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Illusions are part of our everyday lives -?but it depends what kind of illusions are navigating us through our predicaments. Drawing on insights from critical theory and psychoanalysis, Florian Maiwald explores how multiple interconnected challenges force us to confront the illusions sustaining our societal norms. Maiwald argues that as collective illusions of progress crumble, we are not responding with innovative solutions but retreating into what he terms 'regressive illusions': backward-looking fantasies that quite often masquerade as progressive ideals. These illusions lead us not towards a brighter future but back into the shadows of the past. This book critically examines various manifestations of these regressive tendencies, including the rise of far-right politics, the contradictions of 'woke capitalism,'?and the decay of utopian thinking in the age of AI. Maiwald weaves together insights from philosophy, critical theory, and psychoanalysis to expose the underlying mechanisms of our current social and political malaise. More than a mere critique, Regressive Illusion? dvocates for understanding the necessity of certain illusions while calling for a renewed capacity for critical thinking in the face of crisis.

The judicious use of humor is often cited as the reason a new relationship began. It is also frequently recognized as the reason it has lasted. People like to be with others who make them laugh and who, in turn, enjoy their own humorous comments. Humor is an effective tool in nearly all settings, from formal interactions in the workplace to casual exchanges with strangers. How Humor Helps? informs its readers how to determine what is funny and what is not. Complicating the picture is that the appropriate use of humor has recently changed drastically in terms of topics and language. This book emphasizes the positive values of humor in many areas of life and how to deliver it effectively. Based on the scientific literature, the views of professional comedians, and our awareness of cultural changes, the autho? recommendations are all designed to affect major personal benefits to the reader. Maybe greater longevity, too, as the latest evidence is that strong social connections, facilitated by clever humor, actually can make people happier, self-confident, and even physically healthier. This book stresses the value of using humor in most areas of your life and how to do it successfully to garner the greatest benefits.

Exploitative. Hyper-Productive. Militarist. Miserable. Quatron is a fantasy world warped to serve the cold interests of a corporate oligarchy. Romantic. Arrogant. Idealistic. Intense. Ellaria is a young woman doomed to decades in a credit camp after inheriting her fathe? medical debt. Locked away, closely monitored, and put to work with thousands of others, i? clear ther? no future for people like Ellaria under this system ? so she will fight for a new one. Joining forces with an eight-foot-tall aspiring optimist, a wizard with a shotgun, and an ex-noble sorceress that she ca? keep her eyes off, Ellaria will revolt against Quatro? regime of corporate control.? But Ellaria has critical questions to answer: How can anyone defeat such a deeply entrenched system? What will the oligarchs be willing to do to stay in power? And most importantly, what sort of world should she aim to build? She needs to find her answers quickly. The time of rebellion begins.

Meet Kirk Decker, abusive 1980s B-movie actor. H? self-destructing from drink and drugs, and some people want him dead. While shooting an action film in the Philippines, he has unearthly visions and weird encounters. Meet Dayang, the dutiful queen of a matriarchal tribe in 16th-century Luzon. Why are her people suffering from mysterious diseases? How can they call on the spirit world to save them? And what connects them through time, space and magic to Kirk and other violent white men in need of redemption?

A fallen white feather that speaks of a loved one. Two magpies promising joy. The haunting call of an owl in the deep night, hinting at dark omens. For centuries, we?ve looked to the birds of air and water for answers in the form of divination, folklore, superstition, and legend. In this book, The Magic of Birds, you?ll discover the supernatural side of songbirds like the robin, waterfowl like ducks and swans, and more well-known magical creatures like ravens and crows. With beautiful illustrations by Kay Savage, this book gently introduces the reader to the magical world of birds, in modern Paganism, ancient myth, and even local beliefs. Learn how to integrate bird magic into your spiritual practice, what certain birds in your dreams might mean, and even hold a seasonal ritual that honours our feathered cousins. Step into a wondrous realm that connects Earth, Sea, and Sky via the marvels of birds - and expands the horizons of the meaning of magic.

Finding empowerment in working with ancient gods is not new. Sometimes this approach to the deity is born from a wound. The wound is a catalyst of consciousness, which opens windows to other realities and invisible worlds. As a Priestess Hierophant, author Ness Bosch sees women who seek to get closer to the divine, to the Goddess, seeking to restore their connection with the divinity, but also connecting with the possible wounds that those goddesses mirror. In a painful but beautiful and healing way, the divine wound connects with the human feminine wound, bringing closer Goddess and mortal. This anthology is a collective testament to the survival and resilience of women. It is a reminder that every woman, no matter how deeply wounded, continues to walk hand in hand with others, and sometimes, with goddesses. The wounds we share with these divine figures are not just personal but also universal feminine wounds that have been carried for millennia.

This work critically analyses the self-help industry, tracing its evolution from 19th-century moral guidance to toda? multi-billion-pound enterprise. It provides an incisive overview examining how self-hel? promise of empowerment has shifted from a community-focused ideal to a relentless, often isolating pursuit of personal success. Through a detailed exploration, The Self-Help Industr? issects the oversimplifications and individualistic biases that pervade self-help literature, uncovering the limitations of its 'one-size-fits-all'?philosophy. It highlights the darker side of the relentless tyranny of optimism, showing how the industr? embrace of toxic positivity has a detrimental effect and influences everything from corporate culture to social media. The Self-Help Industry addresses the paradox at the heart of self-help: while it claims to enable growth, it often leaves readers feeling inadequate. De Oliveira critiques the commodification of personal development, questioning the ethics of profiting from promises of transformation. A critical look at self-hel? success stories reveals how they obscure complex realities, ultimately reinforcing unrealistic expectations. The Self-Help Industr? dvocates for a shift toward collective, systemic approaches to empowerment, calling for a focus on community, social justice, and liberation. This thought-provoking work is essential for anyone rethinking their path to well-being.

From the author of Fate and Fortun? agazin? ever-popular Witch That Gets You Rich column. Rachel Patterso? Prosperity Magi? elcomes you to the realm of money-making magic. But that is not all. Abundance and prosperity can manifest in all kinds of ways -?in the form of cold hard cash, or equally, in the form of friends, family, love, and happiness. Prosperity Magi? rovides a plethora of general magical suggestions, spell workings, tips, and correspondences for creating all kinds of prosperity, abundance, and money-making magic to enrich and enhance your life, as well as recover from debts, because sometimes we need that, too. All the spells here are straightforward and uncomplicated, often using items and ingredients easily found in your home, kitchen, and cupboards. Money magic should? be complicated. It should involve simple steps for creating and manifesting the comfortable life you deserve, not just for you but also for those you care about -?you deserve abundance in all areas of your life -?make it happen!

A messy wool ball, a smelly sick cat, a cranky corpse -?unrelated images coincide to bring the autho? family to a threshold of make or break. He faces the legal threat of colossal corporate fraud while his daughter wrestles with a life-threatening eating disorder. We walk with them to the edge of lif? mystery, where dreams and our living are interwoven in coincidences. We venture into a liminal realm where traumas are healed, sufferings are remade, and symbols sacred and profane are brought to their manifestation. Social scientist and author Manny Mak explores spiritual experiences with an anthropological rigor rarely seen in spiritual books. Written with the sophistication of a veteran researcher and the n? e sensitivity of a spiritual seeker, this book offers a unique combination of first-hand testimony and a rigorous examination of dreams and meaningful coincidences. The captivating prose and paintings cultivate a sensibility in readers -?one that is healing, dream-awakening, and spiritually enlightening.

Aine is a popular goddess known for her associations with love, fertility and the sun, celebrated at the height of summer and at the first harvests. A fairy queen of the Tuatha de Danaan, she is beloved both by the Irish people whose land she is entwined with and by neopagans across the world. Even her name means 'bright.' But she also has a dark side. Caution may be advised. For Aine is also known as a dark muse in Victorian fairytales, a neopagan goddess who seeks justice and revenge for trauma survivors, and a powerful queen of the hollow hills in native Irish folklore. This book will introduce you to Aine and suggest ways to honour her in your practice, as well as exploring her deep and complex history. ?

Successful businessman Tim Malone found himself spiraling into the depths of an opioid addiction that lasted seven years. He had built a staffing empire valued at over $400 million, yet behind this facade of success, Ti? personal life was unraveling. Entwined in a failing marriage and burdened by the pressure of maintaining his business, Tim turned to opioids to numb his pain. His descent into addiction led to an unexpected romance with Denise, a relationship that ultimately provided him with a second chance at love and happiness. However, it was the unforeseen arrival of Boo Boo, a dog Tim never knew he wanted, that catalyzed his journey to redemption. Boo Boo's unconditional love helped Tim confront his demons and rebuild his life. The story reaches a poignant turning point with Boo Boo's death, an event that not only plunged Tim into profound grief but also opened doors to a new spiritual dimension. Through his experiences with orbs, spirit guides, angels, and so many other mystical entities, Tim found a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper connection to the universe, and to Boo Boo. Behind the Vei? s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of love. It offers both hope and encouragement to those struggling with addiction, and Tim's story is a beacon of light for anyone who has faced rock bottom. This book also provides an inspirational and sweeping foundation of knowledge for those seeking a deeper understanding of the spiritual realm.

In 2018, Katie and her boyfriend, Luke, moved to Asturias, Northern Spain, in search of a home. As conservation storytellers, they were drawn to the story of the Iberian wolf -?a much-maligned creature facing relentless persecution right on their doorstep. But as they delved deeper, they discovered that the story was far more complex than they had imagined. While searching, they found a dilapidated old dairy farm, which they purchased with a vision to rewild its surrounding land. They named their new home Wild Finc? nd soon realized that promoting coexistence with wolves -?and all wildlife -?was? about exposing the darker aspects of the relationship but about proving that living alongside wildlife was truly possible by doing it themselves.

'A thinking reader's thriller with such a shocking twist I was genuinely unprepared for it.' Trezza Azzopardi, Booker-shortlisted author of The Hiding Place - After learning of his wife's affair with his best friend and business partner, divorced and unemployed MindTech entrepreneur Dr Harry Coulson arrives in the idyllic English town of Freebourne, looking to start a new life. But any hopes of quietly picking up the pieces of his broken world are shattered when he steps off the train to discover the body of a young woman lying in the snow. It's almost as if she'd been left there for him to find. Harry does everything he can to help. But as a stranger arriving on the night Freebourne witnesses its first murder in over a century, he not only becomes a suspect in the woman's killing but finds himself caught in a deadly game between science, faith, and free will - in a secret far darker and more terrifying than anything he could have imagined.

Abundant with archeological finds, historical research, practical rituals and spells, this book sheds fresh light on ancient magical word craft and unearths the fragmented lives and voices of women mystical poets, writers, chantresses, and bards; many almost lost to obscurity. From Petroglyphic stone magic traversing caves and desert gorges, incantation bowls found in the ancient Near East, votive tablets to goddesses across the mediterranean, notation blessing knives of renaissance Europe and more, Word Witchery explores our intrinsic desire to commune with the divine and supernatural forces via poetry and magical writing. Includes practical writing ritual and spell prompts for the modern Word Witch and Poetry Priestess to connect with feminine divinity, to conjure their own poetry magic and weave their worlds with words.

Sage Advic? s a fun and practical approach to energetic smoke cleansing for your home and sacred space! Many plants and tree resins have properties that you can use and blend with others to create a beautiful smoke bath, potpourri, or for use in your spiritual observances. Learn how you can incorporate loose herbs and resins into your daily life to create beautiful and healing incense to enhance your energetic hygiene for your body, mind, and home. Sage Advic? ffers simple, everyday practices which people of all ages, cultures, and spiritual paths can adopt. Learn the reasons for energetic smudging, and have a greater understanding of how this practice can affect your home and personal space, and how to make it an easy, but important part of your journey on this beautiful planet we call home.

Competition between the worl? two strongest powers is inevitable, but myths and misperceptions prevent a clear understanding of the fundamental realities driving Sino-US rivalry. It is time to dispel the myths and provide the facts. This book explains the key areas of contention between Beijing and Washington, uncovering the realities behind important economic, military, and diplomatic trends. It also presents detailed predictions on how the rivalry will likely unfold over the coming years and decades. Sino-US competition is the most important geopolitical fact of the 21st Century. Anyone seeking to succeed and thrive in an uncertain future must understand the drivers and contours of the worl? most influential bilateral relationship.