Synopses & Reviews
[back cover]
From the great magical figure of Merlin to the diminutive Harry Potter, wizards have appeared in many guises through the ages: as mystics, healers, and literary figures. Beautifully illustrated, Wizards traces the origins and legends of wizards, from ancient times to present day, and across the cultures of the world.
Read the enthralling stories of wizards of every tradition and experience what it feels like to be a wizard at first hand through the practices and meditations at the end of each chapter. You will learn:
How to Imagine Yourself as a Wizard How to Read Clouds and Stones How to Work with the Elements How to Make a Magical Talisman How to Invoke Your Guardian Angel and Inscribe a Magic Circle for Protection How to Visualize a Meeting with Dr. Dee Wide-ranging in scope, Wizards draws upon the entire history of this most ancient and universally recognized of figures and shows how wizards still influence us today.
[flap copy]
Wizards represent many things: they are technicians of power and wielders of awesome energies for both good and ill. They can show us the future as well as the past, hold up the glass of our dreams and illuminate some of our deepest longings. Variously chronicled as terrifying, funny, and dramatic, wizards have played an important part in real-life communities and in the imagination of many cultures. Wizards celebrates this venerable history, from the early manifestations of wizards as fur-clad shamans of the ancient steppe cultures to the modern techno-magi of science fiction.
Wizardsalso examines why we still love wizards and the importance of this enduring significance and fascination. Youâll also find guidance on how to practice your own forms of wizardry.
Synopsis
The author also suggests meditations and practices readers can use to foster their own potential for wizardry. This fascinating volume features 180 full-color illustrations.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 140-141) and index.
Synopsis
Readers have always been fascinated by the vast body of fact and fable surrounding wizards, those healers, mystics, and memorable figures from folklore and literature. Here is a beautifully illustrated guide to wizards and wizardry, a volume tracing wizardry's origins and legends, and charting wizards' activities and powers over the centuries and across many cultures. The book's six chapters examine and discuss--the history of wizards, including Siberian shamans, the classical Roman poet Virgil, wizards of the medieval and Renaissance eras including Dr. John Dee (1527-1608), famous fictional practitioners of wizardry such as Tolkien's Gandalf, and today's shamans in South America and India . . . The traditional role of the wizard as prophet and visionary . . . The wizard as master of nature's elements, and the genius who works with nature to transform himself and others . . . The good versus the evil wizards in history and legend, from the medieval Gilles de Rais to the modern Star Wars legend of the Emperor versus Obi wan Kenobi . . . The wizard as alchemist, with special attention to figures such as Merlin, the wizard of the Arthurian legends . . . The wizard as a keeper of knowledge and a seeker of truth . . . . The author also suggests meditations and practices readers can use to foster their own potential for wizardry. This fascinating volume features 180 full-color illustrations.
About the Author
John Matthews lives in England but is much in demand in both the U.K. and America as a lecturer on wizardry and related spiritual subjects. He is widely recognized as an expert on the legends of King Arthur and Merlin, and the author of several previously published books on the subject.