“The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram” by Michael Benjamin

"The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram – A Twenty-first Century Grimoire is the most comprehensive examination of this foundational Magickal ritual as originally taught within the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. In this work, author Michael Benjamin extracts deeply from his two decades of experience as a practicing occultist, mystic, and esoteric scholar. Drawing from such erudite resources as Eliphas Levi, Israel Regardie, W.Y. Evans-Wentz, Alexandra David-Neel, and various charter members of the Golden Dawn, the author adds his own insightful perspicacity gained from several years of habitual daily performance of this ritual. In addition to holding a B.A. in History, and advanced black belts in four different...>>

“Tarot Decoded: Understanding and Using Dignities and Correspondences” by Elizabeth Hazel

"Most readers interested in tarot own a couple of different decks as well as some tarot "cookbooks" that explain the meaning of the cards and their symbolism--like Cliff Notes for tarot. These tarot tools result in fairly standard, mundane readings. But there is another level to tarot--a level that can turn an ordinary tarot reader into a true adept. Tarot Decoded transforms ordinary tarot readings into readings that are profound and even surprising by explaining the use and significance of tarot dignitaries. Tarot dignitaries are the interaction of the cards with each other in a spread and within a range of correspondences. Tarot author Elizabeth Hazel presents a concise, useable system for working with tarot...>>

“The Way of the Oracle: Recovering the Practices of the Past to Find Answers for Today” by Diana L. Paxson

"Throughout history, the uncertainties of life have driven people to seek counsel from prophets, seers, and oracles on everything from love to livelihood: people want to talk to their lost loved ones, heal old family traumas, find out about work, and determine what the future will bring. In The Way of the Oracle, bestselling author, scholar, and priestess Diana L. Paxson offers a broad overview of the traditions of famous oracles in history: from the pythia at Delphi, the son of Beor, the Irish druidess, and the Greenland völva, to today’s modern seers who are resurrecting ancient skills to serve their communities. Paxson identifies the core elements of prophetic practice, her belief in probability rather than...>>

“Healing Mantras: Using Sound Affirmations for Personal Power, Creativity, and Healing” by Thomas Ashley-Farrand

"Mantras, or simple chants, are short phrases packed with energy and intention--specifically designed to generate powerful sound waves that promote healing, insight, creativity, and spiritual growth. Healing Mantras is the practical, how-to guide that makes the strengths and benefits of mantras available to everyone. The transformative power of sound has been passed down to the present from the sages of India, the classical scientists of ancient Greece, and the medieval monks of Europe. Mantras, sounds, and chants have inspired, comforted, and mended the lives of individuals, religious orders, and even entire cultures. Even though the science and discipline of chanting and formal prayer are practiced in every religion around the world, this is the...>>

“Magic In Islam” by Michael Muhammad Knight

Magic in Islam offers a look at magical and occult technologies throughout Muslim history, starting with Islam's earliest and most canonical sources. In addition to providing a highly accessible introduction to magic as it is defined, practiced, condemned, and defended within Muslim traditions, Magic in Islam challenges common assumptions about organized religion. Michael Muhammad Knight's deeply original book fills a gap within existing literature on the place of magic in Islamic traditions and opens a new window on Islam for general readers and students of religion alike. In doing so, the book counters and complicates widespread perceptions of Islam, as well as of magic as it is practiced outside of European contexts. Magic in Islam...>>