Ritual Religion

Midsummer - also known as the Summer Solstice or Litha - is a time to rejoice in abundance and light. This guide to the history and modern celebration of Midsummer shows you how to celebrate and work with the energy of the longest day of the year.

Like Kelly Kapoor on The Office, Mindy is engaged with her Indian heritage to the extent that it is fun and convenient. So apart from a tolerance for spicy foods and an appreciation for Ravi Shankar, Mindy isn’t all that Hindu. Her daughter’s Jewish godfather--TV and film’s B.J. Novak--prompts her to reconsider her religious beliefs and ask herself: How Indian do I want my daughter to be?

The holy grail. The Knights Templar. The Gnostics and ancient mysteries of Greece. Discover the connection between them all with this phenomenal book written by 32nd-degree Freemason and celebrated author John Michael Greer. This book is a must-listen for seekers of the holy grail and those who want to learn about the inner workings of occult Freemasonry.

Make no mistake, the sacred gods are active. The African continent is home to ancestors, sacred deities, and diverse cultures. Among them is the Yoruba tradition, one of Africa’s most powerful societies. Standing the test of time and thriving against extinction, the Yoruba culture is one of the few African cultures that have crossed the vast oceans and continue to thrive today. Devotees spend their lives under the sacred guiding influence of the gods and are open to sharing the secrets of Orisha with those who seek knowledge.

Answering key questions on Hindu philosophy and associated Indian history in simple, lucid, engaging ways, and exploring the often curious customs and beliefs that are an intrinsic part of the Hindu faith, Devdutt Pattanaik's latest book is a treasure house of information on the complex tenets of Hinduism. For many a curious listener, Faith: 40 Insights into Hinduism will prove to be a delightful and eye-opening introduction to the intricacies of one of the world's most practiced religions.

Hundreds of years ago, the Yoruba people of Nigeria and West Africa were brought to America as slaves. Luckily, they successfully preserved their heritage and ancestral spirits by disguising their deities as Catholic saints. In secret, they worshipped. The result is the new-age religion known as Santería, a blend of Catholicism and African traditional beliefs.

Santa Muerte (Holy Death or Saint Death) is considered to be the female personification of death. This powerful and mysterious folk saint provides blessings including safe passage to the afterlife. Hailed as a potent and powerful protector, she is also the patron saint of those who live on the fringes of society as well as those who face violence and death. Santa Muerte is a complete ritual guide to working with this famous - and infamous! - Mexican folk saint. It takes us beyond the sensational headlines to reveal the truth about why Santa Muerte is so beloved by so many.

What happens when authorities you venerate condone something you know is wrong? What does this mean about what you’ve been venerating? No issue brings this question into starker contrast than slavery. Every major religion and philosophy condoned or approved of it, but in modern times there is nothing seen as more evil. Americans confront this crisis of authority when they erect statues of Founding Fathers who slept with their slaves. And Muslims faced it when ISIS revived sex slavery, justifying it with verses from the Quran and the practice of Muhammad.

Neem Karoli Baba—known to his followers as Maharaj-ji—was a great Hindu guru, mystic and devotee of Lord Hanuman. He is very well known outside India for being the spiritual master of a number of prominent Americans who traveled to India in the 1960s and '70s, including spiritual teachers Ram Dass, Bhagavan Das, and musicians Krishna Das and Jai Uttal. His ashrams are in Kainchi, Vrindavan, Rishikesh, Shimla, Neem Karoli village near Khimasepur in Farrukhabad, Bhumiadhar, Hanumangarhi, Delhi in India and in Taos, New Mexico.

In an age of distraction, everyone is looking for something that gives purpose and perspective on life. Jesus says it's the kingdom of God. But the kingdom is not just another religious idea. Rather, God's loving reign brings clarity and coherence to all of life - identity, work, play, relationships, justice, character - in a way that is profound and practical. Seek First brings theology to the streets, giving a vision for the kingdom that will truly change your life.

The Avadhuta Gita is an independent treatise on Advaita and explains that doctrine in the most uncompromising terms. The word Avadhuta refers to a mystic who has done away with worldly concerns and standard social etiquette, at least in his or her heart.

Dare to venture into the shadowy realm of warlock magic with A Beginner's Guide to Warlock Magic: Spells and Rituals. This guide is your first step into a world where power comes with a price and every spell carries the weight of ancient forces.

Discover the ancient lore, household techniques, and spiritual wisdom that will help turn every day into a time of magic, respect for all, and love of the goddess. Wheel of the Year takes you on a month-by-month journey of discovery through seasonal aspects of Paganism practiced both in recent and ancient times.

This small book contains two parts: 1) the words of Ramana on his spiritual methodology: "Who Am I?" And 2) an original essay by Dr. David Christopher Lane describing, in brief, the life and work of this most remarkable Indian sage, who is more influential today, decades after his death, than ever before.

The Hanuman Chalisa is a hymn in praise of Hanuman authored by Tulsi Das. The qualities of Hanuman - his strength, courage, wisdom, celibacy, devotion to Ram, and the many names by which he is known - are all in the Hanuman Chalisa. Hanuman is the epitome of ultimate devotion manifested with its full glory unchallenged. By the power of his devotion to Sita Ram, he easily achieved supreme status as the perfect devotee and servitor. Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa infuses one with unlimited energy and prana.

“The medicine of Grace is sound,” says gina Breedlove. “Sound is an immediate point of entry to the mind, body, and spirit, and has been sourced as a healing modality since humans appeared on the earth.” With The Vibration of Grace, this extraordinary teacher and healer shares a sweeping, glorious guide to help you invoke the power of sound as a vehicle of love and liberation—for yourself and your loved ones, and in service to our world. Breedlove has spent decades exploring the many ways sound and vibration can enable us to grow, heal, and connect.

Containing an extensive collection of traditional spells and techniques, this guide will help listeners attract positive friendships, love and luck as well as promote healing, careers and protection. The Practical Book of Witchcraft is an essential reference for anyone wishing to master the incredible art of wicca and spell-making.

Rootwork, also known as hoodoo or conjure, is an African American folk magic influenced by a blend of African beliefs, traditions, and cultures. This book includes step-by-step guidance for more than 80 rituals, spells, and techniques that can help manifest your goals and transform your life. Written by a descendant of African American and Filipino rootworkers, Paris Ajana (also known as the Hoodoo Goddess) guides you on a spiritual journey.

> The Rite of Exorcism: The Roman Ritual ( Rituale Romanum). An updated scholarly treatment of the rite of exorcism from a Catholic perspective. Extensive background on the history of the rite, current rules and procedures, and traditional prayers of exorcism. Written by Michael Freze, SFO, Catholic scholar and world-recognized expert on demonology. Michael Freze, SFO, author of a 12-book series on demonology, provides an important work in the field of demonology and the study of possession and exorcism.

The passing of a Pope is one of the most solemn and symbolic events in the world, an occurrence that transcends religious boundaries and captivates global attention. It marks the end of an era—not just for the 1.3 billion Catholics who view the Pope as the spiritual successor to Saint Peter, but for historians, political leaders, and observers across the planet. When a Pope dies, centuries of tradition awaken, setting into motion a series of elaborate, almost mystical, protocols that blend theology, politics, symbolism, and deep-rooted human emotion.