|
Post by Brochfael on Mar 27, 2005 14:55:10 GMT -1
I thought it might be nice to share thoughts about our favourite sacred places.
I recently made a pilgrimmage to Llyn-y-Fan-Fach and took a couple of photos of the place. I can email some small (about 30kb versions of them for the website) if wanted.
|
|
|
Post by siaron on Mar 27, 2005 20:39:24 GMT -1
Ooh! What a great topic!
I went to Wales two years ago on a pilgrimage, and stopped at many wonderful places, some known and others not. A couple of my favorite spots: Bryn Celli Ddu on Angelsey, which I'm sure you are familiar with. I am consistently drawn to Angelsey, and even had vision about the eve of the Druid massacre there. The burial chamber has a strong energy, one I'm very comfortable with. It is very dear to my heart.
Another spot where I prayed was on the high moorland at the base of Cadair Idris, by a lone standing stone. It is another place I am drawn to and have visited several times. When you visit this spot it is as if time stands still, and all worlds come together. It is very sacred.
I have good photos of both that I would be willing to share if you are interested, Blackbird.
Pob Bendith,
Siaron
|
|
|
Post by Blackbird on Mar 28, 2005 9:11:57 GMT -1
I'm running the site on free space, and there's not much of it, hence I decided not to include any photos or images aside from the navigation banner. If I take the plunge and move the site to paid space, then I would love to have your photos - but that won't be for a while yet. It's certainly something that I will bear in mind though, and I'm grateful for the offers My sacred places... some of them are not places that other people would think of as sacred, but they are special to me because of the connections I have made there. There is one place where I met a river-Goddess. Even 'river' makes it sound too spectacular - the water is a beck, really. But there is a place where an oak tree grows on the red hill, and there is a waterfall below. The water is red from the earth (Nottingham is mostly sandstone) Other places include Arbor Low, a magnificent megalithic site in the Derbyshire Peaks, about 45 minutes away from me. I was there this year for the winter solstice with my little harp, and it was a fine thing to sit atop Gib Hill (this is two burial mounds, one built on the other) and watch the sun seeping down into the hills. Another place is a wood near my house. Not a grand place. But a place that for some reason is more alive with Unseen beings than anywhere else I've ever been. I almost shy away from visiting there sometimes, because there is so much happening there, that it does my head in a bit. A bit like walking into the middle of a very noisy party
|
|
|
Post by branynos on Mar 28, 2005 10:55:26 GMT -1
I have a affinity for Avebury, though so many others do it can be hard to find some quiet space there to 'feel' the space. However busy it is theres always a wind on the earthworks to listen to though. I also have a thing for London (central not the suburbs) that is hard to explain it has a buzziness and a rhythm about it that can be so well invigorating if you can feel it. I know I'm odd . Some of it is people energy but in the small quiet hours theres a whole other sense of 'aliveness' that can be touched as well. I've not felt that in many other cities or towns (though Caerdydd has a touch of it). Theres Llyn y Forwyn in the Rhondda and the old wood (once a forest) that surrounds it. Though some of that is that its home, I spent long summers wandering the area as a child and the mountain knows me. I've yet to find anywhere local but I keep looking.
|
|
|
Post by kern on Mar 28, 2005 13:51:15 GMT -1
Im so jelous of you guys that live in or get to travel to Britian. I live in America and unable to travel.My one wish would be to be able to go to Britian and Ireland,or even live there one day.
|
|
|
Post by Blackbird on Mar 28, 2005 17:28:27 GMT -1
Im so jelous of you guys that live in or get to travel to Britian. I live in America and unable to travel.My one wish would be to be able to go to Britian and Ireland,or even live there one day. I do feel lucky to live here in Britain. Overcrowded it might be, but it's a very special group of islands. However, I am sure that Britain does not have the monopoly on sacred places For me, the important thing is getting out and making the connections wherever you are.
|
|
|
Post by siaron on Mar 28, 2005 17:53:29 GMT -1
Annwyl Blackbird,
While America does have sacred spaces to be sure, for those of us that are Celts they are not 'ours'. It truly belongs to the native peoples of this land. It was never ours, and even though we have essentially taken it as our own, the land knows the difference. The place where our sweat lodge is built is definitely sacred, but we always acknowledge the keepers of the land that came before us, the local natives.
When I go over to the UK, it is an amazing feeling and I sense connection to the land that I don't feel here. I have such a hard time getting on the plane to fly back here. It's kind of hard to explain, except with the term hiraeth, which you are familiar with. When I am here I am constantly homesick for 'home'.
(BTW, I don't get that same feeling everywhere I travel there, but definitely in certain locations, especially Wales, the West Country and Cornwall--and guess what, that follows the migration route of my people. They also spent some time in Brittany, and I plan to visit there someday to see if I notice the same connection.)
Pob Bendith,
Siaron
|
|
|
Post by Midori on Mar 28, 2005 20:46:16 GMT -1
My favourite places are Stonehenge, Avebury and the Iron Age Hillfort nearest to my home, Danebury Ring.
BB Midori
|
|
|
Post by kern on Mar 29, 2005 11:09:36 GMT -1
Hey Siaron,I have never been to Britian or Ireland like I had said,but I too feel Homesick.
And I agree this land may be ours now,but its not our ancesral home and its not the same. I was once told to be very careful with Native American spirits,because of the fact that it was our people that displaced them and they may not be so forgiving.I am still very uncorfortable with even trying to communicate with them even if it were to just ask for permission to work in rituals.Thats one reason why I ask our gods and ancestral spirits for protection if working with magick.
|
|
|
Post by branynos on Mar 29, 2005 12:06:55 GMT -1
And I agree this land may be ours now,but its not our ancesral home and its not the same. I was once told to be very careful with Native American spirits,because of the fact that it was our people that displaced them and they may not be so forgiving./quote] It may be worth pointing out that the local spirits of place in the UK aren't fussed by blood ties, for them it seems more important that you approach them with the right attitude than the right 'lineage'. While I understand how some Native American people feel about the white man and their attempt to destroy a culture (not vastly different to how the Welsh can feel about the English at times) and the appropriation of their culture into the New Age mishmash (real authentic dreamcatchers made in China type stuff). I don't think the local spirits themselves would be so fussed. If you find a space in a wood or near a spring that feels welcoming and safe then work with it, if you get a sense of 'go away' then listen to that to. Or put simply listen to what the spirit of the place has to say to you rather than what people have to say about it
|
|
|
Post by kern on Mar 29, 2005 12:59:29 GMT -1
And I agree this land may be ours now,but its not our ancesral home and its not the same. I was once told to be very careful with Native American spirits,because of the fact that it was our people that displaced them and they may not be so forgiving./quote] It may be worth pointing out that the local spirits of place in the UK aren't fussed by blood ties, for them it seems more important that you approach them with the right attitude than the right 'lineage'. While I understand how some Native American people feel about the white man and their attempt to destroy a culture (not vastly different to how the Welsh can feel about the English at times) and the appropriation of their culture into the New Age mishmash (real authentic dreamcatchers made in China type stuff). I don't think the local spirits themselves would be so fussed. If you find a space in a wood or near a spring that feels welcoming and safe then work with it, if you get a sense of 'go away' then listen to that to. Or put simply listen to what the spirit of the place has to say to you rather than what people have to say about it Very Good advice,Thanks for the input!
|
|
|
Post by goldenhand on Mar 29, 2005 13:55:37 GMT -1
I agree, Branynos, though it's hard for me to know what this must be like, as I've never lived outside the UK.
I can well understand why the NA tribes get peed off with the cultural appropriation. But surely they would be happier to see someone genuinely trying to make a connection in their own way, rather than in a copycat NA way.
I believe that most spirits are older than any human settlement. So in a way, we are all incomers to a place, just that we ourselves have more of an ancestral connection to places. I don't think that necessarily affects how we connect to land spirits and local Gods.
oh and yes - my favourite place is Pentre Ifan. There is just something about that place, a rightness about my being there.
Blessings,
Angharad
|
|
|
Post by siaron on Mar 29, 2005 15:58:18 GMT -1
I can well understand why the NA tribes get peed off with the cultural appropriation. But surely they would be happier to see someone genuinely trying to make a connection in their own way, rather than in a copycat NA way. Well, it's interesting. I know a few Indians (what they prefer to be called, believe it or not), and I know some Celtic folks that have spent a lot of time with them. Some are very accepting of our attempts at trying to connect with our own ancestors/ways. Some scoff at white people believing they come from a tribal tradition. So, like anything else, it is a mixed bag. I did not mean to infer that it is not possible to connect with the spirit of a place here, because you definitely can. But, there is a distinct awareness of those that were there before, and that the connection was originally theirs. It is so hard to describe to someone who has not lived here-there is a lot of shame attached to what was done to native peoples of this land and I am acutely aware of it, so maybe that colors my perceptions. I am also of some Cheorkee blood, but have never visited the places that tribe originally came from. Maybe I would feel a different connection if I did. Pob Bendith, Siaron
|
|
|
Post by snowdonway on May 26, 2007 3:52:08 GMT -1
Hi Ceiteach I participated in a Native American Ritual many years ago. The Shaman of many tribes gathered on a mesa in Colorado and declared that a prophecy of theirs had been fulfilled and acepted the children of the invaders as a new tribe. The land and the spirits have accepted us. The Gods of our Ancestors have a place here. It is now our job to make the most of this. Respect the land and you can't go wrong.
|
|
|
Post by snowdonway on May 26, 2007 3:54:31 GMT -1
1180155128I was once told to be very careful with Native American spirits,because of the fact that it was our people that displaced them and they may not be so forgiving.I am still very uncorfortable with even trying to communicate with them even if it were to just ask for permission to work in rituals.Thats one reason why I ask our gods and ancestral spirits for protection if working with magick. Hi Ceiteach I participated in a Native American Ritual many years ago. The Shaman of many tribes gathered on a mesa in Colorado and declared that a prophecy of theirs had been fulfilled and acepted the children of the invaders as a new tribe. The land and the spirits have accepted us. The Gods of our Ancestors have a place here. It is now our job to make the most of this. Respect the land and you can't go wrong.
|
|
|
Post by kris on Jun 27, 2007 13:55:00 GMT -1
I am fortunate enough to live on the isle of Anglesey, the place is littered with sacred places, some obvious, others off the beaten track and rarely visited.
The place to which I pilgrimage often is Llyn Cerrig Bach, currently sharing the land with the RAF base at Valley. This small, still, unasumming lake whispers of ancient rites and tradition, and the air bristles with the old voices of the land and the people. Several hundred artifacts were discovered here during the second world war, deposited during the iron age. The majority cast into the waters around the time of the Roman invasion.
It is ironic, that rituals to defend the island took place at this spot and that the current land users are also in the business of protection, the RAF. I often wonder if the chap who decided upon the location might have sensed something???
The other remarkable place is that which was known as "Bryn Gwyddon" (The Hill of Science), steeped in local druidic lore it is today called "Mynydd Bodafon", a marvellous place to stop and listen awhile.
There are around 59 sacred sites on the island, plus another dozen or so that we locals deem sacred.
Bendithion, Kris
|
|
|
Post by arth_frown on Jun 27, 2007 19:44:42 GMT -1
We have a large oak which is amongst the spruce trees as soon as you get under the canopy the energy changes, it makes a perfect grove.
My other favourite place is a round barrow in the Ashdown forest where you can observe the equinoxes and solstices, it feels like I'm standing there with the ancestors.
|
|
|
Post by littleraven on Jun 27, 2007 20:43:14 GMT -1
We have a large oak which is amongst the spruce trees as soon as you get under the canopy the energy changes, it makes a perfect grove. My other favourite place is a round barrow in the Ashdown forest where you can observe the equinoxes and solstices, it feels like I'm standing there with the ancestors. Could that be because you are? What better place to stand with them than on their grave mound?
|
|
|
Post by arth_frown on Jun 28, 2007 19:19:34 GMT -1
We have a large oak which is amongst the spruce trees as soon as you get under the canopy the energy changes, it makes a perfect grove. My other favourite place is a round barrow in the Ashdown forest where you can observe the equinoxes and solstices, it feels like I'm standing there with the ancestors. Could that be because you are? What better place to stand with them than on their grave mound? It's like a hole has been punched through worlds. Maybe just maybe the ancestors where standing there at the same time and place watching the sun.
|
|