Where do Celtic traditions, shamanism, and magic meet?  Bardic lore holds the answer, and Journey of the Bard is an introduction to, and a guided journey through, this subject.  History, ritual, music, lore, and story-telling were the stock in trade of Bards, who were the custodians of Celtic culture.  These art forms still provide the foundation for experiences of potent self-realisation to be attained in the magical landscape of fairytale and shamanic cosmology.  Focusing upon the celestial ascent and underworld descent of the Celtic Otherworld, but also drawing upon shamanic practices common the world over, Yvonne Owens takes the reader through mystical realms of transformation with potent and magical paintings and bardic verse by internationally acclaimed artist, Miles Lowry.

"Anyone who has struggled to grasp vast concepts such as the purpose of life, the sources of creativity, why human beings yearn for spiritual enlightenment, and has studied works on these subjects - Blake's poems and engravings - medieval mystery plays - stories of Everyman - prehistoric sagas - will welcome this book. ... It evokes an understanding of the sources of artistic and poetic creativity from a basic belief that self knowledge is the path to this understanding.  The Artist and Poet seek to know, to realize, and when they succeed they are able to turn knowledge into a form that others can experience and thus know also. ... The narrative, the analysis, the illustrations and the poems combine to make an uplifting and fascinating whole." - Hecate's Loom magazine

"Yvonne Owens has done an excellent job with a difficult task. ... a book well worth reading and worth keeping to read again." - Mount Sentinel Virtual New