Walking Backwards: The Magical Art of Psychedelic Psychogeography

by Greg Humphries, Julian Vayne

This book is a curious thing. Part magical text, part art book, part psychedelic journal and part guidebook; it weaves ideas of folklore, mythology, magick, and psychogeography into a rich tapestry. It shows each one of us a way to enchant the landscapes we walk in, deepen our relationship with Nature and re-connect with the spirit of the lands we live in. Written in two parts the book recounts the authors' different experience of a couple of West Country walks they undertook together in 2010. Part 1 discusses ideas surrounding psychogeography and lays out some practical exercises for you to try on your walks, while Part 2 brings together mythology and the physical experience of walking in the landscape to create a song to help awaken the Spirit of Albion.

Genres: Nonfiction

123 pages, Paperback

Published October 29, 2018

Reviews

[rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

first half was best, overall very good, for flaneur and stalkers of all types. minus a star for quoting stairway to heaven.

[Dan Sumption · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the late 80s there was (briefly) a fanzine called Yellow Gnome, featuring a regular "stupid things to do when stoned" column. The first part of this book seemed like an evolution of that - "interesting things to do in the countryside when tripping". It gives numerous suggestions - shrine making, artworks, sights and sounds, and paying more attention in general. The rest of the book details two specific walks, and the stories, artworks and photographs that emerged from them. The book is a lot of fun, and has made me consider my countryside walks in a different light.