Trees – Page 2 – The Hedge Druid

The Yew of the Four Glyphs

June 28, 2015June 16, 2015 Chris No Comments

Ancestors, Churches and Temples, Glyphs and Wards, Higher-Self, Staff, Time and Space, Trees, World Tree

On a delightfully warm and sunny Summer’s evening the intrepid duo ventured forth into the heartlands of Northern Wales in search of inspiration. Our destination was the ancient and venerable Yew tree of Llangernyw.

The environs of Llangernyw were beginning to flourish with a beautiful display of wild flowers.

Llangernyw Yew - June 15 (1) — Llangernyw wild flower hedgerow

We entered the graveyard, drinking in the sounds, smells and sights of Summer as though to store them in memory for the ‘leaner times’. As we began to follow the dowsing rods I noticed that Kal was following my footsteps exactly! He was chuckling to himself as he realised that his path to the perfect spot was exactly the same as mine. How amusing! At that moment a chorus of birdsong arose from the surrounding trees – a welcoming chorus of delighted cheeps and warbles which almost drowned out any thoughts!

When Formalities Are Dropped

We both came to a halt at the same time and in the same spot. It was just inside a clump of young yew trees with fresh growth at their tips. The spot on which we were stood was lain with a carpet of damp grass cuttings, and this made me think of a time when I had stood on other grass clippings and had an encounter with the spirit of the Green Man [see this post].

There was no need for either of us to ‘cleanse’ today. For some reason we were already cleansed of outer worldly energies, and ready for work. The spot with the grass clippings was a place for us to simply tune our energies to place. It was simply about getting into the right energy state.

As we walked up the sloping path towards the grand old yew tree, following the dowsing rods to find the bets place, I felt like tree knew I was coming. Indeed, although I stopped at the perimeter of its canopy before entering, there wasn’t the usual ‘resistance’ or barrier in place. I realised that I didn’t need to ask permission to enter now. Perhaps we had become such good friends over the years? The balance of ‘power’ had shifted somehow, and was much more equal now, I felt.

Llangernyw Yew - June 15 (10) — One day I’ll get a good picture of this tree without ‘misting’!

I had two purposes for being here this evening:

to see if I could help my wife get through a forthcoming exam, and
to see if there was any work I could do to discover the Essence of the Merlin Staff

The Axis of Time

May 14, 2015May 14, 2015 Chris No Comments

Ancient Sites, Axis Mundi, Dolmens and Chambers, God or Goddess

This is a post related to the quest “Become The Giant” that I was given at Spring Equinox.

As the weather was fantastic for April, and Kal was eager to go out, I was easily persuaded to venture forth into Wales. Having no destination I suggested Gop Hill. Within half an hour (through heavy commuter traffic) we were zooming down the A55 towards the special hill.

Then, out of the blue, I thought we’d gone past the junction. We’d been chatting and it suddenly occurred to me that I had already gone wrong. Kal suggested a new destination: what about Bryn Celli Ddu on Anglesey? We had time, petrol and inclination. Let’s go!

As we approached the Jubilee Bridge over the Menai Straits I got a different feeling – I should visit Lligwy Chamber – the one part of the “Follow The Bear” (a Great Bear Landscape Zodiac quest) that I hadn’t managed to visit this year. Now was the time, I felt. And for some reason, I knew that the two quests would come together in that location – one to be fulfilled, the other to be expanded.

lligwy_chamber_dec09 — The Chamber of Secrets – Lligwy on Anglesey

Feeling The Movement of the Universe

I was shown a cleansing place – one of the lumps of stone outside of the iron-clad fencing around the huge cap-stoned chamber itself. I used the dowsing rods to find the correct alignment for myself – which direction to face whilst cleansing. The detritus of the modern world sloughed off me like a snake’s skin shedding.

Next I was shown to stand on another of the lumpy stones. This time I felt inclined to discover the whereabouts of the Great Bear constellation (Ursa Major). It was directly above me! Perfect, I felt. I closed my eyes and felt something that I have never felt before. I felt that inside my head was a three-dimensional representation of the panorama of stars and galaxies. I could see and feel the gently rotation of the Earth in relation to the backdrop of other energy sources – the stars, moons, planets, asteroids – the whole constellational tapestry, sliding… shifting… swirling.

I nearly fell off the stone several times! With my eyes open the movement became the usual imperceptible shift, but once my eyes closed while standing on this stone then I felt the Universe’s subtle movement in three glorious dimensions.

Testing the Universe part 2 of 2

May 10, 2015April 30, 2015 kal No Comments

Churches and Temples, How To, Quickie, Trees

In the previous post (testing the universe part 1) you saw me leaving the Ancient Yew tree at 4am in the morning, heading into a day that it had promised, I would get a lesson and an opportunity. Well, it is still that same day and only a few hours later I was at work … Read More “Testing the Universe part 2 of 2” »

Testing the Universe part 1 of 2

May 9, 2015April 30, 2015 kal 1 Comment

Churches and Temples, Trees, Visions

When walking a sacred path one is often (if not always) asked to walk on faith. Which is problematic for most people because we’re not brought up to nor are we (Darwinian) designed to, walk on the invisible that is. For example, one of our greatest assets is the ability to learn. Learning is useful … Read More “Testing the Universe part 1 of 2” »

Spring 2015-P5 – Oak Staff of Sherwood

April 21, 2015April 23, 2015 Chris No Comments

Staff, Trees

For a while I’ve felt that I needed a staff that is more practical than my too-obvious antlered yew staff. The yew staff was right at the time, and is good for ceremonial occasions, but is impractical, too decorative, and was fashioned by someone else. I felt I needed something more subtle that I can carve and work myself. Something that I more “me” and “now”. An oak staff, perhaps?

As we travelled homeward from Dale Hermitage we discussed potential source forests. The New Forest? No trees, mainly gorse bushes and not many oaks. The Forest of Dean? Lovely place, but it had the wrong vibe for me personally. The conversation paused for a moment while we assessed where we were.

We just happened to be around Nottingham heading towards Mansfield. Did we have time to search in Sherwood Forest? Wouldn’t that be a perfect place to get a new oak staff? We set the navigation and within the hour we were parking and preparing for our new outing.

How To Find A Staff

Dowsing is a great method of finding your way on a spiritual path. It can lead you efficiently towards your goal. When dowsing leads you back to the same place but by a different route then you know that you are being taken to a special place. Such was the case as we made our way through Sherwood Forest, visiting the Major Oak first, then moving off the paths following the dowsing rods in meandering trajectory into the woodland.

We passed many fallen branches on our journey. Each time we assessed their suitability, but the rods carried on regardless. They were all clearly “wrong” in some way. Mainly because they weren’t oak, I suspect. After fifteen minutes walk the rods swung together and crossed at a point in the forest where the trees were taller. I stopped to assess the area.

Spring 2015-P1 – Journey into the Centre of the Turf

April 7, 2015March 26, 2015 Chris 5 Comments

Ancestors, Ancient Sites, Elemental Angels, Mazes and Labyrinths, Spirit Guides, Trees, Wheel of the Year, World Tree

Spring began properly for us with a long drive across country to the barren eastern parts of these islands. We had been this direction before, and this area really makes you work for your visit! I had chosen to go East as this direction is associated with Spring, and it was a direction in which I could find an old turf maze. Given my recent tarot draw, I knew that labyrinthine paths could be the order of the day, and so it was.

Wing Turf Maze

The day began early. We had long miles to cover. As I drove down the motorway I was gladdened by the sight of the dawning sun. Such a good omen for our outing – clear skies and sunshine.

1 - Spring Dawning (5) — Spring Equinox dawn sunshine from the motorway

On arrival at the small village of Wing the day was shaping up nicely. Kal had a portent of what was to come soon and half-jokingly said that we should just go to the maze then drive home. We were here now, and Nature was calling us both and so we nipped into the nearby woodland.

On the way out I felt like I was walking the wrong way. I got snagged on branches and dead brambles. Nature was telling me that I was going the wrong way, and so I back-tracked and followed the dowsing rods on a more energetically compatible path. Heed the signs!

I emerged onto the main road where an ash tree’s unusual bent bough met the top of my head. This was the place to stop, I felt, and so I began the cleaning process that has become a regular preparation feature of any sacred visit. This process included a vision, though, which was of a lightning strike from above and below meeting in the middle, meeting in me. I felt instantly cleansed!

2 - Wing Turf Maze (12) — Ash tree and lightning image

Now for the maze itself.

New beginnings and New things at Dinas Bran

March 16, 2015March 16, 2015 kal No Comments

Other Entities, Signs and Synchronicity, Trees, Visions

I would go into the synchronicities that occurred to get me to the station on time to meet up with Chris. But those go without saying these days. Suffice to say that even a seasoned veteran like me was taken by surprise.

Up until today the weather had been unsettled. A mix of sun, rain, sleet, wind and snow was not uncommon. However on this day, the sun was beaming with the promise of a beautiful and lasting change.

With blessings in our hearts we set off for an afternoon of pleasure at the Table of Bran. The drive was swift and uncomplicated and soon we arrived at the footsteps of the hill. Stopping at a place further down than our normal want meant a steeper and longer climb. Fortunately, due to the intercession of one Goddess in my life, I had had some measure of preparation (see the resonance of Caileach here).

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