{"title":"Claude Lecouteux","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClaude Lecouteux\u003c\/strong\u003e delves into the mystical realms of ancient magic, folklore, and spirituality, offering readers a doorway to the wondrous and the arcane. His works explore the rich tapestry of myths, legends, and traditional spells rooted in Norse, Germanic, and Gypsy cultures, providing profound insights into the unseen forces that have shaped history and belief.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the enigmatic worlds of werewolves and witches to the sacred knowledge of protective and healing magic, Lecouteux’s books invite contemplation and study of the spiritual and magical traditions that continue to resonate today. Ideal for those fascinated by \u003cem\u003ereligion, mythology\u003c\/em\u003e, and the occult, his writings blend scholarly reference with evocative storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"king-solomon-the-magus-by-claude-lecouteux-9781644112434","title":"King Solomon the Magus","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplores the schools of Solomonic magic around the world and works such as \u003ci\u003eThe Greater and Lesser Keys of Solomon the King\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Hygromancy of Solomon\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExamines Solomon’s magical possessions, including his famous ring that gave him command over animals, weather, demons, genies, and djinns, as well as his amulets, remedies, exorcisms, and charms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLooks at the extensive presence of Solomon in folklore around the world, including in Armenia, Malaysia, Russia, Bulgaria, Morocco, India, and Egypt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLooking at the Solomonic magical tradition and Solomon’s profound influence on esoteric traditions around the world, Claude Lecouteux reveals King Solomon not only as one of the great kings of prehistory but also as the ancient world’s foremost magician and magus. Examining the primary sources on Solomon, such as the Bible, the Koran, and the writings of Flavius Josephus, the author explores Solomon’s judgments, his explorations, his literary and scientific works (including an herbal), and his constructions beyond the eponymous temple, such as the copper city in Andalus built by the djinns and the baths of Sulayman. He also looks at Solomon’s magical possessions, such as his famous ring and the Philosopher’s Stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe author examines the supernatural powers granted to Solomon by his ring, which he received from the angel Gabriel, including command over animals, weather, and demons, and explores in detail Solomon’s power over genies and djinns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the esoteric threads hidden within the primary sources on Solomon, Lecouteux reveals the work of Solomon the Magician, exploring his amulets, remedies, exorcisms, charms, and his influence on Arab and Western magic. Providing illustrations of sigils, talismans, and other magic symbols related to Solomon, the author examines the schools of Solomonic Folkloremagic and works such as \u003ci\u003eThe Greater and Lesser Keys of Solomon the King\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Hygromancy of Solomon\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe then looks at the extensive presence of Solomon in folklore worldwide, including in Armenia, Israel, Malaysia, Eastern Europe, Russia, Morocco, India, Mongolia, and among the Abyssinians of Ethiopia and the Copts in Egypt. He also looks at Solomon’s role within the Bulgarian tradition from which the Cathars derived.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePainting an in-depth portrait of Solomon the Magician-King, Lecouteux reveals how this legendary magus left a deep impression upon the occult, magical traditions, and philosophies of the ancient world that can still be felt to this day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46650627719404,"sku":"9781644112434","price":54.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/10028673482773.jpg?v=1752308034"},{"product_id":"mysteries-of-the-werewolf-by-claude-lecouteux-9781644110782","title":"Mysteries of the Werewolf","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMysteries of the Werewolf\u003c\/i\u003e by Claude Lecouteux is an exploration of werewolf beliefs and legends from Classical Antiquity to the post-medieval period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis work examines werewolf tales and stories from regions as diverse as early Greece, Scandinavia, France, Germany, Eastern Europe, China, and Japan. The book also delves into legends of other shapeshifting creatures such as were-tigers, were-jackals, and were-caribou.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLecouteux looks at the various ways people become werewolves, including making pacts with the devil, using magic, and casting spells. Furthermore, he explores methods to identify, escape from, and eliminate werewolves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book includes trial records from medieval Europe of individuals tried on suspicion of being werewolves and personal accounts of people whose spouses could shapeshift into wolves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn animal both mythical and real, the wolf has been a terrifying predator and villain in many a fairytale, haunting the human imagination since prehistoric times. The notion that some individuals could transform into wolves—werewolves or lycanthropes—presents even more disturbing possibilities. These creatures, able to divest themselves of their human nature, transform into dangerous enemies whose identities remain unknown. The need to protect oneself from this beast has been a concern since Classical Antiquity, and werewolf legends offer both fascinating tales of horror and practical advice for thwarting these creatures or breaking their curse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough his exploration of werewolf folktales, legends, and historical accounts from different eras and cultures, Lecouteux offers insights into the psyche and ancient imagination of humanity. By studying the legends of the werewolf, we learn not just about these haunting tales, but also gain a deeper understanding of human nature and fears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46650976501996,"sku":"9781644110782","price":48.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/10012153482773.jpg?v=1752327096"},{"product_id":"tales-of-witchcraft-and-wonder-by-claude-lecouteux-9781644111703","title":"Tales of Witchcraft and Wonder","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTales of Witchcraft and Wonder\u003c\/em\u003e by Claude Lecouteux and Corinne Lecouteux is a captivating collection of stories from the Middle Ages, focusing on otherworldly powers, magical animals, miracles, demonic apparitions, and supernatural events.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors provide commentary for each story, revealing its historical context, cultural and esoteric associations, and hidden pagan beliefs. They explore how these tales transformed over the ages, tracing their origins to Classical Antiquity, the Middle East, and India. The collection includes stories never-before-translated from their original Latin, and many purposely left obscure due to scandalous depictions of popes and other notables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Middle Ages saw the flourishing of oral traditions, and echoes of these can still be found in many legends, fables, and tales today. In this collection of medieval tales of witchcraft, wonder, and the supernatural, the Lecouteuxs explain how many stories arose in Classical Antiquity and made their way into Dark Ages Europe. Unlike the fairy tales popularised by the Brothers Grimm, many of these stories were obscured because of their scandalous content.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, for many tales, the authors meticulously peel back the Christian veneer to reveal how the stories were essential in preserving age-old pagan beliefs. These beliefs are explored through tales of animals with magical powers, such as the Grateful Lion from Aesop’s fables, and stories of individuals with supernatural abilities, like the Venomous Maiden who poisons all men who have relations with her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe collection also includes legends of miracles and wondrous events that defy the laws of nature, such as people returning from the dead to aid descendants, and tales of witchcraft, magic, and demonic apparitions, with stories of a demon-disguised pope. Furthermore, the authors delve into tales of supernatural spouses and forbidden love, wisdom teachings, parables of fools, and heroic legends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46651621900524,"sku":"9781644111703","price":48.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/10021363482773.jpg?v=1752365539"},{"product_id":"traditional-magic-spells-for-protection-and-healing-by-claude-lecouteux-9781620556214","title":"Traditional Magic Spells for Protection and Healing","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn in-depth collection of ancient spells and magic practices drawn from rare and newly discovered texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTraditional Magic Spells for Protection and Healing\u003c\/em\u003e presents more than 600 magical prescriptions for healing and protection from both pagan and Christian sources. It examines the practice of diagnosing illness through magic and explores ancient beliefs about curses and other evil spells, as well as devils, demons, and ghosts. The book also includes spells from the heavily guarded gypsy tradition of magic and healing, drawn from newly discovered materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSince the beginning of history, people have sought remedies for the myriad ills that have beset them, ranging from physical ailments to threats posed by evil or hostile individuals. In many folk healing and pagan traditions, it was believed that the assistance of a plant's or substance's guardian spirit must be gained through prayers or offerings before its chemical properties would be effective. While the Church decried these spells and practices as pagan superstition, it did not seek to exterminate these beliefs. Instead, it transferred the responsibility for their healing powers to the apostles and saints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on his extensive knowledge of ancient texts, Claude Lecouteux presents more than 600 magical prescriptions from both pagan and Christian sources from the last 2,000 years, covering everything from abscesses and shingles to curses and healing animals. He examines the practice of diagnosing illness through magic and investigates the origins of disease according to the evolving beliefs of magic practitioners over the centuries. Lecouteux explores ancient beliefs about curses, devils, demons, and ghosts and provides a detailed look at protection magic. This includes protection of health, animals, and cultivated land, defense against curses, witchcraft, bad weather, and beasts, as well as safeguarding a home and ensuring safety while traveling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe includes spells from the heavily guarded gypsy tradition of magic and healing, drawn from newly discovered materials collected by two Romanian ethnologists who lived and traveled with gypsies in Transylvania in the mid-19th century. The author also reproduces rare texts on magic healing from the 14th and 15th centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRevealing the vitality of these practices in the remoter areas of Eastern Europe, Lecouteux shows how the influence of this pagan worldview is still detectable in the work of modern folk healers in France and Scandinavia. He also highlights how the condemnation of unorthodox methods of healing has not vanished from the contemporary world, as medieval legislation against healing by wizards and bonesetters is echoed in modern health codes that challenge the authority of naturopaths and faith healers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46652653109484,"sku":"9781620556214","price":54.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/27238583482764.jpg?v=1752424818"},{"product_id":"the-sorcerers-scholar-by-claude-lecouteux-9798888502396","title":"The Sorcerer's Scholar","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA deluxe boxed set of three scholarly works on magic by professor Claude Lecouteux\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eContains hardcover editions of \u003ci\u003eDictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTraditional Magic Spells for Protection and Healing\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe High Magic of Talismans and Amulets\u003c\/i\u003e in a collector’s slipcase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnalyses more than 7,000 spells from the magical traditions of Europe and provides a comprehensive history of the use of talismans and amulets from the Middle Ages to today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough meticulous study of his private collection of medieval manuscripts as well as his privileged access to the rare book archives of major European universities, Claude Lecouteux has become renowned in esoteric academic circles for his in-depth examinations of the myths and magical practices of the Middle Ages. In this deluxe boxed set are three outstanding examples of Lecouteux’s masterful scholarship, each in a deluxe hardcover edition housed in a collector’s slipcase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eDictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells\u003c\/i\u003e, Lecouteux analyses more than 7,000 spells from the magical traditions and grimoires of Europe, presenting a comprehensive dictionary of magic words, phrases, and alphabets. In \u003ci\u003eTraditional Magic Spells for Protection and Healing\u003c\/i\u003e, he shares more than 600 magical prescriptions from both pagan and Christian sources from the last 2,000 years. He provides an in-depth look at protection magic, including healing spells from rare texts and from the heavily guarded gypsy (Rom) tradition. In \u003ci\u003eThe High Magic of Talismans and Amulets\u003c\/i\u003e, he provides a comprehensive history of the use of talismans and amulets for protection, healing, and divine influence. He reviews many different kinds of amulets and talismans used throughout the ages, such as a rabbit’s foot, horseshoe, gris-gris bag, and inscribed parchment charged through ritual, detailing the magical principles behind each object and showing that their use is still as widespread today as any time in the past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46841794134252,"sku":"9798888502396","price":182.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/7177693488913.jpg?v=1758734219"},{"product_id":"dictionary-of-ancient-magic-words-and-spells-by-claude-lecouteux-9781620553749","title":"Dictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA comprehensive handbook of more than 1,000 magical words, phrases, symbols, and secret alphabets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eExplains the origins, derivatives, and practical usage of each word, phrase, and spell as well as how they can be combined for custom spells.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBased on the magical traditions of Europe, Greece, and Egypt and recently discovered one-of-a-kind grimoires from Scandinavia, France, and Germany.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIncludes an in-depth exploration of secret magical alphabets, including those based on Hebrew letters, Kabbalistic symbols, astrological signs, and runes.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom \u003ci\u003eAbracadabra\u003c\/i\u003e to the now famous spells of the Harry Potter series, magic words are no longer confined to the practices of pagans, alchemists, witches, and occultists. They have become part of the popular imagination of the Western world. Passed down from ancient Babylon, Egypt, and Greece, these words and the rituals surrounding them have survived through the millennia because they work. And as scholar Claude Lecouteux reveals, often the more impenetrable they seem, the more effective they are.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnalyzing more than 7,000 spells from the magical traditions of Europe as well as the magical papyri of the Greeks and recently discovered one-of-a-kind grimoires from Scandinavia, France, and Germany, Lecouteux has compiled a comprehensive dictionary of ancient magic words, phrases, and spells along with an in-depth exploration—the first in English—of secret magical alphabets, including those based on Hebrew letters, Kabbalistic symbols, astrological signs, and runes. Drawing upon thousands of medieval accounts and famous manuscripts such as the Heptameron of Peter Abano, the author examines the origins of each word or spell, offering detailed instructions on their successful use, whether for protection, love, wealth, or healing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe charts their evolution and derivations through the centuries, showing, for example, how spells that were once intended to put out fires evolved to protect people from witchcraft. He reveals the inherent versatility of magic words and how each sorcerer or witch had a set of stock phrases they would combine to build a custom spell for the magical need at hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePresenting a wealth of material on magical words, signs, and charms, both common and obscure, Lecouteux also explores the magical words and spells of ancient Scandinavia, the Hispano-Arabic magic of Spain before the Reconquista, the traditions passed down from ancient Egypt, and those that have stayed in use until the present day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46868373668076,"sku":"9781620553749","price":78.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/27213933482764.jpg?v=1759756228"},{"product_id":"at-the-borders-of-the-wondrous-and-magical-by-claude-lecouteux-9781644119938","title":"At the Borders of the Wondrous and Magical","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eExplores how the haunted, magical world of medieval times still surrounds us\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExamines the esoteric side of texts and tales from the Middle Ages, including the enduring presence of haunted areas and power places and the roles of witches, house spirits, rune priests, shapeshifters, and the undead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDiscusses the dividing line between magic and devilry, as well as the significance of grimoires, bells, blacksmiths, storm callers, and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eServes as a guide to a still-present magical and imaginal realm, pointing readers to the borderlands and liminal thresholds that enable access to the other world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this new collection of his writings, scholar and Sorbonne professor Claude Lecouteux reveals that the magical world of the distant past is real and still very present—if you know where to look. Explaining how he makes the texts he studies reveal their hidden teachings, Lecouteux directly explores the esoteric side of medieval myths and tales, peeling back the Christian veneer to show the enduring presence of haunted areas and power places, witches, house spirits, rune carvers, vampires, shapeshifters, and the undead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn tales originating from Greenland and Iceland to Saxony, Romania, and beyond, the author discusses the dividing line between magic and diablerie as well as the significance of grimoires, bells, blacksmiths, and other magical objects and characters. He explores magic in the elements of nature and as illustrated by the art of witches and magicians specialising in weather magic—storm callers and storm dispellers. He examines the medieval mythology surrounding clouds and the mythic significance of mountains in the haunted world of our ancestors, which is still as close to us today as it was to them in the past. Looking at borderlands and liminal thresholds that can serve as gateways to other worlds, the author also discusses land spirits and the rituals needed to engage with them, recognising how their ownership of the land can never fully be usurped.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough these writings, Lecouteux acts as a ferryman, transporting readers into the realms of the wondrous and magical. He enables us to see how the haunted magic of the Middle Ages never ended and how the imaginal realm, standing just beyond the borders of our own, is as vividly real as the material world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47340638830828,"sku":"9781644119938","price":59.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/10103713482773.jpg?v=1772162397"},{"product_id":"the-pagan-book-of-the-dead-by-claude-lecouteux-9781644110478","title":"The Pagan Book of the Dead","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn extensive look at the cartography and folklore of the afterlife worlds as seen by our ancestors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Pagan Book of the Dead\u003c\/em\u003e examines how ancient European cultures viewed the beyond, including the Blessed Isles of early Greek and Celtic faith, the Hebrew \u003ci\u003eSheol\u003c\/i\u003e, the Hades from Homer’s \u003ci\u003eOdyssey\u003c\/i\u003e, Hel and Valhalla of the Norse, and the Aralu of Babylon. It shows how medieval accounts of journeys into the Other World represent the first recorded near-death experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eConnecting medieval afterlife beliefs and NDE narratives with shamanism, the book looks in particular at psychopomps, power animals, the double, the fetch, and what people bring back from their journeys to the spirit realms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCharting the evolution of afterlife beliefs in both pagan and medieval Christian times, Claude Lecouteux provides an extensive look at the cartography and folklore of the afterlife worlds as seen by our ancestors. He explores the locations and topographies of various forms taken by Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. The exploration extends to beliefs in Other Worlds, lands different from our own that are not truly the afterlife but places where time flows differently and which are inhabited by fantastic or supernatural beings such as fairies or dwarfs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLecouteux shares medieval tales of journeys into the beyond, illustrating how these accounts represent the first recorded near-death experiences (NDEs) and comparing them with modern NDE narratives. He also examines the work of NDE researchers like Raymond Moody.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, the book explores tales of out-of-body experiences, dream journeys, and travels made by a double or fetch, connecting these narratives with shamanism. The author particularly looks into psychopomps, power animals, and the significant insights people acquire during their journeys to the spirit realms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn analyzing the afterlife beliefs of the Middle Ages, Lecouteux concludes with a collection of medieval afterlife-related traditions, such as placing polished stones in the coffin so the departed soul can find its way back to friends and family during times of the year when the veil between the worlds grows thin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47384046567660,"sku":"9781644110478","price":42.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/10009113482773.jpg?v=1773399220"},{"product_id":"dictionary-of-gypsy-mythology-by-claude-lecouteux-9781620556672","title":"Dictionary of Gypsy Mythology","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA comprehensive A-to-Z reconstruction of the oral tradition of the Rom—gypsies—based on sources never before available in English.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDictionary of Gypsy Mythology\u003c\/em\u003e presents the origin myths and magical traditions of the gypsies, including their legendary ties to Egypt, animal ancestors, and tree spirits. The book examines the three major settings of gypsy folktales—the forest, the waters, and the mountain—and shows how their world is full of spirits. It demonstrates how the religious concepts of the Rom testify to a profound syncretism of the pagan traditions and Christianity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough their own myths and their common name point to Egyptian origins for the gypsies, the Rom, as they call themselves, originated in India, as evidenced by studies of their language. They arrived in Europe in the ninth century and spread across the continent from East to West, reaching England in the 15th century and Scandinavia by the end of the 16th century. A nomadic people, these wanderers were reviled by local populaces wherever they went and were regarded as misfits, intruders, foreigners, and thieves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on a number of sources never before available outside of Eastern Europe, Claude Lecouteux reconstructs the gypsy oral tradition to provide a comprehensive A-to-Z look at gypsy mythology, including their folktales, rites, songs, nursery rhymes, jokes, and magical traditions. His main source is material collected by Heinrich Adalbert von Wlislocki (1856-1907), an ethnologist who lived with gypsies in Romania, Transylvania, and Hungary in the latter half of the 19th century. He presents the origin myths of the gypsies, legends which form the ancestral memory of the gypsy tribes and often closely touch on their daily life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLecouteux explores the full range of supernatural beings that inhabit the gypsy world, including fairies, undines, ogres, giants, dog-people, and demons. He examines the three major settings of gypsy folktales—the forest, the waters, and the mountain, which they worshiped as a sacred being in its own right. He also reveals how coexisting with peoples of different religions led the gypsies to adapt or borrow stories and figures from these groups. He shows how the religious concepts and sacred stories of the Rom testify to a profound syncretism of pagan traditions and Christianity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eComplete with rare illustrations and information from obscure sources appearing for the first time in English, this detailed reference work represents an excellent resource for scholars and those seeking to reconnect to their forgotten gypsy heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47430590922988,"sku":"9781620556672","price":52.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781620556672.jpg?v=1774559017"},{"product_id":"encyclopedia-of-norse-and-germanic-folklore-mythology-and-magic-by-claude-lecouteux-9781620554807","title":"Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA thorough reference to the many deities, magical beings, mythical places, and ancient customs of the Norse and Germanic regions of Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEncyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic\u003c\/em\u003e explores the legends and origins of well-known gods and figures such as Odin, Thor, Krampus, and the Valkyries, as well as a broad range of magical beings such as the Elf King, the Lorelei, the Perchten, dwarves, trolls, and giants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis work draws upon a wealth of well-known and rare sources, such as the \u003ci\u003ePoetic Edda\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Deeds of the Danes\u003c\/i\u003e by Saxo Grammaticus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt examines folktales, myths, and magical beliefs from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and England.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe legends of the Norse and Germanic regions of Europe—including Germany and Austria across Scandinavia to Iceland and England—embrace a broad range of mythical characters and places, from Odin and Thor to berserkers and Valhalla, to the Valkyries and Krampus. In this encyclopedia, Claude Lecouteux explores the origins, connections, and tales behind many gods, goddesses, magical beings, rituals, folk customs, and mythical places of Norse and Germanic tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMore than a reference to the Aesir and the Vanir pantheons, this encyclopedia draws upon a wealth of well-known and rare sources, such as the \u003ci\u003ePoetic Edda\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eSaga of Ynglingar\u003c\/i\u003e by Snorri Sturluson, and \u003ci\u003eThe Deeds of the Danes\u003c\/i\u003e by Saxo Grammaticus. Beyond the famous and infamous Norse gods and goddesses, Lecouteux provides information on lesser-known figures from ancient Germanic pagan tradition such as the Elf King, the Lorelei, the Perchten, land spirits, fairies, dwarves, trolls, goblins, bogeymen, giants, and many other beings who roam the wild, as well as lengthy articles on well-known figures and events such as Siegfried (Sigurd in Norse) and Ragnarök. The author describes the worship of the elements and trees, details many magical rituals, and shares wild folktales from ancient Europe, such as the strange adventure of Peter Schlemihl and the tale of the Cursed Huntsman. He also dispels the false beliefs that have arisen from the Nazi hijacking of Germanic mythology and from its longtime suppression by Christianity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eComplete with rare illustrations and information from obscure sources appearing for the first time in English, this detailed reference work represents an excellent resource for scholars and those seeking to reconnect to their pagan pasts and restore the old religion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47430663012588,"sku":"9781620554807","price":69.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781620554807.jpg?v=1774558859"},{"product_id":"tales-and-legends-of-the-devil-by-claude-lecouteux-9781644116852","title":"Tales and Legends of the Devil","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTales and Legends of the Devil\u003c\/em\u003e explores the many forms and abilities of the devil in stories from around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt draws on folk traditions from all over Europe, including Transylvanian Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Switzerland, Italy, France, Scandinavia, and the Baltic countries. It traces the devil’s shapeshifting powers back to their Vedic origins in ancient India and looks at his connections with witches and storm magic. The book reveals how many of the qualities and magical powers attributed to the devil were once those belonging to pagan gods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe devil has many more guises than the cliché red boogeyman named Lucifer or Satan who haunts Christianity. In some traditions, the devil is sinister and cunning, while in others he is an oaf who can easily be conned and evaded by anyone with an ounce of cleverness. In other tales and legends, he is the primal shapeshifter, and the Roma, also known as the gypsies, claimed his talents of metamorphosis were so strong he could even assume the appearance of a priest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on folk traditions from all over Europe, including Transylvanian Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Switzerland, Italy, France, Scandinavia, Moravia, Bohemia, Lapland, and the Baltic countries, Claude and Corinne Lecouteux explore the many forms and abilities of the devil in stories, tales, and legends throughout the ages. They trace the devil’s shapeshifting powers back to their Vedic origins in ancient India and examine his connections with witches, storm magic, and other magical events. They explore the symbolic implications of the devil's appearance in these tales, such as how he is often either limping or disfigured with the legs or feet of a goat or other animals traditionally linked to the lower powers or passions. The authors explain how the devil’s limp or his goat-like feet reflect the prevalence in world mythology of the sacred nature of crippling injuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePeeling back the Christian veneer embedded in many tales and legends about the so-called Evil One, the authors ultimately reveal how many qualities and magical powers attributed to the devil were once those belonging to pagan gods, like the Lithuanian thunder god Perkūnas or the Titan Chronos, as well as to playful woodland spirits and the sometimes helpful, sometimes fearful fauns and satyrs of Greco-Roman mythology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47432778809580,"sku":"9781644116852","price":52.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781644116852.jpg?v=1774556693"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/claude-lecouteux.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}