Collection: Spirituality & Religion

A spellbinding history of the hidden world below the Holy City--a saga of biblical treasures, intrepid explorers, and political upheaval

"A sweeping tale of archaeological exploits and their cultural and political consequences told with a historian's penchant for detail and a journalist's flair for narration."
--Washington Post

In 1863, a French senator arrived in Jerusalem hoping to unearth relics dating to biblical times. Digging deep underground, he discovered an ancient grave that, he claimed, belonged to an Old Testament queen. News of his find ricocheted around the world, evoking awe and envy alike, and inspiring others to explore Jerusalem's storied past.

In the century and a half since the Frenchman broke ground, Jerusalem has drawn a global cast of fortune seekers and missionaries, archaeologists and zealots, all of them eager to extract the biblical past from beneath the city's streets and shrines. Their efforts have had profound effects, not only on our understanding of Jerusalem's history, but on its hotly disputed present. The quest to retrieve ancient Jewish heritage has sparked bloody riots and thwarted international peace agreements. It has served as a cudgel, a way to stake a claim to the most contested city on the planet. Today, the earth below Jerusalem remains a battleground in the struggle to control the city above.

Under Jerusalem takes readers into the tombs, tunnels, and trenches of the Holy City. It brings to life the indelible characters who have investigated this subterranean landscape. With clarity and verve, acclaimed journalist Andrew Lawler reveals how their pursuit has not only defined the conflict over modern Jerusalem, but could provide a map for two peoples and three faiths to peacefully coexist.

Following the "death" of a beloved, the end of a dream, there is much work to do to heal your broken heart. When you arrive at a place where you have a clear understanding of What Your God Is. And when you know, at a deep, deep level, that The Relationship Continues and that Words Have Power and that the way you consciously choose to Tell Your Story creates peace or pain, then you are ready for this book. Then you are ready. Really ready for Becoming Radiant.

It may take a day. A week. A month. A year. A handful of years. Decades to be ready. It's not a race. We are each responsible for our own healing. And author Caroline Myss teaches that, "We each determine the speed at which we heal."

You will know when you are ready for Becoming Radiant. Trust your gut. Your heart. Your intuition. Trust your body, your God-given-barometer recognizes truth by the way it feels. Truth feels expansive. Trust that.

I wrote this book for you. To remind you that you did not come to the planet to suffer. Neither did I. We came to be radiant. Not in spite of the fact that our dreams have been shattered, but because of the fact that our dreams have been shattered. Not in spite of the fact that someone we love dearly "died." But because of the fact that someone we love dearly "died."

Peace by Piece Not since Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning have I read a narrative of trauma survival and recovery that has impacted me this profoundly. Cheryl writes in unflinching first person, giving voice to the little girl trapped in the dark heart of abject torture-the terror and loss is real-time and sensorial for the reader-and out the other side into the light of recovery and healing. It is a breathless journey that leaves the reader awe-struck and reverent to the resilience of children to survive evil with their innocence intact and the eternally-springing hope of being loved and accepted by their abusers. This book is a rare treat that navigates the path of heartbreak to the path of posttraumatic growth all the way to the restoration of life, love, safety, joy, meaning and satisfaction-peace by piece. It is an intimately personal story that shimmers with honesty and is not once melodramatic or contrived. Instead, this book is a finely chiseled heroine's story. The story of a courageous adult who returns to her painful past to rescue and champion her younger self out of the miasma of past violence to the Grace of the present that-by the end of the book-we find ourselves celebrating. Reading the last page of this book felt as though something important was achieved and something precious received-not just for Cheryl, but also for myself and all humankind. A month after reading this book I find it still continues to haunt me...in the best of ways. J. Eric Gentry, PhD, DAAETS, FAAETS President Forward-Facing Institute

Paperback edition of the recent translation of the esoteric masterpiece, including the first English translation of The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius

- A resource for scholars and religious seekers alike

- The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius provides new insights into the actual workings of the gnostic spiritual path

The Corpus Hermeticum, a powerful fusion of Greek and Egyptian thought, is one of the cornerstones of the Western esoteric tradition. A collection of short philosophical treatises, it was written in Greek between the first and third centuries C.E. and translated into Latin during the Renaissance by the great scholar and philosopher Marsilio Ficino. These treatises were central to the spiritual work of hermetic societies in Late Antique Alexandria (200-700 C.E.) and aimed to awaken gnosis, the direct realization of the unity of the individual and the Supreme.

In addition to this new translation of The Corpus Hermeticum, which seeks to reflect the inspirational intent of the original, The Way of Hermes includes the first English translation of the recently rediscovered manuscript of The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius, a collection of aphorisms used by the hermetic student to strengthen the mind during meditation. With the proper mental orientation, a state of pure perception can be achieved in which the true face of God appears. This document is of enormous value to the contemporary student of gnostic studies for its insights into the actual workings of this spiritual path.

Explore the magic and the mystery of palm reading in this fully-illustrated guide to the ancient art.

Noted psychic Dennis Fairchild reveals the secrets of the centuries-old art of palmistry, showing how to interpret the lines and formations in the hand. This useful, mini book fits in the palm of your very own hand, and is an enchanted guide to the ways in which our palms can reveal character and predict fate and fortunes. With full-color illustrations throughout, this captivating primer covers all the essentials needed to perform insightful palm readings for yourself and your friends.

A unique celebration of silence--in art, literature, nature, and spirituality--and an exploration of its ability to bring inner peace, widen our perspectives, and inspire the human spirit in spite of the noise of contemporary life.

Silence is habitually overlooked--after all, throughout our lives, it has to compete with the cacophony of the outside world and our near-constant interior dialogue that judges, analyzes, compares, and questions. But, if we can get past this barrage, there lies a quiet place that's well worth discovering.

The Lost Art of Silence encourages us to embrace this pursuit and allow the warm light of silence to glow. Invoking the wisdom of many of the greatest writers, thinkers, contemplatives, historians, musicians, and artists, Sarah Anderson reveals the sublime nature of quiet that's all too often undervalued. Throughout, she shares her own penetrating insights into the potential for silence to transform us. This celebration of silence invites us to widen our perspective and shows its power to inspire the human spirit in spite of the distracting noise of contemporary life.

Discover the essential power of the seven chakras, including their colors, sounds, and key rituals, in this beautifully illustrated mini guidebook.

Get to know your seven energy centers -- muladhara, svadisthana, manipura, anahata, vishuddha, ajna, and sahasrara --in this enchanted introduction to the world of chakras. From the earthiness of the root chakra to the warmth of the solar plexus, explore the body's energetic focal points and bring balance to your wellness practice. Gain inspiration as you learn the crystals, essential oils, and meditations that activate and calm each chakra in the full-color, illustrated mini book.

Embrace the magic of tarot and perfectly match the cards with mixed drinks in this beautifully illustrated bar book.

"Don't take advice from tequila, that's the tarot's job."

Tarot & Tequila is a positive and spiritually uplifting guide that includes both basic and humorous tequila-inspired meanings of all 78 tarot cards that both beginners and experienced tarot card readers will relate to.

Featuring 40 cocktail recipes--one for each Major Arcana card plus bonus Minor Arcana drinks, too--based on the attributes of the cards themselves, as well as a mystical pairing that explains why professional tarot card reader David Ross chose to pair each card to their respective drink, this magical mixology book can be used as both a guide and a recipe book.

Try drinks like:
-The High Priestess, an elixir of tequila, lemon juice, thyme, and seltzer
-The Chariot, a tequila version of a Moscow Mule, with lemon, beet, and apple juices
-The Four of Wands, a positive concoction of rum, homemade fennel liqueur, and more

Perfect for fans of drinking, bartending, and tarot alike, this beautifully illustrated book makes both a perfect gift and a must-have addition to any home bar.

"In her much-needed and brilliant Year of the Witch, Temperance Alden guides readers to observe their own land, celestial cycles, seasonal cycles, and even their own biological cycles to inform their magickal year."-- Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick, and Manifestation

When we think of the wheel of the year, the Wiccan wheel with its celebrations of the Yule, Beltane, Mabon, and Samhain come to mind. But what about a wheel of the year for the rest of us pagans and witches? As a witch living in sunny South Florida, longtime hereditary witch Temperance Alden has often felt at odds gearing up to celebrate Yule, for example, when it is 76 degrees and sunny outside.

Year of the Witch will help readers create their own intuitive practices in harmony with the climate, culture, and local spirits where they live. It's of interest to witches coming off the Wiccan path and looking for a more personal approach to celebrating the rhythms of nature. Year of the Witch covers all aspects of this new, seasonal practice:

• The origins of the neo-pagan wheel of the year and why it is still so relevant today
• Culture, historical facts, and traditions associated with the major ceremonies
• Basic principles of land-based magick
• How to intuitively connect to the nature below your feet and the local gods
• Being a custodian to the land and its impact on our spiritual practice

Since 1980, depth psychologist Bill Plotkin has been guiding women and men into the wilderness--the redrock canyons and snow-crested mountains of the American West--but also into the wilds of the soul. He calls this work soulcraft.

There's a great longing in all people to uncover the secrets and mysteries of our individual lives, to find the unique gift we were born to bring to our communities, and to experience our full membership in the more-than-human world. This journey to soul is a descent into layers of the self much deeper than personality, a journey meant for each one of us, not just for the heroes and heroines of mythology.

A modern handbook for the journey, Soulcraft is not an imitation of indigenous ways, but a contemporary nature-based approach born from wilderness experience, the traditions of Western culture, and the cross-cultural heritage of all humanity. Filled with stories, poems, and guidelines, Soulcraft introduces over 40 practices that facilitate the descent to soul, including dreamwork, wilderness vision fasts, talking across the species boundaries, council, self-designed ceremony, nature-based shadow work, and the arts of romance, being lost, and storytelling.

An inspired herbal guide to natural living with ancient techniques, remedies, and rituals from around the world centered on the rhythms of the seasons.

The changing of the seasons is magickal--green leaves transforming into browns and golds, snow melting to show fresh buds. We all recognize these telltale signs, but few of us are aware of the powerful impact each season has on our spiritual lives. Whether sunny, snowy, windy, rainy, cold, or humid, the weather has a dramatic effect on our being wherever we may live.

The author, Stephanie Rose Bird, is deeply committed to keeping alive the spiritual wisdom of her indigenous African ancestors. In African American Magick, she examines the magickal ability of the seasons to enhance our lives by unearthing ancient techniques, rituals, and methods from around the world that reflect each season's inherent energies to supplement body, mind, and soul.

Drawing upon her own ancestral heritage, as well as other cultures and those that have influenced her, Bird offers a lifetime of wisdom and expert botanical knowledge while sharing her path to a holistic and magickal life. Guidance from all over the world, and from classical and modern traditions alike, are offered:

• Spiritual insights from Caribbean African American culture
• Wisdom from indigenous Native American traditions
• Buddhist and Hindu meditation practices and rites
• Practices of classical European spiritual traditions
• Lessons from Aboriginal Australian "dreaming" practices

African American Magick was previously published in 2006 under the title Four Seasons of Mojo. This new edition includes a new preface by the author.

In 1978 Hans Cousto, a Swiss mathematician and musicologist discovered the natural formula of the "Cosmic Octave" as the link between different kinds of perodically occurring natural phenomena, such as the orbit of the planets, the weather, colors, rhythms and tones. This extraordinary book explains these relationships with examples of astronomical data comparing the frequencies of planatery orbits, in architectural works, in ancient and modern measuring systems, the human body, music and medicine. Cousto reveals how music is truly the language of the cosmos and of the natural world.

Are you tired of the constant battles within your mind?

Does fear and self-doubt rob you of your happiness?

It's time to break free from the cycle of self-doubt and worry, and finally find peace of mind!

And it's easier than you think.

Introducing, I would, but MY DAMN MIND won't let me: A Simple Guide to Help You Understand and Manage Your Complex Thoughts and Feelings, written by multi-award-winning author, mindset mentor, and nurse practitioner, Jacqui Letran.

This must-have user's guide to the mind breaks down complex ideas into simple language that anyone can understand. With relatable examples and practical strategies, you can gain confidence, reconnect to your inner wisdom, and master your mind.

Imagine understanding the root cause of your current emotional suffering so you can:

• Gain a deep understanding of how your mind works.
• Uncover your subconscious beliefs that determine your emotions and behavior.
• Empower yourself with practical tools and strategies to overcome your struggles.
• Stay calm, in control, and solution-focused even in the toughest situations.
• Live a stress-free, joy-filled, and fulfilling life.

Whether you're looking to reduce stress, increase happiness, or reach your full potential, this powerful guide offers the tools you need to succeed.

So why wait?

Get your copy of, I would, but MY DAMN MIND won't let me and start your journey toward a life of freedom, happiness, and fulfillment now!

Christmas is the favorite time of the year for many of us, with present exchanges, food & drink and socializing with friends & family at the top of the agenda. But what are the true origins and meaning of this seemingly inexhaustible celebration?

Although most of our current customs only go back a few hundred years - Father Christmas as we know him dressed in red and white much less - there has been a festival at this time in the year for thousands of years. Although these days it is taken to mean the commemoration of the birth of Jesus, the date of December 25th was that of the winter solstice in Roman times, and other cultures have celebrated the darkest winter night for millennia. This book looks at all aspects of what the festive period means for people all over the world, beginning with a history of Christmas that looks at Yule, Nativity and Christmas as well as pagan celebrations.

The embodiment of Christmas, Father Christmas, has a whole chapter, and this jolly character we know and love has a long history, not to mention a big bag of presents! But wait - there's myrrh(!): quotes, jokes, sayings and words of wisdom and fun from around the world, as well as fun facts about how, where, when and why we celebrate - and we look at curious customs from around the world.

SAMPLE FACT:
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, has been tracking Santa's journey around the world since 1958.

"Reynolds gives us a much-needed reason for hope. The gardener, the conservationist, the city planner, and the nature lover will all be inspired for this wonderful book shows how thousands of even small wildlife friendly gardens can provide habitat for embattled wildlife around the world." --Jane Goodall, Phd, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace

Individuals can't save the world alone. But if millions of us work together to save our own patch of earth--then we really have a shot. How do we do it? With Acts of Restorative Kindness (ARK). An ARK is a restored, native ecosystem. It's a thriving patch of native plants and creatures that have been allowed and supported to re-establish in the earth's intelligent, successional process of natural restoration. Over time, this becomes a pantry and a habitat for our pollinators and wild creatures who are in desperate need of support.

These ARKs will become the seeding grounds for our planet's new story. They will be sanctuaries for our shared kin--the rooted and unrooted--and safe havens for the magic and abundance of the natural world. Most importantly, the ARK-building actions are within our control and laid out here in We Are the ARK. In these inspiring pages, discover how one person's actions can effect big change in this world. Even the tiniest postage stamp patch of land matters! Together we are building a patchwork quilt of life that will wrap its way around this planet.

A Lil' LIbros Bilingual Picture Book

Inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe, this book will introduce children to her story through pictures and their first English and Spanish words. Travel back to the 15th century when the Virgin of Guadalupe once appeared before Juan Diego. Your child will learn first words such as sandalias (sandals), luz (light), and jardin (garden).

Unable to find bilingual first concept books she could enjoy reading to her baby, Patty Rodriguez came up with the idea behind Lil' Libros. Patty and her work have been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, CNN Latino, Latina Magazine, Cosmopolitan, People En Espanol, Cosmo Latina, and American Latino TV, to name a few. She is currently Sr. Producer for On Air With Ryan SeacrestiHeartMedia, jewelry designer for MALA by Patty Rodriguez, and creator of Manolos And Tacos.

Ariana Stein, a graduate from California State University, Dominguez Hills, has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. Ariana spent the first eight years of her professional career in the corporate world. Her life changed with the birth of her baby boy. She immediately realized that bilingualism played a very important role in his future, as well as the future of other children.