Bob Stewart(b.1949) is a Scottish author and musician who has written some thirty books.He works with myth, imagination, music and the primal magical arts of inner change and vision.His major objective in his work is to regenerate ancient traditions of inner transformation for modern use.The following is a discussion of his books relating to Merlin, Underworld visualisations and music.
The Mystic Life of Merlin(1986) includes a translation of the 12th century Vita Merlini with Stewart's commentary.Stewart shows that Merlin is a major prophet of the Western esoteric tradition.He represents an ancient wisdom method of insight having three primary aspects:
The Way of Merlin(1991) includes a technique of concentration and meditation based upon the cycle of the four elements (earth, air, fire and water) and sacred space.This primal system is expanded into empowered visualisations using imagery from the Merlin tradition, including such figures as the Child of Light, the Goddess of the Land, and the Ferryman of the Soul, along with totem or spiritual creatures.
The Merlin Tarot ( 1988) is the most comprehensive of Stewart's works, with cards superbly illustrated by Miranda Gray (who also drew The Arthurian Tarot by Caitlin and John Matthews). " Sources include the Merlin texts, folklore, mythology, Celtic tradition, and certain Northern and Western and Hermetic sources of esoteric instruction".Stewart states that divination is a lesser art of tarot, the greater arts being meditation and visualisation, particularly with the powerful Trumps.Many of the images in the Trumps can be traced back to the original Merlin stories.For example, the Hanged Man is based on Merlin's prophecy that a certain young man will die by falling, hanging and drowning.In one of his aspects Merlin is the Fool, asking seemingly naive questions such as What causes the weather? in order to elicit deeper meaning.
A refreshing feature of this tarot is the absence of the devil.The devil is a product of ignorance and superstition."The notion of a devil who tempts us in order to steal our souls is outdated and degrading" says Stewart.He is replaced by the Guardian, the initiator whose purifying fire burns away the illusion of personality in order to gain us liberation.Another feature is the replacement of wands, cups, swords and pentacles with birds, fishes, serpents and beasts. This connects the pack very much to the powers of the living Earth.The number cards have Celtic type drawings of the creatures rather than pictures.I find that this helps re-inforce the shamanistic and elemental nature of the cards.
The Complete Merlin Tarot ( 1992) book has detailed descriptions and correspondences of each Trump, relating them to the Tree of Life and other elements of esoteric tradition.Very helpful are the patterns and relationships that he establishes between the Trumps.He shows how one can use the tarot to expand consciousness and bring about inner transformation.I have found great benefit from a systemic study of this tarot.I believe this is because it is based on genuine traditions that resonate deep within the land and ourselves.
Stewart has written a number of books on visualisation and practical magic.These include: Advanced Magical Arts (1988), Celebrating the Male Mysteries (1991), Earth Light (1992) and Power Within the Land (1992).He wishes us to revive the tremendous creative power of the imagination.He presents a number guided visualisations, based on the Western,including Celtic, tradition.He states that " our imagination is our powerhouse...certain images tap into the deeper levels of imaginative force within us; when these are combined with archetypal patterns they may have a permanent transformative effect".It is interesting to note that Paracelsus said that if the public authorities were aware of the power of the imagination they would make sure that the populace were always kept busy to prevent them from "misusing " their minds.The power of the image is well known to-day by the media industry, who bombard us constantly in an attempt to hold sway over our minds.Stewart points out that TV and visualisation do not mix, and when trying his exercises it is best to watch TV as little as possible.His Underworld visualisations enable contact to be made with non human entities, such as spirit guides.These contacts can expand our awareness and regenerate the Earth.Most relevant for us today is his emphasis on the need to contact the energies of the Underworld and the dark Goddess.These powers have not only been neglected but also demonized by male centred ideologies, resulting in many of the imbalances we experience in the world today.
Two of his books on music are The Spiritual Dimensions of Music (1987) and Music, Power, Harmony (1990). In these books he seeks to revive the use of music as a universal creative power and creative force.Sometimes this is called"cosmic music" or in Stewart's words " magical,alchemical or metaphysical music".Music can be used to link the physical and the spiritual, as was a tenet of the ancient wisdom.Primal or traditional music can align us to archetypal patterns, unlike the sheer numbing effect of much of to-day's music.He shows how music can be used in relation to the Tree of Life, tarot, colours and chakras.He also looks at vowel chants, scales and musical symbolism.A number of practical exercises are given.These works are an original contribution to the study of cosmic music.
Stewart writes in a succinct style, firmly stating his views without superfluities.In a number of his works he makes some shrewd comments about soft centred New Ageism, old fashioned occultism and political Christianity. For example, in Celebrating the Male Mysteries, he slates the New Age pseudo guru, 'Medallion Man', and the vapid quality of some New Age practices.In the same book, he points out that Hidden Masters and Secret Chiefs are relics of a male elitism which we do not need.He also observes how Christianity subsumed or destroyed its own and other Mystery traditions in its quest for world domination.His vital contribution is to present practical techniques of personal transformation, all within the framework of ancient traditions.He shows how we can harness creative powers that are both within and without, and have been neglected for too long.Real change must start within the individual, then spread to the wider world.Stewart's insights and methods are most useful to help us change and meet the challenge of our current transitional Age.