There has been a suggestion that some people would like to gather at the Solstice as we did in midwinter.
The Solstice is actually on Friday 21st June, but there is a Full Moon on Sunday 23rd.
The energy of the Solstice and of the Full Moon is carried over a three day period, so a ceremony at any time over that period will be very powerful.
If anyone is interested please let me know as as soon as possible to allow for others to make arrangements.
This is a reminder about the Earth Wisdom guided walk through the magnificent ancient Yew forest of Kingley Vale this Sunday 9th June.
We will be meeting at 10-30am in the car park, which is at the far end of the tiny hamlet of West Stoke, near Chichester. The walk will begin promptly at 11-00am, and will take approximately three hours. A well-deserved cream tea is offered in the village hall after the walk. Please bring a light packed lunch. The weather looks promising too! Please contact me on [email protected] for further details.
Running a retreat on Mount Fuji for the first time is something I will never forget.
The hotel we stayed in was perfect, as we could see the imposing presence of the mountain as we worked. Sometimes he would be totally obscured by clouds, as if he didn’t exist at all, then slowly the clouds would disperse, and he was there in all his magnificence, watching over us.
The mountains are a mixture of beautiful greens, with wild wisteria hanging everywhere, so to see this pure white apex of the perfectly formed triangle of Fuji is a sudden shock, taking one’s breath away completely.
I had to change the schedule somewhat, because on the the first day of level IV we had non-stop rain. Bearing in mind this was a day of the Dark Moon and a solar eclipse it was not surprising. By the evening, however, there were just light showers, and we had our magnificent fire, which the students all loved. I gave their Master level attunements, and told the tale of Cu Chullain and The Morrigan, which seemed appropriate for this Moon phase.
The next day was beautiful. We went fox-walking in the woods, and visited a cave which was formed by a huge fallen tree when Fuji erupted more than a thousand years ago. The lava had hardened around the tree, and as the tree rotted away over time a cavern was formed with an entrance and exit. Inside are stalactites, which look like breasts. The legend says that when a princess entered the cave many hundreds of years ago she came out pregnant, so this underground shrine is dedicated to her. There is an icon of her deep within, just before you take the passage out. A very appropriate exercise for the students taking level IV, which includes the darker Ogham symbols for Elder, Blackthorn and Yew, trees of The Morrigan.
I am travelling to Mount Fuji today to run a weekend retreat.
I remember the first time I saw this spectacular mountain from the bus. It totally took my breath away. A stark, snow-covered peak amongst the green. He was like an ancient ancestor watching over the land.
Celtic Earth Magic level IV is called Magic and Divination. It seems appropriate, somehow, to share this deep wisdom under the watchful eye of Fuji-San. It is said that ancient wisdom is held in the high mountains, which is why so many mystics take pilgrimages to these places.
There is no wi-fi connection for my iPad up there, so will be out of touch with the world for three days.
The hot spring baths will be some compensation, however!
I hope to have lots of photos
Xx
Well, the Japanese Sun Goddess, Amaterasu really shone her golden rays on us this weekend!
Celtic Earth Magic level III is partly about deepening our relationship with the rest of Nature by contacting Nature Spirits.
There is a part of Kagaku-Gijyutsu-Kan park which has been relocated from an area of natural beauty, so the plants there are wild. This is where I felt we were most likely to connect with Nature Spirits, and sure enough, even before we arrived I felt they were waiting.
I have connected with the Spirits of this place before, so they recognise my vibration as soon as I begin to think about them, and they were very patient with the students as they asked permission to work with them using dowsing rods, pendulums and their hands.
I love this section of the courses the most, I think. It is wonderful to see the faces of students as they realise that this is all real! We CAN connect to the spirits of Nature for healing, inspiration and fulfilment!
We are in retreat at Mount Fuji next weekend, which feels very special to me. There needs to be a little rain, so the students can experience being in all the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, but not too much, especially on Saturday night, as we will be enjoying a fire!
Does anyone know whether there has ever been an apology by the church or government for the persecution, burning, hanging and drowning of witches in the 16th and 17th centuries?
If not, isn’t it about time we had one? Not a pardon, for there was no crime, but an apology.
Holly is thought of as a tree of Winter, even though it is an evergreen. As Oak is guardian of the light half of the year, so Holly is guardian of the dark half. The striking contrast between the glossy deep green leaves and the bright red berries brings cheer during the bleakness of the countryside in the colder months.
The Ogham mantra for Holly is Tinne, pronounced Chin-yuh. It represents protection and defence, as the prickly leaves challenge anyone to invade its depths, yet small birds and insects are safely protected within. Spiders can be sure their webs are safe within the leaves of Holly, as the denseness of its foliage foils the most gale force of winds.
