Religion Books

Book SynopsisNew York Times Bestseller The long-awaited next book from actress and New York Times bestselling author of The Rural Diaries, Hilarie Burton Morgan. Through memoir essays and magical practices, Grimoire Girl connects us to the enchantment that exists inside us all.Since childhood, Hilarie Burton Morgan has felt the call to record, keep, and catalogue life in all its strange wonder. It was a whimsical habit, with no clear goal. And then, when she became a mother, the importance of all that collecting snapped into focus. In an effort to patchwork together an anthology of traditions, curiosity, and magical thinking that she could pass down, Burton Morgan realized she was crafting a grimoire. In her most intimate book yet, Burton Morgan shares how she’s creating an inheritance of mischief and magic that will outlive her. What’s more, she shows readers how they too can look at the elements of their lives and collect the pieces into a tangible collection of a lifetime of learning. Because in its purest form, a grimoire was a guide to keep you alive.Like the grimoires of old, full of life-saving wisdom, these pages record the people, places, ideas and habits that have kept Burton Morgan alive, in her signature voice that is at once honest, witty, and charming. Accompanied by whimsical two-color illustrations by Olivia Faust, the book also includes Simple Spells, which are ways to bring magic into your daily life: create an altar that delights and inspires, practice candle magic and poetry spells, make an oracle deck, or channel your inner kitchen witch with recipes and potions.So begin creating your own inheritance, take a long look inward and decide...What wisdom will be written on the pages of your Grimoire?Trade Review“There’s a new reason to know and love Hilarie Burton Morgan, as she’s just written a lovely, thoughtful, and tad weird book called Grimoire Girl, full of sweet, funny, Burton-esque anecdotes and stories.” — Scary Mommy

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Book SynopsisThe classic text on examining the evidence for the Resurrection. Convinced that the story wasn't true, Frank Morison started to write about Jesus' last days. However, as he studied this crucial period something happened... First published in 1930, this is an in-depth exploration of what happened between the death of Jesus and the resurrection as recorded in the Bible. Using many information sources, this is crammed with vital detail that every Christian should know and is also a powerful tool for persuasion of those questioning Christianity. Writing this book changed Morison's life. Will you let it change yours?

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Book SynopsisLet’s get it on! Make your love life sizzle with this collection of mind-blowing sex positions inspired by the classic Eastern book of erotica. With positions ranging from slow and sensual to frisky and fun, this book features all the classics as well as adventurous new positions to try. You’ll never want to go back to missionary again. The original Kama Sutra was an ancient text that provided insights into finding happiness and fulfilment with your partner – but it also depicted varied sexual positions and techniques, for a satisfying sex life. Saving you from spending your vital energy on wading through any non-raunchy teachings, this little book contains a hand-picked selection of the best and most exhilarating positions for any kind of mood. Find out all about such delights as: The Lap of Luxury The Glowing Triangle The Splitting Bamboo The Crouching Tiger The Ascent to Desire May this book help you to open your mind (as well as your legs). Remember – make love, not war!

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Book SynopsisA testimonial of how a present-day mystic’s pursuit of self-discovery led to a revelation of the hidden secrets of Christianity – beginning with the author’s journey to a remote mountain village in southern France and his encounters with a wise man, The SeerTrade Review"This book offers so much. It is not just a book, but an experience. Order it now! There will be an awakening in whoever reads it." --T-Love

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Book SynopsisWhat are the hidden Qur'anic gems that lead to optimal faith, success, taqwa and overall health?Allah has given us the answers. He has taught us how we eat, drink, sleep, behave and live--all to maintain perfect balance and harmony. And yet, when we disrupt Allah's balance, we contribute to the global epidemic of lifestyle-based chronic diseases affecting our mind, body, spirit and even the planet.The latest evidence-based research shows that when we live according to Qur'an and Sunnah, we can optimize our brain and body function, unlocking the secrets to optimal physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health.Trade ReviewDr. Madiha Saeed has performed a great service to the Muslim Ummah with her book, “The Qur’anic Prescription.” Plunging into the deep and rich waters of the Qur’an and Sunnah, she brings forth priceless pearls of life-enhancing wisdom. More than just a medical text, “The Qur’anic Prescription,” examines the role that natural healing modalities, sleep, diet and various forms of stress relief play in fostering not just good health, but overall wellbeing. Building on her previous bestseller, “The Holistic RX,” “The Qur’anic Prescription,” is a book that should be in the library of anyone searching for natural paths to healing and good health.” Imam Zaid ShakirIt’s wonderful news to see such a bright and useful book come to us at this time. Muslims have a great tradition of genuine medical advancement, right from guidance from the Quran and Hadith, to the extensive writings of great Islamic doctors like Ibn Sina, known as Avicenna in the west. Dr Saeed takes you on a journey of understanding that will, inshallah, bring you right up to date with living healthily as a Muslim of today. Enjoy the experience. Dt TK Harris MD, author of Instant Insights and other Islamic mental health guides. This book is Phenomenal! If you are serious about being informed on how to improve the quality of your life, not just your health, read this book! She does a great job of legitimizing the fact that it is an Islamic obligation to take care of our health; that which Allah has given us and can easily take away. Reading this book will encourage you to read the Qur’an and leave with your own enlightening reflections regarding gratitude and its manifestation of self-care via nutrition. Sh Abdullah OduroThe Qur’anic Prescription is a comprehensive guide to planning and preparing yourself and your family for a healthy future. It's a must-read for anyone interested in gaining the wisdom of the Qur'an to deal with the dietary and lifestyle challenges of our modern times. Yvonne Maffei My Halal Kitchen Healthcare has made amazing advances, but there's still so much knowledge and science of the human body left to discover and understand. Islam promotes the pursuit of that knowledge and it's easy to find so many Quranic inspirations for this. Science and religion can work together and their synergy will unlock mysteries kept hidden from us by ignorance and arrogance. Dr. Saeed's promotion of this beautiful synergy is admirable and should be used as a guidepost for further scientific endeavor while keeping the faith. Marium Husain, MD, MPH The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hematology/Oncology Fellow IMANA, President www.imana.org WAPPNA President www.sciencejummah.com, FounderThere is a pandemic of chronic diseases and people are under the illusion that they can eat whatever they want and be healthy and that there is a pill for every ill, majority of doctors are not trained on nutrition and holistic health But Dr. Madiha Saeed is and this book is an amazing resource to taking the priceless gift of health seriously and investing in yourself and your family so you can have a better quality of life and avoid sickness and chronic disease inshaAllah Br Eddie, The Deen Show The Quranic Prescription by Dr. Madiha Saeed, MD, offers groundbreaking nutritional healing methodologies that use powerful Quranic verses to instil hope in a time of despair. It's impressive to see science and Islamic teachings working together to help those suffering from various diseases. This book is both eye-opening and a game-changer! Haleh Banani, M.A. Clinical Psychology, Founder of The Mindful Hearts Academy- A Global Support Group for Women

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Book SynopsisChristian anarchism has been around for at least as long as "secular" anarchism. Leo Tolstoy is its most famous proponent, but there are many others, such as Jacques Ellul, Vernard Eller, Dave Andrews or the people associated with the Catholic Worker movement. They offer a compelling critique of the state, the church and the economy based on the New Testament..

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Book SynopsisThis volume tells the story of Christianity through the individual men and women who shaped it. It is a story of colossal undertakings and spectacular successes as well as ferocious intolerance, greed and bloodshed. Bamber Gascoigne traces a clear path through a complicated history, exploring the motives, the passions, the fears and the achievements of the Christians. His approach is objective and he writes in a conversational style, focusing on moments of significant detail and a vast and varied cast of characters.Trade ReviewA triumphant success... a rich mosaic of prose and picture. * The Times *A triumphant success... a rich mosaic of prose and picture. * The Times *This is a remarkable book... both readable and scholarly, therefore genuinely illuminating. * Guardian *This is a remarkable book... both readable and scholarly, therefore genuinely illuminating. * Guardian *This book is first a delight, then an education... lavishly and beautifully illustrated... unflawed elegance. * Church Times *This book is first a delight, then an education... lavishly and beautifully illustrated... unflawed elegance. * Church Times *

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Book SynopsisThe teachings of Zen Buddhism combined with the earth-based tradition of Druidry can create a holistic way of life that is deeply integrated with the seasons, the environment and the present moment. In soul-deep relationship we can use the techniques and wisdom from both traditions to find balance and harmony within our own lives. In this text we explore the concepts of the Dharma (the Buddha's teachings) and how they relate to the wisdom of the Druid tradition. We also look at the Wheel of the Year in modern Druidry with regards to the Dharma, incorporating the teachings into every seasonal festival in an all-encompassing celebration of nature. We explore meditation, mindfulness, animism and integration with nature, learning how to find sustainable relationship in the work that we do, opening our souls to the here and now and seeing the beauty and wonder that enchants our lives in every waking moment. Step into a new life, fully awake and aware to the beauty of the natural world.

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Book SynopsisThe Renaissance was a reaction against the attitude of the Middle Ages. And the Reformation was the passionate, divisive argument that grew out of it. Catholics, Calvinists, Lutherans, Anabaptists – our present–day divisions were the front–page headlines of the Reformation. Volume three of 2,000 Years of Christ’s Power, in showing the progression of the Reformation era, and the daring bravery of its figures, presents a period of history from which there are many lessons to be learnt – not least of all, the vibrancy of people’s lives and the courage with which they faced death.Trade ReviewIt is a brave historian who tackles the extremely challenging task of writing the 2,000-year history of the Church. Well, Nick Needham has more than risen to the challenge. This eagerly-awaited fourth volume has been well worth the wait and, not to pressure our brother scholar, we now look forward to the concluding volume! -- Michael A. G. Haykin (Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky)For many years now I have said: if you want a thorough, learned but accessible and well-written history of the church, read Nick Needham's 2,000 Years of Christ's Power. Now, with the fourth volume finally available, Christians have an excellent resource for improving their knowledge of the history of their faith. Highly recommended. -- Carl R. Trueman (Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, Grove City College, Pennsylvania)What makes the books so useful is that in a non-technical (but not simplistic) way, they bring out the main story line of the history of the church through the centuries. But in addition, and most helpfully, each chapter concludes with a selection of writings (translated of course!) from people discussed in the chapter. This means that we are not only told what certain people believed, but we are able to read some of their actual writings -- and this is often extremely illuminating. -- Martin K. Bussey (Lecturer in theology, Africa International University, Kenya)Nick Needham's volumes on church history explain everything that someone new to the subject might not understand. At the same time, they achieve a depth of detail to interest those who already know something of the subject. We use them as standard texts at LTS and look forward eagerly to forthcoming volumes. -- Robert Strivens (Pastor, Bradford–on–Avon Baptist Church, Wiltshire, UK & former Principal, London Seminary)

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Book SynopsisThis accessible introduction to sacred geometry illuminates the beauty and power of nature and explains how we can draw on this mystical energy to enrich our everyday lives Sacred geometry is founded on the belief that everything is connected through the shapes and symmetries that we see repeated in nature all around us, from snowflakes and shells to crystals and honeycombs. These beautiful patterns are part of the mystic architecture of the universe – some even see them as the signature of a deity woven throughout creation. This beginner’s guide clearly explains what sacred geometry is and how it manifests in the natural world. Then, by learning how to harness the power of sacred shapes, you can find healing, energy, peace and oneness with the universe. The Little Book of Sacred Geometry will help you appreciate the cosmic significance of these principles and grasp fascinating insights such as: How the study of sacred geometry has developed since ancient times What the numerous sacred shapes look like What key concepts, such as the golden ratio, refer to How sacred geometrical practices can be applied in your life

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Book SynopsisA study Bible with thousands of verse commentary notes designed by women specifically for women to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation.The Woman’s Study Bible poignantly reveals the Word of God to women, inviting them to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation. Special features designed to speak to a woman’s heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman’s identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the kingdom.Now with a beautiful full-color redesign, The Woman’s Study Bible reflects the contributions of over 80 women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds.Trusted by women worldwide, The Woman’s Study Bible has been recognized with the ECPA Platinum Award for selling over 4

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Book SynopsisThe definitive revised and corrected edition of this modern classic of Sufi poetry. Includes Arabic text, full transliteration, and English translation.

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Book SynopsisThe first step-by-step guide to the techniques of Kaula Tantra, the practical yogini path to enlightenment. Written in the 8th century by the sage Matsyendranatha, the Kaulajnananirnaya Tantra records the secret erotic and magical practices of the Yogini Kaula tradition, a tradition focused on practical methods for attaining enlightenment. Although the text contains roughly 60 practices, it was written in a “twilight language” that obscures the secret principles that make the techniques work. It is the role of a master to awaken the initiate to the esoteric meaning of the practices within the text. Revealing the practices and secret principles of Kaula Tantra with permission from his Himalayan tantric yogini master Lalita Devi, Daniel Odier explains each erotic and magical technique of Kaula in depth. Providing a complete translation of the Kaulajnananirnaya Tantra from Sanskrit, he connects each practice to the text by Matsyendranatha and offers vivid stories of his initiation into the practices. He explores techniques from the complete mystical method that the yogini have been transmitting directly for millennia, such as how to open the nadis, the body’s energy channels. He details Kaula techniques for acquiring siddhis—magical powers such as the ability to hear far away things or appear in several places at once—as well as sacred protection and black magic practices. The author explains how the Kaula practices are related to the 8 Red Goddesses, who can each be found within the 8 chakras and each represent a different aspect of the Royal Path of Shakti. He shares a system of illuminating visualisations to integrate the body of the practitioner with vibration (spanda) and consciousness until there is no difference between the inner world and the cosmos. Presenting the first step-by-step guide to the techniques of Kaula Tantra, Odier details the practical yogini path to enlightenment and offers a direct transmission through the liberating power of the written word.Trade Review“The illuminating visualizations give readers a viable spiritual path to face and overcome disease, difficulties, and even death and to truly taste the amrita of the Kaulas. This wondrous book is a sacred invitation into divine embodiment of the Kaula yogini mysteries of the cosmos. A must-read and invaluable guide of never-before-revealed ancient yogini wisdom.” * Laura K. Amazzone, author of Goddess Durga and Sacred Female Power *Table of ContentsPART I Practices Practice 1 The Emergence of Tattvas Practice 2 The Body on FirePractice 3 The Five Elements Practice 4 The Lingam as Pure Consciousness Practice 5 The Dancing Flames of the Nadis Practice 6 Luminous Shakti Practice 7 The Hive Practice 8 The Garland of Letters Practice 9 Asceticism and Pleasuring Practice 10 Lunar Nectar Practice 11 The Three Moons Practice 12 The Flux of Lunar Nectar in the Chakras Practice 13 The Flood Divine Practice 14 The Chakras Practice 15 Lineage Yoga Practice 16 Amrita, the Divine Nectar Practice 17 The Color BlackPractice 18 The Lunar River Practice 19 The Sahaja Mothers, the Heart Practice of the Yoginis Practice 20 The Eight Chakras Practice 21 The Eight Red Goddesses and the Chakras Practice 22 Eternal Substances Practice 23 Dietary Prescriptions Practice 24 Freedom Practice 25 Hamsa Practice 26 Samadhi of the Heart and the Rainbow Body Practice 27 The Throat and the God of Love Practice 28 Sweating Milk Practice 29 Breathing and the Nose Chakra Practice 30 The World in Oneself Practice 31 Not Water, Not Fire, Not Earth, Not Air, Not Ether Practice 32 The Colored Spheres Practice 33 The Worship of Devi Practice 34 Orgasmic Pleasuring and the Wheels Practice 35 The Skulls Practice Practice 36 Kaliki Yogini Practice 37 The Subtle Centers Practice 38 Vatuka, Protector of the Teachings Practice 39 The Music of the Infinite Body Practice 40 The Yoga of Looking with Your Skin Practice 41 Worship of the Kaula Shakti Practice 42 Shakti’s Animal Forms Practice 43 The Dance of the Red Yoginis PART II The Kaulajnananirnaya Tantra Patala One Patala Two Patala Three Patala Four Patala Five Patala Six Patala Seven Patala Eight Patala Nine Patala Ten Patala Eleven Patala Twelve Patala Thirteen Patala Fourteen Patala Fifteen Patala Sixteen Patala Seventeen Patala Eighteen Patala Nineteen Patala Twenty Patala Twenty-One Patala Twenty-Two Patala Twenty-Three Patala Twenty-Four Conclusion Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisRecaptures the magical vitality of the original Orphic Hymns. As famous Renaissance philosopher Marsilio Ficino wrote, “No magic is more powerful than that of the Orphic Hymns.” These legendary teletai of Orpheus were not simply “hymns”—they were initiatic poems for meditation and ritual, magical, and ceremonial use, each one addressed to a specific deity, such as Athena or Zeus, or a virtue, such as Love, Justice, and Equality. Yet despite the mystical concepts underlying them, the original hymns were formulaic, creating an obstacle for translators. Recapturing the magical vitality that inspired mystery cults through the ages, Tamra Lucid and Ronnie Pontiac present new versions of the teletai that include important esoteric details and correspondences about the being or deity to which each hymn is addressed. The authors also include a new version of a lost hymn to Number and messages that were inscribed on golden leaves meant to be passports for the dead, reinventions that preserve the original magical intent and mysticism of the teletai. The authors provide a complete historical survey, based on the latest research, of the obscure origins and evolution of the Orpheus myth, revealing a profound influence at the heart of Western esotericism as well as on countercultures throughout Western history. Revealing the power of the individual hymns to attune the reader to the sacred presence of the Orphic Mysteries and the higher order of nature, the authors also show how, taken together, the Orphic Hymns are a book of hours or a calendar of life, addressing every event, from birth to death, and walking us through all the experiences of human existence as necessary and holy.Trade Review“Tamra and Ronnie have outdone themselves! This book is the most comprehensively intelligent and pleasurably accessible portrait of Orphic mythology now available. Their modern translations of the Orphic hymns yield fresh fruit from an ancient vine. The culmination of their historical and practical research yields a book that testifies to the 21st century: this music is magic, and the magic is real. Anyone interested in the intersections of music, myth, and magic will delight in this work.” * Matt Marble, author of Buddhist Bubblegum *“This book is a marvel of pagan revivalism. Tamra Lucid and Ronnie Pontiac have created a symphonic and learned study of the Orphic mythos encompassing history and meaning; translation of key odes; and reconstructed practice. If you yearn for evidence that the old deities are with us today, look no further than The Magic of the Orphic Hymns.” * Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award–winning author of Occult America and Uncertain Places *“This fascinating, lively, and erudite exploration of Orphism is a superb entrance point to this treasure trove of lore and knowledge.” * Richard Smoley, editor of Quest: Journal of the Theosophical Society in America and author of A Theo *“Tamra Lucid and Ronnie Pontiac have produced a beautifully clear and elegant version of the ancient Orphic hymns, preceded by a meticulously researched mythic, historical, and magical overview of all things Orphic past and present. They are passionate and thorough, their tone contemporary and accessible, creating a wonderful example of what Jeff Kripal calls ‘the gnostic classroom,’ which is rigorously scholarly yet deeply sympathetic to the universal wisdom of the Orphic tradition. A great resource for students and practitioners alike.” * Angela Voss, editor of Marsilio Ficino (Western Esoteric Masters Series) *“A wonderful book for anyone interested in metaphysics and mythology. Not only a fascinating and easy-to-read history but also an exhaustive work of scholarship—and in the translations of the poems that make up the second half of the book, a mind-blowing work of creativity. A must for any visionary’s library.” * Tod Davies, author of the History of Arcadia visionary fiction series and editorial director of Exte *“The Orphic hymns are among the most beautiful and effective invocations that have been handed down to us from the ancient Greeks. But, while Taylor’s classic translations are both admirable and eloquent in practice—that is, used ritualistically—they can seem clumsy and, at times, even cumbersome. Pontiac and Lucid’s welcome interpretive renditions have changed all of that. Theirs have quickly become my go-to translations for using the hymns in practical theurgic rites.” * P. D. Newman author of Theurgy: Theory and Practice *“Ronnie Pontiac and Tamra Lucid, musicians and metaphysicians both, the inheritors of Manly P. Hall’s blessings. Who better to reveal the living magic of the Orphic hymns to a new generation? The Orphic hymns are not spells but poetic and magical evocations aligned with the understanding of pantheism, that all of nature is divinely infused and revealed through its kindred correspondences. Although the book chases the figure of Orpheus through history in a scholarly fashion, the author is not identified, the story is too complex and veiled. The magic is to be encountered in the song, not the singer, so take up the invitation and softly sing to the world outside your window.” * Naomi Ozaniec, author of Becoming a Garment of Isis *“This book delivers what its title indicates: the translations of the Orphic fragments and hymns are rendered in clear modern English, easy to understand for the contemporary reader. The review and analysis of scholarship on the contested ‘Orphic’ religion is wide ranging and comprehensive. All scholarship is taken into consideration from skeptical classicists to engaged occultists. The book presents a ‘feeling’ of the Orphic tradition and at the same time an analytic and critical overview of ‘Orphism’ from ancient to modern times. From the ancient poets to the modern painters of Orphism; from Plato and Plotinus to Ficino, Thomas Taylor, and E. R. Dodds; from Monteverdi to Philip Glass to modern pop culture—it is an accomplishment. I give my warmest endorsement.” * Jay Bregman, author of Synesius of Cyrene *“I have often said that history is not a linear line, but instead a complex web. The goal of the historian is to make that web feel linear to the non-specialist. Tamra Lucid and Ronnie Pontiac have done exactly that, producing a stellar work, including passages so gorgeously written, I found myself returning to previous pages for a reread. Impeccably researched and beautifully written, The Magic of the Orphic Hymns is a wild ride through history, ritual, and the mysteries of the human mind and soul. As Lucid and Pontiac took me through the many ages and evolutions of the Orphic Mysteries, I could almost hear the sweet strings of a lute accompanying the many discoveries I made while reading—such is the strength of this timely work. Highly recommended to those who like their history neat, engaging, and filled with a page-turning allure that can only be described as magic.” * Thomas Hatsis, author of The Witches’ Ointment and Psychedelic Mystery Traditions *Table of ContentsIntroduction: An Experiment with the Orphic Hymns 1 The Mythology of Orpheus2 Mysterious Orpheus3 The Severan Dynasty 4 The Pagan Orpheus 5 The Orphic Mysteries 6 The Golden Leaves 7 The Night Gathering 8 Orpheus in the Renaissance 9 The Occult Orpheus 10 More Popular Than Ever 11 The Backward Glance 12 The Evolution of Eurydice 13 The Mystical Purpose 14 A Note on Incense15 A Note on the Translation Orphic Charms and the Sacred Songs of Orpheus Orphic CharmsMessages on gold leaf buried with the dead, and a grand invocation.The Sacred Songs of OrpheusA poetic interpretation of the Orphic hymns with added details about the sacred correspondences of the gods. Annotated BibliographyIndex of Orphic Charms and the Sacred Songs of OrpheusIndex

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Book SynopsisEmpower yourself with the guidance and spells of the Orishas. What if you could control what the reality around you returns by controlling the energies you sent to the Universe in actions, words and thoughts? What if you could become the creator of you own happiness, changing the reality around you and achieving your dreams with the power of African Gods and Goddesses? Through African magical traditions and its resemblance with Latin America, the Orishas spirituality and the lessons of the Odus are part of a growing daily process in which magic happens when we start to assume self-responsibility for our choices in life. Once we understand that what happens to us in the present is a consequence of our past choices (or the lack of them), we begin to connect with the holy source of all happiness and joy, becoming conscious and able to create the life we dreamt about. That's what you'll find in the rituals and meditations from African Gods Oracle: a self-transformation tool from which you can ask the Orishas about the goals and anguishes of your life and get the Odus answers that will lead you to success.

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Book SynopsisThis TGC Kids book retells the story of the prodigal son in an engaging and easily understandable way, spurring thoughtful discussion between parents and children ages 37 as they learn about sin, grace, and the unconditional love of God.

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Book Synopsis“Gretchen Starr-LeBeau’s Seven Myths of the Spanish Inquisition provides an excellent introduction to Habsburg Spain’s most reviled and misunderstood institution. Drawn from archival sources and modern scholarship, this concise study presents the long and tortured history of the Spanish Inquisition in an accessible format for readers interested in the intersection of religion and jurisprudence. Addressing common misconceptions about the procedures, effectiveness, and reach of the Inquisition, this work argues convincingly for an updated assessment encompassing change over time and variations across Spain and its empire. Students of the early modern period will benefit from the volume’s logical organization, glossary of terms, and suggestions for further reading.” —Benjamin Ehlers, University of GeorgiaTrade Review“Gretchen Starr-LeBeau has given us a deeply researched, wide-ranging correction of the various myths attached to the Spanish Inquisition. Her ability to track and explain the development of those myths over time is remarkable. The volume is wonderfully written and consistently accessible for a student audience. I learned a great deal from it and look forward to assigning it in my classes.” —Lu Ann Homza, William and Mary

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES, BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE AND EVENING STANDARD BOOK OF THE YEAR'A majestic, sparkling account of one of the most important rulers in history . . . this is modern history writing at its finest' Peter Frankopan'Superb and gripping. Epic historical biography that brings the emperor to life . . . filled with new ideas and revelations' Simon Sebag Montefiore'Effortlessly erudite, lucidly written, with a sharp eye for the telling detail, Sarris has written the great biography of the greatest of the Byzantine emperors' Rory StewartIn this groundbreaking new biography of Justinian, Peter Sarris gives us an intimate insight into both the Emperor and his times. We meet a man who from the humblest beginnings, rose to become ruler of much of the known world achieving an almost god-like status. An emperor who infused even the most mundane tasks with spiritual and religious significance. A gifted administrator obsessed with detail. A middle aged lover who fell for a dancing girl and changed the law so he could marry her, ruling with Empress Theodora by his side for over twenty years. A brilliant military strategist who was never on the frontline. The challenges he faced - climate change, battles over culture and identity, the first recorded global pandemic -and many of the solutions he found to address them still resonate with us today. And his legacy remains all around us, in the massive building programme of which the most beautiful manifestation is surely Hagia Sophia; in our legal systems through the codification of the Corpus juris civilis; and in our culture and history by making a fundamental contribution to both the formation of Christendom and the emergence of Islam. In this tour de force Peter Sarris shows us that in all his complexity and contradictions Justinian was, in many ways, a very modern Emperor.Trade ReviewMagnificent. A vivid and authoritative biography of one of Rome's most fascinating rulers, Justinian is also a vibrant portrait of an entire world - a resurgent Roman Empire suddenly devastated by tragedy -- Kyle Harper, author of THE FATE OF ROMEJustinian's long life mirrored that of ancient Rome itself: both rose from lowly origins to supreme power, survived revolt and conquered rivals, crafted laws and erected mighty monuments, only to be worn down by insurgents, invaders, and plagues. In a stunning tour de force, Sarris brings one of history's most momentous dramas back to life -- Walter Scheidel, author of THE GREAT LEVELEREffortlessly erudite, lucidly written, with a sharp eye for the telling detail, Sarris has written the great biography of the greatest of the Byzantine emperors -- Rory StewartSpectacularly good: a wonderfully colourful biography of the man who remade the Roman Empire.Peter Sarris plunges us deep into a world of imperial conflict, religious paranoia, pandemics and climate change, while never losing sight of the extraordinary character at its heart.Based on decades of scholarship, this is the definitive history of the emperor and his times, and a thrilling testament to the glories of Byzantium -- Dominic Sandbrook, author of WHO DARES WINSA majestic, sparkling account of one of the most important rulers in history. Meticulously researched, beautifully written, filled with insights, this is modern history writing at its finest -- Peter Frankopan, author of THE SILK ROADSJustinian looms so large in the landscape of the ancient Mediterranean that it is almost impossible to take his measure. Yet Peter Sarris has done so convincingly, offering a lucid and persuasive account of a ruler as invested in the mechanics of government as in waging wars of conquest. A remarkable achievement -- Kate Cooper, Professor of History at Royal Holloway and author of QUEENS OF A FALLEN WORLDSuperb and gripping. Epic historical biography that brings the emperor to life with analysis and empathy and a work of scholarship filled with new ideas and revelations -- Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of THE WORLD: A FAMILY HISTORY OF HUMANITYThe author's passion for the subject and his respect for Justinian is clear throughout, keeping the reader engaged until the very end -- British ArchaeologyA thoroughly absorbing book, notable not only for its mastery of the sources, but its generosity to other scholars working in this flourishing field. It offers a vivid insight into Justinian's world and the mind of this impatient and notorious man -- The TimesI've been looking forward to Peter Sarris's Justinian for a while, and I was not disapoointed. Justinian is perhaps the greatest of the emperors of Rome and New Rome . . . Sarris does his subject proud in a book that wears the author's learning lightly -- BBC History Magazine, Books of the YearA marvel of scholarship, told with great flair, Peter Sarris's magnificent biography brings alive their dazzling, doomed world, an age of plagues, riots, cults and climate change -- Sunday Times, History Books of the YearAn expert, readable and thought-provoking biography . . . This book is essential reading for anyone curious about later antiquity and will give profit and pleasure to those with broader interests -- The CriticAn engrossing account of an extraordinary man . . . the story of a remarkable period, which is still too little known -- Evening Standard, Books of the YearAn expert, readable, and thought-provoking biography of Justinian ... essential reading for anyone curious about later antiquity. -- George Woudhuysen * The Critic *

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Book SynopsisNo Birds of Passage explores the remarkable business success of three Gujarati Muslim commercial castes: the Bohras, Khojas, and Memons. Often stereotyped as “Westernized” and as Hindus in all but name, these groups are better seen as having developed a distinctive Muslim capitalism, in which religious and commercial prerogatives are inseparable.Trade ReviewThis is an audacious scholarly conversation between received categories of classical political economy and South Asian Islam that is likely to provoke debate among specialists in the field. For the general student of history however, it is a book that demands close attention for its outstanding contributions to the craft, both in its expansive approach toward the archive as in its deft interweaving of religion, culture and politics within the complex terrain of capitalist enterprise and law. The structure, prose and narrative richness of the book are likely to ensure a life for it outside the scholarly niche of economic history. -- Madhumita Mazumdar * Telegraph India *No Birds of Passage is a brilliant and strikingly innovative contribution to the history of trade and diaspora in the Indian Ocean. Based on an impressive array of sources, it tells a compelling story about the emergence of a distinctive form of Muslim capitalism that continues to shape the region today. -- Sunil Amrith, author of Unruly WatersThe intersection of community, caste, and capitalism is a matter of abiding interest for South Asian historians of both the early modern and modern periods. Michael O’Sullivan’s well-documented and closely argued work on Gujarati Muslim entrepreneurs over two centuries is a significant intervention in this field. It merits a wide readership, and is also certain to provoke debates well beyond the confines of South Asian studies. -- Sanjay Subrahmanyam, author of Europe’s IndiaThis sophisticated and fine-grained case study is a model of how to write revisionist economic histories that resonate with the experiences of people in most of the world. No Birds of Passage succeeds precisely because its conceptual apparatus is built on giving endogenous institutions their due, bringing together a range of sources in multiple languages, and openly embracing paradoxes without which this story of Muslim capitalism would have remained illegible. This is an exciting contribution to the burgeoning global histories of capitalism. -- Mrinalini Sinha, author of Specters of Mother IndiaA major contribution to South Asian history. O’Sullivan’s sweeping account of Gujarati Muslim business communities is more than a business history. It is an impressive examination of how the Khojas, Bohras, and Memons reshaped community corporate identities through their interactions with the colonial state, Indian nationalism, Muslim politics, and postcolonial regimes. -- Douglas E. Haynes, author of Small Town Capitalism in Western IndiaThis is a landmark work of scholarship, meticulously recovering the transimperial worldviews of Gujarati Muslim business communities both before and after the age of imperial capitalism. Attentive to historical asymmetries of race and sovereignty, O’Sullivan’s dynamic and capacious study will inform future work on imperial and postcolonial economic history as well as on the social-religious logics of capital accumulation. -- Manu Goswami, author of Producing India

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Book SynopsisIn this lively and accessible book, addressed to believers, “recovering” believers, disbelievers, nonbelievers, and “nones” alike—to anyone in search of what they really do believe—the acclaimed philosopher and theologian John D. Caputo seeks out what there is to believe, with or without religion.Trade ReviewJohn Caputo is one of the foremost postmodern philosophers of our time. In this brilliant book, he offers a provocative new way to think about God and an invitation to awaken to a new reality: we are entangled with God. Playful, witty, and radically profound, this is a book to return to over and over. -- Ilia Delio, author of The Not-Yet God: Carl Jung, Teilhard de Chardin, and the Relational WholeHere is a book that countless people who have given up on the God of their childhood will relish. Tired of living in the shallow end of the theological pool, Jack Caputo invites us all to push out into the deep waters of radical theology without letting us sink. What you are about to read is God-years ahead of its time. -- Rev. Robin R. Meyers, author of Saving God from Religion: A Minister’s Search for Faith in a Skeptical WorldAn evocative, accessible, good-humored guide to living (and moving, and being) after the death of God. -- Mary-Jane Rubenstein, author of Astrotopia: The Dangerous Religion of the Corporate Space RaceTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsThis Is How the World BeganFirst WeekLesson One: God Does Not ExistLesson Two: Bridge-Builders and Ground-DiggersLesson Three: That’s Pantheism, That’s HorribleLesson Four: Do Radical Theologians Pray?Lesson Five: The Mystical Sense of LifeLesson Six: Who Do They Say Jesus Is?Second WeekLesson Seven: Suppose Everything Just Vanished?Lesson Eight: What Is Really Going On?Lesson Nine: What Is Going On in the Name of God?Lesson Ten: Whether God Will Have BeenLesson Eleven: Making Ourselves Worthy of What Is Happening to UsLesson Twelve: So What?A Parting Word (or Two): Yes, YesFurther ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisEnduring and accessible advice for living with wisdom and compassion?and meeting the end of life with courage and peace Through countless editions and across centuries, The Tibetan Book of the Dead has drawn readers intrigued by the Tibetan Buddhist view of the end of life. In a world that often ignores death or hides it from view, Tibetan Buddhists acknowledge it as the last of a countless series of endings in this lifetime. And after each ending comes a new beginning. The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners draws on this timeless wisdom to help readers today live with more joy and approach the end with more ease. Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, born and raised in Tibet and now teaching in the United States and internationally, partners with student and meditation teacher Mordy Levine to share teachings inspired by The Tibetan Book of the Dead. They make clear that "how we live is how we will die." The book explores karma, impermanence, the bardos (or the "in-between"), and what happens next, sharing accessible practices to cultivate wisdom and compassion along the way. With empathy and warmth, Lama Lhanang and Levine offer support for readers grappling with their own mortality and those caring for loved ones transitioning from this lifetime. The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners helps readers cultivate courage and embrace the unknown?not just in the final days, but every day.

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Book Synopsis***** THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER *****'A beautiful unique day-by-day companion throughout the Holy Month' - DR. OMAR SULEIMAN------------------------------------------A must-have intimate journal to guide you through Ramadan and deepen your individual connection to Allah for the year ahead.With inspiring reflections, practical exercises, powerful quotes and drawing from the spiritual wisdom of the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah, it offers an invitation to...- Let your heart ponder through stillness and reflection on insightful words that stir the soul.- Immerse yourself in du'a and use this opportunity to speak to your Lord in supplication.- Journal about spiritual themes and subjects, encouraging you to turn inwards and pen personal revelations for you.A journey within a journey. A space for transformation. This journal is a path with and for The Most Merciful.Trade ReviewThis book is a beautiful unique day-by-day companion throughout the Holy Month, engaging the Believer's reflections as they are immersed in the worship of Allah, and encouraging the journaling of those thoughts as the book moves them to take steps towards Him. -- Dr. Omar SuleimanI enjoyed reading Ramadan Reflections. It took me on a journey through daily emotions and struggles. It beautifully combines the relationship between who you are and what you do in this life with the Qur'an and Sunnah. It is easy to read and yet very deep and thoughtful. -- Dr. Haifaa Younis

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Book SynopsisA New York Times bestselling scholar’s illuminating exploration of the earliest Christian narrated journeys to heaven and hellTrade ReviewNamed by the New Yorker as a Best Book of 2022 “[An] illuminating deep dive. . . . An edifying origin story for contemporary Christian conceptions of the afterlife.”—Publishers Weekly “When the late rapper 2Pac argued in song that we on earth are probably in hell already but don’t know it, and that a crackhead is right now suffering ‘eternal fire,’ he was grappling with weighty biblical and theological issues taken up by Bart D. Ehrman in his brilliant and provocative book Journeys to Heaven and Hell. Ehrman’s work richly informs us about how visions and tours of the afterlife shape our before-death existence—what we should do with our purse, our person, our proselytizing, and how we should view the power and politics of God. This wise and insightful tome by an erstwhile believer, and one of my absolute favorite biblical scholars, stimulates the mind and charges the spirit of a hopeful Black evangelical like me.”—Michael Eric Dyson, author of Entertaining Race: Performing Blackness in America “Bart D. Ehrman explores the Greco-Roman background of Christian afterlife and provides a much-needed reassessment of its Jewish apocalyptic roots. This is an extremely well-documented and well-written book, a real intellectual pleasure to read.”—Pierluigi Piovanelli, University of Ottawa and École pratique des hautes études “In a characteristically scholarly yet engaging style, Bart Ehrman shines new light on ancient accounts of visits by the living to the realms of the dead. This is an important contribution to the reevaluation of the rich literary heritage of early Christianity.”—Judith Lieu, University of Cambridge “In Journeys to Heaven and Hell, Ehrman examines a range of apocryphal texts related to the afterlife, but his examinations of such issues as the ethical problem of wealth, conversion, and universal salvation reveal how much the study of these journeys to other worlds can contribute to the study of a wide range of areas of interest in this world.”—Tony Burke, editor of New Testament Apocrypha: More Noncanonical Scriptures

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Book SynopsisEvery Parent's Guide to Supporting Their Child's Mental Health Increasingly, children ages 3-10 are struggling with anxiety, depression, and mental health challenges. These can be brought on by many factors--stress at home, upheavals in society, breaks in routine, isolation from friends, bullying or social pressure--and if left unaddressed, they follow kids into their teens and adulthood, causing mental, emotional, and relational problems that will steal their peace and joy. But there is hope. Bestselling author Dr. Caroline Leaf helps you teach your kids how to · recognize negative feelings and respond in a healthy way · navigate a world that can feel scary and overwhelming · manage uncomfortable or challenging situations · replace toxic thoughts with brain-building practices that produce better outcomes · develop resilience and emotional strength Based on up-to-date research, clearly illustrated with case studies, and practically applied to the problems kids are facing today, How to Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess is what parents, caretakers, teachers, and counselors have been waiting for. Dr. Leaf shares a clear and effective five-step plan to teach your child how to manage their mind so they can live a life with greater resilience, health, and happiness.

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Book SynopsisWhen love is lost within a family, catastrophic consequences follow. That is not just for the parents, but for the children, too, and society at large. When the God-given love that Jesus Christ introduced into the first Christian family was lost, similar consequences ensued. Loveless men and women not only do damage to themselves, but to others, too - inside and outside of the Church. This last spiritual and supreme masterpiece of a great spiritual master explains and details how the love that was lost can be put back and flourish where it once flourished before. This book is the long-awaited watershed that can slake the thirst of the dry weary land that has been yearning to receive it.

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Book Synopsis'This is the kind of book that make you different when you're done.' - Ashley C. Ford, New York Times bestselling author of Somebody's Daughter'From the womb, we must repeat with regularity that to love ourselves is to survive. I believe that is what my father wanted for me and knew I would so desperately need: a tool for survival, the truth of my dignity named like a mercy new each morning.'So writes Cole Arthur Riley in an unforgettable book of stories and reflections on discovering the sacred in her skin. In these deeply transporting pages, Cole reflects on the stories of her grandmother and father and encounters of enfleshed, embodied spirituality. As she writes memorably of her own lived experiences of childhood and selfhood, Cole boldly explores some of the most urgent questions of life and faith:How can spirituality not silence the body, but instead allow it to come alive?How do we honour, lament, and heal from the stories we inherit?How can we find peace in a world overtaken with dislocation, noise, and unrest? At once a compelling spiritual meditation and a tender coming-of-age narrative, This Here Flesh invites us to ponder the site of the soul by examining our capacity to rest, wonder, joy, rage, and repair - and finding that our humanity is not an enemy to faith but evidence of it.'Exquisite' - Ayo Tomenti, co-founder of Black Lives MatterTrade ReviewAt a time when establishing peace within one's own soul is so vitally important, this book is a balm - reminding me to exercise the spiritual muscle of awe, to notice the simple and to find beauty in the ordinary. -- Ben Lindsay, Author of WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT RACEIn This Here Flesh, Cole Arthur Riley reaches deep beneath the surface of words unspoken, wounds unhealed, and secrets untempered to break them open in order for fresh light to break through. Her personal anecdotes alongside Biblical anchors are serene vehicles through which any reader will remember the preciousness of their body, humanity, and most of all, their dignity. -- Morgan Jerkins, New York Times bestselling author of THIS WILL BE MY UNDOINGThis book is an invitation into the delicate weavings of family, inheritance, and pain, how they mark a bloodline, and connect a people. Riley writes with all the grace and gravity the spirit of humanity deserves. And somehow teaches us to think of ourselves as deserving of such grace, along the way. This is the kind of book that make you different when you're done. -- Ashley C. Ford, New York Times bestselling author of SOMEBODY'S DAUGHTERThis book is breathtaking. Full of profound revelation and beauty woven into poetry, unforgettable imagery and story, it will stay with me long after I've read it. I will keep returning to its pages, ready to hear in Cole Arthur Riley's reflections new ways to see myself, my family, my faith and my God. Who knew truth-telling could be so beautiful? -- Chine McDonald, author of GOD IS NOT A WHITE MANWelcome the rising of Cole Arthur Riley's astonishing voice. This is a gorgeous and muscular work. -- Krista Tippett, host of On BeingTimeless. This is a book I know I will return to again and again. Through this work, I am reminded I am seen. I am reminded I am free. -- Morgan Harper Nichols, artist and poetExquisite. . . Arthur Riley's writing is both transporting and hauntingly intimateas she narrates this important account of generational inheritance. The stories and meditations in this book are sure to stay with you forever. -- Ayo Tometi, co-founder of Black Lives MatterThrough a narrative of family and generation, Cole Arthur Riley speaks of a Blackness so beautiful it can't be contained and a liberation that is present and possible. This Here Flesh is an invitation to hold space, return home and rediscover joy. -- Amena Brown, poet, author, and host of HER with Amena Brown podcastBeautiful. Soul-stirring. . . we rediscover a sense of awe for the bodies that make us, the stories that ground us, and the delicate grace that enlivens our spirits. -- Kate Bowler, New York Times bestselling author of NO CURE FOR BEING HUMANThis Here Flesh is a gospel to what we remember. This book is rigorous, joyous, complex, honest and tells the story of how we get free. It is a story that would not let me go. -- Danté Stewart, author of SHOUTIN’ IN THE FIRE[A] wonderfully winsome, heartbreakingly honest, and ever-poetic work of spiritual biography and theological reflection. While some theologians will talk in the abstract about 'incarnation,' 'enfleshment,' or 'embodiment,' Arthur Riley's book is a lesson in concreteness, in Black theology, in seeing a body, being a body, being a person rooted in time, space, stories, and very particular flesh. * Library Journal (starred review) *A multi-layered, moving and often a poetic exploration of faith, lament, community and much more. * Keep the Faith *

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Book SynopsisDiscover magical solutions to cope with whatever life throws your way in this fun self-help guide to invoking your inner power.Self-help is hard (and therapy is expensive!), but magic makes it easier than ever. In Witchcraft Therapy, you will learn how to use the mystical powers of intention, mindful manifestation, divination, and righteous indignation to cope with whatever life throws your way. Author and witchy wellness guru Mandi Em offers advice in her own unique brand of positivity providing spells, rituals, and more that you can do right at home. Complete with wisdom like “Remember that ‘f*ck off’ is a banishing spell,” Witchcraft Therapy will have you feeling more empowered and liberated than ever.Trade Review"Fun, upbeat and friendly." —Reader's Digest“The self-help book you didn’t know you needed.” —Bust“One read will never be enough.” —Witch with Me

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Book SynopsisThe Tarot Spellbook provides 78 magickal spells based on each individual tarot card’s theme. Each spell incorporates different magickal practices and spell work, such as candle magick, ritual bathes, spell jars, and more!Trade Review“Tarot and magic come together in this enchanting manual by tarot reader Magdaleno...vibrantly updates the designs of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck for a new generation." * Publishers Weekly *"Each nicely illustrated tarot card is paired with an informative commentary, instructions for a particular spell, and helpfully personal Journal Questions. The result is a complete course of instruction in the art of tarot inspired spells. Simply stated, The Tarot Spellbook is a welcome and recommended addition." * Midwest Book Review *"Readers will find The Tarot Spellbook an intriguing way to expand their knowledge about creating sacred spaces, magick rituals, herbalism, and other practices." * Portland Book Review *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTIONHOW TO USE THIS BOOKPART ONE: MAKING MAGICK Setting Up for Spellwork Magickal Timing Sigil Magick Making Magick Yours The Most Important Ingredient in Any SpellPART TWO: SPELLSMAJOR ARCANA The Fool: Gather the Courage to Start Something New The Magician: Manifest Your Desires The High Priestess: Strengthen Your Intuition The Empress: Enhance Your Beauty The Emperor: Protect Your Home The Hierophant: Connect with Your Ancestors The Lovers: Ignite Passion in Your Relationship The Chariot: Iron Away Doubts Before a Job Interview Strength: Gain More Self-Discipline The Hermit: Quiet Your Mind Wheel of Fortune: Change Your Luck Justice: Reveal the Truth The Hanged Man: Surrender to the Universe Death: Say Goodbye to the Old You Temperance: Balance Your Energy The Devil: Banish Self-Sabotage The Tower: Embrace Change During Chaotic Times The Star: Find Your Purpose The Moon: Clear Confusion Around a Decision The Sun: Increase Self-Confidence Judgment: Overcome Self-Doubt The World: Manifest SuccessTHE MINOR ARCANA CUPS Ace of Cups: Attract New Love Two of Cups: Strengthen Your Relationship Three of Cups: Make New Friends Four of Cups: Renew Inspiration Five of Cups: Cope with Grief Six of Cups: Heal Your Inner Child Seven of Cups: Break Free from Analysis Paralysis Eight of Cups: Cut Emotional Ties Nine of Cups: Make Your Wish Come True Ten of Cups: Bring Peace to Your Home Page of Cups: Inspire Bright Ideas Knight of Cups: Manifest Your Dream Partner Queen of Cups: Deepen Your Self-Love King of Cups: Scrub Away Stress WANDS Ace of Wands: Begin a New Project Two of Wands: Get a New Job Three of Wands: Clear the Road Ahead Four of Wands: Bring Happiness to Your Home Five of Wands: Repair a Friendship Six of Wands: Get Noticed at Work Seven of Wands: Knock Out the Competition Eight of Wands: Speed Things Up Nine of Wands: Protect Yourself from Bad Vibes Ten of Wands: Call on Strength from the Universe Page of Wands: Communicate Clearly Knight of Wands: Be Bold and Courageous Queen of Wands: Relieve Social Anxiety King of Wands: Gain Control of a Situation SWORDS Ace of Swords: Have Your Breakthrough Moment Two of Swords: Make the Right Choice Three of Swords: Mend Your Broken Heart Four of Swords: Slow Things Down Five of Swords: Let Go of a Grudge Six of Swords: Release Emotional Baggage Seven of Swords: Smash Away Imposter Syndrome Eight of Swords: Free Yourself from Your Shadow Nine of Swords: Ease Your Anxiety Ten of Swords: Rise from the Ashes Page of Swords: Do Well on a Test Knight of Swords: Achieve Your Goal Queen of Swords: Strengthen Personal Protection King of Swords: Get Your Question Answered PENTACLES Ace of Pentacles: Become a Money Magnet Two of Pentacles: Stabilize Your Finances Three of Pentacles: Increase Workplace Harmony Four of Pentacles: Release Money Insecurity Five of Pentacles: Mend Your Broken Spirit Six of Pentacles: Recover Money Owed Seven of Pentacles: Grow Your Business Eight of Pentacles: Develop Your Skills Nine of Pentacles: Empower Yourself Ten of Pentacles: Build Lasting Financial Stability Page of Pentacles: Bless Your New Business Knight of Pentacles: Have a Productive Week Queen of Pentacles: Always Have Cash in Your Pocket King of Pentacles: Protect Your MoneyLIST OF SPELLS BY SUBJECTACKNOWLEDGMENTSBIBLIOGRAPHYABOUT THE AUTHORABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORINDEX

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Book SynopsisA groundbreaking examination of female power in pre-Islamic Arabia‘A genuinely paradigm-shifting work by one of the most exciting and innovative scholars in the field... compelling and powerful...’ Reza Aslan Arab noblewomen of late antiquity were instrumental in shaping the history of the world. Between Rome’s intervention in the Arabian Peninsula and the Arab conquests, they ruled independently, conducting trade and making war. Their power was celebrated as queen, priestess and goddess. With time some even delegated authority to the most important holy men of their age, influencing Arabian paganism, Christianity and Islam. Empress Zenobia and Queen Mavia supported bishops Paul of Samosata and Moses of Sinai. Paul was declared a heretic by the Roman church, while Moses began the process of mass Arab conversion. The teachings of these men survived under their queens, setting in motion seismic debates that fractured the earlTrade Review‘A genuinely paradigm-shifting work by one of the most exciting and innovative scholars in the field. Queens and Prophets upends popular assumptions concerning Arab women in late antiquity. Drawing on an impressive range of extensive research, Emran El-Badawi sheds new light on the history of the Near East by studying three female rulers alongside the most significant holy men of the era. In doing so, he reveals the importance of these women to the history of the late antique Near East. It is a compelling and powerful narrative that is sure to provoke thought and discussion amongst scholars and curious readers alike.’ -- Reza Aslan, author of Zealot and An American Martyr in Persia‘In this remarkable book, Emran El-Badawi brings to light the stories of influential noblewomen and female deities, to show how female power shaped religion and politics in late antique and early Islamic Arabia. Despite their importance, these female figures have been marginalised in the historical record over time, from Roman and Arabic histories till modern writings about early Islam. El-Badawi sensitively engages the historical memories preserved in these sources, disentangling kernels of truth from topoi, legend, and embellishment. This clear and well-written account should change how we consider women’s impact upon these patriarchal societies.’ -- Karen Bauer, Senior Research Associate, The Institute of Ismaili Studies‘A breathtaking journey through the religions and cultures of the late antique Near East. El-Badawi brings to life accounts of warriors and queens who defy standard notions of the social and religious history of the Arabs. His masterful book offers new insights into the intimate relationships between paganism, Christianity, and early Islam in the Near East, and on the distinctive roles that women played in all of these traditions.’ -- Gabriel Said Reynolds, Crowley Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology, University of Notre Dame‘Emran El-Badawi provides a landmark contribution to scholarship, grasping the nuance and depth of women’s power, spirituality, and presence in late antique Near East, when pagans, Jews, and Christians allied militarily and worshiped at the Oak of Mamre. Queens and Prophets cogently narrates this complex historical and cultural context, demonstrating the patriarchal polemics of Abrahamic and Roman traditions that gloss this powerful force and ultimately empower the birth of Islam.’ -- Roberta Sabbath, Religious Studies Director, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and editor of Troubling Topics, Sacred Texts

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Book SynopsisBecome inspired, find your voice, and create work that matters.Why are human beings driven to make?It’s as if we collectively intuited, long before science gave us the language, that the universe bends toward entropy, and every act of creation on our part is an act of defiance in the face of that evolving disorder.When we pick up a paintbrush, or compose elements through our camera viewfinders, or press fingers into wet clay to wrestle form from a shapeless lump, we are bending things back toward Order and wrestling them from Chaos.But making things is often not enough.We also want the things we make to be filled with meaning. We’re each trying to describe what we know about life, to create a collective sense of “safety in numbers.” When we reach the end of our traditional descriptive powers, it’s time to weave collective meaning from poetry, painting, writing, dancing, photographing, filmmaking, storytelling, singing, animating, designing, performing, carving, sculpting, and a million other ways we daily create Order out of the Chaos and share it with each other for comfort.On this journey we need a creative philosophy which will help us find our voice, discover our message, deal with the responses to our work, maintain inspiration, and stay mentally healthy and motivated creators as we strive to find “the meaning in the making.”Table of Contents Chapter 1: Order Chapter 2: Logos Chapter 3: Breath Chapter 4: Voice Chapter 5: Ego Chapter 6: Control Chapter 7: Attention Chapter 8: Envy Chapter 9: Critique Chapter 10: Feel Chapter 11: Shadows Chapter 12: Meaning Chapter 13: Time Chapter 14: Benediction

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Book SynopsisIn this powerful, redemptive true story, a young man living on the edge of survival is transformed into a healing presence in the lives of all he touches. At age ten, Peter Mutabazi ran away from home. For five years he survived on the streets of Kampala, Uganda, a city of 1.5 million, until one man saw potential in him. This man not only supported Peter through school but forever altered Peter's outlook in every possible way. Since then, Peter's turnaround story has been remarkable. He served as a relief coordinator during the Rwandan genocide, worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross during the Sudan conflict, emigrated to the United States, fostered countless children, and became a single adoptive parent. He speaks seven languages and has traveled to more than one hundred countries as an international advocate for vulnerable children. Now I Am Known Peter reveals the transformational power of taking risks, learning to forgive, overcoming self-doubt, breaking negative patterns, and believing in a better future marked by optimism and purpose. Immerse yourself in this inspiring story of hope. *** "God met Peter Mutabazi in the midst of his agony, and he will meet you in yours too."--Kyle Idleman, bestselling author of Not a Fan and One at a Time "Peter's astounding and unlikely true story proves that if you remain committed and give it your all, great things will happen."--Sanya Richards-Ross, Olympic gold medalist and founder of MommiNation "A must-read for anyone wondering whether they can actually make a difference in this world."--Kelly Slater, American pro surfer and world champion "One of the most redemptive stories you'll ever read."--Jedd Medefind, president of Christian Alliance for Orphans

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Book SynopsisJust one more sleep before EID! Safa is so excited for Eid-al-Fitr. As her mum takes her on an adventure to gift delicious Eid treatsto all their neighbours, Safa learns an important lesson: whatmakes Eid exciting is sharing special moments with the people welove.

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