Face Of The Gods: Art And Altars Of Africa And The African Americas (1993), by Robert Farris Thompson. Large text exploring the "Black Atlantic World" concept of and evolutionary migration of altar use. This book is filled with photographs which chart African religions as they transition to the New World. I think this book does as it sets out to do by revealing the presence of African spirituality in modern and historic America. The illustrations and photos detail with stark clarity the artwork of varied peoples and sets these works in context of a deep belief as the sacred is built into the usable.

Joshua's Altar: The Dig At Mount Ebal (1991), is a text in which Milt Machlin's personal story as an author with interest in archaeology is focused on a point in time of Jewish history when, upon conquering the Caananites, the victorious tribe built the altar called for by their Lord. As an archaeological text it speaks little of altars as described in this paper. It does however set up historical context in a time frame moderners can relate to. Many questions remain unanswered about biblical accuracy, but this book discusses with frankness both the provable and the hypothetical.

Santeria Garments And Altars: Speaking Without A Voice (1994), by Ysamur Flores-Pena and Roberta J. Evanchuck gives an overview of Santeria or "Lucumi," the Caribbean Orisha worship religion as a necessary prelude to a vivid photo-documentation of the sacred clothing and altars of this Afro-Caribbean religion. Written by practitioners of the belief system, the information is accurate and detailed without being overly intellectualized. The personal voice of the text is interesting especially because Ysamur is a vanguard in a living tradition.

Beautiful Necessity: The Art And Meaning Of Women's Altars (1999), by Kay Turner, chronicles twenty-five years worth of research on personal altars of women. The text is richly illustrated with drawings and photographs both historical and modern. Giving voice to a long suppressed truth of human belief that the home-based feminine center of worship is the rootstock of spirituality. This book is engaging as both a source of history and more so as a testament to modern altars where all diversity is welcomed and inclusiveness is broad and beautiful.

In Living Shrines: Home Altars Of New Mexico (1997), the author Marie Romero-Cash brings her personal history and experience as an altar-using child into the present and her adulthood. She uses both Photo-documentation and quotes from many New Mexicans in a statewide exploration of shrines and altars. The many personal accounts make possible a wide perspective of altar use and belief within the Catholic based interviewees. The photos are exceptional in this book and one gets a real feel for this Southwestern reality.

In Home Altars Of Mexico (1997), Dana Salvo documents the traditional spiritual lifestyles of Mexico's mixed native people. Photographing scores of home altars from the most simple to the amazingly ornate. A rich tradition is conveyed through text and illustrations both historical and modern, with discussion ranging from Aztecs to today's Mexicans. Native stories, both personal and cultural, are told throughout this book as many details surrounding altars used by these people fill the rich pages.

Rituals In Psychotherapy (1983), by Onno Van der Heart, sets the basis for a scientific approach to ritual. I appreciated the inclusion of several traditional healing, therapeutic, and family continuity rituals. The final chapter discusses the functions of therapeutic ritual.

Understanding Global Cultures (2001) is a text book by Martin J. Gannon with a broad sociological overview of cultural metaphors, charting seven realities of modern culture as illustrated by multiple international examples of how humans address these states. I liked how culturally pervasive themes such as American football are equally considered with the Turkish Coffeehouse as food for thought as these metaphors are examined.

Bringing Ritual To Mind (2002), by Robert M McCauley and E. Thomas Lawson, is an intellectual read in every sense, fit for upper division focused study. The graphs within present the abundant verbiage in a way that may help visual learners doing a study of the cognitive theories of religious ritual.

The book Beginnings In Ritual Studies (1995), by Ronald L Grimes, is concerned with mapping modes of ritual. I was most drawn to the section of ritual and theater, but then found the "parashamanism" topic to be of the most interest.

Ritual And Religion In The Making Of Humanity (1999), written by Roy A. Rappaport, focuses on the religious aspect of ritual. The author completely disassembles and redefines virtually every aspect surrounding and including ritual. I found the definitions to be the most useful part of this work.

Urban Shaman (1990) by Serge Kahili King is a book that brings into practice the benefits of ritual. Relying on Hawaiian shamanism as a foundation for numerous rites inviting the reader to participate in suggested rituals. The section on "What determines effective ritual" has been the most useful to me, a concise, cogent presentation on crafting great rituals.

Spirals (1979) written by Walter L. Brenneman is a study of myth, symbol, and ritual. It is a reflection with a Jungian base note and modern mystical treatment. A literary treatise that is campy yet intelligent. I appreciated how ritual and myth are studied concurrently, paragraph by paragraph, throughout the dissertations on various topics.

The Magic Of Ritual (1991) by Tom F. Driver presents ritual as a fundamental part of our terrestrial embodiment. I enjoyed the light almost self-deprecating voice of the author as he links human ritual with animal ritualization as the basis for his approach to the study. The well chosen examples throughout this book engaged my interest.

Religious And Social Ritual (1996), edited by Michael B. Aune and Valerie De Marinis discusses modern ritual aided by examples from several cultures. The text leads to a section on psychotherapeutic ritual and the overlap between science and religion. The material on Shingon Buddhist tradition is of particular interest.

A Druids Herbal (1995) by Ellen Everet Hopman is for the most part a magical herbal, designed for use throughout the Western seasonal paradigm. Written from a Celtic Pagan perspective, the ritual material is a bridge between ancient Druidism and neo-druidism. I enjoyed the clear concise writing and the novelty of writing an herbal around a circular theme rather than as a linear index of plants.

Entering The Summerland (1996), by Edain McCoy, is full of ritual ideas and descriptions as related to its topic, that of death and dying. I rarely find the cookie-cutter style of ritual example useful, however this book contains so many facts, ideas, chants, and bits of interesting information that it is a treasury of ritual fodder.

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