Magic, alchemy and hermetic thought Books

Book SynopsisA witch's essential guide to all things cannabis, pairing two major trends: modern magic and widespread recreational use of marijuana, from practicing witch and cannabis writer Sophie Saint Thomas.

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Book SynopsisNo matter where you live, natural resources are all around you. These pieces of nature hold inherent properties-and inherent magic-that could be useful to you, and they are often hiding in plain sight. In this book, divided into chapters by season, you''ll find:* Tips for foraging correctly, mindfully, and sustainably* Instructions for teas, balms, decoctions, and other herbal remedies made out of foraged ingredients and materials* Wildcrafts for rituals that usher in the new season, inspired by mystical folk practices around the world And more!With practical advice for novice foragers and sidebars on how different cultures have connected with the greatest mystic of all, Mother Earth, Enchanted Foraging explores plants and their various uses not just for consumption but for their intrinsic value. Readers will come away with a more complete knowledge of, and appreciation for, the world that lies just beyond their doors--its abundance, hidde

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Book Synopsis• Examines the foundational texts and principles of Hermeticism and alchemy, showing how they offer a foundation for a psycho-spiritual creative practice • Takes the reader on a Hermetic journey through each of the seven traditional planets, offering meditative discourses that speak directly to the intuitive soul • Provides examples from traditional alchemical art and the author’s own intricate esoteric paintings Drawing on ancient Egyptian and Greek cosmogonies and essential Hermetic texts, such as the Corpus Hermeticum, the Emerald Tablet (Tabula Smaragdina), and the Nag Hammadi codices, Marlene Seven Bremner offers a detailed understanding of Hermetic philosophy and the art of alchemy as a foundation for a psycho-spiritual creative practice. Offering examples from traditional alchemical art and her own intricate esoteric paintings, Bremner examines the foundational principles of Hermeticism and alchemy and shows how these traditions are a direct means for accessing higher consciousness and true self-knowledge, or gnosis, as well as a way to extract the essence of one’s own creative gifts. The author takes the reader on a Hermetic journey through each of the seven traditional planets--Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, and the Moon--exploring their mythological, philosophical, alchemical, Qabalistic, magical, astrological, and energetic natures and offering meditative discourses that reach past the rational mind to speak directly to the intuitive soul. She relates the seven planets to the esoteric anatomy of the human body, specifically the seven chakras, and shows how the planets can offer understanding and experience of archetypal energies and patterns in the body, in one’s life, and in the creative process. A profound synthesis of magical and occult teachings as well as an initiation into the alchemical opus, this book reveals how to integrate and apply Hermetic and alchemical principles to awaken inner knowing, liberate the imagination, and live a mystical, creative, and truly inspired life.Trade Review“This life-changing book will take you on an amazing, enlightening, soul-filled journey into the wisdom and profound insights of Hermeticism, alchemy, and the occult arts. It gracefully reveals universal truths, cosmic secrets, and hidden mysteries through the author’s immense knowledge on the subject matter as well as her own brilliant creative process. I highly recommend this book to all those who would like to spark their own healing process and spiritual awakening.” * PHILIP M. BERK, author of Mountain’s Stillness, River’s Wisdom and A Single Flower: Medi *“Marlene Seven Bremner has blessed contemporary readers with a comprehensive book on the history and practice of Hermeticism. Well-researched and approached from the experience of the creative process itself, Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy offers valuable insight into the transmutative path of the Great Work. As an artist and true daughter of Hermes, the author adeptly shows us why Hermeticism is referred to as the Royal Art. An absolutely pleasurable and edifying read.” * WILLIAM KIESEL, author of Magic Circles in the Grimoire Tradition *“Bremner guides us on a transformative journey of the energetics of change that bridges ancient wisdom with new scholarship. She illuminates the alchemical arts brilliantly and unforgettably, both textually and visually. Her complex paintings reveal her vision and unfold their meaning only upon the reader’s resonant, meditative gaze. This book invites us to enter into the cauldron of our mystical transformation and awaken our creative forces.” * LESLIE KORN, PH.D., MPH, author of Rhythms of Recovery: Trauma, Nature, and the Body *“Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy is an important and necessary work, especially for anyone involved in art and art making who wishes to use their making as a spiritual practice. Alchemy is an art; in fact, it has been called ‘the Art’ of arts in that all creation, according to alchemical theory, flows from the same principles. Implied in this is that any art practice may be used in the alchemical work of making change. In Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy, firmly grounded in primary texts and enriched through her own practice, Bremner provides a remarkably varied and thorough foundation in Hermetic philosophy, cosmology, and practice with leads for deeper study. With this foundation established, Bremner then sets before us another rich feast in her word-portraits of each of the planetary spheres--each portrait an incredible array of myth, poetry, science, philosophy, and magic. Understanding these spheres is critical, as they are the stages of ‘the old, old path’ of the soul’s journey to the One. Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy provides the maps and tools for this journey. It is all here. The only thing missing is you.” * BRIAN COTNOIR, author of Alchemy: The Poetry of Matter and Practical Alchemy: A Guide to the Great W *"Informatively illustrated, impressively informative, expertly written, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, Marlene Seven Bremner's Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy: The Emerald Tablet, the Corpus Hermeticum, and the Journey through the Seven Spheres is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections. Of special relevance to readers with an interest in Hermetic Philosophy and Alchemy, it should be noted that Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $26.99)." * Wisconsin Bookwatch *"This is a substantial text on a complicated topic. Hermeticism is a many-headed beast with a myriad of facets. Bremner does a fine job of taming the beast and presenting Hermeticism in a comprehensible manner. Excellent organization of material is the author’s friend here. Highly recommended as a source for understanding Hermeticism and as a reference book for the myriad of primary texts, history, philosophies and practices that branch outward from it." * Elizabeth Hazel, FacingNorth.net *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsINTRODUCTION The Hermetic Path of Self-Initiation PART I Hermeticism 1 Hermetic Texts 2 Thoth and the Ancient Egyptian Roots of the Hermetic Tradition 3 The Hermetic Bole: Hellenistic and Roman Periods4 The Three Branches of Hermeticism PART II Hermetic Cosmogony and Alchemy5 Heaven and Earth 6 The Tetrad and the Trinity 7 The Harmony of Fate and the Twelve Torments 8 Ogdoad: The Creative Sphere PART III The Wanderer’s Journey: Myth, Alchemy, and Esoteric Anatomy9 Wandering with the Archetypes 10 Saturn: Into the Darkness11 Jupiter: The Sovereign Storm 12 Mars: The Flames of Transformation 13 The Sun: The Essence of Eternity 14 Venus: The Joy of Creation 15 Mercury: A Voice from the Æther 16 The Moon: Reflections of the Unknowable CONCLUSIONFinal Ruminations on the Old, Old PathNotes BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisSepher Raziel (also called Liber Salomonis) is not the same as the Hebrew Sepher Raziel ha-Melakh. It is a full grimoire in the Solomonic tradition from a 1564 century English manuscript, derived from Latin sources. As such it is one of the earliest grimoires produced in this series. It begins with directions for making the parchment, pen and ink of Art, required to write the names. It contains seven separate Treatises: 1 - Liber Clavis which is concerned with astrology and its correct use in magic, something long forgotten by modern astrologers, with the precise interactions between planets, Signs and Houses; 2 - The Ala outlines in four sections the magical virtues of stones, herbs and beasts, and words; 3 - The Tractatus Thymiamatus explains why incense is essential to magical operations, and the effect of various incenses on the spirits, with a list of the key perfumes and suffumigations. An Appendix gives the modern and botanical names; 4 - The Treatise of Times gives details of the correct hours of the day and night for each operation, with associated angels and the proper names of the Sun, Moon and planets to be used in each season. This is something left out of almost all other grimoires; 5 - The Treatise on Purity explains the exact preparations, and the reasons for ritual purity; 6 - Samaim is a treatise on the seven Heavens, with the names of their angels; 7 - The Book of Virtues and Miracles is a treatise on the Semiforas, the names of God, and how they are to be used in invocation to produce miraculous results.

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Book SynopsisIn Secrets of Romani Fortune-Telling, Paulina Stevens and Jezmina Von Thiele share the knowledge and personal experiences of being raised to be fortune-tellers. They share divination methods, tools, and techniques that have been created, adapted, or popularized by the Roma, including card reading, palmistry, dream divination, and tea-leaf and coffee reading. They share exercises to strengthen your intuition and discover your natural gifts, and explain how divination helps with shadow work, blockages, and self-awareness. ?Readers will gain a solid grounding in Romani divination practices and Romani spirituality. While much of our culture remains closed to outsiders, Jezmina and Paulina continue their mission of building bridges between the Romani and other cultures and helping others appreciate our beautiful, diverse traditions. Lachi buti, phenja! (Good work, sisters!)? ?Caren Gussoff Sumption, author of So Quick Bright Things Come to Confusion and Three Songs for Roxy Fortune-telling is both a job and a spiritual practice. The authors, cohosts of the Romanistan podcast, introduce the history of the Romani people and their infamous relationship to fortune-telling. Secrets of Romani Fortune-Telling features additional resources, enabling readers to further explore Romani culture and spiritual practices.

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Book SynopsisCreate Sustainable, Positive Change and Stay Motivated in the Long Term Meaningful experiences don''t come without commitment; you need slow magic for profound and enduring work. Featuring more than fifty hands-on exercises alongside theoretical discussions of magic, this book supports you in making big changes without getting burned out. Whether you''re a Wiccan, ceremonial magician, or practice any other Western tradition, Anthony Rella provides the tools and techniques you need to stay engaged with your goal over days, months, and years. He also helps you evaluate today''s magical outcomes so you can make future workings better. With Anthony''s guidance, you will connect to the universe on a deeper level and confidently manifest what you need when you need it.

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Book SynopsisYour magickal practice has the power to support and guide you through even the darkest of times.We all go through difficult times. We all feel loss and confusion, and we struggle with seeminglyinsurmountable problems. For any witch sitting in the light of a candle flame, at a low place in theirlife, this book shows how magickal practice can be a powerful support.Following on from the hugely successful Rebel Witch, Witch in Darkness offers tons of practical, step-by-step workings to show practitioners how to customise and optimise their craft to use as armourto survive the toughest times you can go through. It offers empathy, encouragement and a hugecollection of ideas ranging from simple mindset shifts to weird, rare workings. The author brings together knowledge from thousands of hours as a spiritual counsellor andwitchcraft mentor using sorcery and spiritual techniques to overcome life’s challenges. From relationships and family ties, to w

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Book SynopsisAwaken your cosmic spirit in a new realm of imagination Become immersed in the mystical beauty of nature. Starcana: Moon Magic is an entrancing collection of elegant moons and stars, of radiant herbs and crystals charged with energy, of enchanting flora and fauna, and of ethereal symbols. Embellish more than 45 hand-drawn illustrations of grounding panoramas and gorgeous patterns with kaleidoscopic flourishes. With intricate linework to soften the setting and inspire your creativity, Starcana: Moon Magic is a uniquely beautiful canvas for passionate colorists to illuminate.- Harness your artistic vision to transform each captivating illustration- Color spellbinding art that celebrates cosmic mysticism- Let gorgeous designs set the tone for complementing colors, gels, and glitter

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Book SynopsisBring peace and harmony to your world with this lovely, illustrated overview of the magical, cosmic properties of plants.Discover your sacred powers through the cosmic magic of plants with Plant Magic, a stunning collection and exploration of plants and their otherworldly powers. With beautiful illustrations and insightful connections, this book teaches you about the earthbound histories of the individual plants and the cosmic magic they contain. Divided by cosmic archetype, this magical reference unlocks the powers of the plants growing right here on earth. You'll learn about: -Gingko Bilobaa Mercurial Plantit evokes an ancient time and can help develop intuitive abilities, drawing on the guardian tree to help with memory, confidence, and presence. -Damianaa Venusian Plantits small, yellow flowers awaken our vital instincts and connect our senses so that we can absorb the magic around us, opening us up to the healing that comes from pleasure. -Cyprusa Saturnian Plantthe strong tree has protective powers and helps us root ourselves in the world, grounding us while also lifting us up during difficult times.Each of the profiles cover the histories and connections that can be made by the plant's cosmic magic, and they're accompanied by gorgeous illustrationsletting this be an informative meditation on the powers they all bestow upon us.

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

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Book SynopsisA bold exploration of the reintegration of rationality and intuition, science and soul, to foster individual and planetary healing During the scientific revolution, science and soul were drastically separated, propelling humanity into four centuries of scientific exploration based solely on empiricism and rationality. But, as scientist and ecologist Stephan Harding, Ph.D., demonstrates in detail, by reintegrating science with profound personal experiences of psyche and soul, we can reclaim our lost sacred wholeness and help heal ourselves and our planet. The book begins with compelling introductions to depth psychology, alchemy, and Gaia theory--the science of seeing the Earth as an intelligent, self-regulating system, a theory pioneered by the author’s mentor James Lovelock. Harding then explores how alchemy, as understood through the depth psychology of C. G. Jung, offers us powerful methods of reuniting rationality and intuition, science and soul. He examines the integration of important alchemical engravings, including those from L’Azoth des Philosophes and the Rosarium Philosophorum, with Gaian science. He shows how the seven key alchemical operations in the Azoth image can help us develop deeply transformative experiences and insights into our interconnectedness with Gaia. He then looks at how the four components of the living Earth--biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere--mesh not only with the four elements of alchemical theory but also with the four functions of consciousness from depth psychology. Woven throughout with the author’s own experiences of Gaia alchemy, the book also offers guided meditations and contemplative exercises to open your receptivity to messages from the biosphere and help you develop your own Gaian alchemical way of life, full of wonder and healing.Trade Review“Few things are more important today than bringing humane values to the science, technology, and information sectors. It requires a person of vision and imagination. I have known Stephan Harding for many years and have seen firsthand how his genius and big heart help science evolve to the next level. This latest book, Gaia Alchemy, is a beautiful blueprint for transforming contemporary knowledge and returning soul to our planet.” * Thomas Moore, author of #1 New York Times bestseller Care of the Soul and Soul Therapy *“In this time of global crises and evolutionary opportunities, it’s vital that we reclaim our innate human ability to learn from our animate Earth using our feeling senses, our imaginations, and our dreams. Western science, in contrast, has specialized in learning about our world, using logic, quantification, and the illusion of separation. Harding shows us how to alchemically unite and integrate these two modes of knowing and why it’s both necessary and rapturous, and he does so with brilliance, imagination, humor, grace, and, above all, heart. Gaia Alchemy is a worldshifting masterwork, an essential read for all twenty-first-century lovers and defenders of life.” * Bill Plotkin, Ph.D., founder of Animas Valley Institute and author of Soulcraft, Wild Mind, and The *“Harding shows how Western empirical science, which is at the root of so much material progress but also the cause of blatant destruction, can find its way back into the heart of subjective living experience. Gaia Alchemy points to a new union of calculating and intuiting mind, of measuring and of contemplating beauty, and does so from a firm foundation in Western culture, not by borrowing from Asian or Indigenous cosmologies. Profound, erudite, timely, and immensely necessary, Gaia Alchemy builds a bridge between the head and the heart. A landmark work for the Anthropocene.” * Andreas Weber, Ph.D., philosopher, biologist, and author of The Biology of Wonder, Enlivenment, and *“Desperate for a way beyond the reductive mindset of contemporary science, a keenly creative biologist excavates the medieval ‘Great Work’ of alchemy, the immediate precursor of modern science. This book is a record of Harding’s deeply personal quest to bring alchemy’s esoteric insights to bear on the catastrophic situation in which our planet now finds itself. * David Abram, Ph.D., author of The Spell of the Sensuous and Becoming Animal *“A brave book that offers a profound celebration of the marriage between science and soul, showing convincingly that there is no conflict between reason and intuition; in fact, they are good companions. A close collaborator of James Lovelock, who proposed Gaia theory, Stephan has been able to develop an original and authentic understanding of relationships between science and psyche. In this compelling book, rooted in rigorous science and poetic imagination, Stephan outlines a new paradigm for a holistic worldview. Read this book and it will inspire you to look at the world and see it whole.” * Satish Kumar, cofounder of Schumacher College and editor emeritus of Resurgence and Ecologist *“A remarkable and lively synthesis of leading-edge science and the deep wisdom of the archetypal psyche. Harding’s bold and engaging vision works its own alchemical transformation on the reader, guiding us from the lead of the dominant mechanistic and disenchanted worldview to the gold of an experiential understanding of Gaia as the ensouled body in which we live and have our being. This book will prove invaluable to those seeking a more integral approach to Earth System Science, to the psychologically minded who long for deeper connections with the living Earth, and to all who are called to participate in the Great Work of our times.” * Sean Kelly, Ph.D., author of Becoming Gaia and Coming Home *“In this bold and extraordinary book Stephan Harding, an eminent ecologist, makes a surprising defense of alchemy as a tool with which to reconnect with the more-than-human world. Pursue the path of alchemy, he says, and we can restore ourselves to ourselves, and, even more importantly, to Gaia, the living soul of the planet. By offering exercises that anyone can try for themselves, Stephan opens doorways so that everyone can experience Gaian consciousness firsthand. At a time when so many are looking to Indigenous cultures for the answers to our ever-mounting ecological ills, it is refreshing to find someone offering homegrown tools, techniques, and methods that stem from the intellectual roots of Western culture. All the tools we need are to be found in the alembic of the unconscious, in the union of opposites between the scientific rational domain of logos and the deep waters of mythos. I can think of no better guide to steer us through this muchneeded process.” * Andy Letcher, Ph.D., senior lecturer at Schumacher College, program lead for the M.A. in Engaged Eco *“Gaia Alchemy arises like a phoenix out of the ashes of our terribly precise but ultimately life-denying sciences of reduction, abstraction, and objectification. Harding’s storied and deeply personal account of his imaginal journey into Gaia alchemy is a timely invitation to each of us to cultivate ways of knowing and being adequate to the great Planet-Being with whom we live.” * Jonathan M. Code, M.Ed., lecturer in sustainable land management at Royal Agricultural University *“Stephan Harding’s teaching is always illuminating. In Gaia Alchemy, he shows how, through the relationship between science, alchemy, and depth psychology, we can reach toward an experience of nondual Gaian soul in our lives.” * Peter Reason, Ph.D., professor emeritus at the University of Bath *“Stephan Harding tells an enthralling new story of Gaia, one where we begin with Gaia rather than ourselves. His unique union of science, myth, and alchemy--invoking both our rational and intuitive ways of thinking and exploring how they may and must come together--brings us into a new vision of a Gaia consciousness. A brilliant book.” * Jules Cashford, Jungian analyst and coauthor of The Myth of the Goddess *“With the emergence of a Gaian science that restores mind to Earth, we have a new lens through which to divine alchemical meaning in geo-ecological processes. This is the dazzling new vista for the healing of both Earth and ourselves that Gaia Alchemy opens up.” * Freya Mathews, adjunct professor of environmental philosophy at La Trobe University and author of Re *Table of ContentsForeword by Stephen Harrod Buhner Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION Science Meets Alchemy 1 First Steps 2 Psyche and Alchemy 3 Descartes’s Sky God 4 Descartes Meets Alchemy 5 The Unus Mundus: Gaia Archetype and Gaia Science 6 Carbon and Gaia’s Temperature Regulation 7 A Gaia Alchemy Meditation: Creating and Using the Gaiascope 8 Gaia and the Tabula Smaragdina 9 The Seven Stars 10 Sir Isaac Newton’s Azoth Mandala 11 Gaia Alchemy on Granite 12 Of Loops and Stars 13 Gaia Alchemy and Deep Time 14 An Alchemical Conversation 15 The Fungus and the Rose Garden 16 Living a Gaian Alchemical Life: The Ecosophical Tree 17 Experiencing Gaia Mercurius Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisWhat is a grimoire? The word has a familiar ring to many people, particularly as a consequence of such popular television dramas as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed. But few people are sure exactly what it means. Put simply, grimoires are books of spells that were first recorded in the Ancient Middle East and which have developed and spread across much of the Western Hemisphere and beyond over the ensuing millennia. At their most benign, they contain charms and remedies for natural and supernatural ailments and advice on contacting spirits to help find treasures and protect from evil. But at their most sinister they provide instructions on how to manipulate people for corrupt purposes and, worst of all, to call up and make a pact with the Devil. Both types have proven remarkably resilient and adaptable and retain much of their relevance and fascination to this day. But the grimoire represents much more than just magic. To understand the history of grimoires is to understand the spread of Christianity, the development of early science, the cultural influence of the print revolution, the growth of literacy, the impact of colonialism, and the expansion of western cultures across the oceans. As this book richly demonstrates, the history of grimoires illuminates many of the most important developments in European history over the last two thousand years.Trade ReviewFor anyone interested in magical writing and publication, it's essential. * Steven Moore, Fortean Times *Undoubtedly an important contribution to the field...The range of research here is, frankly astonishing. * Steven Moore, Fortean Times *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Ancient and Medieval Grimoires ; 2. The War against Magic ; 3. Enlightenment and Treasure ; 4. Across the Oceans ; 5. Rediscovering Ancient Magic ; 6. Grimoires USA ; 7. Pulp Magic ; 8. Lovecraft, Satan, and Shadows ; 9. Epilogue ; Further Reading ; Notes ; Index

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Book SynopsisAn analysis of the methods of Solomonic magic from the 7th to the 19th century as found in the Hygromanteia and Key of Solomon. This volume is about the methods of magic used in 7th century Egyptian Alexandria and how they have been passed via the Greek grimoires of Byzantium (the Hygromanteia), to the manuscripts of the Latin Clavicula Salomonis and its English incarnation as the Key of Solomon. Jewish techniques like the use of pentacles, oil and water skrying were added along the way, but Solomonic magic (despite its name) remained basically a classical Greek form of magic. Amazingly, this transmission has involved very few changes: the 'technology' of magic has remained firmly intact. The emphasis is upon specific magical techniques such as the invocation of the gods, the binding of demons, the use of the four demon Kings, the construction of a circle and lamen (for protection of the magician). The requirements of purity, sexual abstinence, and fasting have changed little in the last 2000 years. The concrete reasons for that are explained. The difference between amulets, talismans and phylacteries or lamens is outlined along with their methods of construction. Examples of magical circles have been taken from many sources and their construction and development traced out. Practical considerations such as choice of incense, the timing of the cutting of the wand, utilisation of rings and statues, use of the Table of Evocation, or the acquisition of a familiar spirit are explained. The structure of a Solomonic evocation puts into perspective the reasons for each step, the use of thwarting angels, achieving invisibility, sacrifice, love magic, treasure finding, and the binding, imprisoning and licensing of spirits. The facing directions and timing of evocations have always been crucial, and these too have remained consistent. By examining the way these same methods were used again and again in the various periods, minor omissions in magical practice can be observed and repaired. This book is thus a follow-on from Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic. This volume investigates precise methods used by magicians from the magicians' own handbooks rather than from the opinions of theologians, historians, anthropologists or legislators. The emphasis is on what magicians did and why. Tools used by magicians in 7th century Alexandria, 15th century Constantinople and 19th century London are very much the same. Detailed comparisons are made chapter by chapter with 70 illustrations of magical equipment like the wand, the sword, wax and clay images and magical gems, drawn from a wide range of manuscripts and reproduced with detailed analysis. Literally hundreds of manuscripts in libraries across Europe have been read and checked to ensure this is the most detailed analysis of Solomonic magic, from the inside, ever penned.

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Book SynopsisStephen A. Mitchell offers the fullest examination available of witchcraft in late medieval Scandinavia, drawing on extensive sources ranging from the Icelandic sagas to those much less familiar to the nonspecialist: legal cases, church frescoes, law codes, ecclesiastical records, and surviving runic spells.Trade Review"Mitchell's book is fascinating and valuable . . . not only because it fills a gap and gives us a rich store of material previously too little known but also because it raises questions about the distinctive resonance magic and witchcraft could have even in a time of deep and widespread integration into European culture."" * Catholic Historical Review *"Witchcraft and magic involve issues that cut across disciplines, and Mitchell has produced a solid, impressively interdisciplinary contribution to our understanding of them. . . . A significant regional study of a neglected era, [this] book also makes important contributions to our larger understanding of European witchcraft and magic and makes exemplary use of interdisciplinary approaches." * Journal of Interdisciplinary History *"This important book accomplishes several major goals. It illuminates a previously little-examined aspect of Scandinavian history, namely magic in the post-Viking but pre-Reformation centuries. It advances some valuable and broadly applicable methodologies for studying conversion and Christianization. And it successfully integrates Nordic developments into the overall history of magic and witchcraft in medieval Europe even as it highlights uniquely Scandinavian components of that history." * American Historical Review *"This well-written book will be of great interest to specialists (and students) of Old Norse culture and history as well as to historians of European magic. Finally, this is a text that ought to interest students of religion, who have here an excellent study of 'religious' change." * Journal of Religion *"Mitchell provides a comprehensive and enlightening survey of beliefs and narratives concerning supernatural aggression in medieval Scandinavia . . . [creating] an effective and evocative bridge through the long and richly storied era that begins in the pre-Christian Viking Age and ends in the Reformation." * Journal of English and Germanic Philology *"Thorough and subtle. . . . The material assembled here is rich, varied, and often unfamiliar. The sociohistorical picture Professor Mitchell draws from it will be of great value not only to scholars of Scandinavia but to anyone interested in the complex history of European witch-beliefs." * Folklore *"This excellent book aims to rectify a lacuna in the study of Nordic witchcraft beliefs. . . . To do the subject matter justice requires both a deep understanding of the history and social structures of the region and period, and an ability to work with a huge and varied corpus of source materials. Mitchell is exceptionally well suited to the task." * Scandinavian Studies *"A clearly written, sophisticated consideration of the dynamics of popular and elite cultures of religion, witchcraft, shamanism, and magic during the medieval period in the Nordic region." * The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture *"Mitchell's book provides an excellent overview of research and at the same time shows in a convincing manner how popular conceptions of witches and sorcerers changed in the North during the Middle Ages." * Svenska Dagbladet *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Chapter 1. Witchcraft and the Past Chapter 2. Magic and Witchcraft in Daily Life Chapter 3. Narrating Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft Chapter 4. Medieval Mythologies Chapter 5. Witchcraft, Magic, and the Law Chapter 6. Witchcraft, Sorcery, and Gender Epilogue: The Medieval Legacy Notes Works Cited Index Acknowledgments

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Book SynopsisConvinced that the antichrist was âœat our gates,â the Franciscan friar, alchemist, and prophet John of Rupescissa (ca. 1310-1366) wrote the Book of Light of the Great Magistery to help his future brethren restore a devastated Christendom. Written in 1354, this text provides a detailed process for making the philosophersâ stone, the substance able to transmute base metals easily into gold and silver. With this manufactured gold and silver, the true Franciscans, the âœpoor men of the Gospel,â could rebuild the Church and help usher in an era of peace and prosperity.This volume presents the first critical edition, modern English translation, and focussed study of Johnâs Book of Light. Based on over one hundred surviving manuscripts, many recently discovered, this critical edition restores substantial original text that was omitted from the printed editions and corrects longstanding textual errors. In the accompanying study, Principe explores Johnâs sources and ideas, especially his striking theories of matter and material change, and follows the transmission, reception, vernacularization, and multiple modifications of Johnâs text as readers engaged with it over the next three centuries. Modern laboratory reworkings, fully illustrated and explained, go hand-in-hand with the textual analyses, providing a vivid picture of the friarâs practices and observational skills and deeper understanding of his text. John of Rupescissa stands revealed as an innovative theorist and observant practitioner; he was not an âœarmchairâ alchemist whose knowledge came only from textual sources. The clear evidence of his practice presented here provokes in turn a close reevaluation of the conditions of his nearly twenty-year confinement at a papal prison in Avignon where he learned and practiced much of his alchemy before writing the Book of Light.Historians of science and technology, medievalists, book historians, manuscript scholars, and many others will find new and important information in this third volume of the series Sources of Alchemy and Chemistry.

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Book SynopsisNew B-format paperback - The first book to consider British history from a magical perspective, and how these arcane magical themes developed over time.Trade Review‘A remarkable book … an inspiration from the heart of the Shire’ -- Robert Plant

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Book SynopsisBanish bad energy, ward off unpleasant people, and defend your belongings, your spirit and your space with this spellbook focused specifically on protection.In our modern world there is a lot to worry about, from the global-scale—climate change, political uncertainty—to the personal—a toxic ex, cyber bulling. Spellcrafting can help you find comfort in a stressful world. This book will give you the tools to take charge of defending yourself in both energy and physicality. With over 100 spells for protection and defense, and a glossary of protective symbols, stones, and other objects to keep on hand, this book can help you cleanse your room and cast out old negative energies, put a protective and peace-preserving bubble around yourself as you ride the bus, deflect grumpiness and negativity from people you work with—and so much more!Trade Review"The cover design is very pretty. The book gives an introduction on spell crafting and then covers spells for body and spirit, house and home, family and friends and out and about. The last section covers rituals and protective objects. Very comprehensive with some really interesting spells." —The Kitchen Witch"The key to any good spell book is to be able to find exactly what I'm looking for quickly. The author makes it easy for me to find purification spells, cord magic and much more with the full index in the back. I would highly recommend adding this book to your standard witchy library. I believe you won't be disappointed." —Confessions of a Modern Witch"This is a fun book, as well as educational, and offers something for just about any life situation." —New Spirit Journal"If she loves astrology and magic, she'll be obsessed with this new spell book from Arin Murphy-Hiscock that focuses on clearing negative energy, protecting your space, and harnessing power." —Marie Claire"Arin Murphy-Hiscock has a truly impressive body of work on spell craft and witchery. Chances are least one of her books is an integral part of your personal library. The Way of the Hedge Witch: Rituals and Spells for Hearth and Home and The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More not only grace the shelves of many readers but the aesthetically-pleasing covers pop up all over Instagram. Her books are truly objects of beauty and knowledge." —Luna Luna"The newly released Protection Spells by Arin Murphy-Hiscock addresses one of the most important areas of Magic today. Without adequate protection, Witches and other Psychic practitioners leave themselves open to unnecessary harm and chaos. This book contains over 100 different spells for defense and protection, so there is something here for just about everyone." —Patheos"Strikingly beautiful… you will not be disappointed." —Pagan Pages“Filled with everything you need to begin the art of spellcrafing … timely and exceptionally relevant.” —The Magickal Pen“Helpful… The information is solid and while it is geared toward beginners, any experienced Witch will find the information useful for more advanced workings.” —Patheos“A nice reference… very accessible.” —Facing North

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Book SynopsisAn accessible and practical introduction to Tarot divination. John Gilbert was an extraordinary tarot diviner and teacher, and this book draws on his knowledge and expertise to provide a clear and comprehensive outline of how to accurately and easily understand and read the cards. Beginning with an introduction on how tarot cards work, their symbology and divinatory meanings, this is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to understand these fascinating cards and glean a deeper understanding of the world. Gilbert also provides a selection of different tarot spreads, a discussion of tarot and astrology, as well as key tips on developing your intuition.Trade Review“I am wary of endlessly similar books on Tarot. Not so with this book by John Gilbert. He builds a steady flow of practical teaching, expanding and developing in harmonious stages. I am confident that anyone following his clear instructions and insights will come to understand Tarot and develop as a good reader. As an author with over forty years of Tarot experience, I found new insights and inspirations set like jewels within the teachings.” R. J. Stewart, creator and designer of The Merlin Tarot & The Dreampower Tarot “Incisively practical, this book is focused squarely on lifting off the ground beginners at Tarot, but those already airborne will discover a cockpit bristling with original devices for elevating their skills towards a professional level, addressing ethics and etiquette as well as technique. A ponderous exploration of Tarot symbolism is certainly not this book’s style, but the tips, tricks, and conceptual frameworks and tools that Gilbert so generously shares are unlikely to disappoint anyone wanting to boost the quality and efficacy of their Tarot readings.” Duncan Barford, author of Occult Experiments in the HomeTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 First steps in tarot CHAPTER 2 Beginning tarot readings CHAPTER 3 One-card tarot readings CHAPTER 4 Dynamic Elemental Spreads CHAPTER 5 Tarot and numerology CHAPTER 6 Tarot and astrology CHAPTER 7 Tarot dignities CHAPTER 8 How to develop your intuition CHAPTER 9 How to really learn tarot CHAPTER 10 The seven-day tarot spread INDEX

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Book SynopsisStep into a world of mysticism, adding colour to intricate illustrations rich with spellcraft and magic

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Book SynopsisThe stark immediacy of what happened in 1692 has obscured the complex web of human passion which had been growing for more than a generation before building toward the climactic witch trials. Salem Possessed explores the lives of the men and women who helped spin that web and who in the end found themselves entangled in it.Trade ReviewAn illuminating and imaginative interpretation…of the social and moral state of Salem village in 1692. Provides an admirable illustration of the general rule that, in Old and New England alike, much of the best sociological history of the twentieth century has only been made possible by the antiquarian and genealogical interests of the nineteenth… This sensitive, intelligent, and well-written book will certainly revive interest in the terrible happenings at Salem. -- Keith Thomas * New York Review of Books *A provocative book. Drawing upon an impressive range of unpublished local sources, Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum provide a challenging new interpretation of the outbreak of witchcraft in Salem Village. They argue that previous historians erroneously divorced the tragic events of 1692 from the long-term development of the village and therefore failed to realize that the witch trials were simply one particularly violent chapter in a series of local controversies dating back to the 1660s. In their reconstruction of the socio-economic conditions that contributed to the intense factionalism in Salem Village, Boyer and Nissenbaum have made a major contribution to the social history of colonial New England… [They] have provided us with a first-rate discussion of factionalism in a seventeenth-century New England community. Their handling of economic, familial, and spatial relationships within Salem Village is both sophisticated and imaginative. -- T. H. Breen * William and Mary Quarterly *This is an ‘inner history’ of Salem Village that aims to raise the events of 1692 from melodrama to tragedy… It is a large achievement. This book is progressive history at its best, with brilliant insights, well-organized evidence, maps, and footnotes at the bottom of the page. -- Cedric B. Cowing * American Historical Review *The authors’ whole approach to the Salem disaster is canny, rewarding, and sure to fascinate readers interested in that aberrant affair. * The Atlantic *This short book is a solid contribution to the understanding of the 1692 witch trials. The authors use impressively rich demographic detail to support the thesis that the witch trials are best explained as symptoms of typical social tensions in provincial towns at the time. According to Boyer and Nissenbaum, Salem villagers played roles determined by economic, geographic, and status interests. -- Richard Ekman * Canadian Historical Review *An important, imaginative book that brings new insights to the study of the 1692 witchcraft outbreak in Massachusetts. Building on Charles Upham’s Salem Witchcraft (1867), Boyer and Nissenbaum explore decades of community tension and conflict in order to explain why Salem was the focus of this episode. The authors reveal a complex set of relationships between persons allied with the growing mercantile interests of Salem Town and those linked to the subsistence-based economy of outlying Salem Village. -- Carol Karlsen * Journal of Women in Culture and Society *Table of ContentsPreface Salem Village in the Seventeenth Century: A Chronology Abbreviations Used in the Notes Prologue: What Happened in 1692 1. 1692: Some New Perspectives 2. In Quest of Community, 1639-1687 3. Afflicted Village, 1688-1697 4. Salem Town and Salem Village: The Dynamics

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Book SynopsisIn this practical training guide, Don Webb lays out a detailed step-by-step program for building and sustaining a magical practice. Based not on Eliphas Levi’s correspondence system but on an older form of Egyptian magic, as well as drawing on Chaos Magick, shamanism, and the secret techniques of the Temple of Set, the program offers a full 12 months of activities, rituals, spells, and exercises to help you acquire magical skills and knowledge and maximize your strengths over the course of a year. Beginning with the hows and whys of magic, as well as the real dangers of the occult and how to avoid or cure them, the author shares experiences from his 45 years of personal work and 30 years of teaching the magical arts. He presents the Inshallo Rite for creating a magical helper as the first step on the road to becoming a magician. He explores the temporal aspect of magic--what works best at which times of year, month, or day--as well as the importance of keeping a magical diary, creating a warded work space, and properly preparing for magical work. Presenting a chapter-per-month curriculum, he explores the magical powers of elements, gods, and esoteric traditions, with weekly and daily exercises as well as emotional and mental training connected to each month’s topic. He examines the four elements in depth, sharing rites, invocations, spells, and activities for working magically with each element. Looking at Egyptian Soul Craft, he details how to work with the KA and the BA and how to perform magical workings with Egyptian deities. He explores sex magic, dream magic, group practice, and rites for the Nine Gates--events that can serve as pivotal moments for initiation. Based on more than three decades of magical teaching, Don Webb’s guide to becoming a modern magus will help beginners start their magical journey and support experienced magicians to revitalize and balance their existing practice.Trade Review“A no-nonsense, hands-on, pedal-to-the-metal primer in dealing with the magical universe--its blessings, pitfalls, dangers, trips, traps, and triumphs. A great and inspiring read for those who are about to embark on the greatest journey and adventure of all: that of truly getting to know yourself.” * Carl Abrahamsson, author of Source Magic and Occulture *“Many ‘instruction manuals’ for building a magical practice leave out a few inconvenient truths, like (a) becoming a better magician is hard work, (b) not everything will go your way regardless of how well you follow the instructions, and, most importantly, (c) unless you work first and foremost to transform yourself, your ability to cause change in the world will be limited. Don Webb thinks you are ready to handle these truths and has given you an honest road map. To point the way, he has created an innovative guidebook that stresses that magic must work with the whole self--all of your hopes, experiences, fears, desires--even when that work may be hard or uncomfortable. It is the rare book that is indispensable for both beginners and seasoned practitioners alike, regardless of their school or style. Don Webb is one of the very few authors on practical magic who can truly pull off this difficult task; whatever your approach is, this book will help you make it better.” * Toby Chappell, author of Infernal Geometry and The Left-Hand Path *“How to Become a Modern Magus gives any dedicated individual the framework and instruction they need for a full year of living magically. More than just spells and rituals, Webb provides a series of inquiries throughout the chapters that will help the student check in and test their growth. If you pick up this book and work it, I am confident you will be amazed at the improvements in both self-possession and outer circumstance that serious magic can achieve in just a year.” * Jason Miller, author of Consorting with Spirits *“Don Webb can easily be credited with ensuring a critical and well-researched approach supported with exquisite writing in any of his works. Yet in this dish of intellectual delights he wins us over even more deeply as he provides the sincere seeker with not only a practical system of modern magic but also a psychological and spiritual initiation through the very quintessence of the maturing stages of occultism. It is a work that is at once practical and psycho-biographical, an honest deep dive into several systems coherently woven into a single elegant tapestry without watering down the true cost of living deliciously.” * Adam Nox, host and creator of The Cult of You *“This is not a book; it is the cauldron of Magus Don Webb, into which he has poured a wealth of his experience, knowledge, and practice of the magical arts. Dipping into it will more than stir your imagination--it will slake your thirst to know more.” * Judith Page, Setian, artist, and author of My Inner Guide to Egypt *“How to Become a Modern Magus reveals the background of magic and shows not only the dangers but also the difference between magic and sorcery. A good book worth reading.” * Claude Lecouteux, author of Traditional Magic Spells for Protection and Healing *"How to Become a Modern Magus will for sure make you a more reflected person, more self-aware and more conscient. And in this it will also help you realise that your world or your universe depends on many elements working together in harmony for magic to become a reality – and that magic starts with the self-aware Magus. In this case, the Magus is someone who manages to keep his or her sanity and serenity in a world saturated by media and an excess of stimuli, someone who manages to move in worlds visible and invisible with agility, understanding and direction. A book that teaches all that deserves to be read, to be used and to be applauded!" * Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold, psychologist and anthropologist *Table of ContentsA Very Personal Preface An Introduction to Magic Dangers of Occultism A YEAR OF LIVING MAGICALLY Barriers, Crossroads, Secrets ONE JanusThe ElementsTWO Agni THREEFreya FOURPakaaFIVE Saraswati INTERIM IA Week to Reflect on Elemental MagicEgyptian Soulcraft SIX Horus SEVEN Isis EIGHT AnubisNINE SetINTERIM IIA Week to Consolidate The Three Lovely and Challenging Faces of Time TEN Verðandi ELEVEN Urðr TWELVE Skuld Additional Resources Book of Gates Sex Magic--Dreamwork--Group WorkClosing Sermon: The Monkey’s Paw Leave-Taking Works Cited Index

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of the traditional rites of auspicious building and crafting• Explains the ceremonial beginnings and Hermetic principles in the laying out of foundations not only for sacred buildings like temples but also for homes and barns• Examines the principles and ceremonies of electional astrology and details how to compute natural time, as opposed to clock time• Shares examples from ancient Egypt, Iran, India, and Europe that range from the Stone Age to the Renaissance and include secret societiesWhen we make things--whether a building, a sacred space, or a magical object--there is a precise moment when the artifact comes into being as a separate entity. That moment in time possesses its own unique quality, and because of this, there is a right time to do something and a wrong time. And, as Nigel Pennick reveals, we have the power to select favorable moments for our creations, just as our ancestors did. Illustrating ancient principles of divination, chronomancy, and electional astrology, Pennick examines all the factors behind the ancestral art of geomancy: the auspicious creation and alignment of sacred buildings as places of power. Sharing examples from ancient Egypt, Iran, India, and Europe that range from the Stone Age to the modern day, including secret societies like the Rosicrucians and the Freemasons, he explains how many cities were constructed on specially selected sites and founded ritually at precise, predetermined moments. Looking at the traditional rites of creating places of power, Pennick explains the ceremonial beginnings and Hermetic principles in the laying out of foundations as well as the use of sacrifice in the building of many notable structures. Examining the role of sacred geometry in geomancy, Pennick explains the Hermetic meaning assigned to each direction in traditional European cultures as well as the principles of natural measures and the science of understanding lucky and unlucky days. Revealing how geomantic principles are rooted in the structure of the world and the cosmic patterns of space and time, the author shows how they transcend the ages and are just as meaningful today as they were to our ancestors.Trade Review“Scholarly yet accessible, this book presents all the essential precepts of geomantic design and construction timing within the Western traditions. It is ideal reading for anyone wishing to create meaningful sacred spaces in contemporary times or to imbue secular spaces with the timeless spiritual truths that uplift the atmosphere of place.” * Richard Creightmore & Jewels Rocka, leading international teachers of dowsing, geomancy, and self-de *“The archaic lore that traditional builders in Europe once used to bring structures into creative harmony with their physical and spiritual environments has become all but inaccessible to students of the mysteries in today’s world. Creating Places of Power remedies that, placing a wealth of once-secret lore in the reader’s hands. Encyclopedic in its scope and detail, this is the definitive work on a crucial dimension of old earth magic.” * John Michael Greer, author of The Secret of the Temple and The Twilight of Pluto *“In Creating Places of Power, Nigel Pennick, an established authority on folklore, folk magic, and ancient beliefs with more than 60 books to his name, hones his work on the European ancestral heritage of geomancy, sharing fascinating facts and practices that are accessible and also of value today. Crammed with a generous sharing of wisdom, this illustrated book is highly recommended.” * June Kent, publisher and editor of Indie Shaman magazine *Table of ContentsPreface to the New EditionIntroduction CHAPTER 1 Patterns of ExistenceConsciousness, the Gods, and the Stars CHAPTER 2Ceremonial Beginnings Finding and Marking the Place CHAPTER 3 Foundation Offerings, Sacrifices, and Relics CHAPTER 4Consecration, Evocatio, and BlessingsThe Sacred and the ProfaneCHAPTER 5 Symbolic Foundation Laying and Consecrating the First Stone CHAPTER 6 At the Center of the World The Earth’s Navel, the Cosmic Column, and the World TreeCHAPTER 7Space, Time, and Ceremony The Eightfold Division of the World and the Eight Winds CHAPTER 8 The Meaning of the DirectionsSymbolism and Nature of the Winds CHAPTER 9Natural Measure Dimensions Emergent from Nature and the Land CHAPTER 10 Traditional Time-Telling Sunlight and Shadow CHAPTER 11Orientation Facing in the Best Direction CHAPTER 12The City of the Omphalos Cosmic Centers and Symbolic Street Plans CHAPTER 13 At the Right TimeFavorable Days in the Calendar CHAPTER 14 Principles of Electional AstrologyChoosing the Correct Time for Rites and Ceremonies APPENDIX 1 Zodiac Signs and AssociatesAPPENDIX 2 The Egyptian Calendar APPENDIX 3Ruling Signs of CitiesGlossary Bibliography and Sources for Further Reading Index

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Book Synopsis“David Brafman, just like the alchemists did, mixes ingredients to make gold.” -- The New Scientist Alchemists are notorious for attempting to synthesize gold. Their goals, however, were far more ambitious: to transform and bend nature to the will of an industrious human imagination. For scientists, philosophers, and artists alike, alchemy seemed to hold the key to unlocking the secrets of creation. Alchemists' efforts to discover the way the world is made have had an enduring impact on global artistic practice and expression. Brafman’s book is the first to explore how the art of alchemy globally transformed human creative culture from the ancient world to the modern scientific age, and displays the ways its legacy still permeates the world we make today.

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Book SynopsisExplores the unified science-religion of early humanity and the impact of Hermetic philosophy on religion and spirituality • Investigates the Jewish and Egyptian origins of Josephus’s famous story that Seth’s descendants inscribed knowledge on two pillars to save it from global catastrophe • Reveals how this original knowledge has influenced civilization through Hermetic, Gnostic, Kabbalistic, Masonic, Hindu, and Islamic mystical knowledge • Examines how “Enoch’s Pillars” relate to the origins of Hermeticism, Freemasonry, Newtonian science, William Blake, and Theosophy Esoteric tradition has long maintained that at the dawn of human civilization there existed a unified science-religion, a spiritual grasp of the universe and our place in it. The biblical Enoch--also known as Hermes Trismegistus, Thoth, or Idris--was seen as the guardian of this sacred knowledge, which was inscribed on pillars known as Enoch’s or Seth’s pillars. Examining the idea of the lost pillars of pure knowledge, the sacred science behind Hermetic philosophy, Tobias Churton investigates the controversial Jewish and Egyptian origins of Josephus’s famous story that Seth’s descendants inscribed knowledge on two pillars to save it from global catastrophe. He traces the fragments of this sacred knowledge as it descended through the ages into initiated circles, influencing civilization through Hermetic, Gnostic, Kabbalistic, Masonic, Hindu, and Islamic mystical knowledge. He follows the path of the pillars’ fragments through Egyptian alchemy and the Gnostic Sethites, the Kabbalah, and medieval mystic Ramon Llull. He explores the arrival of the Hermetic manuscripts in Renaissance Florence, the philosophy of Copernicus, Pico della Mirandola, Giordano Bruno, and the origins of Freemasonry, including the “revival” of Enoch in Masonry’s Scottish Rite. He reveals the centrality of primal knowledge to Isaac Newton, William Stukeley, John Dee, and William Blake, resurfacing as the tradition of Martinism, Theosophy, and Thelema. Churton also unravels what Josephus meant when he asserted one Sethite pillar still stood in the “Seiriadic” land: land of Sirius worshippers. Showing how the lost pillars stand as a twenty-first century symbol for reattaining our heritage, Churton ultimately reveals how the esoteric strands of all religions unite in a gnosis that could offer a basis for reuniting religion and science.Trade Review“Highly informative, eye-opening, and uplifting, this book takes you on a provocative journey to discover the roots of human knowledge and fills you with hope that we may one day reattain our lost ancient heritage. Since my first encounter with Tobias Churton’s work twenty years ago, I am still amazed by his ability to expertly untangle the complex threads of history.” * Joanna Gillian, chief editor of Ancient Origins magazine *“Churton revisits the history of mankind and approaches its attempts to deal with the invisible since the dawn of times with a unique mastery. This book is not only of great erudition but could also be the start of a future global spiritual movement of the digital age.” * Thomas Jamet, author, lecturer, and communication specialist *“Humanity’s near-manic obsession with lost and rediscovered wisdom is the basis for nearly all esoteric philosophy and practice. Taking the ancient myths and histories as his guide, Churton provides us not only with an interpretation of Enoch and the various ideas around the ‘known-and-lost-wisdom dichotomy’ as they have shaped our views across history, he also gives us a means of shaping and entering the future. It is a future quickly coming upon us, wherein the Pillars of Enoch once again are a depository of the collective wisdom of the past and the guide for a humanity seeking to understand itself and, like Enoch, ‘walk with God.’” * Mark Stavish, author of Egregores *“This ambitious book traces the antediluvian origin of the spiritual wisdom hymned in the Book of Enoch. Churton explores the path of this unifying truth through the teachings of the mystery traditions that have served to initiate humanity ever since. Of central concern to this thesis is that the dichotomy between science and spirit is false. Truth is the unifying bond that excludes only error. The breach between science and religion is an artificial construct that serves to hinder understanding. I highly recommend this book.” * James Wasserman, author of The Templars and the Assassins and The Mystery Traditions *“Churton leads us on a challenging and thought-provoking journey…Churton details traces of what he describes as fragments of this knowledge to be found in such initiated circles as Hermetic, Gnostic, Kabbalistic, Masonic, Hindu and Islamic backgrounds. Furthermore, Churton also strives to show how the esoteric strands of all religions can unite us in a gnosis that could ultimately provide us an opportunity to reunite religion and science as it is meant to be.” * Brent Raynes, Alternate Perceptions Archival Newsletter *"Overall, I enjoyed The Lost Pillars of Enoch very much. The author presented a large amount of historical information in a balanced and insightful way, along with an occasional dose of humor that lightened the otherwise heavy subject matter. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in esoteric history and hermeticism. I’ve gained insight into how many of our current day ideas about spirituality, prophecy, and science have developed over time, and I’m encouraged that many of the myths we hold dear still have an important message for us." * Cindie Chavez, Musing Mystical *Table of ContentsProvenance A Note about the Timing of This Book PART ONE The Lost Pillars in Antiquity ONE Saving Knowledge from Catastrophe: The World’s First Archaeological Story The NephilimWhere Could Josephus’s Surviving Pillar Be Found? TWO “Sethites” in Egypt?THREEEnoch and Hermes: Guardians of Truth Tracing the Myth The Emerald Tablet FOURA Sense of Loss Pervades The Fallen Gnostics: Return of the Sethites FIVE How Ancient Is the Ancient Theology? SIX A Concise History of Religion SEVEN From Apocalyptic to Gnosis--and Back to Religion PART TWO Hermetic Philosophy Seeking Concordance, or Reuniting the Fragments EIGHTThe Unitive Vision Kabbalah Ramon Llull (1232-ca. 1316) 100The Alembic of Florence: Hermetic Philosophy Reborn NINE Restoring Harmony: From the Sun to Infinity Francesco Giorgi: Cosmic HarmonyCopernicusGiordano Bruno (1548-1600) TEN The Lost Pillars of Freemasonry Late Medieval Evidence for Antediluvian Pillars Antediluvian Masonry ELEVEN Esoteric Masonry and the Mystery of the “Acception”John Dee and Primal Mathematics TWELVE The Return of Enoch “Out of Egypt I Have Called My Son” THIRTEENEnter Isaac Newton FOURTEEN“A History of the Corruption of the Soul of Man” The Temple of Wisdom The Ancients Knew Already Newton and the “Daimon” FIFTEEN Antiquarianism: Stukeley and Blake Stukeley, Freemasonry, and the Prisca Sapientia SIXTEENBlake and the Original Religion All Religions Are OneSEVENTEENFrom the Enlightenment to Theosophy: Persistence of Antediluvian Unity of Science and Religion The Tradition Saint-Yves d’Alveydre The Secret Doctrine Problems with Theosophical Influence EIGHTEEN The Aim of Religion, the Method of Science: Aleister Crowley and Thelema Science and Antediluvian MythologyPART THREE Paradise Regained? NINETEEN Back to the OneEssential Communion in Esoteric Systems Religion for the Future TWENTY Return of the Lost Pillar NOTES BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book SynopsisDavid Gordon White excavates and seeks to centre within its broader Indian context the lost tradition of the medieval Siddhas.

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Book SynopsisAn insider''s guide for beginner mystics, How to Study Magic is your ultimate introduction to the main areas of magicfrom witchcraft to grimoireswhat it means to practice them, and, most of all, how to get started.Have you ever wanted to dive into the world of magic, but weren''t sure where to begin? You''re not alone! Knowing where to start can be mystifying, but it doesn''t have to be. In How to Study Magic, author, educator, and seasoned witch Sarah Lyons guides you through an introductory course of study, and an enchanted entry point to the wide world of magical paths.Drawing on Sarah''s own experience practicing and teaching magic for more than a decade, this interactive exploration takes novice witches through basic tools they can use in their studiesfrom divination and meditation to cleansing and protectionbefore diving into the history, lore, and modern incarnations of a wide range of magical practices. With chapters on Witchcraft, Chaos Magic, Spellbooks and Grimoires, Gods an

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Book SynopsisMagic and Medieval Society presents a thematic approach to the topic of magic and sorcery in Western Europe between the eleventh and the fifteenth century. It aims to provide readers with the conceptual and documentary tools to reach informed conclusions as to the existence, nature, importance and uses of magic in medieval society. Contrary to some previous approaches, the authors argue that magic is inextricably connected to other areas of cultural practice and was found across medieval society. Therefore, the book is arranged thematically, covering topics such as the use of magic at medieval courts, at universities and within the medieval Church itself.Each chapter and theme is supported by additional documents, diagrams and images to allow readers to examine the evidence side-by-side with the discussions in the chapters and to come to informed conclusions on the issues. This book puts forward the argument that the witch craze was not a medieval phenoTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. Magic and Politics 2.Magic and the Church 3. The Universities 4. Magic for the Rich and Magic for the Poor 5. Medical Magic 6. Conclusion: From the Age of Expansion to the Age of Fear

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

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