In an intriguing and entertaining journey, this book uncovers the fascinating background to one of the biggest festive seasons. From the ancient ceremonies celebrating Midwinter to festivals of Sol Invictus and from Constantine’s establishment of a Christian festival to medieval ‘misrule’, the time around the solstice has long been an opportunity for people...

Choosing colors for your home can become an overwhelming and confusing process—there is just so much on offer. Love Color will help you to bring your favorite colors to life by successfully making all those challenging decisions. Renowned international color expert Anna Starmer takes you by the hand and guides you through this lavishly illustrated rainbow...

Calligraphy can seem rather daunting, but theres no need to study for years if you just want to produce beautiful decorative lettering good enough to enhance your gifts and personal stationery. A friendly and approachable how-to guide, everything you need is in Practical Calligraphy.

Watercolour is such a rewarding medium for the artist that its well worth mastering it offers both portability and gorgeous, rich, mutable colours. This is the perfect introduction for anyone whos thought about painting in watercolour but isnt sure where to start. Unintimidating and accessible, it will help you to get the pictures in your head onto the...

Your dogs ears, eyes, head, mouth and teeth, back, legs and tail all work in concert to convey his mood so why is it sometimes so difficult to understand what hes saying? Tail Talk to the rescue! This handy guide teaches you the canine body-language alphabet, letter by letter, and then galvanizes your knowledge in a handy phrasebook that displays the...

The infamous Professor James Moriarty is a brooding presence in all of the adventures of celebrated British detective Sherlock Holmes. Yet his actions are described only once in "The Final Problem", when he and Holmes wrestle on the brink of the Reichenbach Falls and he gets scant mention in five other reports. So who exactly was Moriarty? A power-crazed...

Interest in the environment has never been greater, yet how much do each of us understand and engage with it? Geography and geology feel like forgotten schoolroom lessons, and most of us admire the landscape without guessing at the many visible clues to the 4 billion years of history that formed it. 

How to Read the Landscape will change the way you look at...

The essences of wild-grown flowers, pioneered by Dr. Edward Bach for their innate remedial properties, provide an important holistic therapy for the safe healing and balancing of mind, body, and spirit.  

Secrets of Bach Flower Remedies is a comprehensive guide to Bach’s basic “twelve healers­” – the plants that formed the basis of his observations – and the...

Garden visiting has never been so popular but how many of us really understand what we are looking at when strolling through a beautiful garden? Are we looking at an original landscaped site or a re-creation? Is the planting matter authentic or made up of modern hybrids? Are the steps and terracing in the Italianate style or are they Arts and Crafts? The...

The power of color to energise, soothe, and heal has been recognised for thousands of years; this accessible and highly visual introduction will be your guide as you embark on your own color-healing journey. Secrets of Color Healing provides a comprehensive explanation of the theories behind the effects of color on the human body, discussing each color in...

The holistic nature of Eastern systems – with the emphasis on integrating the mind, body, and spirit – has become a focal point for more and more people. Tai chi offers a route to inner peace as well as developing real health benefits and scientific research has found that regular practice can reduce stress levels, improve physical balance, and help...

The power of natural fragrances has been recognized for thousands of years for their innate cleansing, healing, relaxing, and invigorating properties. Learn to harness them and let them play a vital role in your physical and emotional health. 

Secrets of Aromatherapy is a thorough introduction to the therapeutic uses of essential oils, and provides an...

Meditation can be used to help build concentration, foster emotional stability, and nurture a profound, positive effect on daily life. Drawing on a range of traditions, Secrets of Meditation is a comprehensive guide to these ancient practices.

Featuring a variety of meditation practices and including helpful step-by-step routines, this guide enables readers...