Breaca's blog has now moved to Wordpress.
The Blog is now more detailed and updated more regularly.
You can find it here:
This Blogger account will be deleted in due course.
Blessed Be!
)O(
Sunday 30 September 2012
Sunday 26 August 2012
Dana: The Primal Enlivening: NOD Assignment
Dana: The Primal Enlivening: Chapter 5 Assignment
Dana, or Danu as many know her, is the Primal Irish Mother Goddess, and the Matron of the Tuatha De Danann. She is the head Matriarch of the Irish Pantheon and is considered by many to be the Celtic representation of the Earth Mother Goddess found in many other Myth Cycles & Pantheons (Gaia, Hera, Juno have all been linked to her).
Having read the NOD chapter on Dana, and looking at the three outlined general orientations to seeing her, I need to answer these questions:
What way, or ways of seeing Dana, makes the most sense to your own sensibilities? What is being 'tended' or needs 'tending' in your life? How can you open yourself up to Dana as a way of being tended?
First of all, let us look at the three ways of seeing Dana/Danu and evaluating each one.
The first way of looking at Dana/Danu, is that she ''...IS the Land, in both its most literal sense, as well as being the energy that is 'behind' or within the land; the very essence that enlivens the natural world.''
And that by perceiving Dana/Danu this was ''...may be a way of relating to the sensuous earth as aliving experience''.
So this way of perceiving Dana/Danu, The Mother Goddess principle, is that she IS the Earth on which we live, as well as the living energy within it which exists in all living things on this planet.
This way of looking at her probably mostly connects her to the 'Gaia' principle. That she is the Earth- Mother Earth- but also that every living thing on the Earth, whether Plant, Mineral, Animal etc is made up of Her also. We call her Dana/Danu to personify that energy and to give the Earth a more humanazied image which enables us to connect easier with her.
Something we can more easily recognize and understand because we cannot truly grasp the idea that the Earth itself is alive and has a consciousness.
This way of seeing Dana/Danu is one which requires us to form a bond with the Earth on which we live and to connect to the Goddess through our care of the Planet and the actions that we take to tread lightly upon her. To connect with Dana/Danu in this form is to spend time in Nature, feeling her close by going to her sacred places and by feeling apart of the greater web of life by realising that we are a small speck of her Energy and that everything we see, touch, feel, hear and smell, is part of Her.
The Second way of seeing Dana/Danu is the idea of what the NOD article calls DanaSpirits.
This is the idea that every living thing on this planet has a soul and conciousness just as we do, though it may display it in different ways. It is the idea that Dana is the conciousness that exists in all of these things. She is not a separate entity with Her own conciousness. She IS the conciousness in all of us.
This is perhaps a little harder to get our head around. She is the Creater then, but not a separate energy that creates and feeds the energies of all that lives on the Earth. She is not the Earth on which we live, but she is the conciousness that exists within EVERYTHING on that Earth. She cannot therefore be personified.
This makes it harder for us as humans to 'see' her, and form a relationship with Her. We can connect to the Bee, the Flower, the Tree.... which are formed from her Conciousness, but she is not the Mother. She is the Soul of the Mother, but not the Body. The Light, but not the Flame.
The third and final way of seeing Dana/Danu given in the article, is the idea that She is like the Tao or Chi from Eastern traditions. The Force from Star Wars if you will. She is the energy. ALL energy. An energy force that we can call upon and use, that we can direct for our own will. An energy that we are made up of, both molecularly and consciously.
Again this way of looking at Dana/Danu can be difficult for Pagans who believe in the Balance of the Force if you will- that yes, this Energy DOES exist. But it is not solely Female. It is not Dana/Danu alone.
A large number of Pagans, and I am one of these, see the Force, the Chi, the Tao, the Awen, The Nwyfre... whatever name you give it, as being made up of both the Feminine and Masculine energies. The God AND the Goddess. Not one of them alone. Because of this reason, I would find it very hard to see the energies of conciousness, matter, soul and of Life as being solely Dana/Danu.
So which way DO I see Dana/Danu as?
I think it is a combination. I think the first way of seeing Dana/Danu, as the Earth itself and the energies with which we are all made. She is the Mother Goddess to me, and she is personified by the Earth. She is also present within all the energies, alongside the God principle, in every living creature, stone, tree, ocean etc. This is the way that makes the most sense to me.
What is being tended, or needs tending in my life?
I would probably say my confidence. It has always been something which has needed tending of the years. Nurturing, to help it grow.
My role as a Priestess and a leader of Celtic Moon is something which I think is currently being tended by the Mother Goddess in many different forms.
How can I open myself up to Her as a way of being tended?
To continue to connect with her through Ritual, through Meditation and through my personal Spiritual practice. By spending time with Her in Nature (the Woods, Sacred Sites, Sacred Wells etc) and connecting my Soul energies to her Primal Earth energies.
It is the bond, this connection, that helps all of us to be nurtured, to grow, to be tended and cared for to help us to gain confidence and maturity.
May the Mother Bless & Teach us all.
Blessed Be.
Breaca
Dana, or Danu as many know her, is the Primal Irish Mother Goddess, and the Matron of the Tuatha De Danann. She is the head Matriarch of the Irish Pantheon and is considered by many to be the Celtic representation of the Earth Mother Goddess found in many other Myth Cycles & Pantheons (Gaia, Hera, Juno have all been linked to her).
Having read the NOD chapter on Dana, and looking at the three outlined general orientations to seeing her, I need to answer these questions:
What way, or ways of seeing Dana, makes the most sense to your own sensibilities? What is being 'tended' or needs 'tending' in your life? How can you open yourself up to Dana as a way of being tended?
First of all, let us look at the three ways of seeing Dana/Danu and evaluating each one.
The first way of looking at Dana/Danu, is that she ''...IS the Land, in both its most literal sense, as well as being the energy that is 'behind' or within the land; the very essence that enlivens the natural world.''
And that by perceiving Dana/Danu this was ''...may be a way of relating to the sensuous earth as aliving experience''.
So this way of perceiving Dana/Danu, The Mother Goddess principle, is that she IS the Earth on which we live, as well as the living energy within it which exists in all living things on this planet.
This way of looking at her probably mostly connects her to the 'Gaia' principle. That she is the Earth- Mother Earth- but also that every living thing on the Earth, whether Plant, Mineral, Animal etc is made up of Her also. We call her Dana/Danu to personify that energy and to give the Earth a more humanazied image which enables us to connect easier with her.
Something we can more easily recognize and understand because we cannot truly grasp the idea that the Earth itself is alive and has a consciousness.
This way of seeing Dana/Danu is one which requires us to form a bond with the Earth on which we live and to connect to the Goddess through our care of the Planet and the actions that we take to tread lightly upon her. To connect with Dana/Danu in this form is to spend time in Nature, feeling her close by going to her sacred places and by feeling apart of the greater web of life by realising that we are a small speck of her Energy and that everything we see, touch, feel, hear and smell, is part of Her.
The Second way of seeing Dana/Danu is the idea of what the NOD article calls DanaSpirits.
This is the idea that every living thing on this planet has a soul and conciousness just as we do, though it may display it in different ways. It is the idea that Dana is the conciousness that exists in all of these things. She is not a separate entity with Her own conciousness. She IS the conciousness in all of us.
This is perhaps a little harder to get our head around. She is the Creater then, but not a separate energy that creates and feeds the energies of all that lives on the Earth. She is not the Earth on which we live, but she is the conciousness that exists within EVERYTHING on that Earth. She cannot therefore be personified.
This makes it harder for us as humans to 'see' her, and form a relationship with Her. We can connect to the Bee, the Flower, the Tree.... which are formed from her Conciousness, but she is not the Mother. She is the Soul of the Mother, but not the Body. The Light, but not the Flame.
The third and final way of seeing Dana/Danu given in the article, is the idea that She is like the Tao or Chi from Eastern traditions. The Force from Star Wars if you will. She is the energy. ALL energy. An energy force that we can call upon and use, that we can direct for our own will. An energy that we are made up of, both molecularly and consciously.
Again this way of looking at Dana/Danu can be difficult for Pagans who believe in the Balance of the Force if you will- that yes, this Energy DOES exist. But it is not solely Female. It is not Dana/Danu alone.
A large number of Pagans, and I am one of these, see the Force, the Chi, the Tao, the Awen, The Nwyfre... whatever name you give it, as being made up of both the Feminine and Masculine energies. The God AND the Goddess. Not one of them alone. Because of this reason, I would find it very hard to see the energies of conciousness, matter, soul and of Life as being solely Dana/Danu.
So which way DO I see Dana/Danu as?
I think it is a combination. I think the first way of seeing Dana/Danu, as the Earth itself and the energies with which we are all made. She is the Mother Goddess to me, and she is personified by the Earth. She is also present within all the energies, alongside the God principle, in every living creature, stone, tree, ocean etc. This is the way that makes the most sense to me.
What is being tended, or needs tending in my life?
I would probably say my confidence. It has always been something which has needed tending of the years. Nurturing, to help it grow.
My role as a Priestess and a leader of Celtic Moon is something which I think is currently being tended by the Mother Goddess in many different forms.
How can I open myself up to Her as a way of being tended?
To continue to connect with her through Ritual, through Meditation and through my personal Spiritual practice. By spending time with Her in Nature (the Woods, Sacred Sites, Sacred Wells etc) and connecting my Soul energies to her Primal Earth energies.
It is the bond, this connection, that helps all of us to be nurtured, to grow, to be tended and cared for to help us to gain confidence and maturity.
May the Mother Bless & Teach us all.
Blessed Be.
Breaca
Wednesday 15 August 2012
Grandmother Crow
Inspired by my experience in the West Kennet Long Barrow
on the Celtic Moon Pagan Pilgrimage 2012,
this poem is Dedicated to Grandmother Crow in thanks for the advice & guidance that she gave me.
"Drums Beating,
Heart Beating,
Feel the Souls of days gone by
Soul Singing,
Heart Singing,
Through the Astral, flying high
Blood Pulsing,
Heart Pulsing,
Seeing with the hidden eye
Hand Shaking,
Heart Shaking,
See her, Feel her, Ask her why
Soul Smiling,
Heart Smiling,
See her, Know her, Hear her reply
Tears Flowing,
Heart Flowing,
Grandmother Crow in the Barrow lies...''
Artwork is 'Scathach' by Jan Hess
Tuesday 7 August 2012
Our Handfasting
Merry Meet everyone!
This blog post has taken nearly a month to write up! Things have been such a chaotic blur lately! In a good way of course...
Our Handfasting (Pagan Wedding) on July 14th was absolutely Magickal :)
Our Celtic Moon brother and sisters did a wonderful job of the ceremony, and Midnightstar & Breckin bound us for this lifetime and for all lifetimes to come.
Our Pagan friends as well as our muggle friends and family all said that they thought the Ritual was beautiful and that they really enjoyed the day.
Vandrake and I were so pleased with how everything went, and it was a day filled with fun, laughter and such beautiful meaning and memories for both of us.
Our photographer Leon made a video of the photographs which can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34gAMOBqNps&feature=youtu.be
I want to say thank you to everyone for making our day so special and so magickal. We truly Love you all!
Blessings,
Breaca
)O(
This blog post has taken nearly a month to write up! Things have been such a chaotic blur lately! In a good way of course...
Our Handfasting (Pagan Wedding) on July 14th was absolutely Magickal :)
Our Celtic Moon brother and sisters did a wonderful job of the ceremony, and Midnightstar & Breckin bound us for this lifetime and for all lifetimes to come.
Our Pagan friends as well as our muggle friends and family all said that they thought the Ritual was beautiful and that they really enjoyed the day.
Vandrake and I were so pleased with how everything went, and it was a day filled with fun, laughter and such beautiful meaning and memories for both of us.
Our photographer Leon made a video of the photographs which can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34gAMOBqNps&feature=youtu.be
I want to say thank you to everyone for making our day so special and so magickal. We truly Love you all!
Blessings,
Breaca
)O(
Saturday 9 June 2012
The Magical Camp & Faerie Festival
Having attended most of The Magical Times magazines indoor events in Canterbury & Brighton, last weekend was our first trip to one of editor Matthew Callow's outdoor events.
The Magical Camp & Faerie Festival was held in a field in Findon, near Worthing in Sussex.
We were unable to make it down there on the friday evening, so Hubby and I made our way there early on the saturday morning. The weather for saturday was fine~ I even caught the sun~ and we enjoyed shopping at some of the beautiful stalls. I even bought a gorgeous new set of Faerie wings from Woodland Wings.
We had Henna and facepainting done, and then some of Celtic Moon sat down for a singing bowl/drumming session which attracted its fair share of attention!
In the evening we were all dressed in our best for the Faerie Ball, with music from Matthew Callow (what a voice! His new album 'Eden' is now out, check out http://www.matthewcallow.com/), Endless Knot (http://www.myspace.com/endlessknot) and Eleanore & the Lost (http://www.eleanoreandthelost.com/).
Sadly the weather turned to Monsoon and Eleanore could not finish her set with the rain pouring in and the marquee lifting two foot off the ground!
Our tent survived the night but other campers and stall holders were not so lucky...
However there was much merriment, mead, cider, dancing, laughing, getting soaked, faerie wings, glitter, face paint, colour, Poi, FOOD and most importantly of all, FRIENDSHIP.
Matthew is holding another camp in September, and depending on the weather/funds/timing we may be in attendance. So watch this space!
For me, it was another Fab Witchy Weekend with wonderful people, and it really reminded me how truly Blessed I am to know so many truly cool individuals!
Bright Blessings!
Breaca
)O(
The Magical Camp & Faerie Festival was held in a field in Findon, near Worthing in Sussex.
We were unable to make it down there on the friday evening, so Hubby and I made our way there early on the saturday morning. The weather for saturday was fine~ I even caught the sun~ and we enjoyed shopping at some of the beautiful stalls. I even bought a gorgeous new set of Faerie wings from Woodland Wings.
We had Henna and facepainting done, and then some of Celtic Moon sat down for a singing bowl/drumming session which attracted its fair share of attention!
In the evening we were all dressed in our best for the Faerie Ball, with music from Matthew Callow (what a voice! His new album 'Eden' is now out, check out http://www.matthewcallow.com/), Endless Knot (http://www.myspace.com/endlessknot) and Eleanore & the Lost (http://www.eleanoreandthelost.com/).
Sadly the weather turned to Monsoon and Eleanore could not finish her set with the rain pouring in and the marquee lifting two foot off the ground!
Our tent survived the night but other campers and stall holders were not so lucky...
However there was much merriment, mead, cider, dancing, laughing, getting soaked, faerie wings, glitter, face paint, colour, Poi, FOOD and most importantly of all, FRIENDSHIP.
Matthew is holding another camp in September, and depending on the weather/funds/timing we may be in attendance. So watch this space!
For me, it was another Fab Witchy Weekend with wonderful people, and it really reminded me how truly Blessed I am to know so many truly cool individuals!
Bright Blessings!
Breaca
)O(
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| Me as a Faerie! |
 |
| Lindsey Goodbun Drumming http://therockabillypagan.blogspot.co.uk/ |
 |
| The Celtic Moon Men |
 |
| Me & fellow Celtic Mooner Esther Remmington http://www.estherremmington.com/ |
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| Me and Celtic Mooner Moonstream (Anna Newbury) |
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| Husband! |
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| Anna's Celtic Moon Henna Tattoo |
Pagan Picnic
Recently, we went to a Pagan Picnic hosted by an offshoot of the Dolmen Grove in Essex.
It was held in the Beautiful Hadleigh Country Park and was based at Hadleigh's very own Roundhouse!
There was music from 'Spriggin' Mists', Belly Dancing from 'Tribal Unity' and Morris Dancing for everyone to enjoy!
There was a Storyteller wandering the grounds and capturing audiences with his tales, and several stalls selling books, witchy wares and crafty bits.
I even grabbed a copy of Cunningham's Herbal for £3!
It was a really hot & sunny day with beautiful blue skies, and the shade of the Roundhouse was lovely and cool! It was really lovely to just chill out and relax surrounded by friends and those of a like mind.
In the afternoon we took a visit to the Farm of BroadOak Herbs with the Urban Herbalist & her busband. The land there has an amazing energy and the labyrinth of herbs is incredible! We even discussed a potential Celtic Moon Camp there.... oooh! Exciting times!
It's weekends like that, that really make you Love being a Pagan in this day and age.
Bright Blessings!
Breaca
)O(
It was held in the Beautiful Hadleigh Country Park and was based at Hadleigh's very own Roundhouse!
There was music from 'Spriggin' Mists', Belly Dancing from 'Tribal Unity' and Morris Dancing for everyone to enjoy!
There was a Storyteller wandering the grounds and capturing audiences with his tales, and several stalls selling books, witchy wares and crafty bits.
I even grabbed a copy of Cunningham's Herbal for £3!
It was a really hot & sunny day with beautiful blue skies, and the shade of the Roundhouse was lovely and cool! It was really lovely to just chill out and relax surrounded by friends and those of a like mind.
In the afternoon we took a visit to the Farm of BroadOak Herbs with the Urban Herbalist & her busband. The land there has an amazing energy and the labyrinth of herbs is incredible! We even discussed a potential Celtic Moon Camp there.... oooh! Exciting times!
It's weekends like that, that really make you Love being a Pagan in this day and age.
Bright Blessings!
Breaca
)O(
Tuesday 5 June 2012
Celtic Moon Pagan Pilgrimage
It has taken me a few weeks to be able to sit down & write this blog entry, forgive me for the length of the post, but I promise you that it is worth reading.
My experiences on the recent Celtic Moon Pagan Pilgrimage were very extreme, and thus has caused me to need time to really process & contemplate my thoughts & feelings before trying to express them in words.
We began our Pilgrimage by meeting at our home for the weekend~ the very beautiful Lock Quaye cottage in the sleepy riverside village of Bradford~upon~Avon.
We chilled out for the evening with good company, a roaring fire & a Celtic Moon private viewing of Spirit of Albion the Movie.
There were also some very much needed heart~to~heart chats with those who needed it.
As Priestess, I found the first evening of the Pilgrimage to be a very grounding one which opened up the rest of the weekend for Magick, leaving behind the mundane & moving on from the more negative aspects of our sometimes troubled & often complicated lives.
That night, my Husband saw a Ghost in our bedroom in the cottage. A gentleman that he believed was a miner or a dock worker due to the scruffy nature of his outfit and dark black soot/coal all over his face. He was merely looking at us, and as there was no sense of malice coming from him, I believe he was probably just being nosy as to who was staying in the cottage this week.
The following morning, we headed to Glastonbury!
For most of us this was the first time that we had been to Glastonbury, and we had alot of expectations!
We began with a walk up the Tor.
The high winds were bracing, and the bright blue skies overhead beckoned us onwards & upwards!
Upon reaching the summit, we each took a few moments to admire the view.
The energies of the Tor were refreshing for me, and I did get quite emotional.
I sat in the shade of St Michael's mount with my Husband, and enjoyed a caramel biscuit bar courtesy of my favourite bald guy :)
I then spent time sat gazing out on the horizon, speaking with the Gods & leaving behind a few woes on the top of the Tor.
As a group we then sat together, some of our artists sketching, others talking, some just laying in the sun.
After some group photographs we then headed back down the expanse of the Tor to the Chalice Well gardens.
Here we spent time splashing in the Healing Waters, Meditating in the Gardens & drinking the pure, cleansing water from the Ancient Spring.
We charged crystals & pendants and I personally felt a very strong, overwhelming sense of Peace there.
From the Well Gardens we perused the Magical & Esoteric shops of Glastonbury High Street, and I added to my already vast collection of books!
Finally, it was back to the Cottage for a delicious group meal of Curry (Chicken & Veggie version) followed by plenty of mead & rum.
We had a relatively early night in preparation for getting up at sunrise the following day!
Up early, fed and watered and ready for a very Spiritual day, we set off in convoy to Salisbury plain.
As a group we had paid for a very special private viewing of Stonehenge, which would allow us to walk amongst the usually closed off stones for one full hour before it opened to the rest of the public.
Most of us had been before and stood at the sidelines, but nothing could have prepared us for how we would feel once we were amongst the Stones themselves.
I am still finding it hard to express it in words. From the moment I stepped within the boundary of the stones, I had Butterflies in my stomach, and my head was swirling with colours.
I could almost feel the stones humming with energy.
We spent some time individually exploring the stones, taking photographs and basking in the energies of that very Sacred place.
I felt very overwhelmed, and yet it felt comforting & familiar.
We sat in the centre of the stones and meditated as a group beside Breckin's make shift Altar. Most of us held crystals and pendulums- the energy throbbed through mine.
Some of the other people who had paid for the viewing stopped to watch us meditate.
Together we then stood in a circle and performed some Awens~ the Druid chant for peace & inspiration, like the Buddhist Om~ it was a personal ritual that required no words or actions, just the members of Celtic Moon holding hands & chanting.
By the end, almost all of us were in tears. But not sobbing with distress, more like tears of release & emotive power.
For me, Stonehenge was VERY spiritual. VERY Masculine. VERY much surrounded by our Pagan Ancestors.
The feelings I experienced there will be with me for the rest of my life, and never again will I visit Stonehenge and stand at the side, away from the stones. We Pagans belong amongst the stones, celebrating & connecting to the energies of our Gods. I will always pre-book to experience the wonder & TRUE MAGICK of Stonehenge.
After a hearty breakfast at a Harvester local to Stonehenge, we made our way to Avebury.
I have been to Avebury stone circle 4 times before in my life.
I find the energy of the stones is more feminine, and more relaxed than at Stonehenge.
The village and pub in the centre mean that you are never far from civilisation, and it is almost a 'middle' place. Stuck between the world of the Magical and the Mundane. The Other realm & this earthly plain.
Being close to the stones, touching them, listening to them, very much brings me closer to the Ancestors who brought those stones to that place and arranged them so for ritual and celebration.
I left Avebury feeling re-balanced after the powerful knock~out from Stonehenge.
The most powerful experience for me however, came after we left Avebury.
In all the times I had been to the stone circle, I had never before visited The West Kennet Long Barrow. I had wanted to for such a long time, and my experience within it is something that I will spend years trying to understand.
I will share what parts of my experience I can verbally explain to you, but words can never really convey what I felt.
Within the dark chambers of the Long Barrow, the sound is so silent, so quiet, it is almost deafening. The pressure of the ground above you, the white noise of the silence & the thundering of your own heart beat, are pretty much all that you can hear.
At one point within the Long Barrow, all of the birds outside ceased their song, and all that was left was unearthly, peaceful silence.
I felt reverence for the Ancestors, those that had laid within those walls, those who had visited & those who exist in the realms of the Otherworld.
I sat with some of the other Celtic Mooner's in the various chambers of the Long Barrow, but one chamber in particular kept drawing me back- the second chamber on the left hand side from the entrance of the Barrow.
Breckin was sat in there on a stone slab. I joined her on the slab, very much feeling like I just had to sit down.
A few moments later, Breckin left me alone in the chamber~ whether she felt that she had to leave me to it, I don't know, but within minutes of her leaving I was in deep meditation.
The images I saw to begin with were very blurred & obscure. I saw fire lit torch light, the chambers lit up & offerings of flowers. I saw tribes people, I saw modern visitors, I saw spells being cast by ancient & modern witches. Like a flashing through of the history of the Barrow.
A few moments into my meditation, I placed my hands onto the cold stone at the back of the chamber (I was sat on the back of the floor slab, facing the back of the chamber.) I rested my head against the cold stone. Everything was silent.
I felt someone join me on the slab. I thought one of the Mooners had come to sit with me like I had come to sit with Breckin. But when I turned and opened my eyes, it was not a Mooner that I saw. I saw the back of an elderly woman, with a long dark grey braid running down her back. She wore a dark, woollen garment, and she turned her face to the side so that I could see her profile.
I knew she was there, but not there, so I turned back to the cold stone of the chamber and closed my eyes again.
This time I saw the woman in my mind's eye, though I could still feel her sitting behind me on the slab.
Her face was so familiar. She looked like me. She looked like my mother, and my maternal great-grandmother. Yet she also looked different from us.
She told me her name was Crow. I immediately thought of Morrighan, but she said no.
She reassured me that she was not an incarnation of the Crone Goddess, but more an incarnation of my family line. An Ancestor.
I asked her why she was there, had she lain there? Why did she come to the Long Barrow?
She told me that she had never lain there. Never even visited it in life. But she came there because she could.
It is a great place where those on the other side of life can come and be amongst the living.
She came because I was there.
She told me that "Nothing ever changes" ~ I took this to mean that everything that is has been before and will be again.
I spoke with her about my path, my role as Priestess & my beloved Grandfather.
She promised me that my Grandfather was well in the Summerlands & that I will see him again when it is time, and not before.
Whilst speaking with her, I could feel ice cold hands holding my wrists as I placed my palms flat to the cold stone. She was reassuring me, showing me that she was there and that I had truly seen her.
I could smell Lavender, woodsmoke & the earthy scent of the land.
In my stomach I felt an energy that I cannot explain. My heart thundered from seeing something so vivid. Her back. Her Plait. Her Cloak. Her profile, with my Mother's nose. MY nose.
She told me that she is with me always. Grandmother Crow. That my role of Priestess has far to take me and that there will be many more experiences that I must open myself up to.
I cried. I sobbed. Tears were streaking down my face. I was not afraid of her, I Loved her. She was a stranger, and yet I knew her. She was there, and I could feel her. I could see her with both my physical eyes & my inner sight.
I will never forget that face for as long as I live.
I left the Longbarrow in floods of tears, and was greeted at the doorway by two of the Celtic Mooners who held me close & knew that though I cried, I was not sad.
I walked slowly to the top of the Longbarrow to be held by my husband. I was left shaking, empowered & yet exhausted, ecstatic & yet frail.
I wept the whole walk back from the barrow to the car, and then I felt at Peace.
Just reliving that experience to type it up has left me feeling very otherworldly.
It is very difficult to express something so intense, so personal.... I truly hope that it has helped some of you to understand just how immense, how powerful, how emotional & how spiritual my own personal journey on the Pagan Pilgrimage was.
I Loved sharing the journey with so many wonderful, magical people.
Long Live Celtic Moon.
With Love & Blessings to you all,
Blessed Be!
Breaca
My experiences on the recent Celtic Moon Pagan Pilgrimage were very extreme, and thus has caused me to need time to really process & contemplate my thoughts & feelings before trying to express them in words.
We began our Pilgrimage by meeting at our home for the weekend~ the very beautiful Lock Quaye cottage in the sleepy riverside village of Bradford~upon~Avon.
We chilled out for the evening with good company, a roaring fire & a Celtic Moon private viewing of Spirit of Albion the Movie.
There were also some very much needed heart~to~heart chats with those who needed it.
As Priestess, I found the first evening of the Pilgrimage to be a very grounding one which opened up the rest of the weekend for Magick, leaving behind the mundane & moving on from the more negative aspects of our sometimes troubled & often complicated lives.
That night, my Husband saw a Ghost in our bedroom in the cottage. A gentleman that he believed was a miner or a dock worker due to the scruffy nature of his outfit and dark black soot/coal all over his face. He was merely looking at us, and as there was no sense of malice coming from him, I believe he was probably just being nosy as to who was staying in the cottage this week.
The following morning, we headed to Glastonbury!
For most of us this was the first time that we had been to Glastonbury, and we had alot of expectations!
We began with a walk up the Tor.
The high winds were bracing, and the bright blue skies overhead beckoned us onwards & upwards!
Upon reaching the summit, we each took a few moments to admire the view.
The energies of the Tor were refreshing for me, and I did get quite emotional.
I sat in the shade of St Michael's mount with my Husband, and enjoyed a caramel biscuit bar courtesy of my favourite bald guy :)
I then spent time sat gazing out on the horizon, speaking with the Gods & leaving behind a few woes on the top of the Tor.
As a group we then sat together, some of our artists sketching, others talking, some just laying in the sun.
After some group photographs we then headed back down the expanse of the Tor to the Chalice Well gardens.
Here we spent time splashing in the Healing Waters, Meditating in the Gardens & drinking the pure, cleansing water from the Ancient Spring.
We charged crystals & pendants and I personally felt a very strong, overwhelming sense of Peace there.
From the Well Gardens we perused the Magical & Esoteric shops of Glastonbury High Street, and I added to my already vast collection of books!
Finally, it was back to the Cottage for a delicious group meal of Curry (Chicken & Veggie version) followed by plenty of mead & rum.
We had a relatively early night in preparation for getting up at sunrise the following day!
Up early, fed and watered and ready for a very Spiritual day, we set off in convoy to Salisbury plain.
As a group we had paid for a very special private viewing of Stonehenge, which would allow us to walk amongst the usually closed off stones for one full hour before it opened to the rest of the public.
Most of us had been before and stood at the sidelines, but nothing could have prepared us for how we would feel once we were amongst the Stones themselves.
I am still finding it hard to express it in words. From the moment I stepped within the boundary of the stones, I had Butterflies in my stomach, and my head was swirling with colours.
I could almost feel the stones humming with energy.
We spent some time individually exploring the stones, taking photographs and basking in the energies of that very Sacred place.
I felt very overwhelmed, and yet it felt comforting & familiar.
We sat in the centre of the stones and meditated as a group beside Breckin's make shift Altar. Most of us held crystals and pendulums- the energy throbbed through mine.
Some of the other people who had paid for the viewing stopped to watch us meditate.
Together we then stood in a circle and performed some Awens~ the Druid chant for peace & inspiration, like the Buddhist Om~ it was a personal ritual that required no words or actions, just the members of Celtic Moon holding hands & chanting.
By the end, almost all of us were in tears. But not sobbing with distress, more like tears of release & emotive power.
For me, Stonehenge was VERY spiritual. VERY Masculine. VERY much surrounded by our Pagan Ancestors.
The feelings I experienced there will be with me for the rest of my life, and never again will I visit Stonehenge and stand at the side, away from the stones. We Pagans belong amongst the stones, celebrating & connecting to the energies of our Gods. I will always pre-book to experience the wonder & TRUE MAGICK of Stonehenge.
After a hearty breakfast at a Harvester local to Stonehenge, we made our way to Avebury.
I have been to Avebury stone circle 4 times before in my life.
I find the energy of the stones is more feminine, and more relaxed than at Stonehenge.
The village and pub in the centre mean that you are never far from civilisation, and it is almost a 'middle' place. Stuck between the world of the Magical and the Mundane. The Other realm & this earthly plain.
Being close to the stones, touching them, listening to them, very much brings me closer to the Ancestors who brought those stones to that place and arranged them so for ritual and celebration.
I left Avebury feeling re-balanced after the powerful knock~out from Stonehenge.
The most powerful experience for me however, came after we left Avebury.
In all the times I had been to the stone circle, I had never before visited The West Kennet Long Barrow. I had wanted to for such a long time, and my experience within it is something that I will spend years trying to understand.
I will share what parts of my experience I can verbally explain to you, but words can never really convey what I felt.
Within the dark chambers of the Long Barrow, the sound is so silent, so quiet, it is almost deafening. The pressure of the ground above you, the white noise of the silence & the thundering of your own heart beat, are pretty much all that you can hear.
At one point within the Long Barrow, all of the birds outside ceased their song, and all that was left was unearthly, peaceful silence.
I felt reverence for the Ancestors, those that had laid within those walls, those who had visited & those who exist in the realms of the Otherworld.
I sat with some of the other Celtic Mooner's in the various chambers of the Long Barrow, but one chamber in particular kept drawing me back- the second chamber on the left hand side from the entrance of the Barrow.
Breckin was sat in there on a stone slab. I joined her on the slab, very much feeling like I just had to sit down.
A few moments later, Breckin left me alone in the chamber~ whether she felt that she had to leave me to it, I don't know, but within minutes of her leaving I was in deep meditation.
The images I saw to begin with were very blurred & obscure. I saw fire lit torch light, the chambers lit up & offerings of flowers. I saw tribes people, I saw modern visitors, I saw spells being cast by ancient & modern witches. Like a flashing through of the history of the Barrow.
A few moments into my meditation, I placed my hands onto the cold stone at the back of the chamber (I was sat on the back of the floor slab, facing the back of the chamber.) I rested my head against the cold stone. Everything was silent.
I felt someone join me on the slab. I thought one of the Mooners had come to sit with me like I had come to sit with Breckin. But when I turned and opened my eyes, it was not a Mooner that I saw. I saw the back of an elderly woman, with a long dark grey braid running down her back. She wore a dark, woollen garment, and she turned her face to the side so that I could see her profile.
I knew she was there, but not there, so I turned back to the cold stone of the chamber and closed my eyes again.
This time I saw the woman in my mind's eye, though I could still feel her sitting behind me on the slab.
Her face was so familiar. She looked like me. She looked like my mother, and my maternal great-grandmother. Yet she also looked different from us.
She told me her name was Crow. I immediately thought of Morrighan, but she said no.
She reassured me that she was not an incarnation of the Crone Goddess, but more an incarnation of my family line. An Ancestor.
I asked her why she was there, had she lain there? Why did she come to the Long Barrow?
She told me that she had never lain there. Never even visited it in life. But she came there because she could.
It is a great place where those on the other side of life can come and be amongst the living.
She came because I was there.
She told me that "Nothing ever changes" ~ I took this to mean that everything that is has been before and will be again.
I spoke with her about my path, my role as Priestess & my beloved Grandfather.
She promised me that my Grandfather was well in the Summerlands & that I will see him again when it is time, and not before.
Whilst speaking with her, I could feel ice cold hands holding my wrists as I placed my palms flat to the cold stone. She was reassuring me, showing me that she was there and that I had truly seen her.
I could smell Lavender, woodsmoke & the earthy scent of the land.
In my stomach I felt an energy that I cannot explain. My heart thundered from seeing something so vivid. Her back. Her Plait. Her Cloak. Her profile, with my Mother's nose. MY nose.
She told me that she is with me always. Grandmother Crow. That my role of Priestess has far to take me and that there will be many more experiences that I must open myself up to.
I cried. I sobbed. Tears were streaking down my face. I was not afraid of her, I Loved her. She was a stranger, and yet I knew her. She was there, and I could feel her. I could see her with both my physical eyes & my inner sight.
I will never forget that face for as long as I live.
I left the Longbarrow in floods of tears, and was greeted at the doorway by two of the Celtic Mooners who held me close & knew that though I cried, I was not sad.
I walked slowly to the top of the Longbarrow to be held by my husband. I was left shaking, empowered & yet exhausted, ecstatic & yet frail.
I wept the whole walk back from the barrow to the car, and then I felt at Peace.
Just reliving that experience to type it up has left me feeling very otherworldly.
It is very difficult to express something so intense, so personal.... I truly hope that it has helped some of you to understand just how immense, how powerful, how emotional & how spiritual my own personal journey on the Pagan Pilgrimage was.
I Loved sharing the journey with so many wonderful, magical people.
Long Live Celtic Moon.
With Love & Blessings to you all,
Blessed Be!
Breaca
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