Behind The Crystal Ball

"In this fascinating exploration of occult practice, Anthony Aveni takes the reader on a whirlwind tour through time and space, traveling from the ancient Tigris-Euphrates river valley to the streets of our modern-day cities. On the way, he catalogs the many ways people have used magic over the millennia in hopes of improving their lives. Consider a page from your ancestors' book of spells: For a headache, pour vinegar on your door hinges. For warts, wait until the twentieth day after a new moon, rub dirt on the warts while you lie in the road, and gaze up at the moon. Or, if you prefer more modern superstitions and want to be a good pitcher, be like Texas Ranger Mike Griffin and always eat bacon the day before you take to the mound." "Professor Aveni argues persuasively that we cannot separate a culture's perception of reality from its times. The ancient priests of Egypt saw the dung beetle, or scarab, as a sign of life not because they were ignorant primitives, but because they were using the available clues in the world around them to map out a greater truth. When Kabbalists sought to discover meaning through the letters in a name or an historical date, they were seeking to satisfy a very deeply held urge. The ancients sought the same goals we now obtain from science and religion - a clearer picture of humanity's place in the cosmos. How and why has Western thought and scientific inquiry diverged from magic?" "At a time when crystals, channeling, faith healing, earth worship, and transcendental meditation are enjoying a renaissance, the lines between science, magic, and the occult are beginning to blur once again. Comparing Harry Houdini and scientific provocateur Richard Feynman, Professor Aveni asks, "Is magic in the eye of the beholder?""--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

In this fascinating exploration of occult practice, Anthony Aveni takes the reader on a whirlwind tour through time and space to unveil the many ways people have used magic over the millennia in hopes of improving their lives. As Aveni persuasively argues, the ancients sought what we now search for through science and religion - a clearer picture of humanity's place in the cosmos.

This book introduces the study of ethnic women and contributes to our understanding of the relationships among gender, race/ethnicity, and social class. The social scientific study of gender has grown exponentially for more than two decades. Until recently, however, little attention has been paid to the diversity among women. The social scientific literature on ethnicity has experienced a revival in the same decades, yet women have frequently been overlooked or misrepresented in that literature. When ethnic women do appear they are typically depicted as selfless wives and mothers or passive victims. Theses twenty original essays challenge myths and stereotypes. The authors--social scientists, social service professionals, and other scholars--explore a broad range of racial/ethnic and social class circumstances. Communities represented include the Hmong in Wisconsin, Cuban Jews in Florida, and Samoans in Hawaii. Patters of immigration and social mobility, communal institutions, and maintenance of ethnic traditions are among the topics which reflect the multiple status reality of ethnic women.

Quartz crystal balls and crystal bowls are popular magical tools. Yet, not everyone understands the extent of their power and multipurpose potential. Ted Andrews reveals how these dynamic instruments can be used for divination, astral projection, spirit communication, healing, and reaching higher states of consciousness. Readers will learn many methods of crystal gazing, along with ways to enhance this practice with candles, fragrances, and elixirs. Also included are techniques for divining with water, communicating with angels and spirit guides, developing clairvoyance, and activating creativity. This updated edition also contains new illustrations.

Along the river, hundreds of huge cargo ships are moored in the port, and they have been discharged for a long time. Every cargo ship has lights on. From a distance, the scenery is quite spectacular.

From Simon & Schuster, Crystal Ball Gazing: The Complete Guide to Choosing and Reading Your Crystal Ball is everything you need as a seeker. For a new generation of seekers, this guide provides clear instructions on how to read a ball, interpret its symbols, and apply its messages to such practical matters as healing, relaxation, and setting goals for the future.