Lammas Feast

July 1478, and business is good for Bristol's bakers during the lead up to Lammastide - 'Loaf-mass', the ancient harvest festival. But the shady Jasper Fairbrother's baking days are over when he's found face down with a knife in his back. Suspicion immediately falls on the mysterious Breton who'd arrived that day and had been seen having an argument with Fairbrother. But when it emerges that the Breton is also a suspected Lancastrian spy, Roger the Chapman wonders if suspicion of murder is merely a convenient pretext for the authorities to hunt down the Breton. True, there is no reason for Roger to take an interest in the case, and should he when he ought to be peddling his wares to provide for his new baby boy? But his curiosity and sense of justice is piqued - and before he finds out who murdered the baker, he is to become more than a little personally involved as some of the things nearest and dearest to his heart come under threat.|"Sedley offers an absorbing view of 15th-century English society and politics, along with an intricate plot to keep readers guessing"|"Exceptionally well written and wondefully entertaining. A fine addition for all mystery collections"

Contemporary western Paganism is now a global religious phenomenon with Pagans in many parts of the world sharing much in common - from a nature-revering worldview and lifestyle to a host of chants, invocations, ritual tools and magical practices. But there are also locally-specific differences. Local religious contexts, landscapes, histories, traditions, politics, values and norms all impact on local Paganisms. This is nowhere more evident than in a strongly Catholic society, where religion and culture are deeply entwined. Taking the Mediterranean society of Malta as a case study, this book invites readers inside the world of a small, hidden sub-culture. Showing what it is like being Pagan in a society where the vast majority of the population is Roman Catholic, and Catholicism permeates every sphere of public and domestic, social and political life, Rountree reveals that Paganism here is a unique brew of indigenous and global influences. Pagans employ both creativity and borrowing in constructing identities within a cultural context characterized by antagonism as well as continuity. This book explores the intersections of religious and cultural identity, the global and local, Paganism and Christianity, with insights grounded in rich ethnographic detail based on long-term fieldwork. Rountree makes invaluable comparisons with other studies of modern Pagans and their various worlds.

Chanting exists in many religious and spiritual traditions. The practice of chant focuses the mind and body with simple physics of sound, while the choice of chant can reflect a specific need, or honor a tradition. Gods, Goddesses, and Saints is a user-friendly, in-depth guide to a solitary practice of chant and meditation, providing chants from many faiths, from pagan deities to saints from many religions. Beautifully organized in many different ways, this book encourages you to explore the resonance of important figures and their associations and meanings across many traditions. You will also find blank forms to help you create your own chants and meditations. Gods, Goddesses, and Saints provides a fresh view of spiritual practice and new ideas for the future of faith.

Capturing the essence of life in great civilizations of the past, each volume in the

Uncork New Inspiration for Sublime Seasonal Celebrations Rituals • Recipes • Crafts • Pagan Lore • Planetary Guidance Bubbling with innovative ideas and old-world wisdom, this almanac guides you through the Wheel of the Year, offering enticing insights and alternative traditions. Energize your sabbat observances with festive spells, rituals, crafts, and recipes supplied by prestigious practitioners. With their guidance, you can try your hand at osteomancy (bone divination) for Samhain, tend your inner flame for Yule, bake traditional oatcakes with honey for Ostara, ice-dye a T-shirt for Litha, and more. Contributors include Sheri Barker, Enfys J. Book, Ian Chambers, Irene Glasse, Dodie Graham McKay, Nathan M. Hall, Lupa, Tomás Prower, Ariana Serpentine, and others. Includes more than fifty articles written for newcomers and experienced witches: Creative, low-cost arts and crafts projects Quick and easy recipes for delicious appetizers, entrees, and desserts An overview of astrological influences for each sabbat season Extended rituals for groups and individuals Captivating Pagan folklore and customs Samhain 2024 to Mabon 2025

A collection of original Pagan songs and chants for most any use.

Have you ever pondered your beginnings? The first religions. Diary of Ancient Rites explores this and more. Learn herbal and color magic as well as how to call on your gaurdian spirits. Not a book of complicated rituals, simple everyday magic for practical use.