Patrick Jasper Lee: We Borrow the Earth [2000] paperback

The first book about Gypsy life written by a true Romani. Reveals the inner traditions of the Gypsy way, their healing and magic, their historical migrations, and why gypsies believe they should only 'borrow', rather than own, the earth. The Gypsies have always been a source of both fascination and fear. They have lived among us for thousands of years and yet we know little about them. In this book Jasper Lee takes us on a journey to the heartland of the Gypsy people. Jasper Lee practises the healing arts of the Gypsy shaman, preserving the ancient customs of his people with an openness rare among those of Gypsy blood. His story shows how he believes that by preserving them and revealing these customs to the non-Gypsy world, he will lift the curse which has afflicted his family since they chose to buy their land, rather than borrow the earth as their ancestors did.