The three manuscripts which we possess of the ancient Maya peoples of Central America, the Dresden (Dr.), the Madrid (Tro.-Cort.) and the Paris (Per.) manuscripts, all contain a series of pictorial representations of human figures, which, beyond question, should be regarded as figures of gods. Together with these are a number of animal figures, some with human bodies, dress and armor, which likewise have a mythologic significance

The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion is a wide-ranging, comparative study of mythology and religion, written by the Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer. The work was aimed at a wide literate audience raised on tales as told in such publications as Thomas Bulfinch's The Age of Fable, or Stories of Gods and Heroes. Frazer offered a modernist approach to discussing religion, treating it dispassionately as a cultural phenomenon rather than from a theological perspective....

The Golden Asseby Lucius Apuleius "Africanus"Translated by William AdlingtonAfter that I had taken upon me (right Honourable) in manner of that unlearned and foolish Poet, Cherillus, who rashly and unadvisedly wrought a big volume in verses, of the valiant prowesse of Alexander the Great, to translate this present booke, contayning the Metamorphosis of Lucius Apuleius... so begins this volume.

The Children of Odinby Padraic ColumLong ago, in a Northern paradise called Asgard, dwelt many gods and goddesses. They were wise and they were beautiful. They lived in peace, untouched by evil...until the day the Giants from Jotunheim cast envious eyes upon their happiness.... Padraic Colum has been faithful to these old Norse myths, but he has made them his own. His stories speak quickly to children, for they are filled with the rich, musical narrative of the storyteller, ...

Legends of Babylonia and Egyptby Leonard W. KingLegends of Babylon and Egypt was first published in 1918 under the authorship of Leonard W. King. In these lectures an attempt is made, not so much to restate familiar facts, as to accommodate them to new and supplementary evidence which has been published in America since the outbreak of the war. But even without the excuse of recent discovery, no apology would be needed for any comparison or contrast of Hebrew tradition with ...

Bible times and characters from creation to Esther. The introduction begins: "The term Rabbinic was applied to the Jewish Literature of post-Biblical times by those who conceived the Judaism of the later epoch to be something different from the Judaism of the Bible, something actually opposed to it. Such observers held that the Jewish nation ceased to exist with the moment when its political independence was destroyed. For them the Judaism of the later epoch has been a Judaism of the Synag...

A comprehensive examination of the rituals and philosophies of the Celtic holiday of Samhain, the inspiration for Halloween.• Presents the true meaning of this ancient holiday and shows how contemporary observances still faithfully reflect the rituals of pagan ancestors.• Explains why this holiday, largely confined to the English-speaking world since the advent of Christianity, has spread throughout the rest of Europe over the last two decades.One of humanity's most...

The original and authoritative A-to-Z reference guide to witchcraft, paganism, and magic, compiled by the famed nineteenth-century French occultist.Following its original publication in 1818, Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal became a landmark study of witchcraft, pagan religions, and the occult. The first reference work to seriously document manifestations, magic, and superstitions, this historical dictionary details beings, characters, books, deeds, and ca...

An exploration of the many forms of the ancient myth of the Wild Hunt and its influence in pagan and early Christian Europe• Recounts the myriad variations of this legend, from the Cursed Huntsman and King Herla to phantom armies and vast processions of sinners and demons• Explains how this belief was an integral part of the pagan worldview and was thus employed by the church to spread Christian doctrine• Reveals how the secret societies of medieval Europe reenacted...

A practical guide to the magical systems of pre-Christian Iceland• Reveals spells and workings drawn directly from surviving magical books from the 16th to 20th century preserved at the National Library in Reykjavík• Explores the history of magic in Iceland through original translations of Icelandic folktales about famous magicians and about legendary grimoires, such as the Galdrabók, the oldest and most complete book of its kind• Explains how to personalize the spe...

More than 2,200 terms defined in an essential reference on religious mysticism, esoteric philosophy, occultism, and more.Dictionary of Mysticism provides concise definitions for more than 2,200 terms used in many philosophies, religions, and doctrines which relate to the influence of the superhuman and supernatural on man's everyday life. Terms relating to esoteric philosophy, occultism, religious mysticism, spiritualism, alchemy, and psychical research ar...

Illuminating the Dark Side’s Spirits, Fiends, Devils, and Demons.Throughout human history, we have been obsessed with the dark opposites of God and angels, light, and mercy. Whether it is our religious and sacred texts, folklore and myths of old, legends, fairy tales, novels, or the movies and television shows of today, the dark entities enthrall us, terrify us, and remind us of the dualities of life. But where did they originate? Are they real? Does every religion...