Sacred Ages

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Vatican Diaries comes a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the Vatican investigates claims of miraculous events. Apocalyptic prophecies and miraculous apparitions are headline-grabbing events that often put the Catholic Church's doctrine of "rational faith" at odds with the passion of its more zealous followers. To some, these claims teeter on the edge of absurdity. Others see them as evidence of a private connection with God.

Il était une fois... Dans un royaume lointain, un jeune prince est victime d'un terrible sort : son cœur, enveloppé d'une gangue de cristal, ne peut ni vibrer ni aimer.

Tiamat is truly the mother goddess of every creation. Through the darkened and treacherous hallways of myth, her image emerges at every turn. In some traditions, she is leviathan from the Bible with a masculine energy. In others, she is the mother of chaos and void such as in Mesopotamian myth and the Book of Enoch. She is all those things and everything in between. She is found in every corner of mankind’s spiritual endeavor. She is the water that gives us life.

Expanding on the radically inclusive practices presented in The Way of Fire and Ice, this next-step book teaches you how to tap into the forces of the Nordic cosmos. The greatest of these forces is Wyrd, the symphony of life co-created by the actions of all beings, from the humblest plants to the mightiest gods. Ryan Smith guides you deep into the mysteries, where you'll discover the role of Fate, the importance of the Nine Worlds, the Norse concept of the self, and more.

This audiobook is a comprehensive guide to witchcraft, Wicca, and magic. It is just as useful for a beginner as it is for someone with knowledge on the subject. You’ll learn about spells, sigils, the five Wiccan elements - and most importantly for a Wiccan, you’ll learn about developing and nurturing your spiritual connection with the natural world.

Examining trial records and the pharmacopoeia of witches, alchemists, folk healers, and heretics of the 15th century, Thomas Hatsis details how a range of ideas from folk drugs to ecclesiastical fears over medicine women merged to form the classical “witch” stereotype and what history has called the “witches’ ointment”. He shares dozens of psychoactive formulas and recipes gleaned from rare manuscripts from university collections from all over the world as well as the practices and magical incantations necessary for their preparation.

The word "shaman" means "one who sees in the dark." Shamans consciously choose to live in two different worlds at the same time. They have one foot here in the everyday world and one foot in the world of the spirits. The fact is, we all live in these two different worlds, but are commonly not aware of the other, less visible one. This world does not exist in some other place, but is right beside us, just outside of our usual perceptions.

Containing excerpts from 'The Vendidad,' 'The Avesta,' 'The Pahlavi Texts,' and 'The Menog-I-Khrag.' We have striven to compile the best of the better known and the least known of the ancient sacred texts from world religions from throughout the world and throughout time. It is our hope that this series of volumes makes it possible for a lay reader to truly access some of the most important world literature in religion without having to have a library of 5,000 books in their possession.

Baphomet, often misunderstood and cloaked in misinterpretations, has left an indelible mark on our collective consciousness, standing at the crossroads of the occult, religion, and the quest for arcane knowledge. This provocative entity, existing simultaneously as myth, magick, and symbol, demands an exploration not bound by the confines of a single discipline or perspective. Baphomet Revealed sets out to undertake this multifaceted exploration. Over the years, Baphomet has been called a demon, deity, and the devil himself, but Baphomet is none of these.

Volume one of the two-volume encyclopedia of Secret Societies. First written in 1875, this University Press edition duplicates the second edition of 1893, which was completely revised and rewritten. A fascinating work, to which any serious researcher of Secret Societies must eventually turn, the modern-day student of history must remember the scholarly and archeological limitations of the day when it was written.

Bridging the polar ends of the Jewish and psychedelic worlds, while buttressing the experience with expert reportage, Madison Margolin prods at Be Here Now to find its relevance and utility in a new generation, facing different issues than those Ram Dass faced as a generally well-to-do boomer. In doing so, she looks at solutions to our lack of presence and offers practices that help us integrate our psychedelic experiences in mundane life, as well as in the context of our roots and religious identities.

The purpose of this audiobook is very simple. We have striven to compile the best of the better known and the least known of the ancient sacred texts from world religions from throughout the world and throughout time. It is our hope that this series of volumes makes it possible for a lay reader to truly access some of the most important world literature in religion without having to have a library of 5,000 books in their possession.

Veteran astrologer Skye Alexander offers numerous ideas and inspiration for incorporating star power in rituals, celebrations, and everyday life. In addition to providing a historic overview of astrology's impact on architecture, the body, music, and language, Alexander thoroughly explains how to assess your birth chart and includes information on working with planetary cycles, transits, lunar energies, eclipses, and more.

What happens when you find out all the horror you've seen in the world is more than just bad luck? When you find out there is a boogyman? For as long as Gabe can remember, his life had been plagued by haunting images and tragic events. It seemed like everyone he knew or loved was doomed for a life of misery or death. He was starting to come to the same conclusion everyone else had - he must be cursed. Until one day, in a subway tunnel, everything suddenly changed. A horrific disaster led him to a strange new person named Uri.

Step into the shadowy world of hidden orders, clandestine brotherhoods, and secret doctrines with The Secret Societies of All Ages and Countries, Vol. 2. Charles William Heckethorn’s meticulous exploration of esoteric organizations continues in this second volume, revealing the hidden machinations of groups that have shaped history from the shadows.

The West has taken to meditation with great enthusiasm. We contemplate. We concentrate. We embrace mindfulness techniques and a multitude of mantras. We have undertaken to “do” meditation. The Aspects of Meditation series is comprised of brief, precious texts in which Osho shows us the core of meditation is not about sitting silently or chanting a mantra. It is, instead, a question of understanding the subtle workings of the mind. In Book 3, Osho explores different states of unconsciousness and the ways in which they can transform awareness of the here and now.

Declaring the church corrupt and urging rationality over revelation, Thomas Paine’s The Age of Reason directly opposed the existing political and religious order of his time. Initially printed in pamphlet form, his work audaciously employed “vulgar” everyday language, as Paine sought to bring his message, and the appeal of deism, to the masses.

This is an accessible, precise guide for beginners on how to smudge and cleanse your home, office, stable, workshop, garage, etc. Step-by-step instructions will help you smudge successfully. Other helpful tips and success stories will help you better understand what smudging is all about. Anyone can do it.

Ours is a constantly evolving, expanding experience. This book documents the current, unstoppable uprising of human consciousness. Using different animals' traits to reflect one person's journey to the light of higher consciousness, author Teza Lord looks to our brothers and sisters of the animal world - as well as the not-so-easily recognized "unseens" of the non-material dimensions - as guides, inspiration, and magical totems in relating her story.

Organized by season, Rituals for Magic and Meaning offers a suggested ceremony for each day of the year and includes hundreds of simple rites, suggestions, meditations, and holiday celebrations that can make the ordinary extraordinary. Author Cerridwen Greenleaf has poured her years of study into this guide to creating meaning in daily life. Rituals for Magic and Meaning fully explores the hows and whys behind ritual - allowing listeners to truly master the art of creating personalized rituals.