by Kevan Manwaring
Published by Gothic Image Publications (2006)
Description
The Bardic Handbook
Foreword by Emma Restall-Orr (Bobcat)
How to inspire and enchant with magical words! Ever wanted to be a storyteller’
To stand up and perform one of your own poems’ To use magical words
to bless, honour, heal or celebrate’ The Bardic Handbook contains all
you need to know to start you on the path of the Bard. An easytofollow, 12month
selfstudy program, with weekbyweek exercises and minilessons about bardic
lore, will lead you along the Way of Awen. The book is divided into 5 parts,
corresponding to the elements of the Western Magical Tradition: Air, Fire,
Water & Earth—with Spirit at the center. With an experienced bard
as guide, you will learn * practical techniques and exercises * Bardic terminology
* The Bardic Chair * on Being a 21st Century Bard * preparing for performance
* how to run a Bardic Circle * also includes a Certificate of Initiation
About the Author
Kevan Manwaring, whose Bardic name is Tallyessen, is a novelist, poet, storyteller
and teacher. He has performed his poetry for over a decade in venues across
Britain as well as at the Rhode Island Sacred Arts Festival. In 1998 he was
awarded the Bardic Chair of Caer Badon in Bath, UK. In 1999 he won the Writers'
News Ghost Story Competition. He runs Silver Branch Bardic Training and teaches
fiction writing for the Open University. He lives in Bath.
Review
Reviewed by Damh the Bard
Kevan Manwaring will be known to many festival-goers as a fabulous storyteller,
poet and Bardic workshop facilitator. He now adds to his ever-growing portfolio
a wonderful, and inspiring book that takes the reader through a year long
course, guiding them ever closer to the grail of becoming a performing Bard.
There is magic held within these pages. Crammed full of exercises, tips and
methods to enflame the Bardic ‘Fire in the Head’, and bring more
‘Awen’ into our lives. Poetry, storytelling, art, music and lyric
writing are all covered – it really is an amazingly comprehensive work.
There have been attempts made by other writers over the years to put together
books like this, but none have managed to do it with such skill and depth,
but what I really like about it is that it is firmly rooted in the ancient
Bardic tradition, taking much of its course material from the old stories
and poems from the ‘Celtic’ world. Here you feel like you are
really following in the footsteps of those old poets, listening for the sound
of the harp calling you deeper into the Sacred Grove of the Bards.
Later on in the book, once the student has followed the course for almost
a year, there are further tips on performance style, confidence building,
finding a Bardic persona, and even getting bookings for events.
My one tiny concern is that Kevan states several times during the early pages
the high level of commitment, and time, necessary to fully engage the content
of the course. It reminds the reader of the 19 years it used to take for studying
Bards, and lays out a 19 year plan for the reader of the book. Although I
agree that it does take commitment and time, I also think a good degree of
childlike ‘play’ should be encouraged when stepping onto the Bardic
path - like a spiritual ‘child-guide’ inspiring the novice Bard
to enjoy the Journey, and not worry about the time it might take, or arriving
at the end. I also wonder how much of that original 19 years was spent studying
language, reading and writing, subjects most of us have already studied during
our school life. I sincerely hope some readers aren’t put off by this,
as if they do continue deeper into the book, they will discover treasures
and talents within themselves they might not have had any idea they possessed.
This book is a delight for the experienced and novice alike, and I thoroughly
recommend it. In a world where intellect seems so much higher valued than
creativity, this book will, I hope, go some way towards restoring a balance,
and also help bring the Bardic tradition back to its more hardcore Shamanistic
roots.
Paperback 320 pages
Publisher: Gothic Image Publications (2 Jun 2006)
ISBN: 0906362679
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