James Lewis Thomas Chalmers Spence was a Scottish journalist, poet, author, folklorist, and student of the occult. His work delved into mythology and folklore, including popularizing the Mayan Popul Vuh and investigating Celtic rites. Spence also explored the lost continent of Atlantis, seeking to elevate the subject from occult circles and examining connections between ancient civilizations of the Old and New Worlds. Despite facing criticism from mainstream scholarship for his conclusions, his extensive research and imagination left a significant mark on the popular understanding of these topics, with many of his books remaining in print.
Exploring the rich mythological traditions of ancient Mexico and Peru, this work by Lewis Spence offers insights into the cultural narratives and folklore of these civilizations. Published in 1913, it showcases Spence's expertise as a folklorist and journalist, providing readers with a detailed examination of the myths that shaped the identities and beliefs of these societies.
Focusing on ancient Egyptian mythology, this collection delves into the rich history and culture of Egypt, highlighting the profound impact of its belief systems. Key figures like Osiris, Isis, Anubis, and Ra are explored alongside famous tales such as "The Story of the Shipwrecked Sailor" and "The Story of Two Brothers." Additionally, the text discusses the practice of magic in ancient Egypt and the roles of foreign and animal gods. Enhanced by illustrations from Evelyn Paul, this work offers a comprehensive glimpse into Egyptian legends and folklore.
Superb, in-depth survey explores animism, totemism, fetishism, creation myths, Egyptian priesthood, numerous deities, alchemy, Egyptian art and magic, other fascinating topics. Includes over 50 photographs and illustrations.
For the North American peoples, myths and legends were more than mere entertainment. They were an essential part of a culture based upon a common understanding of mankind's place in nature, and upon totemic beliefs which gave animals souls, spirits and supernatural powers.
Spence's text is vividly illustrated with images of gods, temples and hieroglyphs, stunning reproductions of tomb paintings and photographs of the eternal landscape of Egypt, watered by the incomparable Nile and as fertile as the imagination of the Ancient Egyptians themselves. For anyone curious to learn about the myths, history and culture of one of the worlds's greatest civilizations, The Illustrated Guide to Egyptian Mythology is beautiful and informative introduction.
'In no individual born in these islands does there not flow the blood of the Druid priests and seers, and I confidently rely on British mystics, whatever their particular predilections, to unite in this greatest of all possible quests, the restoration of our native Secret Traditions.' Lewis Spence's rallying call to spiritual regeneration animates this classic work on the secret rites and traditions of ancient Britain. Drawing upon Bardic writings and archeological evidence such as stone circles, Spence argues that Druidism developed out of a cult of the Dead, which arose in North Africa, but was adopted and transformed by the British Celts. Spence describes the Druids as having both magical and administrative functions and that, under Roman persecution they only seemed to disappear. He provides good evidence that they survived in the Celtic areas of the British Isles. This stimulating book finds the author passionately arguing for a reassessment of this highly individual type of mysticism based on native spiritual traditions.
"Chapters 2-76 of A brief guide to Native American myths and legends were originally published in Myths and legends of the North American Indians by Lewis Spence, George G. Harrap, 1914"--Contents verso.
The Mythic and Heroic Sagas of the Kichés of Central America
The Popol Vuh presents the mythic and heroic sagas of the Kichés, an indigenous group from Central America. This classical work has held significant importance throughout history, and the modern republishing by Alpha Editions ensures its preservation for future generations. The book has been thoughtfully reformatted and retyped, providing a clear and readable text that enhances the reader's experience, free from the limitations of scanned copies.
In An Introduction to Mythology, originally published in the 1921, Spence presented a comprehensive overview of traditional forms of narrative that, for our primitive ancestors, served as religion and science. Besides recounting tales from around the world, Spence explained the many differences in primitive and modern worldviews. According to Spence, themes such as animism, while now almost absent from out thinking, are still enlightening to us in modern times: "just as fossil animals and plants have their living representatives to-day, so do ideas and conceptions representing this petrified form of religion and science still flourish in our present-day superstitions and our present-day faiths." Spence's An Introduction to Mythology provides a sweeping view of worldwide mythological themes from a scholar of the overlooked and intriguing. Scottish writer Lewis Spence (1874-1955) was a respected authority on worldwide myths, legends, folklore, and occult subjects, and wrote more than forty books, including Encyclopedia of Occultism, The Popol Vuh, The History of Atlantis, The Magic and Mysteries of Mexico, Ancient Egyptian Myths and Legends, Fairy Tradition in Britain and The Magic Arts in Celtic Britain.
