The authors of Box of Dreams use art to connect numerous spiritual traditions together, focusing on Roman Catholic Labyrinth walking, Buddhist altar building, Tibetan sand painting, and Native American doll making, among other traditional art forms that share common themes and techniques.

The Incas carried out some of the most dramatic ceremonies known to us from ancient times. Groups of people walked hundreds of miles across arid and mountainous terrain to perform them on mountains over 6,096 m (20,000 feet) high. The most important offerings made during these pilgrimages involved human sacrifices (capacochas). Although Spanish chroniclers wrote about these offerings and the state sponsored processions of which they were a part, their accounts were based on second-hand sources, and the only direct evidence we have of the capacocha sacrifices comes to us from archaeological excavations. Some of the most thoroughly documented of these were undertaken on high mountain summits, where the material evidence has been exceptionally well preserved. In this study we describe the results of research undertaken on Mount Llullaillaco (6,739 m/22,109 feet), which has the world's highest archaeological site. The types of ruins and artifact assemblages recovered are described and analyzed. By comparing the archaeological evidence with the chroniclers' accounts and with findings from other mountaintop sites, common patterns are demonstrated; while at the same time previously little known elements contribute to our understanding of key aspects of Inca religion. This study illustrates the importance of archaeological sites being placed within the broader context of physical and sacred features of the natural landscape.

Are you ready to cleanse, purify, change, and cure your body and spirit? Here are the tools to achieve your spiritual goals, right in your own home! This amazing book adapts the most effective rituals of the ages, from ancient yoga practices, Native American smudging and medicine wheels, and Balinese traditions, to Kabbalistic protection ceremonies, feng shui, candle magic, and more. Banish stress and attract love, soothe yourself, or give yourself energy. Cleanse and protect your home, free yourself from destructive or dependent relationships, and release negative thoughts. Using these rituals, give blessings to conceptions, births, marriages, funerals, bring your family closer together, and help it adjust to the healing seasonal rhythms of the years. All the rituals are complete with simple--and brief--step-by-step instructions. This intensely practical handbook is a distillation of some of the finest and most useful rituals ever devised, and an invaluable tool to refer to over a lifetime. Perform these sacred ceremonies, share them with loved ones, and become more in touch with the divine!

Honor life’s milestones and bring sacredness into everyday life. The Book of Blessings and Rituals shows you how to create ceremony and meaning around the most important events in you life. Drawing from different world traditions, leading metaphysical teacher Athena Perrakis presents blessings to cover a wide array of occasions and intentions, including holidays and sacred days, love, healing, protection, prosperity and success, lunar blessings and rituals, and manifestation. Organized by month, you'll be able to celebrate the sacred all year long. DIY projects and rituals will help you perform each blessing. You’ll learn how to construct medicine bundles and altars, which crystals to use to amplify the rituals or clear energy, and how to smudge for clearing and protection. In addition, you’ll learn how to use the power of invocations and blessings to set the energy of your home or event and to assist in amplifying goals and intentions. Deepen your experience of the sacred, find inspiration, and heal with this non-denominational guide to blessings and rituals.

Celebrates the unique quality and gift of each day through small rituals.

In this enlightening and entertaining work, Charles Panati explores the origins of hundreds of religious rituals, customs, and practices in many faiths, the reasons for religious holidays and sacred symbols, and the meanings of vestments, sacraments, devotions, and prayers. Its many revelations include: * Why the Star of David became the Jewish counterpart of the Christian cross * What mortal remains of the Buddha are venerated today * How the diamond engagement ring became a standard * That the first pope was a happily married man * How Hindu thinkers arrived at their concept of reincarnation * Why Jews don't eat pork, why some Muslims don't eat certain vegetables, and how some Christians came to observe meatless Fridays Sacred Origins of Profound Things is an indispensable resource for all those interested in the history of religion and the history of ideas--and an inspiring guide to those seeking to understand their faith.

"Written by the High Priestess and High Priest of Coven Oldenwilde, this book vividly describes their ten favorite Sabbat rituals, gatherings, and obsevances. They also teach: how to perform a full ritual in detail; circle etiquette and preparation; how to create an alter and use altar tools; scripts for covens and groups, spellwork, and more"--From back cover.