John and Caitlin Matthews
John Matthews (born 1948) and Caitlín Matthews (born 1952) are English writers. Together, they have written over 150 books and translated into more than thirty languages. Their work also includes Tarot decks, a card-based storytelling system, screenplays, and songs.
The Matthews began working in the 1970s while in London.[1] They wrote and published The Western Way in 1985. This followed the lead of Christine Hartley's The Western Mysteries Tradition (1968)[2] by identifying and promoting a European mystical tradition to offset the then-current domination of Eastern mysticisms from India and China.[3] The book included meditations to enable readers to make contact with their inner worlds.[4] They also edited The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom (2000), devised the Storyworld series (2009) and, most recently, created The Steampunk Tarot: Gods of the Machine (2012). Pagan historian Ronald Hutton is critical of Caitlan Matthews works.
The Matthews studied with two of the leading esotericists of the time, Gareth Knight and Dolorous Ashcroft-Nowicki.[5] From 1988 to 1992, they served as joint-presiders of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.[6] Since 1989, they have run the Fellowship of Isis Lyceum, Domus Sophiae Terrae et Sancte Gradalis in Oxford. The Matthews are also both members of the Archpriesthood Union as custodians of the legacy of the Fellowship of Isis.[7]
John and Caitlín Matthews are active teachers on the New Age workshop circuit. They teach their versions of the Celtic mysteries, Neo-shamanism, the Goddess and King Arthur.[8] In 2011, The Matthews were jointly listed 86th in the Watkins list of the 100 most spiritually influential living people worldwide.[9] They currently live in Oxford, UK.