Paperback Books by Gwendolyn Taunton

Eternal Wisdom explains the connection between art, mythology, spirituality, and religion through the language of symbols. These concepts are taken outside of the context of religious philosophy to explain how these ideas should be revised to achieve a positive cultural outlook for the increasingly bleak modern era. Archetypes and mystical experiences possess an inherent immortal existence in the collective human subconscious. They are eternally existent in artistic symbolism and spiritual traditions. Part earthly and part-other worldly, these hidden forces interact with humanity by providing a primordial source for the creative facets of human existence that are channeled into the diverse range of spiritual, mystical, and cultural experiences. This book examines the strands of esoteric thought and gnosis provided in the teachings of perennial philosophy - a topic that has been predominantly associated with prestigious authors such as Carl Jung, René Guénon, Frithjof Schuon, Ananda Coomaraswamy, Huston Smith, and Aldous Huxley. Eternal Wisdom aspires to expand on the existing corpus of teachings by advocating for the inclusion of polytheist cultural sources. Additionally, esoteric practices - including divination and the alchemy - are discussed within the context of perennial philosophy and the primordial tradition.

The Path of Shadows takes the reader deep in the sunless realm of hidden, subterranean gods, the world of the dead, and ancient Greek occult practices.

Fate and the Twilight of the Gods: The Norns and an Exegesis of Voluspa contains two sections, the first of which elaborates on the Norns (Nornir) and the concept of fate. In the Traditions of Northern Europe, fate is usually represented as a Goddess consisting of three aspects, known collectively as the Norns, who control the fate of the cosmos, and remain distinct from both the Aesir and the Vanir, but are nonetheless able to control the destinies of mortals and Gods alike. Respectively, the most common names for the Norns are Urdr, Verdandi, and Skuld - each of whom has a special function, weaving a tapestry of words in which the warp and weft of threads become a metaphor for human lives. Together, the three Norns offer a fascinating insight into the nature of magic, language, and metaphysical predeterminism in the Northern Traditions.The second half of the book examines Ragnarok, and provides an exegesis of Voluspa - the prophecy which outlines the inevitable destruction of the world, and the ''Twilight of the Gods''. Ragnarok refers to the doom of the Gods, and by the time Ragnarok concludes, almost every figure featured in the narrative will be dead, and the cycle of time shall begin anew. Ragnarok is examined from the perspective of perennial philosophy and comparative mythology, to explain the esoteric significance of core features in Voluspa and the events which led to Ragnarok, with particular emphasis laid on the Gods Odin and Loki.

Tantra. The word conjures forth a million images - including sex, transgressive practices, and the occult. But how accurate are these portrayals, and how do they compare to actual Tantric practices in India? To the casual observer, Tantra appears to partake of an oppositional role in regard to Vedic teachings, but this conceals a much more conservative core, for the Tantric traditions actually strive to reinforce their Vedic heritage. The Tantras are believed to be the appropriate teaching in the Kali Yuga, and understanding the role that the Kali Yuga plays in Tantric traditions is absolutely vital to interpreting the nature of Tantra itself. Contrary to being opposed to Vedic teachings, Tantra is actually an extension of them - it is a reinterpretation of the Vedas for the modern era. In addition to explaining the complex role Tantra plays within the larger corpus of Hinduism, Tantric Traditions also examines the way in which Tantra is linked to sacred geographical locations, and provides explanations on the nature of Siva, the Devi, the role of the Traditionalist School in the export of Tantric traditions to the West, and reveals secret mantra techniques. Furthermore, Tantric Traditions provides details on magical and esoteric practices from authentic Tantric occult texts such as the Mantramahodadhi of Mahidara (c.1588 CE) and the Vinasikhatantra, both of which make even the most infamous European Grimoires look totally harmless by comparison. CONTENTS Introduction PART I Gods, Sacred Sites, & the Kali Yuga Shiva: Naṭarāja, Śankara, & Higher Consciousness Nataraja | Shankara | Yoga | Shamanism The Devi: From Satī to Kālī Sati | Parvati | Durga | Kali | Draupadi Topographical Religiosity Kashi | Tirtha-Yatra | Shakta Pithas Tantra, the Kali Yuga, and the Occidental Traditionalist Kali Yuga | Yuga Sastra | Traditionalism PART II Origins, Rituals, & Esoteric Teachings The Point of Origin Definition | History | Rta | Dharma | Kali Yuga Sacred Transgression Power | Impurity | Left Hand Path | Right Hand Path Lexicographical Gnoseology Bhaskararaya | Abhinavagupta | Mantra Encryption | Formulas | Rasa | Philosophy of Sound Magico-Religious Practices Charms | Siddhi | Mantramahodadhi of Mahidhara | Vinasikhatantra | Alchemy | Magical Practices Appendix I Occult Formula Appendix II Tables of Correspondences

Primordial Traditions was the winner of the 2009 Ashton Wylie Award for Literary Excellence. This new second edition of the original award winning collection features a selection of essays by Gwendolyn Taunton and other talented authors from the original periodical Primordial Traditions (2006-2010). The new version of Primordial Traditions offers a revised layout and a new binding. This edition also has content not contained in the original publication. The first section of Primordial Traditions deals with aspects of perennial philosophy covering the broader applications of the Primordial Tradition in the modern world. Alchemy, philosophy, civilization, the Kali Yuga, and even the problems afflicting the economy are addressed here from a traditional perspective. This section deals with the nature of the Primordial Tradition and how all True Spiritual Traditions consequently relate to it in this new philosophy of religion. The second section of the book then breaks down Traditions into geographic locations to discuss European, Eastern, Middle Eastern and South American Traditions at an advanced level. Topics covered here include: Tibetan Tantra, Sufism, Yezidi, Tantrism, Vedic Mythology, Theravada Buddhism, Thai Magic, Tantrism, Oneiromancy, Norse Berserkers, Runes, Celtic Mythology, Mithras, Hellenic Mythology and Mayan Ceremonial Astrology to name but a few fascinating obscurities. Content includes the following articles by Gwendolyn Taunton: Sophia Perennis: The Doctrine of Ascension, The Primordial Tradition, The Age of Darkness: Prophecies of the Kali Yuga, Mercury Rising: The Life & Writing of Julius Evola, Ars Regia: The Royal Art Revisited, Tantra: Fifth Veda or Anti-Veda?, Aesthetics of the Divine in Hinduism, Divine Mortality: Nataraja, Shankara & Higher Consciousness in the Imagery of Siva, Monks & Magic: The Use of Magic by the Sangha in Thailand, Does Practice Make One Perfected? The Role of gTum-mo in the Six Yogas of Naropa, Clarifying the Clear Light, Oneiromancy: Divination by Dreams, Of Wolves and Men: The Berserker and the Vratya, Ancient Goddess or Political Goddess? and The Black Sun: Dionysus in the Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche & Greek Myth. Primordial Traditions also contains articles by Damon Zacharias Lycourinos, Matt Hajduk, Krum Stefanov, Bob Makransky and many more.....

Designed to help cross the divide between academic research and practical experience in spirituality, this publication is designed for those who are believers in the Northern faithsNwhether it be Asatru, Teutonic, Celtic, Anglo-Saxon or any other faith which is indigenous to Northern Europe.