This remarkable true story about the co-founder of Jet Propulsion Laboratory. By day, Parsons' unorthodox genius created a solid rocket fuel that helped the Allies win World War II. By night, Parsons called himself The Antichrist. "One of the best books of the year."--"The Anomalist"

Witchcraft and Magic in Europe, Volume 5 The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries Edited by Bengt Ankarloo and Stuart Clark "Although the volumes are intended mainly for scholars, there is much in them to interest the common reader."--"New Yorker" "Reminds readers of the extent to which science, reason, and skepticism failed to destroy the realm of arcane arts and nightmares."--"History" The roots of European witchcraft and magic lie in Hebrew and other ancient Near Eastern cultures and in the Celtic, Nordic, and Germanic traditions of the Continent. For two millennia, European folklore and ritual have been imbued with the belief in the supernatural, yielding a rich trove of histories and images. A series that combines traditional approaches of political, legal, and social historians with critical syntheses of cultural anthropology, historical psychology, and gender studies, Witchcraft and Magic in Europe provides a modern, scholarly survey of the supernatural beliefs of Europeans from ancient times to the present day. Each of the six volumes in the series contains the work of distinguished scholars chosen for their expertise in a particular era or region. The eighteenth century saw the end of witch trials everywhere. The authors chart the process of and reasons for the decriminalization of witchcraft, but also challenge the widespread assumption that Europe then became "disenchanted." Here for the first time are surveys of the social role of witchcraft in European communities, as well as a full treatment of Victorian supernaturalism and of the continued importance of witchcraft and magic as topics of debate among intellectuals and other writers. Other volumes in the series Witchcraft and Magic in Europe: Ancient Greece and Rome The Twentieth Century Biblical and Pagan Societies The Middle Ages The Period of the Witch Trials Bengt Ankarloo is Professor of History at Lund University, Sweden. Stuart Clark is Professor of History at the University of Wales, Swansea. 1999 288 pages 6 1/8 x 9 1/4 ISBN 978-0-8122-1706-3 Paper $24.95s 16.50 Not for sale outside North America and the Philippines History, Anthropology, Religion Short copy: Topics include the decline of the witchcraft trials and the role of witchcraft and magic in enlightenment, romantic, and liberal thought.

A beautifully illustrated volume designed for the student and practitioner of Natural Magic.

"A marvelous book, at once comprehensive and highly readable, a fascinating analysis of doomsday cults and apocalyptic anxiety." --Michael Owen Jones, University of California, Los Angeles "The End of the World As We Know It makes accessible to both scholars and general readers the amazing panorama of millenarian scenarios abounding in America at the end of the millennium." --Robert S. Ellwood, University of Southern California "Will stand for some time as the best survey and analysis of the meaning and place of apocalypticism and millennialism in American culture." --Religion and Literature "Fascinating and] intelligent . . . should be required reading." --Psychotronic From religious tomes to current folk prophesies, recorded history reveals a plethora of narratives predicting or showcasing the end of the world. The incident at Waco, the subway bombing by the Japanese cult Aum Supreme Truth, and the tragedy at Jonestown are just a few examples of such apocalyptic scenarios. And these are not isolated incidents; millions of Americans today believe the end of the world is inevitable, either by a divinely ordained plan, nuclear catastrophe, extraterrestrial invasion, or gradual environmental decay, Examining the doomsday scenarios and apocalyptic predictions of visionaries, televangelists, survivalists, and various other endtimes enthusiasts, as well as popular culture, film, music, fashion, and humor, Daniel Wojcik sheds new light on America's fascination with worldly destruction and transformation. He explores the origins of contemporary apocalyptic beliefs and compares religious and secular apocalyptic speculation, showing us the routes our belief systems have traveled over the centuries to arrive at the dawn of a new millennium. Included in his sweeping examination are premillennial prophecy traditions, prophecies associated with visions of the Virgin Mary, secular ideas about nuclear apocalypse, the transformation of apocalyptic prophecy in the post-Cold War era, and emerging apocalyptic ideas associated with UFOs and extraterrestrials. Timely, yet of lasting importance, The End of the World as We Know It is a comprehensive cultural and historical portrait of an age-old phenomenon and a fascinating guide to contemporary apocalyptic fever. Daniel Wojcik is Associate Professor of English and Folklore at the University of Oregon and author of Punk and Neo-Tribal Body Art. He received his Ph.D. in Folklore and Mythology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

The Crystal Bible, will help you to identify exactly the right crystal for your needs, whether for healing of 1mind, body, psyche or spirit, and will point you to useful stones for improving vitality and well-being, and for balancing the chakras. Listing over 1,200 ?symptoms?, it is a practical first-aid guide based on sound crystal healing principles that have been practised for millennia. Crystals are a gentle, non-invasive system of holistic healing with no side effects. Suitable for children and animals, crystals can also benefit the environment and your home.

The Complete Language of Herbs is a comprehensive encyclopedia providing the meanings, powers, facts, and folklore for over 500 herbs and spices. Along with a beautiful visual depiction, each entry provides the herb or spice's scientific and common names, characteristics, and historic meanings and powers from mythology, medieval legends, folklore, and flower poetry. Did you know that allspice can be added to herbal mixtures to attract money or luck? Or that sprinkling arrowroot at the doors of your home will keep guests' negative energy from entering? Reaching the height of popularity during the Victorian era, floriographies-dictionaries of symbolic flower meanings-were an amusing pastime and art to subtly communicate unspoken emotions. To complement the success of The Complete Language of Flowers, author S. Theresa Dietz has scoured historic sources and compiled an equally beautiful compendium in The Complete Language of Herbs, revealing the secrets and powers of hundreds of common and forgotten herbs and spices from around the world. Together with stunning full-color illustrations and two indexes, one for searching by common herb and spice name and the other organized by meaning, this beautiful reference is a must-have for gardeners, chefs, party planners, and food enthusiasts. Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics, including birthday astrology, dream interpretation, astrological self-care practices, techniques for harnessing the power of dreams, and the stories behind signs and symbols.

Want to delve deeper into the concepts that made The Wildwood Tarot wildly popular? This workbook further explores those powerful ancient traditions. Wild Magic invokes the power of the Wildwood - the Green Man and Green Woman, as well as all the living archetypes of the forest, such as Herne the Hunter and Robin-in-the-Hood. Journey across time to the pre-Celtic world where primal forces, in the guise of animal, bird, and fish, roamed free and opened doorways into the otherworld of the Ancestors. With chapters on the Lore of the Wild, the Wheel of the Year, shamanic methods of examining the wild, and meditations designed to enable personal encounters with Wildwood archetypes, as well as newly crafted rituals enabling readers to celebrate festivals such as the Midsummer and Midwinter Solstices, the book takes a fresh and informed look at a set of ancient traditions applied to the present.

Enter the magical realm of the shaman and develop your latent shamanic skills. The Celtic Shaman's Pack offers direct access to the inner cosmos of the Celts, enabling you to make contact with the powerful archetypes to be found there. This pack constitutes your 'shaman's pouch' - your very own collection of items imbued with magical or mystical significance, offering a bridge between the world of the everyday and the world of unseen reality that is a part of every shaman's training. The cards represent key aspects of the Celtic universe, providing you with a set of shamanic journey co-ordinates. By working with the images on a daily basis, for divination and discovery, you will learn to journey on the visionary path and gain a heightened understanding of yourself, as well as insight into your true life direction.

Denne boken peker leseren mot en vei, som ikke er en vei, men heller en vei mellom veiene. Det er en fortelling som er blitt fortalt ved klokkens trettende time, fra en mental posisjon mellom sannhet og logn, virkelighet og drom, i et sjelelig sted som forener alle ting i et punkt uten sentrum eller utstrekning. Tradisjonen som denne boken henviser til, har en systematisk forskende tilnaerming til religionens mal, det vil si forlosning eller frelse. Denne tradisjonen tar utgangspunkt i Bibelens fortellinger om opphavstiden, om Guds natur, om hvordan vi havnet her, og hvordan man igjen skal kunne gjenerobre det tapte ved a stole pa egne krefter, beholde var uavhengighet og tro pa det vi erkjenner. Dette er veien som av mange er blitt kalt gnostisisme

Subtitled An Outline of the Origins of Moon and Sun Worship, Astrology, Sex Symbolism, Mystic Meaning of Numbers, the Cabala, and Many Popular Customs, Myths, Superstitions and Religious Beliefs. Important information not easily found. Mythologist Jordan Maxwell was so impressed he created a three-part video series based on this material and wrote a Preface to the book.

The Green Man is an ancient and popular icon of the natural world - the very spirit of nature. Here, in this remarkable pack, his tree wisdom and the Celtic Ogam tree alphabet combine to bring you an oracle of immense power. The beautifully illustrated deck of 25 cards depicts each of the trees that make up this ancient Celtic alphabet. The Green Man is present in every image - sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden - inviting you to enter his world. You will discover tree lore, myths and symbolism, and you will learn the innermost meaning of each card, and how this age-old knowledge can guide you in your life today.

An authorised translation of this classic work, re-edited, beautifully typeset and designed, from a professional publisher dedicated to high-quality editions of Rudolf Steiner's books and lectures. The anthroposophy of Rudolf Steiner is not a theoretical system, but the results of research based on direct observation. As Steiner's research was so vast and conducted over such a long period of time, no single book can be said to contain the whole of his spiritual teaching. However, of all his books Occult Science comes closest. Steiner even referred to it as 'an epitome of anthroposophical spiritual science'. The book sets out, in systematic order, the fundamental facts concerning the nature and constitution of the human being and, in chronological order, the history of the universe and man. Whereas the findings of natural science are derived from observations made through the senses, the findings of spiritual science, or anthroposophy, are 'occult' inasmuch as they derive from direct observation of realities which are hidden to everyday perception. And yet these elements of humanity and the universe form the foundation of the sense world. A substantial part of Occult Science is taken up with a description of the preliminary training which is necessary to make such spiritual observations. Given his energetic involvement in practical initiatives and extensive lecturing, Rudolf Steiner had little time to write books. Of those he did write, four titles form an indispensable introduction to his later teaching: Knowledge of the Higher Worlds, Theosophy, The Philosophy of Freedom and Occult Science.

As a dream carrier of messages for the soul, Dream Raven Tarot opens the gateway from the dream world to the conscious world via the wonderful aviary watercolors of Beth Seilonen. By bringing dream information into conscious thought, this lively 78-card deck enables an honest assessment of your current state of affairs, as well as a better understanding of the self and the world around you. Each card image exhibits core ideals of the Tarot through modern and historic iconography and symbolism, incorporating fun body language and cheerful colors. Within each suit, a menagerie of ravens take on a different body structure and style that reflect the corresponding element of that suit. The bright colors enhance the overall mood and message. A light and refreshing deck and guidebook with decorative lines that connect each Raven to their suits and attributed elements ranging from vibrant to subtle, these Dream Ravens are appropriate for any age and any level of Tarot reader. So, dream on!Includes cards and book.

Explains individual reincarnation as a microcosm of Earth's great cycles of existence, as a means of developing love and wisdom in order to manifest the true beauty of the spirit realm. includes instructions for recalling past lives and developing psychic skills, descriptions of the Otherworld (where we go between lives), and thoughtful interpretations of various myths of the Goddess in her many aspects.

A distinguished anthropologist-who is also an initiated shaman-reveals the long-hidden female roots of the world's oldest form of religion and medicine. Here is a fascinating expedition into this ancient tradition, from its prehistoric beginnings to the work of women shamans across the globe today.
Shamanism was not only humankind's first spiritual and healing practice, it was originally the domain of women. This is the claim of Barbara Tedlock's provocative and myth-shattering book. Reinterpreting generations of scholarship, Tedlock-herself an expert in dreamwork, divination, and healing-explains how and why the role of women in shamanism was misinterpreted and suppressed, and offers a dazzling array of evidence, from prehistoric African rock art to modern Mongolian ceremonies, for women's shamanic powers.
Tedlock combines firsthand accounts of her own training among the Maya of Guatemala with the rich record of women warriors and hunters, spiritual guides, and prophets from many cultures and times. Probing the practices that distinguish female shamanism from the much better known male traditions, she reveals:
- The key role of body wisdom and women's eroticism in shamanic trance and ecstasy
- The female forms of dream witnessing, vision questing, and use of hallucinogenic drugs
- Shamanic midwifery and the spiritual powers released in childbirth and monthly female cycles
- Shamanic symbolism in weaving and other feminine arts
- Gender shifting and male-female partnership in shamanic practice
Filled with illuminating stories and illustrations, The Woman in the Shaman's Body restores women to their essential place in the history of spirituality and celebrates their continuing role in the worldwide resurgence of shamanism today.

"From the Hardcover edition."

The political and religious turmoil of seventeenth century Europe appears in a strange new light in this volume, which explores the life and doctrines of the infamous German barber surgeon and prophet, Ludwig Friedrich Gifftheil (1595-1661). Inspired by an unstable alchemy of family tragedy and a corpus of dissenting religious writings, Gifftheil stalked Europe's battlefields, petitioning kings, princes, and emperors to end the warfare endemic on the continent. Convinced that all war was prompted by 'false prophets'-by which Gifftheil meant the clergy of Europe's Christian confessions-he pleaded with rulers to abjure the counsel of their advisors and institute instead a godly peace. Then, in 1635, Gifftheil reinvented himself by taking up his sword as "God's warrior," embarking on a quest to recruit an army of the righteous and wage a holy war in Europe and to institute a divine peace. Prophecy, Madness, and Holy War in Early Modern Europe uses new manuscript and print sources from across Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America to craft the definitive account of Gifftheil's life and exploits. Against a background of family loss, and restless travels across the continent, Gifftheil's story reveals an alternative history of religious and political dissent in the seventeenth century. His adventures cast a dramatic new light on the culture and society of early modernity, the place of prophecy and madness in the negotiation of religious authority, the origins of the theosophical current, and the stranger apocalyptic impulses at the roots of Pietism and missionary Christianity.

Complete in itself, this volume originated as a commentary and expansion of Manly P. Hall's masterpiece of symbolic philosophy, "The Secret Teachings of All Ages,"
In "Lectures on Ancient Philosophy," Manly P. Hall expands on the philosophical, metaphysical, and cosmological themes introduced in his classic work, "The Secret Teachings of All Ages," Hall wrote this volume as a reader's companion to his earlier work, intending it for those wishing to delve more deeply into the esoteric philosophies and ideas that undergird the Secret Teachings. Particular attention is paid to Neoplatonism, ancient Christianity, Rosicrucian and Freemasonic traditions, ancient mysteries, pagan rites and symbols, and Pythagorean mathematics.
First published in 1929-the year after the publication of Hall's magnum opus-this edition includes the author's original subject index, twenty diagrams prepared under his supervision for the volume, and his 1984 preface, which puts the book in context for the contemporary reader.

In this new collection, Gnostic gospels collide with the Oxford Happiness Test and Buddhist treatises on emptiness; Beasley talks extensively about his son; and both Schopenhauer’s philosophical nihilism and The Purpose Driven Life are brought to bear on the horrors of the Sandy Hook massacre. At once fascinating, disturbing, and humorous, this collection begins with a "shamanic healing" pamphlet offering insights into reuniting one's "soul parts" following "soul retrieval" and leaves no spiritual stone unturned delving into those rich concepts. Beasley ultimately uses strong Catholic ideology and philosophy to richly investigate, question, and challenge these ideas. This collection continues Beasley's postmodern spiritual meditations in the tradition of John Donne, George Herbert, Emily Dickinson, and T.S. Eliot. He is known as a foremost poet writing at the intersection of faith, science and poetry. Beasley is the recipient of the University of Georgia Press Contemporary Poetry Series Award; the Colorado Prize for Poetry; the Ohio State University Press/Journal Award; three Pushcart Prizes; and fellowships from the NEA and the Artist Trust of Washington. Beasley's previous BOA book, Theophobia was named a finalist for the Washington State Book Award, a "Top Ten Best Books of 2012" by Image Journal, a "Notable Book of 2014" by Poetry Northwest.

This book brings the wisdom of the ancient healing practice of shamanism together with the insights of contemporary psychology to provide an integrated approach to the treatment of traumatic symptoms.'Soulfulness' has two historic shamanic roots: Mayan and Native American psychology - a psychology of Self - as expressed in the many aspects of the Medicine Wheel, the wheel of health and wholeness; and the Shamanic Journey and Soul Retrieval, as practiced in traditional societies throughout the world, notably the Tungus tribes of Siberia.This book presents the ancient wisdom of shamanic theory and practice in a form which is fit for use within the mainstream of twenty-first century psychotherapeutic endeavour, including an extensive explanation of Shamanic Psychology and a practical description of the ceremonies of the Shamanic Journey and Soul Retrieval.