13 papers by 16 leading archaeologists and historians of late antiquity and the early middle ages break new ground in their discussion, analysis and criticism of present interpretations of early medieval rituals and their material correlates. Some deal with rituals relating to death, life cycles and the circulation in other contexts of objects otherwise used in the burial ritual. Others are concerned with the symbolism and ideology of royal power, the formation of a political ideology east of the Rhine from the mid-5th century onwards, and penance rituals in relation to Carolingian episcopal discourse on ecclesiastical power and morale. All deal with the creation of new identities, cultures, norms and values, and their expression in new rituals and ideas from the period of the Great Migrations through the Later Roman Empire down to the society of Beowulf and the later Carolingians.

Simon Price attempts to discover why the Roman Emperor was treated like a god.

Casper ter Kuile, a Harvard Divinity School fellow and cohost of the popular Harry Potter and the Sacred Text podcast, explores how we can nourish our souls by transforming common, everyday practices—yoga, reading, walking the dog—into sacred rituals that can heal our crisis of social isolation and struggle to find purpose—a message we need more than ever for our spiritual and emotional well-being in the age of COVID-19. “After half a decade of research and hundreds of conversations with people around the country, I am convinced we are in the midst of a paradigm shift. That what used to hold us in community no longer works, and that the spiritual offerings of yesteryear no longer help us thrive.”–Casper ter Kuile What do Soul Cycle, gratitude journals, and tech breaks have in common? For ter Kuile they offer rituals that create the foundation for our modern spiritual lives. We are in crisis today. Our modern technological society has left too many of us—no matter our ages—feeling isolated and bereft of purpose. Previous frameworks for building community and finding meaning no longer support us. Yet ter Kuile reveals a hopeful new message: we might not be religious, but that doesn’t mean we are any less spiritual. Instead, we are in the midst of a paradigm shift in which we seek belonging and meaning in secular practices. Today, we find connection in: CrossFit and SoulCycle, which offer a sense of belonging rooted in accountability and support much like church groups Harry Potter and other beloved books that offer universal lessons Gratitude journals, which have replaced traditional prayer Tech breaks, which provide mindful moments of calm In The Power of Ritual, ter Kuile invites us to deepen these ordinary practices as intentional rituals that nurture connection and wellbeing. With wisdom and endearing wit, ter Kuile’s call for ritual is ultimately a call to heal our loss of connection to ourselves, to others, and to our spiritual identities. The Power of Ritual reminds us that what we already do every day matters—and has the potential to become a powerful experience of reflection, sanctuary, and meaning.

Publicly performed rituals and ceremonies form an essential part of medieval political practice and court culture. This applies not only to western feudal societies, but also to the linguistically and culturally highly diversified environment of Byzantium and the Mediterranean basin. The continuity of Roman traditions and cross-fertilization between various influences originating from Constantinople, Armenia, the Arab-Muslim World, and western kingdoms and naval powers provide the framework for a distinct sphere of ritual expression and ceremonial performance. This collective volume, placing Byzantium into a comparative perspective between East and West, examines transformative processes from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages, succession procedures in different political contexts, phenomena of cross-cultural appropriation and exchange, and the representation of rituals in art and literature. Contributors are Maria Kantirea, Martin Hinterberger, Walter Pohl, Andrew Marsham, Björn Weiler, Eric J. Hanne, Antonia Giannouli, Jo Van Steenbergen, Stefan Burkhardt, Ioanna Rapti, Jonathan Shepard, Panagiotis Agapitos, Henry Maguire, Christine Angelidi and Margaret Mullett.

Examines the history and purpose of political rituals, discusses examples from Aztec cannibal rites to presidential inauguration, and argues that the use of ritual determines the success of political groups.

O Livro Proibido: Rituais de Poder e Magia é o grimório definitivo para aqueles que buscam transcender os limites do comum e adentrar os reinos do oculto. Este livro é uma coleção vasta e poderosa de 176 rituais e feitiços cuidadosamente selecionados, abrangendo desde a atração de prosperidade e amor até a proteção contra inimigos e a quebra de maldições. Cada ritual é descrito em detalhes, fornecendo as instruções necessárias para a realização e os materiais exigidos, garantindo que você tenha tudo o que precisa para manifestar seus desejos e proteger-se de forças adversas. O que você encontrará dentro deste livro: Rituais de Prosperidade: Convoque energias abundantes para atrair riqueza e sucesso. Feitiços de Amor: Traga a pessoa amada para mais perto ou fortaleça relacionamentos existentes. Proteção e Defesa: Afastar inimigos, criar escudos de proteção e banir influências negativas. Quebra de Maldições: Desfaça maldições antigas e recupere seu poder pessoal. Rituais de Cura: Canalize energias para curar o corpo, mente e espírito. Feitiços Proibidos: Rituais poderosos que devem ser usados com extrema cautela e responsabilidade. Este não é um livro para os despreparados. A magia contida nestas páginas carrega um peso, uma responsabilidade que não pode ser ignorada. Cada ritual vem com advertências claras sobre os riscos e as consequências, exigindo que o praticante aborde cada ato com respeito e consciência. Se você está pronto para explorar os mistérios do oculto, O Livro Proibido: Rituais de Poder e Magia é a chave para abrir portas que muitos jamais ousariam tocar. Esteja preparado para uma jornada de descoberta e transformação, onde o poder e o perigo caminham lado a lado. Aviso: Este livro é destinado a leitores adultos e praticantes experientes de esoterismo e magia. A prática dos rituais descritos deve ser feita com plena responsabilidade e entendimento das consequências potenciais.