Will reads the ancient Book of Gramarye, a magical book that is more than merely paper it is a rite of passage of an Old One, in which in the reading, one experiences magical spells and is taught everything about one's powers. So let these spells ring far and wide speak their words and seek their art, let the wild world into your eyes, your voice, your heart.' - from The Lost SpellsĪbout halfway through the newest collaboration between British nature writer Robert Macfarlane and artist Jackie Morris, The Lost Spells, I am suddenly reminded of a chapter in The Dark is Rising, the award-winning children's book by Susan Cooper about an English boy named Will Stanton, who discovers on his 11th birthday that he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to keeping the world safe from the forces of evil, the Dark. 'To enchant' means both to make magic and to sing out. But there has always been singing in dark times - and wonder is needed now more than ever. Creatures, places and words disappear, day after day, year on year. 'Loss is the tune of our age, hard to miss and hard to bear. Rambles.NET: Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris, The Lost Words, Spell Songs, The Lost Spells Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris,

The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane