Regular readers will know that when I re/discover an author to my
liking, I tend serially to binge on their work; including any
biographical material, and critical evaluations, where available.
A few
months ago this happened with Philip K Dick, and currently I am reading Gareth Knight.
I began by re-reading his book on the Inklings (which I already owned)
then went on to another half dozen or so; including his autobiography
and selected letters.
Gareth Knight is the pen-name of
Basil Wilby; and he is probably the leading expert on the broad subject
of 'magic' - including ritual and symbolic magic, such as the work of
Dion Fortune, the Qabalah, Alchemy, the Tarot and the like. He is (or was - he is ninety now) a
practising magician; and has been a member of and led several groups;
run courses, and published magazines - along with a several dozen books.
Knight is a Christian (Church of England), and comes across as a thoroughly likeable and decent person; so I would add him into my 'lineage' of Romantic Christianity.
Of his many books; the ones I would recommend to readers of this blog interested in giving him a try, would be: The Magical World of the Inklings (for a gentle introduction) and Experience of the Inner Worlds to get a stronger and deeper impression of Knights special contribution to Romantic Christianity.
1 comment:
Yes. I second every word of that. Gareth Knight - a high priest of the magical Imagination in the service of God.
Post a Comment