E EDDISON SADD EDITIONS LIMITED

DDISON THE ST CHAD’S HOUSE 148 KING’S CROSS ROAD CAMELOT ORACLE LONDON WC1X 9DH A quest for wisdom through the Arthurian world TELEPHONE: 020 7837 1968 E-MAIL: [email protected] FAX: 020 7837 2025 •

S JOHN MATTHEWS

ADD WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY WILL WORTHINGTON

Enter a mystical landscape peopled with archetypal characters and rich in myth and legend – the world of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The universal appeal of the Arthurian tales lies in their primal quality: they deal with every aspect of human life, from the eternal struggle to overcome obstacles to the continuing search for fulfilment. Working with the oracle cards and the Map of The Lands Adventurous you will travel from Camelot with your champion on your quest. Your chosen path leads to a place of significance where your challenger waits to hear your questions. Consulting the guidebook will reveal the answers and the guidance you require. THE CAMELOT ORACLE explores inner realms and takes you on an unforgettable journey – the journey of life itself.

SELLING POINTS • Original concept by foremost Arthurian expert and teacher • New insights into myth and the human experience • Will Worthington art highly acclaimed • Arthurian world of universal appeal

SPECIFICATION 1 1 1 Box: 216 x 158 x 35 mm (8 ⁄2 x 6 ⁄4 x 1 ⁄3 in) 1 3 Book: 205 x 148 mm (8 ⁄4 x 5 ⁄4 in) 128 pages printed 1/1, approx. 35,000 words 3 40 cards: 120 x 75 mm (4 ⁄4 x 3 in) printed 4/1 1 Fold-out map: 594 x 420 mm (23 ⁄3 x 16 in) printed 1/0 Files prepared in InDesign

AN EDDISON•SADD EDITION DIRECTORS:NICK EDDISON,DAVID OWEN, SARAH ROONEY Copyright © Eddison Sadd 2011 REGISTERED IN LONDON 1628168 E DDISON OUTLINE

The characters of the Arthurian myths are far more than just men and women. They are also archetypes that embody many of the characteristics of the human experience. It is thus pos- sible to identify closely with different people from the stories, and journey with them – learn- ing from their wisdom and growing in the process. In this way we learn to know and under- •

S stand our own inner champion, the strong and powerful person we can become.

ADD But THE CAMELOT ORACLE is not just a tool for exploring the inner self – it is also a way of finding answers to the questions and issues that we encounter daily. As such it is both a per- sonal system for exploration and a powerful oracle to help in making decisions.

Using guided imagery combined with the oracular meaning of each card, we take our journeys on the specially created map of the Lands Adventurous. Travelling from Camelot, the Court of Arthur, we are accompanied by one or other of the Knights or Ladies who inhabit the inner worlds, who becomes our Champion. We follow a path chosen by the oracle, and we discover new and powerful truths about ourselves. Along the way we may encounter other characters from the Arthurian world, each of whom represents an aspect of our soul’s journey. These individual encounters bring guidance to the challenging aspects of our own life journey, and enable us to overcome obstacles, find new paths and re-interpret events in an empowering way. And at our destination at the end of the path we meet another archetypal character cho- sen from the deck, who becomes our Challenger. He or she will require you to answer specific questions at that place that will deepen your understanding.

THE CAMELOT ORACLE is a unique method of exploring our inner realms and everyday human experience. Consisting of 32 beautifully painted Archetype cards, 8 Path cards, an explanatory book pointing the way to further and ever-deepening ways of exploration, and a map of the Lands Adventurous, THE CAMELOT ORACLE takes you on an unforgettable journey – the jour- ney of life itself.

John Matthews has been teaching the Arthurian mysteries for over 40 years, using a map of the Arthurian world to guide many hundreds of students. Now he brings this exciting concept to print, making it available for the first time to a worldwide audience.

THE MARKET

This title will appeal to all those who make up the enduring market for Arthurian myth and legend and self-help, plus those who use oracles and tarots for personal development. With several new Arthur movies on the way, as well as two widely watched TV shows, Merlin (UK) and Camelot (US), the Arthurian market will remain buoyant for many more years to come.

2 E DDISON CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION A brief overview of the history of the Arthurian legends, from their earliest Celtic versions to the familiar writings of the medieval romancers from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries. •

S PART ONE Camelot and the Lands Adventurous

ADD How the oracle works and how to extend the knowledge gained from its use in everyday life. How to work with the map of the Lands Adventurous and apply the interpretations to your own life journey.

PART TWO The Archetypes Full description and notes on each of the 32 archetypal characters from the spectrum of the Arthurian legends. Entries for each card will include background information on the character, the symbolism associated with him or her, and interpretations of the practical meaning of each archetype. Brief notes are given below.

THE CHARACTERS Amangons A dark and powerful king who sought the Grail for his own ends and to give him greater power. Amangons vanished into the heart of the Wildwood from where he challenges all who approach him to acknowledge the negative aspects of their journey. Arthur The King. Noble, chivalrous, and brave, he is the best of us; honour is paramount and honesty imperative in his life. He leads us towards our goals and guides our steps through the impenetrable wood. Balin A rough-natured, impetuous knight who was one of the first to join the newly formed Fellowship of the Round Table. The nature of his life and his impetuous nature make him a challenging ally in any journey, but his generosity of spirit moderates this aspect of his character. Bedivere Knight of the Round Table. One of the first to join the Fellowship, he became the Butler to the court, organizing feasts and tournaments along with the irascible Kay. Bedivere’s intimate knowledge of the Arthurian Court makes him a wise and faithful guide on the journey. Bercilak A knight transformed by Morgana into the likeness of the Green Knight. Though a challenging figure, Bercilak is nonetheless a wise and powerful ally in any undertaking. Blaise The master of Merlin to whom he makes his report of events concerning Arthur’s king- dom before he withdraws from the scene. He offers access to the most primal depths of human awareness. Bors Cousin of Lancelot. One of the strongest Knights of the Round Table he became the third of the trio of successful Grail knights. As a companion he offers solidarity and earth wisdom to all. Cundrie The Maiden of the Grail. Her dark skin and careworn face marked her out for cruel treatment at the hands of the other guardians of the Grail. Her knowledge of star lore was unsurpassed and as a guide she not only shares her understanding of harsh treatment but also of past the future events. Dagonet Arthur’s court jester who became a Knight of the Round Table and whose gentle mockery made him among the most popular figures in the Arthurian panoply. Though lacking in stature and knightly abilities, his wit and humanity are greatly valued on the quest.

3 E DDISON Dindrane The sister of Perceval, who accompanies the Grail knights and eventually sacrifices herself in order to heal a leprous woman. She represents, along with Elaine of Corbenic, the feminine mysteries of the Grail. Her gentle presence offers deep guidance on our personal quest. Elaine of Corbenic The daughter of King Pelles of the Grail family. She fades rather from the

• scene but features as the Grail Princess under other names in the rest of the Arthurian sagas. S Her wisdom is deep and profound and she offers many insights into emotion states of being. ADD Galahad Son of Elaine of Corbenic and Lancelot. The Spiritual Knight. He surpasses his father in both chivalry and purity of life, becoming the achiever of the Grail along with Perceval and Bors. Accompanying us on our journey he brings a profound level of perception to every- day concerns. Gareth Third son of Lot and Morgause, he comes anonymously to court and is called Beaumains (Fair Hands) by Kay, who puts him to work in the kitchens. He requests that he be allowed to go on the adventure of Linet and distinguishes himself by fighting a series of pow- erful knights. His humanity and sense of honour make him a worthy champion to any traveller in the Lands Adventurous. Gawain Son of King Lot of Orkney. One of the most primal champions of the Round Table Fellowship, his presence enhances any task undertaken in the Lands Adventurous. Guinevere The Queen. Daughter of Leodegrance, wife of Arthur. Her affair with Lancelot brings down the kingdom, and she ends her days in the monastery of Amesbury, where she is finally buried after taking a last leave of Lancelot. As a companion she offers insights into our most powerful emotions and encourages you to cultivate the inner garden of your soul. Igraine The mother of Arthur. Ultimately a mysterious figure she connects us with the more ancient levels of the myths. Kay Arthur’s foster-brother, son of Ector. His sharp and accusative wisdom is a great aid in times of difficulty. Lancelot The perfect knight, sometimes called Lancelot du Lac because of his fostering in the otherworldly realm of the Lady of the Lake. Standing beside us, his humanity is a great adjunct to us on our own journey. Linet Sometimes called Le Demoiselle Sauvage, Linet comes to court asking help for her impris- oned sister, Lionors. Though seeming spiteful and angry, her outer aggressiveness hides a warm heart and deeply human nature. We turn to her for human wisdom and practicality. Merlin Merlin is the Magus and guardian of the Pendragon line and of the Island of Britain. He is the chief architect of the dream of Camelot and the inner guardian of the land which, in early times was called Clas Merddyn, Merlin’s Enclosure. Mordred The incestuously begotten son of Arthur and Morgause. Though treacherous by nature his dark wisdom offers unique insights into the journey. Morgana Also known as Morgan le Fay. Morgan has many early and Celtic correlatives which make plain the nature of her role as guardian of Britain’s sovereignty, which she in many ways embodies. She offers profound magical and emotional wisdom to all her encounters. Nasciens the Hermit One of the many wise and mysterious hermits who throng the pages of the Arthurian legends. In some tales he is described as having been blinded after looking into the Grail, so that he sometimes espouses caution in any undertaking.

4 E DDISON Nimue Sometimes also called Viviane or Niniane. Nimue adopted Merlin’s magical mantle throughout some of the stories. She is the holder of immense magical wisdom and awareness. Palamedes The only Saracen knight to sit at the Round Table, He became the pursuer of the Questing Beast after the death of Pellinore. A subtle and complex man, he brings the wisdom of the Arabian world to that of Western Chivalry. His brilliant and insightful approach to life

• makes him a valuable ally on any journey. S Pelles King of Corbenic, head of the Grail family in the Arthurian period. Also called Pellam. ADD His deep wisdom and understanding of suffering brings deep council to all those who under- take the quest. Pellinore King Pellinore was the father of Perceval, and Lamorack. He is one of the first and most senior Knights of the Round Table Fellowship. His earthy humour and determined energy is a valuable asset to those on their own journey. Perceval Son of King Pellinore, one of the three Grail winners. Perceval’s early innocence tagged him ‘the Perfect Fool’. His Christ-like simplicity matures into real insight and wisdom. On our own journeys he brings the simplicity of directness. The Questing Beast This mysterious creature was said to be part lion, part leopard, part snake and part deer. Its eventual fate remains unknown, but its presence in any reading or journey indicate that a new beginning is about to occur, or that a course of action must be followed to its conclusion. Ragnall Sister to the Otherworldly knight Gromer Somer Jour. Ragnall carries with her the deepest levels of the Arthurian mysteries and can teach us much about human nature and our behaviour towards those who seem outsiders. Uther Father to Arthur, second husband of Igraine. Uther retains the earliest resonances of the Arthurian legend, the bedrock upon which they are established. He is a powerful ally on any journey. White Hart Wherever and whenever this mysterious beast appears in the Arthurian mythos it signifies the beginning of a new adventure or a change in direction. Many of the Round Table knights hunted such a beast, and the possession of a foot, a head or some antlers signified good luck. When it appears in a reading or journey it generally signifies the start of a new ven- ture or an element of unexpected luck.

PART THREE The Paths Descriptions and references to each of the 8 Path cards, which help the user to find the most appropriate direction to discover the places on the map of the Lands Adventurous, where they will find the answers they need. The Deepening Path card Gain greater understanding of your Journey; leads north to the GRAIL CASTLE, the final goal. The Wandering Path card Discover the pitfalls along the way; leads north-east to THE WELLS. The Honoured Path card The journey of greatest perception; leads east to SARRAS. The Doubtful Path card The path of uncertainty and self-doubt; leads south-east to THE HERMITAGE.

5 E DDISON The Hero’s Path card The direct pathway to your goal; leads south to JOYOUS GARD. The Determined Path card The path that requires your own determination; leads south-west to THE GREEN CHAPEL. The Resolute Path card •

S The path of resolution and acceptance; leads west to AVALON.

ADD The Turning Path card The path of many options; leads north-west to CASTLE MORTAL.

PART FOUR The Places Information about the wisdom to be discovered when you arrive at any of the nine places on the map of the Lands Adventurous. Camelot Where all paths begin. Grail Castle The home of the Grail and its guardians. The Wells The place of test and uncertainty. Sarras The spiritual place. The Hermitage The place of contemplation. Joyous Gard The place of love and destiny. Green Chapel The interior world. Avalon The place of rest and reflection. Castle Mortal The dark house.

PART FIVE Working with The Camelot Oracle How to work with the cards at the basic level with a sample reading. How to extend and develop the reading further. Meditating with the cards.

OTHER CHARACTERS RESOURCES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

6 E DDISON THE AUTHOR

John Matthews has been a full-time writer since 1980 and has produced over ninety books on myth, the Arthurian Legends and Grail Studies, as well as short stories, a volume of poetry and several successful children’s books. He has devoted much of the past thirty years to the study of Arthurian traditions and myth in general. • S His best known works are Pirates (Carlton/Athenaeum), a New York Times Review best-seller for ADD 22 weeks in 2006, The Grail: Quest for Eternal Life (Thames & Hudson, 1981) and The Winter Solstice (Quest Books, 1999) which won the Benjamin Franklin Award for that year. His book Arthur of Albion won a Gold Medal from NAPPA, a gold Moonbeams award and a BIB Golden Apple Award.

John has been involved in a number of media projects, as an advisor and contributor, includ- ing an animated Arthurian TV series, and The Real Merlin for Channel 4 in the UK. In 2003 he was the historical advisor to the Jerry Bruckheimer movie King Arthur, and has made appear- ances on both History Channel and Discovery Channel specials on Arthur and the Holy Grail. He shared a BAFTA award for his work on the Educational DVD made to accompany the King Arthur movie.

THE ARTIST

Will Worthington has worked as an illustrator for thirty years. His interest in the ancient past and in Arthurian and Celtic mythology is reflected in his paintings and drawings, and he has contributed illustrative work to The Book of Druidry and The Druid Way, in addition to creating the card artwork for The Druid Animal Oracle, The Druid Plant Oracle, The Green Man Tree Oracle, The DruidCraft Tarot and The Wildwood Tarot.

Synopsis updated 7 September 2012

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