Occult/MBS

In over 1,000 entries, this acclaimed Companion covers all aspects of the Western fairy tale tradition, from medieval to modern, (read more)

In over 1,000 entries, this acclaimed Companion covers all aspects of the Western fairy tale tradition, from medieval to modern, under the guidance of Professor Jack Zipes. It provides an authoritative reference source for this complex and captivating genre, exploring the tales themselves, the writers who wrote and reworked them, and the artists who illustrated them. It also covers numerous related topics such as the fairy tale and film, television, art, opera, ballet, the oral tradition, music, advertising, cartoons, fantasy literature, feminism, and stamps.First published in 2000, 130 new entries have been added to account for recent developments in the field, including J.K. Rowling and Suzanne Collins, and new articles on topics such as cognitive criticism and fairy tales, digital fairy tales, fairy tale blogs and websites, and pornography and fairy tales. The remaining entries have been revised and updated in consultation with expert contributors.This second edition contains beautifully designed feature articles highlighting countries with a strong fairy tale tradition, covering: Britain and Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, North America and Canada, Portugal, Scandinavian countries, Slavic and Baltic countries, and Spain. (hide)

Pub Date:27/02/2015 - Britain's pagan past, with its mysterious monuments, atmospheric sites, enigmatic artifacts, bloodthirsty legends, (read more)

Pub Date:27/02/2015 - Britain's pagan past, with its mysterious monuments, atmospheric sites, enigmatic artifacts, bloodthirsty legends, and cryptic inscriptions, is both enthralling and perplexing to a resident of the twenty-first century. In this ambitious and thoroughly up-to-date book, Ronald Hutton reveals the long development, rapid suppression, and enduring cultural significance of paganism, from the Paleolithic Era to the coming of Christianity. He draws on an array of recently discovered evidence and shows how new findings have radically transformed understandings of belief and ritual in Britain before the arrival of organized religion.

Setting forth a chronological narrative, Hutton along the way makes side visits to explore specific locations of ancient pagan activity. He includes the well-known sacred sites--Stonehenge, Avebury, Seahenge, Maiden Castle, Anglesey--as well as more obscure locations across the mainland and coastal islands. In tireless pursuit of the elusive "why" of pagan behavior, Hutton astonishes with the breadth of his understanding of Britain's deep past and inspires with the originality of his insights. (hide)

In the pre-Christian societies of Northern Europe, magic was embedded in the practical skills of everyday life. Everything in Nature (read more)

In the pre-Christian societies of Northern Europe, magic was embedded in the practical skills of everyday life. Everything in Nature was ensouled with an inner spirit, as was anything made by hand. People believed in magic because it worked and because it was part of the functionality of their day-to-day lives.

Many of these practical observances and customs continue to the present day as rural traditions, folk customs, household magic, and celebrations of the high and holy days of the calendar. Exploring the magical pagan traditions of the people now called Celtic, Germanic, Scandinavian, Slavonic, and Baltic, Nigel Pennick examines the underlying principle of the Northern Tradition--the concept of Wyrd--and how it empowers the arts of operative magic, such as direct natural magic and talismanic or sigil magic. Sigil magic involves the powers contained in objects, which can be channeled after the appropriate ritual. (hide)

Ishtar and Ereshkigal are the daughters of the Moon God Sin and sisters of the Sun God Shamash, and members of a family of deities (read more)

Ishtar and Ereshkigal are the daughters of the Moon God Sin and sisters of the Sun God Shamash, and members of a family of deities called the Anunnaki, who arrived from the heavens to the earth many thousands of years ago. Ishtar, as Inanna, was the original goddess of love and the forerunner to all of the fertility goddesses that followed. Ereshkigal was the original ruler of the underworld and the goddess of death.

As the queens of heaven and the underworld, Ishtar and Ereshkigal represent the opposing forces that allow life, death and rebirth to occur in the world. (hide)

How to find deeper meaning in magical workings with Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit and connect with the Old Ways. Many contemporary (read more)

How to find deeper meaning in magical workings with Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit and connect with the Old Ways. Many contemporary pagan books rarely go further than describing the use of the elemental energies as markers in casting the Circle. In The Power of the Elements we consider drawing on the energy from the deepest levels of the ocean, the highest peaks of the mountains, the limits of outer space and the path of the hurricane.

And why it is so important to return to the Classic Elements of the Greeks if we really want our magic to work. (hide)

Thor is an immensely popular God but also one of contradictions, whose complexity is sometimes underrated. Often depicted as oafish, (read more)

Thor is an immensely popular God but also one of contradictions, whose complexity is sometimes underrated. Often depicted as oafish, he was clever enough to outwit the dwarf Alviss (All-wise). A god of storms and thunder, he brought fertility and blessed brides at weddings and although a defender of civilization and order, he usually travelled with a trickster deity.

Pagan Portals - Thor is an introductory book that examines both history and mythology, untangling older beliefs from modern pop-culture.

Published:27 Mar 2020 (hide)

A Zen approach to the World, the Universe and Everything. Many of today's disenfranchised pagans in the West appear to be seeking (read more)

A Zen approach to the World, the Universe and Everything. Many of today's disenfranchised pagans in the West appear to be seeking a spiritual connection to life without feeling the need to become a witch, a Wiccan, a shaman, Heathen, or a Druid. Here the Shinto approach fulfils the basic need for a belief system based on what we would define as simple animism and ancestor worship in accord with the world's other, authentic, animistic traditions such as the Australian Aboriginal and Native American way of life; while Zen provides the intellectual stimulation rising from the simplicity of basic folk-belief to elevate the soul to a higher level of mysticism.

Published: 26 Jul 2019 (hide)

"Palmistry" is the most innovative approach to its subject in the last two hundred years. It supplies a new and appropriate label (read more)

"Palmistry" is the most innovative approach to its subject in the last two hundred years. It supplies a new and appropriate label for every feature of the palm (while giving the traditional names for reference), and is the first book in its field to incorporate scientific research undertaken by the universities of Liverpool, Maryland and Munich over the past twenty years on the interpretation of individual fingerprint patterns. An understanding of these patterns gives the reader a simple and effective technique to uncover the core of individual character.

This is a book for everyone. It refines palmistry down to a ten-point technique that is powerful and easy to learn. The book works through twenty-four, hour-long chapters, with end-of-section exercises.

It is illustrated with images of actual hands, including famous people like Einstein, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and entertainer Dame Edna Everage.
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Few people have the opportunity to change the face of modern medicine. However, Raymond Moody achieved precisely this with the publication (read more)

Few people have the opportunity to change the face of modern medicine. However, Raymond Moody achieved precisely this with the publication in 1975 of "Life After Life", which introduced the phrase 'near death experience' (NDE) into popular use. In that bestseller, Dr.Moody researched what happens when we die, including the amazing stories of those who have had out-of-body experiences and witnessed the afterlife for themselves. And he has remained at the forefront of investigations into the paranormal ever since. Now, at long last, he has decided to share his discoveries and the story of his own unusual life in this gripping account. Stocked 2.2.12 (hide)

Wales is said to be the most haunted country in the world. Restless spirits roam the ancient land, from the lofty peaks of Snowdonia (read more)

Wales is said to be the most haunted country in the world. Restless spirits roam the ancient land, from the lofty peaks of Snowdonia to the dark depths of the abandoned mines. In Paranormal Wales author Mark Rees takes the reader on a spine-chilling journey to dozens of these locations, which include well-known tourist landmarks and more secluded spots well off the beaten track.

These accounts of disembodied voices, supernatural mists and pesky poltergeists range from centuries-old legends to modern-day sightings. Visit the 'oldest pub' in Wales, where more than 180 people are claimed to have been sentenced to death by hanging. Explore the majestic opera house built by a world-famous soprano, who some say continues to perform on her beloved stage from beyond the grave.
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