Books published by Inner Traditions Bear and Company

A guide to understanding the phases of astrological Moon signs and their effects on emotions and personality.

An exploration of the personal and spiritual truths revealed through LSD.

ETHNOBOTANY Marijuana Medicine, the most complete visual record of cannabis culture ever published, explores the role of hemp in medicinal systems spanning the globe. Cannabis has accompanied the development of human culture from its very beginnings and can be found in the healing traditions of cultures throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Even today it is an important part of many Asian healing traditions: in Ayurveda cannabis is praised for its tonic and aphrodisiac qualities, and in traditional Chinese medicine it is cited as a superb antidepressant. It also remains a significant part of the healing and visionary traditions of Latin American curanderos and Brazilian, Nepalese, and Indian folk medicine. Modern research has confirmed the effectiveness of marijuana's application in treating such diseases as asthma and glaucoma. Christian Ratsch profiles the medicinal, historical, and cultural uses of cannabis in each of these societies and medical systems, providing remedies and recipes for those interested in how it can be used to treat specific conditions. CHRISTIAN RaTSCH is a world-renowned anthropologist and ethnopharmacologist. A specialist in the cultural use of natural products, Ratsch has conducted fieldwork in many areas of the globe. He is the author of numerous books, three of which--Gateway to Inner Space, The Dictionary of Sacred and Magical Plants, and Plants of Love--have been translated into English. He also is the author of the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants. Ratsch is currently serving as the president of the German Society for Ethnomedicine.

WRITING REFERENCE / PERSONAL GROWTH "The most subversive book on writing I have ever encountered--and the most important." --Herbie Brennan, New York Times bestselling author of Faerie Wars "If Lao-tzu and Emerson could have a dialogue on writing, they would welcome the company of this remarkable book." --William Howarth, author of Walking with Thoreau "As a writer and a teacher, I've learned more from Buhner's book than from anything I've read about writing since the works of John Gardner and William Stafford. I'm truly grateful to him for having written it." --John Elder, instructor at Breadloaf Writers Conference, professor at Middlebury College, author of Reading the Mountains of Home and The Frog Run Approaching writing as a sacred art, Stephen Buhner explores the core of the craft: the communication of deep meaning that feeds not just the mind but also the soul of the reader. Tapping in to the powerful archetypes within language, he shows how to enrich your writing by following "golden threads" of inspiration while understanding the crucial invisibles essential to the art of both fiction and nonfiction: how to craft language with feeling and vision, employ altered states of mind to access the writing trance, clear your work by recognizing the powerful sway of cliched thinking and hidden baggage, and intentionally generate duende--that physical/emotional response to art that gives you chills, opens up unrecognized aspects of reality, or simply resonates in your soul. Covering some very practical aspects of writing such as layering and word symmetry, the author also explores the inner world of publishing--what you really will encounter when you become a writer. He then shows how to develop a powerful and engaging book proposal based on understanding the proposal as a work of fiction--the map is never the territory, nor is the proposal the book that it will become. This book, written using all the techniques discussed within it, offers a powerful, experiential journey into the heart of writing. It does for nonfiction what John Gardner's books on writing did for fiction. It is one of the most significant works on writing published in our time. STEPHEN HARROD BUHNER is the author of 13 books of nonfiction and 1 of poetry. His books have been translated into 14 languages and have been nominated for 11 awards, winning 8. A member of PEN and the Authors Guild, he lives in Silver City, New Mexico.

ASTROLOGY / NEW AGE "Shamanic Egyptian Astrology is a new creative way of looking at and applying astrology. It is unique in that it brings together Egyptian and Western astrology. What I especially like is that at the end of each chapter there are rituals and meditations that anyone can do. It is nice to have a book with practical applications.I recommend this book to all spiritual seekers." --John DeSalvo, Ph.D., director of the Great Pyramid of Giza Research Association and author of The Lost Art of Enochian Magic Shamanic Egyptian Astrology integrates the Egyptian pantheon, the ancient language of astrology, and shamanic practices to promote a new way to interpret and work with natal charts. Revealing the cross-cultural mythology and astrological significance of the individual Egyptian gods and goddesses, the authors link each of the 12 zodiac signs and 11 celestial bodies of Western astrology with its Egyptian ancestor, introducing new significance to their positions and interactions in a horoscope. For example, Leo is linked with Anubis and Taurus with Hathor. Venus is associated with the goddess Isis and Jupiter with Horus. Each chapter includes sacred invocations and shamanic rituals to invite the wisdom of each Egyptian deity into your life--such as calling on Sekhmet for action or Thoth for clarity. With sample interpretations of the charts of Barack Obama and Gloria Steinem, this book provides a practical framework for accessing the wisdom of ancient Egypt and offers astrological and shamanic tools for spiritual guidance and the coming shift in planetary consciousness. LINDA STAR WOLF, a shamanic guide who has led workshops since 1984, is the founder of Venus Rising Institute for Shamanic Healing Arts. The author of Shamanic Breathwork and coauthor of Shamanic Mysteries of Egypt and The Anubis Oracle, she lives in North Carolina. A professional astrologer since 1977, RUBY FALCONER is the staff astrologer, lead trainer, business manager, and a workshop facilitator for Venus Rising. She lives in North Carolina.

NEW AGE / SPIRITUALITY "My Swedish Warmblood stallion named L.A. Baltic Inspiration is greatly improved from a longstanding problem, which seemed to have no apparent solution. More important, he is physically fit, healthy, and happy with his life. I am very grateful to Laila and her guides for their assistance." --Gail Hoff-Carmona, Ph.D., Los Alamos Dressage Center When Laila del Monte was a child growing up on the Balearic island of Formentera, she experienced a special bond with the animals that were a part of her life. Later, as she became entirely focused on her career as a flamenco dancer, she resisted those who told her that her true vocation was as a healer. But when her own health challenges jeopardized her dancing career, the healing energies she received from both her human and animal teachers raised her consciousness about the important insights animals have to offer on the state of our physical and emotional well-being. In this book Laila del Monte reveals how the unconditionally loving nature of animals very often leads them to take on the physical pains and negative emotional experiences of the human beings in their lives. The animals absorb negative emotions such as guilt, anger, jealousy, and other issues that stop people from moving forward and reflect these back in their animal behavior. Through her work with countless animals suffering from behavioral disorders or who have been sick or injured, del Monte learned that the physical healing of the animals is directly tied to the emotional healing of the people they are close to. The stories and situations she shares in this book demonstrate that learning what animals have to teach us about our lives does not require any magical formula or laborious training--it is part of our natural birthright. We need only to revive our own deep intuition to restore this connection. The authenticity and loving nature of del Monte's approach is not only testimony to her dedication and amazing abilities but also shows us the way we can follow the same path simply and honestly. LAILA del MONTE earned a master's degree in the history of religion from the Sorbonne before becoming an acclaimed flamenco dancer. She teaches animal communication in the United States and in Europe, her specialty being "problem horses" and healing sick and injured animals. She lives in Los Angeles and Paris.