From the asparas of Hindu myth to the swan maidens of European fairy tales, tales of flying women-some with wings, others with clouds, rainbows, floating scarves, or flying horses-reveal both fascination with and ambivalence about female power and sexuality. In Women Who Fly, Serinity Young examines the motif of flying women as it appears in a wide variety of cultures and historical periods, expressed in legends, myths, rituals, sacred narratives, and artistic productions. She covers a wide range of themes, including supernatural women, like the Valkyries, who transport men to immortality; winged goddesses like Iris and the Greek goddess Nike; figures of terror like the Furies, witches, and succubi; the relationship of marriage and freedom; the connections between women, death, and rebirth; dreams about flying and shamanistic journeys; airborne Christian mystics; and wayward women like Lilith and Morgan le Fay. Young also looks at the mythology surrounding real-life female aviators like Amelia Earhart and Hanna Reitsch. Throughout these examples of flying women, Young demonstrates that female power has been inextricably linked with female sexuality and that the desire to control it was and continues to be a pervasive theme in these stories. The relationship between sex and power is most vividly portrayed in the 12th-century Niebelungenlied, in which the proud warrior-queen Brunnhilde loses her great physical strength when she is tricked into losing her virginity. But even in the 20th century the same idea is reflected in the exploits of the comic book character Wonder Woman, who, posits Young, retains her physical strength only because her love for fellow aviator Steve Trevor goes unrequited. The first book to systematically chronicle the figure of the flying woman in myth, literature, and art, Women Who Fly sheds new light on the ways in which women have both influenced and been understood by society and religious traditions around the world.

A CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC. This in-depth study of the minor planet Chiron traces the development of the archetype of the Shaman, or Wounded Healer, which accompanies the soul's journey of awakening. It also demonstrates how this theme is reflected in the astronomical picture, and in turn revealed in the individual horoscope. Chiron's story in Greek mythology is explored and illuminated with skilled interpretation, and there are two large sections detailing Chiron's symbolism and meaning through the signs and houses, and aspecting the planets. The chapter on transits describes the profound process which Chiron signals as it moves around the horoscope over time. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to shed light on the astrological symbolism and meaning of Chiron. Chiron was discovered in 1977 as a celestial anomaly, but is now in a class of its own. In the early 1990s, exciting discoveries within astronomical science revealed a new category of objects, named the Centaurs'. Chiron is considered the major representative of this group which comprises short-orbit comets that cross the paths of the planets from Jupiter to Pluto. The symbolism of this is perfect, as Chiron stands for that luminous thread of consciousness which links the inner and outer dimensions of our human experience, helping us to make sense of our suffering in a deeply personal way, and thus to release our attachment to it. This book is a classic of original thinking, inspiration, depth of astrological experience and careful research. It has more than stood the test of time, and is appreciated by an ever-growing number of astrologers who focus on the soul's unfoldment through life experience, bitter or sweet. This book has addressed and accompanied the healing journey of many thousands of people all over the world. REVISION This edition of 'Chiron and the Healing Journey' represents a major revision of the best-selling previous editions, first published in 1989 and 1999 by Arkana, and in April 2010 in paperback by Starwalker Press. Changes include an entirely new section on the astronomy of Chiron, and how it is reflected in the mythology. The final section 'Spirit of the Age' has been rewritten to address more precisely our contemporary concerns. There is much new case material illustrating Chiron in the horoscope, and the reader is also briefly introduced to other Minor Planets in the same category as Chiron. The mythological base has also been expanded, and there is an in-depth exploration of the 'Chiron Return' which occurs at age 50, representing a major 'rite of passage' for everyone.

One of Oprah Magazine's Most Anticipated Books of 2021! 'Genre-bending and darkly comic, Grushin's fourth novel is a weird and wonderful triumph.' And they lived happily ever after . . . didn't they? Cinderella married the man of her dreams - the perfect ending she deserved after diligently following all the fairy-tale rules. Yet now, two children and thirteen-and-a-half years later, things have gone badly wrong. One night, she sneaks out of the palace to get help from the Witch who, for a price, offers love potions to disgruntled housewives. But as the old hag flings the last ingredients into the cauldron, Cinderella doesn't ask for a love spell to win back her Prince Charming. Instead, she wants him dead. Endlessly surprising and wildly inventive, The Charmed Wife is a sophisticated literary fairy tale for the twenty-first century that weaves together time and place, fantasy and reality, to conjure a world unlike any other. Nothing in it is quite what it seems, and the twists and turns of its magical, dark, swiftly shifting paths take us deep into the heart of romance, marriage and the very nature of storytelling. 'Dark and dreamy. Inside the plot, magic comes and goes. But inside the reader, it's all magic - all of us happily caught in Grushin's hypnotic spell.' - Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves and The Jane Austen Book Club 'Fall under its charms, I dare you' - Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked

The Human in Superhuman: The Power of the Sidekick in Popular Culture spotlights the often overlooked but very crucial sidekick in superhero narratives. From the classic companion Alfred Pennyworth to the supportive best friend Foggy Nelson, this collection examines a variety of sidekick characters and their importance to the hero's journey in '''in each story. Ultimately, rather than viewing the lack of superpowers as a flaw, the essays show that it is precisely human qualities like compassion, empathy, and encourage that enable the sidekicks to help their heroes grow. Chapters include discussions of Spider-Man, Daredevil, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Doctor Who, and more.

This "Reader" collects 25 stories of heroes of all kinds from around the world. Included are both non-Western and Western, female and male, modern and ancient, young and adult, lowly and noble, comic and tragic, national and universal, and historical and fictional heroes. Failed as well as successful heroes are represented, as are anti-heroes as well as conventional heroes.

"Hero Myths" offers not only an array of kinds of hero myths but also a guide to understanding the myths selected. In a substantial introduction, Robert Segal, a leading authority on theories of myth, provides an overview of both the history of the study of heroes and the history of the study of hero myths from the fields of psychology, anthropology, folklore, literature, and religious studies.

Following the success of Black Sci-Fi Short Stories comes a powerful new addition to the Flame Tree short story collections: the first peoples in Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, the first migration, the first exploration, the discovery of land and landscape without the footprint of humankind. Stories of injustice sit with memories of hope and wonder, dreamtime tales of creation and joy highlight the enduring spirit of humanity. These stories, selected from submissions by new writers and cast alongside ancient stories and oral traditions from around the world bring new perspectives to the legacy of First Nations, of First Peoples. Flame Tree Gothic Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Tales collections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.

'James Crowden is Britain's best cider writer ... Cider Country is the book we've all been waiting for.' Oz Clarke Join James Crowden as he embarks on a journey to distil the ancient origins of cider, uncovering a rich culture and philosophy that has united farmer, maker and drinker for millennia. LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 ANDRE SIMON FOOD AND DRINK AWARD Cidermaking has been at the heart of country life for hundreds of years. But the fascinating story of how this drink came into existence and why it became so deeply rooted in the nation's psyche has never been told. In order to answer these questions, James Crowden traces an elusive history stretching back to the ancient, myth-infused civilisations of the Mediterranean and the wild apple forests of Kazakhstan. Meeting cider experts, farmers and historians, he unearths the surprising story of an apple that travelled from east to west and proved irresistible to everyone who tasted it. Upon its arrival in Britain, monks, pirates and politicians formed a pioneering and evangelical fan base, all seeking the company of a drink that might guide them through uncertain times. But the nation's love-affair with cider didn't fully blossom until after the reformation, when the thirst for knowledge about the drink was at its peak. This infatuation with experimentation would lead to remarkable innovations and the creation of a 'sparkling cider', a technique that pre-dated Dom Perignon's champagne by forty years. Turning to the present day, Crowden meets the next generation of cider makers and unearths a unique philosophy that has been shared through the ages. In the face of real challenges, these enterprising cider makers are still finding new ways to produce this golden drink that is enjoyed by so many. Spanning centuries and continents, Cider Country tells the story of our country through the culture, craft and consumption of our most iconic rural drink.

Covering 30,000 years of goddess worship, this fascinating book is the first and most comprehensive biographical dictionary devoted exclusively to mythological deities. Spanning 30,000 years of goddess worship, Goddesses in World Mythology provides access to nearly 11,500 entries from many cultures: Greek, Celtic, Indian, African, Chinese, Slavic, Mesoamerican, Japanese, and more. Organized alphabetically within geographical regions such as Egypt, the Far East, Oceania, North America, and the Himalayan region, entries identify each goddess by her most common anthropological, mythological, or religious name, then identifies the culture recognizing that goddess, summarizing her powers or attributes, often providing a brief story characterizing her personality and motivations. The most comprehensive and comprehensible work of its kind, Goddesses in World Mythology features two indexes that divide the goddesses by name and attribute, over 2,000 cross references that guide the reader to other entries, and an extensive bibliography. This unique and easy to use guide shows that goddesses were not just wives, sisters, mothers, or fertility figures, but supreme deities themselves. Includes two indexes, arranged by name and attribute, and an extensive bibliography for further research Extensive cross references show the surprisingly intricate relationship of certain goddesses across cultures, regions, and time Nearly 11,500 entries with coverage of goddesses from countries and legend across the globe

The vital index to all previous volumes, I-X; plus new research. Epitomises what is best in Arthurian scholarship today.ZEITSCHRIFT FUR ROMANISCHE PHILOLOGIE Arthurian Literatureis now established as a leading publication for research articles of monograph length on subjects of perennial interest to Arthurians. The Indexto the first ten volumes, representing the years 1980-1990, will be warmly welcomed by Arthurians and other scholars with an interest in medieval and later literature. Additionally an extended biographical essay by JANET GRAYSON draws together material relating to the life and work of Jessie Weston, who, largely working outside the mainstream of scholarly tradition, exercised a powerful influence on Arthurian studies. The regular "Update" feature catalogues Arthurian legend in the fine and applied art of the 19th and early 20th centuries, contributed by ROGER SIMPSON.

More than 19 millions years ago, a single Being of Light made a fatal mistake. Now, millions of years later, his Brethren of higher-dimensional Realms must rescue trillions of suffering humans living on a hundred planets of his expanding Orion Empire a black cloud of control and oppression threatening the entire Milky Way They ve sent an Emissary into the worlds of flesh a Liberator. His name is Dalos.

Influenced by the writings of visionary Ernest L. Norman and the personal mentorship of Ruth Norman, author Lianne Downey has woven interdimensional concepts of life into her space fantasy, The Liberator: A Psychic-Spiritual History of the Orion Empire. The book was voiced on audiotape as the author witnessed the scenes like a movie unfolding, then transcribed verbatim 33 chapters in 33 days.

Little is known of Dutch author MARINUS WILLEM DE VISSER (1876-1930) beyond his academic life as a classicist with an interest in Chinese and Japanese language and culture, and as a popularizer of Japanese art in the Netherlands. He is best remembered today for having given us a cornerstone examination of the legends of fantastic flying reptiles known as dragons. The Dragon in China and Japan contains "the most interesting quotations concerning the dragon in China, systematically arranged, selected from the enormous number of passages on this fantastic animal in Chinese literature, from the remotest eras down to modern times," notes cryptozoologist Loren Coleman in his new introduction. Coleman also praises the book's use of primary source material. "If cryptozoologists are to study the Asian dragons of India, China, and Japan, it must not be done through the screen of today's New Age mentality. Scholarly, level-headed examinations of living, breathing reports of serpentine flying beasts, water-borne megafauna, and shadowy entities must be balanced with investigations of the legends and folktales of these dragons from Asian texts," such as de Visser's here. This new edition, a replica of the 1913 first edition complete with extensive notes in the original Asian alphabet, is part of Cosimo's Loren Coleman Presents series. LOREN COLEMAN is author of numerous books of cryptozoology, including Bigfoot : The True Story of Apes in America and Mothman and Other Curious Encounters.

Originally published in the 1920s. It is generally accepted that no legend, however incredible, exists or came into being without some reason or foundation. This fascinating book is a comprehensive study of both legend and superstition in the world of birds. Ancient thoughts, facts and fallacies apertaining to over 100 bird species are discussed in detail. The author has investigated many rare and early bird books to glean a wealth of information. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Oral and Literate Culture in England, 1500-1700 explores the rich oral culture of early modern England. It focuses upon dialect speech and proverbial wisdom, "old wives' tales" and children's lore, historical legends and local customs, scurrilous versifying and scandalous rumour-mongering. Adam Fox demonstrates the extent to which this vernacular world was fundamentally structured by written and printed sources over the course of the period.

The perfect bed-time story for all those who hate the dark. Zhazha the porcupine and Duoduo the bear cub live in the DARK MUSHROOM FOREST. They are scared of the night. Awu the elephant arrives in the forest. Awu loves to eat darkness.He sucks it right up his trunk. 'It's yummier than bananas, crunchier than bamboo,' says Awu.'And it's got my name on it.' But when there's no darkness left lurking anywhere, everyone starts to yawn. Even the tigers lose their roars and the Dark Mushroom Forest becomes an annoying, yawning place. -A gorgeous picture book. The story and illustrations perfectly match and are quirky and charming. Feels like a classic! This book has SOUL! Sophie Anderson, The House with Chicken Legs -"This is a lovely bedtime story, full of beautiful images and reassuring thoughts, to send children happily off to sleep." - Parents in Touch