“Bali: Sekala & Niskala: Essays on Religion, Ritual, and Art” by Fred B. Eiseman, Jr.

"In Bali, what you see—sekala—is a colorful world of ceremony, ritual, dance, and drama. What you don't see what is occult—niskala—is the doctrine underlying the pageants, the code underlying the rites, and the magic underlying the dance. In this book, author Fred Eiseman explores both tangibles and intangibles in the realm of Balinese religion, ritual, and performing arts. The essays collected here topics ranging from Hindu mythology to modern gamelan music. Eiseman's approach is that of a dedicated reporter in love with his subject—he has the knowledge and patience to explain the near–infinite permutations of the Balinese calendar, and yet he is still moved by the majesty of the great Eka Dasa Rudra ceremony. The...>>

“The Sacred Network: Megaliths, Cathedrals, Ley Lines, and the Power of Shared Consciousness” by Chris H. Hardy

"How sacred sites amplify the energies of consciousness, the earth, and the universe • Examines the web of geometrical patterns linking sacred sites worldwide, with special focus on the sacred network of ley lines in Paris • Unveils the coming state of shared consciousness for humanity fueled by the sacred network • Reveals how consciousness is a tangible form of energy First marked by the standing stones of our megalithic ancestors, the world’s sacred sites are not only places of spiritual energy but also hubs of cosmic energy and earthly energy. Generation upon generation has recognized the power of these sites, with the result that each dominant culture builds their religious structures on the same spots—the Cathedral of...>>

“Sacred and Profane: Unusual Customs and Strange Rituals” by G.S. Sachdeva

"The battle between scientific temper and superstition has raged since ages. One may believe that unusual rituals and customs are extinct in the times of artificial intelligence and bots, but it is far from the truth as this book will prove. As bizarre as it might seem, in France one can marry a dead person, and in Africa a married woman can marry another married woman as a practical way of solving the social problem of old-age neglect. This book is a collection of unusual superstitions, rituals and customs that are practiced by ordinary people all around the world. It should be read to build awareness about these rituals and to know about the...>>

“Index, A History of the: A Bookish Adventure” by Dennis Duncan

"Perfect for book lovers, a delightful history of the wonders to be found in the humble book index. Most of us give little thought to the back of the book―it’s just where you go to look things up. But as Dennis Duncan reveals in this delightful and witty history, hiding in plain sight is an unlikely realm of ambition and obsession, sparring and politicking, pleasure and play. In the pages of the index, we might find Butchers, to be avoided, or Cows that sh-te Fire, or even catch Calvin in his chamber with a Nonne. Here, for the first time, is the secret world of the index: an unsung but extraordinary everyday tool, with...>>