To find more information on Rowman & Littlefield titles, please visit us at www.rowmanlittlefield.com.

To find more information on Rowman & Littlefield titles, please visit us at www.rowmanlittlefield.com.

Divination is any ritual and its associated tradition performed in order to ask a more-than-human intelligence for guidance. A universal human practice, it has received surprisingly little academic attention. This interdisciplinary collection by leading scholars in the field is dedicated to fascinating new insights into divination and oracles arising from recent work in anthropology, religious studies, history and classical studies. Central importance is given to the practical and theoretical perspectives of diviners as well as scholars of divination; several contributors are both. This book explores philosophical issues such as the nature of divinatory intelligence, the relationship between divinatory and metaphorical truth, the primacy of ontology over epistemology, the importance of reflexivity in scholarly studies of divination, and astrology as the principal Western form of divination. The ethnographic and historical examples range from contemporary Nigeria, urban Cuba, Mayan Guatemala and the shamanic cultures of the circumpolar Arctic to classical Greece and ancient Judea.

Divination is any ritual and its associated tradition performed in order to ask a more-than-human intelligence for guidance. A universal human practice, it has received surprisingly little academic attention. This interdisciplinary collection by leading scholars in the field is dedicated to fascinating new insights into divination and oracles arising from recent work in anthropology, religious studies, history and classical studies. Central importance is given to the practical and theoretical perspectives of diviners as well as scholars of divination; several contributors are both. This book explores philosophical issues such as the nature of divinatory intelligence, the relationship between divinatory and metaphorical truth, the primacy of ontology over epistemology, the importance of reflexivity in scholarly studies of divination, and astrology as the principal Western form of divination. The ethnographic and historical examples range from contemporary Nigeria, urban Cuba, Mayan Guatemala and the shamanic cultures of the circumpolar Arctic to classical Greece and ancient Judea.

Miracle-workers and magicians are diffcult characters for contemporary readers of Greco-Roman narratives to comprehend and to distinguish. Hindered both by our modern definitions of "miracle" and "magic," we need to focus our attention on those ancient texts that deal with such characters and their differentiation. Two such texts, the Acts of the Apostles and Philostratus' Life of Apollonius, come from quite different religious backgrounds, but demonstrate remarkably similar subtle cultural scripts at play. A detailed investigation of the social interactions in these two narrative worlds brings these characters and their communities alive and reveals how legitimate miracle-workers were distinguished from illegitimate magicians by the Mediterranean population of the Greco-Roman world.

Divination has existed in all cultures throughout history. It is the attempt to predict or control one's future or to gain access to hidden information by the assessment of various indicators or use of particular implements. Some “Christian” diviners have pointed to biblical examples of divination in order to justify their practices. This book examines where the power comes from; explains how the various implements (including games) are used; and warns of the potential dangers.

Here are 365 new ways to create a little magic, every night of the year. Designed around the cycles of the 13 pagan moons, Wiccan Spell a Night will help you realize your dreams--whether you want to spice up an existing romance, experience new heights of passion, or banish harmful negative vibrations. All of the spells, charms, and potions in this captivating book come with simple, user-friendly instructions. Here you'll find the Treasure Map Sex Spell for lovers, the Steaming Tropical Nights Spell, Cash Constellations Dream Placket for prosperity, the True-Blue Dream Charm, and many other ways to help bring happiness, love, and prosperity your way tonight! And for those special nights when you want to add some pizzazz to your love life, there are philters, spells, and charms that harness the powerful aphrodisiac properties of many readily available foods, flowers, spices, and herbs. Wiccan Spell a Night makes it easy to sprinkle a little night magic into your life, fill the coming year with love, joy, and success, and find positive new ways to make your dreams actually come true! Sirona Knight is the author of many books on Wicca and Celtic spirituality, including Wiccan Spell a Day, The Wiccan Spell Kit, The Witch and Wizard Training Guide, The Witch and Wizard Spellbook, Celtic Traditions, and Love, Sex, and Magic. A high priestess of the Celtic Druid tradition and practicing New Age Witch, she holds a master's degree in psychology and is also a certified hypnotherapist. She lives in northern California. Fill your nights with love, joy, success, and magic! Inside you'll find charms, potions, spells, and recipes specifically arranged to coincide with the powerful cycles of the moon. From prosperity potions to soothing meditations, from seductive sex magic spells to healing herbal remedies, Wiccan Spell a Night will show you how to find positive new ways to make your dreams come true! Full Moon Love Boon taps into the fertile power of the moon to bring you your deepest desires. . . Fairy-Tale Moon Magic shows you how to ask for help to make your own fairytale come true. . . So Relaxing Moonlight Magic shows you how to enter a higher state of consciousness and open yourself for communication with the divine. . . . . . Plus 362 other powerful spells!