"I called it magic – Kathleen Raine called it poetry – J. R. R. Tolkien called it enchantment – others have called it a variety of things – from mysticism to mumbo jumbo. All I know is that it works – and that for better or worse I have lived most of my life by it."

The esoteric autobiography of Gareth Knight covers six decades of magical work, beginning with his induction into the Society of the Inner Light in the early 1950s, his resignation and founding of his own magical group, and subsequent return to the Society. It traces his series of legendary Hawkwood meetings working with Arthurian, Rosicrucian, Celtic and Greek archetypes, the powers of Merlin, the Tarot, the Qabalah, the Goddess and Tolkien's elves. His journey takes in the Christian mystical tradition and the shining allure of Faery – all told through the warmth, wit, wisdom and humour of one who has never been afraid to plough his own furrow.

"If you have ever wanted to glean some understanding of the mind, and motivation, of an adept Mage-of-Light – this is THE book to read. It is the best account of its kind to be published in over a century."
— Inner Fire Journal

ISBN: 978-1-908011-15-2
Copyright: Gareth Knight
Language: English
Pages: 224  
Binding: perfect-bound paperback
Interior print: black & white, with photographs
Dimensions: 15.2cm wide × 22.9cm tall (6 x 9 in)

Published October 31st 2011

£12.99

$19.99

Review from Magic of the Ordinary:

“The diversity of magical approaches and traditions worked by Mr Knight and covered in the book is staggering: traditional ceremonial magic, Qabalah, Tarot, Isiac Mysteries, Faery Lore, Rosicrucianism… the list is very long. In addition there are descriptions of non-traditional approaches to the mysteries via the mytho-poetic creations of Tolkien, Lewis, Noyes and others. And while few of the chapters are out-and-out teachings or instructional in nature, there is much to be gained from them – both from their content and the material between the lines. Indeed it is very hard to read chapter to chapter without some break, as there is much in each to stimulate the inner awareness and senses and I felt myself getting a little overwhelmed without regular breaks. The inner contacts and reality Mr Knight writes about live more than on the page, and some descriptions are very moving and very deep.”

Review from the Inner Light Journal:

"This is a book full of humour; there is gravity, but it has been leavened with levity. There are wonderful anecdotes and reminiscences of all sorts of fascinating people and events. Although Gareth Knight has not suffered fools gladly, he has suffered them gently and with grace in this book, which makes it an insightful account of a lifetime’s work which has not always been easy, but has clearly been exciting and great fun!"