July 16 2008, the day after the graduates of Bismarck boarding school graduated and had their prom night. They day that the students would leave the school with their belongings and go to their homes for three months of summer break. Early in the morning, about 08h30 the students would be locking their dormitories and would be coming down to leave. Cars and taxies were parked in front of the school lawn waiting for students to arrive. They waited and waited until, suddenly; the first student came from the doors and then was followed by more. Most of the students ran to the cars and taxies whilst the graduates and maybe some of the juniors walked towards the parking lot. But most of the graduates were running a little late on their packing but the others walked on towards the parking lot. But thats only the start of trouble.
The second commandment of the Old Testament forbids the making of idols to represent God. However, since human beings have always needed a direct and personal connection to the divine, a way is provided in Exodus when God says, "Make a sanctuary for me and I will come to dwell among you." God goes on to give instructions for building the Ark of the Covenant–the first tribal amulet, not yet personal but still representing the presence of God. From there, amulets, talismans, and magical jewelry evolved to provide a personal connection to God.Koltuv has collected bits of scripture describing amulets and talismans and features pictures of her extensive collection of these protective and magical treasures. It's all here: glass beads for protection against the evil eye; the mezuzah found on door frames; the hamsa, or upraised hand; engraved pendants and tiny boxes containing special prayers; Aron's breastplate; the prayer shawl and teffilin; henna hand and foot painting; and amulets from the Sepher Rezial. As visually fascinating as these objects are, how they came into use is even more so.Koltuv revives an awareness of how many of the objects we wear and carry with us without a second thought are actually magical bridges between heaven and earth.
This book is about the folklore surrounding many aspects of jewelry. The author says that in it will be found "an interesting galaxy of anecdote, research, and information upon a fascinating subject." The book is divided into ten chapters each dealing with a particular type of gem, or, its supposed powers and so on.
No more magic in Fairyland? Jack Frost is up to no good again! This time, he's stolen the seven jewels from Queen Titania's crown. Without them, the Jewel Fairies can't do their jobs. The magic in Fairyland is fading fast!Find the sparkly jewel in each book and bring the magic back to Fairyland!
Magic is a powerful force in most fantasy worlds, and many are the paths open to those who seek magical power. From the arcane to the divine, Spells & Magic provides information for both players and DMs and is easily useable in any d20 campaign world. This is more than just a book of spells and magical items. New prestige classes focusing on new thoughts of magic also fill the book. And like all Bastion Press products, it's designed to be used with any d20 campaign world.
Renunciation is a core value in the Buddhist tradition, but Buddhism is not necessarily austere. Jewels—along with heavenly flowers, rays of rainbow light, and dazzling deities—shape the literature and the material reality of the tradition. They decorate temples, fill reliquaries, are used as metaphors, and sprout out of imagined Buddha fields. Moreover, jewels reflect a particular type of currency often used to make the Buddhist world go round: merit in exchange for wealth. Regardless of whether the Buddhist community has theoretically transcended the need for them or not, jewels—and the paradox they represent—are everywhere. Scholarship has often looked past this splendor, favoring the theory of renunciation instead, but in this volume, scholars from a wide range of disciplines consider the role jewels play in the Buddhist imaginary, putting them front and center for the first time. Following an introduction that relates the colorful story of the Emerald Buddha, one of the most famous jewels in the world, chapters explore the function of jewels as personal identifiers in Buddhist and other Indian religious traditions; Buddhaghosa’s commentary on the Jewel Sutta; the paradox of the Buddha’s bejeweled status before and after renunciation; and the connection in early Buddhism between jewels, magnificence, and virtue. The Newars of Nepal are the focus of a chapter that looks at their gemology and associations between gems and celestial deities. Contributors analyze the Fifth Dalai Lama’s reliquary, known as the “sole ornament of the world”; the transformation of relic jewels into precious substances and their connection to the Piprahwa stupa in Northern India and the Nanjing Porcelain Pagoda. Final chapters offer detailed studies of ritual engagement with the deity known as Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Avalokiteśvara and its role in the new Japanese lay Buddhist religious movement Shinnyo-en. Engaging and accessible, Jewels, Jewelry, and Other Shiny Things in the Buddhist Imaginary will provide readers with an opportunity to look beyond a common misconception about Buddhism and bring its lived tradition into wider discussion.
Seven jewels have been stolen from the Fairy Queen's crown! Without them, the Jewel Fairies' magical powers are fading. Read all seven books to find the jewels and save the fairies!Jack Frost is up to no good again! This time, he's stolen the seven jewels from Queen Titania's crown. Without them, the Jewel Fairies can't do their jobs. The magic in Fairyland is fading fast!Scarlett the Garnet Fairy controls the magic that makes things grow and shrink. When her garnet disappears, everything winds up the wrong size!Find the sparkly jewel in each book and help bring the magic back to Fairyland!
"His 'Magical Awakening Treatments' have helped me pass through emotional obstacles and blockages with ease and grace."—Carrie Ann Inaba This book teaches a system of energy healing called Magical Awakening, a playful yet powerful style of energy healing based in the Celtic shamanic concept of the three cauldrons, plus Arthurian imagery. It is a rich, Merlin-inspired magical energy healing system as playful as Harry Potter and more powerful than Reiki. Brett Bevell is the author of The Reiki Magic Guide To Self Attunement, Energy Healing for Everyone, and two poetry books. Brett teaches at Omega Institute and The Sanctuary.
