GREENLEAF MAGAZINE
BOOK REVIEWS
THIS LAND IS OUR LAND In celtic tribal society, which endured in Scotland until the defeat at Culloden, the clan chief held the land but it was worked communally. This gives some hint as to what may have happened when England was in the same tribal state (and I know pagans will want to remind me of the importance of the woman, the Lady as Sovereign of the land). When the Saxons took over (by fire and sword) they established a new rule where each landholder had independent title, subject only to his duty to supply arms and sustinence to the king. When William conquered in 1066 the land was partitioned out to his cronies, many of whose ancestors still hold those lands. The feudal system gave way to direct ownership, and most of the feudal rights and duties ("noblesse oblige") of the landowner have been abandoned until we have a world where land is seen by landowners as just a personal possession to be exploited without corresponding duties to those who have been dispossessed. In Scotland and Ireland the peasants mounted serious rebellions in the 19th century. But in England tenants were encouraged to buy their plots, and integrate into the landowning class, with its special rituals, public schools and fox hunting, to which most people made rich who buy large holdings of land continue to conform. The rural poor, the farm labourers, were driven off by the enclosures and forgot their connection with the land, reviving it only as urban ramblers fighting for recreational access in the 20th century. This history is charted by Marion Shoard in an important book which has just been republished by Gaia Books at �10.99, this paperback is 560 pages long, and goes on to review methods by which land reform can be pursued. This is a scholarly seminal and important work, that will be the textbook for the next 50 years of the land struggle in this country. THE UNKNOWN ARTHUR by John Matthews, published by Blandford in 1995, revives some forgotten tales of the Round Table familiar so far only to mediaeval scholars, and some very good tales they are too. We can never quite perceive how Celtic legend with its traditional telling of wondrous tales interested the mediaeval mind with its concept of fierce warriors subjected to ideals of mystic christian chivalry, or why these archaic tales move us today in a yet very different world. But that's the gift of the mythopoeic art, that fantasy records the undying depths of human nature and tells us truths no history or science can divulge. It may be argued too, that spiritual questing is not just escapism, but a real means of achieving an escape from the banality, self-deprecation and hidden miseries that haunt all of our lives (although we so often think them unique to ourselves). We need a few heroes to pave the way of the imagination, this theory goes. MAGICAL PASSES by Carlos Castenada, HarperCollins h/bk �15.99. I have to leave aside unresolved to my own satisfaction, questions of the type, if Don Juan is just a myth, where does this entertaining knowledge come from? This book gets down to something solid in that it describes a system of bodily exercises that you can learn, the system is called tensegrity which is taught by real people in Los Angeles. These movements affect the subtle energy around you. Within that body there are alleged to be entrances to 600 other worlds which you might learn to enter. These hints may excite you enough to try doing these - I didn't have time to do any of them, so I can't tell you what happens. MAGIC & MYSTERY IN ANCIENT EGYPT by Christian Jacq, trs. Janet Davis, Souvenir Press p/bk �9.99 This is a new translation of a book first published in France in 1983. Jacq, a studied Egyptologist, mentions how he met and conversed with a modern magician in Egypt who confirmed in some way for him a continuity with the ancient knowledge he studied in the papyri. Only hints of their conversation appear to give any clue into this. Jacq's apparent enthusiasm for everything magical and Egyptian fails to still what for me are some serious questions. It seems likely that the sun will not fail to rise if certain ceremonies are not performed. Also some flattery of the Supreme ruler is intended in references to the magical abilities of pharoah, other people can be magicians as the records show. The method of healing disease by identifying the patient with a deity whose ailment threatens the stability of the universe and thus must be healed is an interesting one. It may work best if both the practitioner and patient live in a culture immersed in those ancient myths. Nowadays we would not suppose magic to rely on recipes that must be followed exactly, rather on intent and suitable correspondences. Anyone wishing for practical instruction needs to work hard at this material, as perhaps is only right, particularly if one's aim is immortality, as was the ancient practitioners. Jacq believes they made it and are still with us. RAGE AND REASON by Michael Tobias, AK Press �7.95 ([email protected]). Most adventure novels have a political plot that one can ignore in practice, traditionally some right wing paranoia about a conspiracy and commies taking over the world by stealth will do. Here the escapism is of a more uncomfortable kind, as the narrator finds his high principled brother prepared to murder hundreds of human beings to rescue and wreak revenge on behalf of animals. Over-the-top descriptions of horrendous but entirely fictional (so the disclaimers in the book painstakingly remind us) research laboratories, abbatoirs and depots of caged wildlife are supposed to justify the difficult moral position of the killer and there is opportunity for long political tracts. Like most people I dislike cruelty to animals and can identify with the protagonist, and yes, the story races along in an exciting way, but I'm not a convert and at the end found myself feeling I'd been used. The combination of propaganda preaching and blood-and-thunder novel, of the real and fantasy, didn't quite make it. THE STEALER OF THE SEASONS by Simon R. Musk, Wildwood Publications, 68 Sutherland Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 1BZ. �5 to author, �6/$10 overseas. I must say I have met the fearful Icelord who dreams once again of covering the land (in the Black Mountains, one Easter, if you want to know) and give him a place of honour in my personal rituals, partly to ensure he remains an integral part of the scheme of things. But in this story the Icy Sorcerer goes for it on his own for real, only four schoolchildren, egged on and helped as in all good tales by a mysterious stranger, can break the spell and stop the whole of Britain freezing over. I think this is a simple but effective story, and the author has a good understanding of the mix of mundane reality and the supernatural children enjoy. Well I enjoyed in anyway. Apparently a further tale, The Cry of the Trees, is on its way to us. SEASONS OF SORCERY, On becoming a Wisewoman, by Poppy Pallin. �10.95 by Capall Bann 1998 192pp p/bk. This rather fascinating book recounts the author's personal experience of a long spiritual journey - starting from a childhood plagued by a series of uncontrolled and somewhat frightening psychic phenomena, through a long period of isolation, and, at times, doubting one's sanity, to eventually total past lives recall, and re-learning the craft of being a wisewoman. Poppy's search for spiritual truth and guidance has led her through UFO research, some truly astounding experiences at Stonehenge, a period of fundamentalist Christianity, to eventually getting in touch exploring and accepting The Old Ways. Poppy's recall of her past lives is stunning, and the fact that other people, who shared these past lives with her, share that recall, even more so. As she is extremely psychic, some of her experiences can be a little perplexing to those who are not so gifted. She also shares with us her understanding of the eight points of the year, and some very nice pathworkings - all this without losing her sense of humour! An extremely interesting book, to say the least. [PUBLISHED IN GREENLEAF AUG 1998 NOV 1998 MAR 1999]
Click here to go to PADRAS/Stonehenge site Click for information about Robin's Greenwood Gang Click here to return to RGG home page

GREENLEAF MAGAZINE

BOOK REVIEWS

THIS LAND IS OUR LAND In celtic tribal society, which endured in Scotland until the defeat at Culloden, the clan chief held the land but it was worked communally. This gives some hint as to what may have happened when England was in the same tribal state (and I know pagans will want to remind me of the importance of the woman, the Lady as Sovereign of the land). When the Saxons took over (by fire and sword) they established a new rule where each landholder had independent title, subject only to his duty to supply arms and sustinence to the king. When William conquered in 1066 the land was partitioned out to his cronies, many of whose ancestors still hold those lands. The feudal system gave way to direct ownership, and most of the feudal rights and duties ("noblesse oblige") of the landowner have been abandoned until we have a world where land is seen by landowners as just a personal possession to be exploited without corresponding duties to those who have been dispossessed. In Scotland and Ireland the peasants mounted serious rebellions in the 19th century. But in England tenants were encouraged to buy their plots, and integrate into the landowning class, with its special rituals, public schools and fox hunting, to which most people made rich who buy large holdings of land continue to conform. The rural poor, the farm labourers, were driven off by the enclosures and forgot their connection with the land, reviving it only as urban ramblers fighting for recreational access in the 20th century. This history is charted by Marion Shoard in an important book which has just been republished by Gaia Books at �10.99, this paperback is 560 pages long, and goes on to review methods by which land reform can be pursued. This is a scholarly seminal and important work, that will be the textbook for the next 50 years of the land struggle in this country.

THE UNKNOWN ARTHUR by John Matthews, published by Blandford in 1995, revives some forgotten tales of the Round Table familiar so far only to mediaeval scholars, and some very good tales they are too. We can never quite perceive how Celtic legend with its traditional telling of wondrous tales interested the mediaeval mind with its concept of fierce warriors subjected to ideals of mystic christian chivalry, or why these archaic tales move us today in a yet very different world. But that's the gift of the mythopoeic art, that fantasy records the undying depths of human nature and tells us truths no history or science can divulge. It may be argued too, that spiritual questing is not just escapism, but a real means of achieving an escape from the banality, self-deprecation and hidden miseries that haunt all of our lives (although we so often think them unique to ourselves). We need a few heroes to pave the way of the imagination, this theory goes.

MAGICAL PASSES by Carlos Castenada, HarperCollins h/bk �15.99. I have to leave aside unresolved to my own satisfaction, questions of the type, if Don Juan is just a myth, where does this entertaining knowledge come from? This book gets down to something solid in that it describes a system of bodily exercises that you can learn, the system is called tensegrity which is taught by real people in Los Angeles. These movements affect the subtle energy around you. Within that body there are alleged to be entrances to 600 other worlds which you might learn to enter. These hints may excite you enough to try doing these - I didn't have time to do any of them, so I can't tell you what happens.

MAGIC & MYSTERY IN ANCIENT EGYPT by Christian Jacq, trs. Janet Davis, Souvenir Press p/bk �9.99 This is a new translation of a book first published in France in 1983. Jacq, a studied Egyptologist, mentions how he met and conversed with a modern magician in Egypt who confirmed in some way for him a continuity with the ancient knowledge he studied in the papyri. Only hints of their conversation appear to give any clue into this. Jacq's apparent enthusiasm for everything magical and Egyptian fails to still what for me are some serious questions. It seems likely that the sun will not fail to rise if certain ceremonies are not performed. Also some flattery of the Supreme ruler is intended in references to the magical abilities of pharoah, other people can be magicians as the records show. The method of healing disease by identifying the patient with a deity whose ailment threatens the stability of the universe and thus must be healed is an interesting one. It may work best if both the practitioner and patient live in a culture immersed in those ancient myths. Nowadays we would not suppose magic to rely on recipes that must be followed exactly, rather on intent and suitable correspondences. Anyone wishing for practical instruction needs to work hard at this material, as perhaps is only right, particularly if one's aim is immortality, as was the ancient practitioners. Jacq believes they made it and are still with us.

RAGE AND REASON by Michael Tobias, AK Press �7.95 ([email protected]). Most adventure novels have a political plot that one can ignore in practice, traditionally some right wing paranoia about a conspiracy and commies taking over the world by stealth will do. Here the escapism is of a more uncomfortable kind, as the narrator finds his high principled brother prepared to murder hundreds of human beings to rescue and wreak revenge on behalf of animals. Over-the-top descriptions of horrendous but entirely fictional (so the disclaimers in the book painstakingly remind us) research laboratories, abbatoirs and depots of caged wildlife are supposed to justify the difficult moral position of the killer and there is opportunity for long political tracts. Like most people I dislike cruelty to animals and can identify with the protagonist, and yes, the story races along in an exciting way, but I'm not a convert and at the end found myself feeling I'd been used. The combination of propaganda preaching and blood-and-thunder novel, of the real and fantasy, didn't quite make it.

THE STEALER OF THE SEASONS by Simon R. Musk, Wildwood Publications, 68 Sutherland Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 1BZ. �5 to author, �6/$10 overseas. I must say I have met the fearful Icelord who dreams once again of covering the land (in the Black Mountains, one Easter, if you want to know) and give him a place of honour in my personal rituals, partly to ensure he remains an integral part of the scheme of things. But in this story the Icy Sorcerer goes for it on his own for real, only four schoolchildren, egged on and helped as in all good tales by a mysterious stranger, can break the spell and stop the whole of Britain freezing over. I think this is a simple but effective story, and the author has a good understanding of the mix of mundane reality and the supernatural children enjoy. Well I enjoyed in anyway. Apparently a further tale, The Cry of the Trees, is on its way to us.

SEASONS OF SORCERY, On becoming a Wisewoman, by Poppy Pallin. �10.95 by Capall Bann 1998 192pp p/bk. This rather fascinating book recounts the author's personal experience of a long spiritual journey - starting from a childhood plagued by a series of uncontrolled and somewhat frightening psychic phenomena, through a long period of isolation, and, at times, doubting one's sanity, to eventually total past lives recall, and re-learning the craft of being a wisewoman. Poppy's search for spiritual truth and guidance has led her through UFO research, some truly astounding experiences at Stonehenge, a period of fundamentalist Christianity, to eventually getting in touch exploring and accepting The Old Ways. Poppy's recall of her past lives is stunning, and the fact that other people, who shared these past lives with her, share that recall, even more so. As she is extremely psychic, some of her experiences can be a little perplexing to those who are not so gifted. She also shares with us her understanding of the eight points of the year, and some very nice pathworkings - all this without losing her sense of humour! An extremely interesting book, to say the least.

[PUBLISHED IN GREENLEAF AUG 1998 NOV 1998 MAR 1999]

Click here to go to PADRAS/Stonehenge site

Click for information about Robin's Greenwood Gang

Click here to return to RGG home page