James Grant 
The Mysteries of All Nations (Annotated) 

• This edition includes the following editor’s analysis: The origin of superstitions

Originally published in 1880, ‘The Mysteries of All Nations’ is a study by British archaeologist and explorer James Grant that takes us on an intriguing tour of the world, illuminating the common rituals, superstitions and magic of ancient civilizations.

Grant recounts how Roman, Greek, Druid, Japanese and other cultures esteemed aspects of nature, such as the sun, moon, stars, animals and plants, which provided them with life. He then relates these aspects to the superstitions, rituals, amulets and spells of the various cultures, seeking to understand universal themes that cross cultural and geographic boundaries across the globe.