Last fall, while traveling to my starting point at Minehead for the South West Coast Path, I traveled by bus through Glastonbury. I glimpse individuals living a different way of life, barefoot, long-uncut hair, shaggy clothes. Individuals walking into the “Sound Healer” shop.

While actually walking the South West Coast Path, I saw more evidence of this world around Tintagel. Victorians declaring Tintagel the inspired location of Arthurian legends, I saw present day Merlins and King Arthurs, and the building housing the Round Table as well as the Witches in the Wilderness. I also heard the constant sound of pounding waves on rocky shore lines; I saw the high and barren cliffs. I felt the strong, chilly winds. A lonely, isolated world.

Also, last fall, while walking the SWCP through these same landscapes, I recognized a similar world populated by Celtic saints. I could sense what attracted them to the coastal region as they built lonely chapels. Not so much the world of the occult, but a more recognizable and approvable world of mystery.

This spring, I haven’t seen much of the world of the occult nor the world of Celtic mystery. Well, at least until a week ago. Ian and Anne, English friends from Tavistock, drove me around the Plymouth region for ten hours. Among the places we visited, we stopped for ice cream in the town of Totnes. Approaching the city, Anne said: “Really interesting people here! I love to come, have ice-cream or tea, and people-watch.” She was right.

I’m now walking, not being shown the area by car. I’m nearing the end of my ten-mile walk from Brixham to Dartmouth. The trail turns a corner right before Dartmouth Castle, and right there is AKA Wizard.

Sitting inside his truck, all of his objects to sell on the ground or displayed on the back of his very, very old truck. I stop. I look at the walking sticks he has carved; primitive-drawing signs that he has made; collections of other “cult” objects. We talk. In a gentle voice, he tells me about his service in the Royal Navy; his marriage and then divorce; his friendship with several other “wandering magicians and witches.” “I make it to most of the festivals; at other times, I move around the country. Most places, I can stay about a week, but then I have to move because the authorities don’t want me to stay too long.” The world of the occult has reappeared!

I wish that I would have talked with him longer than I did. Tired after a long day of walking, I feel that urge to find my lodging and some dinner. I do wish that I had chatted with him longer. It isn’t everyday that I get to talk with a wizard!