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Tag: llangollen

The Bardic Link to Ancestors

Posted on July 8, 2014July 8, 2014 By Gwas No Comments on The Bardic Link to Ancestors
Ancestors, Ancient Sites, Dowsing, Experiment

When the grey clouds of summer come rolling in what is a hedge druid to do with himself? Why, go out of course! Somehow Kal had decided that he wanted to go to The Druid’s Circle at Pemnaenmawr. I was unable to get free until after 7pm, so a long journey across the width of Wales was out of the question. Instead, I persuaded Kal that a quick visit to Dinas Bran would be more appropriate He conceded, but as we approached Llangollen things went a bit strange. For some reason I didn’t turn up the road to Dinas Bran. Instead, I carried on towards Vale Crucis Abbey, and that’s where we ended up. It was like something had decided for me where we would go this evening.

I had no agenda to work to – again. I would simply connect at the right place for me to be, and see what revealed itself tonight. The dowsing rods guided me initially to a power centre by one of the ruined walls of the Abbey’s main hall near the entrance. The cleansing process took a long while – much longer than usual. Perhaps this was because it had been a few weeks since I had done any work at a sacred site?

Vale Crucis Abbey - Winter Solstice 2013 (6)

I issued a new directive to the dowsing rods – “Please take me to the best place for me to work on my spiritual path!”. A general question, but usually one which resulted in something interesting happening. I was taken on a path which skirted alongside the ruined abbey’s walls until I reached an area which I recognised as being the former alter space. In that space there were the remains of pillars supporting two walls opposite each other. The pillars were “exploded”, only half of their construction remained. I was taken to a handy ‘seat’ – a flat rock sticking out enough to perch upon.

I sat on the seat looking at the pillar opposite, which was similarly opened up. Why was I here, I wondered? I let myself drift into a reverie… why was I here… why was I here… I found myself staring at a face in the stone pillar. It was a face that I felt I recognised… who was it? Give me a clue!

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Summary of the Year 2013 – Themes

Posted on December 20, 2013December 24, 2013 By Gwas No Comments on Summary of the Year 2013 – Themes
Hedge Druidry, Wheel of the Year

Welcome to the first of three posts to summarise the adventures I’ve had this year. The first post will discuss the major themes of the year and my opinions on them. The second post will go into detail about the lessons I’ve learned and how I have developed as a result of those teachings. Finally, … Read More “Summary of the Year 2013 – Themes” »

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The Initiation of the Yew Staff

Posted on August 4, 2013August 4, 2013 By Gwas No Comments on The Initiation of the Yew Staff
Energy work, Hedge Druidry, Staff

July continued to be sunny, hot and dry. We were back from our Solstice outing and among the familiar landscapes either side of Cheshire. In particular Kal and I felt drawn to the Dinas Bran site. Both of us had questions that we hoped to find the answers to, and the walk was always lovely, if demanding. On an evening in the midst of a heatwave the hill seemed more inviting and more arduous than ever so we went prepared. I had my new yew staff, some food and a bottle of water. Kal had luck, faith and a newly conquered fear of heights. Each to his own!

Dinas Bran - July 2013 2013-07-05 002

Once we had reached the summit, I travelling barefoot and Kal following a dowsed energy trail, then we moved to our own separate areas of the hilltop to do our respective work. See, even working with a close friend my work is primarily alone. I say alone – I encounter more spirit entities than your average loner, making whatever experiences I have quite a crowded affair!

This evening, as I tried to cool down in the breeze which haunts the hilltop, I put my staff to one side with my bag, and then dowsed for the places that came to mind. The first one was that I wanted to know where I should start; the second would be where Bran was; and the third would be where I should ask my questions. That was my original intention – how that worked out might change during the process. They might all be one place, or multiple places – I didn’t know before I started. That was part of the adventure, and the luxury of using dowsing as a tool for getting answers.

Standing on the Head of Bran

Dinas Bran - July 2013 (Canon) (6)

My first power centre was right next to my staff. This would be where I would start the process off. I stood in the power centre and waited to see what happened. I took the time to do my connections, grounding, centring, connecting, waiting. After a few quiet minutes I felt the outer shell of my energy form crumble away and melt into  the hill. Where next?

The rods took my around to a point close to the remains of two arched windows. I was still barefoot so it was a challenging location due to the sharp splinters of slate which spotted the site. Thankfully, when in the lullaby of the meditative trance I seem to never get stabbed, spiked or otherwise cut walking barefoot. The same cannot be said when I try it outside of the trance, however! I stood on the spot indicated and waited. Moments later I felt Bran’s gigantic presence. i was standing on his head again, as I had imagined previously when at Dinas Bran. Again, I was a small fly on the giant head of this mighty energy form.

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Spring Equinox 2013 – Day of the Crow Part 5

Posted on April 5, 2013 By Gwas 2 Comments on Spring Equinox 2013 – Day of the Crow Part 5
Ancient Sites, Healing, Natural Magick, Quests, Spirits, Wheel of the Year

In this final part of my Spring Equinox story I reveal the reasons why I had been linking the four elemental sites around Llangollen. I am also shown why this link was important, and how it relates to my work with the energy form of Galahad this year.

Ffynon Sara

Only a few miles from the edges of Clocaenog Forest is the beautiful secluded site of Sara’s Spring. The Sara in question may well be the Patron Saint of Laughter that Kal talked about after he visited the site. This day I wasn’t interested in discovering more about the energy form at the site, only to come with questions that needed urgent answers.

I began by offering an energetic gift. I placed incense all around the spring’s rectangular wall and then offered all of the story of my day and my quest for this part of the year. This was offered through my heart chakra, freely and with love. I hoped that this energy would be sufficient as an exchange for what I was about to ask.

I used the dowsing rods to confirm whether I could, should and may ask these questions here. Luckily the answers were all a positive and the feeling generally was that I should finally get some answers to my puzzling quest after such hard work this day.

Q. What was the purpose of linking the four sacred sites around Corwen?

In answer I was shown the white shield in the stone that I had energised in Valle Crucis Abbey. With that image came the following explanation:

The White Shield of Galahad is emblazoned by a red cross. The shield shape is formed by the four sites. The cross shape is formed by drawing links between them. I needed to have that symbol in my head as an elemental cross so that I could emblazon it on the shield that I had acquired from Valle Crucis. Without that emblem the shield would not be at full strength.

Ffynnon Sara - Spring Equinox 2013 2013-03-20 063 (1) (Medium)
Sara’s sacred spring – a place of inspiration

“…at full strength”. That was an unusual phrase that I would try to deconstruct later. For now, I wanted to know more about the rituals at the four sites.

Read More “Spring Equinox 2013 – Day of the Crow Part 5” »

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Spring Equinox 2013 – Day of the Crow Part 4

Posted on April 3, 2013April 3, 2013 By Gwas No Comments on Spring Equinox 2013 – Day of the Crow Part 4
Ancient Sites, Dowsing, Hedge Druidry, Incense, Natural Magick, Other Entities, Ritual, Staff, Wheel of the Year

In the fourth part of this Spring Equinox story I visit a new stone circle (or two), working with the energies and completing the sigil shape that I had been tracing in the Llangollen landscape.

Bryn Beddau cairn circle

Hidden in the murky depths of the Clocaenog Forest are two small cairn circles. One or maybe both of them are named Bryn Beddau. It’s difficult to tell from the Megalithic Portal article, because it shows both of them in the same description. They are very close to each other, though. One is accessible from one of the many compacted gravel forest roads, whereas the other is further inside the forest, accessible from a path linked to the first circle.

I was grateful that I had Ordnance Survey GPS and maps on my phone. Without that it would have been hard going. As it was I found the sites pretty easily, but first I had to traverse along the “new straight tracks” that Alfred Watkins would surely not have approved of. These long straight roads were not good for retaining energy! It was an effort not to lose all the energy I had gained so far while walking these uninspiring grey roads that vanished into the distance, then turned 90 degrees to get anywhere. A kind of Roman efficiency. I walked with a rapid stride and a musical rhythm.

Occasionally a scene of beauty emerged by the roadside as snow dripped from coniferous branches, water languished in near static pools and tall trees braced against the cold air. The only sounds were the occasional movement of birds in the treetops, signalling my presence to each other.

Bryn Beddau - Spring Equinox 2013 (6) (Medium)

The first circle I discovered by treading carefully down a deeply rutted track that veered off at an angle from a junction of two forest roads. I was glad to get into the trees and off the grey gravel road. After only thirty feet of careful walking a clearing opened up and I got my first sight of a new circle in ages.

Read More “Spring Equinox 2013 – Day of the Crow Part 4” »

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Spring Equinox 2013 – Day of the Crow Part 1

Posted on March 27, 2013 By Gwas 5 Comments on Spring Equinox 2013 – Day of the Crow Part 1
Ancient Sites, Dowsing, Hedge Druidry, Other Entities, Wheel of the Year

It was the Spring Equinox, as the title suggests. Contrary to expectation it was freezing cold, and my idea about visiting at least three elevated sacred sites seemed even more foolhardy than it had done when it had first been “suggested” to me through a vision received at Dinas Bran in Llangollen. Would I prove hardy enough and stubborn enough to persevere and visit them all? Of course I would. There is a saying: “There is no bad weather: only bad clothing.”

First stop: Dinas Bran. For a moment I thought there might not be snow on top, then as I approached Llangollen a white-capped hill hove into view and I knew it was going to be a tough day. The long climb in winter clothing began. This early in the morning – 8am – there were no other visitors, even on this special day. Just me, the mist, the snow and the crows. Crows! Crows were following me all the way up. They cawed as I arrived, hopped out of my way as I passed, whirled in front of me as I climbed, and then performed aerobatics displays around my head when I stopped at the gate.

Dinas Bran - Spring Equinox 2013 2013-03-20 001 (6) (Medium)

I don’t know how long the iron sculpture has been attached to the gate but I don’t remember seeing it before. A black iron crow was waiting for me as I hauled myself through the new gate structure that demarcates the steep part of the path at the back from the slightly less steep part. I looked at it in wonder – I guess this was the theme of the day? Crows. Not hawks? It was usually hawks….suddenly a hawk whirled above me too. Ok – hawks were still relevant! But today was about crows. I took the hint and moved on, making for the top.

I smiled. Bran was already communicating – this was an auspicious sign.

Read More “Spring Equinox 2013 – Day of the Crow Part 1” »

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2012 – Summary of the Year by Gwas

Posted on December 27, 2012December 28, 2012 By Gwas No Comments on 2012 – Summary of the Year by Gwas
Ancient Sites

My summary of the year could easily take up several posts, but I’m not going to do that. Instead, I’m going to highlight the many important distinct elements that have taken place this year, and then provide links to the posts that illustrate these elements. On the whole it has been an amazingly packed, dense, active year. … Read More “2012 – Summary of the Year by Gwas” »

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