When Leah Reinhart was six years old, her family moved to an unlikely neighborhood on a hill much like the country—a place where everyone dressed and lived like they were living a real-life Little House on the Prairie. Yet their new home was in Oakland, California, and everything surrounding Leah’s neighborhood was the polar opposite of their old-fashioned lifestyle. As an already scared little white girl in a predominantly African American city, Leah quickly learned that would have to face many of her fears—or get eaten alive. And in her search for love and belonging, she also found that things aren’t always as they appear. As she got to know her neighbors, most of whom belonged to the neighborhood church, she began to realize that the hood was sometimes much safer than the country. Over the course of her life—learning from the streets, a cult, trial and error, and many years of therapy—Leah developed an eye for patterns. She learned how the belief system she’d absorbed during her childhood manifested in her teenage years and young adulthood. Ultimately, she learned how to change her thoughts and accept herself—and in doing so, she broke free of the cycle she’d been imprisoned by.

Belief in magic and particularly the power of witchcraft was once a deep and enduring presence in popular culture. "Diving into Brian Hoggard's Magical House Protection is a remarkable experience... [It] provides an immersive and fascinating read."-Fortean Times People created and concealed many objects to protect themselves from harmful magic. Detailed are the principal forms of magical house protection in Britain and beyond from the fourteenth century to the present day. Witch-bottles, dried cats, horse skulls, written charms, protection marks and concealed shoes were all used widely as methods of repelling, diverting or trapping negative energies. Many of these practices and symbols can be found around the globe, demonstrating the universal nature of efforts by people to protect themselves from witchcraft. From the introduction: The most popular locations to conceal objects within buildings are usually at portals such as the hearth, the threshold and also voids or dead spaces. This suggests that people believed it was possible for dark forces to travel through the landscape and attack them in their homes. Whether these forces were emanations from a witch in the form of a spell, a witch's familiar pestering their property, an actual witch flying in spirit or a combination of all of those is difficult to tell. Additional sources of danger could be ghosts, fairies and demons. People went to great lengths to ensure their homes and property were protected, highlighting the fact that these beliefs and fears were visceral and, as far as they were concerned, literally terrifying.

Learn how to take back your life

Who doesn't deserve unconditional love? The only thing stopping us from being the love we are is the fear-based programming that we have been imprinted with. Spirited Clearings was originated by a truly extraordinary woman and teacher, Meg Hoopes. She laid the groundwork for us to work with our angels, ascended masters, and higher self, so we could take our power back.

- Remove negative programming based in fear.

- Find out who benefits from our negative programming.

- Remove negative entities.

- Stop behavior patterns that don't serve us.

- Transmute all of the negative energy we have been harboring through these programs into unconditional love.

Have you wondered why something or someone will trigger fear or feelings within that don't feel good? These clearings are the simple way to release what feels bad. Have you ever felt consumed with fear, doubt, jealousy, hatred, spite, revenge, etc.? Relax--it wasn't your fault. You can forgive and transmute everything in your life that doesn't feel good into love. We will show you how to get lasting results that will enable you to empower yourself.

Have you ever searched for a scripture when you, or someone you knew, were in need of healing, protection, or financial provision? For over seventeen years, Jacqueline Mortenson volunteered at a scriptural prayer line at her church. She received daily telephone calls and prayer requests from parishioners and others who knew about the line, and she or one of the core group would find the right scripture to meet each request. The following morning, forty-plus prayer line members would pray these scriptures for the people who had called for them. Realizing that a simple handbook of scriptures for specific needs, particularly for Catholics, would be useful, Jacqueline spent the next few years gathering and categorizing scriptures to address particular concerns. Using the Sword of the Spirit is the result of this work. Whatever your own needs might be, God's Word has the answer-and this little book will help you find it

When a loved one dies, most of us assume the door to communication with that person has closed. Yet, in this profoundly inspiring book, "Another Door Opens ," Jeffrey A. Wands offers a different perception - one that suggests that a unique form of contact has opened.
In his trademark conversational style, Wands takes readers on a dramatic tour of the beyond - presenting an entirely new definition of death and, most interestingly, the opportunities it presents. By recounting real-life stories of those who've used his psychic ability to reach their loved ones, "Another Door Opens" provides intense and unforgettable examples of how the wisdom of the dead has helped change and enrich the lives of the living. The result is an awe-inspiring book that shows readers how to keep the door open to those who've passed - and how to use that connection to open doors to a new understanding of their own experiences.

"This fascinating little book deals in detail with what at first might seem a small cult, colourful and dynamic certainly, but of significance merely local to its place of origin in the Indian state of Kerala. As the story unfolds, however, it becomes clear that this is far from the case, and that the phenomenon is full of interest for students of the history of religions. From Dr Gabriel's many other writings we have learned to expect patient investigation and humane and sympathetic interpretation. In this book we find those qualities once more abundantly on display." - From the Foreword by Professor Andrew Walls, Liverpool Hope University "This very short study of a possession cult in India raises important questions about the relation of religion to social organization -- and of the relation of religions to each other." - David Eller, Community College of Denver, Anthropology Review Database June 26, 2011 Playing God discusses the genre of rituals known as Teyyam extant in the North Malabar region of Kerala State, India. In this elaborately costumed ritual practitioners invoke the spirit of a deity into themselves that constitutes a splendid theophany in which, when the ritual process is over, the devotees are able to talk to the god and invoke his/her blessings and predictions of their future. This book concentrates on the cult of the Muttappan duo of gods, the most popular among the Teyyams of North Malabar. Playing God analyses the mythology and ritual praxis of the Muttappan cult and examines attempts to integrate the cult into a wider Hinduism by enunciating a new hermeneutic of the legend and rituals based on the Hindu Advaitic tradition. The book also discusses how the Teyyam ritual contrasts significantly with rituals and worship in Brahminical Hinduism. The popularity of the cult is a reflection of the changing relationships between castes in Kerala, involving a closer symbiosis and reflecting the urge by the untouchable groups of Kerala to gain a higher standing and acceptance in Keralan Hindu society. The rituals are rich in theological significance and symbolism, and have links to the performing arts of Kerala such as Kathakali and Ottam Tullal.

In Esotericism in African American Religious Experience: "There is a Mystery" ..., Stephen C. Finley, Margarita Simon Guillory, and Hugh R. Page, Jr. assemble twenty groundbreaking essays that provide a rationale and parameters for Africana Esoteric Studies (AES): a new trans-disciplinary enterprise focused on the investigation of esoteric lore and practices in Africa and the African Diaspora. The goals of this new field - while akin to those of Religious Studies, Africana Studies, and Western Esoteric Studies - are focused on the impulses that give rise to Africana Esoteric Traditions (AETs) and the ways in which they can be understood as loci where issues such as race, ethnicity, and identity are engaged; and in which identity, embodiment, resistance, and meaning are negotiated.

Is Your Life Controlled by Spiritual Confusion, Religious Rituals or Important Unanswered Questions?
This is a masterpiece and I feel that the body of Christ will be more enlightened by reading this book ...thought provoking, illuminating to the mind, revelatory, honest explanation of God's word...the answers to questions that the normal Christian is afraid to ask...extensive and comprehensive coverage." (Allan Young, Chair: Teacher Education and Public Administration, University College of the Cayman Islands)
"Spiritual Illumination: Honest Questions From The Heart" provides your opportunity to explore the corridors of life for yourself...and to embrace a real purpose for living. While not intending to generate unnecessary offence, this revolutionary book challenges many long-standing convictions, raises delicate religious issues, confronts countless "holy cows" and unmasks deadly, diabolic deceptions. These brief Chapters, alongside the accompanying "Reflections" will definitely lead the honest reader to discover viable, authentic spiritual options...especially in an age when many confusing voices are clamoring for attention with enticing offers of "peace," "unity," "love," "health," "prosperity" and "eternal life." This book challenges you to make some hard, conscious, personal, eternal decisions.

* Gives an account of the history, the theological basis, the practice and the current state of the study of religion and religions throughout the world * Combines a clear and non-technical style of presentation with a structure and range of contributions which reflect the richness and complexity of religion itself, of the religions of the world and the study of religions * Comprehensive index, bibliographies and suggestions for further reading `Intriguing philosophical questions are raised about the nature of religion and the qualities needed for studying it.' - Times Higher Education Supplement `Excellent book ... remarkably successful, impressive as much for the sheer scale of the undertaking as for its consistent standard of analysis. It is a fine achievement which will serve both as a very suitable textbook for students and a reliable guide to the state of scholarship in the History and Study of Religions.' - Heythrop Journal

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