The Underworld Initiation: A journey towards psychic transformation

by R.J. Stewart

The authentic core of Western mysteries revealed through oral traditions, Celtic myth and legend. Provides a unique insight into the initiatory path of Western esoteric system.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Magic, Paganism, Magick, Religion, Occult

298 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Robert John Stewart (Bob Stewart) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father came from a Gaelic speaking family originally from the Western Highlands. His mother was Welsh, from a Welsh speaking family from the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, with a tradition of singing and playing the Welsh triple-harp. He is known today as a composer, author, and teacher, with 40 books in publication, translated into many languages worldwide. He is widely experienced in theater, film, and television, and is a skilled performer and presenter.

Reviews

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally written in 1985, it stands out as a timeless collection of wisdom. Let's be honest, most literature of this genre is painfully dated, particularly with the Occult Revival revived in the 80s, and 90s. Aquarian Press did publish some of the classics, that very much deserve a read by any one interested in this subject.
Far ahead of this present trend toward delving into working with the Ancestors, this book- while focusing upon Celtic sources- can be used by all for growth along the path of self-discovery.
A chapter is dedicated to a reconsidered form of the Qabalistic Tree of Life. There is a clear assertion that esoteric Christian concepts are as equally suited, as would any general philosophy, to these methods; Stewart directly indicate how this is so. He establishes truths about Victorian resurgence inspired by Masonry, and barely understood Eastern concepts.

The distinctive feature of this work is that R.J. Stewart's focus is encouraging one to practice, explore, and experience what he discusses. This is not an instruction manual, by any means, which is the part I find most valuable because there are as many ways to achieve these states, as there are people. His skill is being vaguely specific, in the best possible way. The Underworld Initiation, is described, but never confined by any single method. This requires the skilled poet's voice that R.J is known to possess. Trust him to guide one in experiencing the other layers of Reality. The keys are good meditation practice to learn one's mind, visualization, discerning one's inner symbol set to communication with the beings in other levels of consciousness, develop faculty with energies, and to learn to listen to them with a critical mind.
I am appreciating this book even more than I did the first time as i continue my quest to read again those books from my past. 35 years later, this stands as a text far above the stacks of wasted ink and paper of most occult literature.
The second half of the book details interpretations of British folk songs to demonstrate how to peel the layers of time and meaning out of them.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a foundational work that helps put the notion of the three worlds in context. My favorite parts of the book, and where Stewart seems warm up, is in the later chapters where he analyzes and interprets Scottish and Welsh ballads for their mystical content. It also includes the text for a Journey to the Underworld. I would love to find a recording with Stewart's music and voice. It seems that his website does not currently offer a recording (it was last available on cassette tape!)

If you ever get a chance to meet him in person or listen to him perform by all means, do! He is a master bard, storyteller and teacher.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot of great information about the Western occult tradition in this book and some very helpful, unique and relevant insights for the seeker. It is very Western European race oriented and the author makes that very clear. He’s somewhat dismissive towards Westerners exploring Eastern philosophy and occult, and especially groups such as the HOGD. These things I’ve heard before. A somewhat larger issue I had with Stewart is his aversion to psychotherapy and psychology. He’s very dismissive of this science and although I understand some of his points about occultists overanalyzing occult subjects and Magick and claiming it’s all mental m, it seems like he has a real bone to pick with practitioners in the field. Perhaps he had a bad relationship with psychologist or his parents were or maybe he’s not keen on the revealing nature and techniques of psychotherapy. Nevertheless, it’s a good book with great insights of the Western tradition that I wasn’t familiar with. Just be prepared for the Eurocentricity and slights and aversion to Psychology.

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting book that examines the concepts of symbolic meaning and archetypes from a non-psychological stance, while showing the weaknesses in the psychological model of magic. Stewart presents a solid methodology of magical practice that can be applied to the examples he provides, but can also be applied to any story or myth that a person finds meaningful. I highly recommend this book for its solid approach to magical theory and practice.

[Michelle]

Finally have a copy and am itching to read. I've only had the other two books for over a year. Hope it lives up to the hype. Had I seen the second part of the title prior to hearing such wonderful things about this book, I would have never picked it of the others up in the first place. I'm ready RJ Stewart,impress me =)

[Justin Patrick]

This is a fascinating book. Highly recommended. I love Stewart's exploration of the Ballads and oral lore and how this relates to the UnderWorld Tradition in the Western Mysteries. I'll be putting this material to work in my own operations.

[Jönathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic, laying the groundwork for many of R. J. Stewart's later books.

[Paul Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your mainstream new age spirituality. A deep authentic,and insightful exploration of the Celtic/Western Esoteric mysteries.

[Michael Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book that started it all.
Has some important material - written in an .... eccentric style.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting book, with some insight - unfortunately plagued by a certain anti-Semitic tone that comes across with a pomposity that detracts from the overall work. What I did enjoy was the deliberate separation of psychology from spirituality and the cross referencing of traditional English folksong motifs. A broader view of European folksong would have been appreciated, as England is not the only soil that retained mythological continuity in song. There is also a great deal of supposition without data, and some material that just FEELS off to me. Kind of reads like a "Pagan Spirituality According to Steeleye Span, Pentangle and Fairport Convention". A revised edition would be welcome.

[Korin: A Crone Running Amok · Rating 4 out of 5]

RJ Stewart works through Celtic Myth & Legend to give the initiate the core of as much Celtic belief & magic as can be transmitted by words. The rest is up to the individual doing the work. A marvelous piece of work.