Folklore studies / Study of myth Books

Book SynopsisJeanne Pitre Soileau vividly presents children''s voices in What the Children Said: Child Lore of South Louisiana. Including over six hundred handclaps, chants, jokes, jump-rope rhymes, cheers, taunts, and teases, this book takes the reader through a fifty-year history of child speech as it has influenced children''s lives. What the Children Said affirms that children''s play in south Louisiana is acquired along a network of summer camps, schoolyards, church gatherings, and sleepovers with friends. When children travel, they obtain new games and rhymes and bring them home. The volume also reveals, in the words of the children themselves, how young people deal with racism and sexism. The children argue and outshout one another, policing their own conversations, stating their own prejudices, and vying with one another for dominion. The first transcript in the book tracks a conversation among three related boys and shows that racism is part of the family interchange. Amo

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Book SynopsisOur enduring love of vampires - the bad boys (and girls) of paranormal fantasy - has persisted for centuries. Despite being bloodthirsty, heartless killers, vampire stories commonly carry erotic overtones that are missing from other paranormal or horror stories. Even when monstrous teeth are sinking into pale, helpless throats - especially then - vampires are sexy. But why? In A History Of The Vampire In Popular Culture, author Violet Fenn takes the reader through the history of vampires in 'fact' and fiction, their origins in mythology and literature and their enduring appeal on tv and film. We'll delve into the sexuality - and sexism - of vampire lore, as well as how modern audiences still hunger for a pair of sharp fangs in the middle of the night.

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Book SynopsisThe book covers the story of Britains search for its identity before and after the arrival of Christianity, leading up to the invention of the seeds of the Brutus myth in the 600s AD. It charts the development of his myth into a fully blown adventure story under the pen of Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 1100s. It then explores Brutuss story through the Middle Ages, as the centrepiece of Britains national consciousness and an important tool in royal and national propaganda and foreign policy (i.e. his myth was used as an excuse for invading Wales and Scotland). The book then charts the way his myth dropped out of mainstream politics and history after the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and lived on in a new afterlife in literature. Though no longer part of the way Britain sees itself now (though maybe this book will change that!), the Brutus myth has been used in many alternative theories about Britains origins and is still believed in by a small but hard core of Christians who see him as the divine instrument by which the ancestors of the Americans reached Britain in the first placeTrade Review"...intricate, fascinating and densely written account of national identity and dreaming aspiration over 1,500 years... 'Blake's vision of Albion's capital conflated with the rebuilding of Jerusalem is a relatively late addition of the rich mixture of the Brutus myth... The list Adolph has quarried out of those who adopted the Brutus story as material for their own creations is a roll call of the great, the half-great, the eccentric and the obsessed', from Spenser and Milton down to Nahum Tate, Purcell, Pope, Blake and beyond, 'and in our time the pallimpset of the Brutus myth has burgeoned again in novels, with some Irish, transatlantic or Israeli extras added to it. Brutus is still there, beneath London's "dreaming hills". But on the evidence of Adolph's excellent book, sleep he does not'."--Barbara Jarvis "History Today" (6/1/2016 12:00:00 AM) "Anthony Adolph is a leading professional genealogist, with a strong interest in tracing family ancestors back as far as possible. As explained in some of his other works, the ancients, having no written sources to refer to, sought to determine their own family history by drawing on oral information handed down through the generations, along with legends and mythological stories, which formed the basis of their research. One of the greatest examples of oral history which we know, is that of the Trojan War as told by Homer, with Aeneas, the Trojan hero, who led refugees away from the burning city of Troy and who subsequently became a Roman hero in Virgil's Aeneid. This book seek to link the history of the British nation with Brutus of Troy, who was the ... great grandson of Aeneas... This is a fascinating and very enjoyable account of how our forefathers used the story of Brutus of Troy to link their ancestry to the narratives and legends of the past"--Barbara Jarvis "Genealogists' Magazine" (6/1/2016 12:00:00 AM) "It is immediately apparent that Anthony Adolph has exhausted every resource at his disposal. The conclusion of which lead to an extremely well researched publication...would definitely recommend it to anyone with an interest in both Classical and Medieval literature."-- "Ancient Origins" "On his last book, In Search of Our Ancient Ancestors, Anthony Adolph gave us a long view of genealogy, exploring the pedigree of the human race, and the British in particular, since primeval times. This book is a sequel in a sense, but now moves away from what science and history have told us into more mythological territory, to explore what might be described as the 'psychological ancestry' of the British. Here the story begins with the legendary figure of Brutus, whom the 9th century chronicler Nennius claimed gave his name to our islands. His account, as with so much of our earliest 'history', was then much embellished by Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century. The result is a fascinating account of how the British people have mythologised themselves as 'New Trojans' - although Brutus (whom nobody today claims as a historical figure) is himself generally forgotten today, his legacy is certainly with us, every time we sing Jerusalem or visit a place claimed to be linked to King Arthur. READ IT FOR: A unique exploration of the ancient foundations of being British."-- "Your Family History" "The result of ten years research...this book probes deep into Brutus' origins, the growth of his legend and its hay day under the Tudor dynasty, and the subsequent fading of his story from mainstream consciousness, due largely to the rise of Britannia as a new embodiment of all that Brutus stood for- the very essence of the Island of Britain."-- "Reunite Magazine" completely recasts the notion of "ancient' ancestry by looking not at DNA. archaeology. or genealogical records, but at the history of an idea...This book, by exploring the literary history of the Brutus tradition, offers a lesson in how genealogy evolved as a Iiterary form, and how royal genealogy-real or fictitious-played an important part in the development of a national identity, both in Britain and in other countriesthat had their own parallel traditions--Barbara Jarvis "The American Genealogist" (6/1/2016 12:00:00 AM) Britain's History seen though its national myth"-- "The Telegraph"

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Book SynopsisA contemporary gothic debut with a feminist edge, for fans of Naomi Alderman and Madeline Miller'The simmering menace and mystery kept me absolutely gripped' Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne'Rebecca meets The Secret History. Gloriously dark, gloriously gothic' Sara Collins, author of The Confessions of Frannie LangtonFor 150 years, Caldonbrae Hall has loomed high above the Scottish cliffs as a beacon of excellence. A boarding school for girls, it promises that its pupils will emerge 'resilient and ready to serve society'. New to the school, Classics teacher Rose Christie is soon overwhelmed by the institution's arcane traditions and terrifyingly cool, vindictive students. Her classroom becomes her haven, until her lessons about fearless women starts to draw the suspicions of the powers that be. As Rose uncovers the darkness that beats at the very heart of Caldonbrae, the lines between myth and reality grow ever more blurred. Can Rose - and the fierce young women she has come to love - find a way to escape the fate the school has in store for them, before it is too late. . .______________________'A highly entertaining and atmospheric read' Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding'Imagine if Donna Tartt and Margaret Atwood got together to write a creepy, suspenseful novel . . . ' Chandler Baker, author of Whisper Network'Strange, dark, and utterly consuming . . . I loved it' Katie Lowe, author of The Furies'Chilling, eerie and very clever. I devoured it' Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated Child'A thrilling debut, reminiscent of Du Maurier. Leaves us breathless at each twist and turn' Nydia Hetherington, author of A Girl Made Of AirTrade ReviewRebecca meets The Secret History. Gloriously dark, gloriously gothic * Sara Collins, author of THE CONFESSIONS OF FRANNIE LANGTON *Imagine if Donna Tartt and Margaret Atwood got together to write a creepy, suspenseful novel about a school for young women in the Scottish Highlands. The result is Madam, a book I couldn't for the life of me put down. Brooding and unsettling, Wynne paints a gorgeous picture that only serves to camouflage the dark secrets she's hidden within * Chandler Baker, author of WHISPER NETWORK *The simmering menace and mystery kept me absolutely gripped. It gave me the same feeling as when I read The Secret History and put me in mind of The Furies. I loved the clever interweaving stories of the classical women of ancient myth and history with the tantalising reveal of the horrifying truth behind the impressive facade of the grand boarding school. This was a smouldering slow burn of a novel that I could not put down * Jennifer Saint, author of ARIADNE *Strange, dark, and utterly consuming... I loved it * Katie Lowe, author of THE FURIES *Chilling, eerie and very clever. I devoured it * Polly Crosby, author of THE ILLUSTRATED CHILD *A thrilling debut, reminiscent of Du Maurier. The narrative, written in precise prose with beautifully crafted characters, barrels along at pace, leaving us breathless at each twist and turn. A truly wonderful read * Nydia Hetherington, author of A GIRL MADE OF AIR *I ripped through it and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. It had real echoes of Jean Brodie and a flavour of one of my favourite films Heathers, too! A highly entertaining and atmospheric read * Kate Sawyer, author of THE STRANDING *Full of fire and light, written with a passionate intensity . . . Madam is a book that shimmers . . . This is a chilling and shocking read that shouts of the abuse of power. Yet the warmth of its writing and the spell it holds is more powerful than the words give way to. It's an extraordinary achievement * Now and Fen blog *Brooding, creepy and suspenseful... Perfect for fans of The Handmaid's Tale * Woman & Home *I was immersed in the bleak landscape and terrifying atmosphere...from beginning to end... A wonderful, refreshing, beautifully written novel, and I cannot wait to read Wynne's next * Louise Fein, author of PEOPLE LIKE US *Chilling, unsettling with strong messages about femininity, Madam shocks as it builds from subtle hits to its big satisfying crescendo . . . An interesting mix of modern gothic, the anticipation of a thriller and a strong female voice * My Weekly *Thick with Gothic intrigue and menace, this is also a novel with a feminist heart * Daily Mail *One of my favourite reads of 2021 so far and I found it thoroughly addictive, sickeningly disturbing at times and endlessly fascinating * Shemazing *Madam is a sinister and utterly compelling boarding school mystery * Mummy Pages *A dazzling slice of dark, Gothic feminism * Heat *A book that's truly hard to put down * Living North Magazine *A pitch-perfect debut with a feminist twist * 17 Degrees Magazine *Latin and Greek myths echo throughout, in a story that will not let you go * The Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis'A captivating tale of love and loss and finding connection in the most unexpected places' Nikki Marmery, author of On Wilder Seas A lyrical and atmospheric homage to the strange and extraordinary, perfect for fans of Angela Carter and Erin Morgenstern. This is the story of The Greatest Funambulist Who Ever Lived...Born into a post-war circus family, our nameless star was unwanted and forgotten, abandoned in the shadows of the big top. Until the bright light of Serendipity Wilson threw her into focus. Now an adult, haunted by an incident in which a child was lost from the circus, our narrator, a tightrope artiste, weaves together her spellbinding tales of circus legends, earthy magic and folklore, all in the hope of finding the child... But will her story be enough to bring the pair together again? Beautiful and intoxicating, A Girl Made of Air brings the circus to life in all of its grime and glory; Marina, Manu, Serendipity Wilson, Fausto, Big Gen and Mouse will live long in the hearts of readers. As will this story of loss and reconciliation, of storytelling and truth.Trade ReviewA captivating tale of love and loss and finding connection in the most unexpected places * Nikki Marmery, author of ON WILDER SEAS *Hetherington tells her captivating tale from deep within the sequinned heart of the circus, with characters as darkly flawed as they are brilliantly talented. A Girl Made of Air is a poignant story of regret and redemption, brilliantly interlaced with magic and folklore * Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry & Wild Rose *Tells a story about stories in rich, lyrical magic realism . . . the language is elegant and beautiful and an atmospheric success in itself * Starburst *Anenchanting talesteeped in circuslegend - a trulymagical debut! * My Weekly *Fantasy, folklore and funambulism tread an impressive line in this richly imagined debut. Hetherington spins a kaleidoscopic patchwork of memory and magic, secrets and lies, ideal for fans of The Night Circus * Emma Stonex, author of THE LAMPLIGHTERS *This novel had me under its spell from start to finish, each page conjuring up such vivid imagery that I was utterly captivated. Breathtaking * Emma Cooper, author of IF I COULD SAY GOODBYE *Spellbinding! * Candis *There's a glamour and grimness in this captivating novel . . . a vivid tale of regret and redemption * Psychologies *Several fairy tales intertwined into one, this captivating novel tells the story of love and loss . . . A pacey and entirely enthralling read * Independent online *For fans of Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus and The Binding by Bridget Collins, this magical debut from actress-turned-writer Nydia Hetherington is just the kind of book to curl up and escape to as the days get shorter * Huffington Post, Super Thursday round-up *Be prepared to be dazzled by this debut novel . . . As strange and spectacular as the world it is set in, this narrative is lyrical storytelling at its most brutal and beautiful * My Weekly *An enchanting, lyrical and atmospheric tale that brings the circus to life * Publishing Post newsletter *An immensely assured first novel * Guardian *You'll find yourself completely immersed in this story of circus folk and magic * Woman's Weekly *A spellbinding piece of escapism that's perfect for autumn evenings * Stylist *There are sequins and suspicion in this captivating circus novel . . . a richly imagined debut * Sunday Express S magazine *Captivating * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisNAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2022 BY PUBLISHERS WEEKLYAfter a few billion years of bearing witness to life on Earth, of watching one hundred billion humans go about their day-to-day lives, of feeling unbelievably lonely, and of hearing its own story told by others, The Milky Way would like a chance to speak for itself. All one hundred billion stars and fifty undecillion tons of gas of it.It all began some thirteen billion years ago, when clouds of gas scattered through the universe's primordial plasma just could not keep their metaphorical hands off each other. They succumbed to their gravitational attraction, and the galaxy we know as the Milky Way was born. Since then, the galaxy has watched as dark energy pushed away its first friends, as humans mythologized its name and purpose, and as galactic archaeologists have worked to determine its true age (rude). The Milky Way has absorbed supermassive (an actual technical term) black holes, made enemies of a few galactic neighbors, and mourned the deaths of countless stars. Our home galaxy has even fallen in love.After all this time, the Milky Way finally feels that it's amassed enough experience for the juicy tell-all we've all been waiting for. Its fascinating autobiography recounts the history and future of the universe in accessible but scientific detail, presenting a summary of human astronomical knowledge thus far that is unquestionably out of this world.

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Book SynopsisAwaken both your inner foodie and your inner yogi as you journey into the consciousness of everyday foods, from their origins in myth to modern interpretations today. Have you ever considered the cultural origins and meanings of your favorite foods? The Complete Language of Foodties ingredients back to mythological and folklore roots for a unique and appetizing exploration of the foods we eat.Presented alphabetically, each food entry includes: A beautiful illustration concise summary of the food’s mythology and folklore How the food is used in certain cultures and traditions Correlations to chakras, elements, and deities With everyday ingredients like acai, bok choy, and cauliflower, you’re bound to learn more than you ever imagined about your household favorites as you discover the symbolic meanings, uses, and facts behind each. The knowledge gained will bring new meaning and intention to your mealtime. Some of the exciting lore behind certain foods will include: Borage was a common motif in medieval needlework, especially in scarf designs where they were intended to be worn by knights as a symbol of courage Archaeologists have found evidence of pickled cucumbers that date as far back to 2030 BCE (in northern regions of what is now Iraq) Macedoine, a precursor to ice cream, is a type of jelly dessert that was served in snow and thought to be a favorite of Alexander the Great. It was known that the ancient Greeks used honey in their skincare! Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics, including dream interpretation, techniques for harnessing the power of dreams, flower meanings, and the stories behind signs and symbols. Also available in the series: Complete Book of Dreams, Complete Language of Flowers, Complete Language of Herbs, Signs & Symbols of the World, and Complete Guide to Astrological Self-Care.Table of ContentsIntroduction How to Use This Book A-Z Culinary Finds Around the World Works Consulted Acknowledgments About the Author Photo Credits List of Culinary Herbs Index of Common Food Names Index of Culinary Finds Around the World Index of Common Food Meanings

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Book SynopsisA thorough, academic look at the past, present, and future of Norse polytheism. Welch highlights many Norse goddesses as well as other divine females of the Norse pantheon - Valkyries, Norns, Giantesses, Disir - and in a straightforward manner, makes a definitive case for the primordial goddess.

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Book SynopsisFrom Homer''s Odyssey to Pirates of the Caribbean, Mermaids have fascinated popular culture for centuries. AMONG THE MERMAIDS is an enchanting collection of classic stories, facts and tales of mermaids from around the world that will thrill every lover of this romanticised mythological creature. Compiled by Book of the Bizarre author and Magical Creature devotee, Varla Ventura, AMONG THE MERMAIDS includes turn of the century tales of merfolk from Bret Harte, T. Crofton Croker and W.B. Yeats, along with fun facts about mermaids in popular culture.Fun facts about the fluid and the fair:Many people believe today that early explorer sightings of mermaids were manatees. (Scurvy + many days away from your lady = a blubbery creature looking supple and bodacious) Blackbeard, the fierce and terrible pirate, was afraid of his crew being lured into a watery grave by mermaids, so he ordered his ships to avoid certain areas reputed to have a high number of mermaid sightings.Since 2009, the town of Kiryat Yam, Israel has offered a prize of $1 million dollars to anyone who can prove the mermaid off their coast is real. The prize still remains unclaimed.

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Book SynopsisThe lusty vampire, the sympathetic werewolf, the tragic banshee are just a few of the dark and frightening creatures you''ll discover in BANSHEES, WEREWOLVES, VAMPIRES, AND OTHER CREATURES OF THE NIGHT. Huffington Post Weird News columnist and author, Varla Ventura, takes readers on a wild ride through the shadowy hills of rural Ireland, the dark German forests and along abandoned farms and country roads across the world to discover some of the most frightening and freak-tacular tales, titbits and encounters with all those beasties that go bump in the night. Along with classic pieces from Bram Stoker, Elliot O''Donnell, Sabine Baring-Gould, William Butler Yeats and many others, Ventura includes:Famous vampires you may not knowThe identity of the author of the first English vampire novel (and his relationship to Mary Shelley''s Frankenstein)Excerpts from the first psychic vampire novel ever writtenStories of 19th century werewolf hunters Why banshees are the most feared of supernatural creatures"Many a lonesome night has been spent listening with trepidation to the howl of the wind. In spite of our rational minds and our sound judgment there is nearly always-especially in that passage of time between midnight and three in the morning-a sound that simply cannot be explained away. Oh, but we try. To the rattle of the windowpane and the thump upon the porch we say "''Tis only the wind!" To the squeak of the floorboards and the bang on the roof we declare, "This old house is settling!" But deep inside, and we have all likely felt it at one time or another, there is an uneasy understanding that something very supernatural is afoot. And the odds are this feeling of uneasiness is very likely accurate. There are many, many things out there clawing in the night, snarling in the shadows."-From the Introduction

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Book SynopsisJ.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy is not only a seemingly inexhaustible source of wonder and excitement, it is also a profound tale, relevant to our times and to the vital question: what is it to be a human being? Why have these books proved so captivating since their publication, discovered anew by each generation? Is there a deeper aspect to the stories that speaks directly to something within us?Many scholars and commentators have asked these or similar questions, delving into his unique use of language, his deep knowledge of the aesthetics of story within the heritage of mythic storytelling, and his ability to weave together myriad themes. However, few if any have approached the deeper aspects of Tolkien's work with the spiritual esoteric insights of Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy as their basis. Mark McGivern adopts this approach while also building upon the work of Tolkien scholars such as Verlyn Flieger.This is an illuminating guidebook to the forms and depths of Tolkien's master work.

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Book SynopsisThe first book to present the true identity of the mythic figure Merlin• Uncovers historical evidence that the legend of Merlin was based on the life of a real man• Reveals that Avalon, Merlin’s final resting place, was an island in the United StatesThe legendary figure Merlin is known throughout the world as the wizard of Camelot who was counselor to King Arthur and helped that monarch create the Round Table. Through the course of a 20-year investigation Graham Phillips has uncovered evidence that this famous story was based on the life of an actual historical figure: the son of a Roman consul who became the last of the Romans to rule Britain in the fifth century A.D. Furthermore, the evidence reveals that he died and was buried in what is now the United States.According to legend, Merlin ended his life on the mystical island of Avalon. A 1500-year-old saga tells how Merlin left Britain on a boat bound for a mysterious island to the west. The places described in Merlin’s voyage, Phillips argues, would only have been seen by someone who had journeyed to the New World. For example, the island where boiling fountains bubble from the ground could be the geysers of Iceland, and the island with rivers of ice, the glaciers of Greenland.During his research Phillips discovered that a site believed to be Merlin’s grave was found by the first British settlers in North America: a secret location said to have been preserved in the works of William Shakespeare and the coded writings of the Freemasons. Phillips follows a trail of historical clues that leads ultimately to a mysterious New England tomb. Here a final encrypted message not only reveals the whereabouts of Merlin’s grave but contains evidence that Merlin’s descendants still survive and, through a merger with the Spencer family of Princess Diana, may once again ascend the British throne.

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Book Synopsis"I lived in a haunted apartment." Davisson opens this definitive work on Japan's ghosts, or yurei, with a personal tale about the spirit world. Shifting from anecdotes to deep research to translation of ancient ghost stories, he explores the persistence of yurei in modern Japan and their continued popularity throughout the West. Color images of yurei appear throughout the book.

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Book SynopsisMany mythological traditions from around the world seek to explain the origins of the earth, human beings, and the forces of nature. This set examines the stories associated with gods and goddesses: their relationships with each other and with human beings; their faults, foibles, strengths, and special powers. It offers explanations of how the gods and goddesses gifted humans with life, water, fire, music, and dance. Nearly 220 essays detail gods and goddesses from around the globe: the Greek and Roman pantheon including Zeus, Neptune, Nike, and Aphrodite; Norse gods including Odin and Loki; Native American deities including Hunahpu and Xbalanque; and Egyptian gods and goddesses like Ra and Osiris.

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Book Synopsis• Explores the schools of Solomonic magic around the world and works such as The Greater and Lesser Keys of Solomon the King and The Hygromancy of Solomon • Examines Solomon’s magical possessions, including his famous ring that gave him command over animals, weather, demons, genies, and djinns, as well as his amulets, remedies, exorcisms, and charms • Looks at the extensive presence of Solomon in folklore around the world, including in Armenia, Malaysia, Russia, Bulgaria, Morocco, India, and Egypt Looking at the Solomonic magical tradition and Solomon’s profound influence on esoteric traditions around the world, Claude Lecouteux reveals King Solomon not only as one of the great kings of prehistory but also as the ancient world’s foremost magician and magus. Examining the primary sources on Solomon, such as the Bible, the Koran, and the writings of Flavius Josephus, the author explores Solomon’s judgments, his explorations, his literary and scientific works (including an herbal), and his constructions beyond the eponymous temple, such as the copper city in Andalus built by the djinns and the baths of Sulayman. He also looks at Solomon’s magical possessions, such as his famous ring and the Philosopher’s Stone. The author examines the supernatural powers granted to Solomon by his ring, which he received from the angel Gabriel, including command over animals, weather, and demons, and explores in detail Solomon’s power over genies and djinns.Following the esoteric threads hidden within the primary sources on Solomon, Lecouteux reveals the work of Solomon the Magician, exploring his amulets, remedies, exorcisms, charms, and his influence on Arab and Western magic. Providing illustrations of sigils, talismans, and other magic symbols related to Solomon, the author examines the schools of Solomonic Folkloremagic and works such as The Greater and Lesser Keys of Solomon the King and The Hygromancy of Solomon. He then looks at the extensive presence of Solomon in folklore worldwide, including in Armenia, Israel, Malaysia, Eastern Europe, Russia, Morocco, India, Mongolia, and among the Abyssinians of Ethiopia and the Copts in Egypt. He also looks at Solomon’s role within the Bulgarian tradition from which the Cathars derived. Painting an in-depth portrait of Solomon the Magician-King, Lecouteux reveals how this legendary magus left a deep impression upon the occult, magical traditions, and philosophies of the ancient world that can still be felt to this day.Trade Review“In this splendid compendium, Claude Lecouteux brings together stories, folktales, lore, and legends associated with the Biblical King Solomon. King of ancient Israel, he founded castles and cities as well as a palace of glass and his most famous Temple in Jerusalem. Solomon’s legacy spread across the Middle East into Europe, Africa, and beyond. Reputed author of one thousand and five books of poems, psalms, and songs and three thousand parables, he also interacted with animals, whose languages he understood. Solomon was one of the great historical practitioners of magic. Solomon’s seal and ring gave him power over various kinds of spirits. All his possessions--his net, his throne, and his chalice among them--were infused with magical power. Claude Lecouteux’s masterly reconstruction of the wondrous world of King Solomon from ancient documents is by far the most comprehensive survey yet published of the many different aspects of this ancient and influential monarch.” * Nigel Pennick, author of The Ancestral Power of Amulets, Talismans, and Mascots and Elemental Magic *“Lecouteux’s in-depth study and presentation of the legend and importance of the image of King Solomon in the magical mythology fills an important role in our understanding of the history of the practice of magic in both Europe and Asia. Solomon was ascribed some of the most important magical grimoires and symbols and signs bearing his name that may be found from Arabia all the way into the realm of the Far North in Iceland.” * Stephen E. Flowers, Ph.D., author of Icelandic Magic and Original Magic *“This remarkable book, fully illustrated with archival images, shows Solomon--the mythical man, the mystical man, the personal and cultural man--at ease in a world he co-created with his Creator.” * Gerald Hausman, author of Rastafarian Children of Solomon: The Legacy of the Kebra Nagast and the Pa *“Professor Lecoueux is a well-known historian of medieval cultural history. His new book on the legendary King Solomon represents a convincing proof of the author’s erudition. This excellent work presents a wealth of relevant information about Solomon’s supernormal wisdom, his relations to the world of spirits, his building of the Temple in Jerusalem, and much more. The author’s analysis of Solomon’s relations to shamanism is also very useful. This is a fundamental study of one of the most enigmatic figures in history.” * Ronald Grambo, former professor of folklore at the University of Oslo *“The story of King Solomon is universal, found in different cultures and different sources. His close contact with God, his relations with djinns and exorcists as well as his love for women, made him a universal legend. In this book, the French scholar Claude Lecouteux presents the complete story of King Solomon for us to read.” * Ahmed Osman, author of The Egyptian Origins of King David and the Temple of Solomon *"The author uses The Bible, the writings of Yosef ben Matityahu HaCohen (better known as Flavius Josephus), and the classic book The Thousand and One Nights as primary sources to demonstrate the universality of Solomon the King and Solomon the Magician. No stone is left unturned. Solomon’s relationships with animals, with the djinns, and with his people are explored. The places he lived, the magical talismans he created and used, and more are all discussed. The text is fully illustrated, including images I’ve used myself in crafting protective talismans. The combination of history, legend, and religion makes King Solomon the Magus an important work for anyone who interested in Arabian or Western magic." * The Magical Buffet *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsINTRODUCTION The Legend of King Solomon PART ONE The King ONE The Source Texts TWO Solomon and the Animals THREESolomon’s ConstructionsFOURThe Judgments of Solomon FIVE Solomon’s Possessions SIX Solomon’s Literary and Scientific Works SEVEN Solomon’s Explorations EIGHT Solomon and the Djinns NINE The Sins of Solomon TEN Solomon and the Queen of ShebaELEVEN Solomon and Death TWELVE Solomon among the Sabaeans PART TWO The Magician THIRTEENThe Testament of Solomon FOURTEEN Solomon’s Hygromancy FIFTEEN The Keys of SolomonSIXTEEN The Other Magic Books SEVENTEEN The Archaeological Traces of Solomon EIGHTEENThe Lapidaries of SolomonNINETEEN The Account of Zosimos of PanopolisTWENTY Solomon’s Successors PART THREE Solomon in Folklore Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisExplores ancient mask customs, rituals, and traditions throughout Europe, from Scandinavia and England to Germany and France to Greece and Rome• Reveals how mask rituals are akin to shamanic journeying and allow the mask wearer to personify an ancestral presence, spirit, deity, or power • Examines animal guising and shows how mask customs are tied to creation myths and the ancestral founders of a people, tribe, city, or nation • Looks at morris dancers and mummers in the UK, Krampuslauf and Perchtenlauf in Germanic areas, the Gorgon myths of Greece, Norse Berserker rituals, and the annual Black Forest rite to awaken ensouled masks every spring There is a spiritual power in masks that transports one into realms unseen and gives voice to things unspoken. Within the context of ritual, putting on a mask places the wearer at the intersection between the present and the past, the living and the dead, this world and the Otherworld. Masks make it possible to activate ancient archetypes, with the mask wearer reanimating or personifying an ancestral presence or spirit, a deity or power, an animal or a being of the eldritch world. In this illustrated study, Nigel Pennick explores the magical and spiritual aspects of mask wearing from ancient times to the present. He examines the many mask traditions around Europe and shows how mask rituals are similar to shamanic journeying and near-death experiences and can induce ecstatic states that allow the power signified by the mask to take possession of the individual wearing it. He also looks at the practice of dressing up as sacred animals and mask wearing as it relates to ostenta, events that occur suddenly and without warning that are considered a token or sign from the Otherworld. Unveiling the sacred power of masks, the author shows how masks allow us to transport into realms unseen, embody ancestors and otherworldly entities, and connect with traditions that stretch back to time immemorial.Trade Review“A thorough and sensitive review of the varied use of masks through time. Most valuable to me is Pennick’s understanding as to how masks allow us to outwardly reflect our inner spiritual reality. There is too little literature on this subject, and this book is a valuable addition, written with sensitivity and understanding.” * Peter Coyote, actor, Zen Buddhist priest, mask teacher, and author of The Lone Ranger and Tonto Meet *“This book is a gem! As always, Nigel Pennick explores his intriguing subject with ferocious intensity, beautifully balancing his lenses from telescopic to macroscopic. He writes with a density of detail and archival attention, galloping through centuries in single sentences, crisscrossing countries and even continents in single bounds. His prodigious knowledge, gathered and retained over a lifetime, pours forth--a cornucopia of richness--and sometimes may seem like simple lists but which transcend as categorical abundance of evidence that lead up to his anecdotal expansions. Well done, Mr. Pennick!” * Linda Kelsey-Jones, president of San Marcos Area Arts Council and director/curator of The Walkers&rs *Table of ContentsPREFACEThe Meaning and Function of Masks INTRODUCTION Incarnating the Spirit Depicted by the Mask 1 Ensouled Artifacts and Death Masks 2 Masks and Representation3 Gods, Images, and Ostenta4 Animals as Ostenta 5 Eldritch Beings: The Dark World of the Indeterminate6 The Furious Host 7 Spectral Animals beyond the Wild Hunt8 Masks of Invisibility 9 The Powers of Animal Skins10 Animal Disguise--Horses 11 Animal Disguise--Other Animals 12 Straw Bears, Straw Men, and Jack O’Lent 13 Dragonry 14 Civic Giants 15 Misrule, Comedy, Masks, and Puppets16 Masquerades 17 Carnival Characters, Mumming, and Mummers’ Plays18 Mummers: Characters, Disguises, and Costumes19 Rural Ceremonies, Performance, and Disguise 20 Molly Dancing and Garlanding 21 Fire, Misrule, and Disorder 22 Crime, Rebellion, and Ritual Disguise 23 Pantomime and Futurism24 Authoritarian Suppression of Festivals PostscriptGlossary Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisInvoking Mnemosyne--Greek goddess of memory and eloquence, daughter of Heaven and Earth, mother of the Muses, and archetypal deity of the Asklepion dream temple tradition--this book initiates you into full dream consciousness, offering a lucid-dreaming ritual experience in the spirit of the Mystery Schools of antiquity. Explaining how a conscious dream life is essential for self-discovery, deep integration, and healing, lucid-dreaming instructor Sarah Janes presents exercises, techniques, and initiations to help you explore the inner depths of your psyche. These realms, accessible through dreams, can help you to form a better understanding of who you are. Sharing her more than a decade of research on Sleep Temples and Mystery Schools of the Esoteric Tradition, Sarah explores the evolution of imagination, memory, and consciousness throughout the ages and proposes that dreams have been fundamental in the creation and development of culture. Dreams play an important role in ancestor worship, afterlife beliefs, animism, religion, and wisdom traditions. Sarah reveals how dreams offer us an opportunity to remember and directly experience our divinity, to transcend the limitations of our mortality and enter timeless, imaginal realms. Employing the power of story to affect the mind and lay down new neural pathways--as if one were really living the story--Sarah begins each initiatory chapter with a psychodramatic narrative. Using symbolism and powerful imagery, these stories help you generate the perfect dreams for each stage in the initiation. And by becoming a better dreamer, you can make better, more aware decisions in your waking life.Trade Review“Sarah Janes’s Initiation into Dream Mysteries reads like a perfect dream. Not only through the vivid reanimation of the dream cults of antiquity but also through the mellifluous prose by which it is brought to life, the reader (or initiate) is taken on a special journey--as intellectually insightful as it is spiritually inspiring. The text is the synergy of a depth of knowledge and love for the world—mingled with the initiatory stories interspliced throughout, hypnotically elaborate and evocative--that will lift you up to taste that same awakening that was the intent of these very oneiric practices of old.” * Pascal Michael, lecturer on psychedelics, altered states, and transpersonal psychology at Alef Trust *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments INTRODUCTION Ka, the Creative SpiritDreaming, Memory, and Consciousness PHASE 1The Dawn of Dreams Paleolithic to 10,000 BCE Initiatic Story: ChrysalisPHASE 2 Into the Bronze Age Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age 10,000 to 4500 BCEInitiatic Story: Death in Anatolia PHASE 3Dream Writing and RitualThe Ancient Near East 3300 to 1200 BCEInitiatic Story: Threshold PHASE 4 Temple Sleep and Dream SanctuariesAncient Egypt 3150 to 332 BCEInitiatic Story: Amunet’s Dream PHASE 5 Island Dreams Minoa 3500 to 1450 BCE Initiatic Story: Bee AsleepPHASE 6Dream Panacea Ancient Greece 500 to 530 BCE Initiatic Story: The Pool of Mnemosyne PHASE 7 Dreams of the Future Starting . . . Now Initiatic Story: My House Is Arkady MeditationsNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisExplores the many forms and abilities of the devil in stories from around the world. The devil has many more guises than the cliché red boogeyman named Lucifer or Satan who haunts Christianity. In some traditions the devil is sinister and cunning, while others portray him as an oaf who can easily be conned and evaded by anyone with an ounce of cleverness. In other tales and legends, he is the primal shapeshifter, and the Roma, also known as the gypsies, claimed his talents of metamorphosis were so strong he could even assume the appearance of a priest. Drawing on folk traditions from all over Europe, including Transylvanian Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Switzerland, Italy, France, Scandinavia, Moravia, Bohemia, Lapland, and the Baltic countries, Claude and Corinne Lecouteux explore the many forms and abilities of the devil in stories, tales, and legends throughout the ages. They trace the devil’s shapeshifting powers back to their Vedic origins in ancient India and look at his connections with witches, storm magic, and other magical events. They examine the symbolic implications of the appearance of the devil in these tales, such as how he is often either limping or disfigured with the legs or feet of a goat or other animal traditionally linked to the lower powers or passions. They explain how the devil’s limp or his goat-like feet reflect the prevalence in world mythology of the sacred nature of crippling injuries. Peeling back the Christian veneer embedded in many tales and legends about the so-called Evil One, the authors ultimately reveal how many of the qualities and magical powers attributed to the devil were once those belonging to pagan gods, like the Lithuanian thunder god Perkūnas or the Titan Chronos, as well as to playful woodland spirits and the sometimes helpful, sometimes fearful fauns and satyrs of Greco-Roman mythology.Trade Review“In their majestic collection of folk stories about Satan, authors and curators Claude and Corinne Lecouteux unearth a truth that our culture translates into myth: we as a human community remain deeply affectionate toward our old gods. What in cinema is called Loki, Darth Vader, and Maleficent are the same archetypes that populate these Old-World legends in which our forebears were brave enough to call their antihero by his name. With the very able hand of translator Jon E. Graham, the Lecouteuxs have created a forbidden feast.” * Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award–winning author of Occult America and Uncertain Places *“How do you best the devil and live happily ever after? Read Claude and Corinne Lecouteux’s Tales and Legends of the Devil, stories from across Europe, and find out. Claude Lecouteux is a master of unearthing hidden treasures from the European tradition.” * Arthur Versluis, author of The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism *“Humanity’s relationship to adversity personified and elucidated in stories teaches us the value of the cunning trickster. From either the vantage point of moral hygiene stories or the lack thereof, these stories show us the importance and folly of cunning, something we all need to be reminded of. Claude and Corinne have done a fabulous job.” * Marcus McCoy, cofounder of the Viridis Genii Symposium and esoteric blacksmith at Troll Cunning Forg *“Claude Lecouteux has written extensively and meticulously on the supernatural figures that appear in what is often called ‘the lower mythology’ of the Middle Ages and has shown how these same figures (still) haunt our own world. More than twenty of Claude Lecouteux’s books (including several coauthored by his wife, Corinne) have been translated and published by Inner Traditions over the past fifteen years. Why did I feel compelled to write a preface for this particular book? Perhaps because ‘the devil made me do it.’” * Jon E. Graham, award-winning translator of the Bavarian illuminati *Table of ContentsTranslator’s Preface Introduction Chapter IThe Devil as Suitor Chapter II The Devil and His FamilyChapter III The Swindled and Battered Devil Chapter IV In the Devil’s Service Chapter V A Visit to Hell Chapter VIThe Devil and the Church Chapter VII Singular Tales Appendix 1 Tale Types in this Book Appendix 2Index of Motifs Associated with the Devil Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2023 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for NonfictionA journalist and folklorist explores the truths that underlie the stories we imagine—and reveals the magic in the everyday.“I’ve always felt that the term fairy tale doesn’t quite capture the essence of these stories,” writes Emily Urquhart. “I prefer the term wonder tale, which is Irish in origin, for its suggestion of awe coupled with narrative. In a way, this is most of our stories.” In this startlingly original essay collection, Urquhart reveals the truths that underlie our imaginings: what we see in our heads when we read, how the sight of a ghost can heal, how the entrance to the underworld can be glimpsed in an oil painting or a winter storm—or the onset of a loved one’s dementia. In essays on death and dying, pregnancy and prenatal genetics, radioactivity, chimeras, cottagers, and plague, Ordinary Wonder Tales reveals the essential truth: if you let yourself look closely, there is magic in the everyday.Trade ReviewPraise for Ordinary Wonder Tales"Emily Urquhart’s collection of essays about folklore, storytelling, and wonder weaves its own magic as it draws the reader deep into the heart of imagination and possibility. From a haunting childhood encounter to a deeply moving exploration of dementia, Ordinary Wonder Tales delights in the knowledge that the world can be both real and imagined. As we read, we discover that no trauma in a person’s life ever sets them fully apart. Rather, human tragedies are endlessly absorbed and transformed by the wonder tales we share to bring us back to the fullness of life."—2023 Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction Jury Citation"In Ordinary Wonder Tales, Urquhart stylishly combines her personal experiences with her academic expertise, leading to a reading experience that feels entertaining and casual yet also edifying ... It’s a testament to Urquhart’s own formidable storytelling skill that each of her essays inspires a quiet awe."—LIBER: A Feminist Review"A collective masterpiece of literary criticism, insights, observations, perceptions, and appreciation, Ordinary Wonder Tales by Emily Urquhart is an extraordinarily thoughtful and thought-provoking read."—Midwest Book Review"With insight, compassion, and skill, Emily Urquhart’s essays delve into the intricate wonders of our lives. This book is magical in every sense of the term—a beautiful ode to both the natural world and the supernatural one, and all of the ways in which our human hearts traverse the space between these shifting places."—Amanda Leduc, author of The Centaur's Wife and Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space"Non-fiction that hums with truth and life. Emily Urquhart writes about family, pain, fear and genetics all through the lens of folk tales and folk history. It proves a deeply moving meditation on the stories we tell ourselves, collectively and individually, to make sense of the insensible magical wonderful awful parts of our ordinary lives."—Carrie Snyder, Globe and Mail“Emily Urquhart brings her skills as a journalist, editor and folklorist … fascinatingly to bear on a series of exquisitely written essays about the relationship between living and storytelling; about how these two things rely on each other for their mutual survival.”—Emily Donaldson, Globe and Mail"In these essays, Emily Urquhart—who has a doctorate in folklore (and is the daughter of Canadian author Jane Urquhart and the late painter Tony Urquhart, whose dementia is dealt with in the final, powerful essay)—explores childhood, motherhood and daughterhood with a sense of wonder."—Marsha Lederman, Globe and Mail"The author’s academic and journalistic training, her eye for the strange and marvellous, and her expertise in European fables all come together in this curious gathering of stories borrowed from everyday life. While Ordinary Wonder Tales is replete with autobiographical fragments, the tone is restrained: self-analysis never courts self-indulgence, and personal experiences merge seamlessly into the yarns we spin and the beliefs we pass down."—Literary Review of Canada"A book of both deep thought and intense feeling, Ordinary Wonder Tales is, literally, a collection of wonders, and a truly beautiful account of a life lived in the nexus of the temporal and the eternal. It’s a treasure."—Toronto Star"Her thoughtful analysis and warm storytelling work together to create a fantastic read."—Anne Logan, I've Read This"Ordinary Wonder Tales is a quietly charming book about all the ordinary tragedies in a life. Urquhart’s essays help us understand the stories we tell ourselves, while also being satisfying as stories themselves."—Winnipeg Free Press"This is the value in Urquhart's book: the reminder of the importance of personal lore, the way it shapes us and how we present ourselves to the world. Ordinary Wonder Tales is a comfort to read."—The Malahat Review"Ordinary Wonder Tales will have readers conjuring up memories of their first encounters with fairy tales, fables, and storytelling ... if you're compelled to imagine the mysterious forgotten worlds of imagination, of fables and possibilities ... you'll probably need to pick up [this book]."—Miramichi Reader"For many readers who might chose fiction over essays, Urquhart’s collection provides a satisfying compromise. These tales are wondrous and haunting, written in a beautifully descriptive style, drawing upon centuries’ worth of storytelling traditions."—Quarantine Review"[A] literal blending of fact and fiction that informs readers about the complexity of storytelling while also satisfying their imaginations. In Urquhart’s collection, she dispels the notion that fairy tales are irrelevant in this fast-paced, modern environment, and recreates the magic of childhood in day-to-day life."—The McGill Tribune"Urquhart’s corrobation of legends to day-to-day life offers the same getaway and warmth that indulging in a supernatural world can. So, to all the retired fantasy lovers out there, please do yourself a favor and read this book."—The Link"[A] collection of essays that invigorates the imagination, warms the heart and fills the mind with melancholic wonder."—The Charlatan“Ordinary Wonder Tales is so well-written, so full of enriching, unexpected connections, so captivating; a reader will be tempted to consume it in gulps, and then go back for seconds.”—The Telegram"Urquhart draws connections between the experiences of everyday life—love, grief, pride, fear—and the imaginative universes of the stories we tell and retell."—Quill and Quire"I am devouring it ... It’s incredibly current, even urgent."—Joan Sullivan, Newfoundland Quarterly"These essays—beautiful, rich and absorbing—will change the way you see your place in the world, and they’ll leave you noticing all the magic at its fringes."—Kerry Clare, Pickle Me This"I let Emily stoke a sense of wonder and an interest in folklore that I didn’t know I had ... Reading her essays feels like someone is reading you a bedtime story while learning new and marvelous things."—Consumed By Ink"A highly readable, fascinating collection ... The pieces are thoughtful and ... enriching. The book is captivating, and as one critic has said, spellbinding."—TheCommentary"In this collection of essays, Urquhart seamlessly melds her research with snippets of everyday life on topics including death and dying, the plague, and pregnancy."—Toronto Life"The mix of heady and magical will be spellbinding to memoir readers with a ready sense of wonder."—Publishers WeeklyPraise for Beyond the Pale“[Urquhart] isn’t afraid to make the personal political, to delve into her particular experience while also acknowledging its limits and investigating what lies beyond them. Urquhart’s as interested in championing individuality as she is in embracing our shared humanity. But she never shies away from the fact that cherishing both can be a knotty, contradictory affair.”—Globe and Mail“A courageous and ambitious book. Beyond the Pale offers an intimate account about raising a daughter with albinism, a lucid portrait of related genetic, medical and social issues, and a disturbing reminder of the brutal violence that many people with albinism continue to face today.”—Lawrence Hill, author of The Book of Negroes and Blood: The Stuff of Life“A brave, thoughtful, clear, and always graceful journey through the terrifying randomness of genetics and the unexpected ways genetic anomalies can mark not just children, but all the lives around them.”—Ian Brown, author of The Boy in the Moon: A Father’s Search for his Disabled SonTable of ContentsThe MatterLessons for Female SuccessChimeraOrdinary Wonder TalesChild Unwittingly PromisedGiving up the GhostNuclear FolkloreThe Plague LegendsAdriftYears Thought DaysNotesAcknowledgements

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Book SynopsisThis poetic journey through Inuit oral history gives a glimpse of traditional beliefs surrounding the creation of the world. From the creation of day and night and the Sun and the Moon, to the origin of Death, this collection of simple retellings is richly supported by the artwork of acclaimed artist Germaine Arnattaujuq. Featuring a foreword by the artist about her work illustrating Inuit myths and legends, this introduction to traditional Inuit stories is based on the animated film Arctic Song, which was co-produced and co-directed by Germaine Arnattaujuq and Neil Christopher.Trade Review"This book combines simple retellings of traditional Inuit stories with the exquisite artwork of acclaimed artist Germaine Arnattaujuq (also includes a foreword by the artist about her work illustrating Inuit myths and legends)."—The Globe and MailTable of ContentsTable of Contents 2 Foreword 10 Pinngurniq: In the Beginning 13 In the Beginning There Was Only Darkness 14 The Origin of Day and Night 17 The Origin of Death 20 Giants of the Earth 23 The Polar Bear Hunt That Marked the Sky 27 The Northern Lights 28 Surainiit: The Crimes That Shaped the Northern Skies 31 The Origin of the Sun and Moon 33 The Giant Orphan in the Sky 37 The Man of the Moon 38 The Orphans in the Sky 42 Nirjutit Papattijingat: Those that Created the Animals 45 The Mother of the Sea Mammals 47 The Spirit that Released Caribou in the World 53 The Blind Boy and the Loon 54 Epilogue 56 The Earth Birthed Children 59 The Tuniit 62 Contributors 64 Glossary of Inuktitut Words

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Book SynopsisThe image of St George - the mounted, medieval knight slaying a dragon - seems so familiar to us all that it is tempting to assume this figure is easily understood. He is, in fact, one of the most significant and complex mythic figures in Christian culture, and has played an important role in Eastern Orthodox, Coptic and western European traditions over many centuries. Today St George continues to have a lively and diverse following: his various appearances can be found across many world religions, including Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and the African-Brazilian belief system Candomble. St George's identification with nature, springtime and healing means that he can also be found throughout pagan beliefs. St George: A Saint for All includes firsthand accounts of celebrations in Georgia, Greece, Malta and Belgium, and explores the iconic figure's wide-ranging significance in nations such as Lebanon, Palestine, Ethiopia and Estonia, as well as his totemic role for the Roma people. With or without the dragon, St George has been repeatedly reinvented over the last 1,700 years. This book is an engaging account of the huge potential that artists, poets and painters have found in his myth, discussing the often controversial political uses to which the saint has been put, including many reworkings and reimaginings, and places his current cultural position in its historical context. This is the first book to offer a full overview of the cult of St George, from its beginnings in the eastern Mediterranean to its established presence around the world today.Table of ContentsChapter 1: A Reappraisal for a Multi-Cultural Age, Chapter 2: Misrepresentations and Reinventions, Chapter 3: St George and the Natural World, Chapter 4: St George and Water, and the Healing Saint, Chapter 5: St George as a Dragon Slayer, Chapter 6: St George and England, Bibliographic Essay, References, Acknowledgements, Index.

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Book SynopsisDragons are a global phenomenon, one that has troubled mankind for thousands of years. From the fire-breathing beasts of North European myth and legend to the Book of Revelation’s Great Red Dragon of Hell, from those supernatural agencies of imperial authority in ancient China to those dragon-women posing a threat to male authority, dragons have a wide variety of forms and meanings. But there is one thing they all have in common: our fear of their formidable power and, as a consequence, our need to overcome them, to appease them or in some way to assume their power as our own. How can this be explained? Is it our need to impose order on chaos in the person of a dragon-slaying hero? Is it our terror of Nature unleashed in its most destructive form? Or is the dragon nothing less than an expression of that greatest and most disturbing mystery of all – our mortality? Martin Arnold traces the history of ideas about dragons, from the earliest of times to Game of Thrones, and asks what exactly it might be in our imaginations that appears to have necessitated such a creature.

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Book SynopsisIn Sex in the World of Myth, David Leeming argues that sex is as important in myths as it is in our lives. Myths are our cultural dreams, and sex is pervasive in all mythologies because it has obsessed and confused us like nothing else - what's more, sexual myths, like all myths, can serve many purposes. The reproductive acts of the ancient Greek goddess Gaia perhaps reflect a pre-Olympian matriarchal social system. The tales of the unbridled sexual deeds of the Polynesian Maui, and many others, speak to a natural fascination with the power and mystery of sexual drives. Leeming demonstrates how even when such myths are meant to elicit laughter or titillation, the participation in them of sacred heroes and deities means they are in some sense religious - partial answers to the nature of existence in general, and human sexuality in particular.

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Book Synopsis'I caught a glimpse of him, behind the veil. And he knew I'd caught it. There was that understanding between us. We were members of the club of the X-ray eyes, the club of people who can see into the human heart.' Éilís Ní Dhuibhne's candid and moving memoir tells the story of her thirty-year relationship with the love of her life, internationally renowned folklorist Bo Almvqvist, capturing brilliantly the compromises and adjustments and phases of their relationship. Twelve Thousand Days is a remarkable story about love, grief and time, shot through with wry and sharp observations on Irish life, culture and morality. Trade ReviewNi Dhuibhne is one of Ireland's finest novelists and short story writers …This book is a tribute to that rich personal life, to the sons of the marriage, to the days of debate and domesticity, of cultural insights and liberal views, to the "collection, preservation and study of Irish folklore", to the Gaeltacht areas of Donegal and Kerry, and the Scandinavian holiday interludes. … This account of "love and loss", for all its mournful aspects, is a resonant and resourceful undertaking; and its ultimate effect is exhilarating and affirmative. - Patricia Craig, TLS January 18 2019 -- Patricia Craig * TLS *A precise and honest self-portrait, carefully crafted, reticent and then revealing, but also absorbing and moving. -- Colm Tóibín * Irish Times *Éilís Ní Dhuibhne uses all her lyricism to pay tribute to the relationship that defined her being. -- Eileen Battersby * Sunday Times *'There is much joy here and much sorrow too. … accompanying Éilís Ní Dhuibhne on her journey, it has been easy to smile along with the good times and impossible not to shed a tear on the other path … I will treasure my signed copy.' -- Joe Cushnan * Dropped the Moon Blog *'Twelve Thousand Days' is indisputably one of the most appealing memoirs from the pen of a contemporary Irish writer. -- Paddy Kehoe * RTÉ *

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Book SynopsisIn writing these fascinating stories, Edmund Leamy turned to the Gaelic past to give the Irish people something which would implant in them a love for the beauty and dignity of their country’s traditions. The charming and poetic tales in this book include 'Princess Finola and the Dwarf', 'The Fairy Tree of Dooros', 'The House in the Lake', 'The Little White Cat', 'The Golden Spears' and 'The Enchanted Cave'.Table of ContentsPrincess Finola and the Dwarf The House in the Lake The Little White Cat The Golden Spears The Fairy Tree of Dooros The Enchanted Cave The Huntsman’s Son

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Book SynopsisThe phenomenal success of Tolkien and JK Rowling have restored magical folk to the adult world. The reader will discover that Hobbits hail from Tolkien's aunt's manor farm Bag-End and Harry Potter's Master Dobbs is part of ancient folklore. Fairies are often nothing like the ones conjured up by writers and Hollywood. Some are worse than soccer hooligans. They are irascible, blood-sucking, bed-hopping. A tidal-wave of new fairy sightings has been uncovered by the digitisation of British and Irish local newspapers and other local ephemera, and by the Fairy Census conducted by the authors.Trade Review'Enchanting.' Mail on Sunday; 'Engaging and authoritative... British fairies, it turns out, are classic eccentrics.' Sunday Telegraph; 'Detail on local mythology... sparkling.' Literary Review; 'A big insight into the lives of little people... provocative.'; Glasgow Herald; 'A gazetteer of myths, legends, and sightings.' IndependentTable of ContentsAcknowledgements & Editors' Note 6 We Need to Talk about Fairies 7 Fairy Tribes Biographies English Fairies 1 Fairy Queens and Pharisees 2 Pucks and Lights 3 Pixies and Pixy Rocks 4 Fairy Magic and the Cottingley Photographs 5 Fairy Barrows and Cunning Folk 6 Fairy Holes and Fairy Butter Celtic and Norse Fairies 7 The Sidhe and Fairy Forts 8 The Seelie and Unseelie Courts 9 Trows and Trowie Wives Orkney and Shetland by Laura Coulson 10 The Fair Folk and Enchanters Wales by Richard Suggett 11 Pouques and the Faiteaux 12 George Waldron and the Good People 13 Piskies and Knockers Travelling Fairies 14 Puritans and Pukwudgies 15 Fairy Bread and Fairy Squalls 16 Banshees and Changelings Notes

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Book SynopsisBestselling author Elen Sentier looks at Merlin in history and mythology and considers his continuing relevance for people today. Best known as the wizard from the Arthurian stories, Merlin has been written about for well over 1000 years and is considered to be both a magical and historical figure. Over the centuries many people have had relationships with Merlin and in this book the author brings him to life for us once again in yet another way and from yet another perspective.

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Book SynopsisIn this beautifully illustrated gift edition, you’ll discover more than 240 mythological tales from around the world, featuring gods, heroes, princesses, villains, magicians and monsters, as well as animals with extraordinary powers. Let this collection guide you through stories from every corner of the globe, from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome through the Vikings to the Slavic East, Japan and China and the Americas. Each culture is rich in folklore and magical tales, and this book offers a fascinating introduction to them all. This is a radical collection of stories, filled with voltage. Whether ninety or nine, there’s something in these tales that wants to speak directly to you. From tales of creation and the first humans to apocalyptic battles at the end of time, explore the most thrilling tales in all mythology: thunder god Thor losing his hammer, Theseus callously abandoning Ariadne after defeating the Minotaur, Hindu god Shiva destroying his rival Kama with a blast of flame, Egyptian goddess Isis forcing the sun god to reveal his name … and much more.

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Book SynopsisFight your fears, gain confidence and unlock your future using the power of fairy tales We first engage with fairy tales in childhood and they never leave us. From the "rescuer" Prince Charming to the scary, shapeshifting wolf in Little Red Riding Hood, the characters, symbolism and narratives in these stories are embedded deep within our psyches. This book offers a whole host of tips, creative activities and inspiring illustrations to help you draw on the latent power of fairy tales and apply their magic to your everyday life. These include storyboarding your own fairy tale to boost your imagination, devising a quest to build energy and confidence, and identifying your inner hero to improve your problem solving.

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Book Synopsis"I was not prepared for how deeply this book captivated me ... Ghosts, Monsters, and Demons of India is exemplary of what a book can be, how it can operate. It's a bridge across space, time, and language" -Robin Sloan, author of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore An encyclopedia of evil entities and folkloric fiends from across India, from Ladakh to Kerala, Lakshadweep to Nagaland, Naraka to Tuchenkwaka, complete with 60 spooky illustrations. Inside this book you will find ... Killer robots built with stolen Roman engineering technology that once guarded the relics of the Buddha The ghost of a 21-year-old motorcyclist whose Enfield Bullet is venerated at a highway temple in Rajasthan A Himalayan drum-playing spirit-teacher whose wife is a fearsome Yeti Diabolical entities conjured into existence by the simultaneous deaths of seven tigers Triple-rooted night-flying Vedic necromancers Call-centre employees from beyond the grave The dreaded Ngalei Ahmaw of Maraland, whose victims' heads detach themselves from their bodies at night and go wandering in search of blood ... AND MORETrade Review"[The authors] have done an astounding job of documenting, in vivid and highly entertaining detail, the imaginative ways in which people from the Indian subcontinent relate to, and make sense of their lives, relationships, and the world they inhabit ... a thrilling romp through the annals of what goes bump in the Indian night." - Helen Nde, Mythological Africans "Ghosts, Monsters and Demons of India is a must-read entry in the literary search for human meaning. It’s a trek through the dark corners of India’s cultural imagination populated with nightmarish creatures, demons, dark forest stalkers and all manner of grisly entities. It’s also a fantastic read." - Exquisite Terror Magazine

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Book SynopsisInk Tales reinvigorates fairy tales and myths from around the world, breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes throughout. Illustrated by Inkquisitive (Amandeep Singh) in his vibrant signature Indian inks, each story is accessible and visually inspiring. Travel across oceans and discover the vengeful wrath of a River God in Kayo Chingonyi's West African tale. Soar too close to the sun with Inua Ellam's timely story of a young refugee girl. Fly to a mysterious castle inhabited by a cursed prince with Helen Mort's retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Uncover the truth of #Bluebeard with Joelle Taylor's modernised fairy tale. Look to the constellations with Will Harris' futuristic Greek tragedy, and never, ever answer to your name in Malika Booker's Trinidadian recreation of the Dwen. Bedtime Stories for the End of the World is produced in partnership with the ground-breaking poetry podcast of the same name. The six featured poets draw on their own experience, adding a new dimension to an existing tale. 'Bedtime Stories for the End of the World' is a spoken word and poetry podcast about the power of myth and the politics of storytelling. The podcast asks some of the UK's top poets to re-imagine their favourite myths, fairy tales and legends - the stories they want to keep and protect for the future. It also involves an annual live event, creating a tangible and accessible experience for existing and new audiences. Reimagined tales include Icarus, the legend of the Zambezi River God, East of the Sun West of the Moon, Bluebeard, Philoctetes and the Trinidadian folklore figure 'douen'.

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Book SynopsisBig Snake Little Snake is a cascade of true stories by DBC Pierre, recorded while on his way to make a short film with a parrot in Trinidad, which not only examines the nature of gambling, the love affair between gambler and game and the mindset of obsessive practitioners, but aims to shed light on the invisible odds and outrageous chances of everyday life on Earth. Snakes symbolise a road in a Trinidadian numbers game based on dreams and superstition. The inquiry was prompted by a little snake on Pierre's doorstep. 'If writers were athletes, DBC Pierre would be hanging out with the skydivers, the stunt-snowboarders and the white-water rafters' Independent 'One of the most original and seriously funny narrative voices' ObserverTrade ReviewPraise for DBC Pierre: 'If writers were athletes, DBC Pierre would be hanging out with the skydivers, the stunt-snowboarders and the white-water rafters.' * Independent *One of the most original and seriously funny narrative voices * Observer *Dangerous, smart, ridiculous and very funny * The New York Times *Pierre's writing is heady, reaching glorious heights of linguistic invention * Independent *

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Book SynopsisRobin Hood is one of the most enduring and well-known figures of English folklore. Yet who was he? In this intriguing book, Lesley Coote re-examines the early tales about Robin in light of the stories, both English and French, that surrounded them - stories with which they shared many elements of form and meaning. In the process, she returns to questions such as `Where did Robin come from?' and `What did these stories mean?' The Robin who reveals himself is as spiritual as he is he is secular and as much an `insider' as he is an outlaw. And in the context of current debates about national identity and Britain's relationship with the wider world, Robin emerges to be as European as he is English - or perhaps, as the author suggests, that is precisely the quality which made him fundamentally English all along.Trade Review"Coote's scholarly study of the storyworlds of the early Robin Hood tradition broadens our understanding of the interconnectivity of medieval outlaw tales, romance, the fabliau tradition, miracle of the Virgin stories, trickster tales, and pastourelles."--Alexander L. Kaufman, Reed D. Voran Distinguished Professor of Humanities, Ball State UniversityTable of ContentsIntroduction: Who Was Robin Hood? 1 Robin Hood and the Written Word 2 Robin Hood and the Printed Word 3 Robin Hood and `Maid' Marian 4 Robin Hood and the Virgin Mary 5 Robin Hood and Romance Narratives 6 Robin Hood and Other Tricksters 7 Robin Hood and the Comic Tale 8 Robin Hood and the Medieval `Past' Appendix: The Texts in Modern English Translation References Bibliography Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisAccording to legend, the English landscape – so calm on the surface – is really the Devil’s work. Cloven Country tells of rocks hurled into place and valleys carved out by infernal labour. The Devil’s hideous strength laid down great roads in one night, and left scars everywhere as the hard stone melted like wax under those burning feet. With roots in medieval folklore, this is not the Satan of prayer, but a clumsy ogre, easily fooled by humankind. When a smart cobbler or cunning young wife outwitted him, they struck a blow for the underdog. Only the wicked squire and grasping merchant were beyond redemption, carried off by a black huntsman in the storm.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating and frightening collection of folk tale monsters, ghosts, and other scary things that dwell in the dark.Our world is a strange place. This hauntingly illustrated book peers into the dark spaces that lie somewhere between belief and imagination, and into the weird stories we tell to make sense of where and who we are. Here are tales of vengeful ghosts, bloodthirsty monsters, internet-conjured nightmares, lost souls, cryptid curiosities, demons, aliens, the undead, and the inexplicable, including: Enfield Poltergeist Jersey Devil Mothman Krampus El Silbón Betty and Barney Hill Abduction Headless Horseman Skunk Ape Onryō Loab Isla de las Muñecas Slender Man La Llorona Loch Ness Monster And many more... Acclaimed artist Ricardo Diseño brings a lifelong fascination w

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Book SynopsisDiscover how to connect with fairies, accept their guidance to your inner self and restore your unity with the natural world. Fairies are benign spirits who can speak to you, if you can reawaken your childhood self and recapture the sense of awe and wonder that we lose as adults. Only then can you approach the fairy realm and become the friend of fairy folk. This is a complete guide to finding and meeting fairies, explaining the most favourable days and times for meeting the fairies, the tests you will experience, the most likely places to search and the best way to win the goodwill of these elemental beings. Once our feelings are attuned, we can again learn the fairy lore of magic and herbal medicine and use these skills to restore the world. With a wealth of colour illustrations of Victorian fairy paintings, this book will show you the way back to fairyland.Trade ReviewI had always been aware that there were more dimensions to life than those I could see and hear... Fairies have enhanced my life... they bring a joy to our lives that mostly, almost inevitably, we lose in early childhood -- Claire Nahmad * Daily Mail *Do you believe in Fairies?... In this book she describes the best times and most likely places to meet them... we can once again benefit from their magic, learn from their herbal lore and use our skills to help restore the world. * Kindred Spirit *It teaches you what we have lost in our overpopulated world - how to see and hear the faeries once again... beautifully illustrated throughout, making it a real joy to read. * Encounters *

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Book SynopsisA richly illustrated analysis from one of Europe’s greatest living philosophers. In Pinocchio, Giorgio Agamben turns his keen philosopher’s eye to the famous nineteenth-century novel by Carlo Collodi. To Agamben, Pinocchio’s adventures are a kind of initiation into life itself. Like us, the mischievous puppet is caught between two worlds. He is faced with the alternatives of submitting to authority or of carrying on, stubbornly indulging his way of being. From Agamben’s virtuoso interpretation of this classic story, we learn that we can harbor the mystery of existence only if we are not aware of it, only if we manage to cohabit with an area of non-knowledge, immemorial and very near. Richly illustrated with images from three early editions of Collodi’s novel, this new volume will delight enthusiasts of both literature and philosophy. Table of Contents1.Prologue2.Adventure3.Epilogue4.Bibliography5.Note on Illustrations

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Book SynopsisA HAUNTING COLLECTION OF STORIES THAT WEAVES HAWAIIAN MYTHOLOGY WITH A RICH SENSE OF PLACE This wrenching and sensational debut story collection follows a cast of mixed native Hawaiian and Japanese women through a contemporary landscape thick with inherited wisdom and the ghosts of colonisation. This is a Hawai'i where unruly sexuality and generational memory overflow the postcard image of paradise and the boundaries of the real, where the superstitions born of the islands take on the weight of truth. A childhood encounter with a wild pua'a (pig) on the haunted Pali highway portends one young woman's fraught relationship with her pregnant body. An elderly widow begins seeing her deceased lover in a giant flower. A kanaka writer, mid-manuscript, feels her raw pages quaking and knocking in the briefcase. Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare is both a fierce love letter to Hawaiian identity and mythology, and a searing dispatch from an occupied territory threatening to erupt with violent secrets.Trade ReviewIn Every Drop is a Man's Nightmare, the enormously talented Megan Kakimoto gives us her Hawai'i, as bright as blood, as dark as blood. It's a book about beauty and brutality, love and threat, home and estrangement, as original and fearless a book as I've read in years. It does not pull its punches; it's altogether a knockout. Eleven knockouts, one KO for every story -- Elizabeth McCracken, author of THE SOUVENIR MUSEUMKakimoto's bold and haunting stories are brilliant on the mysterious and potent languages of the body, and on the enduring power of the stories that shape us. Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare is a stunning debut -- Laura van den Berg, author of I HOLD A WOLF BY THE EARS and THE THIRD HOTELMegan Kakimoto is an extraordinary writer - compassionate, insightful, fiercely funny and super-smart - and Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare thrums with intelligence, wisdom and wild originality. A tremendous debut by a writer who, lucky for us, has only just begun -- Molly Antopol, author of THE UNAMERICANSLyrical collisions of superstition, folktales, and modern Hawaiian culture saving itself in the face of cliches. Desire and confusion are rarely far apart in these powerful coming-of-age stories that prove it is possible to be many things, all the time, all at once -- Amy Hempel, author of SING TO ITMegan Kakimoto is one of those rare writers who has mastered both story and sentence. The women in this story are audacious, resilient, and unforgettable-they have my whole heart -- Kimberly King Parsons, author of BLACK LIGHT

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Book SynopsisPerhaps it's a long journey, or you want to get them off their screens? Perhaps it's a group of restless children and you wish you could catch, hold and reward their attention? You can, and, as you magic from thin air a gripping story, that face-to-face engagement does as good as it feels.

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Book SynopsisWomen with fish tails are among the oldest and still most popular of mythological creatures, possessing a powerful allure and compelling ambiguity. They dwell right in the uncanniest valley of the sea: so similar to humans, yet profoundly other. Mermaids: Art, Symbolism and Mythology presents a comprehensive, interdisciplinary and beautifully illustrated study of mermaids and their influence on Western culture. The roots of mermaid mythology and its metamorphosis through the centuries are discussed with examples from visual art, literature, music and architecture—from 600 BCE right up to the present day. Our story starts in Mesopotamia, source of the earliest preserved illustrations of half-human, half-fish creatures. The myths and legends of the Mesopotamians were incorporated and adopted by ancient Greek, Etruscan and Roman cultures. Then, during the early medieval period, ancient mythological creatures such as mermaids were confused, transformed and reinterpreted by Christian tradition to begin a new strand in mermaid lore. Along the way, all manner of stunning—and sometimes bizarre or unsettling—depictions of mermaids emerged. Written in an accessible and entertaining style, this book challenges conventional views of mermaid mythology, discusses mermaids in the light of evolutionary theory and aims to inspire future studies of these most curious of imaginary creatures.Trade ReviewThe authors have written a wonderfully in-depth (pun intended) book about virtually every aspect of merpeople. There is as much information as most people could ever wish for about the subject. -- Trevor Pyne, Magonia ReviewTable of ContentsPreface Memorial note 1 Introduction: Why mermaids? 2 Mermaids conceived: hybrid goddesses and beasts in antiquity 3 Christian adaptations in the Romanesque to Baroque eras 4 Mermaid passions: obsessive fixation in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century art 5 Mermaids everywhere: postwar commercialization and trivialization 6 Mermaids rationalized: evolutionary theory confronts the fantastic References Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisStories surrounding the legendary King Arthur have been told since time immemorial, and every generation has a new take on the tale. The Fragile Land approaches the legend from a radical angle, setting it firmly in the post-Roman world of late fifth-century Europe, when the language of Britannia was still Brythonic and the Saxons had not yet superimposed their own place names. The Fragile Land chronicles the crucial years of Arthur’s life, from the age of fifteen into his early thirties, as he comes to the fore as elected Overlord, empowered to confront the Barbarian threat and to keep the factious leaders of the island’s kingdoms in some sort of political alliance. Enhanced by a beautifully illustrated map by the artist Kate Milsom, Simon Mundy’s cunningly woven tale of an island in unrest draws subtle parallels with contemporary cultural disputes and casts the legend in a whole new light.

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Book SynopsisDetailed research into documentary sources offers an exciting new identification of the "real" Robin Hood. For over a century and a half scholars have debated whether or not the legend of Robin Hood was based on an actual outlaw and, if so, when and where he lived. One view is that he was not a legend as such but a myth: an idea, rather than a person who could possibly be identified in historical records and placed in a real historical and geographical context. Other writers have gone even further, arguing that he is a literary concoction, with no traceable original, and that seeking to pin him down to a particular time and location is futile and unnecessary. This survey begins by tracing the development of the legend, and contemporary views about it, between the thirteenth and early twenty-first centuries, taking account both of new interpretative literature on the subject and fresh discoveries from the author's own research in the early records of the English royal administration and common law. It then gives a detailed account of the places that came to be associated with the legend, and of evidence illustrating the importance of the outlaw's name in the development of English surnames. The concluding chapters deal with the administration of criminal law in medieval England, and the evidence that points to the possible origins of the legend in the activities of a notorious Yorkshire criminal, tracked down and beheaded in the county in 1225.Trade Review[Essential] reading for anyone interested in the matter of greenwood. * THE RICARDIAN *[R]einjects a much-needed dose of reality into the academic study of the Robin Hood legend. . . Crook's monograph should be standard reading for any scholar who is interested in the origins of the historical Robin Hood. * THE MEDIEVAL REVIEW *[An] excellent reference and bibliography for the primary material that makes up the Robin Hood canon, Cook has presented an approach that takes joy in the process of investigation [...]. -- COMITATUSDavid Crook's new study is probably the fullest account of the development of the legend of Robin Hood, and of its sundry interpreters, ever attempted. [...] Crook, then, has achieved considerable success in his quest for the historical Robin Hood -- SPECULUMThis is more than just a detailed survey; it is an overview of the entire culture of Robin and who he might have been...This book is a delight. * INTERNATIONAL TIMES *[Crook] provides a significant contribution to the ongoing scholarship and scholarly debates regarding the "real" Robin Hood(s) and persons associated with him that are found within historical records. Crook places that archival material in dialogue with the extant literature and other late-medieval historical sources, especially those on crime and criminality in Yorkshire. In doing so, he reveals two strong contenders for the "original" Robin Hood and Sheriff of Nottingham. * CHOICE *The bibliography is impressive. Crook plumbs the depths of archival sources to uncover various place and personal names, criminal accounts, and outlaw activities that provide context for the evolution of Robin's story. A useful resource for those new to the field and for those well versed in the critical historical materials. * JOURNAL OF BRITISH STUDIES *This elegantly written and informative monograph is an essential read for anyone interested in the legend of Robin Hood. The author, a distinguished archivist [...] demonstrates both an unrivalled knowledge of the sources for Hood's historicity and a thorough understanding of the existing corpus of scholarship. Attractively produced and well-indexed, the volume also contains several useful maps and illustrations. -- Adrian Jobson * NORTHERN HISTORY *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface and Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction The Medieval Tales of Robin Hood Chroniclers, Revellers, Playwrights and Antiquarians, c1420-1765 Editors, The Folklorist and The Archivist, 1765-1889 Folklorists, Literary Scholars and Historians: Robin Hood in the Twentieth Century The Robin Hood Places The Robin Hood Names Robin Hood and Criminality Law and Disorder in Yorkshire, 1215-1225 The Sheriff, The Fugitive and The Civil Servant Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisPracticed today by more than 500 million adherents, Buddhism emerged from India between the sixth and fourth centuries BCE. Based around the original teachings of the Buddha, key texts emerged to promote a true understanding of Buddhist ethics and spiritual practices. The Buddhist traditions created a vast body of mythological literature, much of it focused on the life of the Buddha. For example, the 550 Jataka Tales tell of Buddha’s early life and renunciation, as well as his previous human and animal incarnations. The stories also tell of Gautama Buddha’s family, such as his mother Mara, and her dream of a white elephant preceding his birth; as well as his cousin, Devadatta, a disciple monk who rebelled against Buddha and tried to kill him. Buddhist literature includes numerous parables – such as the Turtle Who Couldn’t Stop Talking – as well as recounting scenes from the Indian epic the Ramayana. History and myth intermingle in texts such as Ashokavadana, where the Mauryan emperor Ashoka is portrayed as a model of Buddhist kingship. Illustrated with 120 photographs and artworks, Buddhist Myths is an accessible, engaging and highly informative exploration of the fascinating mythology underlying one of the world’s oldest and most influential religions.Table of ContentsContents include: Introduction The birth and spread of Buddhism from its origins in northern India in the sixth century BCE. 1. Concepts and Cosmology Spatial cosmology: Formless Realm; Form Realm; Desire Realm; Sahasra cosmology. The Four Great Elements; the Seven Ranges; Great Outer Ocean; the Great Lakes; the Great Trees; Kamavacara (plane of sense desire); Manussaloka (the human realm); the Animal realm; the Lower realm Temporal cosmology: Vivatakalpa; Vivartasthayikalpa; Samvartakalpa; Samvartasthayikalpa. 2. Life of the Buddha The life of the Buddha is described in a number of sacred texts, including the Buddhacarita, Lalitavistara Sūtra, Mahāvastu, and the Nidānakathā. Other texts include: the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya, the Abhiniṣkramana Sūtra and the Theravada. Typical motifs: The Buddha’s mother, Māyā, dreaming of a white elephant; lotuses springing up under the feet of the bodhisattva as he walked immediately after birth; seeing the four signs; the bodhisattva leaving his wife and child, often on the night of the birth; the bodhisattva's horse, Kaṇṭhaka, who carried him away, but later died of grief; the offering of milk rice by Sujātā; the attack by Māra’s armies. 3. The Jataka Tales A part of the Pali Canon, the 550 Jataka Tales are a huge body of work outlining the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. Often, Jātaka stories include an extensive cast of characters who interact and get into various kinds of trouble – whereupon the Buddha character intervenes to bring about a resolution. Includes the story of Rama (Ramayana) in the Dasaratha Jataka. 4. Teachings of the Buddha The Pali Canon: The Tripitaka and the Sutras. Sutras are aphorisms and stories designed to demonstrate some part of Buddhist doctrine. Sutta Pitaka: discourses and sermons of Buddha. Mahayana sutras: such as the Lotus sutra and the Avatamsaka Sutra contain popular stories and parables that have been widely influential in Mahayana Buddhism. Ten Principal Disciples (Mahayana tradition) Kangyur: holy Tibetan scripts 5: Divine and Extraordinary Beings Buddhism includes a wide array of divine beings that are venerated in various ritual and popular contexts. Key figures: Bodhisattvas; Yidam, or Ishta-devata (personal meditation deity); Devas; Asuras; Maras; Yakshas; Kinnaras; Nagas. Goddesses include: Prthivi – Mother Earth; Sri Lakshmi – goddess of good fortune; Hariti – goddess of motherly love. Mahayana goddesses: Prajnaparamita – mother of perfect wisdom; Marici – lady of sunrise; Cunda – saving grace; Tara – universal saviour; Tantric female Buddhas 6: Notable Figures Indian kings feature in many Buddhist stories and myths. The earliest texts speak of various kings paying respects to the Buddha. The Buddhist myths which developed around the famed Mauryan emperor Ashoka are also important sources of Buddhist mythology. These stories serve as morality tales and as models for Buddhist kingship, which were emulated and used by later Buddhist monarchies throughout the Buddhist world. Glossary Index

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