For the first time in English, Benebell Wen reveals the rich history and theoretical principles underlying the ancient practice of crafting Fu talismans, or magical sigils, in the Chinese Taoist tradition and gives detailed instructions for modern practitioners who would like to craft their own Fu. Fu talismans are ideograms and writings typically rendered on paper and empowered by means of invocations, ritual, and transferences of energy, or Qi. Talismans can be used for many purposes, such as strengthening or weakening personality characteristics, finding love, earning more money, or easing emotional tensions in the home. The Tao of Craft shows how metaphysical energy can be harnessed to amplify, strengthen, weaken, dispel, or block other metaphysical energy and to rectify perceived imbalances in the material plane. Supported by an abundance of detailed charts and images, this book serves as a step-by-step handbook that gives readers the knowledge and confidence to craft their own Fu talismans for personal empowerment. Wen, author of Holistic Tarot, delves into historic and cultural contexts of the Fu, from the neolithic period of Chinese history to contemporary practices of esoteric Taoism. Providing a solid foundation in the principles of Eastern spellcrafting, she highlights the blending of Taoist metaphysical practices with Western approaches to magic by pointing out eclectic, integrating, and harmonizing facets from other cultures and religions. Historically, Fu talismans were used by medieval Chinese for alleviating illness; averting misfortune, magical attacks, and curses; defending against assaults; and avoiding poverty. This book shows Western practitioners that the skill and knowledge to develop an interactive relationship with spirit realms are still available to them today, and serves as a practical handbook for accumulating Qi energy from sources in the environment and channeling it in concentrated form into their own Fu talismans.

For the first time in English, Benebell Wen reveals the rich history and theoretical principles underlying the ancient practice of crafting Fu talismans, or magical sigils, in the Chinese Taoist tradition and gives detailed instructions for modern practitioners who would like to craft their own Fu. Fu talismans are ideograms and writings typically rendered on paper and empowered by means of invocations, ritual, and transferences of energy, or Qi. Talismans can be used for many purposes, such as strengthening or weakening personality characteristics, finding love, earning more money, or easing emotional tensions in the home. The Tao of Craft shows how metaphysical energy can be harnessed to amplify, strengthen, weaken, dispel, or block other metaphysical energy and to rectify perceived imbalances in the material plane. Supported by an abundance of detailed charts and images, this book serves as a step-by-step handbook that gives readers the knowledge and confidence to craft their own Fu talismans for personal empowerment. Wen, author of Holistic Tarot, delves into historic and cultural contexts of the Fu, from the neolithic period of Chinese history to contemporary practices of esoteric Taoism. Providing a solid foundation in the principles of Eastern spellcrafting, she highlights the blending of Taoist metaphysical practices with Western approaches to magic by pointing out eclectic, integrating, and harmonizing facets from other cultures and religions. Historically, Fu talismans were used by medieval Chinese for alleviating illness; averting misfortune, magical attacks, and curses; defending against assaults; and avoiding poverty. This book shows Western practitioners that the skill and knowledge to develop an interactive relationship with spirit realms are still available to them today, and serves as a practical handbook for accumulating Qi energy from sources in the environment and channeling it in concentrated form into their own Fu talismans.

Beneath the discussion and clarification of problems, of which both sides agreed to have them in common and which are documented in this volume, one of the important insights on both sides had been disagreements depending on a different way in seeing, articulating and reflecting on these problems. So, the English term 'science', in differing from the German 'Wissenschaft' (which includes not only sciences of nature, but also humanities), is meant in the Western tradition as the 'uninterested' research for truth, especially for most general laws; but the Chinese understanding seems to be characterized by an immediate connection of science and its practical use.

My journey with the Tao Te Ching has been one of profound exploration and deep contemplation. The text, with its enigmatic and timeless wisdom, has long been a guide for those seeking understanding of the Tao and the nature of existence. In my quest to bring the essence of these ancient teachings to a broader audience, I embarked upon an ambitious project: to transcribe each of the 81 chapters of the Tao Te Ching into rhyming verses. The idea behind this endeavour was born from a contemplation of the Tao itself, which flows effortlessly like a great river, meandering and intertwining with the landscape of our lives. In much the same way, the art of rhyme introduces a rhythmic harmony to words, creating a flow that is both pleasing to the ear and soothing to the soul. Rhyming, in its essence, captures the natural cadence found in the world around us – the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the gentle lapping of waves. It reflects the Taoist principle of living in harmony with the natural world. Moreover, the Tao Te Ching, while profound and insightful, can be cryptic and challenging for many to penetrate. By transforming its teachings into rhyming verses, I sought to imbue them with a certain accessibility and charm. Rhyme has a unique way of lodging itself in the memory, allowing the wisdom of the Tao to resonate within the mind long after the words have been read. This poetic approach serves to demystify the Tao Te Ching, making its profound teachings more approachable and relatable. In this creative process, I endeavoured to maintain the integrity and depth of the original text, while also infusing it with a new life. Each verse was crafted with great care, ensuring that the essence of the teachings was not lost in the pursuit of rhyme. The result is a collection that is both a homage to the ancient wisdom of the Tao Te Ching and a fresh interpretation for the modern seeker. This rhyming rendition of the Tao Te Ching invites readers on a lyrical journey through the realms of philosophy, spirituality, and self-reflection. It is my hope that through these verses, the timeless wisdom of the Tao becomes a constant companion in their quest for inner peace and understanding. In the spirit of the Tao, these rhymes are not just words to be read, but a path to be walked, a dance to be danced, in the eternal flow of the universe.

The Craft of Oblivion is an innovative and groundbreaking volume that aims to study, for the first time, the intersections between forgetting and remembering in classical Chinese civilization. Oblivion has tended to be relegated to a marginal position, often conceived as the mere destructive or undesirable opposite of memory, even though it performs an essential function in our lives. Forgetting and memory, far from being autonomous and mutually exclusive spheres, should be seen as interdependent phenomena. Drawing on perspectives from history, philosophy, literature, and religion, and examining both transmitted texts and excavated materials, the contributors to this volume analyze various ways of understanding oblivion and its complex and fertile relations with memory in ancient China.

In this investigation of the possibility of craft in the digital realm, the author discusses the emergence of computation as a medium, rather than just a set of tools, suggesting a growing correspondence between digital work and traditional craft.