With devastating self-honesty and uncompromising passion, the author reveals his liberating journey from Christian priesthood to nature-based spirituality.
With devastating self-honesty and uncompromising passion, the author reveals his liberating journey from Christian priesthood to nature-based spirituality.
Personal memoirs, Religious, Spirituality
Mark Townsend is a priest at the edge! The place where new ideas and new understandings are formed is always at the edge. It is a place that institutions, because they demand conformity to the institution, cannot go. But it’s always there, out on the edges that new thinking, new imaginings, new dreams happen. Revd. Peter Owen-Jones Presenter of BBC’s Around the World in 80 Faiths The Path of The Blue Raven is the story of a struggling man who all his life has wrestled with questions, searched for meaning and discovered it in unexpected places. To many cultures, the raven was and is a symbol of initiation into a new path. In sharing his own journey, the author introduces readers to a world of like-minded people who have found great healing and blessing through nature based spirituality by stepping off the mainstream path onto the path of personal magic. As the ex-Catholic monk Thomas Moore says~ The soul has an absolute, unforgiving need for regular excursions into enchantment. Mark Townsend is a priest of the Church of England, a member of the Magic Circle and a Bard within a worldwide Drudic organisation.
Click on the circles below to see more reviews
It is refreshing, comical at times, painful at others, and always truthful. Mark seems to demonstrate little fear with leaving himself transparent and vulnerable. There are numerous moments when I felt he was telling my story, so closely I could relate. Definitely a book worth the read! (see linked files for full review) ~ Seph Sayers
As we come up to the Christmas season I thoroughly recommend this book as a gift for anyone out there that wants to understand what Druidry is all about, but who doesn’t want to plough through one of the hefty tomes detailing ancient Celtic practice. This book is easily accessible and you are immediately drawn into the story of a man who isn’t afraid to bare his soul and laugh at his own failings in order to assist the reader in attempting to ease their own struggles. (see linked files for full reviews) ~ Damian Carr, Secretary of The Druid Order of White Oak (http://www.whiteoakdruids.org/)
This is an absorbing book, which traces the author's path from Christianity to a new spiritual world, a journey which involved both religion and magic. ~ Christine Hacklett, Renew
Mark Townsend is a priest at the edge! The place where new ideas and new understandings are formed is always at the edge. It is a place that institutions, because they demand conformity to the institution, cannot go. But it has always there, out on the edges that new thinking, new imaginings, new dreams happen. ~ Revd. Peter Owen-Jones, Presenter of BBC’s Around the World in 80 Faiths
Enjoyed it very much! ~ Cherie Blair
I LOVED it. I loved the writing and the style. Honestly? I think it is his best yet. There is a lovely, lovely humour in it. I laughed out loud on occasions, and that was one of the things that endeared me to the insights. There are nuggets of pure gold in this book. And Townsend's writing means you don't have to search very hard to find them. A remarkable man with an equally remarkable penetrating insight that is hewn from experience, coupled with the ability to express complex ideas in simple terms. Prepare to look at the world in a whole new light. ~ Drew McAdam, ‘The Interrogator’ from TV’s Trisha show
I started this book expecting to skim it and found myself reading every page. It is a wonderful quest romance, a story about the nature of religion, magic, England, modernity and many other things as well. ~ Professor Ronald E Hutton
The Path of the Blue Raven is an extraordinary spiritual journey. It brings to life Jesus' words 'The truth shall set you free'. For Mark Townsend, it is in devastating self-honesty that freedom-giving truth is found. It is this uncompromising honesty that has opened him to the deep flowing currents of mind and spirit. The result is a liberating journey from Christian priesthood, to stage magicianship and the beauty of nature spirituality. It is a journey that is both literally true and profoundly mythic. It is a magical journey. It is a journey that will speak to the hearts of many. ~ Revd. Simon Small, author of From the Bottom of the Pond
You can't imprison the Spirit in a box or a book or a religion for that matter. It finds a way to break free. The Path of The Blue Raven is a pilgrimage to true spiritual wisdom. There is a hidden music in this world and it is there for all to hear and heed. Mark Townsend followed this music and because he did he found keys that unlocked and opened doors of beauty and enchantment. The magic key is love. The magic is with Mark and with this book. ~ David Carson, co-creator of Medicine Cards
In the history of the Church reformation has come about whenever someone has dared to step out of the official walls and look for truth in the wide world. Mark Townsend does more than step outside the walls of Christian dogma. He leaves behind the conventions that hold back human imagination. In The Path of the Blue Raven he not only shares his own journey, but illuminates the pathway for others whose spirits refuse any longer to be boxed and packaged within the confines of religious organizations. True believers among Christians or Druids are likely to be offended by his words. But wanderers will find inspiration and hope. ~ Walter William Melnyk, author of The Apple and the Thorn (with Emma Restall Orr) and Marsh Tales and Other Wonders
Mark has been bravely transparent in his description of his spiritual journey. We could all do with his refreshing honesty about our own doubts, fears and hopes. ~ Revd. Jonathan Osborne
Inspirational, and touches chords. ~ Lorriane Munn, Druid
