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Biography

Dr. Karen Ralls, medieval historian and world religions and spiritualities scholar, obtained her PhD from the University of Edinburgh, followed by six years as Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer (Univ. of Edinburgh) and Deputy Curator of the Rosslyn Chapel Museum art exhibition (1996-2001) prior to relocating to Oxford, England, where she continues with her specialist work and outreach. A member of the Chalice Well,  Rosslyn Chapel, and Gatekeeper Pilgrimage Trusts (UK),  the British Association for the Study of Religion, and the American Academy of Religion (AAR),  Dr Ralls has appeared on US, British and European TV documentaries for History Channel, Discovery,  National Geographic, BBC Channel 4, etc., and has recently completed a specialist Medieval and Renaissance art history and symbolism course at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London.

An international lecturer/conference speaker,  noted author,  historical sites tour guide, and workshop/events presenter, Dr Ralls' recent books include  The Templars and the Grail (Quest Books, USA), The Knights Templar Encyclopedia (Career Press, USA), The Quest for the Celtic Key (Luath, Edinburgh, UK) and Music and the Celtic Otherworld (Edinburgh University Press, Columbia Univ Press, USA),  Indigenous Religious Musics (Ashgate,  SOAS Musicology Series, University of London, UK) and Sacred Doorways:  History, Lore, Places and Symbolism of Twelve Medieval Mysteries, forthcoming in Aug 2013 by Ibis Press/distr RedWheelWeiser books USA).

Karen is interested in further exploring transformative links between history/heritage, folklore, symbols, spirituality, music and sound, and world sacred sites today, as a greater understanding of history - and its enduring 'mysteries' -  can still provide us all with key insights to powerfully assist us in transforming our own lives  -- and that of our planet -- today.  A medievalist originally from the US and based in Britain for over twenty years, Karen is also on Facebook and Linked In, and her website is www ancientquest com.

A musician (flute,  Celtic wire-strung harp),  Karen also acknowledges an underlying wisdom at the core of all spiritual traditions, valuing the experiential as well as the academic, spiritual experience as well as music. Conferences, tours, and talks are an important part of the outreach of Karen's work, as are travel and intercultural dialogue. Quest on…

For a direct link to the HOME, BOOKS, NEWS, NEW TOURS & MEDIA pages, click here

"Knowledge comes, but Wisdom lingers..."
      (Alfred Lord Tennyson)

 

Karen at Roslin Glen, Scotland	Standing at Callanish stone circle

To view Karen's US amazon.com Author's Page, please click here, and for the UK Author's page on amazon co uk,  please click here 

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