The author presents with this intellectual biography of the Lutheran alchemist Count Michael Maier an academic study of western esotericism in general and to the study of alchemy and rosicrucianism in particular. The author charts the development of Maier's Hermetic worldview in the context of his service at the courts of Emperor Rudolf II and Moritz of Hessen-Kassel. The problem of the nature of early Rosicrucianism is addressed in detail with reference to Maier's role in the promotion of this "serious jest" in the years immediately prior to the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War. The work is set in the context of ongoing debates concerning the nature of early modern alchemy and its role in the history of Western esotericism.

"Forgiveness clears the path to freedom." Everyone goes through some form of trauma or negative experience in their lives. The key to happiness lies in not letting those bad experiences define you or control your journey. In her first book, Alchemy of the Phoenix: From the Ashes of Trauma to the Light of Love, Kelly Bramblett shows that it is possible to heal the hurts of the past and return to a more natural state of love and hope. By sharing her own experiences with the abuse, trauma, and addiction that haunted her early years, Kelly gives a first-hand example of how it is possible to move through the pain and create a beautiful life. Her story is raw, painful, and heartbreaking, but through the powers of forgiveness and self-love, Kelly changed her situation and now lives the life she always dreamed of. And she shows you not only that you can do the same, but she also tells you how. Packed with journal prompts, meditations, practical exercises, and powerful affirmations, this remarkable book is a guide to living your best life, shedding what no longer serves you, and rising from the ashes of trauma into the light of love. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kelly Bramblett is a Law of Attraction practitioner, trauma recovery coach, and Reiki master who supports her clients through their healing journey. She is passionate about spreading her message of hope to those who have lost hope, and inspiring women to heal their lives by first healing their trauma. Her weekly spiritually-based blog can be found along with many other recourses on her website at www.kellybramblett.com. She is also the host of Kelly Bramblett's High Vibe Podcast, which can be found on all major listening platforms.

This book chronicles the life story and professional trajectory of Dr. Jack Miller, a former Roman Catholic priest, who created The Phoenix Project, an orchestrated rite of passage, which facilitates both emotional and spiritual growth. Dr. Miller has conducted this project more than 40 times all over the world, helping hundreds of people. Dr. Miller withdrew from the priesthood decades ago, in protest, because of the church's refusal to both ordain women and come to grips with sexuality. As part of the epilogue to this book, Dr. Miller discusses his thoughts on hierarchical hypocrisy, including the revelation of a secret he's kept for more than 30 years. He throws the gauntlet down to the church hierarchy to embrace the feminine and stop repressing sexuality.

Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year This “witty, engaging analysis” of female monsters in pop culture offers “provocative and incisive” commentary on society’s fear of female rage and power (Soraya Chemaly, author of Rage Becomes Her) Women have always been seen as monsters. Men from Aristotle to Freud have insisted that women are freakish creatures, capable of immense destruction. Maybe they are. And maybe that’s a good thing. Sady Doyle, hailed as “smart, funny and fearless” by the Boston Globe, takes readers on a tour of the female dark side, from the biblical Lilith to Dracula’s Lucy Westenra, from the T-Rex in Jurassic Park to the teen witches of The Craft. She illuminates the women who have shaped our nightmares: Serial killer Ed Gein’s “domineering” mother Augusta; exorcism casualty Anneliese Michel, who starved herself to death to quell her demons; author Mary Shelley, who dreamed her dead child back to life. These monsters embody patriarchal fear of women, and illustrate the violence with which men enforce traditionally feminine roles. They also speak to the primal threat of a woman who takes back her power. In a dark and dangerous world, Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers asks women to look to monsters for the ferocity we all need to survive. “Some people take a scalpel to the heart of media culture; Sady Doyle brings a bone saw, a melon baller, and a machete.” —Andi Zeisler, author of We Were Feminists Once

People say 'love never dies'… but love might be the death of Seraphina. Seraphina has been alive since the Middle Ages, when her boyfriend, Cyrus, managed to perfect a method of alchemy that lets them swap bodies with any human being. She doesn't want to die, so she finds young people who are on the brink of death, and inhabits their bodies. When we meet Sera, she has landed in the body of a girl named Kailey who was about to die in a car accident. For the first time, Sera falls in love with the life of the person she's inhabiting. Sera also falls for the boy next door, Noah. And soon it's clear the feelings are returned. Unfortunately, she can never kiss Noah, because for her to touch lips with a human would mean the human's death. And she has even more to worry about: Cyrus is chasing her, and if she stays in one place for long, she puts herself -and the people she's grown to care for - in danger.

In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Neil Gaiman returns to the territory of his masterpiece, American Gods to once again probe the dark recesses of the soul. God is dead. Meet the kids. Fat Charlie Nancy’s normal life ended the moment his father dropped dead on a Florida karaoke stage. Charlie didn’t know his dad was a god. And he never knew he had a brother. Now brother Spider is on his doorstep—about to make Fat Charlie’s life more interesting . . . and a lot more dangerous. “Thrilling, spooky, and wondrous.” —Denver Post “Awesomely inventive.… When you take the free-fall plunge into a Neil Gaiman book, anything can happen and anything invariably does.” —Entertainment Weekly “Delightful, funny and affecting.... A tall tale to end all tall tales.” —Washington Post Book World

"A page-turning inferno of a book." -- Stephanie Garber Red Rising meets The Scorpio Races in this epic fantasy following three phoenix horse riders--skilled at alchemy--who must compete at The Races--the modern spectacle that has replaced warfare within their empire. Every year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they've raced them. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races. Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion. But the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Competitors must be skilled at creating and controlling phoenix horses made of ash and alchemy, which are summoned back to life each sunrise with uniquely crafted powers to cover impossible distances and challenges before bursting into flames at sunset. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That's all legal and encouraged. In this year's Races, eleven riders will compete, but three of them have more to lose than the rest--a champion's daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary's son. Who will attain their own dream of glory? Or will they all flame out in defeat?