Greek Mythology 25 Spectacular Legends of Ancient Greece & Untold Myths of Zeus, Gods, Titans and Heroes-0Aby Henry Durden

GREEK MYTHOLOGY
25 SPECTACULAR LEGENDS OF ANCIENT

GREECE & UNTOLD MYTHS OF ZEUS, GODS,
TITANS AND HEROES
Henry Durden
© 2016
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Henry Durden
Written by: Henry Durden
Copyright © 2016
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The purpose of this book is to educate and entertainment only.
The information contained in this book has been compiled from sources
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Gods
Chapter 2 – Goddesses
Chapter 3 - Heroes
Chapter 4 - Titans
GLOSSARY
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Introduction
The humble old Greek fisherman squatted on the weathered deck of his
small boat, sorting through his catch of the day. His bloodshot eyes never
left the small pile of fresh fish. The legends he tells of ancient Greek gods
and heroes clashing with man-eating monsters should have died long ago
with the brilliant blood-red sun sinking below the horizon . . . yet the
legends live.
To this old Greek fisherman, fact and fiction no longer matter. He will
believe what he wants to believe. His ancestors left us their mythology, and
yet, the mystery continues.
The ancient Greeks’ myths and legends have survived the ages for so long
that no one knows what truths are intertwined with the legends. We listen
to the stories of the old Greek fisherman, of his ancient gods, goddess,
heroes, and titans . . . and decide for ourselves.
Chapter 1 - Gods
ZEUS
king of the gods; god of thunder
Introduction
Zeus! Greatest of the gods! He was both loved and feared by ancient
Greeks and deities alike. Zeus’ palace rested in the clouds on Mt. Olympus
where deities gathered to discuss the affairs of men.
Zeus frowned upon those who lied or broke promises, and meted out
punishment without favoritism. If driven to anger, mighty Zeus hurled
terrifying thunderbolts across the dark and threatening sky, filling men’s
hearts with fear. Thunder boomed over the countryside as blinding
lightning flashed through black clouds.
Yet, when in a pleasant mood, Zeus caused abundant sunshine and rain to
bless the crops. The world was a happy place once again.
Legends surrounding Zeus
Zeus and the Oak

Zeus respected the mighty oak. There once was a forest of oaks so dense
that sunlight couldn’t penetrate through the leaves. When the wind moaned
through the thick branches, the people believed Zeus was speaking through
his beloved trees. The Greeks thought the forest to be sacred. Only Zeus’
servants were allowed to live in the forest. Greeks came from all parts of
the land to seek Zeus’ counsel. The priests spoke to Zeus, and he answered
through the rustling of the leaves.
Zeus and the Bees
A bee once brought honeycombs and honey to the gods. Zeus was so
pleased that he told the bee he would grant any wish she had. The bee
answered, “Give me a stinger so I can defend myself from humans.” Zeus
became sad because he loved humans. “I’ll give you your sting to defend
yourself if anyone tries to steal your honey,” he replied, “but know this . . .
if you hurt mankind with your stinger, you will die, for your sting is your
life.” From this legend, the ancient Greeks demonstrated that, when
praying, one should never wish evil upon another.
Zeus and the Tortoise
The marriage announcements were sent out. All the animals were invited to
come to Zeus’ wedding. On the day of the celebration, all the animals came
. . . except the tortoise. Curious, Zeus asked the tortoise why he had not
attended the wedding. The tortoise answered, “Be it ever so humble, there’s
no place like home!” This response angered Zeus. As a lesson to the
tortoise, he commanded that he must now carry his home wherever he
went. From this legend, the ancient Greeks illustrated how some people
prefer to live a simple life at home rather than live it up at someone else’s
house.
Zeus and the Greedy Ant

Long ago there were no ants . . . just a greedy man farming endlessly in his
field. Never satisfied with his own harvest, the man stole crops from his
neighbors. The man’s greed angered Zeus, so Zeus turned the man into an
ant. But even the man’s transformation into a lowly insect didn’t faze him.
The ant continues to this day, treading through the fields, picking fruits that
others have grown and storing them away for himself. From this legend,
the ancient Greeks taught that even if someone changes his appearance, his
wicked nature remains.
POSEIDON
god of the sea, horses, and earthquakes
Introduction
Deep in the waters below Mt. Olympus, Zeus’ brother, Poseidon, reigned as
god of the sea. Poseidon was also known as god of earthquakes and
horses. He was a greedy, moody, and bad-tempered god.
Surrounded by dolphins, Poseidon’s carriage was a huge shell drawn by

sea-horses. Clutched in Poseidon’s fist was his weapon, the Trident. With a
strike of this three-pronged spear, Poseidon caused land to shake in violent
earthquakes. With a wave of the spear, vicious tsunamis raged across the
sea. Just as quick, Poseidon quieted the spitting sea, making it calm as a
sea of glass.
Sea-serpents, odd-looking fish, and sea-lions played around Poseidon’s

chariot. Creatures known as Tritons with bodies like men but with tails like
fish, gathered around his chariot blowing shells like trumpets.
Legends surrounding Poseidon
Poseidon and Athena’s Contest

Long ago, Cecrops, the first king of Athens, wished to find a patron deity
for the city. Poseidon and Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill, desired
to fill the position. Cecrops asked each deity to offer a valuable gift for
Athens.
Poseidon went first. Using his trident, he struck the earth with great force.
Water gushed forth from the land, but it was salty and unfit to drink.
Athena was next. She pierced the earth with her spear. Athena knelt and
planted an olive branch in the ground. This branch grew into an olive tree
and served as a symbol of peace and prosperity.
This pleased Cecrops. He chose Athena as the patron deity and named the
city after her. Furious, Poseidon cursed Athens, vowing it would never
have enough water. And from that day forward, it never has.
Poseidon and Demeter
Poseidon fell in love with Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. To

discourage him, Demeter asked Poseidon to create the world’s most
beautiful animal. Poseidon tried several times to create a horse, but failed.
From his attempts, however, came many animals. When he finally
succeeded in creating the horse, Poseidon’s flame for Demeter had already
extinguished.
Poseidon, Agaeus and the Fatal Curse
There came a time when Poseidon fell in love with Astypalaia, the sister of
Europa. He kidnapped her and soon Astypalaia had a son named Agaeus.
He became an expert winegrower, but was cruel to his slave.
One day a slave, angered over the treatment he was receiving, vowed, “You
will never drink wine from your vineyard!”
Time went on until finally the wine was ready to drink. Agaeus said to his
slave, “Don’t you feel ridiculous? Your curse didn’t work!”
“It’s a long way from the glass to your lips,” answered the slave. Just then
a worker ran up with the message that a wild boar had just destroyed
Agaeus’ country.
Agaeus put down his glass and ran to fight the beast. But luck was against
Agaeus. The boar killed Agaeus and ate him, and the slave’s prophecy
came true. From this legend, the ancient Greeks directed this message to
people who jump to conclusions.
APOLLO
god of the sun, light, music, and prophecy
Introduction
Apollo, god of the sun, light, music, and prophecy, was quite talented. At
four days old, this son of Zeus fought a giant python. He grew to became a
gifted musician, even trading his immortal cattle for a golden lyre that his
half-brother, Hermes, had invented. Apollo loved music and even
competed in contests with the gods. He proved to be quite skilled with his
silver bow and golden arrows.
One of his daily duties was to harness his four horses to his chariot and
move the sun across the sky. As the god of prophecy, people traveled to
Delphi in Greece to learn about their future through Apollo’s priestess,
Pythia.
Delphi was home to Apollo’s temple. The people presented questions to

Pythia, and she relayed the answers from Apollo. At times, the answers
could be hard to understand. Yet, the people always sought Apollo’s advice
before starting any important project.
Legends surrounding Apollo
Apollo’s Fight with the Monster Python

There was a giant creature with the body of a snake that spread mischief
and death. When Zeus’ wife, Hera, found out that his mistress, Leto, was
pregnant, Hera sent the snake to chase Leto to prevent her from being able
to settle down and having her baby. But Leto escaped to an island where
her baby, Apollo, was born. At only four days old, Apollo used a silver
bow with golden arrows to kill the monster Python for harassing his mother.
Apollo found Python in its cave. When Python charged the young god,
Apollo threw an arrow and pierced Python, killing him. Apollo rejoiced
and played a song on a lyre, thus becoming the god of music. After burying
Python, Apollo built the oracle of Delphi, known as Pythia.
As punishment for murder, Zeus commanded Apollo to organize the

Pythian Games where athletic and musical competitions were to be held.
Apollo did as Zeus asked, even taking part in the events. From that day
forward, the Pythian Games were held every four years in Apollo’s honor.
Apollo, Daphne and the Laurel Tree
Apollo once offended Eros, the god of love, by mocking him for his method
of using his bow and arrow. When Apollo came upon the beautiful nymph,
Daphne, daughter of the river god Peneius, Eros saw his chance. He took
two arrows, one of gold to incite love, and one of lead to incite hate. With
the leaden arrow, Eros shot Daphne. The gold arrow was used on Apollo.
Apollo immediately fell in love with Daphne. But she found Apollo
disgusting. Not willing to give up, Apollo pursued Daphne. In desperation,
Daphne begged her father to help her disappear. Peneius granted his
daughter’s wish. Suddenly, Daphne was gone. Her arms became branches
and her hair became leaves. Her feet became a root. Apollo vowed to care
for and protect her as his tree where she would be eternally green. To this
day, the leaves of the Bay Laurel tree have never been known to decay.
HERA
queen of the gods
Introduction
Hera! The beautiful wife and sister of Zeus! As queen of the Greek gods,
she was also known as goddess of marriage and childbirth. Hera spent
much of her time immersed in jealousy because of Zeus’ unfaithfulness.
She devised ways to torment Zeus’ mistresses. Violent arguments with
Zeus often erupted in the palace on Mt. Olympus.
Hera had a special interest in protecting married women. Yet she was
jealous of other beautiful women, often turning them into birds or animals,
though no fault of their own.
At times, Zeus could be cruel to the other gods. Hera once asked the
offended gods to join her in a rebellion.
When they accepted her proposal, Hera devised a plan. She drugged Zeus
while the gods tied him to a couch. An argument quickly followed between
the gods over what should be done with Zeus.
But Briareus, one of the Hecatoncheires, giant creatures with one hundred
strong hands and fifty heads, still had warm feelings toward Zeus for having
saved him from a dragon. Briareus secretly freed Zeus. Zeus leapt up and
grabbed his thunderbolt. The fearful gods fell to their knees, pleading for
Zeus to have mercy on them.
For her punishment, Zeus had Hera hung from the sky by golden chains.
His wife cried all night, but no god was brave enough to help her. Her
wailing kept Zeus up all night. The next morning he promised to release
her if she swore never to revolt again. Hera had no recourse but to accept
his terms. She kept her word, but frequently meddled with Zeus’s plans and
often outsmarted him.
Many of Hera’s temples were the oldest, and most beautiful in ancient
Greece.
Legends surrounding Hera
Hera and the Peacock
There came a day when Zeus fell in love with Io, a beautiful river nymph.
Suspicious and boiling over with jealousy, Hera asked Zeus to bring lo to
her. When Io was brought to Hera, the queen transformed her into a cow.
Hera instructed her guard, Argos, an all-seeing creature with hundreds of
eyes that covered his body, to guard Io. Feeling sorry for Io, Zeus gave the
order for Hermes, his messenger, to destroy Argos. Hermes played his flute
to draw the monster into a deep sleep. Hermes then killed Argos with a
stone. Hera knew about Zeus’ plot, however, and had removed Argos’ eyes
before Hermes arrived. After Argos’ death, Hera placed all of Argos’ eyes
on the tail of a peacock to give thanks and honor to her servant.
Zeus and Hera’s Marriage

When Zeus fell in love with Hera and she failed to reciprocate, Zeus
decided to trick her. Turning himself in a cuckoo, he sat outside her
window, pretending to be frozen. Having pity on the bird, Hera brought the
cuckoo inside and held it close. Zeus transformed himself back and made
love to Hera, marrying her afterward so she wouldn’t have to live in
disgrace.
APHRODITE
goddess of love and beauty
Introduction
Aphrodite was a goddess of love, desire, and great beauty. Her birth is a
mystery. Some say she was a daughter of Zeus, while others believe she
was born from the foam of the sea where waves slapped against the rocky
shore.
Aphrodite was slow to marry. It seemed no god was to be found who was
good enough for her beauty. To punish Aphrodite for her pride, Zeus gave
her in marriage to Hephaestus, the rather lame and plain-looking blacksmith
god. Aphrodite had affairs with Ares, god of war, and Adonis, an extremely
handsome young man.
Aphrodite bestowed her blessings on those who worshipped her, but was
equally as ruthless to those who spurned love. When the women of the
island of Lemnos refused to worship her, Aphrodite doused them with such
an awful odor that their husbands rejected them, seeking women elsewhere
instead. Narcissus had his own encounter with Aphrodite when he also
refused to worship her. To punish him, Aphrodite caused Narcissus to fall
in love with his own image.
But to those who chose to worship her, she granted her blessings. To
Melanion, a youth of Arcadia, a mountainous area in Greece, were given
golden apples for the race in which he conquered Atlanta.
Legends surrounding Aphrodite
Aphrodite and Adonis
Adonis was an extremely handsome mortal young man who spent many
hours hunting with Aphrodite. One day a wild boar came upon Adonis and
attacked him. He lay bleeding and groaning when Aphrodite came upon
him. Adonis died in her arms. At his death, Aphrodite sprinkled Adonis’
blood with nectar, from which came the blood-red anemone, or poppy.
Aphrodite and Pygmalion
Pygmalion was a talented sculpture. He decided to make a statue that

would be the loveliest woman ever. He used only the finest materials and
worked hard for many months on his creation. Finally the day came when
he completed his work. Everyone who saw the statue said it was the most
beautiful creation of woman that had ever been carved.
But Pygmalion wasn’t happy. He sat beside his beautiful statue day in and
day out, longing that his statue would be a real woman to talk to him, to
love him. His desire led him to go to the temple of Aphrodite and ask for
help. Finishing his request, Pygmalion saw the altar-fire flame up three
times. He then knew the goddess of love had heard his plea. Pygmalion
ran home to find that his lovely ivory statue had turned into a beautiful flesh
and blood woman. For the rest of his life, Pygmalion gave thanks to
Aphrodite for answering his prayer.
Aphrodite and the Weasel

There was a weasel who was in love with a charming young man. But the
young man refused the weasel’s love. With a heavy heart, the weasel called
on Aphrodite, begging the goddess to change her into a woman.
Aphrodite felt sorry for the weasel and turned her into a beautiful maiden.
The young man took one look at the maiden and brought her to his home to
be his wife. Aphrodite wanted to see if the weasel’s s character was as
beautiful as her appearance. Sneaking into the room, Aphrodite released a
mouse. Suddenly the maiden saw the mouse and gave chase. The sight of
this brought such sadness to Aphrodite that she turned the maiden back into
the weasel she had been. This legend illustrates that if people are evil by
nature, even changing their appearance won’t change their character.
ATHENA
goddess of wisdom
Introduction
Athena was the goddess of wisdom, arts, and literature. The daughter of
Zeus, she was unusual in that she sprang up from Zeus’ forehead, fully
grown and wearing armor. As a brave warrior, Athena only participated in
wars to defend Greece. Athena kept busy inventing the trumpet, flute, pot,
rake, plow, yoke, the ship, and chariot as well. She was protector of
spinners, weavers, and embroiderers. She epitomized wisdom, reason, and
purity.
Zeus spoiled his favorite child and allowed Athena to use his thunderbolt
and other weapons as toys.
Athena became the patron goddess of Athens after she won a contest of
gifts against Poseidon. Her gift was an olive tree that provided wood, oil,
and food to citizens of Athens.
More powerful than other goddesses, Athena was more warlike and usually
successful in battle. Her favorite bird was the wise old owl.
Athena favored cities where she watched over work of men. She invented
the plow and rake, and taught men to use a yoke on oxen when plowing.
Athena invented the bridle and taught men how to tame horses with it. Her
other inventions were the chariot, flute, trumpet, and use of numbers for
counting. She was also the goddess of spinning and weaving and was able
to weave beautiful cloths.
Though Athena was at times, spiteful, she was usually kind. Nothing made
her happier than to help honest men, especially those who were skillful.
Legends surrounding Athena
Athena and Odysseus
During one of the Greek wars, a man named Odysseus, a Greek hero in the
Trojan War, proved to be brave and crafty. He did something, however, to
anger Poseidon. When the battle was over and the ships sailed away,
Poseidon prevented Odysseus from sailing home. For ten years Odysseus’
ship was tossed about in the sea, was shipwrecked, and Odysseus was
forced to fight giants and monsters. During all these years, Athena watched
over him, encouraging him in every difficulty he encountered. She even
taught him ways to escape. After much suffering, and even after losing all
of his men, Athena saw that he returned home safety.
Athena and the Spider
A talented weaver named Arachne once bragged that she could weave as
well as the goddess Athena. When Athena learned of the girl’s boasting,
she appeared before Arachne as an old woman. She warned the girl to take
back her words, but the girl refused. Athena transformed into a goddess,
startling the girl. Arachne quickly recovered and accepted Athena’s
challenge to put the girl’s words to a test.
Athena and Arachne each wove cloths with beautiful pictures. When
Athena couldn’t find anything wrong with Arachne’s work, she became
enraged and hit Arachne, tearing the cloth on the loom. Frightened by
Athena’s anger, Arachne tried to kill herself. Athena then felt sorry for
Arachne and saved the girl by changing her into a spider. To this day,
Arachne continues to weave her beautiful webs found in homes and yards.
Chapter 3 - Heroes
HERACLES (or Hercules)

strongest of men
Introduction
Half-man, half-god! Heracles was the strongest of mortals. . . even stronger

than some of the gods! The beloved son of Zeus was the god’s last mortal
son, born of Alcmene, a human woman. Heracles was the champion who
brought victory to the Olympians over the Gigantes, giants with great
strength.
Zeus’ wife, Hera, had a hatred for Heracles and wanted to destroy him,
even putting large snakes in his crib. The baby Heracles killed the snakes
in a flash.
Heracles lacked wisdom. His tempestuous emotions often got him into
trouble. He was easily offended and held grudges. Heracles could be a
terrific friend, or a terrible enemy.
The most popular stories told of Heracles were “The Twelve Labours of
Heracles,” a series of events surrounding penance carried out by Heracles
that covered 12 years.
Heracles had a large appetite for women, wine, and food. He was
worshipped as the divine protector of mankind.
Legends surrounding Heracles
Heracles and Plutus
When Heracles joined the ranks of the gods, he was honored to sit beside
Zeus at a banquet. All the gods came forward to greet him. Heracles was
polite to them all . . . except Plutus, god of wealth. When Plutus
approached, Heracles turned away.
Surprised by Heracles’ actions, Zeus asked his son for an explanation.

“You want to know why I despite Plutus?” asked Heracles. “It is because,
while on earth, he was always associating with wicked men.” This legend
teaches that there are men who may be rich in material things, but not rich
in the heart.
Heracles and Athena
One day as Heracles was walking down a path, he saw something on the
ground that looked like an apple. He tried to smash it, but the object
doubled in size. Heracles stomped on the object and struck it with his
massive club, but the object only grew larger until it blocked his path.
Heracles stood there, speechless.
Just then, Athena, goddess of wisdom, came up beside him. “Stop doing
that! This object is the spirit of conflict and disagreement. Leave it alone
and it will stay like it was before. But when you fight, just look how big it
gets!” This legend teaches that fighting and arguing can cause great
damage.
The First Feat of Heracles
When Zeus’ mistress, the beautiful Alcmene, wife of a Greek general, gave
birth to little Heracles, Zeus’ jealous wife, Hera, became angry. Hera
decided since she could not overpower Zeus, king of the gods, she would
kill Heracles.
One night while eight-month-old Heracles slept in his crib, Hera put two
poisonous snakes in his crib. Heracles awoke and saw the snakes.
Grabbing them by their necks, Heracles squeezed until the snakes were
dead.
The whole countryside heard about the extraordinary heroic act and agreed
that Heracles would be a great man some day. And so he was, becoming a
hero to the ancient Greeks as the strongest man alive.
JASON
leader of the Argonauts
Introduction
Jason was the son of Aeson, king of Iolcus, an ancient Greek city. Jason
was heir to the throne, but his uncle, Pelias, stole the throne from him.
Pelias vowed to return the throne if Jason brought him the Golden Fleece of
a golden ram.
Legend of Jason and the Argonauts
A ship was built and christened the “Argo.” Jason gathered some of the
bravest men and called them the “Argonauts,” after his ship.
Jason came upon King Phineus, who was being harassed by Harpies,
monsters possessing a human face with a bird’s body. Jason killed the
Harpies. Grateful Phineus told Jason where to find Colchis and gave
instructions how to pass through the Symplegades, clashing rocks where
huge cliffs shuddered and crushed anything passing between them.
Jason set sail and found the narrow strait blocked by the two massive
clashing rocks.
Jason waited for a strong wind. Using all their strength, Jason and the
Argonauts worked the oars, slipping through the narrow opening just in
time.
Jason finally reached the isle of Colchis. Jason told Aeetes, the king, the
reason for his journey. Secretly, the king had no intention of surrendering
the fleece, but he told Jason the fleece was his if he accomplished three
tasks. The king’s daughter, Medea, knew the difficulty of the tasks and
came to Jason’s aid.
Jason’s first task was to plow a field using Khalkotauroi, two fire-breathing
bulls. Medea gave Jason a potion to protect him from their fire.
Task number two was to sow dragon’s teeth in a field and kill the men of
stone that appeared from the earth. Medea warned Jason, “Throw a stone at
the men. They won’t know who threw it and will fight each other.” Jason
threw the stone at the men who sprung from the earth. Each turned on the
other until not one remained.
Angry at Madea’s betrayal, Aeetes refused to surrender the fleece. That

night, Jason and his group snuck off to the grove where the fleece was
kept. Madea used a potion that put the dragon to sleep. Jason snatched the
fleece and, escaping with Madea and his men, quickly set sail.
Jason encountered the Sirens, beautiful but dangerous creatures whose

voices lured ships to crash into treacherous rocks.
On board was the musician Orpheus who played his lyre and drowned out
the singing of the Sirens. His music saved the ship from colliding with the
dangerous rocks.
Their next encounter was with Talos, a giant made of bronze who threw
rocks at passing ships. Medea cast a spell on Talos so Jason could remove
the plug that held Talos’ blood in his vein, causing the giant to bleed to
death.
Returning home, he presented the Golden Fleece to Pelias, but Pelias

refused to keep his word. Using trickery, Medea got the kingdom away
from Pelias. Medea and Jason’s reign was short-lived. A son of Pelias
eventually took the throne from them. Jason, Greek’s famed hero, was
killed when a rotting beam from his old ship, Argo, fell on him.
ODYSSEUS
Greek hero
Introduction
Odysseus, a Greek hero, was the son of Laertes, king of the Greek island,
Ithaca. When the Trojan War ended with the burning of Troy, the Greeks
loaded their ships with bounty and headed home.
The voyage didn’t take long and most ships reached their ports quickly. But
Odysseus encountered adventures which took him ten years to reach home.
As one of the wisest and bravest men in the battle, Odysseus was about to
prove he was just as wise and brave on the perilous return journey.
Legend surrounding Odysseus
Odysseus and the Cyclops
After sailing a long time, Odysseus and his men came to an island, home of
Polyphemus, the giant son of the sea god Poseidon. Polyphemus was a
frightening one-eyed beast called a Cyclops, with only one eye in the
middle of his forehead. The Cyclops lived off the herds of sheep and cattle.
Odysseus and his men landed and set out to explore the countryside. They
found a large cave with cheese and milk inside. They waited for the owner
to show up. Finally Polyphemus appeared, driving his herds into the cave.
Finding the wanderers inside, Polyphemus blocked the cave’s entrance with
a huge stone, trapping Odysseus and his men. The giant seized two men
and ate them.
The next morning, Polyphemus ate two more warriors before driving the
flocks out to pasture. But before he left, the Cyclops rolled the stone back,
blocking the exit. Odysseus and his crew were now the giant’s prisoners.
Odysseus set about planning a way of escape. Finding a long stake, he

sharpened one end to a point and hardened it in a fire. When the Cyclops
returned, the giant finished off two more men. Odysseus gave Polyphemus
wine to drink. Odysseus then ordered his crew to bind themselves to the
bellies of the sheep.
As the giant was drifting off to sleep, he asked Odysseus his name. The
Greek hero told him, “My name is ‘No-man.” When Odysseus was certain
Polyphemus was asleep, he stabbed the giant through his one eye with the
long stake, blinding him.
Polyphemus screamed in pain. Just then the sheep started bleating.

Thinking dawn had arrived, Polyphemus rolled away the stone. As each
sheep passed, the giant ran a hand along the animal’s back, feeling for the
body of any man who was trying to escape. When Polyphemus realized
the men had escaped, he started screaming.
“What’s wrong? Why are you shouting?” called the other Cyclops.
“No-man tried to kill me!” scream Polyphemus.

“If no man tried to kill you, then why are you shouting?” asked the
Cyclops.
Odysseus and his men raced to their ship and sailed away. But Poseidon
would soon avenge the blinding of his son by sending fierce storms on the
sea to punish Odysseus and his men.
From this legend, the ancient Greeks showed the extreme efforts in which
man will go to reach his goals.
Chapter 4 - Titans
CRONUS
god of time and the ages
Introduction
The Titans were a race of powerful deities that ruled during the Golden Age
of ancient Greece. These deities were created by Gaea, goddess of the
Earth and mother of the titans, and Uranus, first ruler of the universe, god of
the sky, and father of the titans.
Legend surrounding Cronus
Cronus was the son of Uranus, titan of the sky, and his wife, Gaea, mother
of the titans. Though the youngest and weakest of Uranus’ children,
Cronus was the smartest of the Titans. He married his sister Rhea and, after
casting their father to the depths of the underworld, seized the throne of the
world as King and Queen. Before coming to power, Cronus, the god of
time and leader of the Titans, had castrated his father.
Cronus and Rhea had six children: Hades, god of the underworld;
Poseidon, god of the seas; Hera, goddess of marriage and wife of Zeus;
Hestia, goddess of the hearth; Demeter, goddess of agriculture; and Zeus,
king of the gods.
Fearful that one of his children might someday overthrow him as he had
done to his father, Cronus swallowed each of his newborn children.
Determined that one of her children should be spared, Rhea sailed to the
island of Crete and gave birth to Zeus in a cave. She left the infant there to
be raised by Gaea, goddess of earth, and Nymphs. Rhea quickly returned to
Mt. Olympus, alone. She deceived Cronus by giving him a stone wrapped
in baby clothes. Without noticing, Cronus swallowed the rock, never
realizing he had been deceived.
Zeus was nourished with the milk of a sacred goat named Amalthea.
Nymphs, called Melissae, fed him honey. Eagles and doves supplied him
with nectar and ambrosia. To keep intruders away, the Curetes, or priests of
Rhea drowned out the cries of the infant Zeus by pounding their shields.
Under the watchful eye of the nymphs, little Zeus grew strong and wise.
He lived in Crete until he was old enough to fight his father and claim the
kingdom of the world.
When Zeus was grown, he was determined to force his father to restore his
siblings. Zeus was helped by the goddess Metis who coaxed Cronus to
drink a potion which caused him to return the children he had swallowed.
Zeus, along with his siblings, took a stand on Mount Olympus. Oceanus
and other Titans who had abandoned Cronus because of his oppressions,
joined Zeus.
Cronus, along with his brother Titans, prepared for a battle called the
Titanomachia on Mt. Othrys. The struggle was a long, hard one. Cronus
and his army were overthrown by Zeus. Cronus was banished from his
kingdom and his brothers sent to the lower world. Never again would
Cronus reign as the supreme power. Zeus now assumed the title of king of
the world.
With the defeat of Cronus and his banishment, his rule as supreme deity
ceased. Being immortal, however, he continued to exist, though no longer
having any authority.
ATLAS
Titan god of astronomy and navigation
Introduction
Atlas, the son of Iapetus, was the Titan god of craftsmanship and mortality.
During the Titanomachy, the ten-year war between the Titans and Olympian
gods, Atlas and his brother Menoetius chose to side with the Titans. A
leader in the battle, Atlas found himself on the losing side. Zeus punished
the Titans for waging war against the Olympian gods, banishing them to the
underworld. Zeus singled Atlas out, however, and condemned him to an
eternity of holding the sky on his shoulders. Atlas was the first to discover
the earth was round. Statues depicting Atlas holding the earth on his
shoulders is a misconception.
Legends surrounding Atlas
Atlas and Perseus
After decapitating the head of Medusa, an ugly monster with hair of snakes
who turned anyone who looked at her into stone, Perseus carried the
severed head with him to the land of king Atlas. Atlas’ pride was his
garden where golden fruit hung from golden branches amongst golden
leaves.
Perseus explained he was Zeus’ son and was tired. He asked if he might
rest for a spell, but Atlas, remembering a prophecy that someday a son of
Zeus would steal the apples, refused and tried to force him out. Perseus
saw that the giant was too strong to fight and said, “You don’t care about
my friendship, but I have a gift for you anyway.” Turning his face away,
Perseus held up the head of Medusa for Atlas to see. Atlas took one glance
at the head and turned to stone. His beard and hair transformed into forests,
his arms and shoulders solidified into cliffs, his head became a mountain
top, and bones became rocks now known as Mount Atlas in north Africa.
This was all for nothing, however, because the prophecy didn’t pertain to
Perseus, but to another hero, Heracles.
Atlas knew the secrets of the sea. The first part of “Atlantic Ocean” refers
to the “Sea of Atlas.” “Atlantis” relates to the “island of Atlas.”
Atlas and Heracles

Heracles was once asked to snatch golden apples growing in Hera’s garden.
This garden was cared for by the Hesperides, "daughters of the evening"
and guarded by Ladon, a dragon that twisted itself around the tree.
Heracles promised Atlas he would hold up the heavens if Atlas would go

and get the apples. When Atlas returned with the apples, he tried to trick
Heracles into carrying the sky, knowing that anyone who intentionally took
the burden from him must carry it forever.
Heracles suspected Atlas would not return. Heracles agreed, but asked
Atlas to hold the sky again so he could adjust the cloak on his shoulders.
Atlas put down the apples and took the heavens from Heracles and placed it
upon his shoulders. Seeing his chance, Heracles snatched up the apples and
rain away, leaving Atlas to bear the burden of the heavens once again.
From this legend the Greeks illustrated that to bear the weight of the world
on one's shoulders is to be burdened with too much responsibility for one
person.
EPIMETHEUS
god of foolish afterthought; Pandora’s box
Introduction
Epimetheus, a Titan, was the brother of Atlas. His name means

“afterthought,” and the “father of excuses,” which is opposite of the name
of another of his brothers, Prometheus, which means “forethought.”
Epimetheus was deemed to be foolish, while Prometheus appeared clever.
Legend surrounding Epimetheus
Epimetheus and Pandora
Epimetheus and Prometheus were instructed by Zeus to give characteristics

to newly created animals. Epimetheus gave all the positive traits to the
animals, but having no foresight, forgot to leave any for the humans.
Prometheus, even though warned by Zeus not to do so, gave the gift of fire
to mankind.
Angered that Prometheus had disobeyed him and had stolen the fire from
the gods and given it to humans, Zeus decided he would give humans a gift
to balance their possession of fire. He instructed the god Hephaestus, the
blacksmith, to create the first human woman, Pandora. All the gods
contributed toward the woman’s creation.
The gods gave Pandora a jar containing all the evils of humanity. Pandora
and her jar were given to Epimetheus who accepted the gift of Pandora.
Prometheus warned his brother about accepting any gift from Zeus, but
Epimetheus couldn’t resist Pandora when he saw her.
One day, filled with curiosity about its contents, Pandora opened the jar,
accidently releasing all the evils into the world. Frightened, Pandora shut
the lid as quick as she could. With all the evil creatures the gods had put in
the jar, there was one good creature designed to heal the wounds of body
and soul, named Hope, but Hope remained trapped inside.
Later, when Pandora's jar was once again opened, Hope was able to fly
away into the world and heal wounds resulting from plagues and disease.
But since she escaped much later than the evils of the world, Hope is
always the last to arrive.
Up until that time, humans had lived in the Golden Age in a state of
innocence. The releasing of evils pouring into the world marked the end of
the “Golden Age” of Man and the beginning of the “Silver Age.”
From this Legend, the ancient Greeks remind us that when people are
troubled by problems, one thing that helps get them through their difficult
time is Hope.
GLOSSARY
A
Adonis - extremely handsome young man loved by Aphrodite
Aeetes – son of sun-god Helios, king of Colchis, father of Medea
Aeson - king of Iolcus whose thrown was usurped by his half-brother
Pelias; father of Jason
Agaeus – king of Athens, father of Theseus
Alcmene - wife of a Greek general and mother of Heracles
Amalthea – goat nurse of Zeus
Aphrodite - goddess of love, desire, and beauty
Apollo - god of music, god of healing, god of light, god of truth, known as
the Archer
Arachne - an excellent weaver who challenged Athena
Arcadia - a mountainous region of ancient Greece
Ares - god of war
Argo - the ship on which Jason sailed to find the Golden Fleece; named
after her builder, Argus.
Argonauts – band of heroes who accompanied Jason to find the Golden
Fleece
Argos – city in ancient Greece
Astypalaia - a lover of Poseidon who seduced her, and had two sons by
him; sister of Europa
Athena - goddess of wisdom
Athens – city in Greece named after the goddess Athens
Atlas - son of Iapetus; forced to carry the heavens upon his shoulders by
Zeus
B
Briareus – a giant / a Hecatoncheires
C
Cecrops - first king of Athens
Colchis – kingdom of Medea and the Golden Fleece
Crete – an island south of Greece
Cronus - son of Uranus, titan of the sky, leader of the Titans
Curetes – shield-clashing priests of Rhea who guarded the infant Zeus
Cyclops - gigantic one-eyed monsters
D
Daphne - a beautiful girl who fled Apollo's love and was turned into the
bay laurel tree
Delphi - shrine of Apollo and site of the famous Oracle
Demeter - goddess of agriculture
E
Epimetheus - Titan of afterthought, brother of Atlas and Prometheus
Eros - god of love
Europa - a princess abducted by Zeus, after whom the continent Europe
was named
G
Gaea - goddess of the Earth and mother of the titans
Gigantes - giants with great strength
H
Hades - god of the underworld
Harpies - monsters possessing a human face with a bird’s body
Hecatoncheires - giant creatures with one hundred strong hands and fifty
heads
Hephaestus – god of fire, god of blacksmiths
Hera - goddess of marriage and women, wife of Zeus
Heracles - greatest hero of Greek mythology
Hermes – messenger of the gods
Hesperides - nymphs of the evening and of the sunset light who tended a
garden in the west
where the golden apple-trees and other treasures of the gods were
kept
Hestia - goddess of the hearth
I
Iapetus - Titan god of craftsmanship and mortality
Io - a nymph loved by Zeus, who turned her into a cow in order to protect
her from Hera's jealousy
Iolcus – an ancient Greek city
Ithaca - an island in the Ionian Sea in Greece
J
Jason – leader of the Argonauts, son of Aeson, king of Iolcus, an ancient
Greek city
K
Khalkotauroi - two fearsome bulls which breathed fire
L
Ladon - a snake-like dragon that twisted itself around the tree in the Garden
of the Hesperides
Laertes - king of the Greek island, Ithaca; father of Odysseus
Lemnos - island in the northern Aegean Sea where the women failed to
honor Aphrodite
Leto - Titaness of motherhood
M
Medea – a sorceress who became Jason's wife
Medusa - an ugly monster with hair of snakes who turned anyone who
looked at her into stone
Melanion – was given golden apples by Aphrodite to distract Atalanta so
he could win a race
Menoetius – Titan god of anger, rash action, and human mortality
Metis - Titaness of wisdom and cunning, first of Zeus' wives; mother of
Athena
N
Narcissus - a handsome hunter who fell in love with his own image
Nymphs - female spirits of the natural world, minor goddesses of the
forests, rivers, springs,
meadows, mountains and seas.
O
Oceanus - a Titan god personifying the river which encircled the world
Odysseus - Greek hero in the Trojan War, son of Laertes, king of the Greek
island, Ithaca
Olympians – the twelve major deities
Orpheus - played his lyre to drown out the singing of the Sirens
P
Pandora - the first mortal woman
Pelias - son of Poseidon, king of Iolcus, who sent Jason to retrieve the
Golden Fleece
Peneius – a river god of Thessalia in northern Greece
Perseus - son of Zeus, first hero in Greek mythology
Phineus - son of Poseidon; blind soothsayer who received prophetic powers
from Apollo
Plutus - god of wealth
Polyphemus - giant son of Poseidon; a one-eyed Cyclops
Poseidon - god of the sea
Prometheus – the Titan of forethought who gave man the gift of fire
Pygmalion - a talented sculptor who fell in love with a statue he made
Pythia - the priestess at Apollo's oracle in Delphi
Python –a monstrous serpent Gaea appointed to guard the oracle at Delphi
Q
R
Rhea - Titaness of motherhood and fertility, mother of Zeus
S
Sirens – beautiful, dangerous creatures whose voices lured ships to crash
into treacherous rocks
Symplegades - clashing rocks through which Jason had to pass to reach the
Golden Fleece
T
Talos - a giant made of bronze who threw rocks at passing ships
Titanomachia - the war between the Titans and the Greek gods
Titans - a race of powerful deities that ruled during the Golden Age of
ancient Greece
Trident - three pronged spear weapon of Poseidon
Tritons –trumpeters of the sea
Trojan War – a battle between the people of Greece and the people of the
city of Troy
Troy - a city besieged by the Greeks in the Trojan War
U
Uranus- first ruler of the universe, god of the sky, father of the titans
W
X
Y
Z
Zeus - king of the gods
Thank you again for choosing to purchase this book.
I hope that by reading this book, you were able to learn all of the basic of
Greek Mythology and expand your knowledge.
Finally, a big thank you again for purchasing and taking your time to read
this book. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I had the pleasure in
writing.
If you enjoyed this book please would you be kind enough to leave a
positive review on Amazon?
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Amazon Affiliates
The Ultimate Marketing Guide to Make

Money Online Business Book
Shane Blanc
© 2015
© Copyright 2015 – Shane Blanc
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopy, recording, or by any information storage
or retrieval system, without the written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief
quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Trademarks are the property of their respective holders. When used, trademarks are for the benefit of
the trademark owner only.
DISCLAIMER
The information provided herein is stated to be truthful and consistent, in that any liability, in terms
of inattention or otherwise, by any usage or abuse of any policies, processes, or directions contained
within is the solitary and utter responsibility of the recipient reader. Under no circumstances will any
legal responsibility or blame be held against the publisher for any reparation, damages, or monetary
loss due to the information herein, either directly or indirectly. Respective authors hold all rights not
held by publisher.
Introduction
Thank you for downloading Amazon Affiliates: Amazon Associates

Program: The Ultimate Marketing Guide to Make Money Online
Business Book.
In this book we teach you the basics of signing up for the Amazon Affiliates
program and what commission rates to expect for the various items.
We also discuss Amazon's policy of volume discounts, bounty referrals,

commission rates, and the excepted purchases.
We discuss the basics of adding the Affiliates to your website,

implementing widgets, and selling products.
We detail information about SEO, links and search engine attractants so that
you will receive referrals from Google, Bing and Yahoo.
We conclude the book with instructions on how to build the search engine
friendly Amazon Affiliates website.
Chapter One: What Is The Amazon Affiliate
Program?
In this chapter, you will learn:
Key idea 1
The Amazon Affiliate program is offered to anyone who has a website.
Key idea 2
Amazon has an excellent reputation for buyer safety and customer

satisfaction.
The Amazon affiliate program, or associate program, is an arrangement

between Amazon and the owner of a web site in which Amazon pays the
web site owner a commission on products that have been purchased through
the web site link. This is called an affiliate link or associate link. The
payment commission is based on the number of people that go from the
affiliate website and purchase Amazon products within a specific time
frame.
Three parties involved
There are three parties involved in the affiliate transfer of funds:

1. Amazon
2. The affiliate web site
3. The customer
When Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO, originated this idea, it was a new concept
in Internet commerce marketing, sometimes called e commerce. Now
Amazon has over 500,000 affiliate sites to promote their merchandise.[1]
If your website is one that does not sell a specific product, this is a good
way to make revenue to support the website with little intrusion to the
overall theme of the website. Placing links and widgets do not interrupt the
theme of your website but will offer shopping choices relevant to your
content.
Amazon's particular affiliate program is a click per sale program. Amazon

will pay the website host a percentage for each sale that has been purchased
through the affiliate link, excepting specifically mentioned products in the
contract from Amazon. Amazon also offers bonus programs for those that
sign up people for Kindle downloads or Audio books.
Amazon offers more than just the click per sale program. They also offer
widgets, customized pages, and banners that enable the website owner to
collection commissions on these products, also. Specific opportunities for
revenue through the Amazon Affiliates programs and itemized in Chapter
Two.
Why Choose Amazon?
Why would you want to choose Amazon for your website affiliation?
We offer the following six reasons.
1. Everybody knows Amazon and trusts their brand. It is known for

the safety of online buying and its amazing customer guarantee.
2. Amazon pays high commissions on high ticket items.
3. People always buy more than one thing when they visit Amazon
to get their free shipping offer.
4. Amazon offers thousands (probably even millions) of products, so

everybody can find something to buy.
5. Amazon makes it easy to affiliate because it offers widgets and

banners for the person without coding experience. You just tell
Amazon what you want and they build a custom code, then you
cut and paste to your widget or page.
6. Amazon offers great holiday sales that you can promote and pick
up referrals.
One of the bests reasons for you to be an Amazon affiliate is that you don't
handle the money at all. Amazon takes the money, and the risks, in all the
purchases. You don't have to deal with returned sales, customer complaints,
or refunds. Your buy now buttons connect directly to their registers. You
don't pay sales taxes, Amazon does. There are no monthly or quarterly sales
tax reports for you to muddle through. You just collect the commissions,
and those are automatically deposited into your bank account electronically
60 days after the sales.
Chapter Two: Compensation Opportunities Through
Amazon Affiliates
Key idea 1
The commission on sales from your link referrals varies as to the price
of the object sold and the volume of sales from your website.
Key idea 2
There is a list of no sales commission products that are exempted by

Amazon.
Performance fee based on volume
There are several ways that Amazon pays commissions through the
Affiliates program.
The first is the performance fee based on the volume of sales through your
website. This performance fee begins at 4% and caps at 15%, based on the
literal number of items sold by your website. For example, if you sell 6
items you will receive 4% of sales, but if you sell 7 items you will receive
6%.
Specific Rate Commission
The second payment option is a specific rate commission are based on the
item categories sold.
See examples in the table below:[2]

Personal Computers Get a Set Rate
Thirdly, Amazon also offers commissions on personal computers that cap at

a $25 referral rate.
This includes laptops, desk models, notebooks, netbooks and tablets.

Not allowed in some states
The following states do not allow Amazon Affiliate accounts due to their
tax codes:
AR- Arkansas,
CO- Colorado,
MO- Missouri,
ME - Maine, or
RI - Rhode Island.
If you live in these states, please keep checking back with your state
legislature as laws change annually.
Sell on Amazon
Amazon allows vendors to sell homemade items designed and

manufactured by your company. Amazon has over 95 million customers, so
there is ample opportunity for exposure of your product. If you have one
product, or 45 different products, Amazon has a fee schedule that is based
on your product categories.
If you are a new manufacturer, you can sell on up to 20 categories for free.
You can upgrade to the Professional seller and add another 15 product
categories. Your cost as a professional seller is priced as $39.95 per month
plus fees.
Kindle for Associates

Kindle has a special program for the Affiliates and their commissions, with
higher rates than the average commissioned sales. For those that purchase a
kindle through your webstore link, your link as the Amazon affiliate will
earn 8.5% commission. You can add banners, widgets, links, or just offer
the free reading app.
Product Advertising API
For developers, the product advertising API program is an advanced

program for coders that offers 8.5% commissions on sales from your
websites. The API program has the complete Amazon listing of products in
a searchable application.
Abebooks
Make a 5% commission by linking your website to Abebooks.com, a seller

of textbooks, new and used, rare books, out of print books, and
independently published works. Abebooks.com also offers autographed
books and first editions for the bibliophile wanting a specific treasure.
Abebooks.com is not a brick and mortar store; instead, it is an online
merchant that utilizes search engines to locate a specific book or copy of a
book. It connects the purchaser to the bookseller privately. The bookseller is
the one that ships the book to the customer so there is no chance of a rare
book being pirated by a third party.
Chapter Three: Promotions Hub, Offers, Deals and
Bounties
Key idea 1
Promotions Hub lists all the current promotions for the Amazon
Affiliates, complete with links, widgets, and banners.
Key idea 2
Bounties pay commissions for signing up subscribers to Amazon Prime,

Audiobooks, etc.
Promotions Hub Offers and Deals
Amazon has an entire page of specialized deals that have individual widgets
to place on your product pages. For Retro Christmas shoppers, there is the
Retro Toys Christmas widget that has the always popular Etch a Sketch on
the front. This widget pays you a commission and draws the attention of the
Baby Boomers, buying toys for the grandkids with memories of their
holidays past.
Bounty
There is also the Bounty page, a list of specific items, when sold, pay the
affiliate a bounty (specified set commission) on a purchase. Examples of the
bounties are the link for Amazon Prime, Audible Books, and Kindle Reader
Apps; these all pay a bounty of $3 if downloaded from your website link.
Other bounties listed as of November 1, 2015, include wedding registries,
baby registries, Amazon gift cards, Amazon student shipping, and the
Amazon cell phones and contract plans.
Trade In Program
The third stream of income offered by Amazon is their trade-in program for
video games, books, dvds, consumer electronics, and various used items.
There are links to list the products on your website and the commission paid
is 4% of the item's trade in value.
Suggest to your customers a holiday cleaning spree that includes removing

older toys and books, cds and DVDs to make way for the newer items that
will be received over the holidays. Encourage your clients and readers to up
cycle these products by selling them on Amazon. If they choose to receive
their earnings on an Amazon gift card, you receive commission on that sale
also.
Chapter Four: Amazon's Excluded Products
Key idea 1
Amazon has specific products they exclude from commissions.
Key idea 2
The detailed list is below and updated regularly for the Amazon
Affiliates.
Excluded Products List
Amazon has excluded certain products from their commissioned sales

promotion fees.
According to the Amazon website, the following items are exempts from
commissions:[3]
● Any product or service sold on a site linked to from the Amazon

Site (e.g., a product or service listed through our “Product Ads”
program or sold on a site linked to from a banner ad, sponsored link,
or other link displayed on the Amazon Site);
● Any wireless service plan offered through the Amazon Site and
not sold or fulfilled by us;
● Any product, including games and other applications, sold through

the Amazon Appstore for Android;
● Any product sold on fresh.amazon.com;
● Restaurant takeout or delivery orders placed through Amazon

Local;
● Any alcoholic beverage product;
● Any digital Kindle product purchased as a subscription (e.g.,

Kindle newspaper subscriptions, magazine subscriptions, blog
subscriptions, etc.); or
● Any of the products identified by Amazon Standard Identification

Number (“ASIN”) in the following list (from and after the date listed);
provided that any additions to this list will be published on this page at
least 7 days before the beginning of the month in which they are first
excluded (and such publication will be your sole notice of such
modification).
You will not receive commissions on any affiliate purchases that are
personal sales on your own links.
Chapter Five: Improving Your Selling Skills
Key idea 1
Setting up a retail site for Amazon will not be successful unless you
carefully consider your niche.
Key idea 2
Good returns on your website are best generated by following known

sales tactics.
The following ideas are garnered from various merchandisers attesting their
success with the Amazon Affiliates program. Here are their suggestions for
ways to improve your website visibility and merchandising skills.
Improving your Website Visibility and Selling Skills
1. Make your Amazon links prominent and visible at both the top
and bottom of the screen. Don't make your customer search for
the way to purchase the product. Place a buy now button in a
highly visible place and make it brightly colored. Statistics show
blue and orange buttons generate the most "pushes".
2. Make the link to a specific product easy to find. Use the link
more than once on the page. Amazon suggests making 5-10 links
on each page of products, in addition to links placed on the
pictures of the merchandise.
3. Offer a search function for both new and used merchandise.

Sometimes customers are uncertain of what or how they want to
buy. Sometimes they just want to use a product once, and don't
want to invest a large amount of money, like buying a CD for a
teen party. These customers will leap at the opportunity to
purchase a less expensive version. Think about high school book
reading lists. Nobody ever keeps those books. These customers
want a cheap, disposable item.
4. Offer cross merchandising. If your website sells books, offer

books on how to self-publish, as well as your specifically
authored books. Also offer Kindle reading apps, Kindles,
Audiobooks, Mp3s, and Mp3 players for a relaxing venue. This
would be a good place to showplace a reading nook in a home,
with a comfy chair, good lighting, pillows and bookcases. Place a
plate of cookies by the chair and link to the Amazon gourmet
groceries page. Place a link about the Premier Pantry items.
5. Place a link to your Amazon store on the most visible place on

your website - the menu. Make it easy for the customer to find
your link quickly with minimal searching. If your purpose is to
generate passive income, then make the website sell your
products by showcasing the merchandise. Don't hide the links at
the bottom of the blog posts that takes pages and pages of
scrolling to locate. Be visible and enticing.
6. Encourage people to buy gifts by placing the wedding and baby
registry links, Amazon gift links, and suggested ideas for holidays
and birthdays links. Start a countdown to Black Friday deals. Link
to different products each week. Make a page specifically for the
top 100 bestsellers list of books and movies. Suggest Amazon gift
cards next to the Kindle sales advertisements.
7. Make sure you use the Amazon brand in your links. The
Amazon batteries should be linked on the same pages as the
computers, cameras, electronics, Mp3 players, etc. Amazon
batteries are cheap and good. They should be included with all
Christmas gifts because everybody needs batteries, even if just for
their smoke alarms.
8. Change up your offers every week. Don't offer the same thing
all the time. Your ads will be stale and so will your sales. Give
your customer variety and color. Change the price points so that
one week everything is under $20 but the next week you target
$50 and under.
9. Write blog posts and recommendations for your products

advertised. You will generate more sales with a personal
recommendation. Ask for customer comments. When the
customer is invested, they will write recommendations for you.
This will continue to drive traffic to your website and links to
Amazon.
Chapter Six: Tips for Increasing Website Traffic
Key idea 1
Work to attract the search engine attention. The search engine will then
direct traffic to your designated website.
Key idea 2
Each search engine works differently. Make sure your SEO keywords
are attractive to all of the search engines to garner the most web traffic.
When working to increase your website traffic, use these tips to help the
search engines find your website.
Help the Search Engines
● Remember that each search engine works differently. Google

ignores keywords but looks at metadata, for example. Bing looks at
both keywords and metadata. So does Yahoo search engines.
● Be smart and concise in your content. Offer value in your web

pages; don't just fill them with patter and prattle. Your customers want
to know what you know, what you believe, and why you buy this
product. Give them useful information and a glowing recommendation
of the product. Don't make the blog half-hearted.
● Begin the titles and copy of each webpage with the keywords. The
search engine rates you higher when the keywords are prominent.
Make sure the keyword is in the URL, twice or three times in the copy,
in the titles and in the headers.
● Make sure each individual page is optimized. Don't let the search
engine skip your blog because of laziness. Make the search engines
work on your pages, scanning and indexing.
● Use META tags to increase your traffic. Search engines like them
very much. Use them on each individual page and post of your blog.
● Register your website with the major search engines. They may
not see you if you are not in their database. Pay attention to the
requirements of the registration. Search engines are very picky about
how you present your information in your registration.
● Make sure your keywords are in the page URL and the Meta
description, in addition to titles and headers.
● Carefully watch your ROI with the pay per click sites. Make sure
you are using the most effective keywords. Track your revenue to
make sure the sites are paying for themselves. Your keywords should
be the lowest, not the highest.
● When purchasing pay per click, buy keywords that are very
specific. For example, don't purchase "art gallery" as it is too generic,
the cost for that word group will be excessively high and may not even
draw traffic to your site. Purchase instead a more specific keyword
group, like "Memphis Modern Art Gallery", to drive traffic to your
site.
● Decide exactly who your specific target customer is and pare your
keywords to reach those customers. If your target is Memphis Modern
Art lovers, make a keyword grouping Beale Street Art Lovers,
something that is specific to Memphis and likely not overused.
● Don't use the keyword over and over again. A redundant site will
bring less traffic from the search engine. They will read the keyword
as "overused".
Chapter Seven: Blog Ideas That Generate Big
Money Through Amazon
Key idea 1
Find a niche product that interests you so your copy will be fresh and
convincing.
Key idea 2
Link products with a buy now button to the Amazon offer. Make sure
your recommendation has plenty of links, at least 5, to the Amazon
page of the product.
The following blog ideas will make big money for you with Amazon
affiliates. These are proven strategies that work.
The Right Niche Product
● Look for a niche product and tailor your blog to the niche. For
example, if you are interested in jailbreaking programs for iPhones,
find the specific product you are enthused about, create the domain
name with the product name in the url, if possible, blog on the
specified product, and link it to Amazon through the affiliates
program. It is that simple to create a three figure income when you
find the niche product and market and tailor your actions to promote
the product.
● Link Amazon products inside your content so that your link drives
the income. For example, I found this awesome remote control
helicopter for a Christmas present for my nephew with a sale price of
$50.00, less than half the usual price! When I blog about what a great
deal it is, while linking through my website to Amazon, it sells itself
through the enthusiasm of the blog post.
● Deliver a product image that is clickable through your link to the

Amazon affiliate link on the Amazon website. Show that remote
control helicopter in all its colorful detail, don't just talk about it. Give
a visual. Make the consumer want to play with it, like you have been
doing. Suggest it is so fun they should buy two, one for the nephew,
and one for themselves.
● If you are doing a product review, link to Amazon at least 5 times

or more in your article. Give the reader plenty of opportunities to
easily use your link. Highlight the link in a bright color or boldface the
link. Draw attention to the buying opportunity. Have more than one
buy now button or shop now link.
● Discuss the product in a high quality article and end with a call to
action like "See this product on Amazon now!" Place a shop now
button next to the product.
● Get an email list going to increase your sales and target market.
Allow people opportunities to sign up more than once on your web
site. Install a popup subscription form. 60% of popup registrations are
completed on the second showing, not the first opportunity to
subscribe to the newsletter or emails.
● Create a shopping list for the holidays, and blog about it. Make
searchable links and lots of pictures. Recommend Thanksgiving
shopping from the comfort of the recliner. Show Santa in his pajamas
shopping on the computer, or the elves sneaking a shopping spree on
their tablets or iPhones.
● The more products you sell the higher the commission. For
example, if you sell six various products you make 4% commission,
but if you sell seven assorted products you make 6% commission.
Variety is the key. Offer lots of quality merchandise, not just a few
hand picked items.
● Sell lots of low cost products to boost your variety sales quotient
so that when you sell the high end product you get the higher
commission rate. 100 wrenches will boost your commission to 6.5%,
111 sales will make your commission on that high end camera 7%. It
all adds up to increased revenue.
● Use multiple tracking ids in your website so you can accurately

rate your traffic sources. You want to know where your income
originates and what are the most effective advertising strategies.
● Using a plugin like EasyAzon lets you place the product
information faster into your website without having to assemble each
link by hand. This is a free WordPress Plugin.
● Insert a buy now button into your posts. Make it very visible and
very colorful.
● Create a comparison table. People like visual images. People like

to compare prices and features without having to click from Website to
Website.
● Send a weekly deals announcement to your email list. Be sure and

create the buy now button.
● Try anything you can think of to get someone to the Amazon site.
If they buy within 24 hours you get the commission. If they place
something in their shopping cart and it is purchased within 30 days,
you get the commission.
Chapter Eight: Create an aStore on Your Website
Key idea 1
Amazon makes it easy for you to create an individual aStore on your

website.
Key idea 2
You can customize your pages by colors and products so that it is just
about your recommendations.
Amazon gives you the tools to offer your own individual Amazon store on
your specific website. Utilize these resources to build webpages of products
that you, personally, recommend. Create wish lists for Holiday shopping by
using aStore pages.
What to Place in Your aStore Pages
● Showcase products you love so you can easily blog about their
virtues and selling points.
● Add pages that are categories or subcategories on Amazon.

Amazon will then automatically increase the offerings in your aStore.
● Make pages that have lists, like the Amazon listmania products.
People love to read lists and these are good memory joggers for
shoppers.
● Use the widgets and build a link application to customize your

store so that it represents your best ideas.
● You can modify the colors, theme and products on your aStore;
make it uniquely you.
● The best advantage for the aStore is there is no programming

knowledge needed to install
● the application on your website. All the coding is pregenerated,

you just copy and paste.
● This can be an excellent resource for passive income from your

website.
Chapter Nine: Features of the Successful Amazon
Affiliate Website
Key idea 1
Using keywords is backwards from what you'd expect. Choose the

keywords with the least traffic, not the most, so you will have less
competition in the category.
Key idea 2
It takes almost a year to build a successful well-designed Affiliate

website. Don't expect overnight success. That only happens in the
movies.
The following tips are the best resource for utilizing your Amazon Affiliate
Website; make sure that each point is accessed on your web page.
Include these tips when designing your website.
1. Search keywords carefully and choose the words that are less
used to drive more traffic to you. This will also decrease the cost
in pay per click advertising.
2. This takes time; allow 6-12 months before expecting consistent
revenue.
3. Use SEO and link building internally to monitor your site.
4. Pick a WordPress theme that is Amazon aStore friendly.
5. Pick an expired domain name if you can find one that is

appropriate. Why? You will already have a customer base that is
looking for this domain.
6. Write rich content that has value for the customer. Don't stuff your
website with drivel.
7. The optimum post is 800 words long. Much longer, and the
customer will leave before purchasing. Shorter, and the customer
feels cheated by not enough information. Especially pay attention
to the content.
8. Link to Amazon 5 times in the blog or review, but make it a

natural link. Do not randomly link so that the customer thinks you
disorganized.
9. Include long tail keywords to increase your web traffic. Don't use
the same keyword redundantly.
10. Try to make your website contain more than 20 pages.
Offer different topics so the customer has plenty to browse.
11. Put the metatag and keyword at the beginning of your

copy, your title, in your URL, and in the Meta description.
12. Make your links "nofollow." This tells the search

engine not to include your link in other pages' rankings. Be sure
and put a link back to your website at the tail end, when the
customer completes their purchases.
Chapter Ten: Conclusion
This book has been written to make it easy for you to create an Amazon
Affiliates web page and ecommerce store.
We suggest you utilize SEO in all your webpages to increase your traffic to
your website and your readers. We recommend the Yoast SEO plugin to
help you attract search engines and Amazon buyers.
Included in this book are the reasons why we recommend Amazon

Affiliates, what commission rates Amazon pays their Affiliates, and how to
get started with an Amazon aStore.
We instruct on how to direct traffic to your website, tips for a more

interesting and successful Amazon Affiliate website, and ways to increase
traffic to your website.
We suggest that you update your products and copy at least weekly to keep
your content fresh to your readers. Use the buy now button in bright colors
to generate sales. Send a newsletter with links to the bargains of the week
on Amazon.com.
References
Affiliate-program.amazon.com,. (2015). Amazon.com Associates

Central - Help. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from https://affiliate-
program.amazon.com/gp/associates/help/operating/advertisingfees?
rw_useCurrentProtocol=1
Harris, T. (2000). How Affiliate Programs Work. HowStuffWorks.

Retrieved 1 November 2015, from
http://money.howstuffworks.com/affiliate-program2.htm
Thank you again for downloading this book Amazon Affiliates: Amazon
Associates Program: The Ultimate Marketing Guide to Make Money
Online Business Book.
I hope this book was able to help you choose whether or not the Amazon
Affiliate program is a good passive income generator for your website.
The next step is to join the Amazon Affiliate program and start installing
links and widgets. Find your niche market and begin blogging
recommendations. Install buy now buttons and direct aStore links.
If you enjoyed this book please would you be kind enough to leave a honest
review on Amazon?
for 5-Star feedback and reader satisfaction is my priority.
Thank you and good luck!

Amazon FBA
Learn the Secrets of Selling Physical & Private

Labeled Products on Amazon
By Shane Blanc
© 2015
Bonsai Care
The Ultimate Guide to

Bonsai Tree Care: How to Grow, Shape
and Care for Your Bonsai
Henry Durden
© 2015
Introduction
I want to thank you and congratulate you for downloading Bonsai Care:
The Ultimate Guide to Bonsai Tree Care: How to Grow, Shape and Care for
Your Bonsai.
This book contains proven steps and techniques that have been perfected
over many hundreds of years.
Bonsai artistry provides spiritual enjoyment and meditational comfort for
people of all ages. If you’re interested in bonsai trees, this ultimate guide
will show you how to select, plant, grow, style and care for your bonsai
tree.
1: The History and Evolution of Bonsai
The art of bonsai actually has its beginnings in China 5,000 years ago, with
shallow basins or flattened bowls called pen, pan, or pun that were made of
earthenware.
When the Bronze Age came, these shapes were favored and used
exclusively for religious and political ceremonies. Later they were used to
create replicas in miniature of the five elements (water, fire, wood, metal,
and earth) so the student could study there properties on a reduced scale.
The elements were believed to be magical and therefore potent agents for
long life and good fortune.
During the Han Dynasty, trade was opened and aromatic incenses were
brought into the country. New vessel types were created, this time with lids
that allowed the incense to burn and also release smoke.
The vessels and lids were made from stone, and a variety of lichens were
almost always attached to some degree to the natural material. As this moss
grew, it created a miniature biological landscape on the vessel.
Eventually, rockery was added to the tiny landscapes, evidenced by the

tomb paintings for Crown Prince Zhang Huai, and pun wan or tray
playthings became a mature “hobby” for the wealthy and elite and were
passed along as luxurious gifts to the privileged few.
The development of this art took place over hundreds of years, but the
earliest renditions show wild shapes with peculiar twists. They were
considered sacred because these miniature trees could not be used for
anything but contemplation. They were useless for practical purposes such
as lumber, and their beauty became the subject of poets and painters alike.
In time the trees were shaped with bamboo frameworks, brass wire or lead
strips, and pun tsai or tray plantings became representative of cultivation in
one’s lifestyle.
The miniature landscapes we know as bonsai may have had its origins in
China, but the word bon-sai is actually Japanese.
China has been iconic throughout history, with “chinoiserie” becoming
popular every several hundred years, and although Japan is today
considered to part of the Orient or Far East, the country was not immune to
the fascination of the Chinese culture.
Pun tsai came to Japan primarily as religious souvenirs more than 1200
years ago. The Japanese also believed that when left to their original form
and nature, trees became a crude and unruly thing, but when kept close to
humans, they could be lovingly shaped, becoming almost poetic in form
with the ability to move one spiritually, and they elevated the art of bonsai
to a new level.
Zen monks developed their tray landscapes so that a single tree

represented the entire universe.
The twisted forms repeatedly bend back on themselves,

representing the recirculation of vital fluids in humans said to be
the cause of long life.
Deeper pots were used and hachi-no-ki or the bowl’s tree was the
Japanese name given to this form of artistic gardening.
In Japan, however, this art form was not restricted to the elite. Everyone
from shogun leaders to common farmers grew some type of miniature tree.
Today, apprenticeship programs, classes, shows, books, and magazines are

available, and custom designed power tools and an intricate knowledge of
plant physiology has allowed some masters to take the form from a craft to
true artistic design, with an annual show at Tokyo’s Metropolitan Museum
of Art.
2: Selection: Choosing a Bonsai Planting Method
There are many options for beginning a bonsai creation. If you’re a

beginner and you want a tree right away, you can purchase a small trained
or partially trained tree. If you purchase a partially trained tree, there will
still be much to do to make it into the tree you envision, and you will have
plenty of leeway to shape your bonsai as you want it.
It typically takes years to grow and train a bonsai tree, so you may find
fully trained trees to be rather expensive, however you can also start a tree
from a seedling or from a wild tree.
Wild trees
It can be extremely satisfying to create a bonsai from a wild tree, and these
trees are often highly venerated in the industry, however there are some
inherent problems and issues you should be aware of before taking on a
“wild tree” project.
You can collect almost any type of plant and make it into a bonsai. Mother
Nature has given you the inspiration and you will supply the imagination,
but it will take a significant amount of time and effort to acclimate your
gathered tree to its new surroundings.
The best time to collect wild trees is in early spring.
Dig a large ball of dirt around the plant so as not to damage any
of the roots. This will lessen any shock that will occur in
transplantation.
Immediately replant your tree in a large container with plenty of
room for the roots.
You will very likely need two seasons or more for your tree to fully recover,
so be sure you are prepared to give it the time and care it will need. To
avoid problems, be sure to inspect your plant, whether you gather it or buy
it, using the following guidelines.
Roots – Look for roots that are evenly spread in all directions.
Trunk – Look for young trees that can be pruned into the shape
you imagine. The trunk should be thicker at the base and tapered
at the top. Avoid trees with any swelling on the trunk.
Branches – Look for trees with many branches so you have a lot
to prune and shape. This gives you more freedom with your
creativity. Branches should alternate side to side and should be
thinner as they get higher on the trunk.
Leaves – Leaves should appear healthy. If a leaf is yellow in the

wrong season or the bark has odd abnormalities, the tree may
have a disease or it may be infested with pests.
Cuttings
You can create a new tree by cutting a branch from an existing healthy tree
and placing it in soil until it forms roots. This is a common method of
propagation that works more quickly than producing a tree from seed.
The best time to make cuttings is in spring, when tree growth
becomes active.
Use actively growing branches that have been pruned from a

healthy tree.
Use fresh soil that’s free from organic matter that can cause stems
to rot. Purchased soil is recommended.
Pre-water soil thoroughly and let it set for about an hour before
inserting branches.
Use sharp scissors to cut your branch so the end does not smash.
You can make one straight cut, a diagonal cut, or two cuts that
result in a V-shape.
Reduce the number of leaves on the stem. The leaves will

dissipate water, and since the stem will not be absorbing much
water at first, this will allow more water to stay in the stem to
form roots.
Pre-soak the pruned branch for 30-60 minutes before inserting in

the soil.
Seeds
You can always grow a tree from seeds, and this is one of the best ways to
grow rare species. It will take somewhere between 3 and 5 years to
establish a fully grown tree, but seeds are very inexpensive and you can
grow many trees at one time. Perhaps more importantly, this method allows
you to control every stage of the tree’s development.
Always pre-soak seeds overnight in water before planting them
into prepared soil.
The depth and distance of seeds should be place according to the

tree type. Follow instructions on the packet.
3: Bonsai Care
Containers
Your particular container should be chosen for its continuity with the shape,
style and spiritual element of the tree itself. Whether you’ve chosen your
tree based on strength or elegance, the container you put it in should also
exemplify this quality.
There are, however, other requirements that will help you get started. You
will begin with a training pot of the appropriate size and shape for the
developmental stages before removing your tree to a display pot.
Training pots can be made from plastic, wood or mica.
Pots can be glazed or unglazed.
Unglazed pots have good permeability and are usually chosen for
their austerity.
Glazed pots can be beautifully painted with scenes or foliate

shapes.
Ultimately, the pot should be chosen to compliment the tree.
Here is a general guide for choosing the correct size and shape
container.
Pot sizes are categorized as follows:
Deepest – about 10 inches in depth
Far Deeper – about 7 inches in depth
Slightly Deeper – about 5 inches in depth
Average Depth – about 3 inches in depth
Shallower – about 2 inches in depth
Shallowest – about 1 inch in depth
As a rough formula, the sum of the width and height of the pot should be
approximately the same as the height of the tree.
Formal and informal trees where the trunk is thick should be

planted in a slightly deeper pot.
The literati form should be planted in a round or polygonal pot,

1.5-2 times the height of the sum of the height and width of the
tree. This pot is referred to as the shallower pot.
The half cascade should be planted in a far deeper pot.
The cascade should be planted in the deepest pot.
Group planting and root connected trees such as the forest and
multi-trunk should be planted in the shallowest pot.
Containers, no matter what you choose, should always have a large

drainage hole. Any water left standing at the bottom of the pot will rot the
roots and spell death to your tree.
Soil
There are many types of trees used in the art of bonsai, and there are
different soils containing blends of nutrients suitable for each type of tree.
They should be treated like any other houseplant according to their need for
light, water, drainage, soil content, and location, however just like any
houseplant, you will need to be specific regarding the type of tree and
location you’ve chosen to raise them.
Bonsai containers are small and provide a very confined space for the trees
to grow, so it’s important to choose a soil that drains very well. What works
for trees in your backyard may not work in the restricted environment of
bonsai.
Japanese soils are generally of higher quality and consistency. The clay
necessary for water retention is baked at high temperatures to keep it from
compacting. This allows it to keep its structural integrity so the tree doesn’t
need to be repotted and soil changed as often as with other soils. The
following three Japanese brands are superior and work well for their
individual tree families.
Akadama is a general purpose soil that works well with deciduous

trees
Kanuma works well for acid loving plants such as azalea bonsai.
Kureyu works well for conifers.

As with any other type of gardening, bonsai soil is a science, but there are
no absolute guarantees because there are too many variables including
containers, light, water, location, temperature, and genus.
Here are the basics of bonsai soils to help you judge which soil is best
for your needs:
Grit, organic and loam will be the major components in varying degrees and
combinations.
Grit or aggregate combined with sand offers superior drainage

necessary for most types of bonsai. Modify the amount of grit as
you gain more experience.
Organic is composed of peat moss, pine bark and leaf mold. This
component provides water retention.
Loam is a combination of both grit and organic with clay added.
If you’re unsure, speak to a bonsai professional about the type of tree

you’ve chosen and the location you’ll be growing your tree.
Location and Light
A bright sunny location is best for bonsai, however constant direct sunlight
is not necessarily a requirement.
Give your tree plenty of natural light or use a grow light with a timer set at
12-16 hours of light. Position the tree 1-4 inches from the light source.
Make sure your tree has plenty of air circulating around it. The processes of
photosynthesis and osmosis require unrestricted fresh air. Air circulation
also aids moisture evaporation and helps prevent spider mite infestation.
Temperature
The temperature your tree likes depends somewhat on where it’s

indigenous, but somewhere between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit is a good
general guideline.
Placing a small thermometer near your plant - in the microenvironment it’s

located - is the best way to monitor the temperature for your bonsai.
Try to maintain a stable temperature. Avoid winter and summer spikes with
heating and air conditioning, fans and drafts. Keep your tree away from
extreme heat sources such as a fireplace or stove.
Water and Feeding
Watering can be the most critical aspect in caring for your bonsai. This is
the plant’s lifeline and it will take some time before you can master this
portion of the craft. Watering depends on the type of tree, your location and
the tree’s location within your home, container, size, the time of year, and
more, so there will be a learning curve to find out how much is too much or
too little.
As a general rule, always water your tree thoroughly and at the same time
each day.
Use room temperature tap water or rainwater if available.

Begin by pouring a small amount of water on the surface. This
will allow the soil to absorb more water.
Thoroughly saturate the soil until you physically see water

running out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the container.
Bonsai do not grow when the soil is either wet or dry, but during the in-
between when they can soak up the soil’s nutrients.
Bonsai containers are a manmade environment, so it’s necessary for you to

provide nutritional elements so your tree can grow.
Feed your bonsai every other week.
Use a balanced fertilizer of 20-20-20 (nitrogen, phosphorus

potassium) at ¼ strength.
Never feed a dry tree. Always water thoroughly before fertilizing

your bonsai.
Never use more fertilizer than the recommended amount.
It’s a good idea to switch fertilizer brands periodically to supply varying

amounts of trace minerals.
4: Artistic Styling
Strength vs Elegance
The simplistic beauty of the art of bonsai styling has been broadly broken
into two main categories: strength and beauty.
When you think about your design, you’ll want to decide which of these
two directions you want to take your tree, and the type of tree you’ve
chosen will have a natural affinity for one or the other.
So how do you decide which type of artistic styling is right for your
tree?
The shape is usually determined by the tree itself; by it organic appearance

or inclination to take on a particular shape. Study your tree and look deep
into its branches for the tree’s natural movement. Try to determine where it
wants to go in its artless form.
Strength: If you want your tree to exhibit strength, keep the height of the
tree shorter so the base will begin to compact and thicken giving it a solid
stable appearance. Branches can be trained to double back on the trunk,
zigzagging in sharp turns that evoke severity.
Elegance: The characteristics of the elegant form of styling include

branches that take on a wave-like appearance rather than taking hard sharp
turns like that of a strength tree. They will have a softer more graceful
appearance with a slim trunk and more height. They’re tall and narrow
instead of short, thick and compact.
Shapes
Once you’ve selected your tree and decided on the direction you want to
take it, the interpretation and creativity is entirely up to you. However, it’s
helpful to have a basic understanding of traditional bonsai shapes before
you begin.
Broom (Hokidachi)
This style is most well-suited to deciduous trees because of their network of

fine branches.
The trunk is allowed to grow straight up, then branch out in all directions
with about 1/3 of the height being in the branches. When looked at from
any angle, the branches appear to be shaped like a semi-circle or broom, but
they will actually be shaped in a ball so the broom-like appearance can be
seen from all sides. The trunk should not be so thick as to span the width of
the pot, and the top of the trunk should consist of a single branch.
Formal Upright (Chokkan)
This is what we might think of as a natural tree shape as it grows in the

wild.
The trunk is upright with branches that grow wider at the bottom and taper
toward the top, like a triangle. To shape this tree, the tapering must be well-
defined. The trunk should be wider or thicker at the bottom and thinner as it
reaches the top, with branches beginning about ¼ of the way up from the
base of the trunk, with a single branch forming the top of the trunk.
Informal Upright (Moyogi)
This is similar to the formal upright with the following differences:
The trunk will take an S-shape rather than being upright; branching will
occur at each turn and each individual group of branches will create its own
triangle. The trunk will still taper at the top and should be well-defined.
Slanting (Shakkan)
This shape emulates a tree that has been pummeled by the wind or has
grown on the leeward side of a mountain.
The trunk will be without curves or turns and should be straight or only
slightly bent. It will lean in one direction at a 60-80 degree angle to the
ground. The first set of branches will begin on the leeward side, away from
the direction of the lean so as to give the tree visual balance. The roots on
that side will grow larger to give the tree stability. The trunk will be thicker
at the bottom and taper at the top.
Cascade (Kengai)
This shape is reminiscent of a tree that might be living on a high cliff. It

forms an inverted horseshoe as the trunk curves back on itself. Where the
curve meets the top edge of the pot, it will continue downward in a series of
S curves.
Plant this tree in a taller pot and allow the trunk to grow upright to about
¼-1/3 the height of the pot. Branches should be allowed to grow at each
curve, on the outward bend of the curve, and should be shaped horizontally
for visual balance.
Semi-Cascade (Han-kengai)
This type of tree is naturally found on cliffs and riverbanks.
It begins upright like the cascade, but takes an outward turn when it reaches
the rim of the pot and will resemble a horizontal question mark. Branches
will still be shaped horizontally at the outward side of each curve.
Literati (Bunjingi)
This shape will resemble a tree growing in an area densely populated with
trees and will grow tall and thin to survive.
The trunk will grow upward either straight or curved, but always striving to
reach the sun. Branches are only seen at the top where the sun reaches
them.
To give this tree a fiercer appearance, some branches can be “jinned”,

having their bark removed as a reminder of the struggle to survive.
Windswept (Fukinagashi)
This shape represents another type of landscape in which trees struggle to

survive.
The branches only grow on one side, and the trunk may lean in the direction
of the sun or away from the wind. The trunk will taper dramatically near the
top.
Double Trunk (Sokan)
This is uncommon in bonsai. The two trunks can grow either from the same
root or one can grow from the side of the other.
The main trunk will grow upright, and the other will slant outward
somewhat. Branches will converge to form a singular canopy.
Multi-Trunk (Kabudachi)
Similar to the double trunk but having 3 or more trunks all growing from a
single root.
This is technically one tree, where the double trunk may be one or two
trees. The main trunk will be the tallest and all branches will eventually
converge to form a single canopy.
Forest (Yose-ue)
The forest is composed of many trunks all coming from a separate root
rather than the same root like the multi-trunk. A larger tree is planted in the
center of a long shallow pot with smaller trees in a staggered line around it.
Raft (Ikadabuki)
In nature, a tree which has been broken, hit by lightning or cracked in some
other way will have branches that begin to reach upward. As they form new
roots, these branches will become trunks with branches of their own, with
leaves that converge to form a single canopy.
Shari (Sharimiki)
Harsh weather in nature can cause bark to fall off and trunks to become
bald. Eventually, they’re bleached by the sun and may turn white.
In bonsai, this process is done by manually removing the bark and

bleaching the trunk with calcium sulfate to speed up the process of
bleaching.
Growing on Rock (Seki-joju)
Here, the roots are unprotected growing on the outside of a rock as the tree
grows and roots reach downward toward the soil. As in nature, these
unprotected roots will form a type of bark.
Growing in Rock (Ishisuki)

This tree’s roots searches for nutrients by growing inside the cracks and
holes in the rock. Trunks will appear sparse as a reminder of their struggle
to survive.
Water and fertilize this type of bonsai often to compensate for the lack of
space available for the tree to store its nutrients. Place the rock in a shallow
container filled with pebbles and water.
Watch this marvelous video of some of the most beautiful masterpieces
ranging in age from 8 to 65 years old. They will inspire and move you to do
your best work.
5: Bonsai Mechanics: The Secrets of Shaping
Plant Physiology
You don’t need to be a botanist to grow bonsai, but it will help you to know
something about how plants grow so you can determine where and when to
prune your plant. It will also help you to know the needs of the plant and
whether or not what you’re doing suits its vital activity. When situations
arise where you need to use trial and error techniques, you’ll be better
equipped to handle these problems.
Pruning: Roots vs Shoots
Because roots and shoots mirror each other, how you prune will determine
the shape of your plant, and to some degree its health. Pruning can increase
sunlight and ventilation to the inner branches and allow more nutrients and
water to reach buds, giving you the opportunity to effectively shape your
tree.
You can control any shape by controlling the root-shoot balance.
The best time to prune plants is when your tree is approaching

dormancy or just after dormancy, so you will need to research
your particular species to find this information.
Don’t prune plants when the soil temperature is cold. Usually late
autumn or early spring is best since the plant is still active and
able to heal roots after pruning.
It’s important to first let the roots grow fully so you will have a
thick trunk and they can fulfill the needs of the shoot. In order to
allow this, begin growing your tree in a large flower pot with
plenty of room for roots to grow.
Shoots
A shoot is simply a pair made up of a leaf and a stem. A plant begins with
one shoot and develops more as it grows. Eventually, it forms a complex
shape.
A shoot is first formed in the bud, which will contain a compressed new
leaf, stem and bud. When you water your plant, water is absorbed allowing
the new shoot to grow and stretch vertically.
Roots
Roots grow as a mirror image of shoots, with both forming as cells divide at
each end of the plant. Roots mainly grow downward, though some roots are
stored above the ground.
The root will grow larger as the shoot grows and they will balance each
other. Both are dependent on three factors: water, nutrients and mechanics.
Water is absorbed through the root and is mainly used for photosynthesis
and cell growth. The plant must maintain a balance between the amount of
water in the roots and the amount it uses for transpiration and
photosynthesis in the shoots.
Nutrients are also absorbed through the root and are necessary for cell
division in the buds, along with carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis
in the shoots. Both root and shoot will grow larger in an attempt to supply
the plant with nutrients.
The taproot or main root will grow thicker so it can support the tree and
shoots will begin to grow vigorously as roots develop. As more shoots
grow, roots will continue to grow to balance the plant’s needs.
Branch Pruning
The part of the stem where the bud grows is called a

node, and the space between two buds is called the internode. You will
repeatedly prune stems just above a node thereby stopping their vertical
growth. This reduces the consumption of water and nutrients in the shoot
and forces stimulation to lateral buds, which will then become activated and
will branch out near the cuts.
Your objective
is to cut off the parts of the plant that interfere with the shape you are trying
to achieve. Before you cut, look at the overall shape and determine where
new buds will begin to shoot. Their direction should fulfill the shape
requirements you’re looking for.
Bud Pruning
Bud pruning will slow the growth of branches and allow leaves to grow
evenly, however it’s important to prune buds as soon as they appear. If you
prune well-developed buds, you will damage your tree.
Keep an eye on the health of your tree. If it

appears weak from repotting, don’t bud prune.
Buds usually appear in spring on most plants, but some can

continue to bud through autumn.
Don’t prune buds from underdeveloped portions

of your tree.
Heavy bud pruning will encourage thinner branches and trunk. If

you want thicker branches and trunk, use control when bud
pruning.
Root Pruning
To maintain the balance of water and nutrients to the shoots, you will need
to prune the roots as well. Just as new shoots grow when stems are pruned,
new roots will grow when old ones are cut. More roots allow more nutrients
and water to be absorbed and delivered to the shoots, so your objective is to
increase the number of roots, not their size.
Focus on pruning the taproot and thick roots so new lateral roots will grow.
Most bonsais don’t need the support of a heavy taproot the way full-size
natural trees do.
When a plant is repotted and some of its roots are damaged, the plant will
try to recover this balance between roots and shoots by losing some of its
foliage. If it cannot recover, the plant will wither and die.
Wiring
Wiring is what allows you to bend trunks and branches to achieve the shape
and direction you want.
When the tree is young, you will bend the trunk, and then bend each
successive branch as it grows strong enough to bend without damage.
Aluminum wire is best for use by beginners and advanced artists alike. It’s
more forgiving than copper wire, which can bite into the plant.
Wire comes in all sizes, but as a general rule, use a gauge that is about 1/3
the width of the branch or trunk you’re wiring.
Wire is wrapped at a 45 degree angle around the branch

Use both hands and support the trunk while working with the
wire.
Always begin with the largest of the branches you’re planning to

wire.
For a newly potted or repotted tree, run a securing wire through the
drainage hole of the pot to keep the tree stable.
When to wire
For pines and conifers: wire in late fall or early winter when sap is low and
trees are flexible.
For deciduous trees: wire in spring before leafing and budding begin.
Check wiring every 3-4 days to be sure it hasn’t begun to cut into
the tree.
Always remove wire with wire cutters rather than trying to

unwrap wire, which can result in damage.
Never wire a tree that is showing signs of weakness or distress.
How to Wire
Begin fixing the wire at the thickest
portion and work your way outward.
If you’re wiring a thicker stem and a thinner branch in the same direction,
use two wires simultaneously, separating the thinner wire off to the thinner
branch when you reach the junction. Don’t crisscross wire around branches.
To wire a trunk, push the wire through the dirt and drainage
hole and fix it securely, then wrap the wire up to the thinner part of the
trunk.
For a sharp turn, reduce the spacing between wraps; for a less sharp turn,
wire spacing can be farther apart.
If a single wire is not strong enough to bend a branch, use a thicker wire or
multiple wires.
If you use a thick wire or multiple wires, consider padding the branch.
Moleskin is a thin, soft cotton-flannel designed for use on corns and
calluses and works very well for this purpose. It has an adhesive backing
covered by paper. Don’t remove the paper. Cut an appropriately sized piece
and place the soft side against the branch, then wire as usual over the paper.
Conclusion
I hope this book was able to help you to choose the right bonsai tree for
you.
The next step is to simply apply these wonderful techniques and start
creating beautiful artistry in your own home! And the next time you clip,
wire, or care for your tree, remember that you are continuing an art form
that’s been practiced for thousands of years.
Finally, if you enjoyed this book, then I’d like to ask you for a favor, would
you be kind enough to leave an honest review for this book on Amazon?
It’d be greatly appreciated!

GREEK MYTHOLOGY
SPECTACULAR LEGENDS OF ANCIENT

GREECE & UNTOLD MYTHS OF ZEUS, GODS,
TITANS AND HEROES
Henry Durden
© 2016
Written by: Henry Durden
Copyright © 2016
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including recording, photocopying or
by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations in a review.
Legal & Disclaimer
The purpose of this book is to educate and entertainment only.
The information contained in this book has been compiled from sources
deemed reliable, and it is accurate to the best of the Author’s knowledge;
however, the Author cannot guarantee its accuracy and validity and cannot
be held liable for any errors or omissions. Changes are periodically made to
this book.
Upon using the information contained in this book, you agree to hold
harmless the Author from and against any damages, costs, expense,
including legal fees potentially resulting from the application of any
information provided by this book. This disclaimer applies to any damages
or injury caused by the use and application, whether directly or indirectly,
of any advice or information presented, whether for breach of contract, tort,
negligence, personal injury, criminal intent, or under any other cause of
action. You agree to accept all risks of using the information presented
inside this book.
Introduction
The humble old Greek fisherman squatted on the weathered deck of his
small boat, sorting through his catch of the day. His bloodshot eyes never
left the small pile of fresh fish. The legends he tells of ancient Greek gods
and heroes clashing with man-eating monsters should have died long ago
with the brilliant blood-red sun sinking below the horizon . . . yet the
legends live.
To this old Greek fisherman, fact and fiction no longer matter. He will
believe what he wants to believe. His ancestors left us their mythology, and
yet, the mystery continues.
The ancient Greeks’ myths and legends have survived the ages for so long
that no one knows what truths are intertwined with the legends. We listen
to the stories of the old Greek fisherman, of his ancient gods, goddess,
heroes, and titans . . . and decide for ourselves.
Chapter 1 - Gods
ZEUS
king of the gods; god of thunder
Introduction
Zeus! Greatest of the gods! He was both loved and feared by ancient
Greeks and deities alike. Zeus’ palace rested in the clouds on Mt. Olympus
where deities gathered to discuss the affairs of men.
Zeus frowned upon those who lied or broke promises, and meted out
punishment without favoritism. If driven to anger, mighty Zeus hurled
terrifying thunderbolts across the dark and threatening sky, filling men’s
hearts with fear. Thunder boomed over the countryside as blinding
lightning flashed through black clouds.
Yet, when in a pleasant mood, Zeus caused abundant sunshine and rain to
bless the crops. The world was a happy place once again.
Legends surrounding Zeus
Zeus and the Oak
Zeus respected the mighty oak. There once was a forest of oaks so dense
that sunlight couldn’t penetrate through the leaves. When the wind moaned
through the thick branches, the people believed Zeus was speaking through
his beloved trees. The Greeks thought the forest to be sacred. Only Zeus’
servants were allowed to live in the forest. Greeks came from all parts of
the land to seek Zeus’ counsel. The priests spoke to Zeus, and he answered
through the rustling of the leaves.
Zeus and the Bees
A bee once brought honeycombs and honey to the gods. Zeus was so
pleased that he told the bee he would grant any wish she had. The bee
answered, “Give me a stinger so I can defend myself from humans.” Zeus
became sad because he loved humans. “I’ll give you your sting to defend
yourself if anyone tries to steal your honey,” he replied, “but know this . . .
if you hurt mankind with your stinger, you will die, for your sting is your
life.” From this legend, the ancient Greeks demonstrated that, when
praying, one should never wish evil upon another.
Zeus and the Tortoise
The marriage announcements were sent out. All the animals were invited to
come to Zeus’ wedding. On the day of the celebration, all the animals came
. . . except the tortoise. Curious, Zeus asked the tortoise why he had not
attended the wedding. The tortoise answered, “Be it ever so humble, there’s
no place like home!” This response angered Zeus. As a lesson to the
tortoise, he commanded that he must now carry his home wherever he
went. From this legend, the ancient Greeks illustrated how some people
prefer to live a simple life at home rather than live it up at someone else’s
house.
Zeus and the Greedy Ant
Long ago there were no ants . . . just a greedy man farming endlessly in his
field. Never satisfied with his own harvest, the man stole crops from his
neighbors. The man’s greed angered Zeus, so Zeus turned the man into an
ant. But even the man’s transformation into a lowly insect didn’t faze him.
The ant continues to this day, treading through the fields, picking fruits that
others have grown and storing them away for himself. From this legend,
the ancient Greeks taught that even if someone changes his appearance, his
wicked nature remains.
POSEIDON
god of the sea, horses, and earthquakes
Introduction
Deep in the waters below Mt. Olympus, Zeus’ brother, Poseidon, reigned as
god of the sea. Poseidon was also known as god of earthquakes and
horses. He was a greedy, moody, and bad-tempered god.
Surrounded by dolphins, Poseidon’s carriage was a huge shell drawn by

sea-horses. Clutched in Poseidon’s fist was his weapon, the Trident. With a
strike of this three-pronged spear, Poseidon caused land to shake in violent
earthquakes. With a wave of the spear, vicious tsunamis raged across the
sea. Just as quick, Poseidon quieted the spitting sea, making it calm as a
sea of glass.
Sea-serpents, odd-looking fish, and sea-lions played around Poseidon’s

chariot. Creatures known as Tritons with bodies like men but with tails like
fish, gathered around his chariot blowing shells like trumpets.
Legends surrounding Poseidon
Poseidon and Athena’s Contest
Long ago, Cecrops, the first king of Athens, wished to find a patron deity
for the city. Poseidon and Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill, desired
to fill the position. Cecrops asked each deity to offer a valuable gift for
Athens.
Poseidon went first. Using his trident, he struck the earth with great force.
Water gushed forth from the land, but it was salty and unfit to drink.
Athena was next. She pierced the earth with her spear. Athena knelt and
planted an olive branch in the ground. This branch grew into an olive tree
and served as a symbol of peace and prosperity.
This pleased Cecrops. He chose Athena as the patron deity and named the
city after her. Furious, Poseidon cursed Athens, vowing it would never
have enough water. And from that day forward, it never has.
Poseidon and Demeter
Poseidon fell in love with Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. To

discourage him, Demeter asked Poseidon to create the world’s most
beautiful animal. Poseidon tried several times to create a horse, but failed.
From his attempts, however, came many animals. When he finally
succeeded in creating the horse, Poseidon’s flame for Demeter had already
extinguished.
Poseidon, Agaeus and the Fatal Curse
There came a time when Poseidon fell in love with Astypalaia, the sister of
Europa. He kidnapped her and soon Astypalaia had a son named Agaeus.
He became an expert winegrower, but was cruel to his slave.
One day a slave, angered over the treatment he was receiving, vowed, “You
will never drink wine from your vineyard!”
Time went on until finally the wine was ready to drink. Agaeus said to his
slave, “Don’t you feel ridiculous? Your curse didn’t work!”
“It’s a long way from the glass to your lips,” answered the slave. Just then
a worker ran up with the message that a wild boar had just destroyed
Agaeus’ country.
Agaeus put down his glass and ran to fight the beast. But luck was against
Agaeus. The boar killed Agaeus and ate him, and the slave’s prophecy
came true. From this legend, the ancient Greeks directed this message to
people who jump to conclusions.
APOLLO
god of the sun, light, music, and prophecy
Introduction
Apollo, god of the sun, light, music, and prophecy, was quite talented. At
four days old, this son of Zeus fought a giant python. He grew to became a
gifted musician, even trading his immortal cattle for a golden lyre that his
half-brother, Hermes, had invented. Apollo loved music and even
competed in contests with the gods. He proved to be quite skilled with his
silver bow and golden arrows.
One of his daily duties was to harness his four horses to his chariot and
move the sun across the sky. As the god of prophecy, people traveled to
Delphi in Greece to learn about their future through Apollo’s priestess,
Pythia.
Delphi was home to Apollo’s temple. The people presented questions to

Pythia, and she relayed the answers from Apollo. At times, the answers
could be hard to understand. Yet, the people always sought Apollo’s advice
before starting any important project.
Legends surrounding Apollo
Apollo’s Fight with the Monster Python
There was a giant creature with the body of a snake that spread mischief
and death. When Zeus’ wife, Hera, found out that his mistress, Leto, was
pregnant, Hera sent the snake to chase Leto to prevent her from being able
to settle down and having her baby. But Leto escaped to an island where
her baby, Apollo, was born. At only four days old, Apollo used a silver
bow with golden arrows to kill the monster Python for harassing his mother.
Apollo found Python in its cave. When Python charged the young god,
Apollo threw an arrow and pierced Python, killing him. Apollo rejoiced
and played a song on a lyre, thus becoming the god of music. After burying
Python, Apollo built the oracle of Delphi, known as Pythia.
As punishment for murder, Zeus commanded Apollo to organize the

Pythian Games where athletic and musical competitions were to be held.
Apollo did as Zeus asked, even taking part in the events. From that day
forward, the Pythian Games were held every four years in Apollo’s honor.
Apollo, Daphne and the Laurel Tree
Apollo once offended Eros, the god of love, by mocking him for his method
of using his bow and arrow. When Apollo came upon the beautiful nymph,
Daphne, daughter of the river god Peneius, Eros saw his chance. He took
two arrows, one of gold to incite love, and one of lead to incite hate. With
the leaden arrow, Eros shot Daphne. The gold arrow was used on Apollo.
Apollo immediately fell in love with Daphne. But she found Apollo
disgusting. Not willing to give up, Apollo pursued Daphne. In desperation,
Daphne begged her father to help her disappear. Peneius granted his
daughter’s wish. Suddenly, Daphne was gone. Her arms became branches
and her hair became leaves. Her feet became a root. Apollo vowed to care
for and protect her as his tree where she would be eternally green. To this
day, the leaves of the Bay Laurel tree have never been known to decay.
HERA
queen of the gods
Introduction
Hera! The beautiful wife and sister of Zeus! As queen of the Greek gods,
she was also known as goddess of marriage and childbirth. Hera spent
much of her time immersed in jealousy because of Zeus’ unfaithfulness.
She devised ways to torment Zeus’ mistresses. Violent arguments with
Zeus often erupted in the palace on Mt. Olympus.
Hera had a special interest in protecting married women. Yet she was
jealous of other beautiful women, often turning them into birds or animals,
though no fault of their own.
At times, Zeus could be cruel to the other gods. Hera once asked the
offended gods to join her in a rebellion.
When they accepted her proposal, Hera devised a plan. She drugged Zeus
while the gods tied him to a couch. An argument quickly followed between
the gods over what should be done with Zeus.
But Briareus, one of the Hecatoncheires, giant creatures with one hundred
strong hands and fifty heads, still had warm feelings toward Zeus for having
saved him from a dragon. Briareus secretly freed Zeus. Zeus leapt up and
grabbed his thunderbolt. The fearful gods fell to their knees, pleading for
Zeus to have mercy on them.
For her punishment, Zeus had Hera hung from the sky by golden chains.
His wife cried all night, but no god was brave enough to help her. Her
wailing kept Zeus up all night. The next morning he promised to release
her if she swore never to revolt again. Hera had no recourse but to accept
his terms. She kept her word, but frequently meddled with Zeus’s plans and
often outsmarted him.
Many of Hera’s temples were the oldest, and most beautiful in ancient
Greece.
Legends surrounding Hera
Hera and the Peacock
There came a day when Zeus fell in love with Io, a beautiful river nymph.
Suspicious and boiling over with jealousy, Hera asked Zeus to bring lo to
her. When Io was brought to Hera, the queen transformed her into a cow.
Hera instructed her guard, Argos, an all-seeing creature with hundreds of
eyes that covered his body, to guard Io. Feeling sorry for Io, Zeus gave the
order for Hermes, his messenger, to destroy Argos. Hermes played his flute
to draw the monster into a deep sleep. Hermes then killed Argos with a
stone. Hera knew about Zeus’ plot, however, and had removed Argos’ eyes
before Hermes arrived. After Argos’ death, Hera placed all of Argos’ eyes
on the tail of a peacock to give thanks and honor to her servant.
Zeus and Hera’s Marriage
When Zeus fell in love with Hera and she failed to reciprocate, Zeus
decided to trick her. Turning himself in a cuckoo, he sat outside her
window, pretending to be frozen. Having pity on the bird, Hera brought the
cuckoo inside and held it close. Zeus transformed himself back and made
love to Hera, marrying her afterward so she wouldn’t have to live in
disgrace.
APHRODITE
goddess of love and beauty
Introduction
Aphrodite was a goddess of love, desire, and great beauty. Her birth is a
mystery. Some say she was a daughter of Zeus, while others believe she
was born from the foam of the sea where waves slapped against the rocky
shore.
Aphrodite was slow to marry. It seemed no god was to be found who was
good enough for her beauty. To punish Aphrodite for her pride, Zeus gave
her in marriage to Hephaestus, the rather lame and plain-looking blacksmith
god. Aphrodite had affairs with Ares, god of war, and Adonis, an extremely
handsome young man.
Aphrodite bestowed her blessings on those who worshipped her, but was
equally as ruthless to those who spurned love. When the women of the
island of Lemnos refused to worship her, Aphrodite doused them with such
an awful odor that their husbands rejected them, seeking women elsewhere
instead. Narcissus had his own encounter with Aphrodite when he also
refused to worship her. To punish him, Aphrodite caused Narcissus to fall
in love with his own image.
But to those who chose to worship her, she granted her blessings. To
Melanion, a youth of Arcadia, a mountainous area in Greece, were given
golden apples for the race in which he conquered Atlanta.
Legends surrounding Aphrodite

Aphrodite and Adonis
Adonis was an extremely handsome mortal young man who spent many
hours hunting with Aphrodite. One day a wild boar came upon Adonis and
attacked him. He lay bleeding and groaning when Aphrodite came upon
him. Adonis died in her arms. At his death, Aphrodite sprinkled Adonis’
blood with nectar, from which came the blood-red anemone, or poppy.
Aphrodite and Pygmalion
Pygmalion was a talented sculpture. He decided to make a statue that

would be the loveliest woman ever. He used only the finest materials and
worked hard for many months on his creation. Finally the day came when
he completed his work. Everyone who saw the statue said it was the most
beautiful creation of woman that had ever been carved.
But Pygmalion wasn’t happy. He sat beside his beautiful statue day in and
day out, longing that his statue would be a real woman to talk to him, to
love him. His desire led him to go to the temple of Aphrodite and ask for
help. Finishing his request, Pygmalion saw the altar-fire flame up three
times. He then knew the goddess of love had heard his plea. Pygmalion
ran home to find that his lovely ivory statue had turned into a beautiful flesh
and blood woman. For the rest of his life, Pygmalion gave thanks to
Aphrodite for answering his prayer.
Aphrodite and the Weasel
There was a weasel who was in love with a charming young man. But the
young man refused the weasel’s love. With a heavy heart, the weasel called
on Aphrodite, begging the goddess to change her into a woman.
Aphrodite felt sorry for the weasel and turned her into a beautiful maiden.
The young man took one look at the maiden and brought her to his home to
be his wife. Aphrodite wanted to see if the weasel’s s character was as
beautiful as her appearance. Sneaking into the room, Aphrodite released a
mouse. Suddenly the maiden saw the mouse and gave chase. The sight of
this brought such sadness to Aphrodite that she turned the maiden back into
the weasel she had been. This legend illustrates that if people are evil by
nature, even changing their appearance won’t change their character.
ATHENA
goddess of wisdom
Introduction
Athena was the goddess of wisdom, arts, and literature. The daughter of
Zeus, she was unusual in that she sprang up from Zeus’ forehead, fully
grown and wearing armor. As a brave warrior, Athena only participated in
wars to defend Greece. Athena kept busy inventing the trumpet, flute, pot,
rake, plow, yoke, the ship, and chariot as well. She was protector of
spinners, weavers, and embroiderers. She epitomized wisdom, reason, and
purity.
Zeus spoiled his favorite child and allowed Athena to use his thunderbolt
and other weapons as toys.
Athena became the patron goddess of Athens after she won a contest of
gifts against Poseidon. Her gift was an olive tree that provided wood, oil,
and food to citizens of Athens.
More powerful than other goddesses, Athena was more warlike and usually
successful in battle. Her favorite bird was the wise old owl.
Athena favored cities where she watched over work of men. She invented
the plow and rake, and taught men to use a yoke on oxen when plowing.
Athena invented the bridle and taught men how to tame horses with it. Her
other inventions were the chariot, flute, trumpet, and use of numbers for
counting. She was also the goddess of spinning and weaving and was able
to weave beautiful cloths.
Though Athena was at times, spiteful, she was usually kind. Nothing made
her happier than to help honest men, especially those who were skillful.
Legends surrounding Athena
Athena and Odysseus
During one of the Greek wars, a man named Odysseus, a Greek hero in the
Trojan War, proved to be brave and crafty. He did something, however, to
anger Poseidon. When the battle was over and the ships sailed away,
Poseidon prevented Odysseus from sailing home. For ten years Odysseus’
ship was tossed about in the sea, was shipwrecked, and Odysseus was
forced to fight giants and monsters. During all these years, Athena watched
over him, encouraging him in every difficulty he encountered. She even
taught him ways to escape. After much suffering, and even after losing all
of his men, Athena saw that he returned home safety.
Athena and the Spider
A talented weaver named Arachne once bragged that she could weave as
well as the goddess Athena. When Athena learned of the girl’s boasting,
she appeared before Arachne as an old woman. She warned the girl to take
back her words, but the girl refused. Athena transformed into a goddess,
startling the girl. Arachne quickly recovered and accepted Athena’s
challenge to put the girl’s words to a test.
Athena and Arachne each wove cloths with beautiful pictures. When
Athena couldn’t find anything wrong with Arachne’s work, she became
enraged and hit Arachne, tearing the cloth on the loom. Frightened by
Athena’s anger, Arachne tried to kill herself. Athena then felt sorry for
Arachne and saved the girl by changing her into a spider. To this day,
Arachne continues to weave her beautiful webs found in homes and yards.
Chapter 3 - Heroes
HERACLES (or Hercules)

strongest of men
Introduction
Half-man, half-god! Heracles was the strongest of mortals. . . even stronger

than some of the gods! The beloved son of Zeus was the god’s last mortal
son, born of Alcmene, a human woman. Heracles was the champion who
brought victory to the Olympians over the Gigantes, giants with great
strength.
Zeus’ wife, Hera, had a hatred for Heracles and wanted to destroy him,
even putting large snakes in his crib. The baby Heracles killed the snakes
in a flash.
Heracles lacked wisdom. His tempestuous emotions often got him into
trouble. He was easily offended and held grudges. Heracles could be a
terrific friend, or a terrible enemy.
The most popular stories told of Heracles were “The Twelve Labours of
Heracles,” a series of events surrounding penance carried out by Heracles
that covered 12 years.
Heracles had a large appetite for women, wine, and food. He was
worshipped as the divine protector of mankind.
Legends surrounding Heracles
Heracles and Plutus
When Heracles joined the ranks of the gods, he was honored to sit beside
Zeus at a banquet. All the gods came forward to greet him. Heracles was
polite to them all . . . except Plutus, god of wealth. When Plutus
approached, Heracles turned away.
Surprised by Heracles’ actions, Zeus asked his son for an explanation.

“You want to know why I despite Plutus?” asked Heracles. “It is because,
while on earth, he was always associating with wicked men.” This legend
teaches that there are men who may be rich in material things, but not rich
in the heart.
Heracles and Athena
One day as Heracles was walking down a path, he saw something on the
ground that looked like an apple. He tried to smash it, but the object
doubled in size. Heracles stomped on the object and struck it with his
massive club, but the object only grew larger until it blocked his path.
Heracles stood there, speechless.
Just then, Athena, goddess of wisdom, came up beside him. “Stop doing
that! This object is the spirit of conflict and disagreement. Leave it alone
and it will stay like it was before. But when you fight, just look how big it
gets!” This legend teaches that fighting and arguing can cause great
damage.
The First Feat of Heracles

When Zeus’ mistress, the beautiful Alcmene, wife of a Greek general, gave
birth to little Heracles, Zeus’ jealous wife, Hera, became angry. Hera
decided since she could not overpower Zeus, king of the gods, she would
kill Heracles.
One night while eight-month-old Heracles slept in his crib, Hera put two
poisonous snakes in his crib. Heracles awoke and saw the snakes.
Grabbing them by their necks, Heracles squeezed until the snakes were
dead.
The whole countryside heard about the extraordinary heroic act and agreed
that Heracles would be a great man some day. And so he was, becoming a
hero to the ancient Greeks as the strongest man alive.
JASON
leader of the Argonauts
Introduction
Jason was the son of Aeson, king of Iolcus, an ancient Greek city. Jason
was heir to the throne, but his uncle, Pelias, stole the throne from him.
Pelias vowed to return the throne if Jason brought him the Golden Fleece of
a golden ram.
Legend of Jason and the Argonauts
A ship was built and christened the “Argo.” Jason gathered some of the
bravest men and called them the “Argonauts,” after his ship.
Jason came upon King Phineus, who was being harassed by Harpies,
monsters possessing a human face with a bird’s body. Jason killed the
Harpies. Grateful Phineus told Jason where to find Colchis and gave
instructions how to pass through the Symplegades, clashing rocks where
huge cliffs shuddered and crushed anything passing between them.
Jason set sail and found the narrow strait blocked by the two massive
clashing rocks.
Jason waited for a strong wind. Using all their strength, Jason and the
Argonauts worked the oars, slipping through the narrow opening just in
time.
Jason finally reached the isle of Colchis. Jason told Aeetes, the king, the
reason for his journey. Secretly, the king had no intention of surrendering
the fleece, but he told Jason the fleece was his if he accomplished three
tasks. The king’s daughter, Medea, knew the difficulty of the tasks and
came to Jason’s aid.
Jason’s first task was to plow a field using Khalkotauroi, two fire-breathing
bulls. Medea gave Jason a potion to protect him from their fire.
Task number two was to sow dragon’s teeth in a field and kill the men of
stone that appeared from the earth. Medea warned Jason, “Throw a stone at
the men. They won’t know who threw it and will fight each other.” Jason
threw the stone at the men who sprung from the earth. Each turned on the
other until not one remained.
Angry at Madea’s betrayal, Aeetes refused to surrender the fleece. That

night, Jason and his group snuck off to the grove where the fleece was
kept. Madea used a potion that put the dragon to sleep. Jason snatched the
fleece and, escaping with Madea and his men, quickly set sail.
Jason encountered the Sirens, beautiful but dangerous creatures whose

voices lured ships to crash into treacherous rocks.
On board was the musician Orpheus who played his lyre and drowned out
the singing of the Sirens. His music saved the ship from colliding with the
dangerous rocks.
Their next encounter was with Talos, a giant made of bronze who threw
rocks at passing ships. Medea cast a spell on Talos so Jason could remove
the plug that held Talos’ blood in his vein, causing the giant to bleed to
death.
Returning home, he presented the Golden Fleece to Pelias, but Pelias
refused to keep his word. Using trickery, Medea got the kingdom away
from Pelias. Medea and Jason’s reign was short-lived. A son of Pelias
eventually took the throne from them. Jason, Greek’s famed hero, was
killed when a rotting beam from his old ship, Argo, fell on him.
ODYSSEUS
Greek hero
Introduction
Odysseus, a Greek hero, was the son of Laertes, king of the Greek island,
Ithaca. When the Trojan War ended with the burning of Troy, the Greeks
loaded their ships with bounty and headed home.
The voyage didn’t take long and most ships reached their ports quickly. But
Odysseus encountered adventures which took him ten years to reach home.
As one of the wisest and bravest men in the battle, Odysseus was about to
prove he was just as wise and brave on the perilous return journey.
Legend surrounding Odysseus
Odysseus and the Cyclops
After sailing a long time, Odysseus and his men came to an island, home of
Polyphemus, the giant son of the sea god Poseidon. Polyphemus was a
frightening one-eyed beast called a Cyclops, with only one eye in the
middle of his forehead. The Cyclops lived off the herds of sheep and cattle.
Odysseus and his men landed and set out to explore the countryside. They
found a large cave with cheese and milk inside. They waited for the owner
to show up. Finally Polyphemus appeared, driving his herds into the cave.
Finding the wanderers inside, Polyphemus blocked the cave’s entrance with
a huge stone, trapping Odysseus and his men. The giant seized two men
and ate them.
The next morning, Polyphemus ate two more warriors before driving the
flocks out to pasture. But before he left, the Cyclops rolled the stone back,
blocking the exit. Odysseus and his crew were now the giant’s prisoners.
Odysseus set about planning a way of escape. Finding a long stake, he

sharpened one end to a point and hardened it in a fire. When the Cyclops
returned, the giant finished off two more men. Odysseus gave Polyphemus
wine to drink. Odysseus then ordered his crew to bind themselves to the
bellies of the sheep.
As the giant was drifting off to sleep, he asked Odysseus his name. The
Greek hero told him, “My name is ‘No-man.” When Odysseus was certain
Polyphemus was asleep, he stabbed the giant through his one eye with the
long stake, blinding him.
Polyphemus screamed in pain. Just then the sheep started bleating.

Thinking dawn had arrived, Polyphemus rolled away the stone. As each
sheep passed, the giant ran a hand along the animal’s back, feeling for the
body of any man who was trying to escape. When Polyphemus realized
the men had escaped, he started screaming.
“What’s wrong? Why are you shouting?” called the other Cyclops.
“No-man tried to kill me!” scream Polyphemus.
“If no man tried to kill you, then why are you shouting?” asked the
Cyclops.
Odysseus and his men raced to their ship and sailed away. But Poseidon
would soon avenge the blinding of his son by sending fierce storms on the
sea to punish Odysseus and his men.
From this legend, the ancient Greeks showed the extreme efforts in which
man will go to reach his goals.
Chapter 4 - Titans
CRONUS
god of time and the ages
Introduction
The Titans were a race of powerful deities that ruled during the Golden Age
of ancient Greece. These deities were created by Gaea, goddess of the
Earth and mother of the titans, and Uranus, first ruler of the universe, god of
the sky, and father of the titans.
Legend surrounding Cronus
Cronus was the son of Uranus, titan of the sky, and his wife, Gaea, mother
of the titans. Though the youngest and weakest of Uranus’ children,
Cronus was the smartest of the Titans. He married his sister Rhea and, after
casting their father to the depths of the underworld, seized the throne of the
world as King and Queen. Before coming to power, Cronus, the god of
time and leader of the Titans, had castrated his father.
Cronus and Rhea had six children: Hades, god of the underworld;
Poseidon, god of the seas; Hera, goddess of marriage and wife of Zeus;
Hestia, goddess of the hearth; Demeter, goddess of agriculture; and Zeus,
king of the gods.
Fearful that one of his children might someday overthrow him as he had
done to his father, Cronus swallowed each of his newborn children.
Determined that one of her children should be spared, Rhea sailed to the
island of Crete and gave birth to Zeus in a cave. She left the infant there to
be raised by Gaea, goddess of earth, and Nymphs. Rhea quickly returned to
Mt. Olympus, alone. She deceived Cronus by giving him a stone wrapped
in baby clothes. Without noticing, Cronus swallowed the rock, never
realizing he had been deceived.
Zeus was nourished with the milk of a sacred goat named Amalthea.
Nymphs, called Melissae, fed him honey. Eagles and doves supplied him
with nectar and ambrosia. To keep intruders away, the Curetes, or priests of
Rhea drowned out the cries of the infant Zeus by pounding their shields.
Under the watchful eye of the nymphs, little Zeus grew strong and wise.
He lived in Crete until he was old enough to fight his father and claim the
kingdom of the world.
When Zeus was grown, he was determined to force his father to restore his
siblings. Zeus was helped by the goddess Metis who coaxed Cronus to
drink a potion which caused him to return the children he had swallowed.
Zeus, along with his siblings, took a stand on Mount Olympus. Oceanus
and other Titans who had abandoned Cronus because of his oppressions,
joined Zeus.
Cronus, along with his brother Titans, prepared for a battle called the
Titanomachia on Mt. Othrys. The struggle was a long, hard one. Cronus
and his army were overthrown by Zeus. Cronus was banished from his
kingdom and his brothers sent to the lower world. Never again would
Cronus reign as the supreme power. Zeus now assumed the title of king of
the world.
With the defeat of Cronus and his banishment, his rule as supreme deity
ceased. Being immortal, however, he continued to exist, though no longer
having any authority.
ATLAS
Titan god of astronomy and navigation
Introduction
Atlas, the son of Iapetus, was the Titan god of craftsmanship and mortality.
During the Titanomachy, the ten-year war between the Titans and Olympian
gods, Atlas and his brother Menoetius chose to side with the Titans. A
leader in the battle, Atlas found himself on the losing side. Zeus punished
the Titans for waging war against the Olympian gods, banishing them to the
underworld. Zeus singled Atlas out, however, and condemned him to an
eternity of holding the sky on his shoulders. Atlas was the first to discover
the earth was round. Statues depicting Atlas holding the earth on his
shoulders is a misconception.
Legends surrounding Atlas
Atlas and Perseus
After decapitating the head of Medusa, an ugly monster with hair of snakes
who turned anyone who looked at her into stone, Perseus carried the
severed head with him to the land of king Atlas. Atlas’ pride was his
garden where golden fruit hung from golden branches amongst golden
leaves.
Perseus explained he was Zeus’ son and was tired. He asked if he might
rest for a spell, but Atlas, remembering a prophecy that someday a son of
Zeus would steal the apples, refused and tried to force him out. Perseus
saw that the giant was too strong to fight and said, “You don’t care about
my friendship, but I have a gift for you anyway.” Turning his face away,
Perseus held up the head of Medusa for Atlas to see. Atlas took one glance
at the head and turned to stone. His beard and hair transformed into forests,
his arms and shoulders solidified into cliffs, his head became a mountain
top, and bones became rocks now known as Mount Atlas in north Africa.
This was all for nothing, however, because the prophecy didn’t pertain to
Perseus, but to another hero, Heracles.
Atlas knew the secrets of the sea. The first part of “Atlantic Ocean” refers
to the “Sea of Atlas.” “Atlantis” relates to the “island of Atlas.”
Atlas and Heracles

Heracles was once asked to snatch golden apples growing in Hera’s garden.
This garden was cared for by the Hesperides, "daughters of the evening"
and guarded by Ladon, a dragon that twisted itself around the tree.
Heracles promised Atlas he would hold up the heavens if Atlas would go

and get the apples. When Atlas returned with the apples, he tried to trick
Heracles into carrying the sky, knowing that anyone who intentionally took
the burden from him must carry it forever.
Heracles suspected Atlas would not return. Heracles agreed, but asked
Atlas to hold the sky again so he could adjust the cloak on his shoulders.
Atlas put down the apples and took the heavens from Heracles and placed it
upon his shoulders. Seeing his chance, Heracles snatched up the apples and
rain away, leaving Atlas to bear the burden of the heavens once again.
From this legend the Greeks illustrated that to bear the weight of the world
on one's shoulders is to be burdened with too much responsibility for one
person.
EPIMETHEUS
god of foolish afterthought; Pandora’s box
Introduction
Epimetheus, a Titan, was the brother of Atlas. His name means

“afterthought,” and the “father of excuses,” which is opposite of the name
of another of his brothers, Prometheus, which means “forethought.”
Epimetheus was deemed to be foolish, while Prometheus appeared clever.
Legend surrounding Epimetheus
Epimetheus and Pandora
Epimetheus and Prometheus were instructed by Zeus to give characteristics

to newly created animals. Epimetheus gave all the positive traits to the
animals, but having no foresight, forgot to leave any for the humans.
Prometheus, even though warned by Zeus not to do so, gave the gift of fire
to mankind.
Angered that Prometheus had disobeyed him and had stolen the fire from
the gods and given it to humans, Zeus decided he would give humans a gift
to balance their possession of fire. He instructed the god Hephaestus, the
blacksmith, to create the first human woman, Pandora. All the gods
contributed toward the woman’s creation.
The gods gave Pandora a jar containing all the evils of humanity. Pandora
and her jar were given to Epimetheus who accepted the gift of Pandora.
Prometheus warned his brother about accepting any gift from Zeus, but
Epimetheus couldn’t resist Pandora when he saw her.
One day, filled with curiosity about its contents, Pandora opened the jar,
accidently releasing all the evils into the world. Frightened, Pandora shut
the lid as quick as she could. With all the evil creatures the gods had put in
the jar, there was one good creature designed to heal the wounds of body
and soul, named Hope, but Hope remained trapped inside.
Later, when Pandora's jar was once again opened, Hope was able to fly
away into the world and heal wounds resulting from plagues and disease.
But since she escaped much later than the evils of the world, Hope is
always the last to arrive.
Up until that time, humans had lived in the Golden Age in a state of
innocence. The releasing of evils pouring into the world marked the end of
the “Golden Age” of Man and the beginning of the “Silver Age.”
From this Legend, the ancient Greeks remind us that when people are
troubled by problems, one thing that helps get them through their difficult
time is Hope.
GLOSSARY
A
Adonis - extremely handsome young man loved by Aphrodite
Aeetes – son of sun-god Helios, king of Colchis, father of Medea
Aeson - king of Iolcus whose thrown was usurped by his half-brother
Pelias; father of Jason
Agaeus – king of Athens, father of Theseus
Alcmene - wife of a Greek general and mother of Heracles
Amalthea – goat nurse of Zeus
Aphrodite - goddess of love, desire, and beauty
Apollo - god of music, god of healing, god of light, god of truth, known as
the Archer
Arachne - an excellent weaver who challenged Athena
Arcadia - a mountainous region of ancient Greece
Ares - god of war
Argo - the ship on which Jason sailed to find the Golden Fleece; named
after her builder, Argus.
Argonauts – band of heroes who accompanied Jason to find the Golden
Fleece
Argos – city in ancient Greece
Astypalaia - a lover of Poseidon who seduced her, and had two sons by
him; sister of Europa
Athena - goddess of wisdom
Athens – city in Greece named after the goddess Athens
Atlas - son of Iapetus; forced to carry the heavens upon his shoulders by
Zeus
B
Briareus – a giant / a Hecatoncheires
C
Cecrops - first king of Athens
Colchis – kingdom of Medea and the Golden Fleece
Crete – an island south of Greece
Cronus - son of Uranus, titan of the sky, leader of the Titans
Curetes – shield-clashing priests of Rhea who guarded the infant Zeus
Cyclops - gigantic one-eyed monsters
D
Daphne - a beautiful girl who fled Apollo's love and was turned into the
bay laurel tree
Delphi - shrine of Apollo and site of the famous Oracle
Demeter - goddess of agriculture
E
Epimetheus - Titan of afterthought, brother of Atlas and Prometheus
Eros - god of love
Europa - a princess abducted by Zeus, after whom the continent Europe
was named
G
Gaea - goddess of the Earth and mother of the titans
Gigantes - giants with great strength
H
Hades - god of the underworld
Harpies - monsters possessing a human face with a bird’s body
Hecatoncheires - giant creatures with one hundred strong hands and fifty
heads
Hephaestus – god of fire, god of blacksmiths
Hera - goddess of marriage and women, wife of Zeus
Heracles - greatest hero of Greek mythology
Hermes – messenger of the gods
Hesperides - nymphs of the evening and of the sunset light who tended a
garden in the west
where the golden apple-trees and other treasures of the gods were
kept
Hestia - goddess of the hearth
I
Iapetus - Titan god of craftsmanship and mortality
Io - a nymph loved by Zeus, who turned her into a cow in order to protect
her from Hera's jealousy
Iolcus – an ancient Greek city
Ithaca - an island in the Ionian Sea in Greece
J
Jason – leader of the Argonauts, son of Aeson, king of Iolcus, an ancient
Greek city
K
Khalkotauroi - two fearsome bulls which breathed fire
L
Ladon - a snake-like dragon that twisted itself around the tree in the Garden
of the Hesperides
Laertes - king of the Greek island, Ithaca; father of Odysseus
Lemnos - island in the northern Aegean Sea where the women failed to
honor Aphrodite
Leto - Titaness of motherhood
M
Medea – a sorceress who became Jason's wife
Medusa - an ugly monster with hair of snakes who turned anyone who
looked at her into stone
Melanion – was given golden apples by Aphrodite to distract Atalanta so
he could win a race
Menoetius – Titan god of anger, rash action, and human mortality
Metis - Titaness of wisdom and cunning, first of Zeus' wives; mother of
Athena
N
Narcissus - a handsome hunter who fell in love with his own image
Nymphs - female spirits of the natural world, minor goddesses of the
forests, rivers, springs,
meadows, mountains and seas.
O
Oceanus - a Titan god personifying the river which encircled the world
Odysseus - Greek hero in the Trojan War, son of Laertes, king of the Greek
island, Ithaca
Olympians – the twelve major deities
Orpheus - played his lyre to drown out the singing of the Sirens
P
Pandora - the first mortal woman
Pelias - son of Poseidon, king of Iolcus, who sent Jason to retrieve the
Golden Fleece
Peneius – a river god of Thessalia in northern Greece
Perseus - son of Zeus, first hero in Greek mythology
Phineus - son of Poseidon; blind soothsayer who received prophetic powers
from Apollo
Plutus - god of wealth
Polyphemus - giant son of Poseidon; a one-eyed Cyclops
Poseidon - god of the sea
Prometheus – the Titan of forethought who gave man the gift of fire
Pygmalion - a talented sculptor who fell in love with a statue he made
Pythia - the priestess at Apollo's oracle in Delphi
Python –a monstrous serpent Gaea appointed to guard the oracle at Delphi
Q
R
Rhea - Titaness of motherhood and fertility, mother of Zeus
S
Sirens – beautiful, dangerous creatures whose voices lured ships to crash
into treacherous rocks
Symplegades - clashing rocks through which Jason had to pass to reach the
Golden Fleece
T
Talos - a giant made of bronze who threw rocks at passing ships
Titanomachia - the war between the Titans and the Greek gods
Titans - a race of powerful deities that ruled during the Golden Age of
ancient Greece
Trident - three pronged spear weapon of Poseidon
Tritons –trumpeters of the sea
Trojan War – a battle between the people of Greece and the people of the
city of Troy
Troy - a city besieged by the Greeks in the Trojan War
U
Uranus- first ruler of the universe, god of the sky, father of the titans
W
X
Y
Z
Zeus - king of the gods
Horseback Riding
Six Quick ways to Master your Equestrian &

Equitation Skills in 30 Minutes (Before Taking Any
Free Lessons)
By Henry Durden
© 2015
I want to personally congratulate you for downloading the book,
“Horseback Riding”
This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to Master your
Equestrian & Equitation Skills in 30 Minutes (Before Taking Any Free
Lessons).
An art of horseback riding is fun, exciting, challenging, demanding and

rewarding. This art of horseback riding performed in English style is known
as Equitation and anything related to Equitation is famous for Equestrian
Sports. Horseback riding requires proper training before participating safely
and efficiently in this sport. This Ebook gives a thorough knowledge of
equestrian & equitation skills divided in form of six chapters to master
horseback riding in 30 minutes before taking any free lessons. Once you
read this Ebook, horses may become a passion of your life.
Thanks again for downloading this book, I hope you enjoy it!
© Copyright 2015 by Henry Durden & Declan Strauss - All rights
reserved.
This document is geared towards providing exact and reliable information

in regards to the topic and issue covered. The publication is sold with the
idea that the publisher is not required to render accounting, officially
permitted, or otherwise, qualified services. If advice is necessary, legal or
professional, a practiced individual in the profession should be ordered.
From a Declaration of Principles which was accepted and approved equally

by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of
Publishers and Associations.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this

document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this
publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not
allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights
reserved.
The information provided herein is stated to be truthful and consistent, in

that any liability, in terms of inattention or otherwise, by any usage or abuse
of any policies, processes, or directions contained within is the solitary and
utter responsibility of the recipient reader. Under no circumstances will any
legal responsibility or blame be held against the publisher for any
reparation, damages, or monetary loss due to the information herein, either
directly or indirectly.
Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.
The information herein is offered for informational purposes solely, and is

universal as so. The presentation of the information is without contract or
any type of guarantee assurance.
The trademarks that are used are without any consent, and the publication
of the trademark is without permission or backing by the trademark owner.
All trademarks and brands within this book are for clarifying purposes only
and are the owned by the owners themselves, not affiliated with this
document.
Chapter 1: Basics of Equitation
An art of horseback riding is fun, exciting, challenging, demanding and

rewarding. This art of horseback riding performed in English style is
considered as Equitation and anything related to Equitation is famous for
Equestrian Sports. Horseback riding requires proper training before
participating safely and efficiently in this sport. This Ebook gives a
thorough knowledge of equestrian & equitation skills divided in form of six
steps to master horseback riding in 30 minutes before taking any free
lessons. Once you read this Ebook, horses may become a passion of your
life.
Mind and Body of a Horse
Horses are beautiful creatures that can easily be tamed and trained once you
understand their language. Horses are brilliant because they have survived
for millions of years and are still in fashion. In order to understand the mind
and body of a horse you must learn to be friendly with this high speed
beast. In the world of horseback riding, the rider and the horse unite as one.
They learn to communicate with each other.
The body of a horse is designed as an amazing machine of speed, agility

and survival. The lightning speed of a horse turns its heavy body into a
dime. An incredible hearing sense of a slightest sound and quick reaction to
it makes the horse a very useful creature. The mechanics of a horse must be
understood in depth to get the most benefit of your friendly beast.
The communication between the rider and his equine is the actual bond that
abides both of them. The horse obeys its master based on the level of
communication. To communicate well with horses you need to see the
world through a horse perspective. Dirt, hay and other horses make their
world instead of the internet, computers, or mobile phones that make our
world. A thorough understanding of their world makes you a better rider
and enjoy being around these neat animals.
Think like a Horse
To know your equine you must think like a horse. Think about having a
large 1000 pounds body that is fragile enough to get injures at one wrong
move (consider high speed). A horse is a social animal as it likes to be
around other horses a lot and in the form of a herd. This is the reason that
the horse allows a human to ride its back. It considers human as a dominant
member of its herd. Horses react dramatically in unfamiliar situations and
act upon instinct. To understand the expression of a horse you must
understand its body language. Horses express themselves to humans in
same way they communicate with other horses. You must learn to
understand their expressed signals and interpret them properly.
Relaxed: A horse must be in relaxed position if you are thinking

to ride it. In relax position the head of a horse is hanging
downwards and feels comfortable in the given environment.
Afraid: An afraid horse's head is held up in the air that means the
horse is scared of something. It can be even you. It shows the
whites of its eyes. Try to calm down the horse and then think
about riding it.
Threatening: A horse exhibiting bad behavior can be based on

many reasons. Either the horse is not in mood to be ridden or the
horse can be in severe pain. Sometimes the horse is feeling
hungry and not given proper diet. Horse gives this expression by
showing its teeth and pinning its ears to the head.
Alert: A horse gives an alert expression by keeping its head high,
wide open eyes and ears in forward position. It may be hearing
the sound of someone approaching. It can turn into a good or a
bad expression depending on the comfort level of the horse.
Remember to stay fair with your horse by expressing your emotions clearly
to it. Do not treat it like your other human fellows. Show your confident
behavior to the horse to make it realise that you are the boss. Keep your
movements slow around it because you do not want to scare or alert it by
your quick actions. Similarly, talk in a soothing voice around them. Do not
yell or scream. Instead keep the high tone reserve for an action to make it
alert. You also need to ride a horse in a calm state of emotion. The worst
thing you can do is try to ride a horse when you are feeling angry or
depressed. Horse can easily read your emotions so never be afraid in front
of it. Think positively about the things you want your horse to do instead of
the things you do not want from it.
Physical Characteristics of an Equine
The physical beauty is a great trait of an equine. The elegant and graceful
body of a horse is extremely powerful of this corporeal creature. An
understanding of a horse conformation is necessary to find a good equine
for yourself. The horses with good conformation have straight legs from the
front and the back. Their shoulders and croups (rump) are nicely sloped.
The shape of their heads is pleasing to the eye. Their height is measured in
hands and a good healthy horse is usually of 14.2 hands to 16.1 hands. This
height of a horse is best for women. Men prefer to ride a rather taller horse
than this height. Smaller horses do not injure much if you fall when riding
them. An average weight of a good conformation horse is 1000 pounds to
1200 pounds. A heavy horse can carry a heavy person easily.
A person can ride a horse in various speeds. The speed of a horse depends
upon the type of gait. Here are mentioned four types of gait that most of the
horses possess.
Walk: When a horse is walking, it creates a four beat rhythm by

putting each foot down one at a time. The walking speed of a
horse is about 3 to 4 miles per hour.
Trot: A horse trot at a two beat rhythm by putting one front foot
down and the opposite hind foot down at the same time. Most
horses trot at the speed of 7 to 10 miles per hour.
Canter: One hind leg of a horse strike the ground first in canter
gait. Then it strikes the other hind foot and the opposite front foot
together to the ground. Finally comes down the other fore leg of
the horse. This gait creates a three beat rhythm sound and makes
the horse canter at the speed of 10 to 17 miles per hour.
Gallop: A horse gallop in the same way of canter gait but with an
extra foot hitting the ground and making a four beat rhythm. It
travels at 30 to 40 miles per hour in the galloping state.
Horses are categorised on the basis of their breeds. Some of the popular
breeds of horses are mentioned here based on the characteristics and the
usage of the horses.
Appaloosa breed of horses is used in Western riding events and

known for its spotted patterns.
Arabian horses are famous for elegance and strong stamina.

They are high spirited and presented in endurance competitions.
Morgan is an American horse that is shorter in height but
maintain a strong body. It makes a great trail horse.
Paint horses come with specific patterns such as light or dark

patches on a contrasting light or dark base. They also make good
trail horses and appear in Western shows.
Quarter Horse is an easygoing, quiet and forgiving horse. It is

considered best for the beginners trying to learn horseback riding.
It is the most popular breed and presented in cattle work
competitions.
Saddlebred horses have a flashy appearance and easy to ride

because of their smooth gait. They make an excellent show and
fall in the category of gait horses that possess a gait not common
in other horses.
Standardbred horses have strong legs and they trot at high speed
of 30 miles per hour. They are best to train for horse racing
events.
Tennessee Walking Horse has a distinct look with straight head

and large ears. It is also a gait horse and gives the rider a feeling
of floating on air when riding it.
Thoroughbred is a race track horse and the fastest horse in the

world. They have long legs. They are great jumpers and can
gallop at the speed of 40 miles per hour.
Train Yourself for Riding
The physical appearance of a person matters a lot when it comes to

horseback riding. A person needs to train his body before plunging to ride
the horse. He requires stamina, strength, endurance, average to ideal weight
and proper exercise for flexibility. Similarly preparing your mind for the
horse riding is very important by maintaining confidence and consistency.
Banish any fearful thoughts by thinking positive and approaching your ride
slowly. The act of balancing yourself is also very important when starting to
practice from walk gait to the trot gait. The faster the speed of the horse, the
more stamina, strength, balance and flexibility is required by you.
Lighten your weight by losing some extra pounds. An ideal weight

relationship of a rider and a horse is that the equine must carry only 20
percent of its weight. So if your weight is any greater than 200 pounds, as
per the average 1000 pound weight of most horses, then it may cause strain
on your horse. It is also difficult to fit on a standard sized saddle if you
carry a heavy body. It also gets uncomfortable for you to ride on a smaller
saddle of the horse. Your upper body strength is required to get on the
horse's saddle for riding. If the weight of your upper body is heavy then it
may cause fatigue when you get on and off the horse. An obese structure of
the body cannot endure strenuous riding activity. Riding a horseback
requires energy and stamina. So it is important to maintain a healthy body
before starting to ride a horse.
To get in shape one must do some weight loss and stamina buildup
exercises. You can develop endurance by the help of aerobic exercises and
focus on strengthening the muscles of your body. Do arm curl, triceps
extension, shoulder press and push ups to strengthen the arms. Knee curl,
leg lift and hamstring curl are some of the best exercises for the
strengthening of legs. Similarly, crunches, reverse curls and diagonal
crunches help create strong muscles of your abdomen. Yoga and pilates
increase flexibility and strength of your body. For some extra flexibility,
stretch your neck, lower back, inner thighs, hamstring and quadriceps.
These exercises may not only build your stamina but as well as increases
the flexibility of your body.
Safety Precautions
Protecting yourself around horses is a major element of training that cannot

be overlooked. Horses are gentle animals but accidents can happen. The
injuries during horseback riding or at the ground can be fatal. Imagine an
injury that may occur if you jump out of your car at a speed of 30 miles per
hour. Same is the case when you are riding a horse. So it is important to
learn the safety protocol before horseback riding.
Safe clothing is important to wear around horses. It helps you

protect from errant hooves, nasty chafing and falls to the ground.
Tight, well fitted and tucked in cotton shirts are best as they do
not get caught in various parts and keep your body cooler and
drier.
English show helmet is required to be wore by the rider during

hunt seat and dressage shows. Only an equestrian helmet can
protect you from head injury if fallen at a high speed from the
horse.
Riding Boots are especially made for equestrian riding. They

have a special heel to protect your foot from slipping through the
stirrup when riding and protect your leg from trapping in the
stirrup.
Remove jewelry when you are around horses. Refrain yourself

from wearing any bracelets, hanging earrings, necklaces, big
rings and bangles.
Standing position is important when dealing with horses. Do not
stand between a horse and an immovable object. Horse is a big
animal and it can easily step on you. So keep a safe distance and
an accurate position when dealing with horses.
Awareness of your presence is important if you are thinking to

approach a horse from behind. A horse can get frightened easily
and its reaction may cause an injury to you.
Use safety restraints when tying a horse and tie up a safety knot
to the horse to a hitching post. A safety knot helps to release a
lead rope of a panicking horse quickly.
Check your tack before you saddle up on the horse. Make sure
the bridle fits properly and all the buckles of bridle, girth, and
stirrup leathers are secured and positioned well.
Chapter 2: Equestrian Riding Style & Gear
Europeans have been riding horses for centuries, both in battles and sports.
This riding discipline is associated with elite class and all the rich British
people in hollywood movies. Also, this English style is followed by Prince
Charles and Camilla to ride horses. This discipline is featured in all
equestrian events and famous for equestrian riding style. Equestrian sport is
divided into two main sub categories such as hunt seat and dressage show.
Equestrian Tack and Apparel
Equestrian saddles are of two types used for the hunt seat and dressage.
These saddles are also considered as flat saddles and a lot lighter in weight
than the heavy western saddles. The horse wears a contoured pad under
hunt seat saddle and a light weight square pad under dressage saddle. The
bridle of equestrian riders consists of browband and nose band. They also
provide extra room for accessories to add flashy items to the horse's bridle.
Mostly they use braided reins that are attached to the equestrian bridle.
The apparel for the two types of equestrian show is different for the English
riders but when they are practicing, the apparel is similar in both
disciplines. These two types of apparel are different to describe the
particular riding style associated with the equestrian tradition.
Hunt Seat Apparel: This clothing consists of breeches, a "rat

catcher" shirt, a tailored jacket and long boots. Finally an
equestrian helmet finishes off the apparel.
Dressage Apparel: This apparel is similar to the hunt seat

apparel in low level dressage shows. However in high level
dressage shows the apparel is totally different from the hunt seat
clothing. It consists of white breeches, a white shirt, a dark jacket
with tails, a black derby and tall boots. This is the formal apparel
for upper level dressage shows.
Horses for Equestrian Events
The breed types of horses used in equestrian events are mostly

Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods. Other types such as Appaloosas, Quarter
Horses and Paints are also ridden in equestrian shows. These horses are
mostly taller and lean. Their conformation is uphill that is the withers (a
point where its shoulders come together) of these horses are higher than the
point of their hips. However, almost all types of horses are suitable for the
Equestrian sport and the equestrian saddle fits easily to any of these horses.
Equestrian horses are well trained. This training involves to teach them two
things. They learn specific ways to be collected and on the bit. To be
collected is referred to as a peculiar way of teaching a horse to hold itself in
a certain way and drive in forward movement from behind. On the bit is
referred to as responding through the line of connection that is bridle in the
hands of a rider. These two training methods are used to show various
activities in equestrian events. For instance in hunt seat event, the rider asks
his horse to jump. Also, the horse is trained to trot in place to perform a
specific dressage show maneuver. This training of horses is based on
understanding the rider's signals to speed up and slow down at each gait.
Types of Equestrian Saddle
Equestrian saddles are smaller and lighter in weight and volume. They set
the rider's weight directly on the back of horse and sometimes it is difficult
to keep the balance and stay on the saddle because it is more flat in shape
than the Western deep saddle. Equestrian saddles come in different shapes
and sizes based on different shoulder widths of horses. There color may
also vary from dark brown to black.
All Purpose Saddle
An all purpose saddle consists of a flap that is cut far forward to assist
riders in jumping if required. Riders, who do a lot of trail riding and
basically when not much jumping is required in flatwork (an arena that
doesn't involve jumping) in the hunt seat show, often prefer to use an all
purpose saddle. It can also be used for jumping in the arena if required. An
all purpose saddle is also perfect for trail riding than other types of
equestrian saddles because its seat is slightly deeper and keeps the position
of the rider less forward.
Close Contact Saddle
A close contact saddle provides close contact in between the rider and the
horse. It is best for jumping in the arena during hunt seat show. The rider
can easily give cues to his equine because the saddle interferes minimum
when riding in equestrian style. The hunt seat riders use this saddle to assist
in forward position that is essential in jumping. The shallow seat of saddle
makes it easy for the rider to lift himself out of the seat when jumping an
obstacle.
Dressage Saddle
A dressage saddle is used by those equestrian riders who learn the

discipline of dressage. Dressage saddle is necessary for an upper level
dressage show. However, riders mostly use all purpose saddle in lower level
dressage show. Dressage saddles are designed in deep seat shape to provide
the rider a deeper seating position on the horse. Stirrups are slightly longer
in dressage saddle than the all purpose saddle and the close contact saddle.
Stirrups are wore by rider in dressage show. It has more squared flaps than
the rounder flaps found in other saddles.
Types of Equestrian Saddle Pads

Equestrian saddle pads vary in sizes and shapes as per the requirement of a
specific saddle used for riding a horse. It is a necessary element and
required for all types of equestrian saddles. It fits between the saddle and
the horse. It helps to protect the horse's back from chafing and saddle sores.
It aids in distributing the whole weight of the rider on the horse's back. The
shape and thickness of the saddle pads are different because of the
difference in pressure points of various saddles.
All Purpose and Close Contact Pads
All purpose saddle and close contact saddle have almost similar shape and
therefore use the same pad made of fleece or synthetic material. This pad is
about one inch thicker and helps distribute the weight of the rider on the
horse's back. It is mostly available in white and off white colors. It protects
the horse's back, absorbs the sweat and gives a room for breathing to the
equine.
Dressage Pads
Dressage pads are found in square shape and made of cotton material. They
do not provide much cushion between the saddle and the horse. They still
distribute the weight of the rider on the back of horse. Its thickness is half
of an inch and protects horse's back from chafing. It keeps the saddle sweat
free and found mostly in white color. However, solid colors and other
patterns can also be found in dressage pads.
Equestrian Bridle
A bridle is a necessary gear used by a rider to communicate with his equine.

Rider gives instructions to the horse by using it and directs it in required
direction. It is available in leather material and dark colors mostly. A bridle
consists of three major parts.
Bit (or Substitute): It is a piece that fits inside the mouth of a
horse. A substitute band is used instead of the bit to put pressure
on the nose instead of the mouth of horse. There are three types of
equestrian bits that are snaffle, weymouth and full cheek snaffle.
Headstall:It is that part of bridle that goes over the horse's ears
and connects to the rein. It includes a crown piece and cheeks
piece to naturally go over horse's crown and cheeks. It has a
browband that goes across the forehead, a throatlatch that attaches
under the jowl of horse and a noseband that goes across the nose
and under the jaw. There are buckles on the straps for
adjustability. There are two types of headstalls available in
equestrian bridle that are dressage double bridle and single rein.
Dressage double bridle is used by the riders who are

participating in upper level of dressage shows. It consists
of two sets of reins. This is why it is called double bridle.
Each set of rein corresponds to a different bit so the rider
uses each rein for individual purposes.
Single rein headstall consists of a single headstall strap,

throatlatch, browband and noseband. The bridle uses one
rein that is attached on one side of the bit. Then it goes
over the neck of the horse and attaches to the other side of
the bit. The bit used in single rein is mostly snaffle bit.
Hunt seat riders and lower level dressage riders use this
single rein headstall in equestrian sports.
Reins: The straps of leather that are held by the rider to signal the
horse to move in certain direction are called reins.
Chapter 3: Prepare Yourself & the Equine for Riding
It is time to prepare yourself and the horse for equestrian riding. You may
learn here the ways to approach a horse, halter it and take its lead. Get to
know the easy ways to put saddle on your horse and bridle it. The tricks to
mount and dismount yourself on and off the horse. These techniques may
teach you to become a friend of this beautiful beast and take the lead to
make it follow your orders.
Approach a Horse
A horse in a stall or paddock (a closed fence area) is easy to approach and

halter than a horse in a green pasture. It means like going to the horse and
halter it without facing any problem. This approach to the horse is easy for
the beginners once they learn the following step by step method.
1 Take your halter to the horse with a lead rope attached to it.
2 Talk to your horse to make it aware of your presence. If the horse

is facing away from you then make sure the horse sees you first and
then you approach the horse.
3 Approach the horse from the left side of its shoulder instead of
approaching from its head when you enter the stall or paddock.
4 When you get close to the horse then extend your hand with the
palm facing downwards and let the horse sniff your hand.
5 Take the lead rope and loop it around the horse's neck.
6 Slip the halter over the head of the horse and buckle up the straps
that comes from behind the ears of horse.
Halter a Horse
A properly trained horse offers no resistance when you slip a halter on its
head. Halter and the lead rope are important tools that let us handle horses
on the ground. The difficult part is to figure out which strap of halter goes
where on the head of horse. Keenly observe a halter on a horse's head
before attempting to halter the horse. The best way is to imagine your horse
head in front of you then hold the halter as if the horse is wearing it already.
This makes it much easier to put a halter on your horse's head.
1 Stand in the same direction your horse is standing at the side of its
left shoulder.
2 Then to secure the horse and to keep it from walking away, put the
lead rope around the middle of the horse's neck in a form of loose loop
and hold it firm in your right hand.
3 Make sure that the crown strap of halter is not buckled up. It is that
piece of halter that goes around the horse's ears and buckles at the left
cheek of it.
4 Now, it is time to slip the nose of horse through the noseband by

reaching your right hand under the neck of horse. This step can be
done easily if you hold the crown strap in your right hand and the
buckle side of the strap in your left hand.
5 Bring the crown piece up behind the ears of horse and buckle it
reasonably, that is not too tight and not too loose, to fit the halter
comfortably on the horse.
6 Now fold the lead rope in your left hand twice from around the
neck of horse and hold the attached rope just below the halter in your
right hand firmly.
Lead a Horse
Once you halter a horse then you can lead it out of the stall or paddock
either to tie it up or to put a saddle on it. To lead your horse in safe manner
it is important to understand and follow the given steps properly.
1 Stay on the left side of your horse.
2 Hold the end of the rope in your right hand closest to the head of
horse with your thumb pointing upwards.
3 Fold the lead rope and hold it in your left hand. Avoid to coil the
rope around your hand because if the horse pulls back then the rope
can tighten up and trap your hand inside it.
4 Before you move forward and lead the horse, try standing at a little
distance from this large body equine. It is important so that the horse
may not step into you. Hold the rope by holding your hand out and
stand beside the horse facing in forward direction.
5 Now start walking and give a gentle pull to the rope attached to the
halter of horse. The horse may interpret it as a command and try to
keep its pace so it may walk with you still staying at its shoulder.
6 To turn the horse in a specific direction, first maintain a specific
distance then pull your right hand to the left direction or push your
right hand to the right direction to order it to make a turn with you.
7 The horse is now following your lead and if you wish to stop then
just say a word "whoa" to warn it and stop by giving a slight backward
tug to the rope with your right hand
Horses can easily read your body language so when leading a horse do not
look at it, instead look straight ahead to your path. This way horse can set
its confidence on you and may follow your lead instead of getting confuse
where to step. Also the horse is a big animal and stopping or turning is not
as easy for it as it is for you. So give the horse a slight signal of where to
turn and when to stop before acting upon it.
Saddle a Horse
It takes practice to tack up a horse especially when it comes to put a saddle

on it. It is important to make sure the saddle fits right to the back of horse
because you do not want to slip off when you are riding. The saddle may
also hurt the horse if not positioned accurately when fastening it to the
horse's back. Before you put saddle on the horse's back take account of the
following three precautions.
1 Make sure that the horse is tied up securely by its halter to a

hitching post.
2 Groom your horse by brushing down the hair on its back and girth
area to make sure there is no dirt, bedding or other things stuck to
these areas.
3 Keep an eye for any hidden sticky objects underneath your saddle
and the saddle pad.
Now you can move on to the following step by step method of putting an
equestrian saddle on your horse safely as described below.
1 First step is to lay the saddle pad on the back of horse. To make
this happen, stand on the left side of horse and lay the front of saddle
pad covering a few inches of the withers of horse that is positioned at
the base of horse's neck.
2 Now pick up the saddle by holding the front of it in your left hand
and the back in your right hand. Do not let the stirrups to hang down
when you are holding it.
3 To set the saddle on the horse's back, place it gently in the hollow
just below the horse's withers.
4 Slide the girth straps on the left side of saddle through the tab of
saddle pad to attach saddle with the pad. Follow the same step on the
other side of the saddle.
5 There are three girth straps on an equestrian saddle. Fasten the two
girth straps to the right side of saddle. The third strap is present just in
case one of the other straps breaks. Follow the same procedure to the
left side of saddle by grasping the girth straps from underneath the
horse.
6 Make sure the length of stirrup is correct according to your height

before you mount on the horse.
Bridle a Horse
The tack that goes on last is the bridle. You cannot tie up your horse again
once you bridle it. Make sure to tie the horse securely to a hitching post by
its halter before you bridle it. Groom your horse and saddle it properly then
unbuckle the noseband and throatlatch. Now follow the given steps to put
the bridle on the horse.
1 First unbuckle the halter, slide off the noseband of the horse's head
and then rebuckle the halter around its neck.
2 Put the reins over the head of horse so they can lie on its back.
3 Stand on the left side of your horse's head by holding the bit and
the headstall. Face the same direction your horse is facing.
4 Place your right hand, still holding the headstall, just above the
horse's head that is right in front of its ears.
5 Open the mouth of horse and insert the bit.
6 Slide the headstall over the ears of horse gently.
7 Now buckle the throatlatch and the noseband tightly but not too
tight that you cannot insert three fingers between them and the horse.
8 Finally, unbuckle the halter from the neck of horse and lead it by
reins to the mounting position.
Equestrian Mounting & Dismounting
Mounting and dismounting in equestrian style can be easy if you use a

higher ground or mounting block to mount yourself on the saddle and only
a solid higher level ground to dismount yourself off the saddle because
mounting blocks can tip over easily. Make sure all the buckles are fastened
and the straps are not worn out at any place of the saddle. Keep an eye on
the perfect adjustment of the saddle and saddle pad onto the back of horse.
Mounting on the Saddle
To mount in equestrian style follow the given steps.
1 Position yourself at the left shoulder of horse by facing to its side

and stay in control of the horse by holding reins in your left hand.
Grab a handful of the horse's mane at the base of it's neck by the same
hand.
2 Hold the stirrup iron and turn it towards yourself using your right
hand. Then place your left foot in the stirrup.
3 Grasp the cantle in your right hand and bounce on your right leg
two or three times. Then swing your right leg by supporting your body
more from the leg than using strength of your arms to jump over the
horse's body and into the saddle without touching it.
4 Finally place your right foot in the stirrup and adjust the reins.
Dismounting off the Saddle

To dismount yourself off the saddle in equestrian style follow the given
steps.
1 Bring your horse in complete stationary position.
2 Take out your right foot from the stirrup and hold the reins in your
left hand and grab the mane of horse at the base of its neck with the
same hand.
3 Swing your right leg over the headquarters of horse without

touching its body.
4 Turn so that your stomach is flat against the side of saddle.
5 Remove your left foot from the stirrup and slide down slowly until
your feet touch the ground.
Chapter 4: Learn Skills of Equestrian Riding
The most interesting work starts now. Learn to discover the correct way of
riding a horse in various gait like walk, trot and canter. Further you can
polish your skills by working on jumping tips and tricks. There is much
more to just learning the skills of riding a horse. You can also practice to
participate in equestrian events such as hunt seat and dressage shows.
Ride the Walk in Hunt Seat
Riding the walk in hunt seat is primarily used to warm up to the faster gait.
It is good for beginners to practice on the walk gait. It helps the rider to
develop balance and rhythm with the horse.
Body Posture
Hunt seat is a formal riding type that requires a specific position in the
saddle. The challenge is to stay relaxed and ride freely with the rhythm of
horse by maintaining your position properly.
In hunt seat riding, the body position is slightly forward with a

gentle bend on hips.
Keep the shoulders in squared position and elbows close to your

body.
Keep your chip up and eyes straight looking ahead on the way
you are going.
Holding the Reins
Hold the reins in your both hands by facing your palms down in hunt seat.
The reins go between your thumb and index finger and exit the hand
between your ring and pinky finger making a relaxed fist of your both
hands. Keep your hands 2 - 3 inches apart from each other. Hold the reins 3
inches above the horse's withers. The elbow angle should be greater than
120° so that a person looking from side can draw a straight line from the bit
of horse to your elbow.
Ask a Horse to Walk
Ask a horse to walk in hunt seat by giving it cues using your leg pressure.
Squeeze your legs to signal the horse to move forward by your calves. Do
not squeeze your legs to give a cue to the horse with your knees. You can
also use your voice to encourage the horse to walk in hunt seat. You can
make a clucking voice to communicate with the horse. To make a left turn
keep the tension on the rein with your left hand and apply pressure with
your outside leg and vice versa to make a turn to the right. When the turn is
made, loosen the pressure but do not take off your legs from the horse's
body.
Moving with the Horse
Keep your position forward and balanced when walking with a hunt seat
horse. Feel the movement of the horse beneath you and keep your hips
relaxed. Pay attention to your legs when the horse is walking. Do not let
your legs slide forward or backward. Just keep them behind the girth.
Ride the Walk in Dressage

Walk is considered an important gait at dressage especially if you are
participating in lower levels. It requires most maneuvers at this gait if you
are thinking to compete in future. It also requires a specific positioning of
your body, hands, legs and cues to perform the walk gait.
Body Posture
Dressage requires the following body posture when performing the walk
gait.
Rider sits deep in the saddle while performing walk gait in

dressage.
Keep the shoulders open, square and relax.
Maintain a body posture of flat and straight back.
Keep your chip up and eyes straight looking at your way ahead.
Holding the Reins
Hold the reins in two hands and your palms facing downwards in dressage.
inches above the shoulders of horse. Keep a slight tension in reins so that
you have contact with the horse's mouth.
Ask a Horse to Walk

Ask a horse to walk in dressage by giving it cues with your leg pressure.
Put pressure by your calves and not by your knees. As the horse responds to
your command then loosen the pressure of your calves. Make sure to
maintain a communication line with the horse by keeping the calves in
touch with it. Do not take them completely off the horse body. In dressage
you cannot use your voice to command the horse to perform the walk gait.
To make a left turn keep the tension on the rein with your left hand and
apply pressure with your outside leg and vice versa to make a turn to the
right. When the turn is made, loosen the pressure but do not take off your
legs from the horse's body.
Make your movement with the horse look effortless because you are sitting
deep in the saddle. Maintain your balance and let your hips rock with the
movement of horse but keep your body posture as described above for the
walk gait in dressage.
Ride the Trot in Hunt Seat
Riding the trot in hunt seat is primarily used when the rider is trying to
figure out how to jump. Trot gait is also used a lot in the show ring and on
the trail. It helps the rider to learn balance with the ups and downs of the
bouncy gait of horse. They can also learn to rise up and down in the saddle
with the rhythm of gait. This rise and fall of the rider in the saddle is called
posting the trot. And the rider who balances in the saddle is called sitting
the trot. Posting the trot is most often used by riders in hunt seat and is
much easier as compared to sitting the trot.
Body Posture
Posting and sitting the trot, both require the same body posture. The
challenge is to stay relaxed and ride freely with the rhythm of horse by
maintaining your position in proficient manner. It takes time to learn both
types of trot gait in hunt seat.
In hunt seat riding, the body position is more forward with a bend
on hips and not at the waist.
When you are sitting in the saddle then your weight is on your
seat bones and not on the hips.
Your weight rises up and out of the saddle when you are posting.
Keep your shoulders in squared position and elbows close to your

body.
Keep your chip up and eyes straight looking ahead on the way
you are going.
Holding the Reins
inches above the withers of horse. The position of hands is a bit lower than
it was at the walk gait. This gives more room to the horse's neck to extend
for the trot gait. Keep a slight tension in reins so that you have contact with
the horse's mouth. Place your both hands on the horse's neck to give the
horse's head a little freedom of movement.
Ask a Horse to Trot

Ask a horse to trot in hunt seat by giving it cues with your leg pressure. Put
pressure by your calves and not by your knees. As the horse responds to
your command and starts the trot gait then relax your calves a little. Make
sure to maintain a communication line with the horse by keeping your
calves in touch with it. Do not take them completely off the horse's body. In
dressage you cannot use your voice to command the horse to perform the
trot gait. To make a left turn keep the tension on the rein with your left hand
and apply pressure with your outside leg and vice versa to make a turn to
the right. When the turn is made, let go a little of the pressure but do not
take off your legs from the horse's body.
Keep your position forward and balanced when performing the trot gait
with a hunt seat horse. Feel the movement of the horse beneath you and
keep your hips relaxed. Pay attention to your legs when the horse is
walking. Do not let your legs slide forward or backward. Just keep them
behind the girth.
Ride the Trot in Dressage
The riders are required to perform a number of maneuvers in the trot gait to
pass the official dressage tests. They use trot at all levels of a dressage
competition. Much of your early training is required to ride the trot. Proper
alignment and specific movements can make you ride the trot gait in
dressage.
Body Posture
Body posture and its position is very important in dressage. It is used to

send the message to the horse to perform certain maneuvers in trot. In
higher levels the ability to communicate with the horse by using your body
becomes more imperative. Dressage requires the following body posture
when performing the trot gait.
Rider sits deep in the saddle when performing the trot gait in
dressage. His weight lies on his seat bones and he sink deep in the
saddle.
Keep the shoulders open, square and relax.
Maintain a body posture of flat and straight back. No arch should

be seen from any angle.
Keep your chip up and eyes straight looking at your way ahead.
Holding the Reins
inches above the withers of horse. This gives more room to the horse's neck
to extend for the trot gait. Keep a slight tension in reins so that you have
contact with the horse's mouth. Place your both hands on the horse's neck to
give the horse's head a little freedom of movement.
Ask a Horse to Trot
Ask a horse to change its gait from walk to the trot in dressage by giving it
cues with your leg pressure. Put pressure by your calves and not by your
knees. As the horse responds to your command and starts the trot gait then
relax your calves a little. Make sure to maintain a communication line with
the horse by keeping the calves in touch with it. Do not take them
completely off the horse's body. In dressage you cannot use your voice to
command the horse to perform the trot gait. To make a left turn keep the
tension on the rein with your left hand and apply pressure with your outside
leg and vice versa to make a turn to the right. When the turn is made loosen
the pressure but do not take off your leg from the horse's body.
You can either post or sit when the horse is trotting in dressage. Posting is
also known as rising to the trot in dressage. It is easier to move in posting
with the horse. To ask the horse for an extended trot use the posting. Sit the
trot when you are asking the horse for a collected trot.
Ride the Canter in Hunt Seat
Canter gait is the most exciting and enjoyable ride for the new learners. It is
a smooth and fastest gait of the horse. Canter gives you a sensation of being
one with the horse when speed is combined with rhythm in this three beat
gait. It is an important gait in hunt seat once you advance in riding the
horse.
Body Posture
It is important to follow the body posture guidelines properly when you are
riding the canter in hunt seat.
Lean forward with a greater degree of bend from your hips when
you are riding the canter gait.
Hold your hands one inch above the neck of horse. This
placement of hands gives more freedom to the head and neck of
horse in movement.
There appears a natural arch in your back when riding the canter
gait and rest of your back is flat.
Keep your elbows close to your body, shoulders back and chin
up.
Holding the Reins
Hold the reins in your both hands. The reins go between your thumb and
index finger and exit the hand between your ring and pinky finger making a
relaxed fist of your both hands. Keep your hands 2 - 3 inches apart from
each other and an inch above the neck of horse. Keep them also in front of
the horse's withers that is towards the head of horse. Your reins should not
be too tight. Keep them snug against the mouth of horse.
Ask a Horse to Canter
Ask a horse to change its gait from trot to canter in hunt seat by moving
inside rein that is closest to the center of arena. Give it a slight taut by
moving it up, back and out, all at the same time. Keep your outside rein,
closest to the rail, slightly slack. Squeeze your outside calf to apply pressure
to the horse's body as you move the inside rein. Maintain the pressure until
the horse begins to canter and then relax your inside leg by keeping in touch
with the horse's body. You can also encourage the horse to canter by making
a kissing noise from your mouth in hunt seat.
Lift your body up and slightly out of the saddle when the horse canter in
hunt seat. It is considered a half seat position. Find the three beat rhythm of
horse and adapt your body by moving with it. Note that if you ask an
instructor he may insist you on sitting in the seat firmly when the horse
canter. Stick your legs to the sides of horse's body so they don't move on
their own. Let your hands move up and back with the rhythm of horse's
head but try not to exaggerate this movement by pumping your hands back
and forth.
Ride the Canter in Dressage
Most levels of dressage competitions use canter gait. You must learn this
gait if you intend to compete in dressage in the near future and go beyond
the introductory level.
Body Posture
Stick to the following guidelines properly to position your body when you
are riding the canter in dressage.
Sit deep in your saddle and let your weight be on your seat bones
and sink into your hips.
Keep your shoulders open, square and relax.
Maintain a flat back with no arch.
Keep your elbows close to your body and chip up.

Keep your eyes forward looking ahead where you are going.
Holding the Reins
Hold the reins in your both hands. The reins enter between your thumb and
index finger and exit the hand between your ring and pinky finger before
heading to the bit. Maintain a relaxed fist of your both hands. Keep your
hands 2 - 3 inches apart from each other and an inch above the neck of
horse. Keep them 3 inches above the horse's withers. When you perform the
canter gait, keep your hands closer to your hips rather than closer to the
horse's neck just like they were in the trot gait. Your reins should be a little
tight to prepare the horse for canter in dressage.
Ask a Horse to Canter
Ask a horse to change its gait from trot to canter in dressage by moving
inside rein that is closest to the center of arena. Give it a slight taut by
moving it up, back and out, all at the same time. Keep your outside rein,
closest to the rail, slightly slack. Squeeze your outside calf to apply pressure
to the horse's body as you move the inside rein. Maintain the pressure until
the horse begins to canter and then relax your inside leg by keeping in touch
with the horse's body. You cannot use any voice command to encourage the
horse to canter in dressage.
Let your body sink into the canter gait of horse. Flow your body with the
rhythm of this three beat gait and polish the saddle by your rear end as you
move with the horse in dressage. Maintain stationary legs and keep them
from moving back and forth independently of the horse's body.
Chapter 5: Practice More Skills with Exercises
Learn to maneuver your horse in many ways by practicing some more

useful skills with exercises. You may like to stop your horse, once it started
moving forward. Some popular exercises that help when participating in
equestrian shows and to polish your skills of walk, trot and canter gait are
circling, crazy eights, jumping poles in circle, L-pattern turn and many
more. If you feel much confident about your skills, you can also practice
some more balancing exercises like riding a horse with one hand. Become a
horseback riding expert by practicing with various jumping styles.
Pulling out a Stop
Stop is an important maneuver that both the rider and the horse need to
know well. It is important in every discipline that gives you considerable
control of your equine and makes your eventual dismount a bit less
difficult. Follow the given guidelines to bring the horse to a halt position
from a walk in equestrian style.
In hunt seat, sink your weight into the saddle without bending
your shoulders and increase the tension on reins by moving your
hands backward. Give your voice command "whoa" to the horse
at the same time you pull its reins.
In dressage, follow the same procedure as the hold on reins is

already tight. Pull reins tighter and increase the tension. Do not
use voice. The horse should stop without any voice command.
Release the tension in the reins when the horse stops walking and
comes to a halt.
Circling a Horse
Circling is an important maneuver that helps you build a communication

line with the horse and polishes your skills of riding. Every novice
horseback rider learns to ride a horse in a large circle in his training lessons.
It is used in arena riding for a variety of reasons by the equestrian riders.
Hunt seat riders use the skills they develop through circling when
negotiating a jumping course. Circling is a part of the test at all levels in
dressage. Both hands are used to rein the horse directly when riding a circle
on it.
Start to ride along the rail in straight direction.
Apply tension on the inside rein to circle the horse to the inside of
arena and apply pressure with your outside leg. The horse moves
away by the pressure of your leg. This encourages it to turn to the
inside.
In hunt seat, pull the rein out slightly. In dressage, pull the rein
back slightly.
Continue to maintain the tension on rein and the pressure of leg as

the horse turns. Keep applying pressure with both legs to guide it
to turn into a circle.
When the circle is complete and you are back on rail. Reduce the
pressure of your legs and move your hands back to the center of
your horse.
Do not completely remove the leg pressure in both hunt seat and
dressage to keep the horse moving.
Calling for Back up
Asking a horse to walk in reverse is called calling for backup. It is the skill
that every horse rider must master. Backing up is not a natural maneuver for
horses and thus requires effort by the horse to do it. In equestrian shows,
judges often ask for backup and sometimes it becomes a necessity on the
trail. Make sure that you ask a horse for backup in a still position. Imagine
reversing a car, you cannot reverse it once it is stopped completely. Same is
the case with the horses. Asking for a backup during the walk or trot gait
confuses the horse and results in facing bad reactions by it. Follow the
given guidelines to perform the backup.
Gather up the reins in your hands a few inches to create tension

towards your hips. So that there is less distance between your
hands and the horse's mouth.
If this does not work and you see no response from the horse then
start applying pressure with your calves on the horse's body and
then pull each rein alternatively.
When the horse starts taking backward steps then your situation
determines how far back you want to go. After reaching your
desired location, stop the horse movement by moving your hands
forward towards its neck. Also release the leg pressure.
Turning the Crazy Eight

The figure eight is good exercise for the riders practicing for hunt seat and
dressage. It helps you to practice coordination between your legs and hands.
It helps you figure out how to turn and circle properly. Practice this exercise
in any riding arena.
Start on a rail and start turning your horse towards the inside as if
you are going to ride in a circle.
Make your horse go straight after completing half the circle.
Next, you ask the horse to change the direction to make a

connecting circle in opposite direction. If you made the first circle
clockwise then the second circle will automatically become anti-
clockwise.
Ask your horse to go in straight direction as it completes the

second circle.
Finally connect the second circle to the first circle in opposite

direction and complete the first circle.
Practice this eight figure exercise four to six times.
Jumping the Pole
Horses are natural at jumping and it is their ability to jump that makes them
an amazing animal. Proper jumping involves a good form over fence (the
way the horse carries its body over the fence), obeying the rider (in order to
take direction), and courage (to jump over something intimidating when
asked). Jumping is not the part of dressage shows but for the hunt seat
riders it is their ultimate goal. Soaring over the fence or pole is such an
exhilarating feeling. It is important to learn asking a horse to jump,
maintain body posture when the horse is jumping and learn to tackle
multiple jumps. There are two things that composes a successful jump. One
is two-point position that is crucial for the jump and a step by step method
to make a simple jump.
Two-Point Position
When the horse is jumping, you need to learn about your body
position in the air. It is called two-point position.
In one motion, make sure you bend yourself from the hips and not
by your waist. Make sure your chest is at 45 degree angle to the
body of horse.
Put your weight on your heels and let your knees be in contact
with the saddle but do not apply pressure to the horse's body.
Lift yourself up slightly but not completely from the saddle.
Keep your hands low almost on the neck of horse.
Maintain a straight head with eyes looking forward on your way

ahead.
Making a Jump
You must be wondering how exactly a horse jumps over a fence or pole?
Essentially, you aim the horse towards the pole and ask it to keep moving
forward then it is the horse that takes the leap. Maintain your confidence on
the horse that it can jump. Also beginning with walking and trotting
exercises to warm up the horse's body makes it much easier for it to jump a
pole.
Keep the horse center as it approaches the jumping pole.
Control the speed of horse so it approaches a jump in a controlled

manner.
Make sure your body posture is correct to help the horse jump
without any interference.
Rest is done by the horse and it jumps the pole.
When the horse lands on the ground maintain your body posture
and then sit slowly on the saddle.
Multiple Jump Poles
Once you master a single jump then you can practice with multiple jump
poles. This practice of jumping multiple poles is called getting on the grid.
A grid consists of mostly two to four poles on the ground in a row.
The grid pattern is laid out to create measured strides between

poles otherwise the horse may have difficulty to decide on the
right place to negotiate a jump.
The horse needs guidance from the rider on proper number and
length of strides between poles.
The measured distances in the grid makes it easier for the rider
and the horse to jump multiple poles without figuring out the
number and length of strides between the poles.
Practice around two to four times with multiple jumping poles to get a grip
of this skill. The more you practice, the more it is easy for you to jump
poles placed in any pattern. It may also become easy for you to figure out
the number and length of strides required to make a specific jump on trail
riding.
Circling Jump Poles
Trotting over jump poles lay on the ground in circle making a cross shape,
is a good exercise for hunt seat and dressage riders. It is just like your
childhood memories of merry-go-round. It helps you practice turning and
keeping your horse straight when riding the trot gait. Lay down the pole in a
circular pattern and use the help of your instructor for guidance and
preparation to practice this exercise under his supervision. You can practice
circling jump poles by either the sitting or posting the trot.
Lay four poles down in the center of an arena so they form a cross
shape but do not touch each other.
The ends of a pole should be at least ten feet apart from each
other. In other words, you get a ten foot hole in the middle of the
cross.
Approach one of the pole at its center and by trotting over it.
Turn your horse so it trots over the center of the next pole.
Repeat the same procedure for the next two poles.
Continue circling jump poles for at least five minutes.
Turning in L-Pattern
Turning a horse in L-pattern is not easy at first but after concentration and
practice it becomes second nature of the rider. Practicing this turn during
canter gait is considered an advanced level riding skill. You can turn your
horse to left or right during canter gait by positioning your hands and legs
according to the following directions.
Take a feel of the inside rein to turn your horse to the inside of
arena that is away from rail. Pull the inside rein out and inside
slightly if you are riding hunt seat. Pull the rein back and inside
slightly if you are riding in dressage.
Apply pressure with your outside leg at the same time. Use more
pressure here than you may apply at the trot to encourage the
horse to maintain its canter as it turns to the inside. Start with
light pressure and keep increasing it until you get the response
from the horse.
Release the pressure on the inside rein when the turn is complete
and the horse return to its normal canter gait. Also release the
pressure from your outside leg.
Chapter 6: Exploring Equine Care
You must be thinking to add a horse to your family. A lifetime equine

companion, to take care for and ride. You need to take care of a few things
such as a shelter for your horse, feeding timings, and grooming accessories
for your horse. Here you may learn how to maintain a healthy horse and
find out the symptoms of illness. What precautions to take for your horse
and when to call the vet.
Horse Housing
Proper housing is required for the horse. Keeping a horse is not like keeping
a dog or a cat as a pet in your house. Horse is bigger in size and has special
needs. You can either keep a horse at a boarding facility or it can live with
you if you own a horse property. In both cases, you need considerable
amount of knowledge to give your horse a comfortable home.
Commercial Boarding Facility
Commercial establishment of a boarding stable provides limited facilities

for the horses such as housing, care, feeding and cleaning stall based on
monthly fee. Other boarding stables also offer more care such as exercising
and blanketing the horses. The nicer is the stable facility, the more they may
charge per month. Do not compromise on necessities for your horse based
on low pricing stables. Take a proper tour of the facility before boarding
your horse into it. You must look for the following qualities in a
commercial horse stable.
Safe and sturdy accommodation

Clean and safe surroundings
Reliable water supply
Quality feed
Good care
24/7 Security
Good riding facilities
Tack storage
If you can find these facilities in a commercial boarding stable for your
horse then you can leave it there ensuring a perfect home for it. Rest is
required to take care of the paper work that is signing a boarding
agreement.
Home Stable
A home stable is a perfect option for you if you dream of keeping a horse in
your backyard. You must live on the property that is zoned for the horses
because you cannot hide a horse in an area which doesn't allow the keeping
of livestock. You can create any of the three types of enclosures for your
horse. These can be a pasture, a paddock or a box stall. Keeping a horse on
your own property is not as fantasizing as it appears. It requires you to
invest your time, money and hard work. It is important that you keep the
horse property clean and well maintained. Also continue your education
about horses by joining horse clubs, subscribing to horse magazines and
read books about horses and horse care. By following these instruction you
can create a good image on your neighbors as well.
Feeding your Horse
A steady food supply is very important for a horse even more important
than humans. Nature has designed horses to spend majority of their time on
chewing, swallowing and digesting. An equine digestive system is
constantly on the go and processes large quantities of fibrous foods. The
quality of feed and the time interval between feeding determines the
physical and psychological health of your horse. The best person who can
guide you about your horse feed is your veterinarian. He is familiar with
your horse individual and nutritional needs. Generally the horse that is
ridden for specific disciplines and cattle work requires more nutritional
food to build muscle strength and endurance. Common horse foods are
mentioned below.
Hay
Hay is basically the foodstuff composed of plants for horses that is cut,
dried and baled. It is rich in proteins, calcium and other nutrients. Hay is
eaten by most horses. Some people think it is too rich and prefer it for the
horses used for the cattle work. It is good feed because it provides roughage
in addition to proper nutrition. Roughage keeps the digestive system of the
horse to work properly and satisfies its natural urge to chew all the time.
Hay Cubes
Hay cube is a hay concentrated in form of a block. Hay cubes are perfect
for old horses because they are easy to chew as the hay break apart quickly
in a cube form. It helps improve respiratory system because it possess less
dust and dirt in form of cube than raw hay. Hay cubes provide complete
nutrition to the old horses with worn down teeth. It is best for the horse who
has trouble keeping on weight.
Pasture Grass
It takes time, knowledge, hard work and experience to provide your horse a
quality grass pasture to graze. Horse maintain a healthy body in a grass
pasture. If you own a horse property that already has cultivated green grass
pasture then your job is to carefully maintain it and keep it as lush as it is
now. However if you want to cultivate your own grass pasture for your
horse feed then contact your local agricultural agency to assist you in
starting and maintaining a green grass pasture. If your pasture does not
provide a good amount of quality grass for your horse then you should add
hay to its daily feed.
Watering your Horse
Clean and fresh water is most important for the health of your horse on
daily basis. Your horse needs water to stay alive like humans and to
maintain a healthy digestive system. There are many ways through which
you can water your horse.
Water your horse using an automatic watering system in the horse

stall.
A large bucket that you refill several times a day.
A trough that can contain water for a day or two at a time.
If you live in an area where the climatic temperature changes can turn water
into ice then you need to keep the water supply of your horse from turning
into ice. Use the heating system made especially for watering the horses or
you can manually break the ice. Preferred method is to use heating system
because it lowers the effort on your part and as well provides a warm water
for the horse by encouraging it to drink easily.
Grooming your Horse
Grooming your horse helps you and the horse to bond with each other
before you take it on a ride. Also the horse looks good and you can identify
any lumps, bumps, or anything else that should not be there on the horse's
body. It helps to keep your horse healthy and clean. If you like grooming
horses then it is your luck because horse get dirty easily and require
grooming on daily basis. Cleaning a heavy large animal who is milling
around in dirt is not an easy job. However you may find grooming your
horse as another enjoyable part of owning a horse. Also, horses are great
attention seekers.
Grooming Gear
Cleaning horse is not like we clean ourselves. You may require a number of
different tools and gears to assist you in cleaning a horse in a better and
efficient way. Assemble all the tools in a tack box or organiser. The
minimum number of tools that you should have are mentioned below.
Stiff brush
Soft brush
Mane and tail brush
Cloth, sponge or small towel

Sweat scraper
Hoof pick
Rubber curry comb
Shedding blade
Brushing your horse
Horses are very messy and dirt clings to their coat easily. You need to use
elbow grease to keep your horse's coat clean and shiny. If the housing of
your horse is indoors then it may not get too dirty. Use the grooming tools
to clean your horse after tying it.
Clean out all the horse's hooves with the hoof pick to remove
packed-in dirt, manure and rocks.
Rub the curry comb in circular motion to bring the dirt to the
surface of the horse's coat. If the skin of your horse is thin then
proceed gently or skip this step.
Dissipate the dirt into air by brushing with stiff brush in short
strokes in the direction that the hair grows.
Use the soft brush to remove remaining of the dirt from the coat
by brushing along the lay of the coat in short strokes.
Complete the body grooming process by wiping down the body
of horse with the cloth. It gives the coat even more shine.
Use the cloth to clean the inside of your horse's nostrils, where
the mucus and the dirt tend to accumulate easily.
Brush the head of your horse with long and soft brush strokes.
Use the mane and tail brush or a soft brush to groom the mane
and tail of the horse.
Washing Horse
Bathing a horse is similar to washing your car. Both are large and require a
lot of water, soap and work. Wash your horse only if it is absolutely
necessary and only give it a bath twice a month. Too much bathing can strip
the coat of horse from its natural oils. Make sure the climate is not too cold
and the sun is out. Tie up the horse securely in a wash area where there is a
hitching post or cross rails. An access to a garden hose in a non dirty and
non slip surface is best location for washing your horse.
Start from the left side of your horse. Wash and rinse one side of
your horse at a time. Run lukewarm water on the horse's legs
from garden hose.
Slowly move the water hose to the horse's body as the horse
adjusts with the water.
Wet the body, where the neck joins the head, all the way to the
rear end of the horse.
Apply shampoo to the sponge and start rubbing against the coat
of horse to create lather. Work your way down the horse's body.
When you get confident of removing the dirt from the horse's coat
then start rinsing the shampoo from the coat of your horse by
using hose or bucket.
After cleansing the horse's body of the sweat and dirt, start to
shampoo, condition and rinse the mane of horse.
Repeat the same steps to wash the body of horse from the right
side.
It is time to wash the tail of horse. First rinse it with water then
apply shampoo on it. Make sure to work the lather into the tail to
clean all the hair of it. Rinse, condition and rinse it again properly.
Wash the horse's head by making it wet with a sponge and warm
water.
Rinse the face with a clean sponge and water. Avoid using
shampoo on the face because it is not easy to rinse it off
completely.
To dry off the horse's body quickly, squeegee the water from its
coat by using sweat scrapper in the direction of its hair growth.
Then hand walk it in the sun before putting it back into the
pasture or paddock.
Health Care of Horse

Horses are delicate creatures in terms of health despite of their size and
strength. They need regular preventive care for a healthy body. It is
important to find a vet for your horse and take it there for regular checkups.
Also finding a qualified and skilled farrier is important to maintain the
health of your horse's legs and body. A farrier trims the horse's hair and
helps to shoe the horse's hooves. Vaccinating your horse on regular basis
keeps your horse healthy and sturdy.
Vaccination
Horse world is plagued by a number of dangerous and infectious diseases.

Good news is that vaccines exist for many of these. Maintain a regular
vaccination program for your horse suggested by your veterinarian to
protect it from serious illness. The primary vaccinations that your horse
must receive are given below.
Influenza/rhinopneumonitis
Equine encephalomyelitis
Tetanus
West Nile virus

Teeth Care
The food eaten by a horse is hard to chew so teeth care is vital for horses.
The upper jaw of the horse is wider than the lower jaw. Naturally the teeth
of the horse keep growing once the upper layer of teeth wears off after
chewing hard fibrous food. The upper outside teeth and the lower inside
teeth have nothing to wear against as they erupt, resulting sharp points and
ridges. These ridges and sharp points restrict the normal side-to-side rotary
chewing motion of the horse. It results in poor and painful chewing of food
resulting in the food droppings from its mouth.
Ask your vet to file down these ridges and sharp pointed teeth once or twice
a year to make chewing easy and less painful for the horse. It also helps to
feel no pain when the tension is increased on the noseband. It is an absolute
procedure for preventive care of the horse. When examining teeth, the
veterinarian can also identify any other dental problems emerging inside the
horse's mouth such as infected teeth or abnormal wear patterns.
Recognize Illness Symptoms
You should learn to recognise the illness symptoms of your horse instead of
calling a vet every time your horse sneezes. The study helps you deal with
the horse problems at home. You can also learn to monitor the health of
your horse. Also it is important to judge the health of your horse before
mounting yourself on the saddle for a ride. Look for the following signs to
determine the health condition of your horse.
Bleeding
Blood in urine
Choking
Colic
Diarrhea
Fever
Inability to stand
Injury
Labored breathing
Painful eye
Refusal to eat
Severe pain
Straining
Swelling
If any one or two of these symptoms appear in your horse then must call
your veterinarian urgently.
Conclusion
I hope this book was able to help you to learn horseback riding in
equestrian style.
The next step is to find a teacher or school to help you practice horseback
riding and if you feel much confident about your skills then participate in
equestrian shows in Olympics.
If you enjoyed this book please would you be kind enough to leave an
honest review on Amazon?
for 5-Star feedback and reader satisfaction is my priority.
Kyoto
Local Legends: Travel Guide to Japan’s

Ancient City and Kyo Nara
Henry Durden
© 2015
Introduction
I want to thank you and congratulate you for purchasing Kyoto: Local
Legends: Travel Guides to Japan’s Ancient City and Kyo Nara!
Are you thinking about taking a trip to Japan? I’m sure you have heard of
many great cities that are great tourist hotspots, like the country’s capital
Tokyo! But a frequently overlooked Japanese cultural gem is the great city
of Kyoto. Kyoto is one of the largest cities in Japan, home to many
traditional festivals, great food, historic landmarks, ancient Buddhist
temples, and a number of booming information technology and electronics
enterprises. All of these factors and more help the city thrive, welcoming
people from all over the world into the sacred heart of the beloved city.
Kyoto has a long and rich history that dates all the way back to the sixth
century A.D. It has seen great and terrible wars, beautiful art and poetry,
and talented authors who have made history. Even today the city regularly
pays tribute to its ancient traditions with grand festivals, commercialized
goods, and hand-woven kimonos.
This book is the perfect guide to planning, and enjoying your trip! It
contains proven steps and strategies on how to truly become immersed in
the Japanese culture. You will learn about Kyoto’s economy, appropriate
etiquette, how to get around the city, and fun activities that Kyoto natives
enjoy on a regular basis! As you can expect from traveling to any foreign
country, there are many differences that can affect how much you enjoy
your trip. In this book you will learn everything you need to know about
living in Kyoto, from which phone charger to bring and what kind of
clothes to pack; no stone is left unturned!
Here’s an inescapable fact, travelling to a new country can be exciting but

intimidating. Socialization is different in every place you visit, so blending
into a new culture can be difficult. But when you are finished reading
Kyoto: Local Legends: Travel Guides to Japan’s Ancient City and Kyo
Nara, you will be fully equipped to travel to this beautiful city and
appreciate the experience even more! If you do not develop your
understanding of the Japanese culture and choose to stay ignorant to
traditional customs, you can easily find yourself in a rather embarrassing
situation. This book keeps you from making silly but common tourist
mistakes that could end up costing you more money and keep you from
having an experience of a lifetime.
It’s time for you to become an amazing expert on one of Japan’s oldest
cities! Indulge yourself in the rich and deep history and culture of Kyoto,
and enjoy this book! Have fun and good luck!
Chapter 1: The History of Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is Japan’s third largest city, with more than 1200 years of history.
The city is located in the middle of Honshu, a Japanese Island. With the
relatively large population of one and a half million citizens, Kyoto has
become a great and beloved city. For more than a thousand years, Kyoto
was the Imperial capital of the country; its name even translates to “Capital
City.”
Although there is not even evidence to prove the exact date of human
settlement in Kyoto, archaeologists believe that colonization began as early
as the Paleolithic period. Very little is known about human history about the
geographical area before the sixth century A.D. During which time, the
Shimogamo Shrine was created. The Shimogamo Shine is one of the oldest
Shinto sanctuaries located in the Shimogamo district of the city. It is one of
the seventeen historic monuments that you can visit while in Kyoto.
The city was originally founded in 794 and given the name Heian-Kyo, “the
capital of tranquility.” In 749, Emperor Kammu moved the Imperial Court
to Heian-Kyo, marking the genesis of the Heian period. The years between
its founding and 1868 were known as the golden age for Kyoto. The Heian
Age was noted for the peace and stability that captivated the city. Heian-
Kyo was built into the beautiful and serene mountain landscape. The
aristocrats of the Imperial Court dedicated their time to creating a unique
and classical culture that is still thriving, even during today’s modern
technology-driven age.
The Japanese began establishing their strong country by adapting many

influences from the Chinese. Japan began importing many goods from
China, even adopting their customs of Buddhism and Confucianism. The
Japanese spent a great deal of their time creating art and writing poetry,
much of which was taken from Chinese culture. Even the Chinese language
was used to record new Japanese poems, and followed the forms of tankas
and wakas. However, as the Heian Age continued, the citizens of Heian-
Kyo began to form their own culture, taking less from China and integrating
their knowledge into creating their own values, ideas, and beliefs.
The design of Heian-Kyo was modeled after the Tang Dynasty capital of
China, Chang’an, which today is known as Xi’an. The city’s streets were
originally built into symmetrical grid, just as in Chang’an. However, as the
Japanese began developing their culture in a more unique way, the city
started to take a more asymmetrical form.
In the tenth and eleventh centuries Hein-Kyo was incredibly prosperous,

influenced by artistic endeavors. Producing beautiful works of art and
literature mainly affected the way Japanese society viewed the world, a
factor that continues to regulate even today. In fact, the aristocrats in Kyoto
believed that music, poetry, and all of the other arts were the most important
accomplishments for mankind. Aesthetic skills motivated Kyoto society to
develop inspirational pieces of art work and delectable perfumes. Men and
woman courted each other with poems written in delicate calligraphy, and
each affair was claimed a success or failure depending on the amount of
sensitivity revealed in the poems. Artistic abilities were more of a favored
trait in eligible men, rather than bureaucratic skills. Stories and romantic
encounters found in the diaries of women were treasured as classic works of
literature. The age of art and poetry lasted for more than a thousand years.
Aesthetics are nowhere near as valued today as they were during the Herian
period.
In 1008, noblewoman and lady- in- waiting Murasaki Shikibu wrote what is
considered to be the world’s first novel, The Tale of Genji. The story clearly
details the ideals and sentiments of the period, completely captivating a
perfect portrait of the Heian rituals, artistic methods, and court life of that
time in history. Another well-known and great work from that time is The
Pillow Book, written by the court lady Sei Shaonagon. In her book,
Shonagon expresses her opinions about the world around her and her day to
day activities. But unlike the tragic mood of the Tale of Genji, The Pillow
Book expresses pleasure in the novelty of life in court. Shonagon was very
outspoken with her opinions, exerting her witty outlook on a number of
subjects, including a passionate love affair.
By the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the neglectfulness of government

matters with the courtiers began to surface. The military officials of the
state started taking on more and more power, until the power finally passed
from the influence of the Imperial court to the hands of the samurai in 1185.
Much later, the samurai began adopting many attitudes of the Heian
aristocrats, adopting Buddhism, their forms of poetry, and even their
admiration of natural beauty.
As Kyoto was Japan’s capital for many years, military rules also established
their government in the city, or in other major cities such as Edo or
Kamakura. Just like any great country with a long history, Japan
experienced terrible times of war. From 1467-1477, Kyoto suffered
considerable destruction in the Onin War. The damage was so extensive that
the city did not recover until the middle of the sixteenth century. The battles
between Yamana Sozan and Hosokawa Katsumoto grew increasingly
aggressive, the northern regions of Kyoto fell to ruins and citizens began to
flee. By 1477, the city was nothing more than a place for criminals to move
in and loot any goods that were left behind. Even when Kyoto was left in
ruins, the rest of Japan was still in turmoil. Finally, upset with the deaths of
so many people and destruction of their country, peasants armed themselves
and revolted against the war. Even after the Onin War, power over the
province switched between the hands of many families, resulting in unrest
for many years.
In the sixteenth century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi reconstructed Kyoto by

restructuring new streets and earthwork walls that surrounded the city. Thus
began the Edo period, when the economy in Kyoto prospered, making
Kyoto one of the three major cities in Japan. In 1864 the Hamaguri
rebellion destroyed more than twenty-five thousand homes. Then when the
Emperor moved to Tokyo in 1869, the economy was weakened even more.
The modern Kyoto was formed in April 1889. The city was revived through
the development of Lake Biwa Canal in 1890. Then, in 1932 Kyoto’s
population reached passed that landmark of one million citizens.
Chapter 2: Kyoto Culture
Kyoto is known as the culture capital of Japan, its rich history of art lovers
and poets ripples deep within the city. The result is an outstanding
consolidation of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites in the city that
cannot be found anywhere else in the world. In Chapter three you will be
given more information in the hundreds of historic and sacred sites that are
beloved by the city. Culture in Kyoto Japan is not only strong in aesthetics,
but also in sports, festivals, economics, and government as well. The unique
combination of incorporated ancient Chinese culture and developed
Japanese traditions produces the amazing and incomparable city of Kyoto.
Sports
Just like many major cities around the world, one thing that unites Kyoto is
the exciting world of sports! Kyoto citizens will gather to cheer on their
home football and baseball teams.
Kyoto’s football team is the Kyoto Sanga F.C. The team won the Emperor’s
Cup in 2002, and then went on to compete in J. League’s Division 1 in
2005. Kyoto Sang is a well-respected and long- standing amateur non-
company club whose name honors Japanese Buddhist traditions. The word
“sanga” in Sanskrit means “club” or “group,” commonly implemented to
designate Buddhist congregations. The symbolism in Kyoto Sanga F.C.’s
name pays tribute to Kyoto’s custom of Buddhist temples. The group was
formerly names “Kyoto Purple Sanga,” with the color purple representing
Kyoto’s history of being Japan’s ancient imperial capital. Kyoto Sanga is
the oldest club to compete in the J. League. There are also amateur football
groups; F.C. Kyoto BAMB, Kyoto Shiko Club, and the all girls club
Bunnys Kyoto S.C.
Although Kyoto does not have a professional male baseball team, the
citizens still love the game! In 2010 the new women’s professional baseball
team, the Kyoto Asto Dreams moved into their new home, Nishikyogoku
Stadium. One professional baseball club that is loved all across Japan is The
Hanshin Tigers. The Tigers are the second oldest professional baseball
franchise in the country, originally founded back in 1935. The Hanshin
Tigers have a long- standing rivalry with the Yomiuri Giants based in
Tokyo. When the Kyoto Asto Dreams aren’t playing, the city supports their
highs school baseball teams, Heian and Toba are two of the strongest teams
in the city.
Another sport that is relatively popular in Kyoto is horse racing. Fushimi-

ku is home to Kyoto Racecourse, one of the ten courses that are operated by
the Japan Racing Association. The Kyoto Racecourse has hosted a number
of large horse races, such as: Spring Tenno Sho, Queen Elizabeth II
Commemorative Cup, and the Kikuka-sho.
Economy
Kyoto, Japan thrives off one the industry of information technology and
electronics. It is home to some important tech names that you may already
be familiar with: Dainippon Screen, Shimadzu Corp. Intelligent Systems,
Nichicon, Horiba, TOSE, Nissin Electric, OMRON, GS Yuasa, Sagawa
Express. Nissen Holdings, Volks, and Nintendo.
The tourism industry also plays a key role in Kyoto’s economy, the city’s
historic sites and heritages are consistently visited by schools and groups
from all across the country, not to mention frequent visitors from other
countries. It was just in 2014 that the government of Kyoto announced that
the city had made a record breaking number of tourists visited that year,
even being hailed as the world’s best city in U.S. Travel magazine.
Small consistent nods to traditional Japanese culture, through making crafts,
are one other major industry that adds to Kyoto’s thriving economy. There
are a number of talented kimono weavers, promoting Kyoto’s status as the
center of kimono manufacturing. What makes the idea of buying traditional
art in Kyoto is that the industry is mostly run by artisans in small
companies. However, there has recently been a slight decline in the business
as the sales rates of traditional Japanese goods remains stagnate.
Festivals
Kyoto is practically famous for holdings a number of traditional festivals,

some of which date back more than a thousand years. These festivals prove
to be a major tourist attraction for their colorful and vibrant display of true
Japanese culture. There are three large annual festivals of Kyoto: Aoi
Matsuri, Gion Matsuri, and Jidai Matsuri. Aoi Matsuri is a celebration for
Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines that takes place every year on May 15th.
There is a great parade that beings in the old imperial palace Gosho, and
then heads to the Shimogamo shine before ending at the Kamigamo shine.
Everyone in the city, even the animals, wear Aoi on their body.
The second festival, Gion Matsuri, happens throughout the entire month of
July. It is one of the three great festivals in all of Japan, celebrating the
Yasaka shrine. The first two weeks lead up to a huge parade of floats on
July 17th when people from all over the world gather in Kyoto to watch it.
Jidai Matsuri “Festival of the Ages,” is a festival that celebrates Kyoto’s

birthday. Every year it takes place on October 22nd; it started in 1895 on the
1,100th anniversary after the location of the capital was moved to Kyoto in
794. Even though the festival is not as old as most others that are held in
Japan, it is very large. The parade is more than a mile long with nearly two
thousand participants, and about seventy horses and cow. All of the people
and the animals don costumes that date to different periods of time.
The Bon Festival on August 16th is marked with the Gozan no Okuribi,
lighting multiple fires across the mountains to guide the spirits home. There
are many, many festivals and celebrations that are held in Kyoto and Japan
all year round; and Kyoto natives welcome people all around the world to
come join them in their celebrations.
Chapter 3: Here and There: What You Need to Know
It is fairly obvious that when you travel to a new country, there are many differences
that you notice right away. Fashion, cuisine, etiquette, and hand gestures can all be
entirely new. Not to mention the anguish it would cause finding out that your phone
charger does not plug into the country’s unique outlets. This chapter is dedicated to
teaching you all of the ins and outs of life in Kyoto, so you do not have to worry about
making any mistakes.
Customs
Because Japan has a long history, the country has developed many unique customs.
And although you may not come into a situation that may call for one or two of these
traditions, it is beneficial to be familiar with social rituals that Kyoto’s citizens hold
dear.
Although it may sound a bit superstitious to a visitor, there is a certain way

you must enter a person’s house while staying in Kyoto. When entering or
exiting, people refrain from stepping on the threshold sill of the door. This is
because the Japanese relate the sills to the heads of people. By stepping on
the threshold sill, it means you are stepping on people’s heads. This
symbolic ritual comes from the belief that a person who walks on people’s
heads will never be successful in life.
It is a custom in Japan that thirty days after a baby is born, they are taken to
a temple in Kyoto for an ancient tradition. While there, the parents write a
large symbol on a boy’s forehead and a small one of a girl’s in red ink. The
symbols are representative of the character traits that the parents wish for
their child to develop. The big symbol on the baby boy is a prayer that he
will become a strong and easygoing man when he grows up. The small
symbol on the baby girl is to signify that they hope she will become a sweet
and thoughtful woman.
Regardless if you are still hungry, it is considered ill- mannered in Kyoto to
eat all of your food! As a guest, you should leave a bit of food left
unfinished to show your host that they have given you enough food.
In Japan, a broom is not just for sweeping up dirt on the floor, it is
considered to clean up evils as well. Therefore, the Japanese are frequently
seen using brooms throughout the day. However, during New Years Day
they refrain from sweeping. This is because they invite the gods into their
homes, and do not want to accidently clean them up!
On the 16th of August, citizens in Kyoto burn fires on the five surrounding
mountains to say farewell to the souls of ancestors. The fires are configured
into characters and shapes. The people believe that if you drink a beverage
that reflects the light of the character/ symbol, you will not get sick.
Kyoto is home to many catering shops. Although it may be good manners to
be invited to somebody’s home for a meal, it is considered rude to serve
guests with home-made dishes.
Unlike the United States and many other countries, Japan does not
acknowledge the custom of tipping at restaurants. Kyoto is a very spiritual
place that values simple gestures of appreciation, like smiling or saying
“thank you” instead of offering tips. Servers will often refuse tips if you try
to give them gratitude. In fact, if you leave a tip on the table, the servers
might think that you forgot or lost your money. In Japan, when people say
they are offering you “service,” the word implies that it is free of charge.
Another custom in Japan is removing your shoes before going into houses,
chapels at temples and shrines, and other buildings that may require it. Once
you take your shoes off, you should nicely place them to the side, out of the
way.
When visiting temples and shrines in Kyoto, most of the worshippers live
nearby and are often found visiting them. When visiting these local
precincts, you should refrain from making any noise and visit these sacred
buildings in silence. Regardless of your own religion or beliefs, you should
still be respectful and remain quiet when viewing them.
It is also impolite to take pictures inside of buildings, especially temples and
shrines. In many cases, taking photos is prohibited. Whether or not there is a
notice, you should still refrain from taking pictures inside.
It is prohibited to eat and drink inside most traditional and sacred buildings.
U.S.A. Time Zone Differences
City Departed From Approximate Flight Time Time Difference in Japan
Detroit (EST) 12hrs 5 min 14 hours ahead

Chicago (CST) 16 hours 15 hours ahead
San Francisco (PST) 10 hrs 30 min 17 hours ahead
Los Angeles (PST) 11 hrs 17 hours ahead
Honolulu (HAST) 7 hrs 5 min 19 hours ahead
Currency
Currency exchange rates can be one of the most complicated and frustrating aspects of
traveling abroad. Countries belonging to the same continent may share different
currencies and not all money is equal. Although you may have to pull out your
calculator once in a while to figure out yen amounts on the fly, familiarizing yourself
with Japan’s currency now will make the process a lot easier.
Country Currency Yen

United States 1 U.S. Dollar 122.61
Europe 1 Euro 132.04
Great Britain 1 British Pound 186.76
Mexico 1 Peso 7.35
Australia 1 Australia Dollar 87.39
Canada 1 Canadian Dollar 92.02
Most stores and shops in Kyoto will not exchange foreign currency; you must go to a
bank or post office to do the exchange. Luckily, all cities within the Kyoto Prefecture
have post offices where you can exchange your home country’s currency.
There are some ATM machines that operate twenty-four hours a day, but most are only
open until evening because they are located at the Kyoto Central Post Office and
banks. There are also international ATM machines available that work with PLUS and
Cirrus.
In the year 2000, Japan released new 500 yen coins, which are now in circulation with
the old one. Then in 2004 the 1,000, 5,000, and 10,00 yen bills were all replaced with
newly designed bills. Now that it is over a decade later, these facts may seem
insignificant. And although all stores and shops accept both the new bills and coins,
some vending machines do not.
Telephones
When you go to stay at a hotel in Kyoto, some of them may not have telephones
available in the rooms. If there is a phone in your room, the charges for it will be
included in the bill for the room charges.
To call someone or some place in Japan, you must first dial the number of the
international phone service provider that you use, and then enter the international
prefix number. After that, you need to dial the country code for Japan, and then the
phone number (excluding the number 0 that is used for the first digit of the area code
you are calling.) The number of the international phone service provider and prefix
number will be dependent on the country you are calling from and your phone service
provider.
To call someone in another country from Japan, you will need to speak with the person
at the front desk. Every place that you stay at will have its own way of connecting you
to international calls. To dial directly to the United States from Japan, you need to dial
Japan’s international access code, which is 010. Then, you must dial the United States’
country code, followed by the area code (dial the number 1 first), and then the seven
digit phone number.
Drinking Water
Surely you are aware that drinking tap water in some countries can be potentially
dangerous, resulting in terrible stomachaches and hours wasted lying in bed. But, there
is a high standard of safety maintained for the water supply in Japan, even compared
on a global scale. Not to mention there are many natural wells and springs all over
Kyoto, though not all of that water drinkable. Therefore, it is not suggested for you to
refill a water bottle or container with water from springs or wells. It is also important to
note that some places may charge you for water as a means for conserving their
resources.
Chapter 4: What to Do While Visiting
There are dozens upon dozens of amazing and beautiful sites to visit in
Kyoto. There are dozens of museums and many historical shrines that make
traveling to Japan really worthwhile. This guide to the most popular places
around the city will help make your trip to Kyoto an ever greater
experience.
Museums
Kyoto National Museum: This is one of four national museums in Japan. It

focuses on classic Japanese art, featuring pieces from both its permanent
and temporary special exhibitions. It is closed on Mondays and only costs
520 yen to see the permanent collection and 1500 yen to view the special
exhibitions.
Kyoto International Manga Museum: This museum is unique in that it

exhibits manga as well functions as a facility for manga research. It has a
grand collection of manga that visitors can walk through and special
exhibits on themes corresponding with international manga. The museum is
closed on Wednesdays and costs 800 yen to enter.
National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto: This museum was built in 1986
and is typically referred to by its initials (MOMAK). Unlike the Kyoto
National Museum, the National Medium of Modern Art switches out the
pieces on display from its permanent collection every few months. There
are also special exhibits that are organized in affiliation with other groups
and museums. This museum is also closed on Mondays and is only 430
yen; although this rate does not include the fees for special exhibitions.
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art: This museum opened in the 1930’s in
commemoration of the enthronement of the Hirohito and is placed across
from MOMAK. This large museum displays major works and winning
entries from local competitions. Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art is closed
on Mondays and varies in cost depending on the exhibitions on display.
Kyo Nara (Heijo Palace)
Heijo-Kyo was the capital city 710-740 and then again from 745-784. The
palace is listed as one of the seventeen UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Heijo Palace was the imperial residence from 710 -794 C.E. The building is
surrounded by a large rectangular wall, with several administrative,
ceremonial, and government buildings that served multiple ministries.
Within the enclosed wall was another separately walled residency for the
emperor, with residences for the imperial consorts. The palace’s original
manifest function was similar to the model of the Chinese government in
the seventh century. The Heijo Palace hosted many great ceremonies and
state affairs, proving to be a spectacular landmark of Japan.
Temples
Ginkaku-ji Temple: The famous “Silver Pavillion,” is a popular tourist

destination, featuring elegant halls and gardens. Be sure to visit when the
temple first opens during the day or just before closing time so there will be
less people around. While visiting, be sure to climb the trail in the back of
the garden to see a gorgeous view of the city. Admission is just 500 yen for
adults and 300 yen for children.
Daitoku-ji Temple: This temple is also the home of some of the most
beautiful Zen gardens in the city. Daitoku-ji Temple was founded in 1326,
and is enclosed in a space with several other temples and sub temples. A
bonus of visiting this beautiful building is that admission is free!
Kinkaku-ji Temple: Kinkaku-ji is a beautiful famed “Golden Pavilion,”
iconic for its unique golden coating. However, the site attracts large groups
of tourists that can distract you from the experience. To visit the apparition-
like golden hall is only 400 yen for adult admission and 300 yen for
children.
Chion-in Temple: This temple is frequently referred to as the “Vatican of

Pure Land Buddhism.” It is very large with vast grounds and one of the
most popular temples in Kyoto. The great san-mon gate is the official
entrance to the grounds. This temple served as a location for the 2003 film
The Last Samurai. It is free to enter the hall, however you must take off
your shows to enter. To view the inner grounds and buildings costs 300 yen
for adults and 150 yen for children.
Kyoto’s Most Popular Shrines
Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine: This shrine is not merely a simple structure, it

is an entire complex of shrines and gates that expand across a whole
mountain in Southeast Kyoto. Fushimi- Inari-Taisha is the most important
and impressive place in the city, plus admission is free!
Shimogamo-jinja Shrine: This shrine is another beautiful shrine that is

perfect for taking a peaceful stroll. A long walkway leads up to the main
hall and winds through a forest of blooming broadleaf Tadasu-no-Mori
trees. Shimogamo-jinja is particularly special because Tadasu-no-Mori are
somewhat rare in Japan. On May 15th there is an annual festival where the
shrine is the final stop of the parade, and the people participating form a
heart around the Aoi Matsuri. Admission to this beautiful destination is
free.
Yasaka-jinja Shrine: This shrine overlooks the Gion entertainment district,

and is regarded as the spiritual heart of Kyoto. It also sponsors the Gion
Matsuri, one of Kyoto’s grandest festivals. The shrine is beautifully painted
and is Kyoto’s most popular cherry blossom tree site. Yasaka-jinja is an
ideal destination for weddings, baby blessings, and praying. At night the
shrine is illuminated by soft-lighted lanterns, providing a serene place for
an night walk.
Chapter 5: Traveling in Kyoto
Kyoto is a massively industrious city, with many means of travelling. No

matter where you are, you will never have to worry about getting from
place to place. Starting with the rail system:
Just like most major cities in the United States, Kyoto has a fully
functionally and impressive rail transportation system, managed by several
companies and organizations. Kyoto Station is the city’s main terminal,
with connections to the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train, a Kintetsu line,
and municipal subway line. It is one of the most popular stations in all of
Japan. There is also the Keihan, Hankyu, and other networks that provide
scheduled services within the city and to other local and distant destinations
as well.
There is also a subway system available; the Kyoto Municipal Subway.

The system is run by the Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau and
consists of the Karasuma line and the Tozai Line. The Karasuma Line runs
north and south, is colored green on the map, and its stations are
characterized by the letter “K” followed by numbers. The trains connect to
other lines at Kyoto Station and the Hankyu Kyoto Line. The Tozai Line
runs east and west, is colored in bright red, and its stations are labeled with
the letter “T” followed by numbers. All of the stations for the Tozai Line
are located in the city except Rokujizo.
As Kyoto is a very technology- driven city, there is also a high- speed rail
that makes traveling faster and easier. The Tokaido Shinkansen is operated
by JR Central, providing high- speed rail service between Kyoto, Tokyo,
Yokohama, and Nagoya. It also travels to more local westward destinations
near Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Kitakyushu. The travel
distance from Tokyo to Kyoto in the Tokaido Shinkansen takes
approximately two hours and twenty minutes. From Fukuoka to Kyoto it
takes a little over three hours. All of the trains make stops at Kyoto Station.
Kyoto does not have its own airport, but visitors can get to the city through
the Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport located in
Osaka Prefecture. The Haruka Express is managed by JR West and
frequently carries passengers from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station is just
an hour and thirteen minutes. Osaka Airport Transport buses make
connections between Itami Airport and Kyoto Station Hachijo Gate in less
than an hour, but one- way connections cost 1,280 yen. However, some
buses may travel farther than Kyoto Station, making stops at major hotels
and terminals in downtown Kyoto.
Kyoto has an extensive municipal bus network. Most tourists happily

accompany regular commuters on public buses or take tour buses
throughout the city. There are also private carriers that function in the city.
You never have to worry about missing a bus for not understanding service
announcements or schedules. Kyoto buses make announcements in English
and signs with the locations written in the Latin alphabet. Buses travel
between stops throughout Kyoto, including Kyoto Station.
Most of the buses in the city have a fixed fare rate. An all day city bus pass
is 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for a child. It can be used inside the
allocated zone in Kyoto with unlimited use on the day of purchase. When
you travel outside of the allocated zone you must pay the extra amount
charged. Some bus and train inclusive passes for traveling around Kyoto are
priced between 1,000- 3,000 yen. There are also two- day passes available
for purchase. Passes can be used for visiting many historic locations around
the city, and there are typically leaflets provided with routes and fares for
the buses so you are never lost.
Cycling is another commonly used form of transportation in the city. In

fact, the geography and scale of Kyoto are designed to make navigation on
bicycles easy. Kyoto is a peaceful city in which the citizens show kindness
and respect for one another, so bicycle theft is not a common occurrence.
However, locating permitted bike parking areas can be a challenge. Bikes
that are placed in non-permitted areas will be impounded.
The roads in Kyoto provide many connections with other parts of Japan,
mainly through the Maishin Expressway. The Meishin Expressway has two
interchanges in Kyoto, Kyoto Higashi in Yamashina-ku and Kyoto Minamo
in Fushim-ku. There is also the Kyoto Jukan Expressway, which connects
the city to the northern parts of Kyoto Prefecture. Just recently completed in
2010 is the Daini Keihan Road, a bypass to Osaka.
A great factor when traveling on Kyoto’s highways is that there are fewer
tolls that you have to pay, especially in comparison to other large Japanese
cities. Kyoto features both dual and triple-carriageway national roads. There
are nine national highways that run through city.
Visas
Citizens from some countries may need to require a visa to enter Japan,
though there are some exceptions. To check if you qualify as someone who
needs a visa, you need to contact the embassy or a tourist bureau. Obtaining
a visa can be a lengthy processes, but well worth the trouble. First, you need
to get a visa application sheet from a consulate department of a Japanese
Embassy. Then you need to ready the necessary documents and submit
them with your application at the Embassy. You will receive a temporary
receipt if all of the documents are in order. It is important to keep the
receipt until the Embassy contacts you. If any of the documents are unclear
or incomplete, the Embassy will contact you and request for additional
information. It may take up to a week to receive a visa after submitting your
application.
The documents that are needed for entering and departing from Japan can
be found at the airport, or you can get them on the plane. Please note that if
your passport is going to expire in less than six months, you may be denied
entrance into the country.
Climate in Kyoto
Climate throughout Kyoto Prefecture is similar to some parts of the United

States. The average annual temperature is 42 degrees Fahrenheit, but is can
go as high as 103 degrees Fahrenheit, and as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are four distinct season that are comparable to the annual weather in
the north eastern United States. However, the rainy season is during June
and July, when it can rain continuously. The average annual rainfall is 21
inches.
The Language Barrier
The people in Kyoto are fairly familiar with dealing with foreigners, so you
will be able to easily use English at the airports and larger hotel chains.
Even if you encounter a Kyoto native who does not speak the best English,
you can typically communicate by using gestures or other such means to get
your message across. Recently there have been more street signs, store
signs, menus, and information boards that are written in the English
alphabet.
Thank you again for purchasing Kyoto: Local Legends: Travel Guides to
Japan’s Ancient City and Kyo Nara!
I hope this book was able to help you to understand and appreciate the
history and beauty of Kyoto.
The next step is to use the information provided in this guide to have the
trip of a lifetime.
Finally, if you enjoyed this book, please take the time to share your
thoughts and post a review on Amazon. It’d be greatly appreciated!
>> CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A REVIEW <<

Online Arbitrage
How to Steps to Make Money Online from Sourcing

and Selling Products on Amazon
Shane Blanc
© 2015
Introduction
I want to thank you and congratulate you for downloading the book Online
Arbitrage: How to Steps to Make Money from Sourcing and Selling
Products on Amazon.
This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to become a truly
successful entrepreneur using online arbitrage. It will let you work from the
convenience of your home making thousands of dollars or more every
month.
Here’s an inescapable fact: Online arbitrage has become a very popular

career choice for those who wish to work at home. You will need the steps
and strategies in this book to get a leg up on the competition.
If you do not develop your online arbitrage skills, then you may be losing
out on thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars in sales. Here, you
will find everything you need to know about choosing and sourcing items to
resell, the selling process, how to beat your competition, and more.
It’s time for you to become an amazing entrepreneur using online arbitrage
on Amazon. Good luck and happy reading!
Chapter 1: Online Arbitrage: An Overview
In the recent years, online arbitrage has become popular as the easy way to
make thousands of dollars or more every month by working from the
convenience of your home. You can buy items online and then sell them for
more, keeping the profit for yourself. One of the major retailers working
with those practicing online arbitrage is Amazon. This book will teach you
all of the ins and outs of the business, from choosing products to sell to the
tips to make more money than your competitors.
What is Arbitrage?
Before you can begin to understand the online arbitrage process, you should
first have an understanding of what arbitrage is. Arbitrage is a term used to
describe the profitable practice of taking advantage of the price difference
for a single item between two markets. The difference between market
prices is the profit made by the person practicing arbitrage. When this is
done online, on sites such as Amazon, it requires little work to make this
profit if you know what you are doing. This guide will teach you all that
you need to know.
The Goal of Online Arbitrage
For online arbitrage to be successful, you must exploit the price differences
in the market. This involves finding an item at a low price, sourcing the
item, and then selling it at a higher rate. Once the item sells, you get to keep
the amount of the difference. Making money using arbitrage is really that
simple, and this book will teach you everything you need to know in order
to be successful at it.
Online Arbitrage vs. Retail Arbitrage

The basic principles of these two different types of arbitrage is the same, as
they both involve sourcing items at lower price, selling them, and then
keeping the profit. The major difference between these two processes is
where the items are sourced. Retail arbitrage requires sourcing of items
from the store, while online arbitrage uses items sourced from online
retailers. This makes online arbitrage more convenient than retail arbitrage,
because you can do it from the comfort of your home.
What You Will Learn
Now that you have a basic understanding of what online arbitrage is, it is
time to learn how the entire process works. First, you will learn what you
need to know to be successful in the world of online arbitrage. Then, we
will discuss how to choose products to sell, where to get them, and how to
sell them. I will also overview the basic math that is need to calculate
information, tools and apps that can make this simple job even easier, and
tips that can help you excel over your competitors.
Chapter 2: Getting Started: What You Need for Success
The great thing about online arbitrage is that there are only a few things that
you need to be successful. This chapter will overview them all.
An Internet Connection
One of the most important things that you need is an Internet connection.
This is what will give you the option of working from home, as it allows
you to buy products, upload photos of products for resale, sell your items,
stay up to date with your business, and more.
Time to Run Your Business
The other essential thing that you will need for success is time. Online
arbitrage requires you to have the time to find and buy items, upload photos
and descriptions, sell and ship your items, and so much more. This takes up
a significant amount of time. Additionally, if you are new to online
arbitrage, you may need to spend time researching techniques and strategies
to make sure that your business stays on top.
Knowledge of the Amazon Marketplace
While it is not necessary, knowledge of the Amazon marketplace can go a

long way to helping you become a success. This can help you save time
when navigating, and also give you a leg up on the competition if you know
how/what products to sell and search for. Do not worry if you are not
familiar with this yet, though. This is something that will come with time.
Cash to Start Your Business

The amount of money that you are willing to spend to start your online
arbitrage business is up to you. However, keep in mind that the more you
spend, the more you will profit. If you do not have a lot to sink into the
business, do not worry. You will be able to start small and use the profits to
help branch out your business and become more successful.
A Basic Understanding of Math
Being successful at online arbitrage requires a little bit of math, such as

calculating percentages and profit margins. When you are purchasing items,
you will need to know how much of a profit you can make spending the
least amount of money. You will also need to be able to account for fees for
selling on Amazon. Fortunately, this requires only the most basic of math
skills and nearly anyone can do it.
An Edge on the Competition
Anyone with free time and an Internet connection can make a profit using
online arbitrage. This makes it a very popular and competitive market.
What you need to set yourself apart, therefore, is edge on the competition.
Fortunately, by purchasing this book, you have made a great start. By the
time you have finished, you will have all of the basic knowledge that you
need to succeed, as well as proven tips and strategies that will help you
become the best.
As you can see from this chapter, it is really not that hard to get started
working with online arbitrage. As long as you have an Internet connection,
a little bit of startup cash, and time to buy and sell items, the rest will come
with a combination of research and time. Now that you are prepared with
the things you need, it is time to get down to exactly how you can make a
profit.
Chapter 3: Deciding What to Sell
So, the first step to online arbitrage is to find the items that you are going to
sell. This is known as sourcing items. Sourcing items is a crucial part of the
online arbitrage process because one of three possible conditions must be
met for arbitrage to be possible.
The Three Conditions
The first condition that makes arbitrage possible is differing prices in two or
more markets. When an item costs more in one market than in another, it
allows smart investors to take advantage of arbitrage. You may be thinking
that this condition is obvious, but the other two are not quite as much.
The second possible condition that makes this process possible is having
two separate items with the same value not being sold at the same price.
This is a tricky one. Basically, pretend that you have a collectible coffee
mug for Denver selling at $15 on one site and the same type of collectible
coffee mug, but for Sacramento, is selling for $25 on another site, you
would be able to sell the Denver mug for the higher price on the same site
that the Sacramento mug is on.
The final condition in which arbitrage may be possible is considering the

future value of an item. While this can be hard to calculate, some items
actually have more value in the future than they do the day that you buy
them. Basically, you buy the item and hold onto it until market prices go up
and you can turn a profit.
Knowing What to Sell
Now that you have an understanding of the conditions that are necessary for
online arbitrage to be profitable, you need to know what to sell. The great
thing about selling things online is that you have access to an entire
population of people that have interest in a number of different products.
This means that you can sell well-chosen items from any category. The rest
of this chapter will go into detail about the different things you must take
into consideration before choosing to sell an item.
Supply and Demand
The first thing that you should consider about a product before choosing it
for resale is how it fits into the chain of supply and demand. If the supply of
a product is too great, then it is highly unlikely that it will continue to have
a high resale value. As the market floods with any one particular item, the
value will start to drop. You must also consider demand. Are there people
who would have an interest in buying your product? While you could just
purchase what you choose to and wait for it to resell, the more time that
passes leaves a chance for the value of the item to go down and lessen your
profit margin. Therefore, an item that you are selling should not have an
overabundant supply, and it should also be valuable to potential buyers.
Measuring Resale Potential
There are two things to consider when you are measuring how much
potential an item has to be resold; the percentage off and the price points.
Consider that there is a $40 discount on an $80. This is a 50% discount.

Now, consider that there is $400 discount on an item. While you may jump
to buy the second item at first glance, now imagine that that item costs
$4,000. So, this is only a 10% discount, which actually makes the first
choice a better option. This is why percentages are important.
Percentage cannot measure an item’s resale value alone, however. If you

find a 75% off item and a 50% off item, you may think that the first is better
for resale. However, consider that the first item costs $4 and the second
costs $50. While the first item is a great deal, you would have to sell many
units to make it a worthwhile investment. The second one, you would be
able to make $25 for every unit sold.
Relative vs. Absolute Discounts
When you consider the percentage off and the price drop of the previous
model, it is considered a relative or an absolute discount. The absolute
discount represents the actual dollar amount that the item has been reduced
by, while the relative discount is the percentage off. While absolute
discounts can sometimes be quite impressive, this does not mean that they
have a high relative discount as well. In most cases, you should look to sell
prices with the highest relative discount, provided that the profit you can
make from the item is worth your time.
Sourcing for Resale on Amazon
When it is time to resell your products on Amazon, there are a few different
things to be on the lookout for. The first thing that you will want to consider
is the Amazon price. If the price offered by Amazon is significantly higher
than what you paid for the item, you may think that you are set up to turn a
high profit. However, this is not always the case.
You must also look for the price that “Other Sellers” are selling the item for.
This is listed underneath the features and specifications for the item, on the
same page. It will say “New from…” This will be next to an area where the
price for refurbished units of the same item is stated. If there are several
sellers that are selling it for a price close to what you can buy it for, then
you may not want to buy the item.
The final thing that you should consider is the desirability of the item. If the
product has a low rating or several poor reviews (or no reviews) then it is
going to be a lot less desirable than something that people have bought and
been satisfied with. Be sure that you consider all three of these factors
before you purchase a product for resale on Amazon.
There are novices in the area of online arbitrage and there are experts. One
common mistake that people make is buying products and reselling them
without doing research. Then, when their item takes a long time to sell or it
decreases in value, they lose some of their profits. To be an expert, you
have to take the time to consider all of the factors discussed in this chapter
before you buy something for resale.
Chapter 4: Where to Source Items
Now that you have an understanding of how to choose the items that you
will be reselling on Amazon, it is time to discuss where you can source
these items. You will be surprised to find that the Internet is full of
discounts, sales, and price cut backs that you can take advantage of-as long
as you know where to look.
Amazon Movers & Shakers
One place that you can start searching for top-selling items is the movers
and shakers category on Amazon. This section exists for most of the main
categories on Amazon and it lists the products that have been the most
successful over the previous 24 hours. This gives you an idea of what items
are in demand. Then, you can search for these at lower prices on other
websites.
Amazon Warehouse Deals

The Amazon Warehouse sells items that are classified as pre-owned and/or
open-box. These items are considered to be used, but they are rated in terms
of their condition. You can buy items for lower prices here, and then sell
them on the site. Amazon rates these items according to condition,
including acceptable, good, very good, and like new.
Used Items
Something to note is that Amazon does allow used items to be sold in most
of their categories (not baby, groceries, clothing, etc.). Therefore, you can
sell used items on Amazon. The reason that many people practicing online
arbitrage avoid this is because it requires the items to be sent to Amazon to
be processed. Because the quality must be checked, it takes longer for
processing. If you avoid deals on items simply because they are used, then
you could be losing hundreds of dollars or more every month.
Daily Deal Sites
Daily deal sites are those that offer several deals from different stores
around the Internet, giving you the opportunity to search through potential
sourcing items without having to visit all of those websites. Some sites may
require that you bid for these items, while others allow you to purchase
them outright. While daily deal sites will be hit or miss, this gives them the
advantage of being straightforward and easy to evaluate. Remember, these
sites change daily so be sure to check them every day.
Liquidation Sites/Sales
Online liquidation sales and liquidation websites sell off items that once
belonged to someone who needs to sell everything. The need to sell quickly
leads them to offer the items at very low prices. This can be a great place to
look for rare or especially valuable items, however, you must be sure that
you know exactly what you are buying. It can be hard to find out exactly
what the product is in some cases, which makes liquidation sales and
websites more difficult to evaluate than some of the other sourcing options.
eBay
Another place that you can choose to buy items from is eBay. This works
because different marketplaces will have different prices for items.
Craigslist
You may be able to find rare or valuable items on Craigslist in good
condition. Some may even be really affordable, especially if the owner does
not know the true value of the item. However, you have to be cautious
because Craigslist does not guarantee reliability of the sellers or the items
sold.
Online Thrift Stores
You might be surprised that some of your favorite thrift stores have a
website. If they do, visit their website to check out their inventory. If you
find that they have any items that you may want to resell, make your
purchase. Thrift shops are a great place to find like new items at a fair price.
Social Media Sites
Social media sites are full of information, including about where the best
deals are, including coupons, discounts, sales, and more. This may be
advertised on the webpage, shared by your friends, or even shared by the
company or website offering the deal.
Virtual Assistants
If you can afford it, you may not need to source items yourself at all. Virtual
assistants come in the form of a single, personal assistant or in a virtual
assistant group. When you work with a personal assistant, you will be
provided with a list of items that can possibly be sold each day. Then, you
will take the time to go through and decide which of these items you
actually have an interest in purchasing. A virtual assistant group is when
you and several other sellers pay for a shared group. Each day, the group
will be provided with sourcing lists of possible items.
Chapter 5: Selling Your Products on Amazon
Once you have purchased a few items to start your online arbitrage journey
with, it is time to sell your products on Amazon. This chapter will tell you
all you need to know about selling on Amazon. It will cover selling both
new and used items, and provide a few tips that you should know to
successfully sell on Amazon.
Registering
The first step to selling on Amazon is registering. To do this, you will need
a seller account. You have two options for membership. The first is an
individual seller. This allows you to have a free account; however, you have
to pay .99 cents per item. The second option is a professional seller, which
costs $39.99 per month currently, but requires that 15% be paid on each
sale.
In addition to the fairer fees, choosing to be a professional seller gives you

the opportunity to earn your way into restricted categories, choose more
categories to sell in, to sell more than 40 items per month (which individual
accounts are restricted to), and to create new product listings to sell items.
These advantages paired with the cost of selling makes the professional
account a much better deal.
Fulfillment by Amazon
Once you have registered as a seller, you have access to Amazon’s

Fulfillment by Amazon service. To use this service, you simply ship your
item to one of their fulfillment centers. There, the item will be stored until it
is sold. Once sold, Amazon will choose, pack, and ship the product to the
customer. If the customer has any comments, complaints, or questions, the
Amazon customer service team will handle them for you. The great thing
about the fulfillment center is that Amazon will pay you 60 days after
receiving the item, regardless of whether or it has sold at that time. One of
the major benefits of this is that they do most of the work, while you collect
the money from the sale.
Listing the Item
To sell your item, you will need to list it on the site. Begin by finding the
exact model that you are trying to sell, down to the color. Once you have
done this, find the “Sell Your” link found by the buying options on the side
of the page. If it does not exist, you will need to find the UPC and create the
listing, but only if you have a professional account and are permitted to do
so. Otherwise, you will not be able to sell the item if you cannot find it
listed.
List the Condition
The next step is to list the condition of the item. This can be brand new, or
used, which will be categorized as adequate, good, very good, or like new.
Remember, if you are selling used items than you will have needed to send
them to the Amazon warehouse beforehand so that they can be checked for
their condition.
Write Comments
Once you have listed the condition, you can write anything that the buyer
should know in the comment box. Begin with any flaws that your used item
may have, and then use this box to make your item more attractive to a
possible buyer.
Set the Price

The next step is setting the price. To make your item the most desirable, you
should try to have a price lower than your competitors- even if it is only by
a single dollar. Having the lowest price is a huge advantage, especially if
your item is being stored in the FBA warehouse. The reason for this is that
the FBA warehouse assumes free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime, so
this lowest price gets listed first.
Wait for the Item to Sell
The final step is waiting for the item to sell. The good news is that Amazon
will pay you within 60 days, regardless of if your item sold. Otherwise, you
will receive payment shortly after the item is sold.
Selling on Amazon: What You Need to Know to Excel Over the

Competition
#1: Know Amazon’s Rules
Working with Amazon offers huge advantages, including their access to

tools for their sellers and the FBA program. However, you must follow
Amazon’s rules to be allowed to sell on Amazon. You can access these
through several tabs in Seller Central. Adhering to these principles is
critical, because Amazon will not let you sell on the site unless you do this.
#2: Get Listed in the Buy Box
An impressive 78% of sales come from the buy box, which is the page that
a potential buyer is redirected to once they have clicked on the item’s search
results. You can get into the buy box in three ways. First, try having the
lowest price (including shipping). When you use FBA, your shipping is
always counted as zero. The other way that you can get into the buy box is
to sell a unique item that nobody else has listed on Amazon. Finally, use the
bundling policy provided by Amazon so that you can have a unique
collection of items. This uniqueness will also guarantee you the buy box.
#3: Trust the Item, Not the UPC Codes
It is not uncommon for a manufacturer to update their product, or add

features without changing the UPC code. If you do end up selling an item
under the wrong product description/UPC code, it can significantly damage
your reputation as a seller. Be sure that you check the features and
description of the item, not just the code.
#4: Write an Accurate Product Description
If you are listing a unique item on Amazon and must provide your own
product description, be sure to do so accurately. While this does not
guarantee additional sales, it does help protect your reputation. It also
prevents customer complaints and returns when they do not get the product
that they expected to buy.
#5: Ask for Feedback
In most cases, customers will not provide feedback for your item unless
they are asked. Even then, they may choose not to. You can increase the
likelihood of receiving feedback by asking, even if you decide to use a
third-party service that will send out emails and direct customers to leave
feedback for you.
#6: Try to Get Product Reviews
In addition to providing feedback, some customers will provide product

reviews if you solicit them. You can do this by emailing customers who
leave positive comments about the product. This has the potential to
increase item sales by as much as 12%.
#7: Choose Good Images
The larger and clearer that an image is, the better it will look to potential
buyers. Choose high quality images that meet Amazon’s rules and
guidelines to prevent the picture from being removed.
#8: Be Aware of Fees and Adjust Your Prices Accordingly
One reason that you may want to sell higher priced items is because the fees
are in the form of a fixed price. So, if you have a fixed fee of $2.50, for
example, and your average selling price is around $25, you are paying a
higher percentage of fees than you would be with an average selling price
of $50.
#9: Be Cautious with Shipping Labels and Package Well
When you send items to FBA, it can be very easy to mix up shipping labels.
This is especially true if you have a large order. Make sure you double
check, to prevent this error that can cost you time and money. You should
also be sure that all items are packaged correctly, in a way that will prevent
damage, penalty fees, and delayed orders.
#10: Convince Customers to Remove Feedback
While you cannot remove negative feedback yourself, you can go the extra
mile and possibly convince customers to remove it. One option is to send
out an apology via email with a $10 gift card. If the customer returns your
email with words of thanks, explain the error and then request that the
feedback be removed. This will not work every time, but it can help remove
up to 70% of the negative feedback on your items.
Chapter 6: Profit Margins and Percentages
In the second chapter, I mentioned that some basic math skills were
necessary for you to be successful in the world of online arbitrage. This
chapter will cover the basic equations that you need to know for success,
just in case you need a brush up.
Calculating Percents
The most basic things you will need to know is how to calculate a percent,
which means the amount out of one hundred. For this, we will use an
example of an item that originally costs $180 and has been reduced to $130.
First, you need to find the difference of these two prices.
180-130= 50
Then, find out how much 50 is out of the whole amount of the item, which
would be $180. You do this by dividing the smaller number by the larger
number.
50/180= 0.27777
To turn this into a percentage, you will simply multiple by 100. Therefore,
the item from our example has been reduced by 27.78%.
Calculating Your Profit Margin
Your profit margin that you should be interested in for the individual items
is the gross profit margin. This is determined by the revenue earned from
providing those products minus the cost of sourcing, storing, and selling
those goods. Once you have those numbers, you can calculate the profit
margin.
For example, here are the totals for a collectible toy car:
Selling Price of Unit: $215
Amount Paid for Sourcing, Storing, Shipping, etc.: - 45
Gross Profit Margin: $170
Once you know the gross profit margin, you can also calculate it as a
percentage. You do this by subtracting the gross profit margin from the
selling price of the unit, and dividing the answer by the selling price.
215-170= 45
45/215= 0.20930 x 100=
20.93%
You can also calculate this number for all of the items sold in a period, by
applying the same principle.
Your net profit margin can be used to calculate the success of your business
as a whole. You would do this by taking the total amount of your revenue
and subtract the total costs of your business, which would include salaries
(such as for your VA assistant), the cost of your FBA membership, and
anything else that you need to spend to operate your business.
Chapter 7: Apps, Tools, and More to Make Your Job Easier
While online arbitrage is already an easy way to make money, having the
right tools and apps by your side will make the job even simpler. These
apps and tools also improve efficiency, leaving you with extra time to work
on growing your business.
Accounting Software
While the basic figures that you will need to calculate are easy to do, there
is software available that can work the numbers for you. Additionally, if
you use FBA, then you will need to send profit/loss statements to Amazon
each year and this type of software can help with that. The great thing about
the popularity of online arbitrage is that some of these types of software are
made to help Amazon sellers, such as Inventory Lab.
Price Tracking Websites
Price tracking websites track the history of any specific item. This includes
their pricing throughout their lifetime on Amazon, how much they are
selling for on other websites, if they are out of stock or discontinued, and
more. These can be extremely helpful when it comes to deciding whether or
not an item will be worth selling. One of the most popular websites is
camelcamelcamel.com.
Label Printer
To use Amazon FBA and ship items, you will need to print labels. While
some companies may send these to you at no extra cost, others will not
offer this service. Having your own label printer will prevent you from
needing to make a run to the post office every time you need to print a
shipping label and send an item.
Reverse UPC Websites
When you work in online arbitrage, it is critical to retain your reputation as

a seller. One way that you have to do this is by being sure that you are
selling the product that is advertised. Product matching can be done by
matching the UPC codes of two items, which you can find using reverse
UPC websites such as yoopsie.com.
Barcode Scanner
A barcode scanner works in the same way of a UPC website, except it gives
you the chance to scan the item instead of needing to type it in. This lowers
the risk of human error and provides you information in a convenient, hand-
held way while helping you protect your reputation as an Amazon seller.
All-in-One Tools
Another option to make your work as an Amazon seller even easier is an

all-in-one tool. Many tools are marketed especially for those practicing
online arbitrage. They include several different tools, such as a barcode
scanner, price tracking, product matching, evaluation of a product for
profitability, and more. One of the most popular tools for this is ScanPower
WebScout.
Chapter 8: Tips and Tricks to become an Expert at Online Arbitrage
#1: Know Your Average Fees
Once you have spent a few weeks or months as a seller on Amazon, use the
numbers you have on hand to calculate the average fees that are charged.
Once you know your average fees, you will be more informed about how
much of a difference you need between the two prices to make a profit.
#2: Sell What You Know
You do not need to be a master of all shopping categories to be an online

success. In fact, if you stick with the category or categories that you know
the most about, you are likely to be more successful. If you are a new mom,
for example, you may want to try to sell things through the Baby category
on Amazon, with which you are most knowledgeable. This saves you hours
of research and lets you sell in a category that you are interested in.
#3: Beware of BOLO Listings
One thing that you must be careful of is creating BOLO listings because
you have searched for something so many times on Amazon or another site.
The problem with this type of listing is that it can alert your competition
that these items exist. If they get the deal before you, then you will be
hurting your own business.
#4: Take Advantage of Rebate Sites
There are a number of websites that will give you cash back for purchasing
items through their site. Therefore, when you buy items for your online
arbitrage business on rebate sites, you can make a profit from buying items,
as well as selling them.
#5: Social Media is Your Friend
When you are considering which items are popular and will sell fast, don’t
forget to consult social media! Social media is a place where people feel
free to share their opinions, including about the product purchases that are
important to them. If you are having trouble deciding what products are
popular enough to sell, then definitely check out your favorite social media
outlet for advice.
#6: Google Search Cuts Research Time
You may spend an hour or more researching a single product that you are
considering for resale if you exhaust all of your options. Instead, try typing
the product that you are looking for into Google. You will be able to see its
value on Amazon, as well as on other websites. This can also help you
gather some information about its popularity and whether or not it will sell.
#7: Following the Rabbit Trail
Oftentimes, you will start looking for a deal in one place and end up
somewhere else. This is called following the rabbit trail. It can lead you to
products that have sold out on Amazon but are for sale cheap elsewhere, to
deal sites, and so much more. Just don’t be afraid to keep looking until you
find something that will be profitable for you.
#8: Learn How Your Favorite Sites Work

Once you have found your favorite sites, learn the ins and outs of their
navigation. This will let you easily cruise through pages, reducing the
amount of time that you must spend sourcing items. However, be sure that
you are still keeping your eye out for deals on other sites as well.
#9: Seasonal Shopping
The change between seasons is a cause for any online store to clean out
their old items in order to provide for the new season. They do this by
putting their seasonal items such as clothing, outdoor items, toys, and more
on clearance. Learn when this happens so that you can take advantage of
these great deals before anyone else.
#10: Learn Clearance Cycles
Many retailers also have clearance cycles, meaning that they will clean out
their inventory after a certain period of time. When you notice that a retailer
has a big sale going on, take notes. Then, over time, you will be able to note
when that retailer’s clearance cycles are so that you can take advantage of
them in the future.
#11: Take Advantage of Coupons
Once you have found an item that has a high enough profit margin for you
to sell it, do a quick search to find out if there are any coupons that can
lower the price even farther. Once you sell the item, the coupon you used
will turn into actual cash.
#12: Holiday Sales

Whether it is President’s Day, Black Friday, or another holiday, many
businesses will look to it as an opportunity to move inventory, often at a
lower cost than usual. Exploit these sales by reselling the items through a
different outlet at a higher price to be sure that you are making the most of
your online arbitrage business.
#13: Group Oversize Items and Bundle Smaller Items
Two common problems that sellers run into is large items that will be
expensive to ship (cutting into the profit margin) and items being too small
to make the work worth the amount you will make in return. You can avoid
this by shipping several oversize items at once, reducing the shipping costs.
For smaller items, consider selling them as a bundle. This helps you take
advantage of the percentage that you can earn without needing to wait for it
to come back a single dollar at a time.
#14: Don’t be Afraid to Use Retail Arbitrage too
Online arbitrage involves sourcing your items from online outlets, but that
does not mean you cannot source them from local stores as well! Sourcing
items from online has the benefits of letting you work from the comfort and
convenience of your home. However, that does not necessarily mean that
you have to pass up any of the deals that you happen to see while you are
out shopping.
Conclusion
Thank you again for downloading this book!
I hope this book was able to help you to unlock all of the tips and strategies
that you need to become the best online arbitrage entrepreneur that you
can.
The next step is to put your new knowledge to the test. Don’t be afraid to
add to this knowledge as you go! New sites and ideas about online arbitrage
will surface, so stay on top of your knowledge to keep ahead of the
competition.

Mudras
The Simple Beginners Guide to

Using Hand Gestures for Healing,
Weight Loss, Yoga and Chakras
Laurent Wygant
© 2015
Copyright 2015 by Laruent Wygant - All rights reserved.

- From a Declaration of Principles which was accepted and approved

equally by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee
of Publishers and Associations.

reserved.


document.
Introduction
I want to thank you for downloading the book, “ Mudras: The Simple
Beginners Guide to Using Hand Gestures for Healing, Weight Loss, Yoga
and Chakras.”
In this book, you will learn the basics and key elements of Mudras, as well
as over 30 different Mudras to try and practice! You will learn how
practicing Mudras can benefit each function of your body and how it can
help you lose weight and prevent and heal almost any ailment you may
have.
Thank you again for downloading this book. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1: Introduction to Mudras
Mudras, also referred to as “hand yoga,” are hand gestures and poses that
represent and influence various energies in your body. They have been
practiced for over five thousand years in Buddhist and Hindu ceremonies,
rituals, and other sacred traditions. They are modernly practiced in Taoism,
Dharma and Indian religions. In Sanskrit, “Mudra” translates to “closure”
or “seal.” Mudras are often practiced during mediation, yoga and
Pranayama, which is the practice of controlling your breathing with various
different techniques. Most Mudras are practiced using your hands, however
some do involve the use of your whole body, especially when practiced
during yoga.
It is best to practice Mudras right after you wake up in the morning and
right before you fall asleep, although you can also practice before or after
meals, while walking. You can practice Mudras with one hand at a time, but
most Mudras are more efficient and effective if you practice with both
hands. There are a few Mudras that must be practiced with both hands in
order to work. The beauty of practicing Mudras is that it is something that
anyone, at any age, can do.
Each Mudras benefits a different part of your body or a function that your
body performs. By practicing Mudras daily, you are providing your body
with positive physical and mental therapy. Mudras have a magnificent
amount of healing powers for an abundance of different diseases and
ailments.
There are five elements that the universe is made of. These same five
elements also compose the human body. Each of our five fingers represents
the five elements, which in turn represent a different function and energy of
our body.
The Five Elements
Fire – the thumb. This represents everything that surrounds our

metabolism, digestion, body temperature and vision.
Air – index finger. This represents everything having to do with our

movements that our body makes, whether voluntary or involuntary. It also
represents our thoughts, emotions, and sense of touch.
Ether (sky or space) – middle finger. This element is relatively inactive

and often appears in the various cavities in our body. It is also associated
with our hearing and any ear difficulties we may have. It is associated with
our bones and anything that is heart-related.
Earth – ring finger. This represents everything that involves our bones,
muscles, skin, nails, and cartilage. It removes weakness and builds strength
and energy. It also represents the nose and our sense of smell.
Water – little finger. This represents everything that involves the water and
other fluids in our body. It controls blood circulation and prevents
dehydration.
Chapter 2: Practicing the Mudras
Now that you have learned the basics of Mudras and what it is time to learn
how to practice them. The following is a list of the most commonly used
Mudras and how each individual Mudra benefits different parts and
functions of your body and mind.
Gyan Mudra: Knowledge
How to: Touch the tips of your index finger and thumb together, while
stretching out the remaining three fingers.
The tip of the thumb connects to the pituitary gland and endocrine gland.
Pressing the thumb and index finger together, allows these glands to be
active. The benefits of Gyan Mudra are that it prevents and cures insomnia,
and increases memory and concentration. It relieves stress, anger, anxiety
and depression when regularly practiced.
Prithvi Mudra: Earth
How to: Touch your thumb and the tip of your ring together, while
stretching out the remaining three fingers.
By pressing the tips of these two fingers together, you are increasing
physical strength. The benefits of Prithvi Mudra include healthier and
clearer skin and improved body functions. It improves your blood flow and
circulation and boosts your concentration and focus. It also helps to heal
back pains, joint pains, and arthritis.
Kashyapa Mudra
How to: Make your hand into a fist and allow your thumb to stick out in
between your middle and ring fingers.
Practicing the Kashyapa Mudra represents balance and also helps to protect
you from negative energies.
Surahi Mudra
How to: Press your little finger on the ring finger of the opposite hand and
repeat with the other hand.
Practicing the Surahi Mudra is known to improve and sharpen your

intellect, as well as prevent and cure colds, respiratory problems, and
rheumatic problems.
Apana Mudra: Detox
How to: Touch the tips of your middle finger and ring finger to the tip of
your thumb, while extending the remaining two fingers.
The body releases carbon dioxide through all of its bodily functions.
Practicing the Apana Mudra increases and accelerates those releases. This
improves your skin and eyes. It can also clear up respiratory problems and
increase your confidence and patience.
Ganesha Mudra
How to: Hold your right palm in front of your chest, facing your chest. With
your left hand, firmly grasp the fingers of your right hand. Your elbows
should be pointed out to your sides.
It is best to practice the Ganesha Mudra whenever you are facing troubles
or obstacles in your life. In Hindu mythology, Ganesha was the “Elephant
God.” His role is to remove the problems that are in your life and give you
the will and energy to persevere when you feel as if you cannot make it
through. It will also relieve tension in your chest, shoulders, and arms.
Varuna Mudra: Water
How to: Touch the tips of your little finger and thumb together, while
stretching the other three out. It is often practiced when sitting, standing or
lying down.
Practicing the Varuna Mudra freshens the body and prevents diseases that
are caused by dehydration and lack of water. It cures dryness and other skin
issues, as well as adding a glow to your skin. It also benefits your blood
flow and helps to cure urinary ailments.
Vayu Mudra: Air
How to: Touch the index finger to the base of your thumb, while stretching
out the remaining three fingers. Some of the benefits of practicing the Vayu
Mudra include the relief of many diseases such as arthritis, Parkinson’s
disease, and other rheumatic aliments. It also relieves gastrointestinal
distress.
**Note: This Mudra should only be practiced until your ailment is cured.
Uttarabodhi Mudra
How to: Press together your index fingers and keep them pointed up. Press
together your thumb and keep them pointing down. Interlock your
remaining fingers and hold this Mudra in front of your abdomen, or Solar
Plexus.
Practice the Uttarabodhi Mudra when you are feeling drained or are about
to do an activity that requires a lot of energy. This Mudra will help boost
your energy and essentially recharge your body.
Aakaash Mudra (Aakaas-vardhak Mudra)
How to: Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your middle finger and
extend the remaining fingers.
The Aakaash Mudra is often known as the “Space Mudra” or “Ether

Mudra.” It replaces the negative thoughts and emotions, with positive
thoughts and emotions. Practicing the Aakaash Mudra also improves your
intuition and it helps to relieve colds and congestion, ear infections, and
high blood pressure. Practice the Aakaash Mudra if you are feeling nauseas
or have motion sickness.
Anjali Mudra
How to: Touch your palms together in front of your heart. This mudra is
used to express respect, gratitude, and love. This is often used when
mediating and ending prayer in yoga. “Anjali Mudra” actually means
“Namaste,” which is commonly used when practicing yoga. This Mudra is
also cures anxiety and stress and allows for a deep spiritual connection
during meditation and practice.
Vajra Mudra
How to: Touch the tips of your middle finger, ring finger, and little finger to
the tip of your thumb, while keeping your index finger extended.
This Mudra represents a lightning bolt, as well as all five elements.

Practicing the Vajra Mudra increases blood flow and helps to lower your
intake of coffee, tobacco, and other habits. It also sharpens your intellect
and concentration.
Agni Mudra: Fire
How to: Fold your ring finger over your palm and cover it with your thumb.
This is practiced while in a sitting position.
Practicing the Agni Mudra boosts your metabolism and improves digestion
and cholesterol levels. It also helps to eliminate anxiety and stress. Agni
Mudra is known to reduce and prevent respiratory and heart ailments.
Regularly practicing Agni can also strengthen your vision.
Shunya Mudra: Emptiness
How to: Keep the middle finger on the base of the thumb and cover the
middle finger with the thumb. Keep the remaining three fingers straight.
Practicing the Shunya Mudra will relieve an ear ache in about five minutes.
It is also known to relieve all other ear issues such as, ringing in the ears
and other hearing problems.
**Note: This Mudra should only be practiced until your ailment is cured.
Lotus Mudra
How to: Connect your thumbs and little fingers together, as well as your
palms. Open and stretch your remaining fingers out like a flower and hold
in front of your chest.
Practicing the Lotus Mudra is excellent for your everyday mental health,
especially when you are feeling lonely or drained. It is also helpful when
you want to share affection and compassion with others. The Lotus Mudra
represents purity and encourages you to recognize the beauty in you, as well
as the beauty in the people that surround you. The imagery of a blossoming
flower that we create with our hands, reminds us to open our hearts.
Tse Mudra
How to: Fold your thumb over your palm and cover it with the remaining
fingers.
Practicing the Tse Mudra helps to relieve depression, stress and anxiety. It
increases your intuition and can help to improve your bladder and kidney
functions.
Prana Mudra: Life
How to: Touch the tips of your ring finger and little finger to the tip of your
thumb, keeping the other two fingers straight. Prana represents life and its
energy. By practicing the Prana Mudra, you will be stronger and full of
energy. It also boosts your immune system and improves your eyes. It can
help to prevent or cure insomnia and significantly reduce anxiety and stress.
Practice Prana Mudra to prevent hair loss as well. It also promotes hair
regrowth.
Surabhi Mudra
How to: Touch the tip of your little finger on your right hand to the tip of
your index finger on your left hand. Touch the tip of your little finger on
your left hand to the tip of your index finger on your right hand. Touch the
tip of your index finger on your right hand to the tip of the middle finger on
your left hand. Touch the tip of your index finger on your left hand to the
tip of your middle finger on your right hand. Finally, the thumbs should be
extended out. Practicing the Surabhi Mudra is a little more advanced than
most of the other Mudras, however it is very effective. This Mudra can help
to heal arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. It also benefits your mind and
improves hormonal balance.
Bhramara Mudra
How to: Press your index finger on the base of your thumb. Press the tip of
your thumb on the side of your middle finger, just below the nail. Stretch
out the remaining two fingers.In Sanskrit, Bhramara translates to “male
bee.” This Mudra is practiced to lessen existing allergy symptoms and to
also prevent them. It also helps reduce sinus pressure and can break-up
congestion in your lungs.
Saakat Mudra
How to: Touch together the tips of both of both of your thumb and both of
your index fingers. While in a sitting position, point your thumbs toward
your heart, with the index fingers pointed slightly down. Practicing Saakat
Mudra will help you to lessen and control your temper. It is known to
relieve mental pressure and tension and put your mind at ease.
Jal Shaamak Mudra

How to: Place the tip of your little finger to the base of your thumb, then
cover your little finger with your thumb. Practice this Mudras if you are
having troubles with excessive sweating, a runny nose, or watery eyes. The
Jal Shaamak Mudra will also benefit you if you are having issues with
retaining water.
Mudras for Weight Loss
There are several different Mudras you can practice to help lose weight,
control your weight, and improve your digestive system.
Linga Mudra: Heat

How to: Interlock your fingers together while keeping your left thumb
straight. Wrap your right thumb around the base of your left thumb.
Practicing the Linga Mudra will help to generate heat throughout your
body. The benefit of this Mudra is that helps with weight loss and
provides chest cold relief, by helping to rid your lungs of phlegm. It
also gives more power to your lungs and boosts your immune system.
Linga Mudra can benefit and improve respiratory ailments, such as
asthma.
**Note: Do not continue to practice this Mudra once your ailments

have been cured. Over practice of Linga Mudra may lead to laziness,
fatigue, and lethargy.
Surya Mudra: Sun

How to: Keep the ring finger on the base of the thumb and cover the
ring finger with your thumb, just below the nail. Stretch out the
remaining fingers out. This hand gesture is connected to your thyroid
gland and helps you to lose weight and improve digestion. It is also
known to lower cholesterol levels, reduce anxiety and prevent heart-
related ailments.
Vaayan Mudra
How to: Touch the tips of your index and middle finger to the tip of
your thumb, while extending the remaining two fingers. There are
many benefits of the Vaayan Mudra such as defeating lazy, drowsy,
and lethargic feelings, as well as helping to prevent nervous
breakdowns.
Kapha-naashak Mudra
How to: Touch your little finger and ring finger to the base of your
thumb and gently cover those finger with your thumb. Extend the
remaining fingers straight out. Practicing this Mudra will boost your
metabolism and improve your digestive system.
Chapter 3: Mudras in Yoga
Yoga is often viewed as the practice of stretching techniques, as well as

breathing techniques (Pranayama), to improve the mind and body’s
relaxation; however, Mudras can also be incorporated into yoga to add to
the experience. Mudras are associated with healing powers and when used
in connection with yoga, can enhance the healing, relaxation, and breathing.
It is best to practice these Mudras when in the “Sukhasana,” “Padmasana,”
and Vajrasana poses. If you are not familiar with yoga poses, any sitting
position will suffice. It is important, however, to make sure you are sitting
up completely straight. Posture is a very significant part of yoga.
The type of yoga that is most associated with Mudras and posture is called
“Kundalini Yoga.” The name is based off “kundalini energy,” which is
achieved through pranayama, meditation, and chanting mantra. Kundalini
energy lies at the base of your spine and can only be “awakened” through
meditation and enlightenment. It’s been said that Kundalini is all about the
flow of the energy and the flow of the breath.
Chin Mudra
How to: Touch the thumb and index finger together, while extending the
remaining three fingers. Lay the backs of your hands on your thighs and
establish a breathing technique. This Mudra is often associated with
knowledge. The Chin Mudra is among the most practiced gestures that is
used by those who regularly do yoga or meditate. It is also referred to as the
“Gyan Mudra” when not necessarily associated with yoga.
Chinmaya Mudra
How to: Touch the thumb and index finger together and curl/fold the
remaining fingers into your palm. Lay the backs of your hands on your
thighs and establish a breathing technique. If you are already familiar with
the breathing techniques in yoga, the “Ujaii Breath” works best when
practicing this Mudra. It is often called the “Gesture of Consciousness.”
Adi Mudra (Mudra of Health)
How to: Touch your thumb to the base of your little finger and fold the
remaining fingers over the thumb in a fist-like position. Lay the backs of
your hands on your thighs and establish a breathing technique. This Mudra
is believed to be the first gesture that one can achieve and is present in
newborns. It increases lung capacity and improves organ function.
Practicing the Adi mudra also helps to increase oxygen flow to your brain.
Brahma Mudra
How to: Begin in Adi Mudra and press together the knuckles of both of
your hands. Hold hands upward in front of the navel. Practice a breathing
technique while holding this Mudra.
Dhyana Mudra
How to: While in a seated position, place your right hand in your left and
rest them in your lap, palms facing up.
This Mudra is referred to as the “Gesture of Mediation.” It represents peace,

unity and the cleansing of impurities. Dhyana Mudra is also known to allow
for a deep mediation.
Bhumisparsa Mudra
How to: While in a sitting position, place your right hand over your right
knee, facing down. Place your left hand in your lap with the palm facing up.
This Mudra represents truth, honesty, and enlightenment.
Apana Mudra
How to: Touch the tips of your middle and ring fingers to the tip of your
thumb, while extending the remaining fingers.
This Mudra is referred to as the “Mudra of Digestion” and is associated

with the reproductive and elimination functions in our body. When you are
feeling imbalanced, this Mudra allows you to feel more stable and
grounded.
Hakini Mudra
How to: Press together your fingertips on both hands and spread your
fingers.
Named after the Goddess “Hakini,” this Mudra promotes intellect and helps
to connect the right and left hemispheres of your brain. Practicing the
Hakini Mudra will improve your memory and concentration
Matangi Mudra
How to: Place your palms together and interlock all fingers except the
middle fingers, which should be extended straight up.
This Mudra represents harmony and energizing our soul and body. The
physical benefits of practicing Mantangi Mudra include improving and
regulating digestion, as well as anything related to the heart.
Buddhi Mudra
How to: Touch the tip of your little finger to your thumb and extend the
remaining fingers out. This Mudra represents mental clarity, intelligence,
and open-mindedness. It improves communication skills and sharpens your
intuition. As a physical benefit, practicing the Buddhi Mudra can help to
relieve muscle pain.
Abhaya Mudra
How to: This Mudra is often used in the “Warrior II” yoga pose. Lunge one
of your legs forward, and raise one of your hand straight forward. Place the
opposite hand on your back thigh. Hold both hands in an Anjali Mudra
(Prayer Mudra), if meditating.
This Mudra represents the action and feeling of being strong and fearless,
yet full of compassion.
Rudra Mudra
How to: Touch the tips of your ring finger and index finger to the tip of
your thumb, while the remaining fingers are extended out.
By practicing the Rudra Mudra, you will improve your concentration and
eyesight. It also helps to relieve light-headiness or dizziness.
Jupiter Mudra
How to: Clasp your hands together and intertwine your fingers. The index
fingers of both hands should be sticking out and pointing up.
It is recommended that you hold this pose with your hands above your
head, while in a seated position.
This Mudra is also known as “Sat Kriya Mudra” and can help to improve
and regulate everything surrounding your sexuality, as well as your general
health. It also improves blood flow, lowers blood pressure, and regulates
breathing.
Chapter 4: Mudras and Chakras
A Chakra is a center of spiritual healing and power located in your body.

There are seven Chakras and they all serve a represent a different energy
and correspond with different elements. All Chakras are associated with
color, as well, which you can wear or imagine when practicing a
corresponding mudra. It is ideal for all seven chakras to be balanced.
Practicing the mudras in connection with the chakras can help to restore
balance.
By learning the different qualities of each Mantra, you will be able to

recognize when one of yours is not open or imbalanced. By mediating,
practicing yoga and Mudras, you will be able to open your Chakras and
restore their balance. The following is a list of the seven Chakras that shows
what they represent and which Mudras and Mantras are connected.
The Seven Chakras
Root Chakra (“Muladhara”): Associated with “Earth” and located at the

base of the spine. It represents the state of feeling grounded and is affiliated
with the daily survival matters like finances and food. It helps to bring more
positive energy into your life and heals your feelings of being
misunderstood or left out. It is important to have a well-balanced Root
Chakra among any, as it grounds us and allows us to remain stable with
room to grow.
Signs of Imbalance: Fear, disorganization, anxiety, financial distress,

overeating.
Mudra: On each hand, touch the tip of your index finger to the tip of your
thumb and rest the back of your hand on each knee.
Color: Red
Mantra: “Lam”
Sacral Chakra (“Svadhisthana”): Associated with “Water” and located in
the lower abdomen. It represents the ability and willingness to accept and
connect with others. The Sacral Chakra makes it easier for you to adapt to
change. It is often affiliated with a feeling of pleasure and well-being. On a
physical level, it is associated with the bladder, kidneys, genitals and the
womb. It is known as a “feminine energy,” as it is connected with nurturing
and sexuality.
Signs of Imbalance: Poor or excessive boundaries, severe lack of social

skills and excitement.
Mudra: Rest your right hand in your left hand and touch the tips of your
thumbs together.
Color: Orange
Mantra: “Vam”
Solar Plexus Chakra (“Manipura”): Also referred to as the “Navel

Chakra,” it is associated with “Fire” and located in the upper abdomen. It
represents the ability to be in-control of ourselves and our lives. It boosts
self-esteem and confidence. On a physical level, it is associated with our
digestive system and pancreatic functions.
Signs of Imbalance: Lack of energy, will, and self-discipline. Poor self-

esteem, low confidence, high stress.
Mudra: Press your hands together in prayer-like pose. Cross your thumbs
and tuck them in between your hands.
Color: Yellow
Mantra: “Ram”
Heart Chakra (“Anahata”): Associated with “Air” and is located right

above the heart. The Heart Chakra represents the ability to love. It is
affiliated with peace, love and joy. It will also allow you to feel carefree and
lighter, just like air.
Signs of Imbalance: Lonely, depressed, antisocial, isolated feelings.

Asthma, high blood pressure, and lung ailments.
Mudra: If you are a woman, press together the tips of your thumb and ring
finger together on your left hand and press together the tips of your thumb
and middle finger on your right hand. If you are a man, do the opposite.
Color: Green
Mantra: “Yam”
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha”): Associated with “Ether” and is located in

the throat. It gives us the ability to communicate with one another. It is
affiliated with telling the truth expressing your feelings. This Chakra is also
associated with creativity.
Balance is especially important in this Chakra, as you do not wish it to lead

to over-talking, overeating, or gossiping. Its purpose is for you to be truthful
to yourself, always choose truth over lies, and take responsibility for
yourself.
Signs of Imbalance: Difficulty speaking or finding the right words to say,

fearful of speaking, lack of rhythm, sensitivity to criticism. Neck pain, sore
throat, colds and thyroid difficulties, along with your teeth, gums and
mouth.
Mudra: Clasp your hands together with your thumbs together and pointed
up.
Color: Turquoise
Mantra: “Ham”
Third Eye Chakra (“Ajna”): Encompasses all the elements and is located
in between your eyes, within your brain. It represents the ability to have an
open mind and to be able to view the big picture. It is affiliated with
intuition, decision making, intelligence, and imagination. It’s all about how
you perceive life.
Signs of Imbalance: Poor memory, lack of sensitivity and imagination,

being over obsessive, nightmares, blurred or poor vision.
Mudra: Press together the tips of your thumbs together, pointing down.
Press together the tips of your middle fingers together, pointing up. Make
sure the second joints of the remaining fingers are also touching.
Color: Indigo Blue
Mantra: “Om”
Crown Chakra (“Sahasrara”): Encompasses all the elements and is

located at the top of the head. It represents the ability to be spiritually
connected. It is affiliated with bliss, our own spiritual connection, and outer
and inner beauty.
When the Crown Chakra is open and balanced, it creates bliss and
understanding and reminds us that we are of our souls and minds and not of
our bodies.
Signs of Imbalance: Difficulty in learning and spirituality, confusion,

depression, apathy, boredom.
Mudra: Interlock your fingers and cover your left thumb with your right
thumb. Allow your ring fingers to extend straight up, while pressing them
together.
Color: Violet
Mantra: “Ng”
The Seven Chakras, from Root to Crown, mean this:
I am, I feel, I do, I love, I speak, I see, I understand.
Chapter 5: Incorporating Mantras
Along with Chakras and Mudras are Mantras. Mantras are verses, words, or
syllables that are believed to hold a spiritual power. They are often
incorporated into mediation and yoga practices. Repeating Mantras can
allow you to slip into a deeper, more spiritual mediation in which you truly
feel connected.
Considering that most Mantras are just syllables or a single word, they
don’t necessarily always have a meaning, verbally, yet they always possess
a spiritual significance. It is most beneficial to chant Mantras in connection
with Mudras.
The most commonly used Mantras is “Om.” The purpose of “Om” is to

help us to open and find balance in our Seven Chakras. “Om” is also
considered to be the most sacred of Mantras and represents the process of
birth, death and re-birth. There many different Mantras that you can chant
while meditating. Keep in mind that most originate from Sanskrit and
therefore, the pronunciation is different than how we would phonetically
pronounce words in the English language. The “M” is pronounced “Mng”
and the “A” is pronounced “Ah.” You are able to chant your own Mantras if
you find a phrase, verse, or quote that speaks to you on a spiritual level.
The main purpose of chanting a Mantra is to motivate yourself and regulate

your mind. You can chant or sing a Mantra.
It is said that after three minutes of chanting, your blood flow increases.
After seven minutes of chanting, your brain patterns will shift and the
magnetic field that surrounds your body will strengthen. After 11 minutes,
you nerves begin to change. After 22 minutes, the blood, nerves and brain
will work as one and your subconscious mind will clear. After 62 minutes
of chanting, your breathing and concentration will begin to affect your
body’s rhythms and cells. After 2 ½ hours, your psyche will completely
renew and remake itself. Chanting Mantra is a discipline and you should not
feel obligated to chant longer than you feel comfortable. You can chant
mantras as you are entering into mediation as a tool to calm and “silence”
your mind.
The following is a list of the most popular Mantras used and what they
translate to:
Om Namah Shivaya: “I bow to Shiva, who represents the truest self.” Use
this Mantra when you want to boost self-confidence.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu: This Mantra means that you wish
the best for every person and everything and want there to be peace and
harmony among all. It also encourages compassion and the desire to do
things for a greater purpose.
Aham Aarogyam: This Mantra translates to “I am healthy.” It is used to

encourage yourself to remain healthy.
If you use Om Trayamabakam in connection with this Mantra, you are

extending the time period that you wish to be healthy for.
Om Mani Padme Hum: This Mantra represents compassion and is said to

be able to heal a broken heart.
Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha (Green Tara Mantra): Chant this Mudra to
gain inner peace and harmony. It will also benefit you to chant this Mudra if
you experiencing a mental blockage. “Tara,” for whom the Mantra is
named, represents compassion.
Om Gum Ganapatayei Namah: “I bow to Ganesha and pray for

protection.” Ganesha was the elephant god who was able to remove tough
obstacles in your life. Use this Mantra when you are facing many
challenges in your life or are about to.
Elohim: Chant this Mantra when you are feeling distressed and are looking
to seek guidance.
Om Vajrapani Hum: Chant this Mantra if you are feeling angry toward
someone or yourself, as it is meant to free your mind from hateful thoughts.
Om Shrim Maha Lakshmlyei Swaha: When chanting this Mantra, you

are asking the God of Prosperity, Lakshmi, for help if you are having
financial difficulties.
Om Ami Dewa Hrih: Chant this Mantra if you are fearful of negative
obstacles or feelings that may be coming your way. This Mantra promotes
and offers protection.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti: Also known as the “Peace Mantra,” it is

essentially a prayer for harmony and peace.
Tayata Om Bekanze Bekanze Maha BeKanze Radza Samudgate Soha:

This Mantra is chanted in an effort to rid ourselves and our world of
ignorance.
Om Shri Hanumate Namaha: Chant this Mantra to provide yourself with

unlimited energy and to awaken love and strength within you.
So Ham: Pronounced, “So Hum,” this Mantra simply means “I am.”

Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuniye Svaha: Chant this Mantra to
free yourself from any pain and suffering you may feel. You are asking to
be given kindness, compassion, and love, in return.
Tat Tvam Asi: Translates to “That you are” or “You are that.” It promotes
courage and the recognition of oneself.
Along with the traditional Mantras, there are also many inspirational quotes
that you can use as modern Mantras. These are often referred to as
“Personal Mantras,” as they are said or chanted to oneself as
encouragement, motivation, and spiritual guidance.
“I am enough.”
“Love is the only miracle there is.” – Osho
“I change my thoughts, I change my world.”
“Where I am right now is exactly where I need to be.”
“The creator of the universe is lining up things in my favor.” –
Joel Osteen
“My curses can and will become blessings.”
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time
we fall.”
-Confucius
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make the world.” - Buddha
“I am thankful.”
“And now, I’ll do what’s best for me.” – John Green
"This too shall pass."
“No pressure, no diamonds.” – Thomas Carlyle
“Keep your head up and your heart open.”
“I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still
I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not
refuse to do the something that I can do.” – Hellen Keller
"Close your eyes, clear your heart, and let it go."
“If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we are not
really living.” - Gail Sheehy
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” -
Theodore Roosevelt
"I am capable of wonderful things"
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
- George Bernard Shaw
“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort.” – Eat, Pray,

Love
“Courage, dear heart.” – C.S. Lewis
“I am centered. I am balanced. I am at peace.”
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” -Robert Byrne
“We accept the love we think we deserve.”
– The Perks of Being a Wallflower
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how
amazing you can be.” ― Maya Angelou
“I am a magnet for joy, love, and abundance.”
“A strong woman knows she has strength for the journey, but a
woman of strength knows that it is within the journey she will
find her strength.”
- C.S. Lewis
There are Mantras that are a single word or syllable in Sanskrit and have a
significant spiritual meaning. You can also chant a sing word that comes
from the English Language.
“Dharma” - Righteous path

Forgiveness
Comfort
“Bhakti” – Devotion
Compassion
Strength
“Prasada” – Clarity
Dream
Appreciation
“Shanti” – Peace
Gratitude
Optimism
Change
“Prajna” – Wisdom
Glory
Repect
Peace
“Ananda” – Bliss or Happiness
Love
“Shradda” - Faith
By chanting, singing, and repeating Mantras, you are adding to the benefits
of mudras, mediation, and yoga. Mantras help you to fall into a deeper
concentration and mediation, which in turn can make your Mudras practice
more effective in a healing sense.
A Special Note from Laurent Wygant
Thank you again for choosing to download this book, “Mudras: The Simple
Beginners Guide to Using Hand Gestures for Healing, Weight Loss, Yoga
and Chakras.”
I hope that by reading this book, you were able to learn all of the basic
elements of Mudras and the benefits that you gain from practicing them
alongside yoga and meditation. Namaste!
writing.
review on Amazon?
Shyness: The Ultimate Guide to
Overcoming Social Anxiety
(Live Free of Worry, Achieve Success, Relieve

Anxiety, Be More Outgoing and Confident)
Laurent Wygant
© 2015
Introduction to Shyness
I want to thank you and congratulate you for downloading the book, “Get
Rid Of Social Anxiety: A Handbook to Achieve Confident Personality and
Overcome Shyness”.
This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to get rid of social
anxiety and use the cognitive behavioral approach for the treatment of
excessive shyness and fear.
Most people feel nervous while talking to other people. The fear of being
watched closely and misjudged makes them lose all their confidence when
interacting with anyone. This intense arise of social stress and anxiety is
considered Social Anxiety Disorder. If you are also facing the same
problem while communicating to other people then you do not need to
worry anymore. This step by step guide is for you and it will teach you how
to overcome social nervousness and achieve a confident personality.
Thanks again for downloading this book, I hope you enjoy it!
© Copyright 2015 by Laurent Wygant - All rights reserved.

From a Declaration of Principles which was accepted and approved equally

by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of
Publishers and Associations.

reserved.


document.
Chapter 1: Social Anxiety Disorder Confrontation
Most people feel nervous while talking to other people. The fear of being
watched closely and misjudged makes them lose all their confidence when
interacting with anyone. This intense arise of social stress and anxiety is
considered Social Anxiety Disorder. If you are also facing the same
problem while communicating to other people then you do not need to
worry anymore. This step by step guide is for you and it will teach you how
to overcome social nervousness and achieve a confident personality.
Brain Cleansing
People who hear negative comments and face criticism over and over again
are more intended to generate social phobia over a specific period of time.
Their brain starts to believe the inaccurate negative things that it hears from
other people. It is another form of not being appreciated or being in the
wrong social circle and such people can develop anxiety disorders. A
person going through social anxiety disorder is actually brainwashed by
other people or such environmental circumstances.
If you lie among one of the same cases then you are brainwashed. Your
mind is conditioned to believe the negative things influenced by other
people. What's good is that your mind is adaptable to brainwashing and now
it is easy to condition your brain to believe the positive things as well. We
are going to cleanse the brain of all the old negative emotions from past, all
of the garbage thoughts, fear, stress, wrong beliefs, humiliation,
embarrassments, low self esteem, depression and hurtful events. Brain
cleansing is much more powerful than brainwashing!
You can learn to challenge your old brainwashing beliefs and emotions.
When you feel brainwashing thoughts overwhelming your brain then tell
yourself: "This may be a bad thought brainwashed into me. I cleanse my
brain of this thought." This is how you can make yourself realize that you
choose to feel different and walk a new pathway. You free yourself of old
lies and fill your brain with truth, accuracy and validity. Notice that every
time you practice this method, you cleanse your brain and eventually get rid
of social anxiety by introducing calmness, peace and confidence into a
brand new life.
Power of Negative Thoughts
Negative thoughts are like a poison to your happy life. These poisonous
thoughts generate feelings of stress and fear which lead us to a traumatic
life filled with suffering from social anxiety. When you become aware of
your negative thoughts then you can take control of them. You can turn this
downward spiral of negativity and poison into an upward spiral of positivity
and calmness. Our anxiety is mostly kept alive by a syndrome of thinking
that worst is going to happen every time.
At first we must acknowledge these negative thoughts then try to stop them.
These are mostly typical thoughts like:
We continuously think of our failures.
We have set in our mind that we cannot do anything right.
The only things that we can do are mostly harmful, disastrous,

awful and horrible to others.
We keep reminding ourselves that we can never do better and will

remain like this forever.
We repeatedly reinforce negative, scary, obsessive and fearful

thoughts upon ourselves.
These points illustrate that this much negativity can push any person into a
state of anxiety, stress and fear.
Thoughts are neither harmless nor fruitful in reality. They have no power of
action. In fact, a person trying to do just anything by using his thoughts is
just useless. For instance, a person cannot switch on a computer by just
thinking of switching it on. A man is unable to write a book by just thinking
about what to write in it. Eventually a person has to believe and trust his
thought of doing something and only then he could act upon it to get the
work done.
If you believe in a lie and act on the basis of that lie then you can turn the
lie into truth. This tells us that a harmless thought can create havoc in your
life if you start believing it. For instance, you think that you are afraid to
speak in front of other people. You will act upon it by avoiding people, do
nothing and keep worrying about it for no actual reason. As a result your
fear to speak with other people will increase and turn into social anxiety
disorder. You will never be able to collect enough courage to talk to other
people.
Focus on Reality
A person who is feeling anxious about something always anticipates the

results of it. Instead of anticipating, one must direct his thoughts from
internal feelings to the external things that is reality. Focusing on reality
help us realize that things are not as bad as they seem and we will not
humiliate ourselves by just talking to other people. You can use any method
to distract yourself from internal feelings and focus on the outcome by
doing something. This focus on reality can give you confidence and
destruct any negative feelings. They may help you to talk to people without
any hesitation.
You can ask yourself a few simple questions like: "What are my fears?",
"Why do I think that I will humiliate myself by just talking to other
people?", "So what if I mess up a little?", “It will not be the end of the
world if I'll blow up my presentation at office." These questions can boost
up your confidence to do just anything. As a result, you decrease the
chances of being humiliated or blowing up everything. You can do much
better even if it is about making a public speech. If somehow you mess up,
you are a human and even professionals can make mistakes. No one has
come with an error proof manual.
Concentrate on external things by reminding yourself that your internal

feelings are nothing but a lie. This lie can bring no good to you but only do
harm if you start believing it. These internal feelings are lie because they
make you nervous and anxious. This way you can cancel your anxious
feelings and refuse to grow them any further. Your external focus must be
on what is to be done even if you do not feel like doing it. You must ask
yourself that have you done what you were going to do. Do not ask about
how well you did it? What other people think about you now? These last
few questions can direct you to stress and fear again. Next time you will
hesitate before doing anything and feel less confident.
Unreal Predictions
It is not necessary that any of a person's prediction comes true. Most of the
time situations turn out totally opposite than the way they were anticipated.
Predicting the worst makes you no more than a pessimist and it might has
no connection to the reality. You cannot tell every time what is going to
happen because you can never be 100% sure about it. You must think again
before making any negative statement as it can only be your fear or anxiety.
These unrealistic predictions can only increase your levels of stress and
worrying.
There are so many scenarios in which you might end up predicting based on
your fearful thoughts. For instance, you think that you are going to fail in an
exam. For that reason you are not much focused on studying and preparing
for the exam. At times you think that you will look a total disaster at
wedding in a blue color dress. Although in reality everyone's focus may be
the wedding couple and not you. You also predicted that your blind date is
not going to like you tonight. Instead you have no idea that how worried
your date already is about making an impression on you.
These false predictions are just the harmless fears set inside your mind by
your own exaggerated thoughts. You do not need to suppress these thoughts
but completely remove them by stepping into reality and seeing the big
picture here. You cannot fail the exam if you work hard enough to prepare
for it. There might be a chance that your grade may be better than others.
Similarly, at the wedding you can make a real good impression on other
people by thinking that you look amazing in that blue dress and look bold
and beautiful. Also, instead of being worried about your blind date, you
must be excited about exploring a new personality and you might end up
making a good impression on your date. Life is not as hard as it seems.
Sometimes only our unrealistic thoughts make it look difficult and complex.
Killer Expectations
Expectations can be harmful to your confidence sometimes. Do not set

yourself up ahead of time by accepting defeat or success. A person who
thinks of getting all the chores done by the end of the day even after
knowing that the working time span of some the tasks require two or three
days. This false expectation makes him lose his confidence on himself to
fulfill a task. He may consider himself among the failures. When in reality,
a normal person is not able to finish the same task in a day. Expecting
higher or lower in most situations where you possess no power can make
you end up worrying and dwelling on it.
A person could start expecting without even knowing it. For instance, a
man is a hard worker employee at his office. He is thinking of promotion
for the last few months. He thinks that today he is going to see his boss and
talk him into getting a raise finally. He is already happy about it and making
plans of celebrating the promotion party. He is also thinking to do some
extra shopping with the raise. In reality, the company may not be in position
to promote any employee. He cannot take this personal. This can happen to
any other worker of the company who is thinking to ask his boss about
promotion. The false expectation can lead that person towards misery of
stress and anxiety.
It is necessary to find out that you do not have false expectations from
someone before accepting your defeat and thinking of making a fool of
yourself by talking to other people. You must learn to differentiate between
the reality and unreal expectation. You can analyze several possibilities by
writing them down. Write down your expectation and describe what made
you feel like it. Then discuss the possibilities that could be the reason of
your false expectation. You can free yourself from unnecessary worrying by
avoiding yourself from making expectations ahead of time.
Being Judged by Others
Thinking own your own that everyone present around you has focused on
just one person that is you and somehow they all are judging you in their
own way. This fear of being judged increases shyness from crowd and
group of people you find anywhere. You try to avoid eye contact with
people and usually try keeping a low profile. This is not considered being
humble but being shy and fearful of people thoughts. You can easily hide
under your comfortable zone of social anxiety by staying quiet and taking
no part in conversation at all.
For instance, you are attending a group discussion and you are not
participating because you think you'll be judged. On being judged by
people, no one will like you. The idea of being judged by everyone means
that all of the people around you have some kind of opinion about you. First
thing, you do not need to worry what other people are thinking about you
right now. They may be too busy thinking about the ideas to participate in
discussion. Some of them may be nervous like you and not showing it.
Some of them think that your provided information is valuable but not
interested in praising you. Some people may have no interest in the
discussion at all.
The best practice is to stop thinking about the fact that you are being judged
by others. You cannot read the mind of every single person around you.
Even if you possess the power to read other people's thoughts then you may
realize that most of these thoughts are not about you. Neither your dwelling
can do any good to you nor to them. You need to practice on not to think
about the judgments and opinions of others. Also practice to divert your
thinking by focusing on the discussion happening in real life and listen in
actual what people are talking about instead of concentrating on yourself
only. In this way you can actually talk about something that makes sense
and play your part in social discussion without stressing over it.
Chapter 2: Dealing with your Anxiety
It is important to understand that dealing with your anxiety is not a one day
process. It might take a lot of practice to master your fears. You must get
familiar with the strategies that you are learning before you begin to apply
them in real life. It is always best to practice these strategies when you are
feeling much better relative to other anxiety situations and especially when
you are alone. It is not necessary that you master a strategy at the first
attempt. You can take gradual steps by setting a specific practice time like
thirty minutes a day. Keep your approach slow but determined in mastering
a strategy.
Make a List
No matter how strong your fears are and how difficult it is for you to deal
with them. You can always start with a slow but steady approach to deal
with your anxiety. First thing you can do is sit alone at a quiet place and
start writing down at least 10 situations that enforce anxiety and cause
stress to you. Rank them all from top to bottom placing the most stressful
situation at top that you confront mostly. Now start with the least stressful
scenario written in the list and deal with each fearful situation one by one.
For instance, a person gets high levels of stressful feelings when thinking to
ask his teacher a question about the lecture delivered today. He gets nervous
every time he thinks to approach his teacher and decides not to ask because
he thinks that teacher may consider him a dull student who sits inattentive
in class. Chances are the teacher is already there to help his students and
mostly serious in class because of the nature of his job. The person can start
by thinking an easy approach scenario in his mind like approaching the
teacher just after class and start with a small talk and at a specific pace.
Rehearse the scenario in mind first then act upon it.
You can work on each scenario that gives you anxiety slowly and
deliberately. Do not expect yourself to conquer all fearful situations at once.
You can go with your own pace. Give yourself a break to comfortably
digest the first situation before moving on to the other stressful scenario. If
you can complete half of your list, you can get out of the social anxiety
disorder. If you get stuck at one point of your list then do not hesitate to get
some medical help and continue facing each of your fears. You need
practice and practice makes a man perfect.
Small Talk
Always approach an unfamiliar person with careful small talk whether you
want to talk about some important issue or something in general. An
unknown person also needs some space to let him express while you try to
talk to him about something. Talking slowing and deliberately makes it easy
for both of you to start from short sentences into deep discussion without
making anyone uncomfortable.
Strategy used to make small talk is to slow down your speech at first.
Slightly slow down the pace in such a way that is only noticed by you and
not by others. People may anticipate as if you are thinking it through and
talking as well. If there is not much to think about in the discussion then
just talk at a calm pace pretending that you have something else on mind or
you are not much interested in this general conversation. This attitude may
give a mysterious vibe about your personality to others and people may be
more interested in talking to you.
The first benefit you can observe by using this technique is that your
feelings are not as fearful as they were before in the same scenario. You
may discover calmness and peace during this therapy. No one has to know
that you are going through a self imposed therapy and trying hard to make a
conversation with them. The calmness can boost your confidence and there
is likely a less chance to face anxiety attacks later in the same situation.
This is considered an anti anxiety strategy to give you relaxation only if you
stay consistent and persistent in using this technique. You must rehearse
your brain with this technique over and over again to gain confidence.
Relaxation Mode
Most people carry their unrealistic negative thoughts at their shoulder and
back muscles in form of an unseen heavy weight. These muscles need to be
relaxed at first by calming yourself down. Think of an upcoming social
event that you have to attend and there is a lot of chance for you to speak in
front of different types of people. You can help yourself by lying down in a
comfortable position and listening to your favorite song. Make the
environment as cozy and comfortable around you as possible. Then
rehearse the scenario in mind by focusing on action instead of your nervous
thoughts at that time.
Our body language plays a big part while socializing with other people.
Even if you are feeling a bit fearful and shy to talk to other people still you
can give a positive message by your relaxed muscles and body posture. It
may help you to pay more attention on the words and discussion instead of
focusing on your tensed nerve. This relax posture may not only boost up
your confidence but also help other stressed or nervous people who are
talking nervously. Your confident body language can even make others
nervous as well no matter how confident they feel while making a
statement.
A clear and relaxed head helps you think and state much logical words than
those incorporated by others. You need to practice this relaxation mode
conversation either by watching yourself in the mirror or by the help of a
friend. Talk for approximately ten minutes about a general topic. Do not
push yourself to an original social situation directly rather focus on
rehearsing. This therapy can help you practice talking in a relaxed position
and build up confidence to talk in any upcoming social event.
Breathing Exercise
Exercise in general builds up stamina to endure hardships in an intense

situation. A breathing exercise is a technique to practice a focused deep
breathing to relax the muscles of body under situations of anxiety and fear.
The rate of heart beat increases during social anxiety attack. Most of the
people get nervous and make fool out of themselves. A little amount of time
spent on the breathing exercise daily can make you endure such stressful
scenarios and conquer the situation like an intelligent personality. Make
breathing exercise a regular habit of yours so that whenever you may feel
stress then you start taking deep breath naturally and calm down your tight
nerve muscles.
There are many types of deep breathing exercises. You can start by
breathing through your abdomen and not your chest. You can do this
exercise whether you are lying on a floor or sitting on a chair. Place one of
your hands on the chest and the other on your abdomen. Now inhale deeply
through your abdomen and as a result the hand on your abdomen will move
and the movement of your hand on chest will stay mostly at the same place.
Similarly exhale slowly and deeply and rehearse this exercise by starting at
five minutes a day.
Another important deep breathing exercise is the inhaling and exhaling of

air through your nose and mouth respectively. Try inhaling with your nose
and count to six then exhale from your mouth as you reach at the count of
seven. Also contract the muscles of your abdomen to exhale all air of your
lungs. Try the same exercise again and again by increasing the number of
count every time. Of course you cannot hold your breath for any longer
than 1 minute but try to push yourself to see your limits. The deep breathing
exercise can become a life time habit and help you deal with stressful social
events.
Supportive Circle
Discuss your social anxiety problems with those who are most supportive to
you. You may have rehearsed with a number of techniques that can help
you to lower social anxiety and shyness. You can always practice these
strategies with your family and friends who are helpful and supportive to
you in such scenarios. Try to build up your social circle with supportive
family members, friends, and colleagues. They can help and guide you to
do much better at social events even when they are not around.
Asking the help of your supportive friend or family member can increase
your levels of courage and you may try to talk socially on your own. They
can motivate you to go ahead and talk to a stranger as well. You can even
come out making a good impression in a public speech. There could be
many things in which you can have the support of the positive influencing
people. For instance, there might be a number of specific places that cause
you anxiety. You can visit any of those places with them and discuss your
fears. They can encourage you to overcome the stress by guiding in many
different ways.
Meeting a specific supportive circle of people on regular basis can boost up

your confidence. Try not to get any close to the people who influence
negative thoughts on you and try to brainwash you again. These people are
no good to anyone mostly. They can discourage you and send you back to
the world of your inferiority again. Do not let them spill water of
disappointments on all the hard work done by you to reach at this stage.
Keep a specific distance from criticizing people and always direct yourself
towards a comfortable zone of your social supportive group.
Chapter 3: Interact Socially
There are many ways in which you can interact socially with ease without
giving in to any anxious feelings. All you need is a few tips and tricks to
ignore the negative thoughts and tell yourself that you are not going to spoil
your social reputation by giving yourself to stress, worry, fear and anxiety.
This divergence of negative thoughts into positive thoughts can help you
focus more on external social life and less on internal miscalculated
interpretations.
Seek Social Situations
The idea of seeking social situations may seem a little terrifying at first but
you may have learnt and practiced a lot to handle any social scenario much
better than before. You cannot run from it. Consider the thought of human
being as a social animal. No matter how much you try to hide from it but
you cannot completely get rid of it. The only thing you can get rid of is your
fear and anxiety by seeing yourself to socialize with others. So, it is better
not to avoid social situations instead accept them as a part of your life.
You can seek many social situations by visiting social places such as parks,
restaurants, cinemas, or a gym. Get to know these places and reduce the
barrier of unfamiliarity with the areas you visit. Nothing is as much
haunting as not knowing anything about a specific social place. Once you
familiarize yourself with the place, you can easily judge the social situation
around you and feel much comfortable. It you get any feelings of anxiety
then distract yourself from inside irrational nerves to the outside
surroundings.
At first try doing this with a supportive family member or a friend. Pick a
place. For instance, you go to a restaurant and find yourself in a situation to
talk to the waiter about the menu they serve here. Your supportive fellow
may be there for you but try to communicate yourself and order something
to eat or drink. Start with a focused and to the point small talk. If you see
yourself doing well in it, you can move on to the next level of social
situation by trying the strategy at any other place. Your friend is there to
appreciate you and make you feel much confident about yourself.
Join Groups
Everyone has some specific interests and possesses particular skills that
make them happy about themselves including you. These interests make
you feel much happy and comfortable. These could be anything from
collecting post stamps to reading books, from knitting to drawing comic
characters, and from painting to cooking. You can pick any of the skill or
interest that makes it easy for you to talk or you enjoy doing it with others.
Seeking people with similar interests and skill sets can help you socialize
easily without much anxiety. You can join a book reading club, a musical
drummers group or a shoe making learning class. The small social platform
of a club, a group or a class may help you practice your anti anxiety
techniques easily. There is a lesser chance of you getting lost in an
unfamiliar social group of people.
For instance, you enjoy water painting and you own a collection of
paintings but may have not shown too many people. You can join a club of
water painting or role in a class to learn water painting. There is a greater
chance to meet new people with similar interests and make new friends by
socializing with them. There you can practice the anti anxiety therapy and
forget all your fears by polishing your skills as well.
Focus on Conversation
A tip of staying confident and remove shyness is to concentrate on the

current social conversation. Think about what everyone in a social group is
talking before focusing on the negative harmless thoughts inside your head.
Once you concentrate on the discussion, your mind start manipulating the
ideas related to the discussion and you can take part in it by giving some
valuable information. You may not look like a fool by just standing there
saying nothing and looking nervous.
For instance, you are standing with a bunch of people and they are
discussing about designer shoes. You having interest in shoe designing but
you are too afraid to take part in the conversation. You may be thinking
about saying something but you are holding back thinking that you will
make a fool out of yourself. At that moment you can use the strategy of not
accepting the lies fed into you by other negative and criticizing people. Tell
yourself that you are brainwashed by the wrong people and you can
contribute to the conversation by adding some valuable information that
you have in mind. This positive thought can make you confident about
yourself and you can discuss about the most comfortable yet fashionable
designer shoes available in the market.
Taking part in conversation may help you to connect with people and
benefit others as well. There is a chance that some people standing in a
group do not know much about the discussion. If you are one of them then
you can contribute by pointing out a question that is of your interest. Many
of the people in the group may be willing to answer it for you. Always
remember no question is a stupid question so you cannot think about the
judgment of others. Take a pause and refocus your mind onto the present
conversation whenever you feel overwhelmed by anxiety. You can give
positive comments to other people as well to encourage them. In this way
you can make friends because most people prefer being around positive
energy.
Hang in the Conversation
The anxious, stressful and fearful feelings are not easy to take but you can
work really hard on ignoring them and focusing more on real conversation.
By doing this practice, you can learn to stay focused in conversation and
not just hide or run away when seeing a group of people somewhere. When
you are standing in a social circle and the feelings of anxiety tries to blur
everything out for you then just try to hang in there. Be a little tough on
yourself. At first the feelings of anxiety and stress may appear unbearable to
you but the longer you fight with them, the longer you can survive the
battle. Chances are that you may come out as a winner.
For instance, you are present in a group discussion of a class and teacher is
asking about the views of each student one by one on the given topic. You
feel extremely nervous about your turn. Chances are that the things you
already know are already discussed by other students and your mind is
thinking of worst scenarios like what will happen when it’s your turn?, what
will you say?, everyone will laugh at you when you will have nothing to say
and many more. You can simply try to ignore all these negative thoughts
and focus on the real discussion in the class. Face your fears and
concentrate harder on what everyone is saying. Chances are that you may
get an idea of what to say at your turn about the topic by listening carefully
to others. Even if you do not come up with something you can try to just be
yourself and stop thinking of it as the end of the world for you.
As the time proceeds, you can see that you can do social circle conversation
for longer hours than expected. You may come out wondering who that
confident person was a few minutes ago talking in a relaxed position about
his ideas with everyone. The trick is about being patient and relying on your
positive attitude to ignore all unrealistic worries inside mind. Staying in a
situation makes the anxiety reduce to the half of it. It may take up to half or
one hour but usually lessens quickly once you remain determined to face
the situation. When you feel better and participate with small talk then you
can see a great difference in your personality that the anxiety is now
replaced by a wonderful feeling of happiness.
Practice in Large Social Groups
The social situations that cater a large number of people in groups are
perfect to practice anti anxiety therapy. Such large groups of people give
you a chance to observe and learn at the same time. Observe the behavior of
other people. Are they all focused on you? Is everyone enjoying the
company of that large social group? Do you see any nervous type of people
among them like you? You can get a lot of time to observe because in large
groups only one or two people are the speakers and the rest of them are
listeners. You can learn by listening to communication style of others. The
people speaking in large social situations are really confident. They are just
like you and they have got rid of their internal negative thoughts by
replacing them with the external positive attitude.
Consider yourself in a social birthday party situation catering to a large

number of people. You can notice many different types of people at the
birthday party and learn about their social attitude. Most of the people may
seem happy and chances are that people may be standing or sitting in
smaller groups. Instead of feeling anxiety, you can just stand there, try to
act natural and observe the people contributing in conversation. Do not feel
pressurized to take part in the discussion unless you feel like doing it. This
scenario is great to practice your step by step therapy starting from relaxed
posture and small talk. You can set short goals for yourself. Think about
saying one or two sentences in the discussion then continue if you feel
much comfortable sharing your thoughts with others. Chances are that you
may be appreciated and people may be interested in talking to you.
Show your Qualities
Positive energy leaves a good and healthy affect on a person's personality.

This is the reason that most people prefer being around good people most
likely those who look good, say good and do good. You can also show case
your good qualities because people do not focus much on your flaws. They
may not ask you about the things that you cannot do. People may be more
interested in hearing about the things you can do and prefer to listen about
your qualities. Show off a little of your skills and interests by utilizing your
positive energy attitude.
Suppose you are at a college and standing among a group of people.
Everyone there is discussing about their interests and pastime activities.
You can start off by listening carefully to their activities and contribute with
your additional qualities. These qualities can be any of your pastime
activity like playing football, drawing paintings, listening music, or even
watching a specific type of TV series. Describe anything you feel like
relevant to the discussion. It is not necessary that someone has to be
interested in your favorite activity. Chances are there may be more than one
person that enjoys the similar activity like you.
People who are not so appreciative or supportive after listening about your
quality or skill are mostly jealous of you. These types of people only
generate negative energy and possess low self esteem. Nothing can be good
enough for them. So do not waste your energy trying to impress them,
instead keep a distance from such people. They do not support anyone and
criticize all. They are not much happy from themselves. So do not let them
brainwash you again. It is always better to move on to a supportive social
group of people.
Possess a Kind Nature
There are two types of people, the kind one and the selfish one. You can
become any of the two types. If you think you are too afraid and fearful to
go ahead and help a person who just fell on a street then your kind nature is
of no use. Your fear just turned you into a selfish person. Everyone wants to
be around kind and happy person. Be polite in your dealings with others
and do not let anxiety to cross your limits of being a nice person. Some
people shout when feeling nervous and anxious to stay away from others.
Shouting is a bad behavior of expressing your feelings of stress. No one
feels good to be around such people. This can make them away from social
life and they are left alone in their own misery.
You should try being polite in describing your feelings to others. If you do
not feel like saying anything then just tell the person in front of you that you
are not in condition to talk. You may get your space to calm down your
feelings and then reconnect when you feel better in your social life again. If
the feelings of anxiety are extremely high and uncontrollable then stay
quiet. Do not say a word that you may regret later. Try doing your breathing
exercise to calm down your nerves and relax your muscles. If you are
standing then find a place to sit down and if you are sitting already then lay
down for a few moments. This technique is extremely effective when you
are looking for quick results.
Kindness is a quality that attracts audience and makes you everyone's

favorite. Take part in social situations by starting off with kind words like
saying, "Hello", "How are you doing?", "Hope you had a good day.", and
many other kind statements. Ask about someone's health and discuss any
favorite topic of the other person. Make others happy by complementing
them and smile to show your interest in them. Eye contact is also very
important. It gives a good impression to others about you. It shows your
level of interest in the discussion and the person.
Chapter 4: Outsource Help
A person who often experiences anxiety, fearful behavior and stress is a

patient of social phobia. There is no shame to seek help from professionals.
Some people get rid of their anxious behavior on their own by reading
helpful books and using the support of family or friends. If the feelings and
behavior become too intense to control then you should immediately
outsource help for the treatment of social anxiety disorder.
Discuss with Doctor
If you think that a social group of people imposes stress on your mind then
you are going through social anxiety. You visit your doctor on a monthly
basis for the medical checkup already. You can always discuss your anxious
situation with your doctor that makes you shy in a social crowd. He may
suggest you some helpful treatments and also refer you to a professional
psychologist if he finds you in a state of intense disorder. A doctor may help
you in many ways as described below.
First he tries to calm you down and make you comfortable

enough to share your problem.
Then he may look for the reason of your problem by asking

various questions.
He can also do deep research at his own part to find out more
about your situation.
He can discuss your social situation on phone and help you even
when you are facing a social anxiety at a social place.
He can also make appointments with you even after or before

business hours based on your situation.
Suppose you are visiting a social place such as a museum. There you
encounter anxiety just being in that place and get tense because of the large
crowd. You can try hard to ignore these feelings and allow the positive
energy move in to you. Even if after that you feel difficult to concentrate
and unable to get out from this state of mind then you can call your doctor
and discuss about your condition with him. He may guide you in a different
way to overcome this situation and get rid of overwhelming nervous
feelings. So it is always best to seek your doctor help when you are facing
social anxiety.
Find a Therapist
The intense form of social anxiety is considered as a disorder called social

anxiety disorder and this may turn into other severe disorders like panic
attacks, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Social anxiety
disorder can be treated by the help of a professional therapist. You must
visit a therapist and discuss your behavior in a social situation with him if
you believe that you are going through an intense version of social stress.
He can make you go through Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to give
you proven results and get you out from this social anxiety state of mind.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy incorporates talk and discussion to treat the

exaggerated emotions and their effects on the physical health of a person. It
is a form of treatment that incorporates a unique way of thinking to provide
a new behavior approach and changes the way to react in social scenarios.
The therapist works with his client to change his thinking patterns that
eventually affects his behavior. The number of CBT sessions depends upon
the intensity of your condition. You can join a group CBT session or request
your therapist to provide individual sessions for you. Each session is based
on 30 to 60 minutes and takes about 5 to 20 sessions mostly on weekly
basis.
You can also do a self Cognitive Behavior Therapy by the help of many
books, online courses and information available on websites. CBT is not a
quick fix for your problem. It demands hard work during and after the
session from your side as well. It diverts your thinking from the negative
aspects of your past to the realistic external life of yours and focuses on
present. You must set some specific goals to achieve during this therapy and
benefit from its fruitful results. Proven Cognitive Behavior Therapy shows
that it works great with the help of a therapist especially when you are in a
low mood. It can be implemented in your busy routine life.
Group Therapy and Support Group
Group therapy and support group are both different in nature but both works
in your benefit. It is another way of lowering down social anxiety and
shyness. It keeps you social as well as gives you enough support during
your therapy. Group therapy is mostly recommended by your therapist if he
thinks you may show more progress in a group to improve your anxiety
condition. Support group is mostly joined based on the recommendation of
your doctor and also during self Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Group therapy is based on different techniques utilizing group methods

such as role playing activities, training of social skills, acting on a given
situation, taping a video and doing mock interviews in small groups. All
these techniques are applied in a group setting to benefit more than one
person at a time. These methods are supposed to help you confront social
scenarios that raise intense fear and stress in you. The techniques prepare
you for the real social world and help you overcome social anxiety. Chances
are that you adhere to the social environment and get rid of your social
anxiety more quickly than learning in an individual therapy session.
Joining a support group can be recommended by your doctor or done on the

basis of your free will. A support group helps you to get the required
support for your treatment and recovery. The purpose of a support group is
to make you feel that you are not left alone in your misery of stress and
everyone is there for you. You can find a support group in your region. You
can practice social situation in a group and benefit from the support of other
people as well.
Medication
Medication is used by social anxiety patients to help in recovery but cannot

be used as a treatment for social anxiety disorder. It is often recommended
by your doctor or therapist. It suppresses the symptoms by relaxing your
nerve and muscles. The symptoms such as fear, stress and anxious feelings
are disappeared by medication for a specific period of time. When you
leave this medication then the symptoms may come back. It is most
beneficial alongside professional therapy or a self therapy.
The medication used is in form of pills, tablets, or capsules that are used as
anti depressants during the feelings of depression and anxiety. They use
Beta blockers for performance anxiety and help improve the physical
symptoms of stress, anxiety and fear. It is highly recommended that one
must consult his doctor before starting any medication on their own. These
medications may have some side effects on your health as well. So try to
avoid them unless the use of medication is really necessary.
Conclusion
I hope this book was able to help you to get rid of social anxiety, stress, fear
and shyness. Also to help you achieve a confident personality that wins the
hearts of a crowd.
The next step is to implement on what you just learnt from this book in real
life and make your way through to achieve success in life.
writing.
review on Amazon?
Soap Making:
A Beginners Guide to Making

Natural Herbal Handmade
Organic Soaps from Scratch
Introduction
Thank you for downloading Soap Making: Beginners Guide to Making
Natural Herbal Handmade Organic Soaps from Scratch.
In this book we teach you the basics of Soap Making, equipment

necessities, tried and true soap recipes, and how to make your own recipes.
We teach the essentials of:

● Soap And Safety
● What is Soap?
● Safety Measures
● Needed Equipment
● Soap Making Equipment:
● Specialty Items that will be very helpful in making your soap
● Utensils you will need
● Containers you will need
● Safety Equipment
● Odds and Ends
● The Steps To Making Soap
● Soap Recipes
● Natural Calendula Soap:
● Oats and Honey Soap:
● Lavender Soap:
● Herbal Soap:
● Creating Your Own Recipes
● Another way to look at your oils
We also discuss soap cooking safety and the hazards of working with lye.
We discuss the basics of mixing soap, molding soap, drying soap, and how
long to expect soap to last.
We detail information about storing soap to make it stay fresh and clean.
We recommend you use older equipment that is still useful instead of

buying expensive, shiny new implements. Many of the needed supplies will
be on hand already and probably duplicated. It is very important that you
use tempered glass or stainless steel products for handling lye. Lye is a
corrosive and will melt plastic and have a chemical reaction with
aluminum. Always use a wooden spoon, not a metal one.
Soap making is a fun hobby that has double rewards:
● The creativity and imagination used in making it, and
● The usefulness of the completed product.
We hope you have many happy years practicing your new hobby of soap
making.
Chapter 1: Soap And Safety
What is Soap?
Soap is a compound used with water to wash and clean surfaces and skin.
Soap is a combination of oils or fats with an alkali like sodium hydroxide,
with the addition of essential oils or perfume and color added for
attractiveness.
Soap has a very simple recipe for the needed ingredients:
1. Oil or rendered fat,
2. Lye, sometimes called sodium hydroxide crystals,
3. Distilled or purified water.
This is the purest form of soap you can make. It works beautifully, but has
no scent and is not an attractive color. Adding essential oils, dried flowers,
and coloring can add some zing to your homemade soaps.
Lye and oil are both chemical compounds. When two compounds combine
in a chemical bond they make a third chemical compound, in this case,
soap. The chemical bonding process when combining the lye and the fat
and water will activate the lye to bond with the oil. This will eliminate the
lye and create the soap.
A natural, herbal handmade organic soap will have less additives than a
commercially prepared soap. You will want to select less chemicals and
processed ingredients so that you can claim a fully organic product. We
suggest that you use essential oils for an infusion of scent, dried herbs for
an adornment, and spices to give it a more attractive color than cold animal
fat. Your first few batches may not be the most esthetically pleasing, but
they will be functional and you will be learning texture and soap making
basics. After you have the process down pat then we will address the
beautification of soaps.
Safety Measures
Wear safety goggles and rubber gloves while handling the lye to protect
your skin and your eyes. Lye is caustic and can burn when you touch it. It
will ruin garments so wear very old clothes that can be thrown away or a
heavy apron that covers from neck to knees.
White vinegar is a neutralizer for lye. If you spill or splash the lye, pour
white vinegar liberally over the lye, then rinse it with cold water.
When you are mixing the lye, pay attention to the texture of the lye crystals.
It is dangerous to let them clump together. Large clumps of lye can explode
if the lye is heated all at once. When combining lye and water, add lye to
the water and not the other way around. This helps the lye to dissolve
quicker and more evenly. Continually stir your lye/water mixture with a
wooden spoon. Do not use a metal utensil for this portion of the recipe, only
a wooden spoon. Lye gets hotter as it absorbs the water, be careful not to
splash or stir too quickly as it will burn you two ways, a chemical burn and
a temperature burn.
Oil is a determiner of the type of soap you will make. You can use fat, like
lard or rendered beef fat, or you can use oil. Whichever you use, it must be
used in the liquid state, so that it will blend uniformly. If you use oils, limit
yourself to no more than three varieties. When you combine oils, it can
change the texture to the soap to be more gentle. Mixing oils gives a very
fine and unique texture to your results.
Water, the last foundational ingredient to soap making, should be distilled
or purified. The water is what causes the chemical reaction with the lye to
bond it to the oils or fats. Do not use liquid lye, only lye crystals. Your
ingredients should be weighed and measured carefully.
When the water activates with the lye, the lye and oils turn to soap. The lye
actually disappears. As the soap dries, it will also lose much of the water,
and it will also shrink. This is part of the normal drying process.
Chapter 2: Needed Equipment
The only materials safe to use when working with lye are those made from
glass, Pyrex, polypropylene (PP), and stainless steel. Any other equipment,
copper, aluminum or Teflon, etc., will have a chemical reaction with the lye
and can be possibly explosive or corrosive.
All of your equipment can be purchased online or at a soap or hobby store.

The more exclusive the store, the more expensive the equipment will be.
If you have duplicates of some of the materials listed, use them instead of
buying new products. They will be just as useful and nowhere near as
expensive. We also suggest that you shop at Thrift stores, Dollar stores, or
Goodwill stores to find the most frugal way to manage your hobby.
Soap Making Equipment:
Specialty Items that will be very helpful in making your soap

1. Kitchen Scale-Doesn't have to be high-dollar, but a reliable
digital scale will make weighing your ingredients much more
accurate. You will have better results with your soaps by being an
exacting measurer. One ounce difference can be crucial when
working with a chemical reaction.
2. Digital Thermometer-When mixing lye, water, and oil together,
it’s important for them to be in the same temperature range within
a few degrees. You need an accurate and easy to read
thermometer or you risk your ingredients not mixing properly and
losing your batch of components.
3. Stick or Immersion Blender-These are highly recommended
from experienced soap makers and likely the most expensive
ingredients outside of essential oils. The immersion blender is
necessary to get the ingredients to combine and come to the
"trace" stage. I recommend trying any kind of second hand store
and seeing if you can get a used one, just to save your budget.
4. Molds-Molds are containers in which you pour the trace liquid
after mixing. These containers can be as simple as a wooden box
frame, like a concrete frame, or as fancy as impressioned plastic
or silicon molds with designs stamped inside.
1. You will need containers to let your soap dry in for the
first 24-48 hours; your soap will take on the shape of the
containers. To be very frugal, you can also use silicon
pans made for loaves of bread and make a loaf of soap
instead.
2. After the first 24-48 hours you will take your semi-hard
soap loaf and cut it into bars before completing the
drying process. If you wait until the soap completely
hardens you may find it very difficult to cut into bars.
Utensils you will need
● A stainless steel spoon-To mix your oils
● A large wooden long-handled spoon-To mix your lye water
● Stainless steel whisk-Good for really mixing in your essential oils,
etc.
● Stainless steel strainer-Good for pouring your lye water through
before adding it to your oils, it helps catch any lumps you may have.
● Silicone spatula-Good for scraping your soap mixture out of its
mixing bowl and into the moulds.
Containers you will need
• Small containers for measuring oils, powders, etc.
• Deep stainless steel pan for heating up oils
• Container for measuring lye (Glass, Pyrex, PP)
• Container for measuring water and mixing in lye (Glass, Pyrex, PP)
• Stainless Steel mixing bowl
• You can also get pint and a quart canning jars to use for your
containers. (We will use them in our basic recipe.)
Safety Equipment
• Goggles
• Gloves
• Smock or apron
Odds and Ends
• Newspaper
• An old towel
• Drying rack
• Plasticwrap
Chapter 3: The Steps To Making Soap
These are the basic steps for soap making, also called the cold process. This
recipe produces a good body and facial soap bar.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup Lye or 100% Sodium Hydroxide (they are the same thing)
3/4 cup cool water (Distilled or Purified water will give best results)
2/3 cup of olive oil
2/3 cup of coconut oil
2/3 cup of liquid oil of your choice (Grape seed oil, Sunflower oil, almond
oil, or saffron oil are good options)
You'll notice these are measured out in standard measuring cups, these were
figured out by converting measurements to make this first attempt at
creating soap as easy as possible. You'll want to measure your oils in liquid
form. There are some that tend to come in a solid form, especially rendered
beef fat or lard. You have to warm them up a bit to liquify them for proper
measurement. Note the lye will be in the crystallized form only.
Protecting yourself and your work area: You'll want to put on your
protective equipment and cover your work surface with newspaper. Gather
the items you'll need to create your soap so that everything is conveniently
placed at your side. You'll want the towel, the canning jars, utensils for
stirring, molds, the strainer, and containers for measuring ingredients.
(Make sure you use a stainless steel measuring cup for the lye as it can melt
certain plastics)
Lye and Water: In your quart jar you'll want to measure out your water,
have your spoon ready, and then slowly add your lye as you mix. This is
where your goggles will come in handy. You may even want to consider a
mask to help cut down on the fumes that will start when you first combine
your two ingredients. It will smoke for 30 seconds to a minute. Its best to
make soap in a well ventilated area like your kitchen, where you can turn on
your vent fan. Keep stirring as you add all your lye and continue stirring
until it stops smoking and your water begins to clear. Once you've reached
this point you can let your jar sit for a bit as you work on the next step.
(Your lye water mixture will heat up during this process and will need some
time to cool down)
Heating your oil: In your pint jar, you'll want to combine all your oils
using your spoon to mix. Next put the whole jar in your microwave for
about a minute. The oil will need to be heated to about 120 degrees, so be
sure to check it. You can also immerse your jar in a pan of water for heating
if you don't want to use a microwave. Once your oil has reached 120
degrees, it's good to go. Your Lye mixture should have cooled down to
about 120 degrees as well. Now we wait, you need both to cool to
somewhere between 105 and 95 degrees. If the temperature is much lower
than this your soap will combine too quickly and you'll be left with a
crumbly soap.
Combining your ingredients: When both your lye mixture and oils have
cooled to the proper temperature you'll want to combine them. Try to make
sure they are only a few degrees apart to get the best result with your soap.
Add your oils to the mixing bowl; slowly add your lye mixture stirring
constantly. (At this point is doesn't matter which spoon you use as were
combining ingredients, but before this point it is a good idea to keep them
separate, to avoid any early mixing of ingredients.) You'll want to mix by
hand for at least 5 minutes before you change to a blender. Keep mixing
until your soap has the same consistency as pudding, you may find that it
lightens and it will become thick. There will be small lines or streaks in the
batter. When it reaches this consistency it’s considered to have reached
“trace”. Trace is the point when the oils and lye have fully mixed and are
starting to combine to create your soap.
Adding any extras: If you want to add any herbs, essential oils for scent or
any other additions like oatmeal, etc., now is the time to do it. Your whisk
will really come in handy now for combining those ingredients. Remember
that all coloring agents should be in a powdered form, even herbs and
stems. They should have been completely dried for at least a year, to ensure
that there is no moisture in the product, because it will cause your soaps to
mold and rot. They will smell terrible, ruin the entire batch, and possibly
contaminate other products you have in your storage area.
Making your mold: Lightly grease your soap molds with petroleum jelly
so they will release the soap easily. Pour your mixture into your mold or
molds and cover with plastic wrap. Wrap your molds into your towel to
help keep the soap warm while your soap goes through saponification. This
is the process where your ingredients will complete their transformation
into soap and all your initial ingredients will be gone, combined to create
our finished product.
Drying it out: Wait about 24 hours and check your soap. If it is still warm
or soft let it sit for another 24 hours. It needs to be kept in a warm
environment, maybe a Styrofoam cooler with the soap bars covered in both
plastic wrap first, then aluminum foil for 48 hours. After this point, take
away the extra insulation and leave it until it is cool and solid to the touch.
Once it's cool you'll want to turn your mold out onto a piece of parchment
paper or some kind of rack to continue curing. If you used a bread pan and
created a “loaf” of soap I would recommend cutting it now. If you want till
after the next step it could be extremely hard to cut into bars. Allow your
soap to dry for another 4 weeks, if you're not using a drying rack you'll
want to turn your soap once a week to make sure all sides get exposed to
the air.
Storing: Once your soap is fully cured you'll need to store it properly for
best results. You'll want to keep it in an airtight container or wrap it in
waxed paper; homemade soap is a magnet for dust; to keep it fresh stores it
properly. Essentially home made soap creates its own glycerin (a
humectant), which pulls moisture from the air and that moisture is what
attracts dust to it.
Cleaning up: The first step to cleaning up; any equipment or containers
that were exposed to lye should be neutralized in white vinegar. Once
you've used the vinegar you can wash your things like you normally would
with soap and water. For everything else, the mixing bowl, etc., that are
coated with residual lye and fat mixtures, instead of scrubbing for hours
trying to get that oil off and risking burning yourself on any residual lye, I
recommend leaving it be. Stick it in a garbage bag or set it out of the way
somewhere, then in about a week wash it. Now instead of fighting and
scrubbing nasty fat and lye you'll have things coated in soap! All you'll
need to do to clean is soak your equipment in hot water and run a scrub pad
over the surface. Your hands and elbows are saved.
Handmilled Soaps: Handmilled soaps are soaps that are made without the
addition of lye as an ingredient. Technically, lye is an ingredient because all
soap has a caustic agent. For your recipe purposes, you won't be handling
lye. What you will be handling is shaved baby soap, like Ivory, or Fels-
Naptha, a mild white soap. You will shave this soap with a knife or a grater
into a bowl. You should combine 2 cups of shaved soap to one cup of water.
Heat this either in a double boiler on top of the stove, or in the grated soap
bowl in the microwave. Be careful not to get the soap too hot. Stir the
ingredients very gently to combine them. If you stir too heartily you will
bubbles that are impossible to remove. Lightly grease your soap molds with
petroleum jelly so they will release the soap easily. Pour the soap into the
mold and place in the refrigerator to set.
Leave it overnight. Take the mold out of the refrigerator and turn out the
bars. Cut them as desired and then leave to cure and dry for at least 3
weeks. Be sure to cover them so as not to attract dust.
Chapter 4: Soap Recipes
** Please note these recipes will be in grams instead of the easy to follow
cup measurements we used above, so this is where your scale will come in
handy. Don't forget to zero your scale with the empty container before you
weigh your ingredients to get the best results.
Natural Calendula Soap:
Makes a 1 lb. batch about 4-5 bars.

• 120 g of Water
• 64 g of Lye
• 1 tsp of dried Calendula Petals
• 112 g of Coconut Oil
• 164 g of Olive Oil
• 82 g of Palm or Tallow Oil
• 78 g of Sunflower Oil
• 19 g of Shea Butter
• 6 drops of antioxidant of your choice
For optimum results you should infuse your petals into your water by
boiling water first and then adding the petals, allowing the mixture to cool
before you use water. Lightly grease your soap molds with petroleum jelly
so they will release the soap easily. Pour into the soap molds and let cure
for 48 hours. Take out of the molds and cut as desired. Wrap and store for
one month to cure and dry.
Oats and Honey Soap:
Makes a 1 lb. batch about 4-5 bars

• 120 g of Water
• 63 g of Lye
• 68 g of Castor Oil
• 9 g of Beeswax
• 1 tsp of Honey (7 g)
• 1 tsp of Rolled Oats (2 g)
• 6 Drops of Antioxidant
You'll want to add the honey when your mixture just starts to begin to trace,
and use a whisk to combine well. Next you'll add your oats, when your
mixture hasn't quite reached full trace. Lightly grease your soap molds with
petroleum jelly so they will release the soap easily. Pour into the soap
molds and let cure for 48 hours. Take out of the molds and cut as desired.
Wrap and store for one month to cure and dry.
Lavender Soap:

• 120 g of Water
• 64 g of Lye
• 10g about a teaspoon of Lavender Essential Oil
• 1/4 tsp of mineral color (Ultramarine Violet) (optional)
• 1/2 tsp of dried lavender buds preferably chopped (optional)
• 6 Drops of antioxidant
Separate your mineral color and add small amounts of it to your different
oils before you begin, mix well. Add your essential oil and lavender buds
just before your soap reaches full trace. Lightly grease your soap molds
with petroleum jelly so they will release the soap easily. Pour into the soap
molds and let cure for 48 hours. Take out of the molds and cut as desired.
Wrap and store for one month to cure and dry.
Herbal Soap:

• 120 g of Water
• 62 g of Lye
• 10 g of Essential oil, basically a teaspoons worth, I would go for
ones that match or compliment the dried herbs you'll use.
• 1 tsp of Dried Herbs, whatever you like there's lots of options out
there. You can use just one or a few that compliment one another.
• 6 drops of Antioxidants
You'll want to boil the water first and infuse it with your dried herbs. Allow
to completely cool before using. You'll add your essential oils to the
mixture when your soap hasn't quite reached full trace. Lightly grease your
soap molds with petroleum jelly so they will release the soap easily. Pour
into the soap molds and let cure for 48 hours. Take out of the molds and cut
as desired. Wrap and store for one month to cure and dry.
Chapter 5: Creating Your Own Recipes
Lastly, we will talk about the wide variety of ingredients you can use in
your soaps and what they will add to the outcome. With this general
knowledge you'll be able to move forward towards trying out your own
recipes.
Oils - You can use any oil or fat to create soap, just remember each type
will give your bar a different consistency or lather.
Beeswax-This will add a really nice scent to your soap, as well as help to
make it hard, but you'll want to keep it to small amounts. If you use large
amounts it will keep your soap from lathering.
Coconut Oil-Gives you a really fluffy lather for your soap, as well as being
super cleansing, helps give you a hard soap.
Olive Oil-makes soap that is great for all skin types, and conditioning for
the skin.
Palm Oil-Is great for soap making but it is recommend to make sure you
find a product that is sustainable, so as to not continue the damage to
protected animals habitats.
Soybean Oil-Provides great conditioning in your bar and a nice consistent
lather.
Another way to look at your oils:
Oils that create hard bars-Beeswax, Coconut oil, Lanolin, Lard, Shea
Butter, Tallow, Palm Oil
Oils that cleanse-Sunflower oil, Coconut oil, Palm Kernel oil
Oils that produce a good lather-Canola oil, cocoa butter, Hemp Seed oil
and Jojoba oil all give a creamy lather. Coconut oil, Castor oil, Palm kernel
oil all gives a fluffy lather.
Oils that condition-Avocado oil, Castor oil, Cocoa Butter, Apricot Kernel
oil, Corn oil, Grape seed oil, Jojoba, Hempseed oil, Mango butter, Olive oil,
Rice Bran Oil, Shea butter, and sweet almond oil.
Please note Jojoba, Apricot kernel oil, Avocado oil, Mango butter and the
others listed below are meant for superfatting so please use accordingly.
SuperFatting Oil: You'll want to use these oils in smaller amounts. You'll
add it at the very end of your soap making process, leaving it free floating.
This will keep it from being transformed into soap when combined with the
lye and impart more moisture to your finished product.
Shea Butter-Is best used as a superfatting oil due the difficulty it has with
turning into soap. Though often times, even if added in the beginning of the
process, it will stay a moisturizing butter instead of turning into soap.
Cocoa Butter-Provides great moisture for your skin, as well as providing
good skin protection, will also help to harden your soap. Can be used as a
regular oil but works better as a superfatting oil.
Sweet Almond Oil-Good because it leaves a light feeling and it can
condition and moisturize your skin.
Antioxidants: We use these in soap like preservatives. You want to use
preservatives in things that are wet because the moisture is a perfect
environment for bacteria to grow. In basic soap the water will evaporate and
we don't have to worry about using preservatives. When we use the
superfatting method with certain oils they won't dry out and we risk getting
rancid soap. We use these natural preservatives because they help any free
floating oils stay stable and keep them from turning our beautiful soap into
something totally gross.
● Grapefruit Seed Extract-It is extracted from the seeds and
pulp of a grapefruit. It's a clear thick liquid that works great at
keeping your soap from spoiling and doesn't add any unwanted
scents.
● Rosemary Oleoresin Extract-This strong smelling liquid is

thick and will help keep soap from going bad. It’s extracted from
rosemary leaves.
● Fragrance Fixers: Use 1 teaspoon in a 28 oz batch of soap
● Arrowroot-You'll want a powdered form; they do make flour

with it that will work.
● Cornstarch-100% pure cornstarch works best, can be found

in the grocery store.
● Oatmeal-You'll want to finely blend your oatmeal before

adding it. Not only will this give your soap a light exfoliator it
will help hold on to the scents you add.
● Orris Root-You'll want the powdered form; it’s made from
the dried and powdered root of an Iris. It has its own scent,
woodsy and violet, so watch how it affects your soap, as you may
not like it.
● Benzoin-Comes in a powder or essential oil and both will

work.
● Soap Colors: Different ingredients we place in our soaps can

impart different colors; Oils and fats can add yellowish hues to
our soaps while we can use flowers, herbs and other natural
ingredients even minerals to impart different colors into our soap
naturally.
● Oils-Depending on the color of your oil will depend what

color it gives your soap. Something like olive oil will give you a
warm, creamy yellow color while the more white oil is the more
white your soap will be.
● Clays-The colors we can get from clay are limited to the

colors we find in the earth, but clays in powdered form can add
nice color to your soap, as well as having detoxing properties and
can add a light exfoliator.
● Minerals/Micas-These powders come in a wide variety of

colors but you have to be careful if you're buying instead of
making them, many are created and can still have added
ingredients that are conducive to soap making and especially not
organic soap.
● Herbs, Roots, Flowers-For this group you can really get

creative, you can go with the obvious ingredients using ground
up flowers and plants, but you can also use things like spinach to
get a nice green color. So get creative grind it up and see what
works for you. You can also buy powdered forms of many plants,
etc., just check your labels, they are a very natural way to add
color to your soap.
● Sugars-If you add milk, sugar or honey to your mixture

before it reaches trace it will caramelize and can add some really
nice color.
● Natural Botanicals: When I say botanicals I mean all the

different parts of a plant or flower are considered a botanical.
These can add a lot of interest to your soap, whether to give it a
good overall visual effect, or for exfoliation purposes. There is
some debate as to how much of the actual ingredients are left
after going through the soap making process, so you'll have to
use your own judgment on that. All herbal products must be in
the dried form, not the fresh. If they are fresh they will turn dry
and rot. Use ¼ cup per batch of soap, to start. After you have
been making batches you will be able to determine the amount
that pleases you most. Chamomile and lemongrass are both
delicious smelling soap additives that can be grown at home and
inexpensive.
● Botanical Oils-These are best when used in the superfatting

stage, heat can cause a lot of the properties of the botanical to be
lost so you'll have to use your own judgement. Make sure you
notice if you are using essential oils, or blended artificial oil. It
will make a difference in the amount of oil you need to add for
scent. If they are essential oils, one measured teaspoon is the
appropriate amount for a batch this size. If they are artificial, you
should begin by doubling that amount.
● Dried Fruit and Spices-For these I like to use whole pieces

for visual interest, or powdered forms of items for color and as an
exfoliant. You can add a lemon slice to your soap to create an
interesting visual effect, as well as to let the soap soak up its juicy
goodness. Maybe you'll add a cinnamon stick to your soap for the
nice effect, or powdered as an exfoliant and to give it color. The
addition of powdered chlorophyll makes a brilliant green soap,
turmeric makes a deep yellow orange, and cocoa powder makes a
deep brown and a nice chocolate scent. Cocoa powder and
essential peppermint oil make lovely chocolate mint gourmet
soap. Cake food colorings does not hold up in soap, so these
should be avoided.
● Exfoliants-There are lots you can use to add a nice exfoliant

to your soap and give it great scrubbing power, so get creative.
You can use things like ground up nuts, almonds are great and
can add some of their oils to soap as well, ground pumice, and
rolled oats are good additives. You'll want to use small amounts
of the pumice and oats or you can overdo it with this scrubbers.
● Roots-There are lots of different roots, and many have

different medicinal uses, but once again, because they are heated
during our soap making process you risk losing those properties.
They are also great at coloring your soap as well.
● Herbs and Flowers-These can give you a wide variety of

decorative options as well as tints. If you want to use an infusion
of flowers you should use it in place of the water you add. So if
you have X cups of water and you want to use a quarter cup of
infusion you'll substitute that quarter cup of water. You can also
add petals to your soap as well, but they can lose their color
during the soap making process. Also note the flowers can turn
brown if not properly treated.
** Please note these ingredients should be in either a powder or liquid form
to best suit the uses of soap making. These forms allow for best infusion
and absorption into the soap itself.
We have touched on many basic concepts with soap making. A

note of caution: remember the more natural you go with your ingredients
the more natural your soap will be. If you want to go organic with your soap
you'll need to pay attention to the different products you get, as long as you
make sure your ingredients are classified as organic, you will have organic
soap.
There are so many ways to make soap that it would take a much
larger book to list all the methods. Besides cold process, which is what we
covered in this book, there is also hot process. You can even make your
soap in a crockpot.
I wish you luck on your soap making journey! Don't give up if
your first few batches don't come out right, it may take a few tries so don't
be discouraged. The perfect soap recipe combination is like making the first
cake of the first batch of cement. You learn to eyeball the correct thickness,
texture and consistency.
Conclusion
Thank you again for downloading this book, Soap Making: Beginners
Guide to Making Natural Herbal Handmade Organic Soaps from
Scratch!
I hope this book was able to help you to learn which products to purchase to
make your first batch of natural herbal handmade organic soap.
The next step is to gather the utensils, the ingredients, the safety equipment,
and a well ventilated room, and jump into the handmade soap making
hobby. If you enjoy it and practice it enough, it might turn into a lucrative
side business with a wonderful product that sells itself.
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Ultimate Business and Marketing Guide to Make Money Online by
Shane Blanc
ONLINE ARBITRAGE: How to Make Money Online From

Sourcing and Selling Retail Products On Amazon Or Ebay by
Shane Blanc
BONSAI: BONSAI CARE: The Ultimate Guide To Bonsai Tree
Care, Watering, Growing, Botanical, Home Gardening by Henry
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GREEK MYTHOLOGY

25 SPECTACULAR LEGENDS OF ANCIENT

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Legends surrounding Zeus

Zeus and the Oak

Zeus and the Tortoise

Zeus and the Greedy Ant

god of the sea, horses, and earthquakes

Surrounded by dolphins, Poseidon’s carriage was a huge shell drawn by

Sea-serpents, odd-looking fish, and sea-lions played around Poseidon’s

Legends surrounding Poseidon

Poseidon and Athena’s Contest

Poseidon and Demeter

Poseidon fell in love with Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. To

Poseidon, Agaeus and the Fatal Curse

god of the sun, light, music, and prophecy

Delphi was home to Apollo’s temple. The people presented questions to

Legends surrounding Apollo

Apollo’s Fight with the Monster Python

As punishment for murder, Zeus commanded Apollo to organize the

Apollo, Daphne and the Laurel Tree

Legends surrounding Hera

Hera and the Peacock

Zeus and Hera’s Marriage

goddess of love and beauty

Aphrodite and Adonis

Aphrodite and Pygmalion

Pygmalion was a talented sculpture. He decided to make a statue that

Aphrodite and the Weasel

Legends surrounding Athena

Athena and Odysseus

Athena and the Spider

HERACLES (or Hercules)

Half-man, half-god! Heracles was the strongest of mortals. . . even stronger

Legends surrounding Heracles

Heracles and Plutus

Surprised by Heracles’ actions, Zeus asked his son for an explanation.

Heracles and Athena

The First Feat of Heracles

leader of the Argonauts

Legend of Jason and the Argonauts

Angry at Madea’s betrayal, Aeetes refused to surrender the fleece. That

Jason encountered the Sirens, beautiful but dangerous creatures whose

Returning home, he presented the Golden Fleece to Pelias, but Pelias

Legend surrounding Odysseus

Odysseus and the Cyclops

Odysseus set about planning a way of escape. Finding a long stake, he

Polyphemus screamed in pain. Just then the sheep started bleating.

“No-man tried to kill me!” scream Polyphemus.

Legend surrounding Cronus

Titan god of astronomy and navigation

Legends surrounding Atlas

Atlas and Perseus

Atlas and Heracles

Heracles promised Atlas he would hold up the heavens if Atlas would go

god of foolish afterthought; Pandora’s box

Epimetheus, a Titan, was the brother of Atlas. His name means

Legend surrounding Epimetheus

Epimetheus and Pandora

Epimetheus and Prometheus were instructed by Zeus to give characteristics

Thank you again for choosing to purchase this book.

Greek Mythology 25 Spectacular Legends of Ancient Greece & Untold Myths of Zeus, Gods, Titans and Heroes-0Aby Henry Durden

Greek Mythology 25 Spectacular Legends of Ancient Greece & Untold Myths of Zeus, Gods, Titans and Heroes-0Aby Henry Durden