Traditional Craft thrives as an underground stream. Its rejection of dogma generates a mystical path of hermitage and evolution. Its source honours the 'pagan' spirit, presenting to every seeker a devotional path that is the magic of the soul. It speaks of spiritual alchemy, masterfully borne in the crafting of matter. Crafting the Arte of Tradition explores that which was based in the medieval guilds - the rural traditions claimed by craft heritage. More often than not, the Craft remains composed of select conclaves of Horsemen, Toad-men, and other self-styled variants - all heavily focused on family beliefs and faiths founded upon folklore and folk magic. We explore how Real Craft is centred upon the 'Family,' and is the natural repository of hereditary lore passed only between generations: herbal knowledge, place names and origins uses, and local wights amongst many others. These are elements of remnant lore harking back to when each family or 'house' represented a particular skill or guild. So diverse are the many artes, and yet so familiar are their foundations; their medium of expression sought common ground. However, the way in which those 'guild' secrets were disclosed called for certain initiatory rites of passage that stemmed from a shared hereditary root which was based in culture and developing tangible craft traditions pertinent to each. Later, when those guilds disintegrated, the rule simply reverted to kin and was preserved within those same hereditary guild families, (now engaged in finding apprentices for slightly different training). Apprenticeships required sponsorship, and only a family member could undertake that role. Toad men, Horsemen, Cunning Folk et al are described within Crafting the Arte of Tradition - not as an intellectual study, but as a lived tradition!"--Back cover.
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