<p>In the 1980s small groups of experienced magicians<br />
experimented with the secret techniques of the Western Mystery<br />
Tradition. They produced a renaissance in the study of occultism<br />
and magic and a corpus of work which are the cornerstones of the<br />
tradition for the 21st century.<br />
Among their leaders was RJ Stewart, a renowned expert on<br />
traditional British folk, Celt and medieval music, who had<br />
recorded music for the BBC and various films. He was also a<br />
pioneer in studying the Merlin tradition, writing two original<br />
and influential books translating and exploring genuine<br />
medieval Merlin texts.<br />
In his classic book Advanced Magical Arts, the author draws<br />
upon the coherent, mature and enduring systems of magic, long<br />
preserved in our Western culture. With beautiful<br />
illustrations by Miranda Gray, he offers a series of fundamental<br />
aspects of the magical arts, which he supports with practical<br />
examples of visualisations and rituals.<br />
R J Stewart is a leading author on magic, mythology, music, and the creative<br />
imagination. He has forty-one books in publication, translated worldwide, and<br />
is also a composer and musician working in film, theatre, and television, and has<br />
made many recordings. Born in Scotland, he now lives in Northern California.</p>