Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Paganism Today Wiccans Druids The Goddess And Ancient Earth Traditions For The Twenty First Century

Paganism Today Wiccans Druids The Goddess And Ancient Earth Traditions For The Twenty First Century Cover

Book: Paganism Today Wiccans Druids The Goddess And Ancient Earth Traditions For The Twenty First Century by Graham Harvey

This collection of fascinating papers resulted from the first academic conference on contemporary paganism in Britain. The chapters cover all the various traditions which fall under the umbrella of Paganism - Druidry, Witchcraft, Heathenism, Shamanism, Goddess Worship, various forms of magickal practice, etc. There is also an excellent overview of the roots of modern Paganism by Bristol historian Ronald Hutton. A good place to start learning about this "fastest growing religion in Britain" (BBC 'Everyman'). Best chapters are by Harvey, Harris, Simes and Sutcliffe.

Despite being one of the fastest growing religious movements in the world today, contemporary Paganism has lacked a strong academic voice until now. While focusing primarily on Paganism in Britain, this collection of papers goes a long way towards filling that void. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone, Pagan or not, who desires a deeper understanding of the current Neo-Pagan movement worldwide. Excellent read!

Buy Graham Harvey's book: Paganism Today Wiccans Druids The Goddess And Ancient Earth Traditions For The Twenty First Century

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

John Ankerberg - Satanism And Witchcraft The Occult And The West Part Ii
Samuel Gardner Drake - Annals Of Witchcraft In New England And Elsewhere In The United States
Mw Macdowall - Asgard And The Gods The Tales And Traditions Of Our Northern Ancestors Ver 2

Friday, March 23, 2007

A Manual Of Occultism

A Manual Of Occultism Cover

Book: A Manual Of Occultism by Sepharial

This author is known world wide for his books on astrology and occultism. This unique volume covers many facets of the wonderful world of the occult. Contents: Astrology - Section I: The Alphabet, Aspects, Signs & Houses, Personal Appearance, Constitution, Health, Character, Accidents, Fortunes, Position, Occupation, Marriage, Progeny, Traveling, Friends & Enemies and Kind of Death, The Measure of Time, Example of Directions, Secondary Directions, Transits & Eclipses, Mundane Astrology & Other Methods. Palmistry: Types of Hands, Mounts or Cushions, The Phalanges, The Lines, Nine Principle Lines, Incidental marks. Thaumaturgic Art: The spiritual Freedom, On Talismans, Numerology & Hypnotism & Cartomancy, Various Methods, Crystal-Gazing, Preliminaries & Practice, Visions & Interpretations, Some Experiences, Geomancy, Casting & Judging the Figure, Symbols in the Twelve Houses, Psychometry, Dreams & Sortileges. Alchemy.

Download Sepharial's eBook: A Manual Of Occultism

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Howard Phillips Lovecraft - Cults Of Cthulhu
Aleister Crowley - The Soul Of Osiris
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Sepharial - A Manual Of Occultism

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

The Secret History Of Pythagoras

The Secret History Of Pythagoras Cover

Book: The Secret History Of Pythagoras by Samuel Croxall

Pythagoras of Samos (c. 570-c. 495 BC) was an Ionian Greek philosopher and founder of the religious movement called Pythagoreanism. Most of our information about Pythagoras was written down centuries after he lived, thus very little reliable information is known about him. He was born on the island of Samos, and may have travelled widely in his youth, visiting Egypt and other places seeking knowledge. Around 530 BC, he moved to Croton, a Greek colony in southern Italy, and there set up a religious sect. His followers pursued the religious rites and practices developed by Pythagoras, and studied his Philosophical theories. The society took an active role in the politics of Croton, but this eventually led to their downfall. The Pythagorean meeting-places were burned, and Pythagoras was forced to flee the city. He is said by some to have ended his days in Metapontum.

Pythagoras had undertaken extensive travels, and had visited not only Egypt, but Arabia, Phoenicia, Judaea, Babylon, and even India, for the purpose of collecting all available knowledge, and especially to learn information concerning the secret or mystic cults of the gods. The journey to Babylon is possible, and not very unlikely. That Pythagoras visited Egypt, may be more probable, and many ancient writers asserted this. Enough of Egypt was known to attract the curiosity of an inquiring Greek, and contact between Samos and other parts of Greece with Egypt is mentioned.

It is not easy to say how much Pythagoras learned from the Egyptian priests, or indeed, whether he learned anything at all from them. There was nothing in the symbolism which the Pythagoreans adopted which showed the distinct traces of Egypt. The secret religious rites of the Pythagoreans exhibited nothing but what might have been adopted in the spirit of Greek religion, by those who knew nothing of Egyptian mysteries. The philosophy and the institutions of Pythagoras might easily have been developed by a Greek mind exposed to the ordinary influences of the age. Even the ancient authorities note the similarities between the religious and ascetic peculiarities of Pythagoras with the Orphic or Cretan mysteries, or the Delphic oracle.

His followers established a select brotherhood or club for the purpose of pursuing the religious and ascetic practices developed by their master. The accounts agree that what was done and taught among the members was kept a profound secret. The esoteric teachings may have concerned the secret religious doctrines and usages, which were undoubtedly prominent in the Pythagorean system, and may have been Connected With the worship of Apollo. Temperance of all kinds seems to have been strictly urged. There is disagreement among the biographers as to whether Pythagoras forbade all animal food, or only certain types. The club was in practice at once "a philosophical school, a religious brotherhood, and a political association.

As an active and organised brotherhood the Pythagorean order was everywhere suppressed, and did not again revive. Still the Pythagoreans continued to exist as a sect, the members of which kept up among themselves their religious observances and scientific pursuits, while individuals, as in the case of Archytas, acquired now and then great political influence. Concerning the fate of Pythagoras himself, the accounts varied. Some say that he perished in the temple with his disciples, others that he fled first to Tarentum, and that, being driven from there, he escaped to Metapontum, and there starved himself to death. His tomb was shown at Metapontum in the time of Cicero.

Pythagoras set up an organization which was in some ways a school, in some ways a brotherhood, and in some ways a monastery. It was based upon the religious teachings of Pythagoras and was very secretive. The adherents were bound by a vow to Pythagoras and each other, for the purpose of pursuing the religious and ascetic observances, and of studying his religious and philosophical theories. The claim that they put all their property into a common stock is perhaps only a later inference from certain Pythagorean maxims and practices. On the other hand, it seems certain that there were many women among the adherents of Pythagoras.

Pythagoras started a secret society called the Pythagorean brotherhood devoted to the study of mathematics. This had a great effect on future esoteric traditions, such as Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry, both of which were occult groups dedicated to the study of mathematics and both of which claimed to have evolved out of the Pythagorean brotherhood. The mystical and occult qualities of Pythagorean mathematics are discussed in a chapter of Manly P. Hall's The Secret Teachings of All Ages entitled "Pythagorean Mathematics".

Pythagorean theory was tremendously influential on later numerology, which was extremely popular throughout the Middle East in the ancient world. The 8th-century Muslim alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan grounded his work in an elaborate numerology greatly influenced by Pythagorean theory. Today, Pythagoras is revered as a prophet by the Ahl al-Tawhid or Druze faith along with his fellow Greek, Plato.

Download Samuel Croxall's eBook: The Secret History Of Pythagoras

Downloadable books (free):

Anonymous - The Secret Book Of Artephius
Medieval Grimoires - The Secret Grimoire Of Turiel
Antoine Fabre Dolivet - The Golden Verses Of Pythagoras
Allen Greenfield - The Secret History Of Modern Witchcraft
Samuel Croxall - The Secret History Of Pythagoras

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Garden Witchery Magick From The Ground Up

Garden Witchery Magick From The Ground Up Cover

Book: Garden Witchery Magick From The Ground Up by Ellen Dugan

Adult/High School-With good-humored flair, Dugan offers a practical introduction to gardening that incorporates an eclectic blend of wiccan and magical traditions. The author encourages readers to work hard to make the garden "a place where both our metaphysical and ordinary lives begin to thrive together." Outlining basic principles such as working with the directions and the elements, moon phases, and color, the author shows how this lore, rooted in a respect for nature, also forms the basis of good gardening practice. She offers succinct and useful information on a great variety of topics such as astrology, fairies, herbal spells and charms, crafts, and journaling, and on dealing with an equal variety of garden situations and types. Throughout, she suggests excellent sources for further information, including the Extension Service, the Poison Control Center, and the public library, and she offers an extensive bibliography (mostly of magic literature). The good advice and sound horticultural practice found here can help novices and/or budding garden witches to discover their own style and get off to a solid start, and can also enrich the experience of those who are already knowledgeable.

Written with down-to-earth humor by a Master Gardener who is also a practicing witch, this creative and encouraging guide will inspire gardeners of all ages and experience levels. It includes a journal section that makes it easy to keep track of your progress, practical gardening advice, personal stories, and garden witchery lore and magick. Inside, you'll get the dirt on:

- flower folklore
- moon gardening and astrological timing
- faerie magick
- beginning to advanced witchcraft
- floral and herbal spells
- sabbat celebrations
- "witch crafts" (sachets, wreaths, charm bags)
- creating sacred space
- shade, moonlight, and sun gardens
- enchanted houseplant and container gardens
- magickal herbal correspondences
- garden blessings

This book was a very refreshing escape from all the 101 books out there, although, I could see it being enjoyed by Witches and non Witches alike. All that is required is a love of nature, and an open mind. It seamlessly combines practical gardening informtion with magickal advice on when to plant, gardening with the cycles of the earth and moon, how to invite blessings into the garden, and more. Ellen Dugans warm and friendly writing style makes this book a joy to read and I even found myself snickering out loud at points. Mrs. Dugan even shares with us information about the language of flowers that she unearthed in a book from 1845! It is a treasure trove of Natural Magick, including practical spells, and Garden Witch crafts like dream pillows and charm bags.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Magick or gardening. I am now planning new additions to my gardens for the spring based on suggestions in Garden Witchery.

Buy Ellen Dugan's book: Garden Witchery Magick From The Ground Up

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Benjamin Rowe - Enochian Magick Reference
Ann Moura - Green Witchcraft
Stephen Mitchell - Learning Magic In The Sagas
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Ray Abrahams - A Modern Witch Hunt Among The Lango Of Uganda

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