You've seen the movie. Now submerge yourself in the thrilling, stunning, and action-packed graphic novel. Mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking out of the pages of twelve-year-old Percy Jackson's textbooks and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Now, he and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. Series creator Rick Riordan joins forces with some of the biggest names in the comic book industry to tell the story of a boy who must unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

    He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper, and his best friend is a guy named Leo. They’re all students at the Wilderness School, a boarding school for “bad kids," as Leo puts it. What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly? Jason doesn't know anything—except that everything seems very wrong.PIPER HAS A SECRET. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare about his being in trouble. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits during the school trip, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out, whether she wants to or not.LEO HAS A WAY WITH TOOLS. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about, and some camper who's gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god. Does this have anything to do with Jason's amnesia, or the fact that Leo keeps seeing ghosts?Join new and old friends from Camp Half-Blood in this thrilling first book in The Heroes of Olympus series. Best-selling author Rick Riordan has pumped up the action, humor, suspense, and mystery in an epic adventure that will leave readers panting for the next installment.

    The highly readable texts and over 800 beautiful full-color images come together in a unique way to convey hidden dimensions of meaning. Each of the ca. 350 essays examines a given symbol’s psychic background, and how it evokes psychic processes and dynamics. Etymological roots, the play of opposites, paradox and shadow, the ways in which diverse cultures have engaged a symbolic image—all these factors are taken into consideration.Authored by writers from the fields of psychology, religion, art, literature, and comparative myth, the essays flow into each other in ways that mirror the psyche’s unexpected convergences. There are no pat definitions of the kind that tend to collapse a symbol; a still vital symbol remains partially unknown, compels our attention and unfolds in new meanings and manifestations over time. Rather than merely categorize, The Book of Symbols illuminates how to move from the visual experience of a symbolic image in art, religion, life, or dreams to directly experiencing its personal and psychological resonance.The Book of Symbols sets new standards for thoughtful exploration of symbols and their meanings, and will appeal to a wide range of readers: artists, designers, dreamers and dream interpreters, psychotherapists, self-helpers, gamers, comic book readers, religious and spiritual searchers, writers, students, and anyone curious about the power of archetypal images.

    Teeming with powerful deities, love-struck monsters, flying monkey gods, magic weapons, demon armies, and divine love, Ramayana tells the story of Rama, a god-turned-prince, and his quest to rescue his wife Sita after she is kidnapped by a demon king. This illustrated tale features over 100 colorful full-spread illustrations, a detailed pictorial glossary of the cast of characters who make up the epic tale, and sketches of the work in progress. From princesses in peril to gripping battles, scheming royals, and hordes of bloodthirsty demons, Ramayana is the ultimate adventure story presented with an unforgettably modern touch.

    This boxed set contains the first three books in Michael Scott's New York Times bestselling series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel: The Alchemyst, The Magician, and The Sorceress.

    Still above is Vaikuntha, heaven, abode of God.The doorkeepers of Vaikuntha are the twins, Jaya and Vijaya, both whose names mean 'victory'. One keeps you in Swarga; the other raises you into Vaikuntha.In Vaikuntha there is bliss forever, in Swarga there is pleasure for only as long as you deserve. What is the difference between Jaya and Vijaya? Solve this puzzle and you will solve the mystery of the Mahabharata.In this enthralling retelling of India's greatest epic, the Mahabharata originally known as Jaya, Devdutt Pattanaik seamlessly weaves into a single narrative plots from the Sanskrit classic as well as its many folk and regional variants, including the Pandavani of Chhattisgarh, Gondhal of Maharashtra, Terukkuttu of Tamil Nadu and Yakshagana of Karnataka.Richly illustrated with over 250 line drawings by the author, the 108 chapters abound with little-known details such as the names of the hundred Kauravas, the worship of Draupadi as a goddess in Tamil Nadu, the stories of Astika, Madhavi, Jaimini, Aravan and Barbareek, the Mahabharata version of the Shakuntalam and the Ramayana, and the dating of the war based on astronomical data.With clarity and simplicity, the tales in this elegant volume reveal the eternal relevance of the Mahabharata, the complex and disturbing meditation on the human condition that has shaped Indian thought for over 3000 years.

    Clarissa Pinkola Estés, published in 34 languages and one of the most far-reaching artist-psychoanalysts of our time, teaches that in archetypal imagination, "Mother Night is the quintessential medial woman, the woman who can walk in two worlds... 'the one who knows' and who can reveal solid ways of living and unleashing creative life in both worlds." The program Mother Night presents a new series of audio teachings from the Jungian psychoanalyst and author of Women Who Run With the Wolves. This six-session learning event invites us to tap the generative power of the goodness of the core self that is, all creativity and understanding that lies out of sight in darkness often called the unconscious. Throughout 11 hours of teaching stories, you'll hear 12 stories and myths told here for the first time.

    But first he will have to explore yet another strange land. And when he finally does return home, he will have yet more dangerous enemies to face.This is the exciting conclusion to the series by best-selling author Mary Pope Osborne, retelling Homer's Odyssey, one of the most thrilling adventure stories of all time. This volume includes: Book Four: The Gray-Eyed GoddessBook Five: Return to IthacaBook Six: The Final Battle

     Brave Odysseus is far from home, tossed by stormy seas, and cursed by an angry one-eyed giant. If he ever wants to see his family again, he will have to face hungry cannibals, outwit a beautiful witch, and sail past a six-headed serpent. His journey is the ultimate test of endurance and courage. In this exciting series, best-selling author Mary Pope Osborne retells Homer's Odyssey, one of the most thrilling adventure stories of all time.

    In what modern Indians mistakenly call the Indus Valley Civilisation. The inhabitants of that period called it the land of Meluha a near perfect empire created many centuries earlier by Lord Ram, one of the greatest monarchs that ever lived. This once proud empire and its Suryavanshi rulers face severe perils as its primary river, the revered Saraswati, is slowly drying to extinction. They also face devastating terrorist attacks from the east, the land of the Chandravanshis. To make matters worse, the Chandravanshis appear to have allied with the Nagas, an ostracised and sinister race of deformed humans with astonishing martial skills!The only hope for the Suryavanshis is an ancient legend: When evil reaches epic proportions, when all seems lost, when it appears that your enemies have triumphed, a hero will emerge.Is the rough-hewn Tibetan immigrant Shiva, really that hero? And does he want to be that hero at all? Drawn suddenly to his destiny, by duty as well as by love, will Shiva lead the Suryavanshi vengeance and destroy evil?

    

    While many know that hanumanasana is named for the deity Hanuman, few understand why this is the case. Behind each asana and its corresponding movements is an ancient story about a god, sage, or sacred animal, much like Aesop’s fables or European folktales. Myths of the Asanas is the first book to collect and retell these ancient stories. The myths behind yoga’s spiritual tradition have the power to help students of all levels realize their full potential. Meditating on the tolerance of trees while standing in tree pose can help one become more tolerant. Learning how the disfigured sage Astavakra came to be the teacher of a king can liberate us from anxieties about our external appearance and our self imposed limitations. Marveling at Hanuman’s devotion to Ram can serve as a source of spiritual strength and determination. With more than sixty beautiful illustrations to frame the stories, Myths of the Asanas will add a new dimension to your practice and study of yoga.

    Julius Kane. But while Carter's been homeschooled, his younger sister, Sadie, has been living with their grandparents in London. Sadie has just what Carter wants—school friends and a chance at a "normal" life. But Carter has just what Sadie longs for—time with their father. After six years of living apart, the siblings have almost nothing in common. Until now.On Christmas Eve, Sadie and Carter are reunited when their father brings them to the British Museum, with a promise that he's going to "make things right." But all does not go according to plan: Carter and Sadie watch as Julius summons a mysterious figure, who quickly banishes their father and causes a fiery explosion.Soon Carter and Sadie discover that the gods of Ancient Egypt are waking, and the worst of them—Set—has a frightening scheme. To save their father, they must embark on a dangerous journey—a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and its links to the House of Life, a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

    The God of Mischief and Trickery, Loki. Meet the mirthful, beloved young man that made all the Asgardians laugh...until the first time he killed. Discover the gnarled roots of his twisted, unrelenting hatred of the Asgardians. And learn the chilling truth of why he'll never be stopped...Collects: Loki 1-4

    This novelty companion to the best-selling series comes complete with trading cards, full-color diagrams, and maps, all packaged in a handy, "manual-size" POB with a crisp, magnetic flap enclosure.

    Only gods, of course, could push the sun across the sky,forge entire continents, and impel mountains to touch the clouds. In this stunning volume, the incomparable team of Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda take us to Ra-Atum’s land in Ancient Egypt; above the Grecian clouds to Zeus’s Mount Olympus; up to Norse god Odin’s frozen north; to the Far East, where the Jade Emperor sits in the heavens; into the wilds of Oceania, where Pele’s volcanic rage simmers below the earth; and to many more lands and times, all rich with sacred myths and legends.

    But when the aroma of fresh cooking wafted across his nose, he was up in a trice! However, that mightiest of warriors – Rama of Ayodhya – was lying in wait.

    How important is a guest who visits one's home? What could be more important than achieving knowledge through meditation? These tales taken from the Mahabharata tell of age old values that emphasize the divine status of a guest and the importance of dharma or duty above all else and teaching these lessons are simple creatures like a mongoose, a crane and a pigeon.

    In medieval and Renaissance Europe, it was believed that speaking a demon’s true name could summon it, compel it, and bind it. Occult scholar Michelle Belanger has compiled the most complete compendium of demonic names available anywhere, using both notorious and obscure sources from the Western grimoiric tradition. Presented alphabetically from Aariel to Zynextyur, more than 1,500 demons are introduced, explored, and cross-referenced by theme and elemental or planetary correspondence. This meticulously researched reference work features fascinating short articles on demonology and a wealth of woodcuts, etchings, and paintings depicting demons through the ages.

    She has never quite fit in at Triton Junior High, but who would've guessed that Athena is actually a goddess? Principal Zeus's daughter, to be exact.When she's summoned to Mount Olympus Academy, Athena thinks she might actually fit in for the first time in her life. But in some ways, school on Mount Olympus is not that different from down on Earth, and Athena is going to have to deal with the baddest mean girl in history: Medusa!

    Emma and Simone, John's daughter, are facing a new series of threats, while their best fighter, Leo, sits in Hell. they must persuade him to come home ... but, in Hell, nothing is as it appears. On Earth, Simon Wong, the Demon King's son, is no longer around to trouble them, but his associates have taken over Simon's underworld activities. the otherworldly stones are being targeted and are in danger of their kind being completely destroyed. It seems that the Demon King is the only one Emma can turn to for help ... Praise for the Dark Heavens trilogy: 'addictive ... you won't want to put it down' femail.com.au 'hitch up ya britches, put on some good running shoes and get into the pace' AurealisXpress 'packed with Chinese mythology, kick-ass action and sexual tension' AsIf.dreamhosters.com

    Connect with the Goddesses of Avalon through guided journeys and powerful rituals. Explore Glastonbury's Sacred Landscape with eight pages of gorgeous color photographs. Develop legendary Avalonian skills--such as the Sight and the art of Glamour--to heal wounds of the soul and unlock the sacred wisdom at the core of your being.Drawing on Celtic mythology, Arthurian legend, and Druidic lore and exploring the way of the priestess as alluded to in Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon, the Avalonian path empowers women everywhere to transform their lives by seeking the Goddess and the Sovereign self within.

    It brings together essays, prose and artwork from more than fifty remarkable contributors from all over the world. Their stories and revelations are challenging, their visions and determination in exploring the mysteries are inspirational, and their enthusiasm for the Goddess of the Crossroads is truly entrancing and sometimes highly infectious. Hekate is a Goddess of great antiquity. She is primordial, powerful and sometimes animalistic - and yet, she is also sophisticated, modern and capable of adapting to different cultures. She is the Torchbearer, the Cosmic World Soul, the Guide and Companion. She is Mistress of the Restless Dead, who rules over the Heavens Earth and Sea. She is the Keybearer and so much more. Her devotees today, as throughout the ages, include philosophers, poets, sorcerers, theurgists, witches, root-cutters, enchantresses and ordinary people. In her introduction, the author and priestess Sorita d'Este brings together an exciting wealth of material on the history and development of how the goddess Hekate has been seen through the ages. As well as a fascinating discussion of her possible origins and mythological connections, the introduction also includes a timeline providing glimpses into her portrayal through the ages, with extracts from literature and examples of amulets, coins and art. The spectrum of material covered in this anthology is as diverse as the forms of Hekate herself, emphasising her role as lightbearer, keybearer, initiatrix, world soul, child's nurse, mistress of crossroads and serpent mysteries. Her devotees describe her role in traditional witchcraft and initiatory Wicca, healing and paganism, her approachability through her angels and trance oracles, her assistance in overcoming traumas and helping the dead continue their journeys. From the reestablishment of the ancient worship of the great mother goddess as Hekate in Thrace (Bulgaria) to meteorites and pilgrimages, Hekate's presence around the world and beyond is vividly described and illustrated by her torchbearers.

    As a monkey, he symbolizes the ever-restless human mind. He teaches us that, though everyone is born an animal, anyone can attain the heights of spiritual evolution through perseverance and ardent discipline. Having perfected his mind through bhakti (selfless devotion) to obtain his powers, Hanuman embodies the highest potential we can achieve. In this book, Vanamali recounts 36 legendary Hanuman stories--from his birth to his adventures in the Ramayana--and reveals the spiritual lessons, yogic practices, and Vedic astrology aspects they contain. Vanamali shows how Hanuman has the ability to bestow selfless devotion and strength to his devotees and that following his example is the surest path to attracting the blessing of Rama.

    A god might be a mountain or a shower of gold. A nymph may be a stream or an echo in the wind. The myths of ancient Greece are full of such wonders, as well as a host of courageous heroes, cunning heroines, and terrible monsters. Ann Turnbull’s compelling prose enlivens sixteen of the most celebrated myths, from the sadness of Persephone to the ill-fated love of Orpheus and Eurydice, from Pandora’s unlucky curiosity to the greed of King Midas to many more age-old tales filled with drama and romance. In vivid, expressive detail, Sarah Young’s fine-art illustrations bring this golden world to life, capturing creatures from Cerberus, the threeheaded dog, to the sinister snake-haired Medusa.

    His 40 full-color plates, plus innumerable black-and-white spot elements, get sensitive treatment in a design that retains the best features of the original, including the ornate gilt stamping on the case.

    If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows like a shadow that never departs.One of the seminal texts in the Buddhist literary canon, the Dhammapada presents the timeless wisdom of the Buddha. This edition is introduced and translated by the founder of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO) and is annotated to help the reader gain a deeper understanding.Sangharakshita is the founder of FWBO, a worldwide Buddhist movement. He spent many years living as a monk in India and studying Buddhism. With a lifetime of teaching experience, he is the author of over forty titles published by Windhorse Publications.

    Recounting a true story, this exploration tells of a wandering Mongol shaman who made a dramatic appearance around the Mediterranean centuries before the time of Christ. Highlighting how this nomad came as an envoy on a mission of purification, this study records how he met with a man who became tremendously influential in Western science, philosophy, culture, and religion: Pythagoras. The essence of Western civilization is said to have originated from this meeting and this examination argues that today’s conflicts and tensions have stemmed from taking this monumental occasion for granted, forgetting that there must be a greater meaning to life than everyday efforts and struggles. Reflecting on a time when Eastern and Western cultures were one, this evocation contends that there is still a common spiritual heritage to all civilizations. A unique collaboration between the author and archaeologists, historians, and shamans from around the world, this document has the potential to change the future for all.

    THE 'MUST-HAVE' COMPLETE COLLECTIONIn this irresistible, 'must-have' collection you get ALL the Legendary Ancient Writers, AND get ALL their plays, books and works at the same time. But that is not all..MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONSIn addition, you will also get 2 other important benefits:*Multiple translations of many of the works, covering their translation into Rhyming Verse, Blank Verse and Prose.*In-Depth Footnotes, Introductions and Explanations.INCLUDED WORKS: WORKS OF HOMER:THE ILIAD*ALEXANDER POPE TRANSLATION - Verse*SAMUEL BUTLER TRANSLATION - Prose*EARL OF DERBY TRANSLATION - Verse*LANG, LEAF, MYERS TRANSLATION - Prose*WILLIAM COWPER TRANSLATION - Blank VerseTHE ODYSSEY*ALEXANDER POPE TRANSLATION - Verse*SAMUEL BUTLER TRANSLATION - Prose*LANG, BUTCHER TRANSLATION - Prose*WILLIAM COWPER TRANSLATION - Blank VerseWORKS OF OVID:*HEORIDES *ARS AMORICA, AMORES (The Love Poems)*METAMORPHOSESWORKS OF SOPHOCLESTHE OEDIPUS TRILOGY:*ANTIGONE*KING OEDIPUS*OEDIPUS AT COLONOS*AIAS*ELECTRA*THE TRACHINIAN MAIDENS*PHILOCTETESWORKS OF VIRGIL*THE AENEID - Prose*THE AENEID - Verse*ECOLOGUES*GEORGICSWORKS OF APOLLONIUS*ARGONAUTICA (JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS,THE GOLDEN FLEECE)WORKS OF QUINTUS*POSTHOMERICAWORKS OF HESIOD*WORK AND DAYS*THEOGONY*HOMERICA AND HYMNS(including many rarities such as 'Contest between Hesiod and Homer' and 'The Small Iliad')WORKS OF EURIPIDES*ANDROMACHE*RHESUS*HECUBA*ION*HERACLES*HERACLIEDAE*HELEN*ELECTRA*CYCLOPS*ALCESTIS*ORESTES*PHOENISSAE*MEDEA*HIPPOLYTUS*BACCHAE*IPHIGENIA IN AULIDE*IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS*TROJAN WOMENWORKS OF APULEIUS*THE GOLDEN ASS*APOLOGIA (A DISCOURSE IN MAGIC)WORKS OF APOLLODORUS*LIBRARYWORKS OF AESOP*COMPLETE FABLESWORKS OF AESCHYLUS*PERSIANS*PROMETHEUS BOUND*SEVEN AGAINST THEBES*SUPPLIANTS*AGAMEMNON*LIBATION BEARERS*EUMENIDES*CHOEPORIWORKS OF ARISTOPHANES*THE ELEVEN COMEDIESYOUR ENVIABLE COLLECTIONImagine the joy of having this exclusive collection, which rivals many libraries, at your fingertips. Imagine the incredible pleasure of reading these nuggets of literature gold, discovering inspiration in the kind of fantastic, mythological tales you love.PLUS YOU GET FREE BONUSES:*Biographies of each of the Writers - Details of their colorful histories, intriguing personal lives and remarkable adventures in the ancient world.*Easy to navigate 'Table of Contents' - jump between works and between chapters in each work easily.

    Takes you behind the scenes of Sony's biggest 2010 game release, featuring character and environment concept art and production art.

    Can a temple transform a person into an extraordinary being?In this ground-breaking book, researcher and best-selling author Freddy Silva explores the origin of sacred sites and discovers that behind ancient temples lies a secret, spiritual technology whose roots lie with a race that survived a global flood in 9703 BC.According to surviving texts, groups of sages set out to “rebuild the former mansions of the gods” by creating a vast, interconnected network of power places on the Earth’s hotspots of energy — temples that would serve as self-help centers for future generations.Based on solid evidence, this original work reveals how a measurable energy in these sacred sites is capable of inducing altered states, essentially validating ancient accounts which describe such portals as living intermediaries between matter and spirit that serve to “transform men into gods.”And what’s more, these portals are still working.From Stonehenge and the sacred places of Egypt, to India, the Americas, Pacific islands and the Far East, it is a 17,000-year journey of levitating stones, underwater “cities of knowledge,” 15-foot tall gods, and the secret esoteric groups who’ve kept their single-minded vision alive throughout recent history. The aim? The spiritual transformation of every person on Earth.(note: this version replaces the former titles Common Wealth, and Legacy of the Gods)

    Set on destroying the bond between Uther and his son, she revives the seven deadly Knights of Medhir. While Arthur and Merlin ride out to face the Knights, everyone in Camelot is plunged into a deep and impenetrable sleep - everyone but Morgana. Desperate for a cure, Merlin is forced to beg for the Great Dragon's help, but it comes at a price: the Dragon's freedom. Why has Morgana escaped the effects of this powerful magic? And once free, will the Great Dragon wreak its vengeance on Camelot once and for all?

    Her great aunt from the old country says she is like a bland meal, "no salt or pepper". But in junior year, everything changes. Her father takes a position on the Town Council, a popular boy in school becomes interested in her, and most importantly, the Hekademos Learning Center, a private school for 'troubled' students, moves into her quiet neighborhood amidst the protests of the entire town.After an embarrassing fall over the school wall, Michelle meets Elliot and her ordinary ‘bland’ life changes its course forever.Elliot is no ordinary human. In fact, no one at the Hekademos Learning Center is. Beautiful and fierce, they have survived throughout the millennia by weaving in and out of human events. Through them, Michelle learns that history and myths from around the world are dotted with references to their kind. Michelle falls madly in love with the ever-striking and mysterious Elliot and, as much as he tries to fight it, he develops strong feelings for her as well. Although Elliot carries numerous painful memories from his many pasts, he disregards his own better judgment and the advice of his friends, and finds himself falling for Michelle‘s offbeat personality. Their feelings grow in intensity, but when History catches up with them, the difference between their life paths threatens to destroy any future that they might have had together.Michelle learns that there are infinite shades of gray between black and white, and has to deal with the bundle of contradictory emotions called love. She has to trust her intuition in order to face the danger and uncertainty of being drawn into Elliot’s wondrous world. Ultimately, it is up to Michelle to make the split-second, life-altering decision that will either tear them apart forever, or give them another chance.

    In the early Christmas traditions of Europe, the Krampus was St. Nicholas' dark servant-a hairy, horned, supernatural beast whose pointed ears and long slithering tongue gave misbehavers the creeps! Whereas St. Nicholas would reward children who'd been good all year, those that had behaved badly were visited by the Krampus. This NEW and IMPROVED edition includes an introduction, a historical survey of the character, and over 180 lavish pre-World War 1 Krampus postcards. KRAMPUS: The Devil of Christmas is a lush, hair-raising collection guaranteed to give even Stephen King the creeps!

    He is inseparable from his veena and has the name of Lord Narayana always on his lips. In the Puranic stories, it is Narada who puts the lord's devotees to test. But when he himself is put to test will the clelstial sage emerge victorious?

    She has no reason to suspect that she isn't entirely human... At age six, Tasya's mother was murdered and her twin brother kidnapped by priestesses of the Order. At eight she was sent by her father to become handmaid to the blind princess, and a spy in the royal court. Nearly sixteen years later, the old Queen dies and the fragile princess is poised to become Queen. Tasya will be forced to choose between the princess she loves and the father she serves. Meanwhile, the gods have problems of their own. It will be no easy task for them to save their favorite humans from extinction, and themselves from permanent exile.

    There was no weapon in the arsenal of the gods that could stop Vritra as he went on a rampage. Indra and the gods appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu told them that only a weapon made from the bones of Sage Dadhichi would kill Vritra. The battle between Vritra and Indra was first told in the Rigveda. The version used here is taken from the Bhagawat Purana.

    Along the way, the children discover that they cannot rescue their mother without rescuing themselves first. Sometimes frightening, sometimes funny, and often heartbreaking, "Assam and Darjeeling" tells the story of a brother and sister who have to go through hell together in order to learn the true meaning of family.

    Taking you from ancient Greece and Japan to North America and Africa to New Zealand and Great Britain, these 36 lectures reveal mythology's profound importance in shaping nearly every aspect of culture. You'll also discover the hidden connections between them - a comparative approach that emphasizes the universality of myths across cultures.Along with the stories themselves, you'll encounter fascinating characters, including Herakles, the ancient Greek hero whose life illustrates the idea that all heroic stories have a similar structure; Loki, the shape-shifting trickster who introduces the concept of time into the Norse realm of Asgard; and King Arthur, the Celtic lord and founder of the Knights of the Round Table.Myths, according to Professor Voth, are "gifts from the ancestors to be cherished." His enchanting lectures are the perfect way for you to celebrate these cherished gifts, inviting you to develop your own interpretations of these age-old tales, as well as to ponder the role that myths - both ancient and everyday - play in your own life.(Great Courses, #2332)

    His latest book, The Lost Hero, is the first in a new series – The Heroes of Olympus. He recently chatted with Audible Editor Diana Dapito about his new book and his career as an author, and revealed which of his characters are his favorites.About The Lost Hero: After saving Olympus from the evil Titan lord, Kronos, Percy and friends have rebuilt their beloved Camp Half-Blood, where the next generation of demigods must now prepare for a chilling prophecy of their own:Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,To storm or fire the world must fall.An oath to keep with a final breath,And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.Now, in a brand-new series from blockbuster best-selling author Rick Riordan, fans return to the world of Camp Half-Blood. Here, a new group of heroes will inherit a quest. But to survive the journey, they'll need the help of some familiar demigods.

    It was originally published under the title "Principia Discordia or How The West Was Lost" in a limited edition of 5 copies in 1965. The name, meaning "The Principles of Strife," deviates from correct Latin which would read Principia Discordiae. The Principia is widely regarded as one of the most important Discordian works ever written. The Principia describes the Discordian Society and its Goddess Eris, as well as the basics of the POEE denomination of Discordianism. It features typewritten and handwritten text intermixed with clip art, stamps, and seals appropriated from other sources, possibly in violation of copyright laws

     Behind the door, beside the stove, under the stairs, along the roads — Hobgoblins have been the helpful housemates, neighbors, and friends of humans for thousands of years. But beware! When humans forget their obligations to the Secret Folk and break the Laws of Hospitality, even the friendliest Hobgoblin may turn tricksy. Here find tellings of domestic Brownies, Lobs-Lie-By-The-Fire, Roman Lars, Japanese Tsukumogami, medieval Portunes, playful pixies, and the famous Robin Goodfellow, as well as grimmer folk: wandering Willow O' The Wisps, wrathful Red Caps, and bold Boggarts. Join the Order of the Golden Quills as it presents the secret history and long lost lore of the Hobgoblins who dwell in that most mysterious of all lands: home.* * * REVIEWS— YoungWriters.co.uk"What I love about this book is the presentation, the pictures, snippets of info. and flaps make it so much fun to read... . This is a great book, engaging, interesting, fun, educational and a lovely addition to any bookcase, or "founte" as the Hearth Folk say."— My Favorite Books"I think this Secret Histories book will sit well with enthusiasts of all ages. There is so much to think about, to make notes about, and to research, should you so wish, in this beautiful book that I think it's a boon to creative storytellers in classrooms and for those parents who are fond of telling their own bedtime stories to young folk.""Hobgoblins is a riot of folkloric fun. The perfect way to say 'hello home and hearth' if you've been having a spot of bother at home and can't think why. Hobgoblins, Brownies, Abbey Lubbers and others have their rights too, you know. Blissfully illustrated, fat and unctiously rich with lore to hold in hand..." - Caitlin Matthews, author of The Storyworld Cards

    What is the truth regarding good and evil? Is the God of Abraham actually the Devil, as the ancient Gnostics maintained? Is this planet of ours hell, ruled over by the Prince of Darkness masquerading as God in the greatest deception of all time? Here is wisdom - the True God is Abraxas and his is the same message as Nietzsche's: we must learn to live BEYOND good and evil.

    In the Old Norse Mythology she is the sinister arch- mother of the giants and the black arts; she’s also the divine feminine manifestation of the analogue thursian purpose.Regular Edition: Printed on high quality heavy paper. Finished with black endpapers, fully illustrated and includes a fold-out chart of the Underworld. Bound in maroon cloth marked with Ísarn, the bind-rune which evokes the current of Járnviðr. 242 pages. 500 copies.Deluxe Edition: Extra high quality paper and finished with black endpapers, fully illustrated with several epresentations of Gullveig in her different incarnations and with a fold-out chart of the Underworld. Hand-bound and sewed in high quality maroon leather with a cloth bookmark; signed and sigilised by the author. 242 pages, limited to 62 copies.

    You may have a Hollywood image in your head of noble, heroic men, inspired by God and doing his holy work.Think again. It's time to discover the sordid truth. Abraham was the world's first recorded psychopath, willing to slaughter his own son as a human sacrifice to his monstrous "God". In the Islamic telling of the tale, "Satan" begged three times for the boy's life and was three times violently driven away. If God orders the death of the innocent and Satan tries to save them, which one is truly Satan?Moses was a prince of Egypt and one of the followers of the heretic Pharaoh, Akhenaten. The Hebrews loathed Moses and wanted to kill him, eventually succeeding at the foot of Mount Sinai, the Mountain of "God", during the massacre that erupted as a result of the "golden calf" incident.St Paul was a high priest of the cult of Mithras who had the audacity to blend it with Judaic Messianism, giving birth to the bizarre religion of Christianity, a theological miscarriage of a religion for ignoramuses.Do not read this book if you are a blinkered, irrational Abrahamist who prefers faith over knowledge, propaganda over facts. Your beliefs are false in every way. Get over it.Do not read this book if you are a conspiracy theorist or a freeloader. You are wasting our time and your own.This is a book by the Pythagorean Illuminati, the most ancient secret society in the world. The Illuminati's religion is Illumination, a mathematical, scientific and philosophical version of Gnosticism. This is the world's only rational and true religion.

    Specific stage directions and character suggestions give even inexperienced actors the tools to perform Shakespeare with confidence, understanding, and fun!This cutting focuses on three ridiculously funny and vibrant scenes from A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. The first scene starts with Puck mistakenly anointing the eyes of the wrong lovers with love potion, leading to a madcap chase scene between Helena, Lysander, Hermia, and Demetrius. Scene two features Bottom's magical transformation to an ass, always an audience favorite. The final scene is the classic play within a play, where the "Rude Mechanicals" act out with "tragical mirth" the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, with specific comic suggestions for the characters, including Lion chasing Thisbe into the audience!The edition also includes an essay by editor Nick Newlin on how to produce a Shakespeare play with novice actors, and notes about the original production of this abridgement at the Folger Shakespeare Library's annual Student Shakespeare Festival.

    We are witnessing the decline and dissolution of the old order, the tumult and uncertainty of a new birth. Against this background, there is an urgent need for a coherent framework of meaning to lead us beyond the growing fragmentation of culture, belief and personal identity.Keiron Le Grice argues that the developing insights of a new cosmology could provide this framework, helping us to discover an underlying order shaping our life experiences. In a compelling synthesis of the ideas of seminal thinkers from depth psychology and the new paradigm sciences, Le Grice positions the new discipline of archetypal astrology at the center of an emerging world view that reunifies psyche and cosmos, spirituality and science, mythology and metaphysics, and enables us to see mythic gods, heroes and themes in a fresh light. He draws especially on the work of C. G. Jung, Joseph Campbell, Richard Tarnas, Fritjof Capra, David Bohm and Brian Swimme.Heralding a 'rediscovery of the gods' and the passage into a new spiritual era, The Archetypal Cosmos presents a new understanding of the role of myth and archetypal principles in our lives, one that could give a cosmic perspective and deeper meaning to our personal experiences.

    Each patakí is connected to one or more of the 16 odu, the principal creative forces of Santería. Some recount the lives of orishas on earth, others the lives of individuals in heaven, and some tell of the odu themselves, for even they once walked the earth as mortals. The first book to explore these ancient African stories in English, Teachings of the Santería Gods recounts more than 100 of these sacred parables, including many stories reassembled from the oral tradition of the African diaspora. Ranging from creation myths to what happens when a love potion works far too well, these stories share the wisdom and spirituality of the Yoruba people of ancient Africa and form the living, oral bible of one of the world’s fastest-growing faiths.

    The tragedies collected here were originally available as single volumes. This new collection retains the informative introductions and explanatory notes of the original editions, with Greek line numbers and a single combined glossary added for easy reference.This volume collects Euripides' Andromache, a play that challenges the concept of tragic character and transforms expectations of tragic structure; Hecuba, a powerful story of the unjustifiable sacrifice of Hecuba's daughter and the consequent destruction of Hecuba's character; Trojan Women, a particularly intense account of human suffering and uncertainty; and Rhesos, the story of a futile quest for knowledge.

    However, she is also the most mysterious. Everyone is aware of her existence, the serpent-headed monster of old, whose very gaze turns all to stone. But, how did she come to that? How did a being of such power meet her end, decapitated by a mortal? Most importantly, what truly makes one a monster?Born to ancient sea gods and, the only mortal of her kind, Medusa was taken from her home at birth. Raised on earth, by a consort of the Gods, she was a product of both worlds yet, belonged to neither. Her beauty became legend in her village and, once her cousins noticed the beautiful young woman she'd become, they invited her to Mount Olympus.Faced with the prospect of attending Panathenia, the birthday celebration of the goddess she worships and admires, Medusa could hardly refuse. At sixteen, she is thrust into the world of Olympus, where decadence abounds, and every desire is fulfilled. Surrounded by those with unlimited power, she felt that anything was possible. Because of her beauty and spirit, she is noticed by more than one God, quickly becomes a favorite and, inevitably, a prize to be won. In the home of the Gods, Medusa finds acceptance, friendships, and love. She also finds herself in the crossfire of rivalries dating back centuries. Fall into a story of love, jealousy and betrayal. Immerse yourself into the world of the Immortals. Follow the journey of one woman's life, where every choice can be the difference between life or death. Experience the anger of the Gods, from which she never survives... or does she?

    The classic 20th century translation by the Jewish Publication Society is illustrated with ancient frescoes, medieval illuminated manuscripts, and paintings by contemporary Jewish artists. Bound in blue cloth with an illuminated gold foil front cover, this book is an ideal gift and would grace any home. A 'synoptic contents' is included to help the reader locate the better-known events and their themes among the Torah's five books. The Hebrew texts as they appear in the Torah scroll have also been included for several significant passages. An introduction by Rabbi Mariner sets the tone of this elegant edition.

    But when all seems lost, she is finally discovered. Uther is overjoyed but quickly becomes plagued by dark visions.As the king grows weaker, Gaius discovers that he has been enchanted by someone within the castle. Camelot stands on the brink as Merlin embarks on his most dangerous task yet. He must uncover the traitor within.

    . .a riddle of sphinx,a splash of mermaids,a dignity of dragons,and more.With inventive groupings, luminous artwork, and a fact-filled glossary, A Dignity of Dragons makes for a bestiary to treasure. For within its pages, you’ll learn about all the creatures you may be lucky enough to see, if you know where to look.

    Visitors to this great storehouse may become easily overwhelmed by the vast number of objects on display. But here for the first time is the world's best-known Egyptologist's personal introduction to the unmissable highlights of the Museum--Zahi Hawass's own selection of his favorite 200 exhibits. For each piece, he gives some background to its discovery and significance, and describes what it means for him in terms of the art or the history of ancient Egypt, and why it strikes a personal chord. "Due to my love of the Egyptian Museum, I thought that it would be wonderful to write a guide to its treasures, and to talk about my favorite objects within."--Zahi Hawass

    No, it's not the latest reality TV search for love--it's classical mythology.For years, people have turned to the ancient Greek and Roman myths for entertaining reading, unbelievable storylines, unique characters, and unparalleled drama. This guide explains the great stories and how they still influence literature, entertainment, and everyday life. From heroes and heroines to monsters and villains, this entertaining guide covers it all. Inside, you will learn how:The Greeks defeated the TitansOdysseus tricked the CyclopsHercules accomplished the twelve laborsPeruses slew MedusaThe Greeks bested the TrojansHades abducted PersephoneBellerophon killed the ChimeraWith an easy reference chart of the gods and goddesses and their interrelations, this action-packed book helps you bring classical mythology to life!

    If that describes you, then The Norse Myths should help. It contains the most complete versions of the Norse myths available in the English language. The Norse Myths is presented as a narrative from the beginning of creation to the final great battle of Ragnarok, followed by the Rebirth. The Norse Myths is split into several parts: Part One: In the Beginning. Eight chapters that set up the Universe. Part Two: The Adventures. Twelve chapters about the adventures of Gods, Elves, Jotuns, Humans. Part Three: The Ending of All Things. Overarching in all the stories is Ragnarokr, the Doom of the Gods. Even in the humorous stories there's a sense of fatality. Part Three is eight chapters leading to the final battle (Ragnarokr) and the subsequent Rebirth into a more Utopian world. Finally, there is a complete Glossary of all the characters, places, and objects in the book. The spelling used in the book is presented with definitions of the word and alternate spellings, followed by a complete description. And there's a Genealogy chart showing the familial relationships of many of the characters. Norse mythology comes from the Nordic countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. These countries were heavily influenced by Teutonic (German) mythology. This book contains all of the legends which pertain to the Gods. Future volumes will be about family sagas like The Niebelungenlied (The Ring Saga). There is a deep foreboding, a sense of doom, that pervades Norse mythology. The Gods are not immortal. They can be injured and need to be healed. They can find themselves bent with old age. Against the right enemy they can be killed. From the beginning the Gods know they are in a violent battle of good versus evil. The Gods, mankind of Midgardr, and light elves, are doing what they can to stave off the last battle, Ragnarokr, the Doom of the Gods. They fight against evil giants, ferocious wolves, giant sea serpents, and the cunning Loki. The Nordic countries have harsh winters resulting in a mythology that is darker than most. The Norse hero wants to die a hero's death, in battle, fighting for right. The worst death is the straw death, in bed, old, infirm, and away from the fight. The hero who dies in battle goes to Valhalla or one of the other fighting halls to practice and prepare for the last great battle. Those who die straw deaths go to the torturous halls in Niflheimr. Glory does not await them. Pain, venous snakes, and starvation awaits them. Yet, there is hope . . . always hope. There is the vision of a better life filled with peace and tranquility, the Rebirth. Norse mythology has influenced many fantasy novels including The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, who taught Norse mythology at Oxford. The Norse Myths will take you to a world of legend with Thor, Odin, Loki, Gods, Goddesses, monsters, giants, and dwarves doing what they can to help or hurt each other.

    Characteristically threatening, monstrous creatures with ugly features and fearful habits, including cannibalism, they also can be harbingers of prosperity, beautiful and sexual, and especially in modern contexts, even cute and lovable. There has been much ambiguity in their character and identity over their long history. Usually male, their female manifestations convey distinctivly gendered social and cultural meanings.Oni appear frequently in various arts and media, from Noh theater and picture scrolls to modern fiction and political propaganda, They remain common figures in popular Japanese anime, manga, and film and are becoming embedded in American and international popular culture through such media. Noriko Reiderýs book is the first in English devoted to oni. Reider fully examines their cultural history, multifaceted roles, and complex significance as "others" to the Japanese.

    

    The relationship between human and Faery lies at the very core of the Arthurian stories. In this radical re-evaluation of the Grail legends, Wendy Berg brings the ancient mythology of the British Isles into sharp focus centred around the marriage of King Arthur to the Faery Gwenevere and the origin and destiny of the Grail Hallows. Drawing upon numerous Arthurian sources and other related texts from the Book of Genesis to The Lord of the Rings, she explores the magical ritual underpinning of the legends and their connection to the ancient stellar deities of Britain. "When these stories are read with the additional level of understanding that they are for the most part a record of the lives and relationships of Faeries and humans working together about the Round Table, they immediately become not only a great deal more interesting, but also acquire a new and vivid relevance for the present day.

    After a hunting trip in the forest, Arthur is fatally attacked by a savage beast. As the Crown Prince lies dying, Gauis knows that dark magic is at work and Merlin is the only one who can save him.

    On the contrary, it is the basis of God's existence. God is not the creator of the universe but rather its ultimate outcome, the optimal expression of the inherent potential of the cosmos, its evolutionary culmination. He is the maximum actualization of possibility. Physicists say that anything not forbidden is compulsory. Therefore if God is not fobidden by evolution then he is compulsory. Modern science has led to a complete loss of a religious sensibility in the Western world. Religious assertions increasingly sound crazy. The irony is that religion is ultimately scientific. There is no contradiction between science and religion. It is not religion that is abolished by science but atheism. Welcome to the world of the scientific God of cosmic evolution. God not only exists, he is inevitable. Here is the proof, from first principles.This book is one of a series by the Ancient Order of the Illuminati. The religion of the Illuminati is called Illumination and belongs to the Gnostic tradition of enlightenment. Based on Pythagorean mathematics,it promotes reason and knowledge and is wholly opposed to religions offaith.Do not read this book if you are an Abrahamist, a conspiracy theorist or a freeloader. This book is only for rational, intelligent, open-mindedfreethinkers.Note that the books in this series are anti-Old World Order samizdat and agitprop publications that have been nowhere near the gatekeeperpublishing houses of the OWO. Completely uncensored, they are thevehicles of the purest free speech available in the world today. If they have a certain rough and ready anti-corporate quality, it's becausehuge teams of expensive, glossy capitalist "packagers" have had noinvolvement with the production of these books. If you want a coffeetable book, go somewhere else. If you want the truth, WELCOME!Join the Revolution!

    His love for the maiden Hygd drives him to his first heroic contest, in the course of which he is swept up by the wild passions of the sea-god's ninth daughter. Coming back from the sea's depths to the Geatish court, Beowulf discovers that he is no longer an object of mockery: his troll-like size, strength, and the lingering touch of the Otherworld upon him make him feared where he was once despised. Now Beowulf's true strife lies before him: the struggle to remain human among humans while accepting the sorrows and loneliness of his Otherworldly nature; to use his monster's strength to defend the earth from the ravages of troll and dragon; and to stand, at last, as a true king for the folk who once thought him worthless.

    His aim? To kill Arthur. Will Merlin be able to save the prince from the killer’s lethal blade . . .

    Uther refuses to pay her ransom so Arthur defies his father, heading out into dangerous enemy territory to fight for Gwen's freedom. Merlin suspects Arthur's devotion to Gwen is more than just that of a prince to one of his subjects. But how will Arthur react when he finds Gwen is not alone in Hengist's castle? She and Lancelot have found each other again, and powerful feelings have been rekindled...

    Instead he goes toe-to-toe with the high king's champion over an ancient dagger and his claim to the throne.Who will triumph? The king of the road or the king of the realm? Either way, the Hunt is on!

    Jesus Christ was reincarnated, not resurrected. This was the hidden teaching of the highest circles of Christianity. Resurrection was a Jewish idea deemed fit only for the simple masses that were ignorant of the philosophy of Plato. The Gospels make no secret of Christ's reincarnation, so why does Christianity still subscribe to the false doctrine of reincarnation?Read the truth, as told by by the Pythagorean Illuminati, the most ancient secret society on earth, of which Plato himself was once a member.

    Taylor“The Faithful Soldier, Prompted” by Saladin Ahmed“Kamer-taj, the Moon-horse” from Forty-four Turkish Fairy Tales collected by Dr. Ignácz Kúnos, 1913Poetry:“Me and Rumi’s Ghost” by Samer Rabadi“Tur Disaala” by Abdul Jawad Elhusuni“Al Manara Dirge” by Sara Saab

    As the fanfare subsides and there’s no sign of his bride-to-be, Balt starts to get the terrible feeling that he was moving too fast and his little slave princess has fled! Find out what really happened in Sons of Lyra: Slave Princess between Balt asking Kayla to marry him and the final scene on Lyra Five!

    Westerners have yet to discover the wisdom that dates back even further to ancient Egypt. With a Jungian perspective, clinical psychologist Dr. Thom F. Cavalli plumbs that wisdom through the myth of Osiris, the green-skinned Egyptian god of vegetation and the Underworld. As no one else has done, Cavalli draws on Osiris's death and resurrection as a guide to spiritual transformation. The myth represents the joining of the conscious and the unconscious, the light and the dark, life and death, and shows how to live our temporal existence in service to and anticipation of eternal life. Cavalli sees the ancient art of alchemy -- which attempted to turn lead into gold -- as the key. The alchemical recipe "solve et coagula" (solution and coagulation) encoded in the myth describes the integration of all parts of a person and the method for achieving an experience of immortality in life and eternal life after death. The Osiris myth thus provides a model for the contemporary quest for individuation, the Jungian term for integrating ego and self, body and soul, in the process of becoming whole.

    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.

    . . but in what language? When we learn how to discern her secrets, a world of information appears that can help us live healthier, happier, and more balanced lives.This intriguing book will arouse your curiosity by combining ancient wisdom with modern research, and imagination with science, to help you see Nature in a whole new way. You’ll discover how to . . . ·     Recognize divine designs, hidden in plain sight, to forge a more profound mind-body-soul connection with the environment ·     Look at food in new (actually, ancient) ways and choose self life over shelf life ·     Cope with change, challenges, and time pressures by asking, What would Nature do? ·     Become aware of what society is doing to the environment, and learn easy green solutions to save money and help the planet Exercises throughout the book will empower you to tune in to Nature’s wisdom in order to develop a healthier mind, body, soul, and planet.

    This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

    Like in every culture, Chinese folktales too have been instrumental in passing on Chinese tradition, beliefs, customs and values from one generation to the next.Chinese folklore consists of fables, legends, mythology tales and historical accounts. Magical creatures, demons, mythical animals, malicious step-mothers and witty and valiant protagonists take you through the common themes of the triumph of cleverness and wisdom.This collection of Chinese folktales includes the well-known tale of the 'Valiant Shu Lang', the woman who dressed herself as a man to join the military, 'The Laughing Monks' who taught the path to a contentted life throguh the only language they knew - laughter, and 'The Great Discovery', the tale of how a phenix led a young couple to a treasure they later discover to be salt.

    But to the people of the Arab and Islamic worlds, the picture is dramatically different. Legends of the Fire Spirits looks beyond Westernized caricatures to immerse the reader in the vibrant lore of the jinn—the wondrous, often troublesome, and sometimes terrifying spirit beings of ancient Arab and Islamic tradition.Robert Lebling delves into long-lost accounts, medieval histories, colonial records, anthropologist’s reports, and traveler’s tales to explore the origin and evolution of legends that continue to thrive in the Middle East and beyond. He cuts through centuries of Orientalists’ cultural presumption to craft a study that stands apart from the overwhelming body of literature concerned with religion in the Middle East.A captivating synthesis of history and folklore, this is the most diverse collection of jinn lore ever assembled in one volume. From ancient scriptures to The Arabian Nights and beyond, and with a foreword by acclaimed filmmaker Tahir Shah, Lebling has constructed a comprehensive account that not only transcends geographical borders but also spans some four millennia.

     In today's exciting cosmopolitan society, we tend to discard the old in favor of the new; and while discovering new traditions is a wonderful experience, it's important to also reflect on the traditions that have shaped our culture, and see where they’ve taken us. In Northern Lore you will: * Practice “Runic Yoga” for Health and Well Being * Learn Ancient Herblore for Holistic Healing * Meet your Animal Spirit Guide, or Fylgia * Discover Lost Meaning in the Days of the Week * Explore Modern Holidays & connections to Ancestral Festivals * Unlock the Mysteries of the Runes * Sample Viking and Anglo-Saxon cuisine Together we’ll take an incredible journey back in time, and forward, embracing a synthesis of ancestral riches, and modern sensibilities. My hope is that after reading this, you’ll go and dig deeper into your history – read the Eddas, harvest some herbs, practice runic yoga and cook a viking feast! Live the Lore! Eoghan Odinsson, Editor

    Much more than an athletic camp, it's a fantasyland where living dolls and the Baba Yaga abound. Plus there's Dr. Nine, a master alchemist whose magical laboratory is very well guarded indeed. But not all that glitters is Olympic gold. When dangerous secrets begin to surface, Sam must fight to expose Xenith's dark underbelly to save her friends and family...if she survives herself.

    986, Earl Hákon, ruler of most of Norway, won a triumphant victory over an invading fleet of Danes in the great naval battle of Hjórunga Bay. Sailing under his banner were no fewer than five Icelandic skalds, the poet-historians of the Old Norse world. Two centuries later their accounts of the battle became the basis for one of the liveliest of the Icelandic sagas, with special emphasis on the doings of the Jómsvikings, the famed members of a warrior community that feared no one and dared all. In Lee M. Hollander's faithful translation, all of the unknown twelfth-century author's narrative genius and flair for dramatic situation and pungent characterization is preserved.

    It is thought to be many things: a lost and priceless treasure, the chalice cup of the Last Supper, the cup that caught Jesus Christ's blood from the cross on Golgotha, and even a secret royal bloodline. Basing his presentations on far-reaching spiritual research, Rudolf Steiner gave profoundly esoteric, multifaceted insights into the mysteries of the Holy Grail. Collected for the first time in a single volume together with commentary and notes, these passages offer vivid tableaux with a multiplicity of meanings: a story that speaks to the human soul with a depth and complexity that intellectual interpretations alone cannot begin to fathom.Just as Parzival had to encounter and engage with veils of illusion and valleys of shadow and doubt, Steiner presents us with a similarly challenging path. This book is more than a treasure of thought and insight; it invites the reader to embark on a personal quest toward developing the capacity and vision needed to grasp the elusive Grail itself. As editor Matthew Barton writes: "The vessel of the Grail gradually descends toward us and comes into focus as we raise ourselves individually to it by piercing through the illusions of materialism, acknowledging that we ourselves can ultimately become true vessels for the spirit."

    Embedded within the Norse myths are coded instructions for absorbing universal life force energy, shamanism and spiritual transformation. Author Michael William Denney has spent 20 years researching and decoding spiritual secrets contained within the mythologies of India and China. In The Thunder Wizard Path, Mr. Denney takes his understanding of these sacred teachings and applies it to the myths of his ancestors - the Teutons. What he reveals is a mystery religion of such power and beauty as to rival the Vedic scriptures, the Tantric Sutras and the Tao Te Ching. Shamanism and Wizardry were practiced in northern Europe continuously for 50,000 years. Now these practices are being revealed once again for our generation.

    Bacchus asks what Midas wishes for and Midas asks that everything he touches be turned into gold. This works well until Midas attempts to eat food!

    79, Pliny the Younger looked up and saw a spectacle the world would never forget. As he later wrote down, "A cloud was ascending, the appearance of which I cannot give you a more exact description of than by likening it to that of a great pine tree, for it shot up to a great height in the form of a very tall trunk, which spread itself out at the top into a sort of branches. It appeared sometimes bright and sometimes dark and spotted, according as it was either more or less impregnated with earth and cinders."

    The wise princess Ariadne then offers Theseus a ball of yarn and tells him to unwind it as he walks into the Labryrinth so he can follow it back out. Ariadne's simple gift gives Theseus the assurance he needs, and he is able to slay the Minotaur and find the door to freedom. Panorama: An Introduction to Classical Mythology was designed to be an Ariadne thread. The subject of classical mythology is complicated, with names that can twist the tonuge and details that can leave any reader feeling lost. Panorama's clear writing, clean structure, and engaging design allows students and general interest readers to enter into the complicated subject without being overwhelmed. And its interdisciplinary approach encourages readers to explore the incredible connections mythology shares with literature, vocabulary, history, science, and the arts. This book belongs in a student's backpack, on a homeschooler's shelf, or on the lap of any interested reader.

    Rama marries beautiful Sita, but Ravana, the 10-headed, 20-armed Demon King, falls in love with her too. He captures her and takes her in his chariot to the Demon Kingdom, Lanka. Rama has to find a way to rescue Sita, and he seeks the help of the monkey general Hanuman and the King of the Bears, and Jambuvan, the King of the Bears. Rama, his brother Lakshman and the band of monkeys and bears battle their way to the Kingdom of the Demons. They cross the sea by building a bridge, with the help of the fishes and sea creatures, and find Sita locked in Hanuman's tower, guarded by demonesses. After a final, terrible battle, the Demon King is defeated and Rama and Sita are reunited. The beautiful end to the story, telling how people put out lamps to light Rama and Sita's pathway home, is at the heart of the Hindu festival of Divali. in which earthen lamps - called divas - are lit, to celebrate the return of Rama after his exile and to mark the end of one year and the beginning of another.

    

    Niobe's brother Pelops, who narrowly survives death at the hands of their father Tantalus, is charismatic, ambitious, and utterly ruthless. Together they will change the history of Hellas - and the world.

    We can think of ourselves as the main character in our own story. Author Peggy Rubin brilliantly uses traditional theatre as a metaphor for living life more authentically and joyfully. To understand our lives as a sacred art form, Rubin traces the roots of theatre to ancient rituals that celebrated the eternal nature of the soul. She provides the tools to tap into the nine powers of sacred theatre so that our lives can resonate with our highest purpose, including The Power of Incarnation, The Power of Story, The Power of Place, The Power of Now, The Power of Expression, The Power of Point of View, The Power of Conflict, The Power of Audience, and The Power of Celebration. "Playing the play of life is a daring adventure," says Rubin. "It takes courage, focus, excitement, and intention to stop just letting our stories happen and instead enact them with verve and delight." Here she invites readers to take the stage of life and play their story for all it is worth.

    an immortal warrior. From the sands and cities of the ancient middle-east comes an epic story of bloodshed, love and betrayal. Award-winning fantasy author Michael Ehart spins a tale that echoes with the blood and thunder of the golden age.Bound by an ancient curse, serving her master in bitter unwillingness, the Servant of the Manthycore must lure the greedy, the unsuspecting and the unwary into the desert to feed the insatiable beast to whom she is bound. Centuries of combat and murder have made her a swordswoman whispered of in the marketplaces, feared in the back-alleys and sung about by the campfires of the caravans. The passing centuries of betrayal and death have stolen her humanity and even her name, leaving only a glimmer of who she once was. Her only hope is to someday meet a greater warrior than she, and so be freed.Striding across the background of civilization in its youth, in the time of the first great heroes and the cities they built, she becomes more than a woman, and as her legend grows so does her determination to someday be free of the great beast who she serves. Goddesses, bandits, soldiers and kings fall beneath her sword as she fights her way to discover a path to freedom.Fantasy legend Michael Moorcock raves: "Michael Ehart is an impressive talent!" And reviewers from all over the world agree that the Servant of the Manthycore is one of the great characters of modern heroic fantasy. The Tears of Ishtar brings together her entire saga in one blood-soaked, thrilling novel that will have your pulse pounding from the very first page. Beautifully illustrated by renowned Sword and Sorcery artist Miko, and encased within a stunning, original cover by Johnney Perkins, this will be one novel you won't want to put down!

    Tichenor was a writer and magazine editor prominent in the socialist and freethinking movements during the Progressive Era of American history. His writings frequently condemned organized religion, Christianity in particular, as a tool used by the upper classes to maintain control over the working class. In the realm of opposition to religion, he has been ranked beside Clarence Darrow and Madalyn Murray O’Hair as a leading American freethinker of the twentieth century.In “The Sorceries and Scandals of Satan”, Tichenor employs the figure of Satan as a literary symbolic character to represent rebellion against tyranny — a symbolism with a robust tradition in literature and political works. In his book, the character symbol of Satan is employed as a foil against which to compare the horrors of organized religion, especially Christianity More importantly, however, Tichenor reminds us all that there was a time in American history that open skepticism and opposition to religion was a major facet of social political discourse so Americans certainly should not shy away from it today. Vocal opposition to religion is not novel or new.What is new is the Underworld Amusements republication of this important work. This edition uniquely includes a valuable and critically acclaimed foreword by Robert Merciless which details Tichenor’s biography as well as the times and trends which shaped his penetrating writing.“Some “Debsians” who think of Eugene Debs only as a pioneer labor and Socialist Party leader may not be aware of some of his more radical associates. Marx expressed the role of religion in justifying structered inequality by referring to it as the “opiate of the masses”. Tichenor chooses, in the “Sorceries and Scandals of Satan”, to develop the fictional struggle of “good” and “evil” from the vantage point of a “Good-seeking” personna called Satan.The books by Tichenor are a challenge worth undertaking, and we are fortunate to have this lesser known of his books re-released. It is fortunate also to have included the highly informative 21 page Foreword by Robert Merciless. Don’t dig into the text without first reading the Merciless essay which locates Tichenor’s work in the late 19th and early 20th century progressive movement.”-Charles KingSecretary, Eugene V. Debs Foundationand Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Indiana State University“Tichenor’s “The Sorceries and Scandals of Satan” is a withering and ironic indictment of Christianity wrought with passion and wry humor. Slaughter’s handsome re-publication resurrects an almost forgotten monument of diabolical rhetoric. Exposing the lunacy inherent in twisted tales of Christian saints and surreal biblical fables, Tichenor climaxes the book by detailing the horrors of European persecution of heretics and the murderous madness of the New England witch trials. He extols anti-Christian writing from Milton to Ingersoll with deft quotations, and even champions the pagan Greek deities over the foul phantasms enshrined by Christ-lovers. The informative foreword by R. Merciless places this classic of free-thought in a historical context, listing predecessors and descendants, offering a pithy guide to literate thinkers who have embraced Satan as an image inspiring joy in life and liberty of mind.”-Peter H. GilmoreHigh Priest, Church of SatanAuthor of The Satanic Scriptures“In the forward to the new edition of SaSoS, Merciless discusses the author, Henry M. Tichenor, known today only to a few scholars, mostly in the study of Socialism. Meticulous research into Tichenor’s life and works is presented in the foreword of this “lost” work, and Merciless puts the book into the context of Tichenor’s lifetime, and into today. Those who research the areas of freethought, atheism, non-theism and works controversial to organized religion should read this work.”-Timothy BingaFreethought HistorianContributor, New Encyclopedia of UnbeliefDirector of the Center for Inquiry

    Reader's Theater is an innovative and powerful teaching tool that allows students to break away from silent reading and share in an "acting-out" experience where words and myth come to life! Volume I of the Greek Myths in the "Reaching Olympus" series features nine classic myths in interactive-script form, including Perseus and the quest for Medusa s head, Atalanta the female warrior, Jason's legendary quest for the Golden Fleece, Narcissus and Echo, Oedipus Rex, Orpheus and Eurydice, the inventor Daedalus, and the flight of Icarus.Each play is prefaced by a teacher guide providing a synopsis of the myth, relevant background information and commentary on the myth, anticipatory questions for pre-play discussion, essential questions to help analyze the "big ideas" behind each myth, recall questions to check reading comprehension, and instructions for teaching commonly-tested terms and literary devices using each play. Supplemental materials include a temple-building game, a find-it puzzle with fifty different items to locate, a bonus myth (Bellerophon and Pegasus), a glossary of important characters, and a name pronunciation guide.Zachary Hamby is a professional author and illustrator and an experienced educator. He has spoken at many educational conferences (including the National Council of Teachers of English Convention) on the many benefits of using Reader's Theater in the secondary classroom. He is the author of two series that teach mythology to young people, the "Reaching Olympus" series and the "Mythology for Teens" series. He currently teaches high school in the Ozark mountains, where he lives with his wife and two children. "

    We will take you on the strangest journey from Kabbalism, Manichaeism, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, Platonism, Neoplatonism, the Emerald Tablet, the Golden Dawn, Aleister Crowley, the “perennial philosophy”, genies, Aristotle, entelechy, Forms and matter, mind and matter, universals and particulars, all the way to M-theory.

    Four Icelandic sagas and six tales, spanning five centuries, are brought together for the first time in all-new English translations. All tell of mighty giants, and of the heroes who dared to face them, fight them, and sometimes befriend them. The giants and trolls of old still live on in these legendary sagas of old times. These tales of epic voyages, wars, and romance will appeal to both scholars of Norse mythology and fans of Viking adventure. The sagas include the Saga of the Kjalarnes People, the Saga of Halfdan Brana's Fosterling, the Saga of Sorli the Strong, and the Saga of Illugi Grid's Fosterling. The six shorter tales are: the Tale of Halfdan the Black, the Tale of Hauk High-Breeches, the Tale of Jokul Buason, the Tale of Brindle-Cross, an excerpt from the Saga of the Fljotsdal People, and the Tale of Asmund Ogre-Lucky.

    It is a story that was written many centuries ago but it is still very fresh. Ramayana has and continues to inspire and enchant millions of children (of all ages) all over the world.Ramayana, in reality, is not just a story, even though it is enthralling in that way too. It is a book that offers great teachings in the form a narrative - teachings that impart the readers with practical solutions to every day problems in life. Each time you read Ramayana to your child, he will derive greater fearlessness and stronger determination. Ramayana is the story of Rama, who was an ideal son, an ideal king, an ideal husband and an ideal brother. Once Rama was living in a forest with his beautiful wife Sita and brave brother Lakshmana. One day demon king Ravana kidnaped Sita and took her to his evil kingdom of Lanka. Rama and Lakshmana went in search of Sita. They went to many places but could not find Sita. Then they met Hanuman, one of the greatest heroes of Ramayana. With Hanuman's help, Rama and Lakshmana went to Lanka, fought with Ravana, vanquished him and rescued Sita."Children's Ramayana" presents this great epic in a way that is easy for children to understand. The detailed illustrations alone will be sufficient for children to follow the story.Praise for "Children's Ramayana:""These enticing stories introduce children to unforgettable worlds of myth and tradition and to perspectives that may be new to them. A delightful collection!"--Jayne Pupek, author of Tomato Girl.

    This book looks into the creation myths of the Finnish people and the tales of Iceland. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

    She is a small but resourceful Goddess. BunniHotep is the Goddess of Lost Objects and Small Joys. She was re-discovered by the Temple of Isis/ Los Angeles, a member of the international organization the Fellowship of Isis. BunniHoTep has been on many adventures in Egypt and has met Gods and Goddesses from many Pantheons when they have entered Egypt on quests or with problems. She is an eclectic problem solver for any one with a problem. BunniHoTep is the little sister of Isis and Nepthys born when Geb, Shu Tefnut and Nuit thought they would try once more for another goddess and so BunniHoTep was born.Her adventures are stories for children of all ages. BunniHoTep explores problems and still has fun along with her sisters Isis and Nepthys and her friend, Ammit. Come play in a slightly altered world of ancient Egypt.

    Book by Jeffrey Goodman

    This branch of Babylonian scientific knowledge extensively influenced other parts of the world, and similar texts written in Aramaic, Sanscrit, Sogdian, and other languages. The seminar investigates how much we know about the Babylonian theory and hermeneutics of omens, and the scope of their possible influences on other cultures and regions. Table of Contents: Preface Introduction 1. Amar Annus (Chicago): On the Beginnings and Continuities of the Omen Sciences in the Ancient World 2. Francesca Rochberg: 'If P, then Q': Form and Reasoning in Babylonian Divinations 3. James Allen: Greek Philosophy and Signs 4. Ulla Susanne Koch: 'Three Strikes and You are Out!' A View on Cognitive Theory and the First-Millennium Extispicy Ritual 5. Edward L. Shaughnessy: Arousing Images: The Poetry of Divination and the Divination of Poetry 6. Niek Veldhuis: The Theory of Knowledge and the Practice of Celestial Divination 7. Eckart Frahm: Reading the Tablet, the Exta, and the Body: The Hermeneutics of Cuneiform Signs in Babylonian and Assyrian Text Commentaries and Divinatory Texts 8. Scott B. Noegel: 'Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign': Script, Power, and Interpretation in the Ancient Near East 9. Nils Heessel: The Calculation of the Stipulated Term in Extispicy 10. Abraham Winitzer: The Divine Presence and Its Interpretation in Early Mesopotamian Divination 11. Barbara Bock: Physiognomy in Ancient Mesopotamia and Beyond: From Practice to Handbook 12. Seth Richardson: On Seeing and Believing: Liver Divination and the Era of Warring States 13. Cynthia Jean: Divination and Oracles at the Neo-Assyrian Palace: The Importance of Signs in Royal Ideology 14. JoAnn Scurlock: Prophecy as a Form of Divination; Divination as a Form of Prophecy 15. John Jacobs: Traces of the Omen Series umma izbu in Cicero, De divination 16. Martti Nissinen: Prophecy and Omen Divination: Two Sides of the Same Coin "

    is the love of money.  Some roots grow far deeper than this.  A top secret and highly classified dossier exists and is sealed with a Papal Golden Bull, it is an interim Vatican report known as Operation Aequinoxium. What vital information does it hold? Is this a holy mission to find God or is it a grail quest to the grave... The path is curved and long, fraught with many dangers.  The way ahead may shatter not only our own true beliefs in Christianity, much worse than this, a great knowledge and power in the wrong hands, might obliterate all faiths forever!   Inside the Vatican City, mystery surrounds an untraceable security breach in the computerised nerve-centre of papal authority. This has ramifications for the suspect intentions of Cardinal Giovanni Dalla Gassa.  He has plans for a "new Genesis" once he is in possession of the links to God that would tip the cosmic and spiritual balance in favour of the holder. The conspiracy thickens with the involvement of the Freemasons, the Cardinals' henchmen in the Vatican Internal Audit Office, a ruthless businessman with Mafia connections named Don Luizio Ilario, the disappearance of a Senior Systems Administrator named Michaelangelo, the death of a member of the Technical & Operations team and the torment of another Administrator named Francesca De Rose in the Vatican catacombs.Genesis is a mystery wrapped within layers of enigma and packaged in horror.   It is the beginning of the end of all civilizations and a dawning of a new and ominous superpower!  This is a warning of a new beginning...    A new Genesis...

    Now, two men rediscover the near-forgotten Yokai and return these ancient beasts to their former glory in The Bento Bestiary. This beautiful book is manufactured using Nobrow's renowned spot color print process.Scott James Donaldson is a writer living in Bristol, United Kingdom.Ben Newman is an illustrator and artist living in Bristol, United Kingdom.

    

    The bizarre and wonderful folklore of Japan includes giant corpse-eating rabbits, flaming pigs that steal human genitals, perverse water goblins, blood sucking trees, a dragon that impregnates women, cats who animate dead bodies, a zombie whale and a huge flesh eating sea cucumber that grows from a pair of discarded knickers!