The Return of Merlin: Star Lore And the Patterns of History

The figure of Merlin has seen a revival during the past half century, especially in the form of cultural icons such as Gandalf, Obi wan Kenobi, and Dumbledore. This fascinating new book looks at the two main Merlin traditions: the cosmic Merlin of the stars and part of the Arthurian legends; and the earthly Merlin of nature, grounded in human history. Gordon Strachan, author of Jesus the Master Builder, takes us on a compelling journey through Merlin’s stories. Along the way, we discover a remarkable pattern—Merlin figures, and events relating to Merlin, reappear again and again throughout British history, in roughly 700-year cycles. He also considers other areas of history in which we see this pattern emerging, while challenging readers to find their own links to history based on their birth dates.