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Returning to the Path of Writing a Blog...

10/2/2014

This morning I was inspired to re-commit to writing my blog. I have so much that I want to write about from my journeys, walks and pilgrimages, that unless I write about my experiences, I keep most of the gifts, magic, miracles, and lessons bottled up inside of me. Seems a little selfish, don't you think? There are so many gifts on so many levels from these amazing experiences that I get to have, and I want to write them down, receive the gifts on an even deeper level within myself, and in the process, share them with you.

I invite you to join me on the Spiral Path with all of its twists and turns, gifts and surprises, connections and challenges.

Who knows where it may take me as I journey through words and explore the gifts from the path?

Actually, who knows where it may take you?!

Glastonbury Tor, September 2014

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A Reflection from a Full Moon Labyrinth Walk this past Winter

10/2/2014

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The first Full Moon Candlelight Labyrinth Walk was Tuesday night. It was a breezy night that was warm enought to be outside comfortably, yet was too windy for the luminaria to be lit. So we again used white Christmas lights to light the path, and we held our own inner light to guide us on the spiral path.

7 women showed up to walk. We walked in silence, except when we spoke our question out loud as we entered the labyrinth. Using information on tonight's full moon from Power Path, we each chose a "Full Moon" card with a timely question on it for this particular moon.

6 Questions:

What brings you joy?
What feeds you spiritually?
What needs expansion and more inspiration?
What do you need to let go of?
What do you still need to adjust and revise and modify
What needs expansion and more inspiration?

Each of chose a "full moon" card with one of these questions on it and of course, each of the questions were chosen. As often happens in a circle, we chose all the questions between us. It was powerful to hear each question spoken out loud as we each entered the labyrinth. I knew that I was hearing the question both for the woman walking and for myself, and it provided a stronger context with which to hold the sacred space as we each walked.

My question was "What needs expansion and more inspiration?"

I love the practice of asking an open-ended and powerful question like this. To ask with no presumption or expectation of the answer. To simple ask the question, and in this case, to walk the question. What needs expansion and more inspiration?

As I walked toward the center, I connected with my love of the labyrinth, my love of walking, my love of sacred walking. What brings me joy is to walk with the Sacred. To walk a sacred path. To invite others to walk a sacred path with me. To walk a sacred path in community.

To walk a sacred path is a deceptively simple act. We walk. Yet we walk with intention and purpose. This is where the magic happens and the simple act of walking becomes a profound practice and prayer. One doesn't even have to walk with seriousness, or even be quiet and "spiritual". One can, especially in a labyrinth, where the walk is shorter and more focused and contained.

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Here's a post from Day 3 of the Spiral Path Pilgrimage in Cornwall

10/2/2014

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Sunday, June 22nd

Day 3. Rosemerryn

Sitting in a comfy chair looking out on the garden with a cup of tea and my phone/keyboard to write before anyone wakes up. I love this time of day.

The past two days have been so full. As Wende said last night, "That was just yesterday?!" So much happens in a day that it can seem like a week or a month in any given 24 hour period.

In leaving Penzance yesterday morning to go to Madron Well, we left the busy-ness of being in town and entered the remote wildness and ancientness of Penwith. Even though Penzance is also a part of the wild western Cornwall energy, the town energy takes over and one is not connected to the land and the place in the same way. While it was wonderful to be in Penzance, walk the old and narrow streets, have restaurants and shops, as well as cash machines nearby, we entered into a different space when we left the town.

My sense is that we were all ready for it, and welcomed this change of place, and energy. The first day and two nights were about arriving, and entering into the spiral. Through walking the "Cornish Camino", even part of it, we experienced our first encounter with the land and the place. For some, they may have also built their confidence and gotten their walking legs under them.

Our day on the "Cornish Camino", or St Michael's Way, had two distinct parts to it. Our walk along the Coastal Path from Lelant to Carbis Bay, that included a walk down to the beach where we ate our lunches in the shade of the cliffside, and creating (and walking) a spontaneous labyrinth in the flat sands. The tide was still on its way out, and as we looked for another way to return to the path, we saw a ravine with steps down on the far west side of the beach that was only accessible when the tide was low. We decided to attempt this exit, and made it to the bottom just as the tide had received enough for us to wade through water up to our calves. The climb was steep and a little tricky, but we all made it up to the top. It felt as though it was an initiation of sorts, because at the top of the rocks was a beautiful cave and spring cut out of the hillside. Possibly the Mary Well that we had been told about earlier by a local when we were looking for the Lelant Well, it was a large cave out of which iron-rich waters streamed down the rocks into the sea. Beautiful, and at the same time, defiled by cans and rubbish, Elyn offered prayers of healing for this sacred spot.

We actually came off the coastal path here and found a "faerie" path through beautiful pink flowers of all sorts of varieties. Joyous and delightful we came out near the train station, where Gary and Elyn decided to head back to Penzance, knowing that they were done for the day.

Called forth by a nearby standing stone, the rest of the group walked on to find the nearest "Public Footpaths" out of Carbis Bay that would reconnect us with St Michael Way. We didn't get too far when we found a bar that served coffees and cider. Thirsty, we stopped to regroup and to shift into the second part of the day's pilgrimage walk.

We easily found our way out of town, crossing fields and stiles as we walked our way above town. The views of the sea and beaches were spectalcular and we found our late afternoon walking rhythm. The paths narrowed and widened as we passed through wildflowers and then wide open fields, down lanes and across farms.

We then crossed a stile that took us into a field with another fenced off field inside of it, and there, inside the fenced off field, stood the lone standing stone. Some of the group felt an immediate "no" to crossing the barrier to the stone; others of us felt more open and felt a pull toward it. It was an unexpected opportunity for each of us individually, and the group as a whole to feel into and discern whether or not we were to engage with this ancient stone.

I knew that at the far end of the larger field was the entrance to the magical faerie glen that I so fondly remembered from last year. II had stopped there to wee in the woods and to take a breath in as I walked. This year, I was elated as I came upon it again. I took my pack off and put it down, right under a wooden arrow that pointed away from the standing stone and to the stile. Last year, I was so mesmerized by the stile and nearby stones that I didn't even notice the standing stone. This year, I realized that it actually stood quite close, separated by a fence with barbed wire.

What was my feeling about crossing this ungated fence to engage with the standing stone? I knew that several women were a very strong and clear no. Wende, in particular, was feeling a very strong pull. What was I feeling in the midst of others' clear and strong feelings?

As I asked, my eyes were drawn to the entrance to the faerie glen and to my pack that was laying under the arrow pointing away from the standing stone. And I knew my guidance was to rest in this sweet and sacred spot. I was not to go to the stone but allow myself to experience and be nourished by the faerie glen. At the same time, I was to respect and support everyone else's truth. Wende did go to stone and I felt as though I there to witness and hold the space for her to do this.

Entering the faerie glen was even more magical than last night. We walked down the hilll through a copse of trees and wildflowers that held us close was we descended. I smile just remembering my delight at returning to experience this magical place. We came out on a drive and was greeted by a friendly dog and his owner Further down the drive, we arrived at Bowl Rock, a large round rock that is now cared for by the National Trust. Several of us sounded deep tones at this wonderful place before we crossed the road and headed up the hilll to the half way point: 6 miles to Marazion, 6 miles to Lelant.

Now at the bottom of Trencrom Hill, we had made this our destination to climb to the top and experience the ancient settlement. It was now 8pm, and the evening light bathed us in golden light as we stood on top the hill, looking out to the coast on north and down to the coast on the south.

St Michael's Way crosses Cornwall at its most narrow point, and here we could see from whence we came and if we were to continue, where we could be going. A perfect place to stop for the day, it's as though we got to complete our day with a wide open perspective of the path in all directions.

Tomorrow would be the Summer Solstice and bring new adventures and experiences.

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Our First Days in Glastonbury

10/2/2014

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Friday the 13th under the energies of the Full Moon, Glastonbury

I have just woken up from a somewhat restless night's sleep in our wonderful Pilgrims B&B. After our first night in Taunton, where we came to "land" here in England, Beebe and I took the bus to Glastonbury to root ourselves in the energies of this ancient holy place.

Like Boulder, it is an island of an alternative reality in the midst of what is perceived as "normal." While our stay in Taunton was wonderful and we loved our Beaufort House B&B as well as its owner, Richard, we knew that we needed to immerse ourselves into an energy that would wake us up, and nourish our bodies and souls.

We took the bus along the main road to Glastonbury, that touched along several points of the Mary Michael Line, including Creech St Michaeladn Burrow Bridge. My heart opened and warmed as I spied the Burrow Mound for the first time and was so excited to know that I would return here to walk into Glastonbury.

Arriving in Glastonbury, we knew that we needed to find a B&B so we went in search of Tor Webster, who will be our Glastonbury tour guide for the September Avalon Pilgrirmage, and his B&B, Moon in the Apple Tree. We met his lovely fiance, Julie, and learned that they were getting married this weekend! Not to be, we left only to return into Tor on his way home. Invited in for a cup of tea, we accepted and droppped into conversation with this beautiful young man whose body and soul is deeply rooted in the pagan energies of the area.

Tor Webster http://www.torstourofthetor.com/

Tor's beautiful drum made for him by a friend

Somewhere in the conversation we got to the necessity of allowing Glastonbury to infuse one's soul to clear the path - to do the deep inner work of "clearing one's shit". It's not the love and light, woowoo side of spirituality -it's the soul work that one is initiated into here in Glastonbury.

Known as the Heart Chakra of the world, it can also then serve as the Heart Chakra for the individual. I realized that as I woke up yesterday morning that the invitation then in my being here already without having actually walked here yet is to infuse all of my being, all of my pilgrimage walks, and all of my journey here (and everywhere) with this Heart energy. The Heart must be included and incorporated in all of what we do and be. It is no longer sufficient to do the work of the lower chakras without the love of the Heart Chakra infused into the process. The heart is the center of the spiral, the labyrinth - and from this center, all radiates out and aligns with the bigger picture of the truth of one's soul and spirit,

After tea with Tor, we went to find our B&B, stopping at the Jasmine Cottage only to arrive at the place that had originally caught my attention back in January when I was first planning a pilgrimage to Glastonbury, Pilgrims B&B. They happened to have a room, and I knew the minute we walked in that all was well. Brian greeted us warmly and showed us to our room, the Isis Room. Interesting as our bed in Taunton also had an Egyptian picture over it.

We enjoyed a cup of tea in our room along with a McVities chocolate biscuit before heading into town for a stroll as well as a visit to the Abbey. I love visiting sacred places in the beautiful light of late afternoon. Most of the shops were closing but as they are all tempting with their Green Man paintings, lovely cards, and gorgeous clothing, I was grateful for the opportunity to window shop only! After a cider and a basket on delicious onion rings at the old pub, The Geroge and the Pilgrim, we ventured into the empty grounds of the Abbey. Serene, quiet, vibrant, nourishing. Beebe and I ventured off on our own, to explore the sacred grounds, each in our own way. I lay on the ground, soaking in the energy from the earth. I walked into the grove of trees where the badgers live. I knew it was a good place because the trees were happy, the birds were singing and the green energies of life and love were abundance and radiant. The evening sunlight cast a warm light on to the whole place and I was nourished deep within myself.

Completing our first day with a delicious vegetarian meal of a mushroom crepe, I gratefully climbed into bed with a fullness in my belly and my heart.

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Sarah

I love to walk. I love to write.

I am a pilgrim.
I am a Womb Shaman.
I am the Feminine Christ Awakened.
I am becoming the Feminine Christ Embodied.

I walk the sacred spirals of the ancient pilgrimage paths and sacred sites along the "dragon" ley lines of the Earth. I walk local paths. I walk to be in Nature. I walk labyrinths and spirals. I walk to move and celebrate my body. I walk to come home to the truth of who I truly am, to connect with the Earth and Spirit, and to live my life aligned with my soul's path. My intention is to walk In Love, As Love, For Love.

I have led Spiral Path Pilgrimage Walks & Retreats in Cornwall in the very southwest of England.

Mostly, I have been walking the sacred paths of the Womb Spiral - internally and in Penwith, Cornwall. These sacred journeys continue to take me more and more deeply in to the core essence of who I am - as a women and as the embodiment of the Divine Feminine. As I root more deeply into my essence, I have experienced a strength and presence within myself that cultivates a clarity and ferocity that demands a willingness to stand in truth and love. This in and of itself has created a tsunami of change in my life that

Sarah at Chalice Well, Glastonbury, England, September 2014.

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The Spiral Path

Returning to the Path of Writing a Blog...

A Reflection from a Full Moon Labyrinth Walk this past Winter

Here's a post from Day 3 of the Spiral Path Pilgrimage in Cornwall

Our First Days in Glastonbury

Sarah

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