Introduction
Those of you who already know a little about me through my publications will be familiar with my main interests: the history of modern Western magic and alternative forms of spirituality, transpersonal consciousness research, and contemporary Australian art (I worked as an art-book publisher for nearly 20 years). In more recent times, since moving to the New South Wales south coast in 2008, I have been focusing mainly on writing, lecturing and holding summer schools. Some of my new books are featured here.
I am especially excited by the recent release of Stealing Fire from Heaven: the Rise of Modern Western Magic (Oxford University Press, New York) because it represents a synthesis of much of my research in this area over the last forty years. Other new and forthcoming releases include Wisdom Seekers: the Rise of the New Spirituality, an overview of the New Age and Transpersonal movements (O Books, UK, May 2011) and Dark Spirits: the Magical Art of Rosaleen Norton and Austin Osman Spare, which profiles two remarkable visionary artist-magicians (Salamander & Sons, Brisbane/Thailand, due for publication in late 2011).
I would especially like to thank the person who is responsible for actually proposing and creating this website in the first instance: the Australian ambient musician, Japetus. Jay and I first worked together in the mid-1980s when he created some excellent ambient compositions to accompany a book on music and magical visualisation I had written titled Music for Inner Space. The book and music were first published in Germany by Bauer Verlag and later in an English-language edition by Prism Press, and have now reached an international audience. The music and visualisations are available on iTunes.
Japetus and I also share an interest in neo-shamanism – that is to say, shamanic techniques and perspectives adapted to a modern Western audience – and various themes associated with visionary magic can be found on this website. In the late 80's he worked with me to create my drumming album Shaman Journey.
Best regards,
Dr Nevill Drury
December 2010
