Books

A trailblazing anthropologist and an indigenous Amazonian healer explore the convergence of science and shamanism. 

"The dose makes the poison," say an old adage, reminding us that substances have the potential to heal or harm, depending on their use. Although Western medicine treats tobacco as a harmful addictive drug, it is considered medicinal by indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest. In its unadulterated form, it holds a central place in their repertoire of traditional medicines. Along with ayahuasca, tobacco forms a part of treatments designed to heal the body, stimulate the mind, and inspire the soul with visions. In Plant Teachers, anthropologist Jeremy Narby and traditional healer Rafael Chanchari Pizuri hold a cross-cultural dialogue that explores the similarities between ayahuasca and tobacco, and the role of these plants in indigenous cultures, and the hidden truths they reveal about nature. Juxtaposing and synthesizing two worldviews, Plant Teachers invites readers on a wide-ranging journey through anthropology, botany, and biochemistry, while raising tantalizing questions about the relationship between science and other ways of knowing.

A practical, hands-on guide to Mexican-American folk magic or brujeria.

The essential book of Mexican-American saints, folk-magic, and healing and a go-to for anyone interested in shamanism and Indigenous peoples' magic. American Brujeria is about the fascinating blend of American and Mexican folk magic currently used by those living in the US but whose roots are steeped in Mexican culture. This type of Mexican-American folk magic, which the author calls "American Brujeria," features its own unique saints and spirits as well as familiar ones, such as the notorious Santa Muerte.

American Brujeria includes stories from Mexico (folk saints, the story of Guadalupe), the influence of Catholicism, the art of limpias (spiritual cleansings), spell casting, oil crafting, praying the rosary (in English and Spanish), making an altar to Guadalupe, using novena candle magic, crafting protective charms from saints' medals, and more.

Smudging is the burning of herbs as a spiritual practice. In this revised edition of her book on smudging, the author explains and illustrates this integral part of traditional Native American life. She also offers advice on how to reclaim traditions and find personal healing rituals.

From cross-cultural legends recounting shamanic cures to the biblical accounts of the parting of the Red Sea and Jesus multiplying the loaves and fishes, many spiritual traditions are rich in stories about seemingly inexplicable transformations of the natural world. The ancient healing art of transmutation, in which toxic substances are transformed into "safe" substances, is mentioned in all the world's great spiritual traditions, including Hinduism and Taoism. And while many have tapped this body of work to heal the self, it has yet to be used to heal our environment.

For twenty years, Sandra Ingerman has studied alternative ways to reverse environmental pollution. In this book, Ingerman takes us on a remarkable journey through the history of transmutation, teaching us how we can use this forgotten technique to change ourselves and our environment. She provides us with creative visualizations, ceremonies, rituals, and chants derived from ancient healing practices that produce miraculous, scientifically proven results. In one dramatic illustration of what can be accomplished when consciousness and awareness fuel our actions, Ingerman describes her own success in transforming the nature of chemically polluted water.

In Shamanic Power Animals: Embracing the Teachings of Our Non-Human Friends, Toltec shaman don José Ruiz takes a deep dive into this rich and vital store of animal wisdom and demonstrates how we can incorporate its lessons into our daily lives.

In the first section of this book, Ruiz explains how power animals represent a path to our own personal power and provides a foundational understanding of the animal world based on the symbol of the medicine wheel and its association with the elements of earth, air, fire, and water.

 The second section contains a power animal compendium covering over 200 animals. Each entry includes exercises, prayers, and chants for use in communicating and collaborating with these powerful allies on your own personal journey toward awareness and healing.

 The result is both a reference guide to the wisdom of the animal world and a road map for activating this wisdom within yourself.

The most joyful emanation produced by a colony of bees is known as the "song of increase"--declaring that the hive is flourishing and the bees are happy in its abundance. Song of Increase takes us inside the world of the honeybee to glean the wisdom of these fascinating creatures with whom humanity has shared a sacred bond for millennia.

Within these pages is a bee-centric approach to living with honeybees, rather than advice for simply maximizing the products they provide. Jacqueline Freeman takes us beyond traditional beekeeping and offers a way to work in harmony with honeybees for both their good and ours. "Our way is one of kind observation," she explains, "where we create supportive homes and fields for bees to live in, as well as tend the heartfelt relationships we form by being together."

Song of Increase focuses on hidden aspects of apiculture that lead us naturally to more sustainable practices. Freeman illuminates the unity consciousness that guides every action in the colony and how this profound awareness can influence the way we see both the natural world and ourselves. Each chapter presents a wealth of information about the life of bees, including Freeman's personal insights and direct teachings received from the bees themselves.

Contents Include:

I. The Song of Unity: How Bees See Themselves, Their Colony, and the World
II. The Song of Belonging: The Sacred Work of the Queen, Drones, Maidens, and Pips
III. The Song of Communion: How Bees Create a Perfect Home
IV. The Song of the World: The Communion of Bees and Flowers
V. The Song of Increase: The Blessings of the Swarm and the Ascension of a New Queen
VI. The Song of Abundance: The Generosity of Bees
VII. The Song of Sharing: How We Can Help Our Bee Friends

Within you is a greater, wiser self that is not bound by your fears, worries, or perceived limitations. Dr. Jose Luis Stevens calls this the Inner Shaman-the part of you that connects directly to the true source of the universe. The shamans of every tradition know that the physical world we can see and touch is a mere shadow of the true spirit world, writes Dr. Stevens. With Awaken the Inner Shaman, he presents a direct and practical path for opening our eyes to the greater spiritual dimensions-and stepping into the power and responsibility we possess to shape our reality.

In this rousing and provocative book, he invites readers to discover: What is the Inner Shaman? How an understanding of our deeper spiritual potential shows up in every mystical tradition. Seeing through the heart, why the heart offers us the most immediate path for accessing the Inner Shaman. The Inner Shaman in action, how to stop living from the egoic mind and put your true essence in charge. Eight tools to strengthen your connection to the Inner Shaman, and much more.

"Long before ayahuasca tourism became a pastime for rich gringos, Peter Gorman was knocking around Iquitos and the Amazon. He's traveled the rivers and quaffed the brew with the best (and the worst) of them and been way, way beyond the chrysanthemum on many a dark jungle night. This is the intensely personal story of an old-school jungle rat for whom ayahuasca is not just a hobby, but a life-long quest." -Dennis McKenna, Ph.D, co-author of The Invisible Landscape.

In response to the phenomenal resurgence of the drum nationwide, Michael has completely revised and expanded the first edition for all those folks discovering the power of drumming. Shamanic drumming is an ancient approach that uses rhythm to promote healing and self-expression. Based on his studies and personal shamanic experience, Michael presents the first practical guide to applying this ancient healing art to our modern lives. Through a series of simple exercises and lessons, he teaches the basic shamanic methods of drumming. The focus is on creating sacred space, journeying, power practice, power animals, drum therapy, drum circles and the therapeutic effects of drumming. Whether you are an accomplished percussionist or a total beginner, this user-friendly book will help you harness the power of drumming. Recent studies demonstrate that drumming is a valuable treatment for stress, chronic pain, cancer, stroke, trauma, addictions, mental illness, emotional disorders and a wide range of physical disabilities. The benefits include relaxation, healing, more energy, greater mental clarity, enhanced creativity and deeper self-awareness.

A personal story of Black Elk and the teachings woven into the narrative. Wallace Black Elk, a Lakota elder and shaman, was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. He traveled widely throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, addressing large groups and conducting healing ceremonies. 

"An unprecedented account of the shaman's world and the way it is entered." -Stanley Krippner, PHD., coauthor of Personal Mythology: The Psychology of Your Evolving Self and Healing States

Dance of the Four Winds recounts the adventures of the American psychologist Alberto Villoldo as he journeys to Peru to explore the visionary ceremonies of the native shamans. Here Quecha masters use the jungle plant ayahuasca to further their spiritual progress along the four paths of the Medecine Wheel. Entering a magical realm of enigmatic sorcerers and powerful animal totems, Villoldo confronts the hidden powers of his own mind as he unlocks the secrets of the human psyche.

The Mesa 101 - Keep the Medicine Sacred to Your Heart book teaches you in a unique way, to be an active participant in paving the way for your Divine path to unfold as you wish. 

Elizabeth teaches you to walk in alignment with the Creator God that gave you the breath of life. When you walk in alignment with God, the whole Universe conspires on your behalf, for your Soul's highest good at all times. Life can be better than we ever dreamed. It's time to be the Co-creator of your life. It's time to make your dreams become reality. 

"Hogan remains awed and humble in this sweetly embracing, plangent book of grateful, sorrowful, tender poems wed to the scarred body and ravaged Earth."
—BOOKLIST

"In this new collection, Linda Hogan weaves together memory, the Milky Way, buffalo and rivers with the wonder and wisdom of an ancient soul, and a passionate heart. We are blessed, once again, by her words."
-- DEBORAH A. MIRANDA, author of Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir

Linda Hogan explores new and old ways of experiencing the vagaries of the body and existing in harmony with earth's living beings in A History of Kindness. Throughout this clear-eyed collection, Hogan tenderly excavates how history instructs the present, and envisions a future alive with hope for a healthy and sustainable world that now wavers between loss and survival.

Long before Michelle Tea was winning awards for her poignant memoirs, she was a scrappy misfit on the streets of San Francisco, supporting herself by giving eerily prescient tarot readings. As her reputation as a writer grew, she stopped publicly reading the Tarot, though she never stopped doing it privately. Based on over twenty-five years of experience and a deep and abiding love of the cards, Modern Tarot brings the full force of Tea's unique insight, inviting pop sensibility, and wicked humor to bear on the tradition of the Tarot in a fascinating journey through the cards that teaches how to use this tradition for radical self-growth.

Lua the Llama has a dream and sets out on a spiritual journey of self-discovery to find out who she really is. Based on the mystical teachings of the Andes, the author's personal experience is translated into a children's tale which teaches the important lessons of unconditional love, service, wisdom and reciprocity. These precious teachings will resonate with all those who seek a deeper connection to nature and a loving way to live on the planet. The beautiful heart of Andean mysticism brings together people of all races, nationalities, religions and creeds.

This fascinating book by psychologist and medical anthropologist Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D., explains the practices for healing outside of ordinary time and space. It shows how to enter the timeless "now" to heal events that occurred in the past, and to correct the course of destiny. Dr. Villoldo discusses ways in which you can heal yourself and your loved ones by employing intention through practices used by shamans of the Americas--which, until now, have been inaccessible to most of the world. The shamans of old called this "journeying."

In this book, you'll discover that you have a four-chambered heart in the same way you have a four-chambered soul. In the first chamber, you store away the memory of a wound that derailed your destiny. In the second, you keep the limiting beliefs and soul contracts that you entered into at the time of your loss. In the third, you recover the grace and trust that will make you whole again; and in the fourth, you remember the calling and mission that you choose to unfold in this lifetime. "While everyone has a future," Villoldo says, "only certain people have a destiny." This book shows you how to find and manifest yours.