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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems
The art of predicting earthly events from the movements of stars
and planets has always been a source of fascination. Medieval
astrologers, though sometimes feared to be magicians in league with
demons, were usually revered scholars whose ideas and practices
were widely respected. Politics, medicine, weather forecasting,
cosmology and alchemy were all influenced by astrological concepts.
Astrology in Medieval Manuscripts explores the dazzling complexity
of western medieval astrology and its place in society, as revealed
by a wealth of illustrated manuscripts from the British Library's
rich medieval collection.
Religion in Europe is currently undergoing changes that are
reconfiguring physical and virtual spaces of practice and belief,
and these changes need to be understood with regards to the
proliferation of digital media discourses. This book explores
religious change in Europe through a comparative approach that
analyzes Atheist, Catholic, and Muslim blogs as spaces for
articulating narratives about religion that symbolically challenge
the power of religious institutions. The book adds theoretical
complexity to the study of religion and digital media with the
concept of hypermediated religious spaces. The theory of
hypermediation helps to critically discuss the theory of
secularization and to contextualize religious change as the result
of multiple entangled phenomena. It considers religion as being
connected with secular and post-secular spaces, and media as
embedding material forms, institutions, and technologies. A spatial
perspective contextualizes hypermediated religious spaces as
existing at the interstice of alternative and mainstream, private
and public, imaginary and real venues. By offering the innovative
perspective of hypermediated religious spaces, this book will be of
significant interest to scholars of religious studies, the
sociology of religion, and digital media.
In the tradition of Truman Capote's In Cold Blood and Norman
Mailer's The Executioner's Song, the story of David Koresh, the FBI
and the tragedy at Waco - a book for everyone fascinated by true
crime, conspiracy theory, and American extremity. The assault by
federal agents on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, in
1993, in which 86 people died, has become a founding myth of the
extreme wing of American conservatism, invoked by militiamen, gun
rights advocates and the alt-right. The leader of the evangelical
sect at Waco, an extreme form of Seventh-Day Adventism, was Vernon
Howell, a charismatic chancer and former victim of sexual abuse who
called himself David Koresh. He himself became a sexual predator on
a large scale, exploiting many of the women in his compound. He was
also a compelling preacher and interpreter of the Bible, notably
the Book of Revelation, and was obsessed with the coming of the
Apocalypse. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
duly obliged, with tragic results. Koresh is Stephan Talty's
extraordinary, meticulous narration of this event, in all its
squalor, strangeness and delirium. Talty doesn't downplay the
madness of the cult, but he is humanely sympathetic to Koresh and
his followers and is also highly critical of the ATF and FBI, who
were spoiling for a violent showdown, and explains why the siege
has become so important to those who loathe the state.
In March 2020, Are Thoresen contracted Covid-19. Whilst
convalescing from the disease and suffering great exhaustion, he
experienced a breakthrough in his daily meditation. Although he has
always been able to 'see' into the spiritual world, now deeper,
unknown realms appeared to his inner vision. In the soapstone
surround of the fireplace in his Norwegian home, he perceived the
elemental beings and forces that make up the mineral at an atomic
level. A few days later, an even deeper dimension revealed itself,
in the form of a void or vacuum. Here, astonishingly, was an open
portal to the entire cosmos... In Travels on the Northern Path of
Initiation, Thoresen shares the results of his latest spiritual
investigations, including a moving, life-changing encounter with
'the Light of the World'. He details the teachings he receives from
the beings Vidar and Balder - who stand as guardians to the
threshold of the outer etheric world - and characterizes the
Northern way of initiation, which is based on merging, or 'fading',
into nature. Thoresen documents Rudolf Steiner's descriptions of
this path and shows how it is reflected in the Old Norse Poetic
Edda, the Kalevala and von Eschenbach's Parzival. Based on
painstaking research, he describes the individual qualities of the
three elemental realms, and how the adversarial forces - seeking to
corrupt human senses - hinder spiritual observation of them.
Thoresen's book is a powerful personal testimony to the human
potential for spiritual knowledge and experience in our time.
A Definitive Edition of the Symbolist Classic by the author of The
Secret Teachings of All Ages Manly P. Hall is widely recognized as
the preeminent voice of occult scholarship in the twentieth
century, famous for his esoteric masterpiece The Secret Teachings
of All Ages (1928). Now, in this "deluxe edition," Hall's earliest
work, The Initiates of the Flame, is reborn with a full complement
of illustrations and historical introductions. Originally published
in 1922, The Initiates of the Flame is Hall's first
exploration--and still one of his most powerful--of myth and
symbol. Its pages shine on a light on the inner meaning of symbols
including the pyramid, holy grail, flame of wisdom, ark of the
covenant, all-seeing eye, sword and stone, the elements of alchemy,
and other gateways to the unseen world. Edited and reintroduced by
popular voice of esoteric spirituality, Mitch Horowitz, and
president of the Philosophical Research Society, Greg Salyer,
Ph.D., this is the signature presentation of Hall's landmark.
Non-sensationalist historical account of Nazi occultism Explores
both prewar and postwar manifestations of this phenomenon Draws on
a global set of examples and case studies
The Witchcraft Sourcebook, now in its second edition, is a
fascinating collection of documents that illustrates the
development of ideas about witchcraft from ancient times to the
eighteenth century. Many of the sources come from the period
between 1400 and 1750, when more than 100,000 people - most of them
women - were prosecuted for witchcraft in Europe and colonial
America. During these years the prominent stereotype of the witch
as an evil magician and servant of Satan emerged. Catholics and
Protestants alike feared that the Devil and his human confederates
were destroying Christian society. Including trial records,
demonological treatises and sermons, literary texts, narratives of
demonic possession, and artistic depiction of witches, the
documents reveal how contemporaries from various periods have
perceived alleged witches and their activities. Brian P. Levack
shows how notions of witchcraft have changed over time and
considers the connection between gender and witchcraft and the
nature of the witch's perceived power. This second edition includes
an extended section on the witch trials in England, Scotland and
New England, fully revised and updated introductions to the sources
to include the latest scholarship and a short bibliography at the
end of each introduction to guide students in their further
reading. The Sourcebook provides students of the history of
witchcraft with a broad range of sources, many of which have been
translated into English for the first time, with commentary and
background by one of the leading scholars in the field.
It is not uncommon for children's drawings to end up in the
wastepaper basket. Yet these early artistic expressions indicate
how children communicate with their environment. From the first
scratches and scribbles to the detailed sketches of houses and
people, the drawings and paintings of our young ones are
significant manifestations of inner processes, containing important
statements about their development and gradual incarnation into a
physical body. Michaela Strauss's classic work is a pioneer study
that can strengthen observation, understanding and love for the
being of the child, both in the home and the kindergarten. First
issued in 1978, it is republished here with revisions, improved
reproductions, a larger format and more than 40 pages of colour
illustrations. 'In its drawings, the child describes for us
different conditions of consciousness, which are parallel with
those of cultural epochs.' - Michaela Strauss
Stop comparing yourself to others-you're special just as you are!
In this fun, practical guide, you'll learn how to silence your
nit-picky inner critic, cultivate self-compassion, and discover
what really matters to you. If you're like many teens, you probably
feel pressured to live up to the impossible standards set by our
culture, the media, and even by your peers. After all, everyone
wants perfect hair, a perfect body, cool friends, and good grades.
But while it's okay to strive to be your best, it's also easy to
get caught up in a never-ending comparison game that can feed your
inner critic and rob you of your happiness. So, how can you break
free from negative self-criticism and learn to appreciate your
strengths? In Just As You Are, psychologist Michelle Skeen and her
daughter, Kelly Skeen, offer simple tips to help you overcome
feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness, stop comparing yourself to
others, and be more open and accepting of all aspects of who you
are. You'll also learn how to be more aware of your thoughts and
feelings in the moment using powerful mindfulness tools, and build
a plan of action for the future based on your values. Sometimes
it's hard to see yourself with clarity and kindness. With this
important guide, you'll learn to move past your faults, celebrate
your true strengths, and discover what really matters in your life.
What are you waiting for?
In its most general sense, the term "Spiritual but Not Religious"
denotes those who, on the one hand, are disillusioned with
traditional institutional religion and, on the other hand, feel
that those same traditions contain deep wisdom about the human
condition. This edited collection speaks to what national surveys
agree is a growing social phenomenon referred to as the "Spiritual
but Not Religious Movement" (SBNRM). Each essay of the volume
engages the past, present and future(s) of the SBNRM. Their
collective contribution is analytic, descriptive, and prescriptive,
taking stock of not only the various analyses of the SBNRM to date
but also the establishment of a new ground upon which the continued
academic discussion can take place. This volume is a watershed in
the growing academic and public interest in the SBNRM. As such, it
will vital reading for any academic involved in Religious Studies,
Spirituality and Sociology.
With mental health increasingly in the spotlight, this book offers
a new perspective on anxiety. The focus of this book is on the
application of psychological alchemical practice to address,
explore and examine the nature and cause of anxiety in order to
tackle and overcome it. It has never been more relevant to
illustrate the reality that scientific, artistic and spiritual
understanding, together with practical application, has the
capacity to eliminate anxiety and gain personal control, liberation
and fulfilment. The first half of the book identifies the issues to
be considered and the second half explains and illustrates the
alchemical practices with which to approach them. While the book
puts a slight emphasis on musical performance, it is made clear at
the outset that performance concerns everyone and the contents,
therefore, apply universally. Music is simply a very clear example.
The book is designed as a personal development book rather than a
scholarly work and, although it is relevant to all ages (depending
on timing), it was written with 18 - 30 year olds being the main
inspiration through apparent and ever increasing necessity. It is a
source book that can be dipped into anywhere or launch further
investigation into any of the various disciplines and practices
covered. Alchemy has the capacity to bind it all together and the
alchemy of performance can become a way of life for anyone.
'It is a Lord of the Flies parable with Bhagwan as lord. The book
is a fascinating social history, with many celebrities, from Diana
Ross to Prince Charles. - Helen Rumbelow, The Times This is the
story of a Englishman who gave up a job in journalism to spend
fourteen years with the controversial Indian mystic Osho, also
known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and frequently referred to as 'the
sex guru'. His guru was always controversial with his teachings on
sex and spirituality, rumours of orgies and because he owned
ninety-three Rolls Royces. Early in 1976, Subhuti travelled to
India to meet Rajneesh in his ashram in Pune, became initiated as
his disciple and immediately began to have mystical experiences,
which he attributed to the powerful energy field surrounding the
guru. He stayed for six months, participating in the ashram's
notorious Encounter Group and other therapies designed to release
suppressed emotions and awaken sexual energy Subhuti would stay to
live and work on his master's ashrams for fourteen years, first as
his press officer in Pune, India, then as editor of the community's
weekly newspaper when Bhagwan and his followers shifted to Oregon,
USA, and built a whole new town on the massive Big Muddy Ranch.
There Subhuti was a first-hand witness to the scandals and
hullabaloo that accompanied the guru, including tales of broken
bones in no-holds-barred therapy groups and Tantra groups that
encouraged total sexual freedom, and the increasing hostility with
the locals which would lead to Bhagwan's attempt to flee America,
his arrest and imprisonment. . He was on the Oregon Ranch when
Rajneesh's secretary, Ma Anand Sheela, plotted against rival
cliques within the ashram as well as a range of murderous crimes
against state and federal officials which feature in hit Netflix
series Wild Wild Country. Yet, amidst it all, Subhuti could see the
profound revolution in spirituality that Bhagwan was creating,
leaving a lasting impact on our ideas about society, religion,
meditation and personal transformation. According to the author's
understanding, it was the controversy itself, plus Bhagwan's
refusal to tread the path of a spiritual saint, that became the
stepping stone to a new vision of what it means to be a spiritual
seeker.
This book offers a theological, and more specifically
ecclesiological, response to the philosophical problem of divine
hiddenness. It engages with philosopher J.L. Schellenberg's
argument on hiddenness and sets out a theologically rich and fresh
response, drawing on the ecclesiological thought of Gregory of
Nyssa. With careful attention to Gregory's work, the book shows how
certain ecclesiological problems and themes are critical to the
hiddenness argument. It looks to the gathered church (the church as
the body of Christ) and the scattered church (the church as the
image of God) for relevance to the hiddenness problem. The volume
will be of interest to scholars of theology and philosophy,
particularly analytic theologians and philosophers of religion.
This book offers a creative and accessible exploration of two comic
book series: Y: The Last Man and Saga It examines themes pertinent
to the 21st century and its challenges, such as those of diversity
and religious pluralism, issues of gender and war, heroes and moral
failures, and forgiveness and seeking justice Through close
interdisciplinary reading and personal narratives, the author
delves into the complex worlds of Y and Saga in search of an
ethics, meaning, and a path resonant with real world struggles
Reading these works side-by-side, the analysis draws parallels and
seeks common themes around four central ideas: seeking and making
meaning in a meaningless world; love and parenting through
oppression and grief; peacefulness when surrounded by violence; and
the perils and hopes of diversity and communion This timely,
attentive, and thoughtful study will resonate with scholars and
students of comic studies, media and cultural studies, philosophy,
theology, literature, psychology, and popular culture studies
Learn the secrets of The Witch of the Forest in this stunning
follow-up to Natural Magick, and channel the elemental forces which
are all around you to master the practice of earth magick. Earth
magick is all about understanding the elements which govern the
world around us, connecting with the Earth and using its powers to
thrive. From using the four elements - fire, air, water and earth -
in spells, to learning about the powers of crystals and mastering
the art of divination, this book will teach you everything you know
about this ancient form of magick. Discover how to use simple
witchcraft to boost your wellbeing, keep yourself grounded in the
21st century, and connect to your own natural 'seasons' in your
life as well as in your craft. Perfect for budding beginners new to
the spellbinding world of witchcraft, learn about: Casting a circle
and ritual basics, Crystals and their magickal properties and uses,
Divination techniques such as using runes and divination dice,
Connecting with the energies of the four seasons, the four
elements, and harnessing their power, Connecting to your own
natural 'seasons' in your life through your craft, Reconnecting
with your craft after a break, Caring for your magickal energy if
you're an empath, or are feeling drained, Embracing your darker
energies, and using shadow work for personal growth and
transformation, Wellbeing techniques for witches to help you manage
your energy ... and more! Suitable for every type of witch and
witchling - including those practicing in the broom closet - this
book also includes a runes board on the back of the jacket that you
can remove to help answer all your questions. The Earth is bursting
with magickal energies and lessons to be learnt, and connecting
with these can help your relationship with yourself, the people
around you, and the natural world, blossom. Discover how to use
witchcraft to connect more deeply with yourself, and and learn from
the Earth how to bloom and thrive at your own pace! The Witch of
the Forest's Guide to... series are a collection of guides to
different areas of witchcraft, focusing on the relationship between
magic, the natural world and the self. Each book discusses
completely different elements of the natural world, and Earth
Magick is full of techniques not mentioned in Natural Magick.
The Indigo Child concept is a contemporary New Age redefinition of
self. Indigo Children are described in their primary literature as
a spiritually, psychically, and genetically advanced generation.
Born from the early 1980s, the Indigo Children are thought to be
here to usher in a new golden age by changing the world's current
social paradigm. However, as they are "paradigm busters", they also
claim to find it difficult to fit into contemporary society. Indigo
Children recount difficult childhoods and school years, and the
concept has also been used by members of the community to
reinterpret conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive
Disorder (ADHD) and autism. Cynics, however, can claim that the
Indigo Child concept is an example of "special snowflake" syndrome,
and parodies abound. This book is the fullest introduction to the
Indigo Child concept to date. Employing both on- and offline
ethnographic methods, Beth Singler objectively considers the place
of the Indigo Children in contemporary debates around religious
identity, self-creation, online participation, conspiracy theories,
race and culture, and definitions of the New Age movement.
This fascinating book explores how traumatic experience interacts
with unconscious phantasy based in folklore, the supernatural and
the occult. Drawing upon trauma research, case study vignettes, and
psychoanalytic theory, it explains how therapists can use
literature, the arts, and philosophy to work with clients who feel
cursed and manifest self-sabotaging states. The book examines the
challenges that can arise when working with this client population
and illustrates how to work through them while navigating potent
transferences and projective identifications. It's an important
read for students, psychotherapists, and counselors in the mental
health field.
Exploration of the interface between mystical theology and
continental philosophy is a defining feature of the current
intellectual and even devotional climate. But to what extent and in
what depth are these disciplines actually speaking to one another;
or even speaking about the same phenomena? This book draws together
original contributions by leading and emerging international
scholars, delineating emerging debates in this growing and dynamic
field of research, and spanning mystical and philosophical
traditions from the ancient, to the medieval, modern, and
contemporary. At the heart of which lies Meister Eckhart, perhaps
the single most influential Christian mystic for modern times. The
book is organised around significant historical and contemporary
figures who speak across the intersections of philosophy and
theology, offering new insights into key interlocutors such as
Pseudo-Dionysius, Augustine, Isaac Luria, Eckhart, Hegel,
Heidegger, Marion, Kierkegaard, Deleuze, Laruelle, and Zizek.
Designed both to contribute to current trends in mystical theology
and philosophy, and elicit dialogue and debate from further afield,
this book speaks within an emerging space exploring the retrieval
of the mystical within a post-secular context.
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The Portals of Chaos
(Cards)
Peter J. Carroll, Matt Kaybryn
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In this in-depth look at occult and esoteric traditions in Russia,
Christopher McIntosh explores the currents of mysticism, myth,
magic, and the spiritual to which the Russian soul has always been
attuned. The author explains how the search for meaning in the
post-Soviet era has given rise to a revival of ancient spiritual
traditions and a plethora of new movements. He examines the
precursors to these movements in the "Silver Age" (1880-1920)
before the Revolution, when alternative forms of spirituality were
finding new life as a reaction to the ongoing climate of violence,
revolt, and repression. He discusses the impact of the Russian
Revolution on spiritual and esoteric groups, and shows how their
activities were tolerated and even in some instances
encouraged--until Stalin assumed power in 1924. Discussing the
spiritual reawakening after the fall of communism in 1989, the
author explores the survival of Slavic deities and pagan practices
in modern Russia, including the indigenous pre-Christian customs of
the Mari people and the shamanic traditions of Siberia. He examines
the resurgence of the Orthodox Church and the burgeoning of
alternative forms of spirituality. He offers a deep look at the
controversial Book of Veles, branded by some as a forgery and
hailed by others as an epic chronicle of the Slavic people. He also
explores the interface between spirituality and the arts and the
unique qualities of the Russian language as a medium for the
sacred. Revealing the implications of the modern Russian spiritual
and esoteric renaissance, McIntosh shows that it still remains to
be seen whether Edgar Cayce's prediction of Russia as the hope of
the world will come true or if Russia will remain, as Churchill
famously stated, "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an
enigma."
Much has been written about the law as it affects new and minority
religions, but relatively little has been written about how such
religions react to the law. This book presents a wide variety of
responses by minority religions to the legal environments within
which they find themselves. An international panel of experts offer
examples from North America, Europe and Asia demonstrating how
religions with relatively little status may resort to violence or
passive acceptance of the law; how they may change their beliefs or
practices in order to be in compliance with the law; or how they
may resort to the law itself in order to change their legal
standing, sometimes by forging alliances with those with more power
or authority to achieve their goals. The volume concludes by
applying theoretical insights from sociological studies of law,
religion and social movements to the variety of responses. The
first systematic collection focussing on how minority religions
respond to efforts at social control by various governmental
agents, this book provides a vital reference for scholars of
religion and the law, new religious movements, minority religions
and the sociology of religion.
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