The website of Grail specialists John and Caitlin Matthews: www.hallowquest.org.uk For a distance-learning course in ‘Avalonian Magic’ and the Grail mysteries, taught by the author Mara Freeman, see www.avalonmysteryschool.net

Henge, 1 mile south of Penrith. Further afield, 40 miles south-east, lies Pendragon Castle, said to have been built by Arthur’s father Uther Pendragon.

His first book, Magic: An Occult Primer (Jonathan Cape, 1972), remains a considerable success with both adepts and novice magicians. He continued his career as a high-flying civil servant, while writing two more books: The Magic of Herbs (Jonathan Cape, 1973) and Secret Wisdom: The Occult Universe Explored (Jonathan Cape, 1985).

Fulgur Limited www.fulgur.co.uk Heart of Albion Press www.hoap.co.uk Madragora www.mandrake-press.co.uk Mandrake of Oxford www.mandrake.uk.net Magis Books www.magisbooks.com Rite Magic www.ritemagic.co.uk Scarletimprint www.scarletimprint.com Thoth Books www.thoth.co.uk Wooden Books www.woodenbooks.com

Merlin Through the Ages: A Chronological Anthology and Source Book, John Matthews and R.J. Stewart (ed.), (Cassell, 1995)

Armed with information from internet searches and a good guidebook, such as John Michell’s The Traveller’s Guide to Sacred England (Gothic Image, 2003) or Geoffrey Ashe’s The Traveller’s Guide to

Pullman replied: ‘The alethiometer came out of my interest in the Renaissance, the world described so vividly by Frances Yates in The Art of Memory and The Rosicrucian Enlightenment. During the Renaissance there was a rediscovery of Greek philosophy, and a fascination with what we now call the occult, astrology and alchemy.’9

Action, Attraction Integration, Christopher Power (available from www.actionattractionintegration.com)

Grail then becomes a search not for a physical object, such as a chalice of gold, but instead a pilgrimage to particular heart or Grail centres where the sacred can be found. For details of their work, see www.zoence.co.uk