Many histories of inns, taverns and the English public house have been written over the past 150 years, but the name the Seven Stars stands out as a special case. Compared to many other images used for pub signs, the depiction of seven stars has a wide range of cultural and literary associations. They appear in religious and astronomical context, in the Bible, have been adopted by the Freemasons. This special book traces the meaning and origins of the sign back 1,500 years to the legal codes of the Anglo-Saxons and beyond that to the mythological astronomy of the ancient Mediterranean region. It is believed that the sign of the Seven Stars originated in the star cluster of the seven Pleiades which was considered to be a bunch of grapes in the sky in a Dionysian and Bacchic world view, and therefore used as a suitable tavern sign. The first half of the book briefly tells the history of public drinking and the oldest and most interesting Seven Stars pubs going back to the 14th century. The first image is of Ye Olde Seven Stars, Withy Grove Manchester in 1908, a half timbered house displaying the sign 'The oldest licensed house in Great Britain licensed over 540 years.' The second part of the book is a discussion of the various meanings that have been proposed, many based on ideas from ancient astronomy. The distribution of the older pubs with the name is closely related to the areas of the Saxon and Mercian law codes that were in operation after the Danish invasions of the 9th and 10th centuries. The conclusion is that the symbolism involved retains surviving ideas from the mythological astronomy but were lost in the areas dominated by Scandinavian values where the social and political role of drinking establishments was distinctly different. Featuring rare archive photographs of interiors decorated with clocks and badges and banners, the book delves into religious symbolism and the Immaculate Conception, the Book of Enoch, the Masons, the solar system, the Seven Stars of Taurus, stars and monasteries and how the hexagram or six pointed star was a symbol for beer in parts of Germany in the Middle Ages and still found to the present day. Beautifully illustrated in colour throughout this large format 240 page softback.

Sub-titled 'Magic, the Paranormal and the Complicity of the Mind', this beautifully designed Thames & Hudson publication investigates the arts of deception as practiced by mesmerists, magicians and psychics since the early 18th century. Magician turned experimental psychologist Matthew Tompkins exposes how sleight of hand and the power of suggestion have tricked the minds of even the most rational and cynical observers. Many of the 534 spectacular illustrations and posters are from the Wellcome Collection on all manner of ephemera such as automatic writing, a sorcery manual, spirit photography, a ghost hunting kit and more. Here are the psychical researchers, spiritualist phenomena, parapsychological investigators, séances, inducing a mesmeric trance, skulls which phrenologists have robbed and great seers like Andrew Jackson Davis in the late 19th century, magnetic sleep passed from practitioner to patient, methods for curing your own ailments without drugs, doctors, expense or exposure, and posters boasting fanciful captions. There are accounts of cosmic afterlife and spirit worlds, a spirit rapping hand used during séances to 'rap out' messages ostensibly from beyond the grave although actually controlled by the medium, and the spirit trumpet which during a séance once the room was dark would mysteriously begin to rise and float in the air, emitting 'spirit voices' and perhaps even ectoplasm. Crystal gazing and pendulums, the case for telepathy and energy flow, the great Houdini and his handcuffs and chains, crate escapes and magic tricks sawing a beautiful woman in half, the decapitation act with a wax likeness 'victim' as a dramatic stage trick, visual illusion to try for yourself and the princess card trick explained, the book is a cabinet of curiosities. 224 big glamorous pages, fully illus., colour.

From the Wizards Presents series this rare fourth edition preview is a behind-the-scenes exploration of the D&D game. It is a lavishly illustrated 96 page large softback which gives role playing game fans a unique glimpse into the making of the game with essays and commentary from the game's premier designers, developers and editors. They explore the most iconic locations and monsters and share insights never before revealed in any game product. There are staff thoughts on the preview to the fourth edition - good intentions, a high five moment and fun things, crunch time, writing monsters. There is beautiful artwork in full colour like the Hobgoblin fortress with skulls and faces, a Troll, the Mind Flayer Thrallkeeper, Spined Devil, a colour artwork of the curvaceous Githyanki, the Astral Sea seemingly floating through air and a rift to the elemental chaos with fiery colours and dark broody background. The line art of the monsters in the art gallery is superb, like the skeletal Tomb Guardian and Gargoyle Strangler and characters from the Shadow Fell like the Death Knight and Shadar-kai, a full page image of Orcus. These colour and line artworks are truly spectacular and at this price could be removed from the book for framing. 96 page extra large softback, a rare import.

From the alchemical experiments practised by Queen Elizabeth I's favoured scientist Dr Dee to the arcane rituals of magicians like Aleister Crowley in the 20th century, this book uncovers ritual and magic in London in a study of occultism in its widest sense. Starting with a prevailing fear of witchcraft in the Elizabethan era, the author follows a chronological account of the major occult figures in the capital's history. The architects of the Restoration, including Wren and in particular Nicholas Hawksmoor, have been studied for the underlying principles in their designs which are believed to derive from the Cabbala and the "sacred measurements" of the biblical Temple, with Wren's pupil Hawksmoor suspected of incorporating a mesh of occult symbolism into his churches. Swedenborg, William Blake, Madame Blavatsky and Aleister Crowley all left their mark on London, together with secret societies like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Legends such as Spring-Heeled Jack and the Vampire of Highgate Cemetery are examined, and the book concludes with a gazetteer of notable occult sites. Bloomsbury, described by Peter Ackroyd as a nexus of occultism and marginal spiritualism, is home to the British Museum whose Egyptian holdings inspired the founders of the Golden Dawn. Caxton Hall in Bow is where Crowley performed his rites of Eleusis. Other landmarks are Freemasons' Hall in Covent Garden, the Warburg Institute housing the Crowley archive, and outlying sites such as the Black Madonnas of Willesden. 192pp, paperback.

Meditation is a discipline that clears your mind and controls your thoughts and emotions so that you can function as your true self. You are not in a hypnotic state because you are fully aware of what is happening here and now. Techniques range from chants and gentle breathing exercises, emptying the mind, focussing on one topic (single-point meditation), one movement or one of the five senses, to deep contemplation. In the East it has been practiced for over 5,000 years to promote tranquillity, awareness and wisdom. Some of the methods are incorporated in the practices advocated in this very popular book with excellent meditations and explanations, even for complete beginners. Covers preparing yourself, clearing negativity, past hurts, changing your world, healing your emotions, colour healing, nature meditations and the healing room. The last part deals with spiritual meditation, psychic development, meditation for spiritual connection or for religion. Over 50 meditations and visualisations in an accessible and practical guide. 154 page paperback, illus.

The blockbuster from 1983 which has become the UK's second longest ever running stage play by the undoubted mistress of the modern ghost story. Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor, is summoned to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, the sole inhabitant of Eel Marsh House. He travels to the remote village to put the affairs of his client in order and as he works alone in her isolated house, he begins to uncover disturbing secrets. His unease grows when he glimpses a mysterious woman dressed in black. The locals are strangely unwilling to talk about the unsettling occurrence, and Kipps is forced to uncover the true identity of the Woman in Black on his own, leading to a desperate race against time when he discovers her true identity, and her terrible purpose. 200 page paperback.

J. K. Rowling's Wizarding World Magical illustrations by Scott Buoncristiano, this flip top spiral bound book is designed to be used at bedtime in a dimly lit room or tent. Shine a beam of light from a torch or mobile phone through the window on each page to cast shadows on your favourite scenes on a wall or ceiling. Read along with the script provided for each one. Discover Dobby the House-Elf, Buckbeak the Hippogriff, see Hagrid giving his first care of magical creatures lesson, the scene when Harry is threatened by the memory of Tom Riddle in the Chamber of Secrets when Newt Scamander tried to get a hold of a Niffler or when he shows his No-Maj friend Jacob Kowalski a strange creature he has collected. Whether it's Frank the Thunderbird or a Ukrainian Ironbelly Dragon, draw your own favourite creature on the final clear Perspex window using a non-permanent dry-erase marker, then project it on the wall for all to see. Rinse and repeat! For all fans of cut-outs, pop-ups and interactive collectable books, designed for ages 7-10 and of course adult collectors. 16 pages, spiral bound, 19.6 x 24cm. Illus.

Follow directions on basic wizard's gear to make party robes, hats and other item including a Chinese wizard's robe, fairy wands and wings or a crystal crown. Learn about dragon wrestling, cabbage bowling, tealeaf reading, Egyptian dice and make special food and drink recipes such as Mandrake Cupcakes and Lavender Lemonade. Mix potions for an alchemists' gathering, make a throne for the realm for Merlin's birthday party, build a merry maypole for the welcome springtime fairy frolic or even make it 'snow' inside for a wizard's winter revels. We dare you to turn out the lights and read the tale of the Beheading Ball or hear Merlin's story about what really happened to King Arthur and the Sword in the Stone. Spell-catcher safety goggles, magic flowers, fairy rosewater, orange peel fireworks, magic chameleon eggs, Chinese lanterns, caramel apples, a genie bottle, a fairy wristlet, paper pyramids or an Egyptian fortune catcher, here are magical things to make and marvellous things to do plus feasting and gaming. 144 heavyweight beautifully decorated pages with runes and colour and line art for ages 8-12 years - this old wizard wants to share his magical secrets with eager apprentices. 21 x 22cm and bottle green bonded leather edition with gold embossed decoration.

Exquisite pen and ink images to colour in for yourself for calmness, the book is grouped by desert with the camel, phoenix, lizard, cactus, scarab and thunderbird and more, the prairie and savannah with the deer, bison and bee, mountains and woodland with the fox, Arctic fox, eagle, cougar, lovebirds, wolf, butterflies, raven and bear and more, the rainforest with frogs and butterflies, hummingbirds and elephants, toucans and tarantulas, rivers and wetlands with cranes and dragonflies and oceans and seas with blue whales, dolphin, lobster, puffin, sea turtle, humpback whales and polar bear and many more. All you have to do is colour in these stunning illustrations drawn by artist Sue Coccia, animal totems representing a deep spirituality. As we concentrate on the colour schemes, shapes and details in this Native American looking set of drawings we appreciate the birds and animals and bees of mother earth and learn to reduce our stress and live a more calm and relaxed life. For each there is a tiny description of the polar bear for example with its wisdom, power, the Shaman and the terrapin grounded with wisdom and endurance. Even as black and white artworks, they could be removed for framing from the extra large softback. 96pp.

Thai body work, massage and medicine, herbal medicine and spiritual meditation has been in the process of constant evolution for over 1,000 years. Thai massage at its most basic is a complex sequence of soft tissue pressing, stretching, twisting and joint manipulations and the techniques presented here are essentially a pot pourri of those taken from various regions of Thailand. Beginners will find them flowing and harmonious and very similar to what you could expect to receive at the hands of a Thai master. Ayurvedic and Thai massage historically refer to 72,000 theoretical lines, called Sen, based on drawings from the Wat Pho tablets. There are 60 carved epigraphs that depict the ten Sen lines and pressure points and in this book sections of the Chinese Meridians are used where they correspond to similar positions of the Thai Sen lines. This is where the body's vital life energy flows - physical, mental and emotional processes where any imbalance or blockage in the distribution of this energy can cause pain and disease. The book shows lessons with dots and arrows superimposed over photographs to show the techniques and clear direction and the range of movement involved in all the manipulations. The tenet is that ageing is often more to do with how we feel than with the passage of time. Organised by muscles, the mechanics, the Thai body work programme explains with big clear step-by-step colour photographs and bullet points and fact boxes the feet, legs, both legs and back, chest and abdomen, arms, hands, neck and face, lying on either side, lying face down and the sitting position, followed by tailormade treatments and massage routines to ease chronic pain. Thai massage can help maintain health and useful vitality and improve sports performance with powerful healing forces. Large softback, 160pp, colour.