Secret Language Series

Unlock the secret meanings of the symbols that surround us.

The New Secret Language of Symbols is a beautifully illustrated sourcebook of symbols and symbol systems. An illuminating introduction looks at the cultural and psychological explanations of symbols – including the Jungian idea of the collective unconscious. Then follows “The World of Symbols”, the heart of the book in which more than 500 symbols are presented and explained theme by theme – from the elemental symbolism of the cosmos to the multiplicity of meanings associated with manmade objects and structures. We learn, for example, about the various forms of dragon in myth, the symbolism of sacred geometry, the attributes of gods, goddesses, angels and mythic heroes, the array of associations ascribed to body parts, and the significance of such practical features as the anchor or the bridge. Interspersed with these thematic treatments are more than a dozen overviews of symbolrich cultures, religions, esoteric groups and symbol systems, ranging from ancient Egypt to the Tarot. Each overview is centred upon a major image that is decoded to expose its deeper, often cryptic, meanings – thereby giving the reader revealing insights into the thinking behind some of the world’s most beautiful and intriguing art, artefacts and architecture.

Throughout The New Secret Language of Symbols David Fontana has unpeeled layers of profound historical and psychological significance, probed the ancient roots of a vast range of symbols, and in the process – like a gifted archaeologist who knows exactly where to look and how to interpret what he finds – he has unearthed boundless treasures.

A fascinating exploration of the codes and meanings encrypted in our places of daily worship – covering all major faiths of the world from antiquity to modern times.

Across the globe, pilgrims and tourists, locals and foreigners flock to sacred sites and houses of worship. Why? Because throughout time, humans have directed extraordinary amounts of energy toward the creation of architecture that expresses their religious beliefs.

From Stonehenge to the Sagrada Família; from the Acropolis to Angkor Wat, The Secret Language of Sacred Spaces offers fascinating insights into some of the most impressive man-made structures in the world. By revealing how these historical places of worship were used and how tenets of a faith were encoded in their structures, the book enhances our understanding and appreciation of the human mind and spirit.

The superb full-color photographs that can be found on every page are supplemented by ingenious ‘decoder’ sections. These zero in on the most important design elements, combining close-up detail with fascinating explanatory detail.

The book emphasizes the key living faiths (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism), but early chapters also look at the great sites of prehistory and antiquity, including the stone circle at Avebury in southwest England and the Pyramids at Giza.

Discover the meanings and messages hidden in your dreams!

By appreciating and understanding our dreams we can trace wonderful new paths to self-discovery and self-enrichment.

Dreams can be vivid, poetic, surreal, erotic, haunting, even disturbing – but if we look more closely at their mysterious symbols and imaginative logic, they can provide us with privileged glimpses into the secret corners of our unconscious minds.

The New Secret Language of Dreams takes a fresh approach to dreaming, with a wealth of real-life examples and illuminating guidance on how to tease out the underlying symbolism and logic of dreams. The author, renowned psychologist and dream expert David Fontana, unfolds the psychological workings of the dreamworld, building on the work of Jung, Freud and other pioneers in the field. He describes the main dream archetypes and reveals how dreams reflect everyday desires, tensions and anxieties in unexpected ways, using a rich vocabulary of symbols. Also, he trains us in techniques for remembering and recording dreams, and for working on their narrative, details and mood to arrive at interpretations that relate to our personal circumstances.

Who is depicted in that stained glass window? What is the significance of those geometric figures? Why are there fierce-looking beasts carved amidst all that beauty? Is there a deeper purpose behind the play of light and space in the nave? Why is there a pelican on the lectern and ornate foliage on the pillars? The largely illiterate medieval audience could read the symbols of churches and cathedrals and recognise the meanings and stories deliberately encoded into them. For worshippers these were places of religious education and an awe-inspiring feast that satisfied both the senses and the soul. Today, in an age less attuned to iconography, such places of worship are often seen merely as magnificent works of architecture. This book restores the lost spiritual meaning of these fine and fascinating buildings.

The Secret Language of Churches & Cathedrals provides a three-part illustrated key by which modern visitors can understand the layout, fabric and decorative symbolism of Christian sacred structures – thereby bringing back to life their original atmosphere of awe and sanctity. 

Part One is an analysis of structural features, outside and in, from spires and domes to clerestories and brasses. 

Part Two is a theme-by-theme guide, which identifies significant figures, scenes, stories, animals, flowers, and the use of numbers, letters and patterns in paintings, carvings and sculpture.

Part Three is a historical decoder, revealing the evolution of styles – from basilicas through Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and beyond. For all those who seek to know more about Christian art and architecture, this richly illustrated book will instruct and delight in equal measure.

An illustrated key to unlocking the mysteries of paintings, sculpture and architecture by the great Italian masters, this book also provides fresh insight into the currents of Renaissance thought, from humanism to myticism to religious reform.

We may never know what the Mona Lisa is really smiling about, but we do know that there’s much more to the masterpieces of Renaissance art than the beauty that meets the eye. There are layers of significance hidden below the surface of the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Fra Angelico, Donatello, Michelangelo and many others. This magnificently illustrated guide by expert art historian, Richard Stemp, gives you the key to unlock those secrets for yourself. 

Split into three parts, Part One is a vivid immersion into the culture of this remarkable period, tracing the profusion of innovations in literature, painting, sculpture and the decorative arts that date to this time.  Part Two offers a wide-ranging guide to the essential elements of symbolic language in Renaissance art, including colour, geometry, light and shade, proportion, perspective and body language. In Part Three, the heart of the book, Richard Stemp analyzes more than 40 works grouped around a dozen themes, including mythology, war and peace, and death and eternity.  Each work is shown in full colour and each is then deconstructed to reveal the symbols it contains and the enigmatic meanings behind them.

A beautifully illustrated practical guide to astrology – with a unique AstrolabeTM weblink that allows you to download personalised birth charts for free, in a matter of moments.

What is the effect of each of the planets on your zodiac sign? What is the influence of the 12 “houses”? What are “aspects” and how do they relate to your birth chart? In this unique book and weblink package, renowned astrologer Roy Gillett uncovers the hidden layers of astrology to explain the complex interplay of influences that shape our character. The Secret Language of Astrology gives access to an AstrolableTM website created exclusively for the book, enabling you to create a detailed birth chart for yourself, or for family or friends, within seconds. A historical introduction traces the history of astrology from antiquity to the present day. The second part of the book, “The Elements of Astrology”, looks at the planets, the zodiac signs, the twelve houses and the aspects. The emphasis throughout is on equipping the reader to analyse their birth chart, by examining the influences and showing how they combine to shape our lives and our potential for growth. The third part, “Putting the Pieces Together”, shows you how to apply all this information when reading a full birth chart. Thoroughly practical, but with a wealth of historical and cultural detail, as well as superb illustrations and photographs, this is a landmark in astrological publishing.