Life's Little Rituals


Book Description

Bring extraordinary depth to each ordinary day by adding rituals to your lifestyle. High Priestess Alexandria draws on ancient ideas to help you celebrate the events and changes that color your journey through life. Whether you want to make a child feel special or add awesome motivation to starting a diet, you'll find the means within these pages. With activities to do at home or in your office, alone or with loved ones, Life's Little Rituals is an exciting guide for using nonreligious rituals to give thanks for everyday wonders ... mark milestones and baby steps ... and commemorate the things that truly matter, both big and small. Book jacket.




The Little Book of Daily Rituals


Book Description

Discover the restorative wonders of daily rituals A ritual is an act of self-care that’s carried out mindfully, and with reverence: a gratitude ritual to relive the high points of your day; a ritual for self-expression to free unexpressed emotions; a candle ritual to focus your mind on peace. With over 80 guided practices to choose from, there is something in this book for every intention. Whether you want to reflect, to recharge your batteries, or rekindle your motivation, you will find the perfect ritual to refresh your mind, body and spirit.




For Small Creatures Such as We


Book Description

"A charming book, ringing with the joy of existence." --Richard Dawkins The perfect gift for a loved one or for yourself, For Small Creatures Such as We is part memoir, part guidebook, and part social history, a luminous celebration of Earth's marvels that require no faith in order to be believed. Sasha Sagan was raised by secular parents, the astronomer Carl Sagan and the writer and producer Ann Druyan. They taught her that the natural world and vast cosmos are full of profound beauty, and that science reveals truths more wondrous than any myth or fable. When Sagan herself became a mother, she began her own hunt for the natural phenomena behind our most treasured occasions--from births to deaths, holidays to weddings, anniversaries, and more--growing these roots into a new set of rituals for her young daughter that honor the joy and significance of each experience without relying on a religious framework. As Sagan shares these rituals, For Small Creatures Such as We becomes a moving tribute to a father, a newborn daughter, a marriage, and the natural world--a celebration of life itself, and the power of our families and beliefs to bring us together.




Daily Rituals


Book Description

From Marx to Murakami and Beethoven to Bacon, 'Daily Rituals' examines the working routines of more than a 160 of the greatest philosophers, writers, composers and artists ever to have lived. Filled with fascinating insights on the mechanics of genius and entertaining stories of the personalities behind it, it is irresistibly addictive and utterly inspiring




The Book of New Family Traditions (Revised and Updated)


Book Description

Offers instructions or "recipes" for creating new family rituals or traditions, in categories such as "holidays," "family festivities and ceremonies," and "rites of passage."




Life Ceremony


Book Description

The long-awaited first short story-collection by the author of the cult sensation Convenience Store Woman, tales of weird love, heartfelt friendships, and the unsettling nature of human existence With Life Ceremony, the incomparable Sayaka Murata is back with her first collection of short stories ever to be translated into English. In Japan, Murata is particularly admired for her short stories, which are sometimes sweet, sometimes shocking, and always imbued with an otherworldly imagination and uncanniness. In these twelve stories, Murata mixes an unusual cocktail of humor and horror to portray both the loners and outcasts as well as turning the norms and traditions of society on their head to better question them. Whether the stories take place in modern-day Japan, the future, or an alternate reality is left to the reader’s interpretation, as the characters often seem strange in their normality in a frighteningly abnormal world. In “A First-Rate Material,” Nana and Naoki are happily engaged, but Naoki can’t stand the conventional use of deceased people’s bodies for clothing, accessories, and furniture, and a disagreement around this threatens to derail their perfect wedding day. “Lovers on the Breeze” is told from the perspective of a curtain in a child’s bedroom that jealously watches the young girl Naoko as she has her first kiss with a boy from her class and does its best to stop her. “Eating the City” explores the strange norms around food and foraging, while “Hatchling” closes the collection with an extraordinary depiction of the fractured personality of someone who tries too hard to fit in. In these strange and wonderful stories of family and friendship, sex and intimacy, belonging and individuality, Murata asks above all what it means to be a human in our world and offers answers that surprise and linger.




The Craft of Ritual Studies


Book Description

Readership: Students and scholars of ritual studies, religious studies, anthropology




Joyful Living


Book Description

In a world, where goals, ambitions, and the pursuit of life’s great achievements compete for our attention, ‘Joyful Living - Finding Joy in Little Things’ serves as a reminder of the treasures to be found in life’s quiet, often hidden, spaces. This is not just a book; it is a philosophy — a way of seeing and a call to finding joy in the tiny moments that permeate throughout life’s larger milestones. Lose yourself in the beautifully crafted narratives, personal anecdotes, and enlightening self-reflection exercises that guide readers to tune into the everyday wonders that surround them. Through chapters that consider the science of happiness, encourage the gift of observation, and embrace the spirituality of presence, readers are gently guided to observe the world with renewed wonder. Pause and familiarise yourself again with the wonderful aroma of your morning brew, feel your spirit set free by the whimsical dance of leaves on a windy day, or find simple contentment in the comforting hug of your favourite blanket on a cold night. ‘Joyful Living’ reminds us that our lives are full of countless moments that can bring us joy and connection. For those feeling adrift in the hustle and bustle of modern life, or are simply seeking a reminder of life’s beautiful simple moments, this book is a doorway. Open its pages, and step into a world where every moment holds the promise of wonder, and every small joy is a step towards a more fulfilled life. Rediscover the world around you, and in doing so, find the joy that has always been there all along. What You Will Discover: There is Extraordinary in the Ordinary: ‘Joyful Living’ will remind you to open your eyes to the beauty that surrounds you every day. From the chirping of birds in the morning to the warmth of a loved one's smile, together we’ll learn how to find joy in the seemingly mundane moments. The Power of Mindfulness: Discover how mindfulness can change your perspective on life, helping you stay present, appreciate the now, and overcome challenges with resilience and grace. Practical Exercises: ‘Joyful Living’ provides practical exercises and mindfulness practices that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. These tools will empower you to make meaningful changes in your life. The Science of Joy: The concepts in this book are grounded in scientific research. You'll gain an understanding of the science behind the approaches to concepts such as Letting Go of Expectations and Embracing Imperfection, and more importantly, step-by-step instructions on how you can apply these concepts to your life. Why ‘Joyful Living’ Matters: Joy is not a luxury; it is a necessity for living a happy and fulfilled life. ‘Joyful Living’ reminds us that happiness is not contingent on external factors but rather is an inner state of being. By practicing gratitude, mindfulness, and embracing life's simple pleasures, you can find joy in almost any situation. Your Journey Starts Here: ‘Joyful Living’ is more than a book; it is a transformational experience — an invitation to live with intention, to savour each moment, and to find joy in every corner of your life. Whether you seek greater happiness, want to learn to cope with life's challenges, or are simply looking to lift your days with more positivity, ‘Joyful Living’ is a trusted companion on the path to a richer, joy-filled, more fulfilling life.




Sexy Witch


Book Description

Employing a unique blend of feminism and magick, this refreshing guide to female self-empowerment helps women acknowledge the beauty, strength, and sexiness within themselves. Utterly honest and captivating, LaSara FireFox banishes the damaging misconceptions and shame often associated with female sexuality and sheds light on what it truly means to be a “Sexy Witch.” Each of the seven lessons-covering issues of body image, menstruation, genital exploration, self-acceptance, mentors, and gender-include fun facts, illuminating quotes, and exercises for nurturing the body and spirit. The second half of the book is devoted to rituals-to be practiced alone or with others-that celebrate one's power as a woman, a sexual being, and a Witch. ”LaSara Firefox is a dazzling inspiration and firestarter to everyone who encounters her.” - Susie Bright, author of Full Exposure “LaSara Firefox is a genius! You couldn't ask for a better guide to take you on this emboldening adventure. Accessible and engaging whether or not you consider yourself a 'witch,' Sexy Witch is a fabulous book full of serious fun.” - Ariel Gore, author of The Hip Mama Survival Guide Second-generation Witch and ordained Priestess, LaSara FireFox (California) has been writing about sexuality and spirituality for over a decade. She was a columnist for NewWitch magazine and has appeared on Playboy TV's Sexcetera and Canada's SexTV. FireFox is also a graduate of the acclaimed San Francisco Sex Information human sexuality intensive.




Dharma and Ecology of Hindu Communities


Book Description

In Indic religious traditions, a number of rituals and myths exist in which the environment is revered. Despite this nature worship in India, its natural resources are under heavy pressure with its growing economy and exploding population. This has led several scholars to raise questions about the role religious communities can play in environmentalism. Does nature worship inspire Hindus to act in an environmentally conscious way? This book explores the above questions with three communities, the Swadhyaya movement, the Bishnoi, and the Bhil communities. Presenting the texts of Bishnois, their environmental history, and their contemporary activism; investigating the Swadhyaya movement from an ecological perspective; and exploring the Bhil communities and their Sacred Groves, this book applies a non-Western hermeneutical model to interpret the religious traditions of Indic communities. With a foreword by Roger S Gottlieb.