Works by
John Matthews
(Writer)
[1948 - ]

Children

• Trick of the Tale: A Collection of Trickster Tales (2008) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews with Tomislav Tomic, Illustrator
  Enter (carefully) the world of the tricksters, those wily creatures who lie their way out of trouble, cheat when they get a chance, and devise elaborate tricks to get what they want —- with delightfully unpredictable results. This truly diverse, elegantly illustrated collection follows such clever characters as Anansi, Coyote, Brer Rabbit, and others who play a role in a multicultural array of storytelling traditions, from African to Inuit to European, Tibetan to Native American to Japanese. Ages 9-12.

• Pirates (2006)
  At last the ultimate book of pirates is here! Inside is the stuff of legend, where tales of adventure and intrigue are written in blood. Read about Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. Learn about walking the plank and buried treasure. Discover what was like aboard a pirate ship -- from a pirate's strict code of conduct to the punishments that awaited those that broke them.
  All the intrigue, adventure, and grizzly details are brought to life in this lavish hardcover package jam packed with fact and fiction, pirate lore, and amazing memorabilia, including:
   

  • a booklet of pirate slang

  • a genuine advertisement to recruit pirates

  • a booklet of pirate biographies

  • a letter from William the III to Captain Kidd

  • a pullout featuring pirate weapons

  • a treasure map

  • a wanted poster for Blackbeard

  • sample playing cards

  • as well as flaps and fold outs galore!

• The Barefoot Book of Knights (2005) with Giovanni Manna, Illustrator
  Not just anyone can be a knight, and this spell-binding collection of action-packed stories from around the world will show you why. From the familiar court of King Arthur to the distant realm of Prince Vladimir of Kiev, this enticing collection reveals that being a good knight is harder than it may seem. Not only are a brave heart and a strong arm required, but it is also necessary to know your own weaknesses, learn to cooperate with others and even, at times, have a good sense of humor!  Giovanni Manna brings his warm, colorful characters to these adventurous tales that are sure to delight young would-be knights across the land.  With CD.  Ages 9-12.

Non-fiction

Non-fiction by John Matthews

• A Constant Search for Wisdom  (2007)
  Collection of John Matthews essays, stories, poems, and other writings. 7.44 inch wide by 9.69 inch tall. In our time when so much emphasis is on the quick and the facile, the glamorous and the trendy, John offers something deep and lasting. He bridges the ancient wisdoms of our past and the possibilities of our future. He calls himself a shaman, but I call him a sage. And as you read the treasures in this book, I believe you will as well.

• The Book of Celtic Verse: A Treasury of Poetry, Dreams & Visions (2007), John Matthews, ed.
  John Matthews, a leading authority on Celtic lore and a New York Times bestselling author, has compiled an inspirational, beautifully presented collection of poetry. From the earliest times, the language-loving Celts revered their bards: they established a poetic tradition beginning in the 6th century with the intricate magical verse of Taliesin. It continued in the rich medieval works of Dafydd ap Gwilym and Rhys Goch, and stayed strong in the 19th and 20th centuries with Gerald Manley Hopkins, and writers such as R.J. Stewart, Robin Williamson and Catherine Fisher. Matthews has chosen the finest works by these poets, and translated many of the oldest for this volume. His selection reflects the uniquely Celtic love of nature, history, myth, magic, and spirituality.

• The Grail Tarot: A Templar Vision (2007) with Giovanni Caselli, Illustrator
  With The Grail Tarot, John Matthews and Giovanni Caselli join forces to bring to together the elements of the grail legend in a wonderfully conceived and beautifully designed new tarot. The grail legend is one of the most famous and enduring mysteries of all time. At the story's center is a group of knights on a quest to find the ancient relic. The Grail Tarot relates this search for the sacred Christian relic to our desire to understand the puzzle of our own lives. The Knights Templar have long been linked with the Grail, and they and other archetypal figures associated with the Templar mysteries - as well as well-known Grail figures such as Galahad - take their place in the Major Arcana of the deck. The suits are represented by the four Hallows of the Grail: cup, spear, sword and stone.

• The Celtic Oracle: Exploring the Inner World (2005)
  Includes 40 illustrated cards.

• The Grail: A Secret History (2005)
  What is the Grail? Is it a stone? Is it a chalice? Or is it something even more powerful—an enduring idea that has captured humanity's imagination across the centuries? Fictional accounts of the Grail have topped best-seller lists over the years, The Da Vinci Code being only the most recent among them. But the truth about the Grail—where truth can be brought to light—is even more electrifying than the most exciting novel ever written. This informative and beautifully illustrated book recounts the Grail's story, from its early appearances in ancient myths to its many references in historical documents, literature, and the popular entertainment of today. Grail scholar John Matthews explores many previously unknown facets of the Grail's history. He brings to light the earliest accounts of the Grail, as they were originally inscribed in Greek, Vedic and Celtic myths. Then probing still more deeply into the story of the Grail, he —

  • Examines the part the chalice plays in Christ's Passion

  • Tells stories of the secret societies that guarded the Grail's mysteries

  • Explores Grail theories that speculate on the holy bloodline of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, and on an alternate theory of the Grail as the philosopher's stone

  • Describes modern Grail seekers, and reveals why even the Nazis sought it

  These and hundreds more fascinating details will keep readers turning pages to the book's final chapter. Approximately 90 color photos.

• The Secret Lives Of Elves & Faeries: From the Private Journal Of The Rev. Robert Kirk (2005)

• King Arthur: Dark Age Warrior and Mythic Hero (2004)
  King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table have captured the world's imagination since medieval times. The tales of King Arthur are rooted in history, but over the years the facts have become shrouded in myth and mystery. In this beautifully illustrated book Arthurian expert John Matthews explores the legends that have grown around the king and uncovers the mysteries of Arthur's Britain. The numerous characters surrounding King Arthur are introduced and the facts behind the epic saga are revealed.

  • Contains 120 color and black-and-white images

  • Covers Merlin, Guenevere, Lancelot, the Holy Grail, and all the mythic search for characters

• Merlin: Shaman, Prophet, Magician (2004)
  Merlin, best known to us as the advisor of young King Arthur, is the most famous and familiar image of the magician that we possess. Acclaimed Arthurian expert John Matthews examines the many guises of this popular figure—as seer, prophet, magician, and inspiration to people from all walks of life. He explores the possible historic origins of Merlin as a Celtic king, the later literary forms of his legend in the myths of King Arthur, and his more recent manifestations in visionary works, as the prototype for characters such as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars films, and other characters in TV and fantasy writing. Drawing on a wealth of sources from Celtic, medieval, and Renaissance times, this is the first, fully-illustrated book on Merlin, the man.

• The Sidhe: Wisdom from the Celtic Otherworld (2004)
  This newest book by John traces his connection with a “Faery” or Sidhe being. It is full of wisdom and interesting detail about this “cousin” race to humanity. It includes six exercises and an illustration of a “Great Glyph” which acts as a tool of attunement with these graceful beings.

• The Book of Arthur: Lost Tales from the Round Table (2003)
  In this volume, leading Arthurian scholar and storyteller John Matthews has gathered a rich collection of "forgotten" Celtic and medieval tales and retells them as thrilling new stories in fresh, readable prose. Tracing the richness, color, and vibrancy of the Arthurian traditions, this illustrated anthology reaches back before the familiar tales of chivalry and romance to unearth surprisingly savage tales. Funny, dark, and revelatory--depicting Arthur as a wild warrior who leads a ragtag band of heroes into battle against the Saxons and in a timeless struggle against the forces of the Otherworld--these little-known stories will delight any Arthur aficionado.

• Sir Gawain: Knight of the Goddess (2003)
  Restores Gawain of Camelot to his true role as the foremost representative and servant of the Goddess.
   

  • The full story of Gawain of Camelot that restores a lost piece of the great Arthurian tapestry.

  • Traces the historical trends that demoted Gawain from the foremost knight of the Round Table to a villain and womanizer.

  • The result of more than 20 years of research by one of the world's leading scholars of Arthurian mythology.

  Sir Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur, was once the most important knight at Arthur's court, a shining example of all that was best in chivalry. He even outranked the famous Lancelot. Yet as the popularity of the Arthurian romances grew, the character of Gawain became increasingly diminished in popular literature. John Matthews explores the phenomenon that influenced the recasting of Gawain from hero to womanizing villain, providing a scholarly context through which Gawain's role as the representative of the Goddess upon Earth--the real Green Knight of Camelot and Sovereignty's Champion--may be restored. In addition, the author presents a unique view of the mythology of Britain and its connections with the historical changes that took place over many hundreds of years in the religious and mystical traditions of the country.

• The Green Man Tree Oracle: Ancient wisdom from the greenwood (2003) with Will Worthington, Illustrator
  This beautifully illustrated deck of 25 cards depicts each of the trees that make up this ancient Celtic alphabet. The Green Man is present in every image -- sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden -- inviting you to enter his world. You will discover tree lore, myths and symbolism, and you will learn the innermost meaning of each card, and how this age-old knowledge can guide you in your life today. Pack contains: 25 stunning Green Man cards 128-page illustrated book of interpretations.

• Wizards: The Quest for the Wizard from Merlin to Harry Potter (2003)
  From the great magical figure of Merlin to the diminutive Harry Potter, wizards have appeared in many guises through the ages: as mystics, healers, and literary figures. Beautifully illustrated, Wizards traces the origins and legends of wizards, from ancient times to present day, and across the cultures of the world.
  
  Read the enthralling stories of wizards of every tradition and experience what it feels like to be a wizard at first hand through the practices and meditations at the end of each chapter. You will learn:

  • How to Imagine Yourself as a Wizard

  • How to Read Clouds and Stones

  • How to Work with the Elements

  • How to Make a Magical Talisman

  • How to Invoke Your Guardian Angel and Inscribe a Magic Circle for Protection

  • How to Visualize a Meeting with Dr. Dee

  Wide-ranging in scope, Wizards draws upon the entire history of this most ancient and universally recognized of figures and shows how wizards still influence us today.
  
  Wizards represent many things: they are technicians of power and wielders of awesome energies for both good and ill. They can show us the future as well as the past, hold up the glass of our dreams and illuminate some of our deepest longings. Variously chronicled as terrifying, funny, and dramatic, wizards have played an important part in real-life communities and in the imagination of many cultures. Wizards celebrates this venerable history, from the early manifestations of wizards as fur-clad shamans of the ancient steppe cultures to the modern techno-magi of science fiction.
  
  Wizards also examines why we still love wizards and the importance of this enduring significance and fascination. You?ll also find guidance on how to practice your own forms of wizardry.

• At the Table of the Grail: No One Who Sets Forth on the Grail Quest Remains Unchanged (2002), John Matthews, ed.
  In this stimulating collection of essays, some of the finest contemporary writers show how themes from Eastern and Western traditions meet in the different versions of the Quest, and are rich in insights for us all.

• Celtic Totem Animals (2002)
  With drumming CD for your own shamanic journey.

• The Green Man: Spirit of Nature (2002)
  "The Green Man invites us to rejoin him in the ongoing dance of the seasons, to celebrate the strength of greenness and its ability to transform our lives into something richer and sweeter." He's known as Green Jack, Puck, the Green Knight, Pan, Robin Hood, and the Jolly Green Giant, and likely many more names lost in the mists of time. The Green Man is an ancient symbol of nature and fertility and wildness, whose leafy image can be seen today on buildings and in artwork from various cultures all over the world. This gift box is a wonderful introduction to the Green Man and all that he represents. With 25 full-color images from throughout the ages and across cultures, the book traces the many strands of the legend - from the first agrarian people of the ancient world to our own time when the Green Man has become an unofficial icon for the environmental movement. A uniquely crafted plaque depicting the Green Man in his benign guise completes the package. The plaque was specially designed for this kit and will provide a whimsical touch of nature in the garden, on the patio, or in any room in the house.

• The Song of Arthur: Celtic Tales from the High King's Court (2002)
  These seventeen stories first published in book form stunningly present the Celtic legends and myths of the Arthurian quest for the Grail.

• The Quest for the Green Man (2001)
  This lavishly illustrated book traces this powerful archtype in folklore and myth, medieval architecture, modern images, and suggestions.

• The Song of Taliesin: Tales from King Arthur's Bard (2001)
  Matthews has brilliantly mined medieval and pre-medieval sources, embellishing them with the rich heritage of Celtic folklore.

• King Arthur and the Grail Quest (1999)

• Healing the Wounded King: Soul Work and the Quest for the Grail (1997)

• Mystic Grail: The Challenge of the Arthurian Quest (1997)

• Secret Camelot: The Lost Legends of King Arthur (1997) with Robin Williamson

• King Arthur and the Grail Quest: Myth and Vision from Celtic Times to the Present (1996) with Steven Brown, Illustrator

• King Arthur's Britain: A Photographic Odyssey (1996) with Michael J. Stead, Photographer

• The Elements of the Grail Tradition (1996)

• Robin Hood: Green Lord of the Wildwood (1993)

• A Glastonbury Reader: Selections from the Myths, Legends, and Stories of Ancient Avalon (1991)

• The Household of the Grail (1990)

• At the Table of the Grail: Magic & the Use of Imagination (1987, 1991)

• The Grail Seeker's Companion: A Guide to the Grail Quest in the Aquarian Age (1986)

• The Grail (1981)

• Grail: Quest for the Eternal (1981)

• Creative Log Sculpture (1969)

Non-fiction by John and Caitlín and Matthews

• The Arthurian Tarot (2007) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews
  The Arthurian Tarot Deck uncovers the history, legend, and tradition of the reign of King Arthur and invites you to explore this mysterious period for yourself. This classic deck is now reprinted with enhanced cards and a booklet specially written for this new edition. The Arthurian Tarot Deck depicts characters and themes from the famous Celto-Arthurian legends, along with the four Hallows of the Quest for spiritual wholeness.
   

  • New edition of a classic deck.

  • Stunning artwork by Miranda Gray, a leading MBS artist.

  • Caitlín and John Matthews are Arthurian-legend and tarot experts.

• The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A-Z of Fantastic Beings From Myth and Magic (The Element Encyclopedia) (Paperback) (2005) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews
  The newest entry in the popular Element Encyclopedia series spans the globe and the ages to present a feast of magical beasts, both familiar and rare. Populating this ultimate reference is a host of marvelous creatures, many of which have stirred our imagination since childhood; they come from fairytales and myths, and from beloved writers such as the Brothers Grimm, Lewis Carroll, J.R.R. Tolkien, and J.K Rowling. Each entry delves into folklore and history to reveal such secrets as why dragons guard the weather, how to make mermen laugh, and how a slow lizard cost humans the gift of eternal life. From Chinese dragons to Norwegian sea monsters, banshees to griffins, cherufes to lampaluguas, every fantastic figure gets its due.

• The Encyclopedia of Celtic Myth and Legend: A Definitive Sourcebook of Magic, Vision, and Lore (2004) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews
  In Encyclopedia of Celtic Myth and Legend, authors John and Caitlin Matthews have compiled one of the most comprehensive collections of Celtic lore ever, drawing from every known source from the Celts' well-known classics, to neglected sources and forgotten archives. Their fresh translations and lucid commentary make this an essential text for students, researchers, and indeed, for anyone who has ever felt drawn to the Celtic spirit.
  
  The tales and poems are arranged thematically in keeping with the bardic traditions from which they come, and transport the reader to the shores of distant lands, populated by heroes and heroines, gods and kings, fairy folk, maidens and magicians. Here the ancient legends unfold, telling of battles and births, voyages and visions, love and longing, wooings and wisdom, dreams and vengeance.
  
  This collection of Celtic lore represents the lifetime's work of two internationally acclaimed writers. It is their hope that it will inspire those who wish to inherit the "bright knowledge"-the glefisa-of the ancestors, that they may illumine their own lives with this wisdom and, in turn, pass it on to their descendants.

• Walkers Between the Worlds: The Western Mysteries from Shaman to Magus (2004) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews
  A comprehensive overview of the Western perennial tradition--the hermetic tradition and the ancient earth wisdom of shamanic indigenous peoples

  • Provides practical exercises to reawaken mystical awareness and reconnect with the ancient mystery traditions of our ancestors

  • Reveals how earth wisdom and high magic complement one another

  In Walkers Between the Worlds, the authors reveal the development of both these traditions that were never far beneath the surface of Western culture and how they complement each other.
  
  As the orthodox structures of the West appear increasingly hollow and irrelevant, the Western way trod by the shaman and the magus remains vital, with many practical methods for reawakening awareness and reconnecting with the earth. In addition to its in-depth theoretical analysis, Walkers Between the Worlds contains practical

• Taliesin: The Last Celtic Shaman (2002) by John Matthews with additional material by Caitlín Matthews
  A new translation of the poems of sixth-century Celtic bard and shaman Taliesin that reveals the mysteries of Druidic practices.

  • The first collection of Taliesin's major poetry with commentary by John Matthews, author of more than 40 books on the Celts.

  • Reveals Druidic prophecy, methods of divination, and the rites, rituals, and beliefs that were essential to Celtic spiritual practice.

  • Features Taliesin's works as keys to the Arthurian legends.

  Taliesin, Chief Bard of Britain and Celtic shaman, was a historical figure who lived in Wales during the latter half of the sixth century. Encoded within his work are the ancestral beliefs of the Celtic and pre-Celtic peoples. In addition, his verse is established as a direct precursor to the Arthurian Legends--and Taliesin himself, shaman and shapeshifter, is said to be the direct forebear to Merlin. Though the bard's work is steeped in the rich traditions of druidic practice, few have explored the revelations of his writings--the secret poetic language of the bards, revelatory information about divination, the ancient mysteries of the Druids, and the cosmological rites that were central to Celtic worship.

• The Summer Solstice: Celebrating the Journey of the Sun from May Day to Harvest (2002) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews
  This book help readers celebrate in connection with the natural world throughout the year, not just at Christmas, and reclaim ancient traditions for modern usage.

• Hallowquest The Arthurian Tarot Course -- A Tarot Journey Through the Arthurian World (1998) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews
  Hallowquest takes you on a journey into the magical realm of King Arthur.

• The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas (1998, 2003) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews
  Brimming with stories, activities, folklore, and recipes, this popular holiday gift book traces the history behind many sacred traditions of the season and provides practical suggestions for celebrating the Winter Solstice as a joyous, life-affirming festival.

• The Western Way Omnibus: Volumes 1 and 2 (1995)by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews

• The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom: A Celtic Shaman's Sourcebook (1994, 2005) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews with Linda Reed and Joss Nizan, Designers and Christopher Down, Illustrator
  The Celtic tradition is a source of inspiration to many seeking to discover their ancestral spiritual heritage. This superb sourcebook contains many new translations of seminal Celtic texts, including stories, poems, and prose pieces, some dating from as far back as the seventh century. Key ingredients in this rich cauldron of ancient lore include sections on: Shamanic Memory, including chapters on:
   

  • The Memory of the Earth, Trees, Animals, and Ancestors

  • Vision Poets, Druids, and Shamanic Guardians

  • Initiations, Shapeshifting, Druids, and Vision Poets

  • The Bright Knowledge, Prophecy and Divination, Healing and Soul Restoration, and Dreams and Visions

  • Otherworldly Journeys, The Journey Quest, and The House of the Sidhe

  These ancient tales are accompanied by detailed commentaries, comprehensive background material, and practical shamanic insights. This wide-ranging sourcebook contains new translations of seminal texts, and is a must-have for any devotee of one the world's richest religious traditions.

• Ladies of the Lake (1992) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews
  Ladies of the Lake portrays nine of the women in Arthurian legend. These are the Ladies of the Lake in whom the ancient Celtic Goddess is fragmented and reflected.

• British and Irish Mythology: An Encyclopedia of Myth and Legend (1991) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews

• The Arthurian Book of Days: The Greatest Legend in the World Retold Throughout the Year (1990) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews

• The Arthurian Tarot (1990) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews
  Steeped in the sheer unequaled magic of the legends, history and traditions of Arthurian Britain, these exceptional cards capture in 78 frames all the wonder and beauty of King Arthur's realm.

• The Western Way: A Practical Guide to the Western Mystery Tradition: The Hermetic Tradition (v2) (1986) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews

Other

• King Arthur's Raid on the Underworld: The Oldest Grail Quest (November 10, 2008 release) by Caitlín Matthews and John Matthews with Meg Falconer, Illustrator
  The 9th century Welsh poem “Preiddeu Annfwyn” or “The Raid on the Underworld” ascribed to the 6th century poet and shaman Taliesin, is one of the oldest and most enigmatic documents relating to the mythic hero Arthur that we still possess. Extending to a mere 61 lines, it contains within it vital clues to the Celtic Mystery traditions of this and earlier times. Describing the descent of Arthur and his men on the ship Prydwen into the region of Annwfn (literally, ‘the in-world’ or underworld of Celto-British tradition, or Annwn in modern Welsh) in order to steal the wonder-working cauldron from the Lord of Annwfn, this poem hides many secrets within its shimmering lines. The cauldron is one of the Thlysau or Treasures, hallowed otherworldly objects that are the source of illimitable power. Arthur’s quest for the cauldron of the underworld is a precursor of many more famous quests, while the cauldron itself is the forerunner of the Grail.

• Le Morte D'Arthur (2003) by Sir Thomas Malory; John Matthews, ed. and A-M Ferguson, Illustrator
  The epic story of King Arthur never fails to stir the imaginations of readers everywhere, and this outstanding illustrated version showcases original artwork that creates a unique vision of Camelot. Some of these breathtaking watercolors and pen-and-inks have hung in museums, including the depiction of Tintagel Castle, the Sword in the Stone, Merlin and Nimue, and Guenevere rescued from the stake. With remarkable accuracy, Anna-Marie Ferguson captures every nuance of the historical period, from the knights' shining armor to the intricate architecture to the English forests. Yet she also revels in the fantasy, with mysterious and magical landscapes, misty and moonlit. These legends have always been a treat for the mind--and now they are a feast for the eyes, too.

• Sources of the Grail: An Anthology (1996)
  The mysterious and powerful legends surrounding the Holy Grail-often identified with the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper-provide a rich literature whose origins and meanings are veiled by the distance of centuries.
  We have inherited a treasury of early Celtic tales interwoven with medieval romances in a tapestry of magical stories filled with symbolic and wondrous events. These stories still resonate strongly in the human soul.
  
  There is little of the vague mistiness known as "Celtic twilight" in these stories. On the contrary, they are often filled with brightness and elaborate detail that echo an ancient pre-Christian past.
  
  Here, the renown Arthurian scholar John Matthews has brought together a unique collection of texts and commentaries from the Grail literature that spans many centuries-Perceval by Chrétien de Troyes, Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, The Mass of the Sangraal by Arthur Machen, Mystic Aspects of the Graal Legend by A. E. Waite, and many more.
  
  This anthology represents a wonderful sourcebook for researching and enjoying the Grail legends and their interpretations from ancient to modern times.

• Warriors of Arthur (1989) by Bob Stewart and John Matthews with Richard Hook, Illustrator