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SoBrief
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The Disappearance of Rituals
by Byung-Chul Han • 2019
Your exhaustion isn't overwork. It's a world that has stripped out every ritual.
3.98
3k+
The Disappearance of Rituals Summary
The Disappearance of Rituals 87%
Your exhaustion isn't overwork. It's a world that has stripped out every ritual.
by Byung-Chul Han 2019
3.98
3k+ ratings
The Elementary Forms of Religious Life
by Émile Durkheim • 1912
A totem is a clan's flag, and its god is just the group personified.
3.93
4k+
The Elementary Forms of Religious Life Summary
The Elementary Forms of Religious Life 87%
A totem is a clan's flag, and its god is just the group personified.
by Émile Durkheim 1912
3.93
4k+ ratings
The History and the Future of the Roman Liturgy
by Denis Crouan • 2005
The Mass evolved for centuries. Trent froze it; Vatican II's hijackers shattered it.
4.00
16
The History and the Future of the Roman Liturgy Summary
The History and the Future of the Roman Liturgy 87%
The Mass evolved for centuries. Trent froze it; Vatican II's hijackers shattered it.
by Denis Crouan 2005
4.00
16 ratings
American Aloha
by Heather A. Diamond • 2008
A hula stage on the National Mall: how festivals manufacture tradition and erase a colonial past.
4.20
10
American Aloha Summary
American Aloha 87%
A hula stage on the National Mall: how festivals manufacture tradition and erase a colonial past.
by Heather A. Diamond 2008
4.20
10 ratings
Desiring the Kingdom
by James K.A. Smith • 2009
Secular rituals already shape your deepest loves. Christian worship was meant to do the same.
4.22
4k+
Desiring the Kingdom Summary
Desiring the Kingdom 87%
Secular rituals already shape your deepest loves. Christian worship was meant to do the same.
by James K.A. Smith 2009
4.22
4k+ ratings
In Sorcery's Shadow
by Paul Stoller • 1989
Birds defecate on an anthropologist in Niger. A sorcerer sees a sign and demands an apprenticeship.
3.98
312
In Sorcery's Shadow Summary
In Sorcery's Shadow 87%
Birds defecate on an anthropologist in Niger. A sorcerer sees a sign and demands an apprenticeship.
by Paul Stoller 1989
3.98
312 ratings
The Forest People
by Colin M. Turnbull • 1961
The Mbuti have no chiefs, no crime, and no fear of the forest that feeds them.
3.96
3k+
The Forest People Summary
The Forest People 87%
The Mbuti have no chiefs, no crime, and no fear of the forest that feeds them.
by Colin M. Turnbull 1961
3.96
3k+ ratings
The Art of Community
by Charles H. Vogl • 2016
Seven elements that forge a meaningful community, where members grow and look out for each other.
3.68
1k+
The Art of Community Summary
The Art of Community 87%
Seven elements that forge a meaningful community, where members grow and look out for each other.
by Charles H. Vogl 2016
3.68
1k+ ratings
Mama Lola
by Karen McCarthy Brown • 2001
A religion of survival, not sorcery: the life of a Haitian Vodou priestess in Brooklyn.
4.04
1k+
Mama Lola Summary
Mama Lola 87%
A religion of survival, not sorcery: the life of a Haitian Vodou priestess in Brooklyn.
by Karen McCarthy Brown 2001
4.04
1k+ ratings
Santa Muerte
by Tracey Rollin • 2017
The skeleton saint the Church condemns and millions adore: a practical guide to working with her.
3.90
245
Santa Muerte Summary
Santa Muerte 86%
The skeleton saint the Church condemns and millions adore: a practical guide to working with her.
by Tracey Rollin 2017
3.90
245 ratings
Revolutionary Witchcraft
by Sarah Lyons • 2019
Turn your craft into a direct-action toolkit: how spells, sigils, and rituals can dismantle systems.
3.89
562
Revolutionary Witchcraft Summary
Revolutionary Witchcraft 86%
Turn your craft into a direct-action toolkit: how spells, sigils, and rituals can dismantle systems.
by Sarah Lyons 2019
3.89
562 ratings
Millionth Circle
by Jean Shinoda Bolen • 1999
The smallest unit of revolution is a circle of women. One more might tip everything.
4.07
440
Millionth Circle Summary
Millionth Circle 86%
The smallest unit of revolution is a circle of women. One more might tip everything.
by Jean Shinoda Bolen 1999
4.07
440 ratings
The Uses of Greek Mythology
by Ken Dowden • 1992
Greek myth founded cities, structured initiations, and drew the line between human and monster.
3.62
34
The Uses of Greek Mythology Summary
The Uses of Greek Mythology 86%
Greek myth founded cities, structured initiations, and drew the line between human and monster.
by Ken Dowden 1992
3.62
34 ratings
The Healing Wisdom of Africa
by Malidoma Patrice Somé • 1999
A West African elder's ritual and community practices for restoring the purpose you forgot.
4.48
474
The Healing Wisdom of Africa Summary
The Healing Wisdom of Africa 86%
A West African elder's ritual and community practices for restoring the purpose you forgot.
by Malidoma Patrice Somé 1999
4.48
474 ratings
African Religions & Philosophy
by John S. Mbiti • 1990
The dead are still family. Time has no future. Religion is the air.
3.85
280
African Religions & Philosophy Summary
African Religions & Philosophy 86%
The dead are still family. Time has no future. Religion is the air.
by John S. Mbiti 1990
3.85
280 ratings
Going to Church in Medieval England
by Nicholas Orme • 2021
9,500 buildings held medieval England together: the parish church, from birth to burial.
4.19
295
Going to Church in Medieval England Summary
Going to Church in Medieval England 86%
9,500 buildings held medieval England together: the parish church, from birth to burial.
by Nicholas Orme 2021
4.19
295 ratings
We Are Dancing for You
by Cutcha Risling Baldy • 2018
Colonialism targeted Indigenous women's power; reviving a puberty ceremony is the counteroffensive.
4.51
171
We Are Dancing for You Summary
We Are Dancing for You 86%
Colonialism targeted Indigenous women's power; reviving a puberty ceremony is the counteroffensive.
by Cutcha Risling Baldy 2018
4.51
171 ratings
Rise Sister Rise
by Rebecca Campbell • 2016
The feminine force that spins planets also lives in you. The practices for waking it up.
4.21
3k+
Rise Sister Rise Summary
Rise Sister Rise 86%
The feminine force that spins planets also lives in you. The practices for waking it up.
by Rebecca Campbell 2016
4.21
3k+ ratings
Ritual
by Malidoma Patrice Somé • 1993
When a community stops its rituals, the ancestors withdraw and the witches move in.
4.22
597
Ritual Summary
Ritual 86%
When a community stops its rituals, the ancestors withdraw and the witches move in.
by Malidoma Patrice Somé 1993
4.22
597 ratings
Encountering God Through Dance
by Saara Taina • 2012
Your body can heal, fight, and worship: the Spirit-led dance that reclaims what the enemy stole.
4.32
68
Encountering God Through Dance Summary
Encountering God Through Dance 86%
Your body can heal, fight, and worship: the Spirit-led dance that reclaims what the enemy stole.
by Saara Taina 2012
4.32
68 ratings
Religion for Atheists
by Alain de Botton • 2011
Atheism won by disproving God. It lost by discarding everything religion knew about human needs.
3.66
12k+
Religion for Atheists Summary
Religion for Atheists 86%
Atheism won by disproving God. It lost by discarding everything religion knew about human needs.
by Alain de Botton 2011
3.66
12k+ ratings
Religion in Human Evolution
by Robert N. Bellah • 2011
Before belief, play. The story from animal ritual to Axial sages who questioned every god.
3.97
451
Religion in Human Evolution Summary
Religion in Human Evolution 86%
Before belief, play. The story from animal ritual to Axial sages who questioned every god.
by Robert N. Bellah 2011
3.97
451 ratings
The Power of Ritual
by Casper ter Kuile • 2020
From shared meals to phone-free Sundays: the rituals that build meaning without religion.
3.86
7k+
The Power of Ritual Summary
The Power of Ritual 86%
From shared meals to phone-free Sundays: the rituals that build meaning without religion.
by Casper ter Kuile 2020
3.86
7k+ ratings
The Art of Gathering
by Priya Parker • 2018
Stop hosting on autopilot: give your gathering a disputable purpose and watch people lean in.
3.94
29k+
The Art of Gathering Summary
The Art of Gathering 86%
Stop hosting on autopilot: give your gathering a disputable purpose and watch people lean in.
by Priya Parker 2018
3.94
29k+ ratings
Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches
by Marvin Harris • 1974
Cow worship, pork bans, witch hunts: each solved a practical problem no one admitted existed.
3.92
5k+
Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches Summary
Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches 86%
Cow worship, pork bans, witch hunts: each solved a practical problem no one admitted existed.
by Marvin Harris 1974
3.92
5k+ ratings
The Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe, 6500-3500 BC.
by Marija Gimbutas • 1982
Clay figurines from 7,000 years ago reveal a civilization that worshipped goddesses, not kings.
4.25
377
The Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe, 6500-3500 BC. Summary
The Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe, 6500-3500 BC. 86%
Clay figurines from 7,000 years ago reveal a civilization that worshipped goddesses, not kings.
by Marija Gimbutas 1982
4.25
377 ratings
Revolt Against the Modern World
by Julius Evola • 1934
Progress is backwards: history is the long descent from sacred kingship to the rule of the masses.
3.98
2k+
Revolt Against the Modern World Summary
Revolt Against the Modern World 86%
Progress is backwards: history is the long descent from sacred kingship to the rule of the masses.
by Julius Evola 1934
3.98
2k+ ratings
The Reform of the Roman Liturgy
by Klaus Gamber • 1979
The 1969 Mass altered core theology and broke with fourteen centuries of stability.
4.72
54
The Reform of the Roman Liturgy Summary
The Reform of the Roman Liturgy 86%
The 1969 Mass altered core theology and broke with fourteen centuries of stability.
by Klaus Gamber 1979
4.72
54 ratings
A Short History of Myth
by Karen Armstrong • 2005
We traded myth for reason and got neither meaning nor a world we can bear.
3.69
7k+
A Short History of Myth Summary
A Short History of Myth 86%
We traded myth for reason and got neither meaning nor a world we can bear.
by Karen Armstrong 2005
3.69
7k+ ratings
Thee Psychick Bible
by Genesis P-Orridge • 1994
An occult bible built on sexual fluids, industrial noise, and the belief that time itself is god.
4.14
444
Thee Psychick Bible Summary
Thee Psychick Bible 86%
An occult bible built on sexual fluids, industrial noise, and the belief that time itself is god.
by Genesis P-Orridge 1994
4.14
444 ratings
The Path of Paganism
by John Beckett • 2017
Four centers of practice around which any pagan path can grow, no single tradition required.
4.09
515
The Path of Paganism Summary
The Path of Paganism 86%
Four centers of practice around which any pagan path can grow, no single tradition required.
by John Beckett 2017
4.09
515 ratings
Music
by Ted Gioia • 2019
Why music's most forbidden elements are what actually make it change and survive.
4.00
817
Music Summary
Music 86%
Why music's most forbidden elements are what actually make it change and survive.
by Ted Gioia 2019
4.00
817 ratings
Together
by Richard Sennett • 2011
The rituals and crafts that make cooperation possible are being dissolved by short-term capitalism.
3.81
469
Together Summary
Together 86%
The rituals and crafts that make cooperation possible are being dissolved by short-term capitalism.
by Richard Sennett 2011
3.81
469 ratings
Crucifixion to Creation
by James Mawdsley • 2023
The Mass is not history's product. History is the product of the Mass.
4.59
29
Crucifixion to Creation Summary
Crucifixion to Creation 86%
The Mass is not history's product. History is the product of the Mass.
by James Mawdsley 2023
4.59
29 ratings
Of Water and the Spirit
by Malidoma Patrice Somé • 1994
A kidnapped West African returns home a stranger. To belong, he must survive a deadly initiation.
4.41
2k+
Of Water and the Spirit Summary
Of Water and the Spirit 86%
A kidnapped West African returns home a stranger. To belong, he must survive a deadly initiation.
by Malidoma Patrice Somé 1994
4.41
2k+ ratings
The Worship Architect
by Constance M. Cherry • 2010
When great music still leaves worship feeling empty, the problem is structure, not style.
4.02
453
The Worship Architect Summary
The Worship Architect 86%
When great music still leaves worship feeling empty, the problem is structure, not style.
by Constance M. Cherry 2010
4.02
453 ratings
Homo Ludens
by Johan Huizinga • 1938
Legal procedure and ritual both began as play. Modernity's error is pretending they didn't.
3.98
3k+
Homo Ludens Summary
Homo Ludens 86%
Legal procedure and ritual both began as play. Modernity's error is pretending they didn't.
by Johan Huizinga 1938
3.98
3k+ ratings
Wicca for One
by Raymond Buckland • 2004
Consecrate tools, cast circles, and walk the Wheel of the Year: solitary Wicca from the source.
4.07
2k+
Wicca for One Summary
Wicca for One 86%
Consecrate tools, cast circles, and walk the Wheel of the Year: solitary Wicca from the source.
by Raymond Buckland 2004
4.07
2k+ ratings
The Smell of Rain on Dust
by Martin Prechtel • 2015
Grief out loud is the highest praise. Our silence around it fuels addiction, revenge, and war.
4.26
897
The Smell of Rain on Dust Summary
The Smell of Rain on Dust 86%
Grief out loud is the highest praise. Our silence around it fuels addiction, revenge, and war.
by Martin Prechtel 2015
4.26
897 ratings
The Crisis of the Modern World
by René Guénon • 1927
Modernity is a spiritual dark age, and the West's greatest achievements are its diagnostic symptoms.
4.09
2k+
The Crisis of the Modern World Summary
The Crisis of the Modern World 86%
Modernity is a spiritual dark age, and the West's greatest achievements are its diagnostic symptoms.
by René Guénon 1927
4.09
2k+ ratings
Scatterlings
by Martin Shaw • 2019
Myths were never metaphors. They are the earth's living speech, and they have not fallen silent.
4.63
106
Scatterlings Summary
Scatterlings 85%
Myths were never metaphors. They are the earth's living speech, and they have not fallen silent.
by Martin Shaw 2019
4.63
106 ratings
World Famous Cults and Fanatics
by Colin Wilson • 2004
The messiah playbook hasn’t changed in 2,000 years. Neither has the human hunger for one.
3.00
104
World Famous Cults and Fanatics Summary
World Famous Cults and Fanatics 85%
The messiah playbook hasn’t changed in 2,000 years. Neither has the human hunger for one.
by Colin Wilson 2004
3.00
104 ratings
Structural Anthropology
by Claude Lévi-Strauss • 1958
Culture obeys a hidden logic as strict as grammar. The linguistic method that reveals it.
3.93
2k+
Structural Anthropology Summary
Structural Anthropology 85%
Culture obeys a hidden logic as strict as grammar. The linguistic method that reveals it.
by Claude Lévi-Strauss 1958
3.93
2k+ ratings
The Golden Dawn
by Israel Regardie • 1971
The Golden Dawn ritualized the path to divinity. This is its complete curriculum.
4.06
2k+
The Golden Dawn Summary
The Golden Dawn 85%
The Golden Dawn ritualized the path to divinity. This is its complete curriculum.
by Israel Regardie 1971
4.06
2k+ ratings
The Immortality Key
by Brian C. Muraresku • 2020
The Eleusinian Mysteries were powered by a psychedelic potion, and the early Christians knew it.
4.24
6k+
The Immortality Key Summary
The Immortality Key 85%
The Eleusinian Mysteries were powered by a psychedelic potion, and the early Christians knew it.
by Brian C. Muraresku 2020
4.24
6k+ ratings
The New Black
by Darian Leader • 2008
What if depression is stalled mourning? The dead we cannot release may be the real cause.
4.05
713
The New Black Summary
The New Black 85%
What if depression is stalled mourning? The dead we cannot release may be the real cause.
by Darian Leader 2008
4.05
713 ratings
The Invention of Tradition
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1983
Most timeless rituals were built recently, assembled when rapid change broke old social bonds.
3.95
2k+
The Invention of Tradition Summary
The Invention of Tradition 85%
Most timeless rituals were built recently, assembled when rapid change broke old social bonds.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1983
3.95
2k+ ratings
Tribe
by Sebastian Junger • 2016
The paradox of belonging: why modern comfort leaves us empty, and shared hardship makes us whole.
4.02
50k+
Tribe Summary
Tribe 85%
The paradox of belonging: why modern comfort leaves us empty, and shared hardship makes us whole.
by Sebastian Junger 2016
4.02
50k+ ratings
Rootwork
by Tayannah Lee McQuillar • 2003
The real Hoodoo: practical spells, mojo bags, and ancestor work for love, money, and daily success.
4.39
270
Rootwork Summary
Rootwork 85%
The real Hoodoo: practical spells, mojo bags, and ancestor work for love, money, and daily success.
by Tayannah Lee McQuillar 2003
4.39
270 ratings
Paranormal America
by Christopher D. Bader • 2010
Paranormal belief is normal, and its strongest predictor isn't intelligence but social conformity.
3.66
164
Paranormal America Summary
Paranormal America 85%
Paranormal belief is normal, and its strongest predictor isn't intelligence but social conformity.
by Christopher D. Bader 2010
3.66
164 ratings
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