Cultural Tradition

Dive into the Legendary Sagas with "The Norse Bible" Embark on an epic journey through the Norse cosmos with "The Norse Bible." This compelling read unveils the mystique of Norse mythology, from the awe-inspiring realms of Asgard to the depths of Helheim. Each chapter invites you into a world where divine drama unfolds. In this enigmatic book, you will learn about: How It All Started: In the beginning, with Yggdrasil, The Tree of Creation, The Cosmic Tree, The Tree of Life; and after the end with the Aftermath & Renewal. Explore the Rich Norse Pantheon: From Odin's wisdom to Thor's might, ...

Anyone who laments the excesses of Christmas might consider the Puritans of colonial Massachusetts: they simply outlawed the holiday. The Puritans had their reasons, since Christmas was once an occasion for drunkenness and riot, when poor "wassailers" extorted food and drink from the well-to-do. In this intriguing and innovative work of social history, Stephen Nissenbaum rediscovers Christmas's carnival origins and shows how it was transformed, during the nineteenth century, into a festival of domesticity and consumerism.

Why do humans do such strange things? Oddities of the Human World: Strange Beliefs, Unusual Rituals, and the Surprising Histories Behind Them is a short, pocket-sized tour through some of the most curious corners of human culture. Nathaniel Hargrove explores how different societies celebrate, grieve, eat, dress, love, and believe in ways that can seem bizarre at first glance - but all have stories to tell. This is not an exhaustive academic textbook. It’s a compact, easy-to-read collection of cultural curiosities and weird history, perfect for curious readers who enjoy strange facts, ...

Unlock the secrets of mystical wisdom in just a few minutes a day, even if you've never ventured into the mystical realm before! Are you longing to explore a deeper spiritual understanding but feel overwhelmed by the vast amount of information available? Have you ever wondered how to incorporate mystical practices into your busy life without feeling disconnected from the modern world? Do you crave a balance between mystical insights and scientific understanding? If these questions resonate with you, you're certainly not alone. Many spiritual seekers and intellectual explorers like yourself ...

A renowned midwife, doula trainer, and Master of Public Health celebrates the lost art of African American postnatal healing practices in this practical, essential guide to maternal health. As a mother, grandmother, and traditional midwife, Shafia M. Monroe intimately knows about childbirth and...

Discover a magical way to count down to Christmas. This enchanting Advent storybook brings together 24 Christmas tales—a blend of timeless classics, world legends, and gentle retellings crafted especially for young readers and families who love reading together. From snowy adventures and kind-hearted heroes to ancient traditions from around the globe, each story is designed to light up December nights with wonder. Whether your children read on their own or still love bedtime read-alouds, these stories turn every evening into a cherished family ritual. Inside you’ll find: • Adapted ...

Unlock the Secrets of the Island Nation That Shaped the Modern World From the shadowy origins of its first inhabitants to its transformation into a dazzling technological superpower, Japan’s history is a saga of warriors, emperors, artistic genius, and global power plays that changed the world forever. This book is your engaging, fast-paced journey through the legendary moments that built the spirit of Japan. Dive deep into the compelling questions that define Japan’s unique identity: Who were the mysterious Jōmon people, and what do their 10,000-year-old artifacts reveal? Was the ...

A religious miracle: The Cahokians believed that the divine hero Morning Star had been resurrected in the flesh. But not all is fine and stable in glorious Cahokia. To the astonishment of the ruling clan, an attempt is made on the living god's life. Now it is up to Morning Star's aunt Matron Blue Heron to keep it quiet until she can uncover the plot and bring the culprits to justice. If she fails, Cahokia will be torn asunder in warfare, rage, and blood as civil war consumes them all.

From mal de ojo to milagros, lucky charms to forbidden foods, Mexican culture is filled with vibrant superstitions and powerful traditions that shape daily life. Whether you’re planning a trip, building relationships, or just curious about the unseen rules that guide behavior in Mexico, this friendly and fascinating guide offers an honest look at the customs locals live by—but rarely explain.

Make storytime a little spookier with fantasy master Ray Bradbury as he takes listeners on a riveting trip through space and time to discover the true origins of Halloween. Join the shadowy Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud as he takes eight trick-or-treaters on an unforgettable journey to find...

Tobacco was first cultivated and enjoyed by the indigenous inhabitants of the Americas, who used it for medicinal, religious, and social purposes long before the arrival of Columbus. But when Europeans began to colonize the American continents, it became something else entirely - a cultural touchstone of pleasure and success and a coveted commodity that would transform the world economy forever.

This remarkable and monumental book at last provides a comprehensive answer to the age-old riddle of whether there are only a small number of "basic stories" in the world. Using a wealth of examples, from ancient myths and folk tales via the plays and novels of great literature to the popular movies and TV soap operas of today, it reveals that there are seven archetypal themes which recur throughout every kind of storytelling.

Discover the Ancient Wisdom of Shinto. For those who are seeking a deeper connection with nature, a stronger sense of community, and a more balanced approach to life? Look no further than Shinto - A Primer – a simple guide to one of the world's most fascinating spiritual traditions. Imagine walking through a forest, feeling the energy of ancient trees, the rustling wind and crystal-clear streams. Picture yourself participating in vibrant festivals that bring entire communities together in joyous celebration. See a life where every day begins with a moment of heartfelt gratitude for the ...

A celebrated social psychologist offers a radical new perspective on cultural differences that reveals why some countries, cultures, and individuals take rules more seriously and how following the rules influences the way we think and act. In Rule Makers, Rule Breakers, Michele Gelfand, “an...

In Unveiling Tartaria, explore the forgotten world of an enigmatic civilization that once spanned continents. This book delves into ancient maps, architectural anomalies, and suppressed historical accounts to uncover clues about Tartaria’s true nature. Could the Great Mud Flood have buried its cities? Did advanced knowledge and technology vanish along with it? Why do mainstream narratives seem to overlook this part of history?

Across the world, some cultures fear death— others welcome it as a passage, a guide, a teacher. NDEs from Cultures That Don’t Fear Death explores powerful near-death experiences shared in places where death is not an ending but a transformation. From Himalayan monks who describe crossing luminous bridges, to Indigenous elders guided by ancestral spirits, to island communities who say the ocean carries souls to a second shore—these stories reveal a breathtaking diversity of afterlife visions shaped by faith, tradition, and centuries-old beliefs. Each chapter dives into a unique ...

Eliot Stein has traveled the globe in search of remarkable people who are preserving some of our most extraordinary cultural rites. In Custodians of Wonder, Stein introduces listeners to a man saving the secret ingredient in Japan's 700-year-old original soy sauce recipe. In Italy, he learns how to make the world's rarest pasta from one of the only women alive who knows how to make it. And in India, he discovers a family rumored to make a mysterious metal mirror believed to reveal your truest self.

Why have societies all across the world feared witchcraft? This book delves deeply into its context, beliefs, and origins in Europe's history. The witch came to prominence - and often a painful death - in early modern Europe, yet her origins are much more geographically diverse and historically deep. In this landmark book, Ronald Hutton traces witchcraft from the ancient world to the early modern state.

SAVING CHRISTMAS: RECLAIMING THE SACRED SEASON The battle for Christmas isn't new, but the stakes have never been higher. For generations, Christmas has been the cornerstone of Western civilization's most cherished traditions. Yet today, this sacred season faces an unprecedented assault from those who would strip it of its meaning, reduce it to mere commercialism, or erase it from public life entirely. Saving Christmas takes readers on a revelatory journey through two millennia of holiday tradition, tracing the festival's roots from ancient European winter celebrations through ...

Explains the Dark Man phenomenon through centuries-old folklore and mythology, testimony from British witch trials, and modern accounts Challenges the simplistic concept of the Devil as “evil,” explaining how encounters with this entity can reveal one’s life purpose and how the...