Collection: Spirituality & Religion

Jaiya John follows up his books Daughter Drink This Water, and, Freedom, with this aromatic delight for your soul. Fragrance After Rain is a sensitive, hopeful, intimate movement through your many seasons of tenderness, and the beautiful meaning and grace that grow from that fertile ground. If you love Rumi, Hafez, Gibran, and other classic mystic poets, here is your honey jar. This book is pregnant with balm and salve so personal and intuitively attuned, you will be certain the words were birthed just for you. Sustenance as you live through your personal moments, and through the collective moods of the world.

Fragrance is a free flowing melody of petite stories and mystic whispers, a wildflower meadow you may enjoy wherever you lay yourself within it for a moment and breathe beautifully. These inspirational pieces are entirely liberated from chapters and sections, freely roaming, drifting on spirit breeze as they wish. Each word-bouquet is gathered and growing according to the sunlight, soil, and water of Love's orchestral conducting. Open this book, turn to a page, let your eyes arrive to any brief orchard of words, and allow your heart to taste the fruit and meet its craving. Whatever words you meet are the words you need in the moment. In this Fragrance story, the one who speaks, is spoken to, and is spoken about is you, BeLoved. All of this is you.

This is a book of bright clouds in the sky of your life. Bringing you beauty, meaning, the downy reflection of sunlight, life-replenishing rain, and a sweet fragrance thereafter. Walk, dance, sing, and repose yourself through this aromatic pasture, and feel a peace that is both medicine and music for your soul. Be careful, dear Lover. If you sip these words slowly and savor their essence, you may become a mystic.

2018 Edgar Award Finalist--Best Fact Crime

"A thoroughly readable, thoroughly chilling account of a brilliant con man and his all-too vulnerable prey" (The Boston Globe)--the definitive story of preacher Jim Jones, who was responsible for the Jonestown Massacre, the largest murder-suicide in American history, by the New York Times bestselling author of Manson.

In the 1950s, a young Indianapolis minister named Jim Jones preached a curious blend of the gospel and Marxism. His congregation was racially mixed, and he was a leader in the early civil rights movement. Eventually, Jones moved his church, Peoples Temple, to northern California, where he got involved in electoral politics and became a prominent Bay Area leader. But underneath the surface lurked a terrible darkness.

In this riveting narrative, Jeff Guinn examines Jones's life, from his early days as an idealistic minister to a secret life of extramarital affairs, drug use, and fraudulent faith healing, before the fateful decision to move almost a thousand of his followers to a settlement in the jungles of Guyana in South America. Guinn provides stunning new details of the events leading to the fatal day in November, 1978 when more than nine hundred people died--including almost three hundred infants and children--after being ordered to swallow a cyanide-laced drink.

Guinn examined thousands of pages of FBI files on the case, including material released during the course of his research. He traveled to Jones's Indiana hometown, where he spoke to people never previously interviewed, and uncovered fresh information from Jonestown survivors. He even visited the Jonestown site with the same pilot who flew there the day that Congressman Leo Ryan was murdered on Jones's orders. The Road to Jonestown is "the most complete picture to date of this tragic saga, and of the man who engineered it...The result is a disturbing portrait of evil--and a compassionate memorial to those taken in by Jones's malign charisma" (San Francisco Chronicle).

With inspirational messages for each key word plus meditations, visualizations, and journals to use with the cards. The Silver Anniversary Expanded Edition Book includes: 20 new qualities, 20 new inspirational messages, world work meditation, additional journals.

This book, whose contents have been taught dozens of times in various church, college and Bible study settings, is designed to give those who desire to dig deeper into God's Word, an understandable and repeatable approach to studying the Bible.

"A truly healing book." - Glen Lord, President, The Compassionate Friends

Unthinkable. Unbelievable. Heartbreaking. Whatever words we choose, they all fall far short of the reality. The loss of a child is a terrible thing.

Accidents. Disease. Suicide. School shootings. Murder. Natural disasters. War. No matter how or when, the death of a child (no matter what age) can shatter the heart.

How do you survive this? Can you?

Shattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child was written to help.

Bestselling author, hospice chaplain, and grief specialist Gary Roe uses his three decades of experience interacting with grieving parents to give you this heartfelt, easy-to-read, and intensely practical book. In Shattered, Roe walks the reader through the powerful impact a child's death has - emotionally, mentally, physically, relationally, and spiritually.

Shattered unpacks the depth of this loss, describing how...

• Intense, unpredictable emotions (sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, fear, depression) can hijack us at a moment's notice.
• Our minds spin. We can't concentrate. We forget things. It feels like we're going crazy.
• Our bodies get hit. Symptoms surface. Our health can be impacted. Illness can invade.
• Our souls feel crushed. Guilt shakes us. What we believe gets challenged.
• Our relationships change. Marriage, family, friendships, and workplaces feel the impact.
• Our plans and dreams are shattered. We're now in uncharted territory.

Yes, the loss of a child affects everything.

In Shattered, you will learn how you can...

• Deal with the volatile, unpredictable emotions assaulting you.
• Manage the massive changes that are occurring in your life and routine.
• Move through feeling overwhelmed and begin to heal.
• Take care of yourself and your health amid all the challenges.
• Honor your child with how you grieve.
• Love those around you, even with a broken heart.
• Navigate spiritual pain and faith questions.
• Turn couple, family, and relational changes into personal growth.
• Support your other children in their grief and parent them well.
• Find the people and resources you need to begin to recover.
• Discover whether counseling would be beneficial for you.
• Live life as well as possible while in great pain.
• Make your child's life count in deep and powerful ways.

If you're a grieving parent or grandparent, this book was written for you.

Shattered is not a magic pill. The death of a child cannot be fixed. But comfort, compassion, guidance, and hope can be found in these pages.

You will never be the same, but you can survive. And to some degree, you can heal. Shattered can help.

Open this book, and let the healing continue.

Shattered was honored as a 2017 Best Book Awards Finalist

In this compelling exploration of language, archaeology, and early medieval literature, Max Dashu illuminates hidden cultural heritages. She shows that the old ethnic names for "witch" signify 'wisewoman, ' 'prophetess, ' 'diviner, ' 'chanter, ' 'herbalist, ' and 'healer.' She fleshes out the oracular ceremonies of the Norse völur ("staff-women"), their incantations and "sitting-out" on the land seeking vision. Archaeological finds of their ritual staffs show that many symbolize the distaff, a spinner's wand that connects with wider European themes of goddesses, fates, witches, and female power. They include Berthe Pédauque, also known as the "Swan-footed Queen," whose spinning began at the proverbial beginning of time. Veneration of the Fates persisted under many titles, as the Norns, sudice, fatas and fées, Wyrd or the Three Weird Sisters.

Witches and Pagans looks at women's sacraments in early medieval Europe, a subject that has been buried deep for centuries. Women set out offering tables for the Three Sisters or the "good women," chanted over herbs, and healed children by passing them through 'elf-bores.' Spinning and weaving were ceremonial acts with divinatory or protective power, as bishops' scoldings reveal. Churchmen also railed against the Women Who Go by Night with Diana or Holda or Herodias, in shamanic flight on spirit animals. This was the foundational witch-legend that demonologists seized upon in later centuries. But witch persecution was already underway, as a chapter on the sexual politics of early medieval witch burnings documents.

A thousand years ago, an Old English scribe condemned people who "bring their offerings to earth-fast stone and also to trees and to wellsprings, swa wiccan taecad--as the witches teach." This indicates that people still regarded witches as spiritual teachers, and that they performed ceremonies of reverence to Earth. Many aspects of ethnic spiritual culture survived the state conversions to Christianity: ancestor veneration, crystal balls, amulets--and witches' wands. Artists depicted Mother Earth giving her breast to serpents, animals, and children. Stories of ancestral women--the Cailleach and the Scandinavian dísir --were handed down over countless generations.

Gathering together forgotten strands from heathen European heritages, Witches and Pagans reweaves the ripped webs of women's culture.

Over the last few years, innovative self-help methods have convinced many people of a new worldview. Quantum Entrainment(R) (QE) is the newest development in this area: QE works with gentle touch that quietly activates the autonomic nervous system to spontaneously and naturally create an atmosphere in which deep healing can take place.

This amazing self-help method is easy to use and needs no previous knowledge--it can be applied by everyone! And what is most astonishing: not only does the treated individual receive deep, restful healing; but the person who is using QE will also experience an immediate, prolonged sense of well-being. Give it a try--you will be surprised by how powerful Quantum Entrainment is! Quantum Entrainment: - Works in minutes- Is easily taught- Requires no special training- Even works on pets

In this updated edition of The Tarot Handbook, now with a new introduction by the author, Angeles Arrien takes tarot beyond the limits of the fortune-telling realm and shows us how this time-honored application is both a visual and symbolic map of consciousness, and a source of ancient wisdom. An exciting handbook for either a beginning or an ardent student of the tarot, it contains a multitude of charts, spreads, illustrations of the Thoth Deck, and other methodology tools for anyone looking for insights into personal and spiritual development.An anthropologist who specializes in cross-cultural myths, Arrien demonstrates how the seventy-eight figures of the tarot are portraitures and archetypes that are prevalent in the collective human experience. The author teaches us to use this realization to look beyond our cultural viewpoint or bias when we approach the tarot, and to rely instead on these more important universal principles, thereby deepening the quality and accuracy of our interpretations and expanding our awareness of the human psyche. A significant and classic piece of tarot literature, The Tarot Handbook is both a required manual for teachers and students of the subject, and an accessible and fascinating exploration of cultural anthropology.

The ancient civilization of Mesopotamia thrived between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates over 4,000 years ago. The myths collected here, originally written in cuneiform on clay tablets, include parallels with the biblical stories of the Creation and the Flood, and the famous Epic of Gilgamesh, the tale of a man of great strength, whose heroic quest for immortality is dashed through one moment of weakness.

Recent developments in Akkadian grammar and lexicography mean that this new translation--complete with notes, a glossary of deities, place-names, and key terms, and illustrations of the mythical monsters featured in the text--will replace all other versions.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Morning is here and it's time to read and play, for God has given us another beautiful day with this adorable lift-a-flap book! Enjoy a sweet, inspirational board book and lift each flap to uncover an adorable story about appreciating life's blessings. Say good morning to the birds and trees and get ready for the day, giving pause to thank God for His wonderful creations. From the breakfast their grown-ups make to the friends they play with at the park, children will begin to recognize God's love in every day. Add to the family collection of religious board stories for boys or girls alongside the Cottage Door Press children's Bible and more.

Little Sunbeams books offer little ones sweet reminders of God's blessings and love while encouraging thoughtfulness and gratitude. We believe there is a "little light" inside each of us that makes us special, and these stories encourage little ones to let their light shine! Look for additional titles in the Little Sunbeam series from Cottage Door Press.

6 perfectly-sized, sturdy flaps are extra strong so babies and toddlers can open and close, over and over again.Chunky board books for babies have durable pages and flaps designed to withstand traditional wear and tear.
• Bright, cheerful illustrations in these sensory lift-a-flap books keep little kids entertained and engaged.
• Interactive elements encourage sensory exploration and help support the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in developing children.
• Perfect first book for your little one or any early reader you know!

Praise for our Small Board Lift-a-Flap

"The flaps are the sturdiest in the business and will likely survive vigorous play and exploration."―Kirkus Reviews, PBS Kids Fish!

A "playful, enlightening, and creative collection" (Spirituality and Practice) of spiritual lessons, anecdotes, and thoughts on the Divine's intervention in our lives, this brilliantly written and wonderfully entertaining book teaches us how to live purposefully and in line with the Force of Love.

"What if the Divine is constantly igniting roadside flares to get our attention? What if there actually is a Supreme Organizing Principle with an unbridled sense of humor? And what if we each have this ardent inner suitor who's writing us love letters every day that often go unopened?"

Whether we know it or not, we all experience the touch of the Divine in our lives every single day. After twenty-five years spent consulting and advising tens of thousands of people from all over the world, Tosha Silver realized that almost all of us have similar concerns: "How do I stop worrying? How can I feel safe? Why do I feel so alone?" and often, "Who am I really?" For the passionately spiritual and the bemusedly skeptical alike, she created Outrageous Openness. This delightful book, filled with wisdom and fresh perspectives, helps create a relaxed, trusting openness in the reader to discover answers to life's big questions as they spontaneously arise.

Outrageous Openness opens the door to a profound truth: By allowing the Divine to lead the way, we can finally put down the heavy load of hopes, fears, and opinions about how things should be. We learn how to be guided to take the right actions at the right time, and to enjoy the spectacular show that is our life.

"A masterfully blend of history, mythology, spell work and personal anecdote that beautifully explores the depth and breadth of 'The Great Queen.'" --Amy Blackthorn, priestess of The Morrigan, and author of Blackthorn's Botanical Magic

"She is the spirit of fury and peace, power and destruction, joy and terror," writes author Courtney Weber. "She is warrior, queen, death omen, mother, murderer, lover, spy, conspirator, faery, shape-shifter, healer, and sometimes the living earth itself. A captivating contradiction: a demonic female who both haunts and heals; benevolent in one moment, ghastly the next, and kind the moment after that."

The Morrigan is one of Pagan Ireland's most famous--and notorious--goddesses. Her name translated as "phantom queen" or "great queen," the Morrigan is famous for being a goddess of war, witchcraft and death, protection and retribution. This book also explores her patronage of motherhood, healing, shapeshifting, and the land. Classified among the Sidhe (fairies), the Morrigan dates back at least to Ireland's Iron Age, but she is as modern as she is ancient―enjoying a growing contemporary and global following.

Author Courtney Weber provides a guide for the modern devotee of this complex, mysterious goddess that encompasses practical veneration with modern devotionals, entwined with traditional lore and Irish-Celtic history.

SSOTBME was originally commissioned by Christopher McIntosh (author of Eliphas levi and the French Occult Revival and other works on Hermetic and Masonic history) as an essay for a semi-academic collection of essays on comparative religion. That project never happened, but the material was expanded into a small book published by the author in 1974. The book was an immediate success with a new wave of practicing magicians in the UK, including Pete Carroll, Ray Sherwin and other members of what was to become the Chaos Magic movement. Further editions were printed including a German, two Polish and a US edition. This new edition, published in 2002, is considerably revised, expanded and brought right up to date

There's much food for thought here, whether you're just starting in on magic or consider yourself an old hand. If you've got friends, lovers, bosses, etc. wondering what all this weird stuff is about and you want to steer them towards an intelligent intro to magic - look no further than S.S.O.T.B.M.E..

#1 New York Times bestselling author Anna Quindlen's classic reflection on a meaningful life makes a perfect gift for any occasion.

"Life is made of moments, small pieces of silver amidst long stretches of tedium. It would be wonderful if they came to us unsummoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won't happen. We have to teach ourselves now to live, really live . . . to love the journey, not the destination."

In this treasure of a book, Anna Quindlen, the bestselling novelist and columnist, reflects on what it takes to "get a life"--to live deeply every day and from your own unique self, rather than merely to exist through your days.

"Knowledge of our own mortality is the greatest gift God ever gives us," Quindlen writes, "because unless you know the clock is ticking, it is so easy to waste our days, our lives." Her mother died when Quindlen was nineteen: "It was the dividing line between seeing the world in black and white, and in Technicolor. The lights came on for the darkest possible reason. . . . I learned something enduring, in a very short period of time, about life. And that was that it was glorious, and that you had no business taking it for granted." But how to live from that perspective, to fully engage in our days?

In A Short Guide to a Happy Life, Quindlen guides us with an understanding that comes from knowing how to see the view, the richness in living.

Featuring recipes, helpful exercises, practical gardening tips, stories, and advice for creating herbal medicines, this fun, hardcover book is an ideal resource for gardeners and aspiring herbalists. Discover the secrets of planting and growing herbs, identifying the best ones for your goals, and more.

Drawing from twenty-six years of experience, herbalist Holly Bellebuono presents a refreshing approach to learning about and using these versatile plants. You'll find lists of herbs suitable for beginners, unusual yet noteworthy herbs, wild herbs to allow to grow, and herbs to avoid planting. This convenient book shows you the wonders of herb use from beginning to end--from seeds and stalks to teas and salves.

This book offers a clear, concise account of the Eightfold Path prescribed to uproot and eliminate the deep underlying cause of suffering-ignorance. Each step of the path is believed to cultivate wisdom through mental training, and includes an enlightened and peaceful middle path that avoids extremes. The theoretical as well as practical angles of each of the paths-right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration-are illustrated through examples from contemporary life. The work's final chapter addresses the Buddhist path and its culmination in enlightenment. (Note: This title was previously published under ISBN: 9781928706076. Due to technical issues a new ISBN had to be assigned. Rest assured that both versions of this title are exactly the same.)