Once upon a time, in a mystical land, there existed an enchantment stick that held the power to unlock the secrets of the universe. This seemingly ordinary stick, when held by a pure-hearted individual, had the ability to tap into the awe-inspiring magical cosmos. It is said that this stick was created by the ancient wizards who sought to connect the mortal world with the ethereal realms of magic. Legend has it that those who possessed the enchantment stick would be granted access to incredible knowledge and unimaginable power. However, it demanded great responsibility as its true potential could only be harnessed by those with noble intentions. Many individuals sought after this mythical stick, hoping to use its power for personal gain and dominance.
There is great variety in the world's many myths and folktales that attempt to explain the occurrence of solar and lunar eclipses. But these ancient stories tend to have a few things in common, Krupp told Space.com: They often involve eating or biting, and they tend to portray the eclipse as bad news.
The complete story is beautiful and entertaining not to mention one of the less ominous eclipse myths and it did not disappear as people who practiced Hinduism learned about the science of the planetary bodies, according to Krupp. Every once in a while, he catches up with one of his betrayers and swallows it, but because he s just a severed head, the sun or the moon slips back out through his disconnected neck.
Many individuals sought after this mythical stick, hoping to use its power for personal gain and dominance. Yet, it remained elusive, only revealing itself to those worthy of its power. The enchantment stick was said to be adorned with intricate carvings depicting the past, present, and future.
The New Science of the Enchanted Universe: An Anthropology of Most of Humanity
From the perspective of Western modernity, humanity inhabits a disenchanted cosmos. Gods, spirits, and ancestors have left us for a transcendent beyond, no longer living in our midst and being involved in all matters of everyday life from the trivial to the dire. Yet the vast majority of cultures throughout human history treat spirits as very real persons, members of a cosmic society who interact with humans and control their fate. In most cultures, even today, people are but a small part of an enchanted universe misconstrued by the transcendent categories of “religion” and the “supernatural.” The New Science of the Enchanted Universe shows how anthropologists and other social scientists must rethink these cultures of immanence and study them by their own lights.
In this, his last, revelatory book, Marshall Sahlins announces a new method and sets an exciting agenda for the field. He takes readers around the world, from Inuit of the Arctic Circle to pastoral Dinka of East Africa, from Araweté swidden gardeners of Amazonia to Trobriand Island horticulturalists. In the process, Sahlins sheds new light on classical and contemporary ethnographies that describe these cultures of immanence and reveals how even the apparently mundane, all-too-human spheres of “economics” and “politics” emerge as people negotiate with, and ultimately usurp, the powers of the gods.
The New Science of the Enchanted Universe offers a road map for a new practice of anthropology that takes seriously the enchanted universe and its transformations from ancient Mesopotamia to contemporary America.
Marshall Sahlins (1930–2021) was the Charles F. Grey Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of Chicago and the author of many books, including Stone Age Economics and Culture and Practical Reason. Frederick B. Henry Jr. is an independent scholar and translator.
"A characteristically feisty final statement from one of the greatest anthropologists of the past century."—Jonathan Spencer, Science
"Sahlins is perhaps one of the last great anthropological time travelers, unashamed of his vocation, and openly committed to immersing himself in ways of being that were not originally his own, or at least trying his hardest to do so. We may not see his like again."—Vincent P. Pecora, European Legacy
“This much-anticipated volume brings us Sahlins at his iconoclastic best. His voice leaps from the pages in a magnificent reprise of a scholar-warrior’s lifelong challenge to visions of humankind at large. That largesse here becomes a mode of restorative justice, exposing the anthropocentrism at the heart of so much explanation, a jolt to bring us to our senses.”—Marilyn Strathern, author of Relations: An Anthropological Account
“Sahlins draws on his vast erudition to guide us to the realization that the disenchanted world of modernity and its conceptual divides—the animate versus the inanimate, the material versus the spiritual—denote but a state of exception in human history. The New Science of the Enchanted Universe is a lasting gift that Sahlins’s readers will treasure and cherish.”—Dipesh Chakrabarty, author of The Climate of History in a Planetary Age
“The New Science of the Enchanted Universe is a work of profound scholarship and remarkable theoretical daring. The crowning achievement of a long and brilliant anthropological career, this book is destined to become a classic.”—Eduardo Viveiros de Castro, author of The Relative Native: Essays on Indigenous Conceptual Worlds
“Marshall Sahlins has never published a book that didn’t change how anthropologists think about the ways humans live, and this is no exception. The New Science of the Enchanted Universe is peak Sahlins, at once a tour de force of anthropological argument and a great read.”—Joel Robbins, author of Becoming Sinners: Christianity and Moral Torment in a Papua New Guinea Society
“Marshall Sahlins recovers for us in this great last work the vivid presence of the local and immanent religions forced to the world’s margins by more abstract, transcendent faiths. No reader, religious or secular, can fail to be fascinated.”—Paul Seabright, author of The Company of Strangers: A Natural History of Economic Life
“In this capstone to a life’s work, Marshall Sahlins offers a sweeping vision of humanity and the gods, delivered with his inimitable blend of panache and provocation.”—Webb Keane, author of Ethical Life: Its Natural and Social Histories
“Who else but Marshall Sahlins could have retrieved from their ethnographical and historical vaults the enchanted stories of immanentism? This great voice of anthropology, still booming posthumously, not only uncovers worlds that flourish away from transcendence but also critically reveals how the social sciences have misportrayed these worlds and their plural denizens.”—Philippe Descola, author of Beyond Nature and Culture
“Everything that now exists was once imagined. So, if you want something to exist, you must first be able to imagine it.” ~Wayne Dyer
Each carving told a story, revealing hidden wisdom and insights into the cosmic forces that governed the world. The stick served as a bridge between the earthly realm and the magical cosmos, allowing the holder to peer into alternate dimensions and communicate with mystical beings. The magical cosmos, an ethereal plane of existence, was a realm teeming with vibrant energies, celestial bodies, and otherworldly creatures. It was a realm of infinite possibilities, where time and space melted together, creating a tapestry of wonders and mysteries. The cosmos held the answers to life's deepest questions and provided a wellspring of inspiration for those who dared to explore its depths. Yet, the enchantment stick was not a mere tool for knowledge-seeking. It was a conduit for balance and harmony. It demanded humility, empathy, and compassion from its wielder. Those who yielded it with ill intentions would be confronted with the wrath of the cosmos, facing dire consequences for their misuse of its power. The search for the enchantment stick became a journey of self-discovery, attracting seekers from all walks of life. The journey to find this mystical artifact was often fraught with challenges, testing the resolve and character of the individuals who embarked on it. Only through perseverance, selflessness, and a deep understanding of the cosmic forces could one hope to unlock the true potential of the enchantment stick. In the end, those who managed to find and wield the enchantment stick were forever changed. They became vessels of wisdom, wielding their newfound power responsibly and using it to bring about positive change in the world. The stick served not just as an instrument of magic, but a symbol of hope and enlightenment. The tale of the enchantment stick and the awe-inspiring magical cosmos serves as a reminder that true power lies not in material possessions, but in the pursuit of knowledge, self-discovery, and the quest for harmony with the forces that govern our existence. It is a testament to the extraordinary possibilities that lie beyond the tangible world, waiting to be unlocked by those who dare to believe in the extraordinary..
Reviews for "Harnessing the Enchantment Stick's Power in the Expansive Cosmos"
1. Sara - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Enchantment stick and an awe inspiring magical cosmos" based on all the rave reviews, but I was left disappointed. The story was overly simplistic and formulaic, lacking depth and complexity. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked any significant development throughout the book. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, leaving me feeling bored and unengaged. Overall, I found "Enchantment stick and an awe inspiring magical cosmos" to be a lackluster and forgettable read.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in "Enchantment stick and an awe inspiring magical cosmos". The writing was sloppy and full of cliches, making it difficult to take the story seriously. The world-building was practically non-existent, and the magical elements felt forced and unconvincing. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of unnecessary exposition followed by rushed and unresolved plotlines. I found myself constantly questioning the logic and coherence of the story, and ultimately, I was left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "Enchantment stick and an awe inspiring magical cosmos" had so much potential, but it failed to deliver. The writing style was overly flowery and melodramatic, which made it hard to connect with the characters or immerse myself in the story. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction, leaving me feeling confused and uninterested. I also found the dialogue to be stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the interactions between characters. Overall, I was disappointed by "Enchantment stick and an awe inspiring magical cosmos" and wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers.