From the earliest times, the medicinal properties of certain herbs were connected with deities, particularly goddesses. Only now with modern scientific research can we begin to understand the basisand rationality that these divine connections had and, being preserved in myths and religious stories, they continued to have a significant impact through the present day. Riddle argues that the pomegranate, mandrake, artemisia, and chaste tree plants substantially altered thedevelopment of medicine and fertility treatments.The herbs, once sacred to Inanna, Aphrodite, Demeter, Artemis, and Hermes, eventually came to be associated with darker forces, representing theinstruments of demons and witches. Riddle's ground-breaking work highlights the important medicinalhistory thatwas lost and argues for itsrightful place as one of the predecessors
A seasonal celebration of goddesses "The Goddess Book is a joyful celebration of perennial goddess wisdom that nourishes, expands, and inspires." -- HeatherAsh Amara, author of Warrior Goddess Training "Every woman needs this book on her bedside table. An active and animated must-read."--Emma Mildon, bestselling author of The Soul Searcher's Handbook and Evolution of Goddess. This is a book of mediations that celebrate the divine feminine. It is an exploration of representations of the goddess throughout history. Here are heroines, queens, witches, healers, proud princesses, courageous daughters, and cranky crones. Organized by the four seasons, author Nancy Blair groups these goddesses according to the seasons in which their energies are most potent. These meditations and affirmations challenge readers to: Awaken the divine feminine Join the seasonal circle of goddesses Create meaningful, simple, heart-nourishing rituals Let the goddess inform daily life Create the life you want Here is a book of earth-based spirituality, informed by perennial goddess wisdom. The words and the stunning art of artist Thaila Took create a sacred space that will nourish women around the world.
From the best-known authors on witchcraft, a three-part reference for discovering and celebrating the Female Principle of Divinity. The Witches’ Goddess is of great practical value in discovering and celebrating the transforming energy of the Female Principle of Divinity. A companion to The Witches’ God, this is an important, three-part work by the Farrars, providing an in-depth exploration of the Goddess in her many aspects at a time when Western Culture is awakening to the influence of Feminine Divinity, both individually and collectively. In part one, they outline the numerous faces of the Goddess: her presence throughout history, her Earth and Moon symbolism, her Madonna and Magdalene disguises, her revelation in Woman, and her influence today. In part two, they examine thirteen goddesses from history, including Ishtar, Isis, Hecate, and Aphrodite, and offer rituals for invoking them. Part three is a comprehensive dictionary of more than 1,000 goddesses from cultures all over the world and throughout time. Each section features helpful line drawings, diagrams, and photographic illustrations. The Witches’ Goddess is part of The Paranormal, a series that resurrects rare titles, classic publications, and out-of-print texts, as well as publishes new supernatural and otherworldly ebooks for the digital age. The series includes a range of paranormal subjects from angels, fairies, and UFOs to near-death experiences, vampires, ghosts, and witchcraft.
Ancient Secrets of the Goddesses offers healing to the feminine and masculine energies of the world. The wisdom of thirty-three powerful goddesses appears alongside Velva Dawns own story of how she used the energy from each goddess to heal her emotional wounds. Each goddess carries a powerful energy that can be used to heal ones soul, and this book weaves multidimensional energy with the energies of all of the goddesses. Both a spiritual adventure and guide, this book links crystals and affirmations with each goddess, listing the aura colors of the goddesses to help you identify which goddess may be around you. The book may magically open up for you and show all of the goddesses reaching out to connect with you in a loving way. By exploring the goddess energy and using these sacred healing meditations and words, one will connect with the divine feminine while empowering the feminine within oneself. Readers can find more information at Velva Dawns website,www.velvadawn.com. Through the guidance of these mythic bearers of feminine wisdom, this book will take you on an inward journey of self-discovery and healing. Savor every word. I highly recommend this book. Colette Baron-Reid, number-one bestselling author of The Map: Finding the Magic and Meaning in the Story of Your Life I am honored to have worked with Velva Dawn and the goddesses, and I have seen first hand the healing effects, empowerment, and fulfillment that comes forth when you invite the divine goddess energy into your daily life. Ancient Secrets of the Goddesses author, Velva Dawn Silver Hughes has captured the loving energy and vibrations of these divine beings. This book activates feminine empowerment and enlightens your soul, preparing you for a new and exciting level of spiritual growth. Kathy Huber
Learn about the ancient goddesses and how they can empower you, guide you, and help you achieve your own life goals. From Greek and Roman to Nordic mythology, the goddesses often take center stage. Each goddess possesses her own strengths and traits that every woman can draw on for daily inspiration and guidance in their own life’s journey. In Find Your Goddess, you’ll learn the mythical origins of these powerful female figures and how their stories relate to modern times. From Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and fertility, to Kuan Yin, the Chinese goddess of mercy and compassion, you’ll discover the history of each unique goddess and how they can manifest their virtues into your own life. Whether you’re looking for guidance in relationships, your career, personal development, or physical and emotional wellness, Find Your Goddess can help you identify and draw strength from the ancient wisdom of famous goddesses. Call on the power of divine femininity and let your own goddess shine!
From the best-known authors on witchcraft, a three-part reference for discovering and celebrating the Masculine Principle of Divinity. A companion to the Farrars’ The Witches’ Goddess, this volume documents the ancient balance between God and Goddess. In part one, they explore the numerous faces of God throughout history: the Anti-God, the Son/Lover God, the Vegetation God, the War God, and more. In part two, they examine twelve gods from history and feature an invoking ritual for each god. Finally, part three offers a comprehensive dictionary with over 1,000 gods from cultures all over the world and throughout time. With over 30,000 copies sold, this title is likely to become the standard work on the masculine god aspect. The Witches’ God is part of The Paranormal, a series that resurrects rare titles, classic publications, and out-of-print texts, as well as publishes new supernatural and otherworldly ebooks for the digital age. The series includes a range of paranormal subjects from angels, fairies, and UFOs to near-death experiences, vampires, ghosts, and witchcraft.
This volume tackles the role of smell, under-explored in relation to the other senses, in the modern rejection, reappraisal and idealisation of antiquity. Among the senses olfaction in particular has often been overlooked in classical reception studies due to its evanescent nature, which makes this sense difficult to apprehend in its past instantiations. And yet, the smells associated with a given figure or social group convey a rich imagery which in turn connotes specific values: perfumes, scents and foul odours both reflect and mould the ways in which a society thinks or acts. Smells also help to distinguish between male and female, citizens and strangers, and play an important role during rituals. The Smells and Senses of Antiquity in the Modern Imagination focuses on the representation of ancient smells - both enticing and repugnant - in the visual and performative arts from the late 18th century up to the 21st century. The individual contributions explore painting, sculpture, literature and film, but also theatrical performance, museum exhibitions, advertising, television series, historical reenactment and graphic novels, which have all played a part in reshaping modern audiences' perceptions and experiences of the antique.
An exploration of the historical origins of the “witches’ ointment” and medieval hallucinogenic drug practices based on the earliest sources • Details how early modern theologians demonized psychedelic folk magic into “witches’ ointments” • Shares dozens of psychoactive formulas and recipes gleaned from rare manuscripts from university collections all over the world as well as the practices and magical incantations necessary for their preparation • Examines the practices of medieval witches like Matteuccia di Francisco, who used hallucinogenic drugs in her love potions and herbal preparations In the medieval period preparations with hallucinogenic herbs were part of the practice of veneficium, or poison magic. This collection of magical arts used poisons, herbs, and rituals to bewitch, heal, prophesy, infect, and murder. In the form of psyche-magical ointments, poison magic could trigger powerful hallucinations and surrealistic dreams that enabled direct experience of the Divine. Smeared on the skin, these entheogenic ointments were said to enable witches to commune with various local goddesses, bastardized by the Church as trips to the Sabbat--clandestine meetings with Satan to learn magic and participate in demonic orgies. Examining trial records and the pharmacopoeia of witches, alchemists, folk healers, and heretics of the 15th century, Thomas Hatsis details how a range of ideas from folk drugs to ecclesiastical fears over medicine women merged to form the classical “witch” stereotype and what history has called the “witches’ ointment.” He shares dozens of psychoactive formulas and recipes gleaned from rare manuscripts from university collections from all over the world as well as the practices and magical incantations necessary for their preparation. He explores the connections between witches’ ointments and spells for shape shifting, spirit travel, and bewitching magic. He examines the practices of some Renaissance magicians, who inhaled powerful drugs to communicate with spirits, and of Italian folk-witches, such as Matteuccia di Francisco, who used hallucinogenic drugs in her love potions and herbal preparations, and Finicella, who used drug ointments to imagine herself transformed into a cat. Exploring the untold history of the witches’ ointment and medieval hallucinogen use, Hatsis reveals how the Church transformed folk drug practices, specifically entheogenic ones, into satanic experiences.
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III HOW DIANA MADE THE STARS AND THE RAIN Diana was the first created before all creation; in her were all things; out of herself, the first darkness, she divided herself; into darkness and light she was divided. Lucifer, her brother and son, herself and her other half, was the light. And when Diana saw that the light was so beautiful, the light which was her other half, her brother Lucifer, she yearned for it with exceeding great desire. Wishing to receive the light again into her darkness, to swallow it up in rapture, in delight, she trembled with desire This desire was the Dawn. But Lucifer, the light, fled from her, and would not yield to her wishes; he was the light which flies into the most distant parts of heaven, the mouse which flies before the cat. Then Diana went to the fathers of the Beginning, to the mothers, the spirits who were before the first spirit, and lamented unto them that she could not prevail with Lucifer. And they praised her for her courage; they told her that to rise she must fall; to become the chief of goddesses she must become a mortal. And in the ages, in the course of time, when the world was made, Diana went on earth, as did Lucifer, who had fallen, and Diana taught magic and sorcery, whence came witches and fairies and goblins--all that is like man, yet not mortal. And it came thus that Diana took the form of a cat. Her brother had a cat whom he loved beyond all creatures, and it slept every night on his bed, a cat beautiful beyond all other creatures, a fairy: he did not know it. Diana prevailed with the cat to change forms with her; so she lay with her brother, and in the darkness assumed her own form, and so by Lucifer became the mother of Aradia. But when in the morning he found that he lay...
