Hi all,
I've been an avid Kenneth Grant reader for years. I was lucky enough to track down a copy of 'Against the Light' on Saturday at Watkins bookshop in Cecil Crt, London so I'm stoked (Bramsed you might say). The links with okBish and the 9th Arch are very intriguing, not to mention the time travel hints. 'Somewhere over the rainbow...', its enough to make you go Spare. Sigh. 'Beyond our Ken' indeed!
I live and work in Oxfordshire and for the last few years have been on a bit of a personal tribute pilgrimage, a kind of thanks to the great man. Candleston exists and a slow walk down the country lanes from Bridge End railway station as the sun begins to settle into the west is much to be recommended. Don't get trapped on Merthyr Mawr sand dunes though, be careful.
There's a village lost under the dunes, no really, so watch out for sudden holes opening up. The french invaders that settled this part of Wales (no offence intended) to their satisfaction, and possibly the original builders of Candleston were the Cantelupes (not melons), otherwise known as 'the running wolves'.
The river, by the way, is tidal and the fun I had wading across hip deep to get on to the Ogmore Rd, well... one of those challenges.
Chancery Lane next...
Welcome to LAShTAL, ContraLumen1350.
Glad you managed to find a copy of Against the Light. It's been out of print for a few years now, but will be reissued before the republication of The Ninth Arch, as it was Kenneth Grant's original intention that the novel pave the way for the final volume of the Typhonian Trilogies.
I've read Against the Light many times since it was published, and it always yeilds fresh insights. I'm working on an article on it for the next issue of Starfire, a real pleasure since I rate this novel so highly.
Welcome to the forums; looking forward to your contributions.
I went to Candleston many years ago, found it an enchanting place.
Yes I do too. I'm lucky enough to have a copy of the original images and oracles of AOS so I can look up the references. I've had it since it came out. The hag was the first book I ever read on Aleister Crowley. If it came out in 1969 then I was fifteen. I was warned off AC by a well meaning teacher so I just had to find out what the fuss was all about! The poor chap tripped hopping over a small wall in front of his house and broke his neck on the lawn, died in front of his wife and kids. It was a tragedy, he meant well. He was a Sufi and very kind and humorous, turning a blind eye when we smoked on the train. Though personally I cold never get on with Kalil Gibran. It was about that time, I think, that Man Myth and Magick came out and I came across Kenneth's work.
This must be a common enough tale so I won't go on. I can't help feeling that a new revivalist wave is on its way. Something is seeping through the edges, that's for sure. What a wonderful site this is. So many resources. Its good to be able to come in from the cold as it were, at least virtually. Its a shame Paypal is the only way to donate, I can't use mine its reserved for other things. However, I thought I might do some fund raising over the next year and donate the proceeds. Maybe re-trace a part of one of AC's journeys or something like that. I haven't rock climbed for years so K2 is out (just kidding).
Welcome to LAShTAL from a fellow Oxfordshire resident. 'Man, Myth and Magic' - ah, happy memories...
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I know, it was the thin lipped scary as hell blue atavism with the wolfish face (AOS) on one of the early covers that did it for me. I suffered with night terrors from the age of seven to fourteen. Brought up on a diet of Enid Blyton (really scary stuff) I suddenly started meeting the likes of Torquemada and Dracula in my dreams and a few other charmers as well. Imagine the joy when I realized I wasn't alone. Oddly enough the dreams started to ease off after that, well the fear did anyway. Though I still whistle nervously and edge round a room containing an Enid Blyton novel...
Ah yes, detail from 'The Vampires are Coming'. I remember the first issue with that on the front cover, plua a poster of it.
In the words of that well-known refrain, " ♫ We accept you, we accept you, one of us, one of us ♫ ".
You are well come. Belated Greetings, and Welcome ContraLumen 1350 (- You're welcome! :D)
All the very best to you, Do What Thou Wilt, and may all your posts remain permanent ones.
Norma N Joy Conquest
Ouch! 😉
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