The first comprehensive study of its kind, this fully illustrated book establishes Paganism as a persistent force in European history with a profound influence on modern thinking.From the serpent goddesses of ancient Crete to modern nature-worship and the restoration of the indigenous religions of eastern Europe, this wide-ranging book offers a rewarding new perspective of European history.In this definitive study, Prudence Jones and Nigel Pennick draw together the fragment...

The extraordinary story of Croatian engineer Nikola Tesla

With a foreword by Iain Sinclair.London is an ancient city, whose foundation dates back literally thousands of years into the legendary prehistory of these islands. Not surprisingly it has accumulated a large number of stories, both historic and mythical, during this period, many of which, though faithfully recorded at the time, have lain almost forgotten in dusty libraries throughout the city.The Secret Lore of London is a guide to the legends, including a discuss...

Learn how to use the principles and practices of natural magic for personal development and spiritual empowerment• Offers detailed descriptions of the magical properties of minerals, animals, plants, and the earth’s cycles and how to use them in your own practice• Explores the magical laws of nature and how to guide your inner energy to work in concert with cosmic energies• Details how to design your own ceremonies, practice elemental meditations, and craft your own...

A comprehensive account of the rich folk culture preserved in the rural secret societies of the British Isles• Describes the secret rites, ceremonies, and initiation rituals of guilds and rural fraternities such as the Shoemakers, Horsemen, Toadmen, Mummers, and Bonesmen• Explains their use of masks, black face, and other disguises to avoid persecution• Draws not only on scholarly research but also the author’s personal contacts within these still living traditions

Learn to cultivate a traditional, beneficial relationship with the land by embracing the forgotten practices of our ancestors• Details the ancient art of geomancy and Earth magic, including how to work with ley lines, astrology, and the four directions to honor a space and make it a place of power• Explores the magic of the land around us and how our ancestors interacted with Earth energies and the forces of Nature• Discusses the power of boundaries and magic circle...

The acclaimed author of Witches, Druids, and King Arthur presents a "lucid, open-minded" cultural history of the Druids as part of British identity (Terry Jones).Crushed by the Romans in the first century A.D., the ancient Druids of Britain left almost no reliable evidence behind. Historian Ronald Hutton shows how this lack of definite information has allowed succeeding British generations to reimagine, reinterpret, and reinvent the Druids. Hutton's captiv...

Spies, Sadists and Sorcerers unveils the history you were never taught at school. With a breath-taking sweep spanning Rome to the modern day, popular historian and author Dominic Selwood challenges the traditional version of some of the best-known events of the past. From ancient Christianity to the voyages of Columbus, and from the medieval Crusades to ISIS and the modern Middle East, this book debunks dozens of historical myths.You will learn that:– Magna Carta was an inf...

This is the story of a how a little known manuscript in a Masonic Lodge in Kirkwall has become one of the most important historical documents of the Middle Ages. It is also the story of the Templars, who were its guardians, and of what happened to them after the Crusades.Although references to this famous order of military knights rarely appears in standard histories of the time, a great deal of information about them can be gleaned from other, more esoteric sources, such as sculpt...

In "The History of London," Walter Besant presents a comprehensive and engaging narrative that weaves together the city's rich tapestry of events, figures, and transformations from its ancient roots to the dawn of the 20th century. Besant employs a blend of meticulous research and vivid storytelling, capturing the essence of London's diverse culture and its pivotal role in shaping English history. His attention to detail and his ability to convey the spirit of the city provide readers with...

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A book in the best tradition of popular history—the untold story of Ireland's role in maintaining Western culture while the Dark Ages settled on Europe. • The perfect St. Patrick's Day gift!Every year millions of Americans celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but they may not be aware of how great an influence St. Patrick was on the subsequent history of civilization. Not only did he bring Christianity to Ireland, he instilled a sense of literacy and ...

In this modern age the regional and national boundaries which define Scotland seem fixed and permanent. But of course this has not always been so.In this book Alistair Moffat looks at the shifting political shape of the land long before its modern borders were created. In doing so he brings to vivid life the half-forgotten kingdoms that came and went during Roman times, the Dark Ages and the early medieval period. This is a fascinating journey into a tantalisingly little-known peri...