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Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social institutions > Customs & folklore > Folklore

Woman's Dictionary of Sacred Objects (Paperback, 1st ed): Barbara G. Walker Woman's Dictionary of Sacred Objects (Paperback, 1st ed)
Barbara G. Walker
R832 R591 Discovery Miles 5 910 Save R241 (29%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

This fascinating guide to the history and mythology of woman-related symbols features:

  • Unique organization by shape of symbol or type of sacred object

  • 21 different sections including Round and Oval Motifs, Sacred Objects, Secular-Sacred Objects, Rituals, Deities' Signs, Supernaturals, Body Parts, Nature, Birds, Plants, Minerals, Stones and Shells, and more

  • Introductory essays for each section

  • 753 entries and 636 illustrations

  • Alphabetical index for easy reference

Three-Rayed Sun The sun suspended in heaven by three powers, perhaps the Triple Goddess who gave birth to it (see Three-Way Motifs).

Corn Dolly An embodiment of the harvest to be set in the center of the harvest dance, or fed to the cattle to `make them thrive year round' (see Secular-Sacred Objects).

Tongue In Asia, the extended tongue was a sign of life-force as the tongue between the lips imitated the sacred lingam-yoni: male within female genital. Sticking out the tongue is still a polite sign of greeting in northern India and Tibet (see Body Parts).

Cosmic Egg In ancient times the primeval universe-or the Great Mother-took the form of an egg. It carried all numbers and letters within an ellipse, to show that everything is contained within one form at the beginning (see Round and Oval Motifs).

Lithuanian Folk Tales; (Hardcover): Stepas 1911-1984 Zobarskas Lithuanian Folk Tales; (Hardcover)
Stepas 1911-1984 Zobarskas
R947 Discovery Miles 9 470 Ships in 10 - 15 working days
Tales From the Fens (Paperback): W H (Walter Henry) 1891-1 Barrett Tales From the Fens (Paperback)
W H (Walter Henry) 1891-1 Barrett
R601 Discovery Miles 6 010 Ships in 10 - 15 working days
The Almanac - A seasonal guide to 2022 (Hardcover): Lia Leendertz The Almanac - A seasonal guide to 2022 (Hardcover)
Lia Leendertz
R390 Discovery Miles 3 900 Ships in 9 - 15 working days

*THE ORIGINAL & BESTSELLING ALMANAC* 'Lia Leendertz's classic almanac never fails to delight' - The Herald 'It's a perfect Christmas present' - Allan Jenkins, The Observer A perfect toolkit for connecting with the world around us and the year ahead as it unfolds - all in a compact and pocket size guide that just begs you to pick it up and browse. The Almanac: A seasonal guide to 2022 reinvents the tradition of the rural almanac for a new audience. It gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way. Divided into the 12 months, a set of tables each month gives it the feel and weight of a traditional almanac, providing practical information that gives access to the outdoors and the seasons, perfect for expeditions, meteor-spotting nights and beach holidays. There are also features on each month's unique nature, such as the meteor shower of the month, beehive behaviour, folklore, seasonal recipes and charts tracking moon phases and tides. You will find yourself referring to The Almanac all year long, revisiting it again and again, and looking forward to the next edition as the year draws to a close. The geographical scope of The Almanac is Britain and Ireland PRAISE FOR THE ALMANAC: 'The perfect companion to the seasons' - India Knight 'Indispensable' - Sir Bob Geldof 'This book is your bible' - The Independent 'An ideal stocking filler' - The English Garden 'I love this gem of a book' - Cerys Matthews

The Archetypal Temple - and Other Writings On Masonic Esotericism (Paperback): Jaime Paul Lamb The Archetypal Temple - and Other Writings On Masonic Esotericism (Paperback)
Jaime Paul Lamb; Cover design or artwork by travis lawrence
R707 Discovery Miles 7 070 Ships in 10 - 15 working days
Shape-Shifters & their stories (Paperback): Michael Berman Shape-Shifters & their stories (Paperback)
Michael Berman; Illustrated by Kala Trobe
R332 Discovery Miles 3 320 Ships in 12 - 17 working days
Mind in the Balance - Meditation in Science, Buddhism, and Christianity (Paperback): B. Alan Wallace Mind in the Balance - Meditation in Science, Buddhism, and Christianity (Paperback)
B. Alan Wallace
R536 Discovery Miles 5 360 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

By establishing a dialogue in which the meditative practices of Buddhism and Christianity speak to the theories of modern philosophy and science, B. Alan Wallace reveals the theoretical similarities underlying these disparate disciplines and their unified approach to making sense of the objective world.

Wallace begins by exploring the relationship between Christian and Buddhist meditative practices. He outlines a sequence of meditations the reader can undertake, showing that, though Buddhism and Christianity differ in their belief systems, their methods of cognitive inquiry provide similar insight into the nature and origins of consciousness.

From this convergence Wallace then connects the approaches of contemporary cognitive science, quantum mechanics, and the philosophy of the mind. He links Buddhist and Christian views to the provocative philosophical theories of Hilary Putnam, Charles Taylor, and Bas van Fraassen, and he seamlessly incorporates the work of such physicists as Anton Zeilinger, John Wheeler, and Stephen Hawking. Combining a concrete analysis of conceptions of consciousness with a guide to cultivating mindfulness and profound contemplative practice, Wallace takes the scientific and intellectual mapping of the mind in exciting new directions.

The Legend of Spring-Heeled Jack - Victorian Urban Folklore and Popular Cultures (Paperback): Karl Bell The Legend of Spring-Heeled Jack - Victorian Urban Folklore and Popular Cultures (Paperback)
Karl Bell
R734 Discovery Miles 7 340 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

An intriguing study of a unique and unsettling cultural phenomenon in Victorian England. WINNER of the 2013 Katharine Briggs Award This book uses the nineteenth-century legend of Spring-Heeled Jack to analyse and challenge current notions of Victorian popular cultures. Starting as oral rumours, this supposedly supernatural entity moved from rural folklore to metropolitan press sensation, co-existing in literary and theatrical forms before finally degenerating into a nursery lore bogeyman to frighten children. A mercurial and unfixedcultural phenomenon, Spring-Heeled Jack found purchase in both older folkloric traditions and emerging forms of entertainment. Through this intriguing study of a unique and unsettling figure, Karl Bell complicates our appreciation of the differences, interactions and similarities between various types of popular culture between 1837 and 1904. The book draws upon a rich variety of primary source material including folklorist accounts, street ballads,several series of "penny dreadful" stories (and illustrations), journals, magazines, newspapers, comics, court accounts, autobiographies and published reminiscences. The Legend of Spring-Heeled Jack is impressively researched social history and provides a fascinating insight into Victorian cultures. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in nineteenth-century English social and cultural history, folklore or literature. Karl Bell is Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Portsmouth.

Eternal Chalice - The Enduring Legend of the Holy Grail (Paperback): Juliette Wood Eternal Chalice - The Enduring Legend of the Holy Grail (Paperback)
Juliette Wood 1
R918 Discovery Miles 9 180 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

The sacred allure of the Holy Grail has fascinated writers and ensnared knights for over a thousand years. From Malory to Monty Python, the eternal chalice--said to be the very cup from which Christ drank at the Last Supper--has the richest associations of any icon in British myth. Many different meanings have been devised for the Grail, which has been linked to the Celts and King Arthur, the eucharistic rites of Eastern Christianity, ancient mystery religions, Jungian archetypes, dualist heresies, Templar treasure and even the alleged descendants of Christ himself and Mary Magdalene. The common thread running through all these stories is the assumption that the Grail legend has a single source with a meaning that--if only we could decode it--is concealed in the romances themselves. That meaning has become the subject of coded, secret documents and is the central feature of a vast conspiracy supposedly stretching back to the dawn of western civilization. Juliette Wood here reveals the elusive and embedded significance of the Grail story in popular consciousness--as myth, medieval romance, tangible holy relic and finally as the centre of an esoteric theory of global conspiracy. The author shows how various interpretations of the Grail, over the centuries, reflect changing cultural needs and desires. Her book will enthral those who, like Sir Perceval, seek to unlock the mysterious secrets of western mythology's most extraordinary and tantalising enigma, and will delight students of history, myth and religion alike.

Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths (Paperback): Bernard Evslin Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths (Paperback)
Bernard Evslin
R237 R179 Discovery Miles 1 790 Save R58 (24%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

The earth breeds giants and ogres of indescribable horror -- the heavens hold omnipotent gods and goddesses, abounding in courage, strength and wisdom.



Zeus, the almighty king of the gods, who cannot resist feminine beauty -- mortal or divine, and his jealous and vengeful wife, Hera.



Perseus, fearless mortal warrior, who takes on an impossible challenge: slaying the monstrous Medusa, whose glance turns men to stone.



The Minotaur, half-man and half-bull, the horrible fruit of a queen's unspeakable desire, who annually destroys the young victims sacrificed to his terrifying power.



A fantastic world of spells and curses, magic and mystery, forces that create and destroy at will.

Devon Ghost Tales (Paperback): Janet Dowling Devon Ghost Tales (Paperback)
Janet Dowling
R311 R255 Discovery Miles 2 550 Save R56 (18%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

These spooky ghost tales from one of Britain's most ancient counties are vividly retold by local storyteller Janet Dowling. Their origins lost in the oral tradition, these stories are as eerie and mysterious as the windswept moorland, wild shorelines and rugged landscapes from which they derive. Here you will find stories of a voice beyond the grave, a ghost on the pivot between heaven and hell, and the spectres of Viking princes on moonlit roads. Richly illustrated by Vicky Jocher with original drawings, these atmospheric tales are perfect for reading aloud in front of a roaring fire or alone under the covers on dark, stormy nights.

The Penguin Book of Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt (Paperback): Joyce Tyldesley The Penguin Book of Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt (Paperback)
Joyce Tyldesley
R348 R286 Discovery Miles 2 860 Save R62 (18%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

'This readable anthology is a good introduction to a civilization that fascinates like few others ... in this book there are animals who talk, princesses who are locked up at the top of towers, wicked stepmothers and many other themes ... An enjoyable book by a skilled author' Financial Times The civilization we know as Ancient Egypt stretched over three thousand years. What was life like for ancient Egyptians? What were their beliefs - and how different were they from ours? Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt uses Egypt's vivid narratives to create a panorama of its history, from the earliest settlers to the time of Cleopatra. Gathered from pyramid texts, archaeological finds and contemporary documents, these stories cover everything from why the Nile flooded annually to Egyptian beliefs about childbirth and what happened after death. They show us what life was really like for rich and poor, man and woman, farmer and pharaoh. Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt brings a long-dead culture back to life.

Early Rome - Myth and Society (Paperback): J Neel Early Rome - Myth and Society (Paperback)
J Neel
R1,189 Discovery Miles 11 890 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

The scholarly community has become increasingly aware of the differences between Roman myths and the more familiar myths of Greece. Early Rome: Myth and Society steps in to provide much-needed modern and accessible translations and commentaries on Italian legends. This work examines the tales of Roman pre-and legendary history, discusses relevant cultural and contextual information, and presents author biographies. This book offers updated translations of key texts, including authors who are often absent from classical mythology textbooks, such as Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Servius. Editor Jaclyn Neel debunks the idea that Romans were unimaginative copyists by spotlighting the vitality and flexibility of Italian myth particularly those parts that are less closely connected to Greek tales, such as the story of Caeculus of Praeneste. Finally, by calling attention to the Italian rather than Roman nature of the collection, this book suggests that Roman culture was broader than the city itself. This important work offers: * Up-to-date and accessible translations of Roman and Italic legends from authors throughout antiquity * Examination of compelling tales that involve the Roman equivalent of Greek heroes * Unique view of the strength and plasticity of Roman and Italic myth, particularly the parts less closely connected to familiar Greek tales * Intelligent discussion of relevant cultural and contextual information * Argument that Roman culture reached far beyond the city of Rome Fresh and readable, Early Rome: Myth and Society offers essential reading for students of ancient Rome as well as those interested in Roman and Greek mythology.

Sakuntala - Texts, Readings, Histories (Paperback): Romila Thapar Sakuntala - Texts, Readings, Histories (Paperback)
Romila Thapar
R857 R730 Discovery Miles 7 300 Save R127 (15%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

The figure of Sakuntala appears in many forms throughout South Asian literature, most famously in the "Mahabharata" and in Kalidisa's fourth-century Sanskrit play, "Sakuntala and the Ring of Recollection." In these two texts, Sakuntala undergoes a critical transformation, relinquishing her assertiveness and autonomy to become the quintessentially submissive woman, revealing much about the performance of Hindu femininity that would come to dominate South Asian culture. Through a careful analysis of sections from "Sakuntala" and their various iterations in different contexts, Romila Thapar explores the interactions between literature and history, culture and gender, that frame the development of this canonical figure, as well as a distinct conception of female identity.

Dragons - The Modern Infestation (Paperback): Pamela Wharton Blanpied Dragons - The Modern Infestation (Paperback)
Pamela Wharton Blanpied
R587 Discovery Miles 5 870 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Dragons: what they are, where they originate, their impact on the future of man -and what to do if one lands on your roof. Pre-medieval dragons are a staple of Western culture, familiar through bestiaries, folklore and the framework of meaning provided by the church. Dragons of the Modern Infestation, however, must be known through a scientific term:verminology. The purpose of this monograph is to make available to the general public the fruits of verminological research which began shortly after the first modern sightings, in the hope of fostering a better understanding of the risks inherent in dragon/human contact, and a deeper appreciation of the beauty and complexity of these beasts. The book introduces their basic anatomy, habits, recreation, preferences in food, and their legendary lust for treasure; it covers their mating rituals and their care for their young, and, importantly, the Mime, the means by which the dragons pursue their prey and invade even the most densely populated cities. Dragon language is discussed, andthe controversial possibility of dragon/human communication. Dragons draws freely from the work of the major verminologists, such as Philomel St James and Philip Marsden; excerpts from their private papers, field notes and journals give the reader the sense of what it is like to study dragons at firsthand. Thisis the first edition in the United Kingdom; it includes an updated preface and several new photographs, as well as the charts, graphs, maps, and bibliographic detail that made the 1980 edition the standard reference for the Modern Infestation. PAMELA WHARTON BLANPIED has been watching dragons since the first incidents of the Modern Infestation occurred, and has an unrivalled knowledge of the scientific literature on the subject. She is now recognised as the leading authority in this field.

Daughters of Sparta - A tale of secrets, betrayal and revenge from mythology's most vilified women (Paperback): Claire... Daughters of Sparta - A tale of secrets, betrayal and revenge from mythology's most vilified women (Paperback)
Claire Heywood
R481 R396 Discovery Miles 3 960 Save R85 (18%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

Two sisters parted. Two women blamed. Two stories reclaimed. 'Required reading for fans of Circe . . . a remarkable, thrilling debut' - Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue For millennia, two women have been blamed for the fall of a mighty civilisation - but now it's time to hear their side of the story . . . As princesses of Sparta, Helen and Klytemnestra have known nothing but luxury and plenty. With their high birth and unrivalled beauty, they are the envy of all of Greece. Such privilege comes at a high price, though, and their destinies are not theirs to command. While still only girls they are separated and married off to legendary foreign kings Agamemnon and Menelaos, never to meet again. Their duty is now to give birth to the heirs society demands and be the meek, submissive queens their men expect. But when the weight of their husbands' neglect, cruelty and ambition becomes too heavy to bear, they must push against the constraints of their sex to carve new lives for themselves - and in doing so make waves that will ripple throughout the next three thousand years. Perfect for readers of Circe and Ariadne, Daughters of Sparta is a vivid and illuminating retelling of the Siege of Troy that tells the story of mythology's most vilified women from their own mouths at long last. Helen of Troy and her sister Klytemnestra are reimagined in this gorgeous retelling of the classic Greek myth - not as women defined by their husbands and lovers but as battle-weary survivors of a patriarchal society who take control of their own destiny. Absolutely riveting!' - Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist

Early Greek Myth - A Guide to Literary and Artistic Sources (Paperback): Timothy Gantz Early Greek Myth - A Guide to Literary and Artistic Sources (Paperback)
Timothy Gantz
R956 Discovery Miles 9 560 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

"Early Greek Myth" is a much-needed handbook for scholars and others interested in the literary and artistic sources of archaic Greek myths--and the only one of its kind available in English. Timothy Gantz traces the development of each myth in narrative form and summarizes the written and visual evidence in which the specific details of the story appear.

The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies (Hardcover): Robert Kirk The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies (Hardcover)
Robert Kirk; Commentary by Andrew Lang
R762 Discovery Miles 7 620 Ships in 10 - 15 working days
Fairy Tale Architecture (Paperback): Andrew Bernheimer, Kate Bernheimer Fairy Tale Architecture (Paperback)
Andrew Bernheimer, Kate Bernheimer
R603 Discovery Miles 6 030 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Fairy Tale Architecture is a ground-breaking book, the first study to bring architects in conversation with fairy tales in breathtaking designs. Little Red Riding Hood, Baba Yaga, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Snow Queen: these and more than 15 other stories designed by Bernheimer Architecture, Snohetta, Rural Studio, LEVENBETTS, and LTL Architects and many other international vanguards have created stunning works for this ground breaking collection of architectural fairy tales. Story by story, Andrew Bernheimer and Kate Bernheimer - a brother and sister team as in an old fairy tale - have built the ultimate home for lovers of fiction and design. Snow girls and spinning houses. Paper capes and engineered hair braids. Resin beehives and infinite libraries. Here are futuristic structures made from traditional stories, inspired by everything from Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen and The Little Match Girl, to the Brothers Grimm's Rapunzel and The Juniper Tree, to fairy tales by Jorge Luis Borges and Joy Williams and those from China, Japan, Russia, Nigeria, and Mexico. A desire for story and shelter counts as among our most ancient instincts, and this dual desire continues to inspire our most imaginative architects and authors today. Fairy Tale Architecture invites the reader into a space of wonder, into a new form that will endure ever after.

The Mythic Image (Paperback): Joseph Campbell The Mythic Image (Paperback)
Joseph Campbell
R1,666 R1,260 Discovery Miles 12 600 Save R406 (24%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

A paperback edition of Campbell's major study of the mythology of the world's high civilizations over five millennia. It includes nearly 450 illustrations. The text is the same as that of the 1974 edition.

Mythologist Joseph Campbell was a masterful storyteller, able to weave tales from every corner of the world into compelling, even spellbinding, narratives. His interest in comparative mythology began in childhood, when the young Joe Campbell was taken to see Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show at Madison Square Garden. He started writing articles on Native American mythology in high school, and the parallels between age-old myths and the mythic themes in literature and dreams became a lifelong preoccupation. Campbell's best-known work is "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" (1949), which became a "New York Times" paperback best-seller for Princeton in 1988 after Campbell's star turn on the Bill Moyers television program "The Power of Myth."

During his early years as a professor of comparative religion at Sarah Lawrence College, Campbell made the acquaintance of Indologist Heinrich Zimmer, a kindred spirit who introduced him to Paul and Mary Mellon, the founders of Bollingen Series. They chose Campbell's "The Mythic Image" as the culmination of the series, giving it the closing position--number one hundred. A lavishly illustrated and beautifully produced study of the mythology of the world's high civilizations, "The Mythic Image" received a front-cover review in the "New York Times Book Review" upon publication. Through the medium of visual art, the book explores the relation of dreams to myth and demonstrates the important differences between oriental and occidental interpretations of dreams and life.

Lo que mi abuela me dijo / What My Grandmother Told Me - Practical Wisdom from Spanish Proverbs and Sayings (Paperback): Maria... Lo que mi abuela me dijo / What My Grandmother Told Me - Practical Wisdom from Spanish Proverbs and Sayings (Paperback)
Maria Paz Eleizegui Weir; Edited by Mahala Urra
R621 R527 Discovery Miles 5 270 Save R94 (15%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Dichos, or proverbs, offer a daily source of strength and inspiration in Spanish-speaking households all over the world. In this book about growing up in Manila with a Filipina grandmother, Maria Paz Eleizegui Weir shares the centuries-old dichos she learned from her abuelita: wisdom that is still useful today, whether you live in Managua, Mazatlan, or Manhattan. In Lo que mi abuela me dijo Weir tells the moving story of how the folk wisdom she learned from her grandmother shaped her life. Arranged by subjects, the dichos provide wisdom on topics such as childhood, work, strife, and love. On friendship, for example, Si quieres el perro, accepta las pulgas: If you like the dog, accept the fleas. On manners, Los trapos sucios se lavan en casa: Dirty linen is washed at home. With more than one hundred dichos, this collection imparts timeless insight across generations.

Korean Mythology - Captivating Myths, Legends, and Folktales from Korea (Hardcover): Matt Clayton Korean Mythology - Captivating Myths, Legends, and Folktales from Korea (Hardcover)
Matt Clayton
R680 R559 Discovery Miles 5 590 Save R121 (18%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days
South Yorkshire Folk Tales (Paperback): Simon Heywood, Damien Barker South Yorkshire Folk Tales (Paperback)
Simon Heywood, Damien Barker
R311 R254 Discovery Miles 2 540 Save R57 (18%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

With origins lost in the mists of time, these lively folk tales reflect the wisdom (and eccentricities) of South Yorkshire's county and people. Amongst the heroes and villains, giants and fairies, knights and highwaymen, are well-known figures, such as Robin Hood and the Dragon of Wantley, as well as lesser-known tales of mysterious goings-on at Firbeck Hall and Roche Abbey. These enchanting tales, many never before recorded in print, will bewitch readers and storytellers, young and old alike.

The Secrets of Unlimited Energy (Paperback): Sal Rachele The Secrets of Unlimited Energy (Paperback)
Sal Rachele
R559 R470 Discovery Miles 4 700 Save R89 (16%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days
The Strangeness That Is Wales (Hardcover): Jack Strange The Strangeness That Is Wales (Hardcover)
Jack Strange
R744 R617 Discovery Miles 6 170 Save R127 (17%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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