"Mysticism, magic and alchemy all come into play in the creative process. For centuries musicians have tapped into things spiritual, embracing ritual, spell, incantation and prayer deeply into their life and work. Although the connection of music to mysticism has been consistent, well documented and productive, it is still shrouded in mystery and largely misunderstood. For this special edition, Aracana focuses on the nexus of mysticism and spirituality in the magical act of making music. Far from an historical overview or cold musicologist's study, these essays illuminate a fascinating and elusive subject via the eloquent voices of today's most distinguished modern practitioners and greatest adult thinkers, providing insights into the esoteric traditions and mysteries involved in the composition and performance of the most mystical of all arts."--Book cover.

An illustrated guide to the history and evolution of the beloved role-playing game told through the paintings, sketches, illustrations, and visual ephemera behind its creation, growth, and continued popularity. FINALIST FOR THE HUGO AWARD • FINALIST FOR THE LOCUS AWARD • NOMINATED FOR THE DIANA JONES AWARD From one of the most iconic game brands in the world, this official DUNGEONS & DRAGONS illustrated history provides an unprecedented look at the visual evolution of the brand, showing its continued influence on the worlds of pop culture and fantasy. Inside the book, you’ll find more than seven hundred pieces of artwork—from each edition of the core role-playing books, supplements, and adventures; as well as Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance novels; decades of Dragon and Dungeon magazines; and classic advertisements and merchandise; plus never-before-seen sketches, large-format canvases, rare photographs, one-of-a-kind drafts, and more from the now-famous designers and artists associated with DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. The superstar author team gained unparalleled access to the archives of Wizards of the Coast and the personal collections of top collectors, as well as the designers and illustrators who created the distinctive characters, concepts, and visuals that have defined fantasy art and gameplay for generations. This is the most comprehensive collection of D&D imagery ever assembled, making this the ultimate collectible for the game's millions of fans around the world.

Experimental music has been called "difficult," perhaps more in relation to the open-mindedness needed to let it settle between your ears than the break from traditional technique required to play it. But does that explain the scarcity of critical writing about this music form relative to visual arts -- film, photography, sculpture, painting -- that also use experimentation as a main creative force? Arcana: Musicians on Music is an answer to that call. Delving into recent development in avantgarde music, this long overdue anthology looks at the current generation of experimental players and composers. Collecting writings, working notes, scores, interviews, and manifestos, editor John Zarn gets deep under the surface of experimental music, and looks at the creative methods and philosophies of some of the most innovative experimental musicians. Among the 29 contributors are: Mark Dresser, John Oswald, Marilyn Crispell, Bill Frisell, Ikue Mari, Larry Ochs, Elliott Sharp, Anthony Coleman, Fred Frith,David Roseboom, George Lewis, Guy Klucevsek, Peter Garland, Z'ev, and Gerry Hemmingway. Containing discographies and bios on the musicians presented, this book is an excellent resource for fans and critics as well as a good introduction for the curious.

The final installment of John Zorn's major series of new music theory, with Oren Ambarchi, Peter Blegvad, Annea Lockwood, Henry Threadgill and many more Initiated in 1997 and now in its tenth and final installment, John Zorn's acclaimed Arcanaseries is a major source of new music theory and practice in the 21st century. Illuminating directly via the personal vision and experience of the practitioners themselves, who experience music not from a cool, safe distance, but from the white-hot center of the creative crucible itself, Arcanaelucidates through essays, manifestos, scores, interviews, notebooks and critical papers. Over 25 years the ten volumes of Arcanahave presented the writings of over 300 of the most extraordinary musical thinkers of our time, who address composing, performing, improvising, touring, collaborating, living and thinking about music from diverse, refreshing and often surprising perspectives. Technical, philosophical, political, artistic and mystical in nature, these writings provide direct connections to the creative processes and hidden stratagems of musicians from the worlds of classical, rock, jazz, film soundtrack, improvised music and more. Contributors include: Susan Alcorn, Oren Ambarchi, Ran Blake, Peter Blegvad, Tyondai Braxton, Patricia Brennan, John Butcher, Ben Coniguliaro, Amir Elsaffar, Kenny Grohowski, Tom Guralnick, Mark Helias, David Hertzberg, Stefan Jackiw, Dan Kaufman, Derek Keller, Richard Kessler, Pauline Kim, Ulrich Krieger, Hannah Lash, Dan Lippel, Annea Lockwood, Dave Lombardo, Charlie Looker, Thomas Morgan, Stephen O'Malley, Laura Ortman, Alex Paxton, Alexandria Smith, Conrad Tao, Pat Thomas, Henry Threadgill, Anna Webber, Fay Victor, Christian Wolff and Miguel Zenon.

The Tarot has always been shrouded in mystery, with images and symbols often eluding interpretation. Now you can unlock the Arcana to study the basics and beyond! Gain understanding regarding symbolism and how the Tarot works to read reversals, set the mood for readings, and to explore your spiritual quest. Discover your relationship with the seven deadly sins and healthy virtues, determine and weigh your options, and examine dream interpretations. Consider your path through different layers of understanding, including astrological influences, numerology, mythological connections, philosophical relations, and evaluate Court card psychological dimensions. Work with powerful, self-reflective spreads unique to this book and review sample readings for major events broadcasted in the news and media. Learn fundamental history, debunk old-time myths, and discover the religious views on divination and the counterargument to its biblical objection. There is much to learn when you unlock the Arcana. Here's the key.

As seen in the Sony Pictures 2016 film Ghostbusters, the ultimate guide to identifying, understanding, and engaging with any paranormal activity that plagues you Years before they made headlines with the Ghostbusters, Erin Gilbert and Abby L. Yates published the groundbreaking study of the paranormal, Ghosts from Our Past. Once lost to history, this criminally underappreciated book is now updated for the new century. According to Gilbert and Yates, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence,” and whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, you’ll find the information you’re seeking right here in this extraordinary book, including: • The childhood experiences that inspired Erin and Abby’s lifelong passion for the scientific study of the paranormal • The history of ghosts and other supernatural entities, the science that explains their existence, and profiles of the groundbreaking paranormal researchers who have investigated them • An illustrated guide to Class I through Class VII ghosts • Helpful sidebars like “A Ghost by Any Other Name” and “Ectoplasm Cleanup Tips” • Updates including “The Ghostbusters’ Arsenal” by Jillian Holtzmann and “Haunted History” by Patty Tolan • A new Ghostbusting Resources appendix, featuring the “Paranormal Quickstart Guide”, “Is It a Ghost? A Handy Quiz”, “A Supernatural Stakeout Journal”, “The Devil’s Dictionary: Paraterminology You Need to Know” With this helpful—and hilarious—official Ghostbusters guide in hand, you’ll be prepared for almost any spirit, spook, or spectre that comes your way. As for the rest, you know who to call.

Thirty distinguished composers/performers illuminate and speculate upon method and practice in the process of making, experiencing, and thinking about music.