It was bad enough when Henghis Hapthorn, Old Earth's foremost discriminator and die-hard empiricist, had to accept that the cosmos was shortly to rewrite its basic operating system, replacing rational cause-and-effect with detestable magic. Now he finds himself cast forward several centuries, stranded in a primitive world of contending wizards and hungry dragons, and without his magic-savvy alter ego. Worse, some entity with a will powerful enough to bend space and time is searching for him through the Nine Planes, bellowing "Bring me Apthorn!" in a voice loud enough to frighten demons.
From #1 New York Times bestselling authors Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu comes the second book in the Eldest Curses series and a thrilling new adventure for High Warlock Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood, for whom a death-defying mission into the heart of evil is not just a job, it’s also a romantic getaway. The Lost Book of the White is a Shadowhunters novel. Life is good for Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood. They’re living together in a fabulous loft, their warlock son, Max, has started learning to walk, and the streets of New York are peaceful and quiet—as peaceful and quiet as they ever are, anyway. Until the night that two old acquaintances break into Magnus’s apartment and steal the powerful Book of the White. Now Magnus and Alec will have to drop everything to get it back. They need to follow the thieves to Shanghai, they need to call some backup to accompany them, and they need a babysitter. Also, someone has stabbed Magnus with a strange magical weapon and the wound is glowing, so they have that to worry about too. Fortunately, their backup consists of Clary, Jace, Isabelle, and newly minted Shadowhunter Simon. In Shanghai, they learn that a much darker threat awaits them. Magnus’s magic is growing unstable, and if they can’t stop the demons flooding into the city, they might have to follow them all the way back to the source—the realm of the dead. Can they stop the threat to the world? Will they make it back home before their kid completely wears out Alec’s mom?
It was bad enough when Henghis Hapthorn, Old Earth's foremost discriminator and die-hard empiricist, had to accept that the cosmos was shortly to rewrite its basic operating system, replacing rational cause-and-effect with detestable magic. Now he finds himself cast forward several centuries, stranded in a primitive world of contending wizards and hungry dragons, and without his magic-savvy alter ego. Worse, some entity with a will powerful enough to bend space and time is searching for him through the Nine Planes, bellowing "Bring me Apthorn!" in a voice loud enough to frighten demons. Praise for Matthew Hughes: "Matthew Hughes does Jack Vance better than anyone except Jack himself" - George R.R. Martin "Heir apparent to Jack Vance" - Booklist "Hughes's boldness is admirable"- New York Review of Science Fiction "Hughes effortlessly renders fantastic worlds and beings believable"- Publishers Weekly "A towering talent"- Robert J. Sawyer "A treasure" - David Gerrold
Step into the Labyrinth Sacred Practices for Health, Wisdom, and True Purpose The labyrinth is an enigma, a seemingly ordinary symbol that has the power to open the gateway to profound self-discovery. Within its coils and turns, secret wisdom is revealed that has the potential to help humanity on its journey toward spiritual advancement. In this book, spiritual teacher Tony Christie shares new information and powerful techniques for exploring the labyrinth as a source of wonder, wisdom, healing, and enlightenment. Discover how to work with labyrinths to quiet your mind and gain insights and answers for the questions that matter most to you. Use the labyrinth as a safe container for letting go of your troubles and finding that peaceful place within yourself. Learn about the fascinating connections between the labyrinth and tarot, alchemy, crop circles, and the cosmos. With the right guidance and intention, every step you take in a labyrinth can bring you greater understanding of your life's purpose on your own sacred journey. Praise: "Tony combines a deep wisdom of labyrinths and his personal experience to offer an opportunity to the reader to explore the labyrinth of their own sacred being. I love the mix of practical and theory. A truly enjoyable read."—Abby Wynne, author of How to Be Well and AZ Spiritual Colouring Affirmations "This book is a confident statement of the limitless possibilities of the labyrinth on all levels of existence, material and immaterial."—Robert Ferré, master labyrinth builder and author of The Labyrinth Revival "This book by Tony Christie covers the entire spectrum of time—back to the Big Bang and into the Future. If you are to read only one book on labyrinths, this is the one to read."—Sig Longren, author of Labyrinths: Ancient Myths and Modern Uses "This is an important book for anyone interested in working with labyrinths or who wishes to try to gain some understanding of the immense power of them."—Yvonne Ryves, author of Shaman Pathways—Web of Life, shamanic healer, Reiki master, and past life therapist "Well researched and written with a steady hand and heart, Labyrinth offers Tony Christie's unique understanding of this amazing tool."—Lauren Artress, author of Walking a Sacred Path "Readers interested in esoteric spiritual traditions will find much to enjoy in Christie's tutorial on the spiritual powers of labyrinths."—Publishers Weekly
"Whoever you are, walking the labyrinth has something to offer. If a project is challenging you, walking can get your creative juices flowing. When struggling with grief or anger, or a physical challenge or illness, walking the labyrinth can point the way to healing and wholeness. If you're looking for a way to meditate or pray that engages your body as well as your soul, the labyrinth provides such a path. When you just want reflective time away from a busy life, the labyrinth can offer you time out. The labyrinth holds up a mirror, reflecting back to us not only the light of our finest selves, but also whatever restrains us from shining forth." --From the Introduction Join Melissa Gayle West and thousands of others who are turning to labyrinth walking for quiet meditation and spiritual healing. Exploring the Labyrinth blends the timeless wisdom and meaning derived from labyrinths along with practical advice, divided among three sections: What is a labyrinth and why does it have such astonishing contemporary appeal? You'll be introduced to walking and working with this ancient archetype. Learn to construct a temporary or permanent, indoor or outdoor labyrinth from rocks, rope, canvas, and a wide variety of other materials. Discover specific ways to use the labyrinth for rituals, meaningful celebrations, spiritual growth, healing work, creativity enhancement, and goal setting. With practical advice, spiritual wisdom, and helpful resources, Exploring the Labyrinth is the complete guide to this ancient, transformative tool.
Are you fascinated by mazes and labyrinths? Do you want to understand their origins, symbolism, and practical uses? Are you intrigued by the psychological aspects and mathematical principles behind these structures? If so, this book is for you. Mazes have been a part of human history for centuries, serving various purposes from practical to symbolic. In "Mazes: A Journey Through Their History and Impact", we delve into the origins and evolution of mazes, exploring their presence in mythology and religion, and their applications in art, architecture, and even warfare. We also examine the mathematical principles that make mazes such intriguing puzzles and discuss their psychological impact on the human mind. This comprehensive guide explores: - The world's most famous mazes, including the Cretan labyrinth and the Hampton Court Palace maze - The use of mazes in art and architecture - The role of mazes in mythology and religion - The mathematical principles behind maze design - How mazes have been used in history for practical purposes - Strategies and techniques for solving mazes - The therapeutic use of mazes for stress relief and memory improvement - Maze-solving competitions and their benefits - The future of mazes in virtual reality and digital environments If you want to satisfy your curiosity about mazes, understand their impact, and learn how to solve them, then you should buy this book today. It's a captivating journey through the history, design, and purpose of mazes that will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for these fascinating structures.
A #1 New York Times bestseller! “A rip-roaring adventure merged with satisfying romance.” —Entertainment Weekly “[A] swashbuckling launch to the Eldest Curses series.” —Publishers Weekly From #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller Cassandra Clare and award-winner Wesley Chu comes the first book in a new series full of “swoon-worthy romance [and] abundant action” (Publishers Weekly). The Red Scrolls of Magic is a Shadowhunters novel. All Magnus Bane wanted was a vacation—a lavish trip across Europe with Alec Lightwood, the Shadowhunter who against all odds is finally his boyfriend. But as soon as the pair settles in Paris, an old friend arrives with news about a demon-worshipping cult called the Crimson Hand that is bent on causing chaos around the world. A cult that was apparently founded by Magnus himself. Years ago. As a joke. Now Magnus and Alec must race across Europe to track down the Crimson Hand before the cult can cause any more damage. Demons are now dogging their every step, and it is becoming harder to tell friend from foe. As their quest for answers becomes increasingly dire, Magnus and Alec will have to trust each other more than ever—even if it means revealing the secrets they’ve both been keeping.
An expansive and revelatory study of Robert Smithson’s life and the hidden influences on his iconic creations This first biography of the major American artist Robert Smithson, famous as the creator of the Spiral Jetty, deepens understanding of his art by addressing the potent forces in his life that were shrouded by his success, including his suppressed early history as a painter; his affiliation with Christianity, astrology, and alchemy; and his sexual fluidity. Integrating extensive investigation and acuity, Suzaan Boettger uncovers Smithson’s story and, with it, symbolic meanings across the span of his painted and drawn images, sculptures, essays, and earthworks up to the Spiral Jetty and beyond, to the circumstances leading to what became his final work, Amarillo Ramp. While Smithson is widely known for his monumental earthwork at the edge of the Great Salt Lake, Inside the Spiral delves into the arc of his artistic production, recognizing it as a response to his family’s history of loss, which prompted his birth and shaped his strange intelligence. Smithson configured his personal conflicts within painterly depictions of Christ’s passion, the rhetoric of science fiction, imagery from occult systems, and the impersonal posture of conceptual sculpture. Aiming to achieve renown, he veiled his personal passions and transmuted his professional persona, becoming an acclaimed innovator and fierce voice in the New York art scene. Featuring copious illustrations never before published of early work that eluded Smithson’s destruction, as well as photographs of Smithson and his wife, the noted sculptor Nancy Holt, and recollections from nearly all those who knew him throughout his life, Inside the Spiral offers unprecedented insight into the hidden impulses of one of modern art’s most enigmatic figures. With great sensitivity to the experiences of loss and existential strife that defined his distinct artistic language, this biographical analysis provides an expanded view of Smithson’s iconic art pilgrimage site and the experiences and works that brought him to its peculiar blood red water.
