Tag: iona abbey

Ionian Equinox 4 – Dun I and the Healing Waters

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Ancient Sites, Dowsing, Hedge Druidry, Spirits, Wheel of the Year

Towards the end of the first day on Iona we walked to the northern end of the island to climb the hill known as Dun I (‘Dun-ee’). It was only a short distance from the abbey’s grounds, and according to the signposts there was only a 600m walk to the top. I was determined to go because there are so few sacred places on this small island that I wanted to see them all, and with no rain in sight this was a perfect opportunity to do such a climb. It was my belief that somewhere up on top of the hill there was a healing pool, and I was keen to find it and use it. Besides, this would be a great place for me to find out what the quest was for the next part of the Wheel of the Year. I was hoping this would be the place to find that information. So it turned out to be,

There are few signposts on Iona. Locals know where they’re going. Visitors should have the time to find what they need without needing direction. There was one small, and I mean small, concession to this rule and that was the inch-high sign pointing out the footpath to the mountain/hill of Dun I, and the sign on the gate alongside it re-iterating the route. Frankly, you’d be hard-pressed to miss it anyway, even in fog! It’s only five minutes walk north from the Abbey.

Dun I – the only tall thing in the North of Iona

As we stepped onto the smooth grassy path something ached in my feet – a longing to be free of the shoes that I had spent all day walking around in. I set my feet free. They practically sighed at the coolness of the mossy grass path and delighted in the cooling dew and occasional crossing rivulet of water. This lasted for about two minutes, then they began to get cold. My brain chimed in with a gentle reminder that this was September, and that I was in Scotland. Thanks, Rational Mind – you’re always useful, never superfluous! Another minute and the climb up the hill began – it was slippery, muddy, rocky and cold. Was this a wise decision now? No, but I continued anyway. Sometimes hardship leads to a better insight. Reward comes through effort, as they say (Who says this? They need a smack!).

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Ionian Equinox 2 – A Giant Grave

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Ancient Sites, Dowsing, Hedge Druidry, Spirits, Wheel of the Year

As you approach the Abbey of Iona – with its church dedicated to Mary – the first sight you encounter is the mound of Odran (or Oran). It lies before the abbey like a pregnant belly, partially obscuring the visible entrances to the abbey buildings. It immediately drew my attention, and I became mesmerised by it. It engendered in me an immediate sense of respect, and I entered the site of the mound slowly and reverentially for a reason that I cannot fully explain.

Odran was an interesting fellow – part mythology, part reconstructed Christian history. He is said to have been a druid, and also a companion of St Columba.

The ancient burial ground, called the Rèilig Odhrain (Eng: Oran’s “burial place” or “cemetery”), contains the 12th century chapel of St Odhrán (said to be Columba‘s uncle), restored at the same time as the Abbey itself. It contains a number of medieval grave monuments. The abbey graveyard contains the graves of many early Scottish Kings, as well as kings from Ireland, Norway and France. Iona became the burial site for the kings of Dál Riata and their successors. (source: Wikipedia)

Of Entrances and Exits

Right, that’s enough of the background. Let’s get into the account. I approached the mound respectfully, and stopped at what I felt was the ‘entrance’ – the point in the mound’s energy aura that was a point of entry for those who were energetically-aware. I gave my credentials and then asked if I could enter. A firm and stomach-churning push in the gut told me in no uncertain terms that I could NOT enter. OK – what was wrong? Time/place/me/my energy? I ran through some reasons and set about trying to right them. I gave a lengthier introduction to who I was, and stated why I was here. I asked to be shown the correct entry point via the dowsing rods – and thus was moved along the mound by several feet from where I had initially tried to enter. I tried again – this time I got a pass and was able to walk onto the mound in the shade of the nearby trees.

Odrain’s Mound – a giant’s resting place?

SYMPATHETIC VIBRATION: Of course you can walk into and onto most sacred sites as a tourist without any restrictions. When I talk of being “denied entry” I am talking about being able to feel for an entry point in the energetic shell of a place. If you don’t recognise that boundary then of course you can enter freely, but you won’t be in a state of awareness, a state of sympathetic vibration with the place. This is the state that I am seeking to enter when I look for an entry point because it leads to a state of mind in which revelation and acquisition of information is much easier.

It is also sympathetic and respectful to any spirit energy that is present at the site, which is why I spend time introducing myself and stating my purpose for the visit.

In addition, entering via the correct point, and leaving by one too, preserves your energetic condition. In other words, if you have accumulated/brought with you/acquired some subtle energy at a sacred site, and you are in the ‘correct vibration’ then you can preserve this state by following the correct path in and out of a place of power. To not do so can strip you very quickly of this sought-after resonance and subtle energy aura.

This is why we place great importance on coming into the correct entrance, following the right path to the power centre, and then leaving by the correct exit point.

Of Giants and Graves

Now things begin to get a little odd. I have come across the idea that many ancient mounds have been named “Giant’s Grave” or similar, and that lots of them are associated with giants in their mythology. Of course, the simple explanation we are given is that those stupid country folk (the superstitious fools) could only explain the presence of these large mounds by associating them with giants. After all, they are pretty long. Must be a tall person buried in there, right?

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