In the heart of Russia, old ways of perceiving the spirits of home and nature still prevail. Fairy stories, folk art, and calendar customs carry hints of the old gods and offer a now rare way of linking human life to the landscape. This is as true for city dwellers and villagers, for the Russian soul is open to the power of myth and the mysteries of the universe. This book explains how Russia's concept of soul ("dusha") and sensitivity to the landscape extends to archaeologists, scientists, and doctors in Russia, who retain an open-minded approach and a keen interest in psychic phenomena, along with folk traditions and faith healing. Author Cherry Gilchrist has traveled often to Russia and researched its traditional lore, gaining knowledge she interweaves into this book. She blends that first-hand knowledge with serious research to paint a lively picture of these remarkable magical traditions and their enduring power.

This volume celebrates the richness of folk art in Sweden, from traditional peasant art to modern design. It illustrates the many facets of Swedish style and culture, exploring the ways in which Sweden's traditional heritage and contemporary design and decorative arts are connected.

A series of psychological and anthropological studies about the oldest and the most fascinating religious tradition of Korea.

A book of the folklore, history and healing properties of common plantsHedgerows are a vital part of the British countryside. Home to thousands of species of animals, insects, and plants, they've long become ingrained in the myth and lore of the country and its people. Many old wives' tales about the plants that grow there were created to spread knowledge of their healing properties, and many have become entwined with stories of local spirits, deities, and more ancient legends. This stunningly illustrated treasury of the folklore of flora is packed with insight, lore and the revealed mysteries of everyday plants is, ultimately, a collection of many of these beliefs, aiming to inspire a greater appreciation of hedgerow plants before they disappear completely. Folk Magic and Healing: An Unusual History of Plants is perfect for gardeners, writers, folklorists, witches and general knowledge buffs alike

In this fascinating journey through the magical, folkloric, and healing traditions of Italy the reader learns uniquely Italian methods of magical protection and divination and spells for love, sex, control, and revenge. "Mary-Grace Fahrun's Italian Folk Magic is an intimate journey into the heart of Italian folk magical practices as they are lived every day. Having grown up in an extended Italian family in North America and Italy, the author presents us with the stories, characters, saints, charms, and prayers that form the core of folk religion, setting them in context in an authentic, down-to-earth, and humorous voice. A delight to read!"—Sabina Magliocco, Professor of Anthropology, University of British Columbia Italian Folk Magiccontains: magical and religious rituals prayers divination techniques crafting blessing rituals witchcraft The author also explores the evil eye, known as malocchio in Italian, explaining what it is, where it comes from, and, crucially, how to get rid of it. This book can help Italians regain their magical heritage, but Italian folk magic is a beautiful, powerful, and effective magical tradition that is accessible to anyone who wants to learn it.

Mystic meanings behind the flourishing art of modern-day pagans and witches

Folk singer and self-taught artist draws her incredible journey from rural poverty to a life in art.

Cunning-folk were local practitioners of magic, providing small-scale but valued service to the community. They were far more representative of magical practice than the arcane delvings of astrologers and necromancers. Mostly unsensational in their approach, cunning-folk helped people with everyday problems: how to find lost objects; how to escape from bad luck or a suspected spell; and how to attract a lover or keep the love of a husband or wife. While cunning-folk sometimes fell foul of the authorities, both church and state often turned a blind eye to their existence and practices, distinguishing what they did from the rare and sensational cases of malvolent witchcraft. In a world of uncertainty, before insurance and modern science, cunning-folk played an important role that has previously been ignored.