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Post by dewi on Jul 10, 2006 10:49:38 GMT -1
I'm planning a (short) pilgrimage to Wales in August this year, and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations of places (esp. sacred sites) that I MUST visit? My plan is to start in Aberystwyth, and travel North through Machynlleth, Dolgellau and on to Anglesey.
Before you say anything ... no I can't go south. I know that there are many beautiful and significant places there, but I'm planning this trip as a way of connecting with the land of my father's ancestors (who are/were all Gogs ;D ). (Next year I'll do a similar thing for my mother's ancestors, who come from the south).
I've always been a great believer in personal recommendations (rather than just following a guidebook), so if anyone can suggest anything, I would be very grateful!
Dioloch yn fawr!
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Post by snowmoon3 on Dec 11, 2006 19:02:17 GMT -1
Lake Bala. That's where I want to go someday.
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Post by Craig on Dec 11, 2006 19:36:50 GMT -1
Hi SM3,
Llyn Tegid is a special place indeed. It is about thirty miles from my home and I pass through there often. Anything you want to know about it just let me know.
Blessings, Craig <O>.
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Post by Midori on Dec 11, 2006 22:07:13 GMT -1
Bedd Taliesin.
cheers, Midori
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Post by wortmistress on Mar 16, 2007 14:43:24 GMT -1
Pilgrimage has always fascinated me. A few years ago, my husband and I did a two week pilgrimage around England and Wales- we took in Pagan, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain places to name but a few and kept a journal each. It was hard not to feel something in remote churches and sense the history and passion of faith that existed there. I also partook of one in Wales, before I moved here. Looking back, I realise that I didn't see the real Wales until I moved here last May- every day is a new discovery now!
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Post by littleraven on Mar 16, 2007 15:39:57 GMT -1
I live not far from the 'Lourdes of Wales', Holywell. Two trips there was the equivalent to one to Rome, no less.
It may have a Christian veneer, but the story is as pagan as they come and I find it quite re-assuring that such a place is still so heavily used.
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Post by littleraven on Mar 16, 2007 15:41:41 GMT -1
Incidentally, one the projects I have lined up for Brython is a members database of sacred sites. Not just the major ones, but the little ones and all the other places worth visiting, from whichever faith they may be.
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Post by Heron on Mar 16, 2007 21:05:59 GMT -1
I live not far from the 'Lourdes of Wales', Holywell. Two trips there was the equivalent to one to Rome, no less. It may have a Christian veneer, but the story is as pagan as they come and I find it quite re-assuring that such a place is still so heavily used. Yes I went there a few years ago and was quite moved by the tranquility of the place in spite of the nearby road, and the way those waters come up from deep in the Earth is really powerful. I had a real sense of empathy with Gwenfrewi as the spirit of that place.
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Post by wortmistress on Mar 17, 2007 9:14:27 GMT -1
Holywell was one of the places I visited on pilgrimage. I didn't find it overtly Christian and took the waters with great results!
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Post by wortmistress on Mar 17, 2007 9:16:13 GMT -1
Incidentally, one the projects I have lined up for Brython is a members database of sacred sites. Not just the major ones, but the little ones and all the other places worth visiting, from whichever faith they may be. This would be a great idea- I participate in something similiar on another forum. I tend to include the little known places and places that are not necc. on the map!
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Post by littleraven on Mar 17, 2007 10:38:37 GMT -1
Holywell was one of the places I visited on pilgrimage. I didn't find it overtly Christian and took the waters with great results! Didn't notice the bloody great statue of the Virgin Mary opposite then
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Post by littleraven on Mar 17, 2007 10:40:47 GMT -1
Incidentally, one the projects I have lined up for Brython is a members database of sacred sites. Not just the major ones, but the little ones and all the other places worth visiting, from whichever faith they may be. This would be a great idea- I participate in something similiar on another forum. I tend to include the little known places and places that are not necc. on the map! Excellent. It's something I tried to get going a few years ago when the British Druid Order was active, a small piece was published in their newsletter and I received a grand total of one reply. For Stone f****** Henge. Anyway...
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Post by Francis on Mar 17, 2007 12:09:23 GMT -1
This would be a great idea- I participate in something similiar on another forum. I tend to include the little known places and places that are not necc. on the map! Excellent. It's something I tried to get going a few years ago when the British Druid Order was active, a small piece was published in their newsletter and I received a grand total of one reply. For Stone f****** Henge. Anyway... Do you think it's apathy or a trust issue? I have to admit to selfishly thinking how great it would be to have access to a list like this, but wondering which of my special (secret?) places I'd be ready to share on the internet. I guess to me it's one thing to share with folk you know well and trust, and who are happy to share with you, but to put it out there for everyone I'm not sure... Hmm.. well now I'm out as the most selfish on the list! I'd definitely add to the list when it's started but I guess if I'm honest perhaps not the places I find most special (although maybe in time?). Would it be a ridiculous suggestion to have a general list available to all, and then a second list of additional place available only to those who have added to the initial list. I guess that probably isn't in the spirit of the group, but I'm all for the approach of put something in to get something out. Stephen
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Post by Craig on Mar 17, 2007 23:02:02 GMT -1
A general list would be foolish.
I am happy to guide those whom have shown a respect for the land to those parts of the Mawddach I love. But to lay them bare to every tom, dick and hippy chick/guy, methinks not.
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Post by wortmistress on Mar 18, 2007 7:14:14 GMT -1
Holywell was one of the places I visited on pilgrimage. I didn't find it overtly Christian and took the waters with great results! Didn't notice the bloody great statue of the Virgin Mary opposite then Yes but mentally blocked that one out!
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Post by Midori on Mar 18, 2007 8:11:42 GMT -1
I see the Virgin Mary as an aspect of the Earth Mother, so I don't find it a problem.
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Post by littleraven on Mar 18, 2007 17:27:20 GMT -1
I see the Virgin Mary as an aspect of the Earth Mother, so I don't find it a problem. Once upon a time, Greek women would visit the local stream on the night before their wedding, and wash their genitalia in the stream and offer their virginity to the Gods (Aphrodite?, can't recall) in return for a fruitful marriage. If the husband found the new wife not 'pristine', he could not argue it as either an offense to the Gods, or to his father-in-law. I always thought of Mary as a woman altogether too fond of stables in the dead of night. Sorry Midori, what you say sounds too much like some kind of dualist post-feminism.
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Post by littleraven on Mar 19, 2007 8:27:35 GMT -1
Do you think it's apathy or a trust issue? I have to admit to selfishly thinking how great it would be to have access to a list like this, but wondering which of my special (secret?) places I'd be ready to share on the internet. I guess to me it's one thing to share with folk you know well and trust, and who are happy to share with you, but to put it out there for everyone I'm not sure... Hmm.. well now I'm out as the most selfish on the list! I'd definitely add to the list when it's started but I guess if I'm honest perhaps not the places I find most special (although maybe in time?). Would it be a ridiculous suggestion to have a general list available to all, and then a second list of additional place available only to those who have added to the initial list. I guess that probably isn't in the spirit of the group, but I'm all for the approach of put something in to get something out. Stephen I think it's a little of both. I agree that we can be selfish when it comes to our 'special places', and I have to agree that we all need those places that are for us alone, places we can retreat to where we develop our own relationships. I would be suspect of anyone who would ask for those. But on the other hand, if those places are shared with others of a similar intent, I for one believe it can help those place to grow and become new sacred sites for all. As you have already stated, it's an issue of trust. But my intent was not for those special places, it was those places that may be known to the locals but perhaps don't appear on more well known guides, places such as wells, caves, hillforts etc. Places people could visit if they were travelling to an area they didn't know.
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Post by Francis on Mar 19, 2007 11:49:34 GMT -1
But on the other hand, if those places are shared with others of a similar intent, I for one believe it can help those place to grow and become new sacred sites for all. As you have already stated, it's an issue of trust.. Yes I do agree with this. I could embarass myself by letting on just how recently I've come to understand both this and how non-exclusive relationships with place should often be. I've been a bit of the 'over-jealous lover' in the past - wanting, or perhaps just expecting, that my relationships with place would involve no others in the mix at the same level of intensity. But my intent was not for those special places, it was those places that may be known to the locals but perhaps don't appear on more well known guides, places such as wells, caves, hillforts etc. Places people could visit if they were travelling to an area they didn't know. Sounds good to me - I'll certainly offer a few in Dyffryn Conwy Stephen
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