Best of
Spiritualism

2018

Hilma af Klint: Notes and Methods


Hilma af Klint - 2018
    Many consider her the first trained artist to create abstract paintings. With Hilma af Klint: Notes and Methods, we get to experience the arc of af Klint’s artistic investigation in her own words. Hilma af Klint studied at the Royal Swedish Academy in Stockholm where she was part of the first generation of female students.  Up until the beginning of the century, she painted mainly landscapes and detailed botanical studies. Her work from this period was that of a young artist of her time who meticulously observed the world around her. But, like many of her contemporaries, af Klint was also interested in the invisible relationships that shape our world, believing strongly in a spiritual dimension. She joined the Theosophical Society, and, with four fellow female members who together called themselves “The Five,” began to study mediumship.  Between 1906 and 1915, purportedly guided by a higher power, af Klint created 193 individual works that, in both scale and scope of imagery, are like no other art created at that time.  Botanically inspired images and mystical symbols, diagrams, words, and geometric series, all form part of af Klint’s abstract language. These abstract techniques would not be seen again until years later.            Notes and Methods presents facsimile reproductions of a wide array of af Klint’s early notebooks accompanied by the first English translation of af Klint’s extensive writings. It contains the rarely seen “Blue Notebooks,” hand-painted and annotated catalogues af Klint created of her most famous series “Paintings for the Temple,” and a dictionary compiled by af Klint of the words and letters found in her work. An introduction by Iris Müller-Westermann illuminates this unique and important contribution to the legacy of Hilma af Klint.

Becoming Bodhisattvas: A Guidebook for Compassionate Action


Pema Chödrön - 2018
    Written in the eighth century by the scholar and saint Shantideva, it presents a comprehensive view of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition’s highest ideal—to commit oneself to the life of a bodhisattva warrior, a person who is wholeheartedly dedicated to the freedom and common good of all beings. And it has inspired many of the tradition’s greatest teachers, providing a remarkable source of insight on the means by which we may heal ourselves and our troubled world. These essential teachings present the core of the Buddhist path, from cultivating deep-seated confidence to infusing one’s life with selflessness, joyfulness, kindness, and compassion. Pema Chödrön here invites you to journey more deeply into this liberating way of life, presenting Shantideva’s text verse-by-verse and offering both illuminating stories and practical exercises to enrich the text and bring its timeless teachings to life in our world today.

The Moribund Portal: Spectral Resonance and the Numen of the Gallows


Richard Gavin - 2018
    From the severed appendage of the thief that becomes the Hand of Glory, to the fallen seed that spawns the mandrake root, the Hanging Place is awash in the sinistral ambiance of ancient sorcery.Richard Gavin weaves together threads of folklore, spiritism, and occult philosophy to create a tapestry of grim vitality. The Moribund Portal: Spectral Resonance and the Numen of the Gallows examines the subtle yet potent symbiosis that exists between the incarnate world and the realm of the Dead. This book’s exploration of the liminal space between firmament and earth, where Odin perceived the runes and Christ witnessed the celestial kingdom, illuminates the macabre portal through which one may glimpse the Otherworld.The Moribund Portal is 96 pages, featuring an interior design by Joseph Uccello and and original cover by Benjamin Vierling

Black Moon Astrology Cards


Susan Sheppard - 2018
    You don't need to be an astrologer to read these cards. With a divinatory meaning, key words, and tarot correspondence for each card, this deck makes the principles and revelations of astrology accessible to all.

Encounters with Nature Spirits: Co-creating with the Elemental Kingdom


R. Ogilvie Crombie - 2018
    . . remember it took 63 years for my wish to be granted, so don’t lose hope.” Have you ever wished for something with your whole heart? As a child, R. Ogilvie Crombie (Roc) made a wish as he dropped a penny into a wishing well - he asked to be able to see fairies and talk to them. In Encounters with Nature Spirits, we follow Roc’s path as, many years later, he meets the faun Kurmos in the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, discovers the realm of the elementals, and, eventually, meets the great god Pan himself. In his conversations with Pan, elves, and other nature spirits Roc realizes that the elemental realm is vastly more powerful than our human kingdom and possesses an ability to create far beyond our human means. Through his experiences Roc becomes closely involved with the Findhorn Community in northeast Scotland where he meets further elementals who give him sound advice as to how the famous Findhorn gardens should be cared for in order to work in harmony with nature. Encounters with Nature Spirits is a reminder to us all of the importance of our relationship with the nature kingdom. Through his example, Roc places emphasis on connecting and working in harmony with nature spirits. True co-creation with nature, working with rather than against the elemental kingdom, can bring about vital positive change to our endangered eco-system. The elementals are open to working with mankind--the question is, are we humans open to engaging with and respecting them again?

Walden: Selections from the American Classic (Shambhala Pocket Library)


Henry David Thoreau - 2018
    

The Sufi King of Hindostan


Reyaz Nadeem - 2018
    His arrival in the sub-continent marked a tremendous shift in the socio-religious condition prevailing there. He was not a materialistic king but rather a spiritual king whose dominion greatly surpassed that of the worldly kings. There are many number of miraculous events associated with his life and which has been successfully recounted in this work. He was a lover of truth and served humanity. No wonder, even after hundreds of years of his passing, he is still venerated today by people of all walks of life. And he is widely regarded as the 'Sufi King of Hindostan'.

Poppet Magick: Patterns, Spells & Formulas for Poppets, Spirit Dolls & Magickal Animals


Silver RavenWolf - 2018
    Poppet Magick shares everything you need to make your own enchanted dolls and spirit animals for love, money, health, banishing, attracting what you want, and much more. Discover more than 36 patterns for paper, cloth, or felt poppets, as well as instructions for working with a variety of other mediums. This book also includes guidance on choosing colors, herbs, oils, gemstones, and other ingredients that correspond to your magickal intentions as well as helpful hints on timing, sigils, incantations, and ceremonies for empowering and decommissioning your dolls. Whether you make your own poppets or work with store-bought dolls, this book will help you achieve magickal success.