Winter Solstice at Castlerigg Cumbria. 24th December 2008
II have never been what you might call a Stonehenge pagan.. As far as I'm concerned, it's the same sun that rises over Ince Park, that rises over Stonehenge! Ok, I do see the attraction..Ince Park - Stonehenge..I see the pull..however..I must have been of me trolly when I booked a seat on the mini bus run by Megalithic Tours in Preston. Ok it was only £10, to see the Solstice Dawn over one of the most spectacular stone circles in the country... i don't do early morning at the best of times. So to celebrate the festival with my own group on Saturday night, then be up for 5.00am to drive to Preston is unheard of.. Still it's a good oppertunity so of I went.
I felt really awake driving down the deserted M61 at 5.15. Pulled in at tickeled Trout, the official pick up point, and saw a mini bus parked in a lay by. i locked up the car, and with my hippy cloak and thermals underneath headed for the bus. no one else on board, so I knocked and the driver opened the door..
"Castlerigg? " i asked
"What?" says a biwildered driver.
"Solstice at Castlerigg, is that where you are going?" I'm thinking I've got the wrong bus.
"Er, No " says driver thinking.. "I've got the wrong planet!"
So back to the car I went, until a big bus pulls up with megalithic Tours in big letters written all over it.. Right one this time.
We drove through hail and sleet down the M6, passed Lancaster, and into the darkest depths of Cumbria. About 15mins before we arrived at the Stones, the rain stopped. We pulled up beside the field and made our way to the Stones. Three steps forward and four back, as the wind was at gale force. Quite a crowd had gathered, includin some familes with children. They had made a game of hiding presents behind the stones for the children to find.. Great when you get 2 Christmases..lol
A few of our party had brought drums, and at 8.20 began a slow heartbeat, to build up a tempo. The beart gathered up tempo as the time approached. At. 8.35, the rytham had built to it's cresendo, as the light rose above the crest of the hills in the north east. The Solstice had dawned. Though we did not see the sun, because of the low lying mountain mist, it was one experience I will never forget.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well."
Good bye Mum... you were a good mum to me. You did your best under very dificult times. You made me beautiful dressess for walking day, and Aunty Mary and Aunty Joan's wedding. I wanted a long frock, so you made me one! At Christmas, I wanted a rocking cradle for my doll. Dad made the cradle and you made the drapes and bedding. No doll ever had a cot like I had. When it was my birthday, you made jam tarts, trifels in fancy glasses, and a birthday cake with a fancy frill all round it. We didn't have any mod cons, only gas lighting and an open fire and oven, but you cooked everything in that. Perfect.
As i grew up you had dreams for me. Some of them came true others didn't. When my daughter was born, you said I had a beautiful baby. My first son, you were so proud, a boy at last. My second son, you were over the moon!
I was your only child, but my children have filled the gap. Sharon's 6 children, David's 5, and Mark's 3, will know you are their Great grandma, or little Nanna as they called you. If you could have known, and I'm sure you do, Ryan is a rebel just like me. Arty and searching the world for meaning. Philip will make you proud as he makes good in the army. Just like your dad, his great great grandfather in the Irish Guards. Becky Lauren, Rohan,Katie,.. Niketa, Jaime, Terrie,Jorden,Sadie..Jack, Tom, Lucy..are your legacy..
My husbands aunt, Betty Edwerdson died yesterday. She served as a councilor for Hindley for many years. Most on Hindley's estate will remember her. She was a little lady with a big punch, and fought many a battle with Wigan council. She stood for the man in the street, and for the rights of the people of Hindley. She was honoured with an invitation to the Queen's Garden Party.
Interfaith manchester Royal Infirmary 20th October 2008
It proved to be a very interesting day at the Interfaith event. I set up my stall with my Goddess statue, pentacle, sented candle and Book of Shadows, on display. I made several leaflets to give out to those interested. The display proved to be of great interest to those who came. (some 200 people over the day). One group whould stop and ask me questions, which I did my best to answer in the short time I had. They were quickly followed by another 3 or 4 people and I starated over again. After an hour I was wishing for a tape machine I could just play...lol
We had a lovely lunch of Indian food, a choice of veggie or chicken. This got me thinking about the role food has in different faiths. The muslim stall had posters about Ramadan, and it's month of fasting. The Jain followers have stricked rules about eating only vegatables that grow above ground, so onions, turnips and carrots are out. jews of course don't eat pork or shellfish. I didn't know this included rabbit, hare, and some other creatures. The Buddhist told me they don't eat after 12 noon, untill the following day. The Christians of course have special food at Easter and Christmas. pagans feast at the end of each festive rites. We bring food and drink to share.
Well I learned a lot that day. One of them being we all have a lot in common, more than you might think. Have alook at the pics.
Well it seems I have been appointed to represent the pagan community at an Interfaith Day at Manchest Royal Infirmary on 15th October. If anyone is interested it starts at 10am till 4.00pm. Do they know what they are in for I ask myself..lol. Think I'd better leave the broom at home..lol
Hubby and me have just returned from a lovely break with 3 friends and a trip to London. We spent Wednesday night with our friends. One of our friends had a birthday, so we enjoyed a lovely dinner celebration, followed by drinks on the patio. Thursday morning we set of for London. Had bruch at "Tommies" a kind of bristro cafe..Eat everything from fruit juice throught o marmalade..lol..
We then made our way to the London Eye, where we caught a Themes Clipper, boat. These are a sort of river bus, that pick people up at various stops on the river. We arrived at the Dome just in time for our entrance to see King Tutankhamun's treasures.. A brilliant exhibition. Sadly the famous mask wasn't there, but the rest was out of this world. Well recommended.
In the dome are a number of resturants. A Chinese resturant advetised a set meal for £5.95. What a feast! Far better than any take away !
After filling our faces, we returned on the water bus, to the London Eye. As no one was waiting we decided to take a ride. The view is magnificent from the top. As the weather had been sunny all day, the view was as clear as anything. you could see for miles. so glad i did it.
Another sunny day greated us on the Friday, so we had breakfast on our friends patio, watched by ducks and birds of every hue. We returned home at lunch time to grey skys as spots of rain.. ha well back to normal..lol
Just come back from a great weekend at Silverdale... A pagan camp hosted by Wood Spirit.. Weather could have been better, bu it kept of rain, so didn't stop the fun. We had a ceremony to tlight the camp fire, kept burning all weekend by our own Troll. There was a fairy hunt in the woods for children. Woodcarving, you could make your own walking stick or staff. belly dance, or wobble dance in my case...lol community BBQ delish!
Lots of drumming and dance, round the fire at night, and of course WINE!
Went of to Glastonbury yesterday, no not to the festival but to the town. The whole place was a quite as I've never seen it. apparently when the sho is on, the town just dies, cause everyone thinks it will be heaving with traffic going to the festival. Strange isn't it.
Lost 5.5lbs this week! And got Slimmer of the Week! After the Solstice bash I thought I would have swung the other way.. YIpee that's nearly 3 stone now!
