Acclaimed author and Archdruid John Michael Greer provides an in-depth beginner s guide to Druidry a modern tradition of nature spirituality with ancient roots in Celtic traditions. Although we know little about the ancient Druids, their reputation for wisdom and harmony with nature lives on. Today, Druidry is a vibrant, diverse movement with groups and practitioners on every continent but Antarctica. Spiritual rather than religious more an attitude than an ideology it can be embraced by people from different faiths and backgrounds. Archdruid John Michael Greer explores the history and basics of Druidry; how to perform Druidic rituals, meditation, and divination; elements of the lifestyle; and advice for placing less of a burden on the Earth. Includes a simple self-initiation ritual for starting on the Druid path, as well as exercises to help you tap into the elements and learn to pay attention to the natural world.

An examination of the waxing and waning influence of demoted planets * Explains in detail how the demotion or proved nonexistence of a planet marks the beginning of a roughly 30-year period in which that planet's influence wanes * Explores Pluto's arc of influence on individual and collective life in depth, from its discovery in 1930 to the end of its influence in 2036 * Offers examples from other demoted planets, such as Ceres, whose fifty-year reign as a planet corresponds very closely to the Romantic Era of history Recent research in astrology has shown that the discovery of a new planet correlates with the emergence of a new set of influences in individual and collective life. As John Michael Greer reveals, the opposite is also true: the demotion of a planet correlates with the decline of a set of influences into the background. Although there are several instances of this over the last two centuries, Pluto, downgraded to minor planet status in 2006, is the most striking example. Exploring the waxing and waning of planetary influences in astrology, Pluto in particular, Greer explains in detail how the demotion or proved nonexistence of a planet marks the beginning of a roughly 30-year period in which that planet's influence fades out. He examines several examples of planet demotion, including Ceres, whose fifty-year reign as a planet corresponds closely to the Romantic Era of history. Ceres's influence began to take shape some 30 years before its discovery in 1801 and gradually faded over the three decades following its demotion in the 1850s. Examining Pluto's astrological influence in depth, from the beginning of the search for "Planet X" in 1900 to the end of its influence in 2036, the author shows how during the Plutonian era the concept of cosmos--from the ancient Greek meaning "that which is beautifully ordered"--was in eclipse. Pluto's influence led to the rejection of unity, beauty, and order, exemplified through the splitting of the atom by physicists, the splitting of the individual into conscious and subconscious halves by psychoanalysts, and the splitting of the world into warring camps by politicians. Offering an essential guide not only to the astrology of the future but to the twilight of the Plutonian era, Greer shows how as Pluto's influence fades out in the years ahead, a great many disruptive phenomena of the recent past will fade with it and the notion of cosmos--beautiful order--will regain its traditional role in our individual and collective worlds.

First published in 1937, Israel Regardie's The Golden Dawn has become the most influential modern handbook of magical theory and practice. In this new, definitive edition, noted scholar John Michael Greer has taken this essential resource back to its original, authentic form. With added illustrations, a twenty-page colour insert, additional original material, and refreshed design and typography, this powerful work returns to its true stature as a modern masterpiece. An essential textbook for students of the occult, The Golden Dawn includes occult symbolism and Qabalistic philosophy, training methods for developing magical and clairvoyant powers, rituals that summon and banish spiritual potencies, secrets of making and consecrating magical tools, and more.

Have you lost an important object? Are you taking on a new job? Looking for buried treasure? "The Art and Practice of Geomancy" teaches readers how to divine the answers to life's everyday questions, such as health, luck, new jobs, and love, as well as the less mundane: finding buried treasure, predicting the weather, being released from prison, identifying secret enemies. Greer delivers to readers an ancient system of divination in an easy-to-use form, requiring little more than a pen and piece of paper.Using a system of odd and even numbers, from a deck of cards, roll of the dice, or even by hitting sand with a stick to generate patterns, the reader learns to cast their own geomantic chart. And for those who wish to take the practice further, he offers deeper exercises for geomantic meditation, and geomantic ritual magic. "The Art and Practice of Geomancy" will appeal to pagans, followers of the Western Mystery Tradition, scholars of folk-magic and divination, and anyone who wants to take their past, present, and future into their own hands. Each geomantic chart is, in a certain sense, a snapshot of one set of possibilities arising from the dance of the four elements in the anima mundi, and a sense of the dance itself - even if that sense is imperfect, as it may be, and wordless, as it must be - provides the context for every geomantic reading.

The things that people in the modern Western world consider "occult/' secret, forbidden, or irrational-amulets and talismans, omens and divinations, spells and charms, spirits good and evil-are part of everyday life in many parts of the world, and have been for generations. In this fascinating book, occult scholar and practitioner John Michael Greer shines light on 100 of the dramatic incidents, arcane knowledge, and colorful historical figures from occult traditions over two and a half millennia-from the earliest alchemists of ancient Egypt, Babylon, and Greece; to pagan rituals; the Philosopher's Stone; Kabbala; the first tarot; the Knights Templar; to the Nazi Thule Party; fortunetelling trials; and the birth of modern witchcraft, or Wicca. Each entry illustrated with a stunning image or intriguing item of ephemera.

For well over half a century, since the first credible warnings of petroleum depletion were raised in the 1950s, contemporary industrial civilization has been caught in a remarkable paradox: a culture more focused on problem solving than any other has repeatedly failed to deal with, or even consider, the problem most likely to bring its own history to a full stop. The coming of peak oil-the peaking and irreversible decline of world petroleum production-poses an existential threat to societies in which every sector of the economy depends on petroleum-based transport, and no known energy source can scale up extensively or quickly enough to replace dwindling oil supplies. Not The Future We Ordered is the first study of the psychological dimensions of that decision and its consequences, as a case study in the social psychology of collective failure, and as an issue with which psychologists and therapists will be confronted repeatedly in the years ahead.

'Mystery Teachings from the Living Earth' reveals one of the great secrets of the mysteries that the laws of nature are also the laws of spirit.

A century ago, Celtic groups descending from the famed Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn pioneered a fascinating form of ceremonial magic invoking Pagan Celtic powers instead of relying on the more commonly used Judeo-Christian names and symbols. Those groups disappeared many decades ago, and their teachings were lost. But today, their legacy has been reborn.

Respected occult author and Grand Archdruid John Michael Greer has re-created a complete magical system based on the Celtic Golden Dawn traditions. This new book provides students with a complete curriculum of Druidical magic and occult wisdom, including training in ceremonial magic, meditation, pathworking, divination, geomancy, and herbal alchemy, allowing self-initiation into the three degrees of Ovate, Bard, and Druid. Structured to resemble a long-lost correspondence course, The Celtic Golden Dawn presents a series of knowledge lectures, meditations, and rituals leading to mastery of the most important magical techniques.

For well over half a century, since the first credible warnings of petroleum depletion were raised in the 1950s, contemporary industrial civilization has been caught in a remarkable paradox: a culture more focused on problem solving than any other has repeatedly failed to deal with, or even consider, the problem most likely to bring its own history to a full stop. The coming of peak oil the peaking and irreversible decline of world petroleum production poses an existential threat to societies in which every sector of the economy depends on petroleum-based transport, and no known energy source can scale up extensively or quickly enough to replace dwindling oil supplies. Resolute action on personal, local, national, and global levels over the decades just passed might have staved off a future of economic contraction, political turmoil, and immense human suffering. Instead, governments and populations of all the world s industrial nations collectively closed their eyes to the impending crisis."Not The Future We Ordered" is the first study of the psychological dimensions of that decision and its consequences, as a case study in the social psychology of collective failure, and as an issue with which psychologists and therapists will be confronted repeatedly in the years ahead. At the core of the modern world s inability to come to grips with the challenge of peak oil are a set of beliefs that amount to a civil religion of progress, in which the concept of progress is credited with the invincibility and beneficence other religions assign to their gods. This civil religion of progress lends legitimacy to policies that subordinate all other values to economic growth, place blind faith in untested technologies, and rule out serious consideration of the long-term downsides of today s trends.The religious faith in progress that makes such policies seem sensible, and provides justification for the marginalization of alternative views, has become one of the core factors driving contemporary societies headlong toward a wrenching confrontation with the hard limits of a finite planet. As the gap widens between today s expectations of perpetual progress and tomorrow s experiences, peak oil will become a significant mental health issue across the currently industrialized world. When the future we ordered fails to show up on schedule, cognitive dissonance and other psychological impacts common in times of severe cultural dislocation will likely show up as well, driving counterproductive responses on the personal and collective scales. Understanding the psychology that backed industrial civilization into a corner called peak oil is a crucial step in dealing with these consequences, and to this, "Not The Future We Ordered" offers a clear and readable guide"

The holy grail. The Knights Templar. The Gnostics and ancient mysteries of Greece. Discover the connection between them all with this phenomenal book written by 32nd-degree Freemason and celebrated author John Michael Greer. This book is a must-read for seekers of the holy grail and those who want to learn about the inner workings of occult Freemasonry. The Ceremony of the Grail delves deep into the ancient mysteries, drawing on recently translated texts and published documents that until recently were among Freemasonry's most jealously guarded secrets. From the grail legends to the Picatrix to Jessie Weston's pioneering research, this book provides answers that have eluded seekers for centuries.

For almost 3,000 years apocalypse prophecies have convinced people all over the world that the future is about to give them the world they want instead of the world they've got. All the end time prophecies splashed across the media in every age have had something else in common: every one of them has been wrong. "Apocalypse Not" is a lively and engaging survey of predictions about the end of the world, along with the failed dreams and nightmares that have clustered around them. Among the stories highlighted in "Apocalypse Not" are: the birth of the apocalypse meme out of archaic star myths in the ancient Middle East; the failed end time prophecies of Nostradamus, Mother Shipton, and other famous prophets; the long and murky road from the Great Pyramid to today's Rapture beliefs; and the real origins of the belief in apocalypse in 2012 (hint: it's not originally Mayan at all).

The Picatrix is the most famous grimoire of astrological magic and one of the most important works of medieval and Renaissance magic. With all four books, the complete text, in one volume, translated and annotated by the noted scholars, magicians and astrologers John Michael Greer and Christopher Warnock, Picatrix takes its rightful place as an essential occult text for modern esotericists. The Illustrated Picatrix contains over 120 illustrations, with images of the 7 planets and 28 Mansions of the Moon by Nigel Jackson as well as images of the 36 decans and 12 signs by Renaissance artists. This is an authentic ancient magical text, lucidly translated and fully annotated with over 400 footnotes.

Natural magic is the ancient and powerful art of using material substances--herbs, stones, incenses, oils, and much more--to tap into the hidden magical powers of nature, transforming your surroundings and yourself.

Not just a cookbook of spells, the Encyclopedia of Natural Magic provides an introduction to the philosophy and ways of thought underlying this system. It also gives detailed information on 176 different herbs, trees, stones, metals, oils, incenses, and other substances, and offers countless ways to put them to magical use. With this book and a visit to your local herb store, rock shop, or your backyard garden, you're ready to enter the world of natural magic.

From "Aarab Zereq" to "Zos Kia Cultus," this is the most up-to-date, comprehensive guide to the history, philosophies, and personalities of Western occultism. Written by an occult scholar and practitioner with the assistance of hundreds of experts in the field, this volume presents the latest in scholarly research and points out errors in previous writings-revealing truths much more interesting and dramatic than the fictional histories that obscured them. The New Encyclopedia of the Occult is an invaluable reference guide to magic, alchemy, astrology, divination, Tarot, palmistry, and geomancy; magical orders such as the Golden Dawn and Rosicrucians; important occultists; and religions and spiritual traditions associated with occultism such as Wicca, Thelema, Theosophy, and the modern Pagan movement.

"This is an important source for libraries to have in their collections to assist anyone seeking information about the many aspects of occult traditions." --Booklist

"Greer delivers a well researched, informative, and unbiased encyclopedia... Highly recommended for all public libraries and where interest merits." --Library Journal

COVR Award Winner

An investigation into the underpinnings and superstructures of the Pagan world view Pagan religions have tended to be more concerned with practice that with theory and in a system that has no dogma - no legislated doctrine - that is as it should be. Yet as the movement grows and matures, it is inevitable that we will begin to think in a more abstract way about our models and systems. John Michael Greer has provided a primer on the kinds of ideas and themes that must be included in any discussion of the theology and philosophy of Neo-pagan religions.  Much of the book takes shape in a dialogue with existing ideas in theology, philosophy, and comparative religion. It looks to find a middle ground between too much and too little reference to the work of other scholars to find a comprehensible yet intellectually rigorous middle ground. It aims to be part of a conversation, that stretches out over the centuries.  Voices of polytheist spirituality have had little place in that conversation for many years, but much of value has been said in their absence. The rebirth of polytheism as a living religious tradition in the Western world will inevitably force a reassessment of much of that heritage, and pose challenges to some of its most cherished assumptions.  Yet reassessment is not necessarily rejection, and the traditions of modern polytheism are deeply enough indebted to legacies from the past that an attentive ear to earlier phases of the conversation is not out of place.

After decades of missed opportunities, the door to a sustainable future has closed, and the future we face now is one in which today's industrial civilization unravels in the face of uncontrolled climate change and resource depletion. What is the world going to look like when all these changes have run their course? Author John Michael Greer seeks to answer this question, and with some degree of accuracy, since civilizations tend to collapse in remarkably similar ways. Dark Age America, then, seeks to map out in advance the history of collapse, giving us an idea of what the next five hundred years or so might look like as globalization ends and North American civilization reaches the end of its lifecycle and enters the stages of decline and fall. In many ways, this is Greer's most uncompromising work, though by no means without hope to offer. Knowing where we're headed collectively is a crucial step in responding constructively to the challenges of the future and doing what we can now to help our descendants make the most of the world we're leaving them. John Michael Greer, historian of ideas and one of the most influential authors exploring the future of industrial society, writes the widely cited weekly blog the Archdruid Report and has published more than thirty books including The Long Descent, The Ecotechnic Future, The Wealth of Nature, and After Progress. He lives in Cumberland, Maryland, an old mill town in the Appalachians, with his wife Sara.

Since its origins in the early eighteenth century, Druidry-a modern movement of nature spirituality drawing much of its inspiration from Celtic tradition-has evolved a rich body of ceremonial and collective practice. Celebrated privately within groves this body of lore provides a ritual framework for the celebration of the seasonal cycle and the spiritual development of the individual.To this wealth of tradition, The Druid Grove Handbook is one of the few publicly available sources. Compiled from the records of the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA), and edited by the AODA's current Grand Archdruid, widely read author and environmental blogger John Michael Greer, it provides a detailed survey of the evolution of AODA's ceremonial traditions, and the complete rituals for opening and closing a Druid grove, initiating candidates for membership, and celebrating the solstices and equinoxes, the four primary holy days of the traditional Druid year.