Robert
John (R J) Stewart was born in Edinburgh,
Scotland. His father came from a Gaelic
speaking family originally from the
Western Highlands. His mother was Welsh,
from a Welsh speaking family from the
Gower Peninsula in South Wales, with
a tradition of singing and playing the
Welsh triple-harp. He is known today
as a composer,
author, and teacher, with 40 books in
publication, translated into many languages
worldwide. He is widely experienced
in theater, film, and television, and
is a skilled performer and presenter.
In 1996 R. J. was admitted to
the USA as "resident alien of extraordinary
ability", a category awarded only
to immigrants of outstanding achievement
in the arts or sciences. He now lives
in Northern California and in Maryland.
Early
career
From the late 1960's to the 1980's
(as Bob Stewart) he worked with traditional
British folk music, medieval music,
and his own compositions, playing guitar,
cittern, and the unique 70- stringed
psaltery. During this period he made
several albums of Celtic and original
music, and wrote music for theater and
media. In 1974 he wrote and recorded
theme music for The Hobbit (Decca Records)
read by Nicol Williamson.
In theater R J wrote music and
songs for several major productions
in England, and co-founded a theater
company, The Avon Touring Co. During
the late 1970's and early 1980's he
composed and recorded original music
for film and television, including working
on major feature films, Joseph Andrews
directed by Tony Richardson, and The
Dark Crystal, directed by Jim Henson.
He also composed and recorded original
music for a number of BBC radio dramas,
and for documentary feature films for
the BBC and for ITV. Through these films
his music has been heard all over the
world, and various artists have recorded
his original instrumental pieces and
songs. Between 1975 and 1983 R J worked
with several well known Irish musicians,
making an album of original music with
Finbar Furey, and working with Van Morrison,
writing and producing Van's recording
of the ancient Irish epic, the Cuchullainn
saga. The basis for this production
was one of R J’s books on Irish
mythology, Cuchullainn, published by
Firebird book.
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Writing and teaching
From 1980 R J gradually reduced
his commitment to concert touring, to
spend more time as a writer and teacher.
Between 1980 and 1996 he wrote a series
of books on Celtic mythology, two books
on music and consciousness, edited two
editions of historical texts from the
16th and 17th centuries, and published
many original stories in anthologies,
and in his own books. R J’s books
have been translated into French, German,
Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese,
Japanese, Korean, and Czechoslovakian.
A full list of publications, recordings
and other works are featured on this
site.
R J Stewart's series of books
on the Underworld and Faery traditions
(which he has restored and presented
to the public almost single-handed over
the last 20 years) have encouraged many
people worldwide to work with these
ancestral land-oriented spiritual paths.
From 1980 to 1988 R J worked
extensively with the Merlin tradition,
writing two original and influential
books translating and exploring genuine
medieval Merlin texts. These have remained
in print for over a decade (now published
in one volume as Merlin: the Prophetic
Vision and Mystic Life, by Penguin Arkana).
He also created the best-selling Merlin
Tarot, (Harper Collins) comprising a
substantial book and a deck of cards
(painted by Miranda Gray) showing visions
from ancient Merlin texts, and revealing
the true historical origins of tarot.
This publication has remained in print
and selling from 1986 to the present
day, and has been translated into Japanese,
French, Italian, and German.
From the 1980s onwards R J also
advised on, wrote for, and appeared
in, a number of television documentary
films on magic, mythology, and history.
These include four BBC films directed
by Ann Paul, Earth Magic, about contemporary
magical and pagan practices in Britain;
From Hungary with Love and Standing
up for Joe, two films on Conductive
Therapy for disabled children; and A
Royal Family Album, a historical documentary
based upon Royal Family photograph collections
from the 19th century. R J also appears
(heavily disguised) in Crusades, originally
broadcast by the BBC and the History
Channel in 1997: he wrote cittern music
and lyrics, and performed the role of
minstrel, for this documentary series
by award winning director Alan Ereira.
He was also featured in the popular
ITV series Desperately Seeking Something
which explored various spiritual paths
worldwide.
Teaching, workshops,
and performing,
to the present day.
From 1988 to the present day
R J Stewart has taught workshops and
classes in the UK and USA. These include
work with Celtic and classical mythological
traditions, the Faery and Underworld
traditions, music and consciousness,
and a unique original ongoing program
of transforming awareness and spiritual
vision, called Inner Temple Traditions.
In 1993 he co-wrote his last Celtic
book, Celtic Bards, Celtic Druids, (Published
by Cassell, Blandford Press) with harper
and storyteller Robin Williamson (founder
of The Incredible String Band). Today
R J focuses on innovative material,
developed out of the foundations of
tradition, and continues to write fiction
and non-fiction books.
In 2000 R J started performing
on more musical events and tours, including
a tour in the USA with Finbar Furey,
and recording a new CD, Aran, with Finbar,
featuring original music for uilleann
pipes, psaltery, flute, and other instruments.
In 2001 RJ recorded Ballad Magic, a
live presentation and concert, exploring
and singing ancient magical ballads
from British, Irish, and American Appalachian
tradition. At present he is working
on a new CD of original songs, to be
released in the Spring of 2003.
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New Publications
The Miracle Tree
In February 2003 RJ’s new
book on the Tree of Life will be published
by New Page, USA: The Miracle Tree:
demystifying Qabalah. Offering a revolutionary
and highly practical direct approach
to working with the Tree of Life, this
book is unlike any other on the subject.
RJ approaches Qabalah not through literary
lists and attributes, but by intense
practical forms, whereby anyone can
experience the Tree of Life direct.
Faery Healing
Later in 2003 a further new book,
Faery Healing will be published by Muse
Press, USA. This book on the spiritual
insights and methods associated with
the ancient faery tradition includes
a CD of original music and guided visualization.
The book is based on 10 years of workshop
teaching and practical experience of
the faery and spirit healing arts that
emerge from the old faery tradition,
into contemporary practice.
Magical Arts
2003 will also bring reprints
of RJ’s classic titles Living
Magical Arts and Advanced Magical Arts,
with additional new material in both
books, to be published by Thoth Publications,
UK. These titles have been out of print
for several years, and much in demand.
A complete list of R J’s many
recordings, books, and productions can
be found here: http://www.dreampower.com/books.html
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