An inkeeper's son takes a dead man's armor and weapons, only to find himself enmeshed in a magical conspiracy. After his life is saved by a mysterious noblewoman named Sera, she promises him answers and more -- but Falorn soon finds himself betrayed and on the run instead, chased by Sera's father and fiance and other, unknown attackers. Among the dead man's possessions is a mysterious, otherworldly piece of ivory with an almost-living green lion on it. The card give Falorn strength, but also brings him enemies, and it makes him part of a mysterious fellowship that he doesn't understand. The key to understanding -- and survival -- lies with Sera. But Sera vacillates between loving and secretive, between caring and betrayal...either because of her own cards, or because of her abused childhood. And in a world where Falorn's life is threatened ever day, and in which the card he carries is drawing him into politics and war, he may not live long enough for her to tell him the truth!

The unforgettable Margaret of Ashbury returns in the second book of the trilogy that began with A Vision of Light. Margaret, a resourceful midwife, is living with the insufferable relatives of her third husband, Gilbert de Vilers, known as Gregory. She is carving out a life for herself and her daughters despite the hostility and greed of her in-laws. But when Gregory is captured in France and held for ransom, Margaret knows she must take action—her in-laws are too tight with money to be of any use—so she teams up with her old friends Mother Hilde, the herbalist, and Brother Malachi, an alchemist on a quest for the secret of changing base metals into gold. Together, the trio plan to rescue Gregory and bring him back to London, where he and Margaret can start a new life away from his meddling family. And thus begins a wild romp across fourteenth-century Europe. Murderous noblemen, scheming ladies, truculent ghosts, and a steady stream of challenges plague the journey. Margaret will need not only her special gift of healing, her quick mind, and her independent spirit but the loyalty of her friends and the love of her new husband to carry them all safely home.

DIVClassic introduction to mysticism and mystical consciousness: awakening of the self, purification, voices and visions, ecstasy and rapture, dark night of the soul, much more. /div

More than magic... Where else can one combine chemistry and philosophy to turn base metal into gold while discovering a magical elixir to prolong life? Here's a simple and straightforward guide to alchemy that explains its basic principles. Written by one of the world's few practicing alchemists, it's a concise reference guide that provides easy-to-follow information so that anybody can be a wizard-in-training.

An initiatory and practical guide to creative alchemy • Shares hermetic and alchemical techniques for liberating creative expression and looks at the zodiacal and planetary timing of creative operations • Explains how to work with and transmute alchemical energies for increased levels of insight, intuition, and imaginative expression • Explores the connections between Surrealism and alchemy, as well as the rich and complicated symbolism of alchemical art In this initiatory guide to the Hermetic art of alchemy, artist Marlene Seven Bremner reveals how the alchemical opus, the Great Work, offers a practical means for liberating the authentic creator within and attaining gnosis, or true self-knowledge. Exploring the connections between Surrealism and alchemy, as well as the rich and complicated symbolism of alchemical art, Bremner elucidates how both Surrealism and alchemy seek to unfetter the imagination and dissolve the boundaries between dream and reality, thus reconciling the conscious and unconscious minds. She details how the three principles (salt, sulfur, and mercury), the four elements, and the seven planets interact together and within the self in creative alchemy, and she explains how to work with and transmute these energies for increased levels of insight, intuition, and imaginative expression. The author shares practical Hermetic and alchemical techniques for liberating creative expression and clearing energetic obstructions that prevent us from reaching our higher potential. She also looks at the zodiacal and planetary timing of creative operations. Revealing how the stages of alchemical transmutation are relevant to the creative process, the author shows how the initiate comes to experience for themselves the relationship between consciousness and matter, which is the essence of alchemical teachings. By creating, one transmutes spiritual energies through matter for greater self-knowledge and awakening. Allowing you to truly realize your own creative power, this in-depth guide to creative alchemy shows how the alchemical path attunes the Self to the rhythms of the spheres so that one is naturally creating in time with the seasons and zodiac signs and in harmony with elemental forces and planetary influences

The magic and mystery of the ancient craft revealed for a new, modern age It's completely understandable if you're in the dark about alchemy. It has been practiced around the world and linked to various religious rites, scientific experiments, and of course, magic—a series of beliefs and disciplines that defy categorization and definition. The Awakened Life: Alchemy demystifies this ancient art with an easy-to-understand overview of its history, philosophies, and practices.This new edition, published over a decade after the original, offers even more essential information and tools. In it, you'll find: The basic principles of alchemy--including the Three Essentials that are present in all things The alchemist's code--ciphers, signs, symbols, and sacred geometry A list of tonics, elixirs, and other alchemical medicines An explanation on the three stages of alchemical transformation A look at the relationship between alchemy and science A focus on how to trigger personal transformation using the psychological and spiritual techniques of alchemy It's time to apply these powerful principles to your life to gain increased energy, awareness, and understanding!