Embark on a journey into the mystical town of Eldora, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the veil between the seen and the unseen is at its thinnest. In "Sorcery and Secrets: Chronicles of Youthful Witchcraft," a collection of enchanting tales unfolds, weaving a tapestry of magic, mystery, and youthful wonder. Within these pages, meet young witches and warlocks as they navigate the arcane landscapes of Eldora. From the ethereal groves of the Whispering Oak to the astral echoes in the celestial observatory, each story unveils the hidden secrets that shape the magical legacy of this extraordinary town.

Paper is older than the printing press, and even in its unprinted state it was the great network medium behind the emergence of modern civilization. In the shape of bills, banknotes and accounting books it was indispensible to the economy. As forms and files it was essential to bureaucracy. As letters it became the setting for the invention of the modern soul, and as newsprint it became a stage for politics. In this brilliant new book Lothar Müller describes how paper made its way from China through the Arab world to Europe, where it permeated everyday life in a variety of formats from the thirteenth century onwards, and how the paper technology revolution of the nineteenth century paved the way for the creation of the modern daily press. His key witnesses are the works of Rabelais and Grimmelshausen, Balzac and Herman Melville, James Joyce and Paul Valéry. Müller writes not only about books, however: he also writes about pamphlets, playing cards, papercutting and legal pads. We think we understand the ?Gutenberg era?, but we can understand it better when we explore the world that underpinned it: the paper age. Today, with the proliferation of digital devices, paper may seem to be a residue of the past, but Müller shows that the humble technology of paper is in many ways the most fundamental medium of the modern world.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Mothers & Daughters celebrates that special bond mothers and daughters share with each other. Moms and daughters alike will delight in this collection of heartwarming, entertaining, and poignant stories. A great gift for Mother’s Day. Mothers and daughters. They are, at the same time, very similar and completely unique. This relationship - through birth, childhood, teen years, adulthood, grandchildren, aging, and every step in between - can be the best, the hardest, and the sweetest. Mothers and daughters will laugh, cry, and find inspiration in this collection of stories that remind them of their shared love, appreciation and special bond.

Magic, always part of the occult underground in North America, has experienced a resurgence since the 1960s. Although most contemporary magical religions have come from abroad, they have found fertile ground in which to develop in North America. Who are today's believers in Witchcraft and how do they worship? Alternative spiritual paths have increased the ranks of followers dramatically, particularly among well-educated middle-class individuals. Witchcraft and Magic conveys the richness of magical religious experiences found in today's culture, covering the continent of North America and the Caribbean. These original essays survey current and historical issues pertinent to religions that incorporate magical or occult beliefs and practices, and they examine contemporary responses to these religions. The relationship between Witchcraft and Neopaganism is explored, as is their intersection with established groups practicing goddess worship. Recent years have seen the growth in New Age magic and Afro-Caribbean religions, and these developments are also addressed in this volume. All the religions covered offer adherents an alternative worldview and rituals that are aimed at helping individuals redefine themselves and make their interactions with the environment more empowered. Many modern occult religions share an absence of dogma or central authority to determine orthodoxy, and have become a contemporary experience embracing modern concerns like feminism, environmentalism, civil rights, and gay rights. Afro-Caribbean religions such as Santería, Palo, and Curanderismo, which do have a more developed dogma and authority structure, offer their followers a religion steeped in African and Hispanic traditions. Responses to the growth of magical religions have varied, from acceptance to an unfounded concern about the growth of a satanic underground. And, as magical religions have flourished, increased interest has resulted in a growing commercialization, with its threat of trivialization.

Magic, both benevolent (white) and malign (black), has been practiced in the British Isles since at least the Iron Age (800 BCE-CE 43). "Curse tablets"--metal plates inscribed with curses intended to harm specific people--date from the Roman Empire. The Anglo-Saxons who settled in England in the fifth and sixth centuries used ritual curses in documents, and wrote spells and charms. When they became Christians in the seventh century, the new "magicians" were saints, who performed miracles. When William of Normandy became king in 1066, there was a resurgence of belief in magic. The Church was able to quell the fear of magicians, but the Reformation saw its revival, with numerous witchcraft trials in the late 16th and 17th centuries.

'A fascinating journey into our relationship with the physical book...I lost count of the times I exclaimed with delight when I read a nugget of information I hadn't encountered before' Val McDermid, The Times Most of what we say about books is really about the words inside them: the rosy nostalgic glow for childhood reading, the lifetime companionship of a much-loved novel. But books are things as well as words, objects in our lives as well as worlds in our heads. And just as we crack their spines, loosen their leaves and write in their margins, so they disrupt and disorder us in turn. All books are, as Stephen King put it, 'a uniquely portable magic'. Here, Emma Smith shows us why. Portable Magic unfurls an exciting and iconoclastic new story of the book in human hands, exploring when, why and how it acquired its particular hold over us. Gathering together a millennium's worth of pivotal encounters with volumes big and small, Smith reveals that, as much as their contents, it is books' physical form - their 'bookhood' - that lends them their distinctive and sometimes dangerous magic. From the Diamond Sutra to Jilly Cooper's Riders, to a book made of wrapped slices of cheese, this composite artisanal object has, for centuries, embodied and extended relationships between readers, nations, ideologies and cultures, in significant and unpredictable ways. Exploring the unexpected and unseen consequences of our love affair with books, Portable Magic hails the rise of the mass-market paperback, and dismantles the myth that print began with Gutenberg; it reveals how our reading habits have been shaped by American soldiers, and proposes new definitions of a 'classic'-and even of the book itself. Ultimately, it illuminates the ways in which our relationship with the written word is more reciprocal - and more turbulent - than we tend to imagine.

Pull back the curtain on the real history of magic – and discover why magic really matters If you read a standard history of magic, you learn that it begins in ancient Egypt, with the resurrection of a goose in front of the Pharaoh. You discover how magicians were tortured and killed during the age of witchcraft. You are told how conjuring tricks were used to quell rebellious colonial natives. The history of magic is full of such stories, which turn out not to be true. Behind the smoke and mirrors, however, lies the real story of magic. It is a history of people from humble roots, who made and lost fortunes, and who deceived kings and queens. In order to survive, they concealed many secrets, yet they revealed some and they stole others. They engaged in deception, exposure, and betrayal, in a quest to make the impossible happen. They managed to survive in a world in which a series of technological wonders appeared, which previous generations would have considered magical. Even today, when we now take the most sophisticated technology for granted, we can still be astonished by tricks that were performed hundreds of years ago. The Secret History of Magic reveals how this was done. It is about why magic matters in a world that no longer seems to have a place for it, but which desperately needs a sense of wonder.

Eight complete epic fantasy novels in one set. All the magic, dragons, castles and quests you will ever need! Innocence Lost by Patty Jansen Beneath The Canyons by Kyra Halland The Last Priestess by Elizabeth Baxter Book Of Never by Ashley Capes Stargazy Pie by Victoria Goddard The Dragon’s Champion by Sam Ferguson Float: The Enchanted Horse by Demelza Carlton The Silverleaf Chronicles by Vincent Trigili

The Magic of Scotland' brings together an unprecedented anthology of over 70 Scottish historical novels, adventure classics, and romance novels, showcasing the rich literary heritage of Scotland and its profound influence on the literary world. This collection spans a wide range of literary styles, from the romantic landscapes of Walter Scott to the thrilling adventures of John Buchan and the magical storytelling of George MacDonald. It also includes the enduring humanist themes found in the works of J. M. Barrie and the captivating tales of Robert Louis Stevenson, offering readers a comprehensive view of Scottish literature's depth and diversity. Each piece has been carefully selected to represent the nuanced portrayal of Scotlands historical and cultural identity, making it a standout compilation for both its literary significance and its celebration of Scottish heritage. The contributing authors, renowned for their pivotal roles in shaping the literary canon, each bring a unique voice and perspective to this collection. From the romanticism of Scott and MacDonald to the pioneering adventure narratives of Stevenson and Buchan, and Barrie's exploration of complex human emotions, these authors have collectively contributed to various literary movements, including romanticism, modernism, and the Scottish Renaissance. Their works not only pay homage to Scotlands rich past but also highlight the universal themes of adventure, love, and heroism, allowing for a rich dialogue between the texts and a deeper understanding of Scottish cultural and literary identity. The Magic of Scotland is an essential anthology for anyone interested in Scottish literature and its enduring impact on the global literary landscape. Offering a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a variety of literary styles and themes, this collection serves as both an educational resource and a treasure trove of adventure, romance, and historical intrigue. It invites readers to explore the multifaceted narratives of Scotland, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the countrys landscapes, history, and tales. This anthology is a must-read for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of Scottish literature, promising an engaging and enlightening journey through the heart of Scotlands literary magic.

Our foremost theorist of myth, fairytale, and folktale explores the magical realm of the imagination where carpets fly and genies grant prophetic wishes. Stranger Magic examines the profound impact of the Arabian Nights on the West, the progressive exoticization of magic, and the growing acceptance of myth and magic in contemporary experience.