C is for Chalice Well Gardens....by the light of the Full Moon

I will start by apologising for the quality of the photo. At the time I really wanted to capture the atmosphere of the place, at night on the Full Moon......This is the main waterfall within the gardens, lit by candle light....you become very aware of actually how red it is. 

Chalice Well is one of Britain's most ancient wells, nestling in the Vale of Avalon between the famous Glastonbury Tor and Chalice Hill. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and orchards it is a living sanctuary in which the visitor can experience the quiet healing of this sacred place. For over two thousand years this has been a place where people have gathered to drink the waters and find solace, peace and inspiration.

I have been a visitor and companion of Chalice Well for a number of years. Since I first went to Glastonbury, my heart was lost to this beautiful and peaceful place. Every time I go, I become aware of a new little corner I haven't spent time in or a new tree speaks to me and I spend time with it.

The most magical experiences I've ever had there have been at night and especially on the Full Moons. Having only visited the Well and Gardens in the daytime, before my first Full Moon experience. I wasn't prepared for the change it had at night. The gardens are gently lit by only natural light, candles, garden flares and lanterns. So from the moment you step in your senses are used on a different level. Rather then the sight of plants and flowers capturing your vision its their smell....gentle wafts of jasmin and honeysuckle especially hang in the summer evenings air. I found that no matter how well I knew my way around the garden in the day at night your bearings are not the same....it really is like being transformed into another world.

So peaceful at the best of times but if you can, try and stay at their accommodation. This privilege also gives you special access to the Well and gardens 24 ours. Their are so little other people around at those times when you stay there and it really is personal time. especially again at night or dawn. 

The Chalice Well is among the best known and most loved holy wells in Britain. Many legends are attributed to its chalybeate waters, which flow ceaselessly at a steady rate and temperature that never varies. Not least among these is that they represent the blood of Christ miraculously springing forth from the ground when Joseph of Arimathea buried or washed the cup used at the Last Supper. For others the waters are acknowledged as the essence of life, the gift from Mother earth to sustain its living forms and so a continuous spring like Chalice Well is a direct expression of an unbounded life force.

I like to think of the waters as a direct link to the Mother aspect of the Goddess. the red flowing water of life that connects us all. Bathing, paddling and drinking the waters is a very special experience. I use the waters within so much of my magic and feel they bring a very unique element to my work. If you are ever in Glastonbury then I cannot express enough how important a place this is and what a deep experience you will have there.

Healing, Nurturing, Spiritual.........

Passages in italics are directly taken from the Chalice Well website.

Elen Prayer Flags

So if your a friend on Facebook you maybe bored of this blog already ;o) But for the last couple of weeks I've had my head down and been busily creating a new range of Prayer Flags and Goddess Banners dedicated to Elen of the ways.

What I thought might be nice, is to blog about them here and show each individual flag and what the symbols represent.  So the above picture is the whole set together, nine flags in all their Elen-y glory! I'll start with the central flag and work outwards.....

The Antlered Spiral Heart

Elen, Reindeer and Deer are related to Love and specifically the Heart Chakra. I use a lot of Heart Chakra opening with my workshops dedicated to Elen for this reason too. Nothing like Love to break down barriers! Spirals have always featured heavily and pretty much in every piece of artwork I've created, its one of my signatures. Spirals are the symbol of Life, in my opinion, and hence why they find their way into my animal works especially. This and the main Elen design are the symbols to me that encompass all that is Elen of the Trackways. Meditate upon this symbol to open your Heart Chakra.

The Spiral

As I just mentioned above, The Spiral is a symbol that appears throughout all of my workings. It’s the essence and energy of life, the ever Spiralling cycle of Mother Nature. Whenever I think of Life Esscence and energies in the land. I always see it as a Spiral, not sure why, just always have. Spirals and Labyrinths are of HUGE importance to me within my Spiritual Practise. Meditate upon this symbol to bring energy and vitality into your life.

Shed Antler and Tracks

A single shed Antler along the Path. A symbol of release, we all leave our marks/tracks along the road. The shed Antler shows how we all grow and release along our Life’s Journey. Female reindeer are the only antlered female deer. They also keep their antlers longer than the males before they shed them, so they can protect their offspring during winter from predators. A reindeers antler is akin to a fingerprint and they can be recognised by their shape and style, each year growing the same but bigger. I feel, that Elen's link with reindeer is natural because her being an Antlered Goddess and the female reindeer being antlered. That and deer/reindeer trackways, being repeatedly used over generations, it all links beautifully to Elen. Ancient reindeer trackways can be found deep with UK's land, migrational paths that have probably been present since a time before we became an island. Whenever I dwell on that it gives me goosebumps....Elen's prescence within my lands for all that time, yet so elusive and almost forgotten! Meditate upon this symbol for what needs releasing and what growth you can bring into your life. 

Circle within a Circle

This symbol was gifted to me at one of my Elen Retreats last Mabon. The lovely Phil and Lynne of Shamanic Druidry came along to lead everyone in a Rattle making workshop. We journeyed to receive symbols to henna onto our Rattles this was one (along with a Antlered Deer head) that I received. Circles are often seen as protective symbols. Standing within a circle shields a person from supernatural dangers or influences outside of the circle. Conversely, a circle can also be containing, keeping that which is inside from being released. Its also the symbol of the sacred hoop/ring, an integral part of the Sacred Drum. Meditate upon this symbol if you feel protection is needed in your life.   

Elen of the Track Ways 

This symbol is the embodiment of Elen. Lady of the Track ways, Guardian of your Pathway, Walker of the Antlered Road. Along Her pathway are a trail of stars, hearts and spirals. This is the symbol I have tattoo'd upon my wrist too....my calling, passion and all I dedicate my works too. Call to Elen when direction along your Life’s Path is needed.

Elen of the Trackways Prayer Flags can be purchased here at Etsy

C is for Challenges Along the Road (and Cleansing)

Ok, so I'm late posting my pagan blog project post, and its also not what I originally wanted to post about either. But the title of this post says it all...this last 5 days has been all about Challenges. Challenges in life and boy has it been tough. I dont think the timing of the 'challenge' was great.....building up to the Full Moon and also my Moontime. So the emotional rollercoaster its brought in its wake has been crap :o( 

A cave is the only place I've wanted to be this last couple of days. Wallow is all I've wanted to do there. All the things I would normally do when such a challenge comes along went out the window. All I've wanted to do is cry....I've had to go into my normal day job and keep myself together. I've been going through my head on how we can over come this obstacle, how we can be ok and how to make it all right. I know we need to stay positive and that the universe (hopefully) has a grand plan in all this. I'm trying to trust and have faith. But sometimes its just plain tough!!! And, yes, actually all you wanna do is wave that magic wand or click those sparkley red shoes and make it all perfect. But hey this is normal life hey!

So I'm doing what I can it to make it ok....cutting back, saving pennies where I can, supporting, (and seaking support from my sisters for me).

Imbolc is still in the air, here in the UK, we're heavy with snow but the melt holds promise.

Last night we went out into the forest, we drummed, sang and cleansed. I cried and cleared. We sowed some ancient seeds and voiced our wishes. We sent healing and lit candles...light within the darkness. The forest was like Narnia, quiet, white and magical. We found deer tracks in the snow, always a welcome sign for me.

So how am I gonna move forward from this challenge, you might ask?

As the snow melts I shall start to physically and spiritually clean the house. I'm gonna move these negative vibes outta my house and outta of ours lives! they are not welcome here....nothing to see....move along!!! I'm gonna smudge my house and whisper positivity into all the corners. I'm gonna put some salt and rosemary by my front door, to catch those nasty negavibes, if they so much as sniff at my door they'll be absorbed! That metaphysical tree thats laid across our Path at the mo....well as they say with lemons and lemonade....well that tree will make great firewood!!!! 

Universe you can bring on that amazing new wonderfulness you have ahead for me and my family....we're making way for it....we'll be ready....

Imbolc

Last night I spent an amazing time amongst the ancestors. 

In a very unknown, unused ancient Temple of East Anglia, a site of great importance in days gone by. With excavations showing it to have been used in the Bronze Age and Iron Age, by Anglo Saxons, Celts and most obviously the Romans. I say most obviously because its the the Roman temple remains that stand out the most. An ancient rivers flows near by, a grand oak stands watch near (many a story to be told from that old man) and processions of people can be seen and felt amongst the land.

There was a feeling of great importance, of triangular energy, spirals and the stirring of ancestors been woken from their long sleep. A warriors breath on the back of your neck and the wiry, guarding energy of youth and protection. Shadows moved in the corner of your eye, but the residing feeling was that of peace and gratitude for people returning to honour those gone before us. Drum and voice were brought along, but no raucous celebration was needed. This was a place of rediscovery, quickening and awakenings, a gentle rebirth was all that was required. Imbolc being that ideal energy.

Above us the waxing lady moon was luminating bright with Cassiopeia, The Plough and Orion hanging in the inky sky, joining in the triangle of energy. At times you could stand at the Altar Stone, the pond barrow to your right, the celtic works to your left and Minerva's Temple in front and see the rippling of an ember coloured light surrounding the whole area. Almost acting as a  protection from the untoward energise that may seep from the modern industrial structures surrounding its outside edges.

We laid offerings upon the Altar Stone, our drums, swan feathers, cauldrons of incense, flowers and crosses of Brighid. The Ancestors knew we were there, you could almost feel them opening one eye from their sleep just to keep a check on us. But realising we had just come to give our Blessings to The Land.  They snuggled back down to rest again, waiting for that energy to keep burning brighter, waiting for the right time to fully awaken.