An essential collection of more than 2,500 deities of the world. For more than 60,000 years, people have worshiped deities of the sun, sky, and sea, as well as creator gods, relying on the guidance of faith in the midst of the mysterious world around them. Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses, Second Edition provides access to more than 2,500 of these religious figures, from ancient Sumerian gods through the modern Haitian deities.

For thousands of years shamans have traveled the spirit world, hunting lost souls, healing the sick, interpreting dreams, and guiding human endeavors on behalf of individuals and communities. Shamanism: An Encyclopedia of World Beliefs, Practices, and Culture is the first worldwide survey to trace the continuous thread of shamanic beliefs and rituals across cultures and through time. It is the only reference to fully convey what it means to be a shaman and how the role of the shaman influences—and draws meaning from—each culture from which it emerges.