A Fellow Pilgrim

I recently stumbled upon a BBC documentary (through another blog) and when I finished watching it, I was awestruck. Not only is it a wonderful story, but it so closely mirrors my own journey as an 'Earth Pilgrim'.



Pure wisdom!

Something More

Last week whilst meandering in the forest I happened upon the partial remains of a deer. I was fascinated by the find, and after looking at some of the bare skeleton, I found the skull. The hollows of its eyes stared back at me as turned it over in my hands. Nothing but bone, but as I placed it atop a broken tree stump and walked away, the feeling that there was "something more" crept into my mind. And so I journeyed out of the woods and back home.

Well, last night I dreamt of the deer skull. I was standing the Nemeton, holding it in my hands. It was the only image from the dream I could recall upon waking and I had no idea what to make of it. But after a while, I decided I should venture down to the forest and see if I could find where I had placed the skull. So off I went. I wasn't exactly sure where I had left, which tree stump in a myriad of tree stumps I had left it on, so I just followed the edge of the woods and let the spirit within guide me. In the damp cold, the land was still, yet electric. The feeling of being watched was very strong and I kept seeing movement out of the corner of my eye. A few times I would stop to hear the crunching of footsteps amongst the damp leaves and fallen branches. After 30 minutes of careful trodding, I sensed I was getting close, and sure enough, there in a small clearing, was the tree stump and sitting atop it, the deer skull. As I approached and lifted it with hand, there was a flourish of twig-snapping and sounds of movement amongst the shaded cedars and pines. I quickly turned to see the tell-tale flash of white darting off deeper into the woods. Deer. I had happened upon them, yet as I stood there, I wondered if they had been following or even guiding me from the beginning. I could not and still can't understand why (as that is very uncommon behavior for a deer) but nevertheless, they were there. I stood for a few minutes, listening to them in the distance, then moved on. I was surprised at how very close to the Nemeton I was, and as I entered, I found a spot just outside the ring of stones to place the deer skull. After some contemplation, I headed for home. It might seem strange to place the skeletal remains of an animal in a place of worship, but for me, I see it as a way of honouring that which is sacred to us. Something that is "without Spirit" helps me reflect on all things that are alive, reminding me that all things move in cycles and that there is a connection to turning wheel of life that we all should respect.

Samhain Turning

I just came in from an evening walk. The air was cool, which is fine since the weather we have been having has been unseasonably warm. The ground was crisp with dry leaves and the half moon shone overhead. The coyotes were howling down in the valley and as I walked back towards the house, I happened upon a family of deer grazing in the field. As I strolled along, I mused upon the turning of the year. Samhain came and we celebrated at the dying of the Sun in the forest-shroud Nemeton. Spirits walked amongst us as we chanted, made offerings to Ancestors and journeyed to the Otherworld and back again. We feasted, divined with Goddess amulets and made "blind collage"; our yearly tradition. The flames of the previous year were extinguished and new ones kindled. Samhain came and the Wheel turned.

I now look ahead to what is to come along my path. There are some things I am moving towards and some things I am sure to stumble upon and over, but I trust in the Source of All Things that all will come to pass and I shall flourish and grow.