walter de la Mare; Dorothy Edwards; John Hedley Brooke; John Brooke and Geoffery Cantor; Carl Jung; David Tracey; Index.

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Book SynopsisCinema, Religion and the Romantic Legacy surveys the ways in which notions of religion and spirituality have impinged upon the cinema. Cinema is conceived as a post-Romantic form for which religion and spirituality can be unified only problematically. While inspecting many of the well-established themes and topoi of writing on religion and film (such as films about priests and ''Christ-figures'') it also seeks to problematize them, focusing primarily upon the issues of religious representation foregrounded by such European directors as Kieslowski and Godard. Coates draws on theories of theologians, philosophers and cultural and literary critics including: Otto, Kant, Schiller and Girard. Addressing the relationship between religion and spirituality from a film studies specialist''s perspective, this book offers all those concerned with film, media or religious studies an invaluable examination of artistic interaction with the theological and aesthetic issues of representation and Trade Review'A fascinating book, which explores with admirable competence and incisiveness the process of estrangement of religion and spirituality in the cinema, locating its source in the post-romantic era. Coates offers his reader a unique opportunity to trace in films, spanning a century of world film production, the cinematic presentations of God, the Devil, ghosts and other participants of religious discourse. The book contains brilliant, profound analyses of a wide spectrum of films, including productions by Lang, Godard, Kieslowski, Tarkowski, Herzog and many others.'Miroslaw Przylipiak, Professor of film and media studies, University of Gdansk, Poland 'This is a very perceptive analysis of the manner in which spiritual and religious themes have impacted upon movies over the decades... Covering a huge wingspan, it tackles everything from 'Frankenstein' to 'The Usual Suspects', starring our own Gabriel Byrne, to 'Taxi Driver'.' Modern Woman 'One of the incontestable pleasures of reading [Paul Coates] is the wide range of his learning, his command of languages, and the risks he takes in applying everything he knows to film... His book is [...] one of the few on religion and film worth reading and a true tonic to reading theologians writing on cinema... His skill in negotiating the eddies of sometimes gnomic filmmakers in religious terms is one of the chief merits of a book that offers corrective readings of many films that have been interpretively abused by their admirers as often as by their detractors.' Canadian Journal of Film StudiesTable of ContentsContents: Introduction; Romanticism and religion: from horror to the sublime; The limits of representation; Supernatural persons; Aspects of popular religion; Spirituality and religion: from the Eastern Bloc to the USA; Appendixes; Index.

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Book SynopsisThe study of ethnology or 'Volkskunde' in Austria has had a troubled past. Through most of the 20th century it was under the influence of the so-called Viennese 'Mythological School' and the controversy between the two opposing branches, the 'Ritualist' and the 'Mythologists'', set much of the agenda from the 1920s until long after the World War ended in 1945. The volume examines two Austrian characters, Richard Wolfram and Karl Haiding, and the impact of their research and sets them in the context of Austrian ethnology before, during and after the war years. The book concludes by examining the present day ethnological outlook in the country.Trade Review'Based largely on recently opened archives, interviews, and intense new research, Dow and Bockhorn offer an intriguing account of the development of Austrian folkloristics and related fields of great interest to students of the history of humanistic disciplines and of intellectual history generally...Dow and Bockhorn have provided here rich and complex basic materials for a variety of future researchers.' Professor Joseph Harris, Harvard University, USA 'This very thorough study, solidly based on archival as well as published sources, is an outstanding contribution both to folkloristics and the history of the scholarly social sciences in the German-speaking countries. The authors are to be thanked for providing us with another in the series of books which greatly revise and extend the history of the topic...' Dr Stephen D. Corrsin, Wayne State University, USA 'No doubt, this study of the history of Austrian Volkskunde will, by its nature, appeal to expert folklorists...Highly informative and eminently readable, the volume is an important contribution to the understanding of 20th century Austria.' Professor Jürgen Koppensteiner, University of Northern Iowa, USATable of ContentsContents: All beginnings are difficult; Between the wars: 1918-1938; Vienna, Vienna, you and you alone; Pure German scholarship; Zero hour was not zero hour; Farewell to folklife - also in Austria?; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

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