It follows from this phenomenon (tested hundreds of times) that every thing may carry around it an invisibly written history. The same thing applies to the human being. Every one of us carries around him a radiance invisible to the human eye, but perceptible to the trained mind. Inscribed in this radiance in the shape of pictures are the most important results of our thoughts and our actions. In accordance with Tradition this radiance is termed the aura, and there is an aura for every principle. Thus there will be an aura of the physical body, of very small extent, an aura of the astral body, an aura of the mind. It is this last which was recognised by religious tradition surrounding the heads of saints and divinities with halos. It is thanks to this radiance of the three principles of the human being that we can explain many seemingly strange phenomena, such as sudden sympathies or antipathies, intuitions, and so-called unconscious previsions, etc. Clairvoyance is also produced, as we have said, by means of a special magnetised condenser of the astral plane termed the Magic Mirror, of which our author speaks in connection with the Arsenal of Magic, just, as he speaks of the visions seen in coffee grounds in the chapter dealing with divinations of the second degree. And I quite understand the reserve which he shews here ; but perhaps he ought to have dealt separately at least with the psychometry which has been tested by experiments. Our author, it is felt, gives but a limited belief to these divinations of the second degree. Yet he describes conscientiously, not the hundreds of ancient methods which are nearly forgotten, but those of the Kabbala (such as onomancy, taromancy) and also the oracles, the prophecies which prove that the secret influences of this radiance govern many of our states of mind.
Curious about the chains that bound Fenriswulf in Norse mythology? Or the hut of Baba Yaga, the infamous witch of Russian folklore? Containing more than one thousand detailed entries on the magical and mythical items from the different folklore, legends, and religions the world over, this encyclopedia is the first of its kind. From Abadi, the named stone in Roman mythology to Zul-Hajam, one of the four swords said to belong to the prophet Mohammed, each item is described in as much detail as the original source material provided, including information on its origin, who was its wielder, and the extent of its magical abilities. The text also includes a comprehensive cross-reference system and an extensive bibliography to aid researchers.
This book features the greatest minds of magic assembled in one place! Compiled by two of the leading figures in the magick community, this new hardcover title in Llewellyn's Complete Book series includes more than 650 pages of fascinating insights into the history and contemporary practice of ritual magick. With contributions from dozens of top authors, this book brings the practices, theories, and historical understanding of magick into the 21stcentury, including in-depth chapters on: Foundations of Western Magick • Qabalah • Demonology & Spirit Evocation • Alchemy • Planetary Magick • Enochian Magick & Mysticism • The Magick of Abra-Melin • The Golden Dawn • Thelema & Aleister Crowley • Polytheistic Ceremonial Magic • Magician's Tables • The Future of Ceremonial Magick
With research sourced by the world's greatest libraries, Robbins has compiled a rational, balanced history of 300 years of horror concentrated primarily in Western Europe. Spanning from the 15th century through the 18th century, the witch-hunt frenzy marks a period of suppressed rational thought; never before have so many been so wrong. To better understand this phenomenon, Robbins examines how the meaning of "witch" has evolved and exposes the true nature of witchcraft—a topic widely discussed in popular culture, though remarkably misunderstood. First published in 1959, Robbins' encyclopedia remains the most authoritative and comprehensive body of information about witchcraft and demonology ever compiled in a single volume. Lavishly acclaimed in academic and popular reviews, this full-scale compendium of fact, history, and legend covers about every phase of this fascinating subject from its origins in the medieval times to its last eruptions in the 18th century. Accompanying the text are 250 illustrations from rare books, contemporary prints, and old manuscripts, many of which have been published here for the first time.
An in-depth look into the foundations of mysticism and alchemy, this book describes both physical and spiritual aspects of the various theories and practices of transformation, with attention to the beliefs of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sufism, Tantrism, Taoism and Yoga. The connection between early mystical pursuits and the development of alchemy from ancient China, India, and Egypt through Moorish Spain and into Latin Europe are illuminated, along with the activities of early alchemists. The book, which is heavily illustrated, describes the beliefs, experiments, and secret messages that drew the believers and dreamers of the world together in search of wealth and immortality.
The entertainment world lost many notable talents in 2019, including television icon Doris Day, iconic novelist Toni Morrison, groundbreaking director John Singleton, Broadway starlet Carol Channing and lovable Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew. Obituaries of actors, filmmakers, musicians, producers, dancers, composers, writers, animals and others associated with the performing arts who died in 2019 are included in this edition. Date, place and cause of death are provided for each, along with a career recap and a photograph. Filmographies are given for film and television performers.
A detailed historical and anthropological study of the traditions of witchcraft round the world, with an in-depth examination of magic and its relationship with religion, from prehistory to the post-modern era.
