The first Dragon I ever encountered was Puff the Magic Dragon as featured in the song by Peter Paul and Mary which was also amongst the first 7 inch vinyl records I played.
Dungeons and Dragons (the American fighting fantasy role playing game) was introduced to me and many of my generation by the Stephen Spielberg Film "E.T.". (The film E.T. also introduced many of my generation to Extra Terrestrials, BMX bikes and the American Halloween custom of “Trick or Treat”. )
To those that werent aware of the role playing game, "Dungeons and Dragons" was simply the name of a childrens animated cartoon.
When my mother learned I had become interested in the game Dungeons and Dragons she was somewhat concerned. A friend of hers from church, had told her it was "Satanic" in the sense that it introduced innocent children to "occult" concepts. My Mother was a devout Christian and made it clear to me she didn't want me involved in the "occult" but she never forbid me to play Dungeons and Dragons.
Glenn Danzig lead singer of the American punk rock band "the Misfits" who I became a fan of a few years later, Was the first to introduce me to "occult literature" in the form of the Nag Hamandi scrolls . One of my favourite Misfits tracks was London Dungeon , written about the time he spent the night in a cell while the Misfits were touring the UK supporting "The Dammed"
As I grew older my interest in fighting fantasy games waned, I became interested in Skateboarding, Computers, Music, Girls ,Surfing, Rave Culture ,Science, Mysticism.
When my mother learned I had become interested in the game Dungeons and Dragons she was somewhat concerned. A friend of hers from church, had told her it was "Satanic" in the sense that it introduced innocent children to "occult" concepts. My Mother was a devout Christian and made it clear to me she didn't want me involved in the "occult" but she never forbid me to play Dungeons and Dragons.
Glenn Danzig lead singer of the American punk rock band "the Misfits" who I became a fan of a few years later, Was the first to introduce me to "occult literature" in the form of the Nag Hamandi scrolls . One of my favourite Misfits tracks was London Dungeon , written about the time he spent the night in a cell while the Misfits were touring the UK supporting "The Dammed"
As I grew older my interest in fighting fantasy games waned, I became interested in Skateboarding, Computers, Music, Girls ,Surfing, Rave Culture ,Science, Mysticism.
Through exposure to the hardcore scenes of the late eighties I became aware of what it meant to "Chase the Dragon".
The concept of a "Dungeon Master" was central to Dungeons and Dragons. I probably first encountered "The Master" in "Dr Who" or "Star Wars" with its Jedi Masters and Sith Lords.
While at University I had a friend who paid her course fee with money she earned as a dominatrix , I was told stories of Dungeons & BDSM.
Meanwhile the activities of Spiral Tribe sign posted a way to the more the experimental work of Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV and the magickal activities of Thee Temple ov Psychic Youth who performed at another T.G. (Torture Garden)
The concept of a "Dungeon Master" was central to Dungeons and Dragons. I probably first encountered "The Master" in "Dr Who" or "Star Wars" with its Jedi Masters and Sith Lords.
The Master became relevant again when I began learning Martial Arts and entered into a Master/student relationship with my Kung Fu teacher. Over time I have come to see martial arts as a "mind, body and spirit" discipline, with the aim of achieving a knowledge of self and a level of self mastery over ones behaviour, thoughts, emotions etc. My Kung Fu style "Yellow Dragon Fist" also reintroduced me to the concept of the Dragon. In some Secret Societies and quasi Masonic orders e.g KKK the Grand Master is referred to as Grand Dragon.
Both Masters and Dragons are strong/powerful. The Dragon also symbolises wealth & knowledge it is a magical figure often feared & persecuted (They can be good or evil) often hunted and locked up or forced to hide in underground caverns like the Dragon in the vaults at Camelot that taught Merlin.
I see the path of the martial artist as one of self development, learning to transform energy , learning to navigate the Labyrinth of the mind. Over coming both physical and psychological challenges. The Dungeons and Dragons of our own lives.
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