Turning the Wheel: In Search of Seasonal Britain on Two Wheels by Manwaring, Kevan

Turning the Wheel: In Search of Seasonal Britain on Two Wheels — photo 1

Occult Philosophy

Turning the Wheel: In Search of Seasonal Britain on Two Wheels

Name: Turning the Wheel: In Search of Seasonal Britain on Two Wheels
Price: 27.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (2 reviews)
Author: Manwaring, Kevan
ISBN: 9781846947667

Manwaring, Kevan

Reader rating

4.7

(1 reviews) 103 sold

$27.00

Editorial score How we rate

In stock

Stock reported in the catalog; fulfillment is confirmed with your request.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Journey Britain's hidden spiritual currents on two wheels.

Kevan Manwaring, a 'Bard on a Bike,' embarks on a unique pilgrimage across Britain, seeking out the vibrant, often wild, seasonal customs and ceremonies that still thrive. He immerses himself in these ancient and modern folk traditions, from the frenetic energy of an 'Oss' appearance to more intimate gatherings. This isn't merely a travelogue; it's a profound exploration of how sacred time and collective consciousness can be found not only in hallowed sites but also in the most unexpected, everyday moments, offering a path to being truly alive in the modern world.

Key themes

Seasonal Rhythms & Folkways Everyday Sacredness Pilgrimage by Bicycle

Historical context

This work sits firmly within the contemporary British Pagan and Druidic revival, documenting the living continuity of seasonal folk traditions in a modern context. It bridges the gap between ancient esoteric practices and present-day spiritual exploration.

Manwaring, Kevan

📚 all books by this author (2) →

Difficulty

● Easy

Fans will love it

Ronald Hutton · Graham Harvey · Philip Carr-Gomm

🕯️ Occult Philosophy

🏛 Moon Books 📅 2011 📖 313 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781846947667

Fun fact

Manwaring's 'Turning the Wheel' is a delightful, insightful journey into the vibrant, often wild heart of British folk traditions. Its strength lies in weaving personal experience with profound reflection on sacred time and the enduring spirit of place. Those seeking a dry historical account or a practical cycling guide will be disappointed. However, for readers yearning for a lyrical exploration of Britain's spiritual landscape and the enduring magic of its people, this book is a treasure that deepens one's connection to the land.

📝 Description: Turning the Wheel: In Search of Seasonal Britain on Two Wheels

'The frisky Oss appeared - the dancers and drummers in a kind of shamanic trance (induced by a day of drumming, dancing and beer). They were wilder than ever; the atmosphere was positively Bacchanalian and I felt we had all become lost in a kind of collective folk consciousness.' On two wheels across Britain 'Bard on a Bike' Kevan Manwaring searches out the places and people who mark the seasons and cycles in their own special way - in ceremonies and festivals both private and public, large and intimate, ancient and modern. Along the way, he experiences and relates moments of sacred time found in the unlikeliest of places and circumstances, showing how it is a state of mind that can be experienced not only at sacred sites, but in the everyday. A collection of reflections about being fully alive in the Twenty First century, as much a useful guide for the curious, Turning the Wheel is a wise and witty account of a leather-clad time-traveller.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Manwaring’s narrative serves as a spirited invitation to witness Britain’s hidden spiritual currents through the lens of a 'Bard on a Bike.' The book succeeds in portraying seasonal customs not as relics, but as dynamic, living practices. However, readers expecting rigorous academic analysis or dry historical documentation may find the tone too personal and anecdotal. It is not suited for those who prefer detached observation over immersive participation. This title is best appreciated by open-minded explorers willing to embrace the wildness of folk traditions and view travel as a form of active, spiritual pilgrimage rather than passive sightseeing.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking to reconnect with the living pulse of British spiritual heritage will find this book deeply rewarding. Kevan Manwaring invites you to look beyond static historical sites and discover the vibrant, wild energy of seasonal customs thriving in everyday life. If you are a traveler who values immersive cultural experiences over rigid itineraries, or if you seek inspiration for integrating sacred time into your daily routine, this journey offers profound insights. It is perfect for those who believe that collective consciousness and spiritual awakening can be found on the open road, among frenetic ceremonies and intimate gatherings alike, encouraging a path to being truly alive in the modern world.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5

★★★★★

If you yearn to reconnect with the mystical heartbeat of the land, or seek inspiration for a deeper, more mindful existence, this reflective journey offers both wisdom and wonder. Ideal for those curious about Britain's enduring folk magic and the potential for sacredness in daily life.

Reader rating

4.7

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Manwaring’s narrative serves as a spirited invitation to witness Britain’s hidden spiritual currents through the lens of a 'Bard on a Bike.' The book succeeds in portraying seasonal customs not as relics, but as dynamic, living practices. However, readers expecting rigorous academic analysis or dry historical documentation may find the tone too personal and anecdotal. It is not suited for those who prefer detached observation over immersive participation. This title is best appreciated by open-minded explorers willing to embrace the wildness of folk traditions and view travel as a form of active, spiritual pilgrimage rather than passive sightseeing.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Far from it. While recounting a journey, 'Turning the Wheel' is primarily a contemplative exploration of cultural memory and the sacred in the mundane, rather than a guide to specific routes, lodgings, or practical travel advice.

While informed by tradition, this isn't an academic treatise. It's a deeply personal, experiential account of living folk culture, witnessed and participated in, offering insights through direct engagement rather than solely historical analysis or scholarly debate.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Seasonal Rhythms & Folkways

Manwaring delves into the heart of British seasonal festivals, both ancient and contemporary. He actively participates in and observes these vibrant folk traditions, from pagan revelry to community celebrations, illustrating how the land's cyclical pulse continues to be honored through human ritual and shared experience, connecting past to present.

Everyday Sacredness

This book beautifully articulates that profound spiritual experience isn't exclusive to designated holy places. Through his travels, the author discovers moments of 'sacred time' in the most mundane and unexpected circumstances, emphasizing that a shift in perception can transform the ordinary into a deeply meaningful, even mystical, encounter.

Pilgrimage by Bicycle

More than a simple travelogue, Manwaring's journey across Britain on his bicycle becomes a modern-day pilgrimage. He combines physical exploration of the landscape with an internal quest for deeper meaning and connection, forging a unique bond with both the physical environment and the enduring human spirit woven into its traditions.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The frisky Oss appeared - the dancers and drummers in a kind of shamanic trance (induced by a day of drumming, dancing and beer). They were wilder than ever; the atmosphere was positively Bacchanalian and I felt we had all become lost in a kind of collective folk consciousness.”

“...a state of mind that can be experienced not only at sacred sites, but in the everyday.”

📜 Historical context

This work stands firmly within the tradition of British psychogeography and experiential nature writing, echoing figures like John Cowper Powys and Robert Macfarlane. It also resonates with modern pagan and animist thought, bridging academic folk studies with personal, lived mysticism, charting a contemporary path to ancient awareness through direct engagement with living traditions.

📚 Glossary

Bacchanalian
Oss
Shamanic Trance

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a time you experienced a profound, 'sacred' moment in an ordinary setting. What made it so, and how did it affect you?
How do you personally mark the changing seasons or significant cycles in your life? Do these rituals, formal or informal, hold personal meaning?
Consider a journey you've taken, whether physical or metaphorical. How did the act of travel influence your internal landscape or spiritual perceptions?