Tuesday 3 March 2026
12 Noon, local time
Sun in Pisces, Water, the Mystic and Healer
Moon in Virgo, Earth, the Artisan Crafting Beauty
Bolingbroke Castle
Dear Gatekeepers
This month with the moon in Virgo on the British Landscape Zodiac, we pilgrimage to Lincolnshire and Bolingbroke Castle.
Bolingbroke Castle is situated in east Lincolnshire, in today’s village of Old Bolingbroke. It is now a ruin, having been dismantled after the Civil War. The castle would have been situated on the edge of the extensive marshes that ran south to The Wash before they were drained in the 1800’s. Built in the 1220’s by Ranulf de Blundeville, Earl of Chester and Lincoln, the castle was later inherited by the powerful John of Gaunt, guardian of Richard II, through his first wife, Blanche of Lancaster, who was born there. In 1367 the future Henry IV was born at the castle. Blanche died soon afterwards aged only 22 she had given birth to 7 children, of whom 3 survived.
Possible painting of Katherine Swynford
The romantic story of John of Gaunt and his mistress, Katherine Swynford, began here. Katherine was married to Hugh Swynford who was in the service of John of Gaunt. Katherine became a trusted member of Blanche’s household and when Blanche died, Katherine was appointed governess to John and Blanche’s children. After the death of her husband, Katherine became the long-term mistress of John of Gaunt, continuing at Court to manage his household. Together they had 4 children who were given the surname Beaufort, from their father’s lost lordship of Anjou. The relationship was (supposedly) broken off when John of Gaunt married his second wife, Constance of Castile. However, when Constance died in 1394, John openly continued his affair with Katherine and in 1396, to the horror of the court, he married Katherine, who was not of royal blood. This legitimised their children who became powerful figures in history. Their great-grandson was Henry Tudor, son of Margaret Beaufort, who became Henry VII, the first Tudor King of England.
Here is a powerful message from Peter Dawkins to our Irish friends on turning the three wheels and the importance of the Triple Goddess at this time.
“Thank you so much for all your work and effort that you are putting in to turning Ireland’s wheel St Brigid-wise. Yes, she is truly wise. The effects are enormous and all in right timing. As Sarah says, Britain (England and Wales) is in somewhat of a doldrum, pressed down by many centuries of ingrained dogma; but this year there is going to be a rapid shift, freeing up all the goodness and good energy, good thought, in people, and thereby releasing the land from its captivity. I can feel it; I can see it. Even outwardly it is starting to appear. For me, it is all so heart-warming, so encouraging, and at the same time so overwhelming. I weep at the same time I am feeling joy. I weep at all the suffering in the world, and I joy at all the friendships and love expressed, and the breakthroughs out of all the imposed negativity. I am reminded again and again that this is only the beginning, and that there is still some time for all the wheels to turn in the world; but the Three Lands is the start of it all. They are the home of the Triple Goddess, and she gets things going! She inspires, she motivates, she loves; and all we have to do is to love her in return and do her bidding. She is Brigid, she is Ériu, she is Britanna, she is Minerva, she is Athena, she is Sophia; she is the goddess of many names. She is the goddess of wisdom because her pure intelligence knows the wisdom. She gives form to the life-force energy of divine Wisdom known as the Word, the form of which is the Name – names such as we give the goddess in our many languages, but also all the wheels of life that fill the universe, including our planet and solar system, with each wheel being a cosmos. Microcosms within macrocosms. She is the intelligence behind all outer form. Landscape angels are part of her. Nature beings are part of her. Zodiacs or chakras are part of her. We are part of her. The joy is to be able to work with her, be guided by her, and to love her just as she loves us, always, devotedly. It is humbling to be so loved, and to be able to love her. Lover and beloved, reciprocated, in unity.
With lots of love, Peter”
Copyright Peter Dawkins - https://www.zoence.co.uk/info-landscape-temples/british-isles/
As we turn our wheel I pass you on to Charlotte in the British Landscape Zodiac sun sign of Pisces. CLICK HERE
PORTLAND UPDATE
In collaboration with the Portland Sculpture & Quarry Trust, Herbie Hudson, a Master of Architecture student at Arts University Bournemouth, has been contributing to the 81 Fleet Street Arch reconstruction project on the Isle of Portland.
A key aspect of the work has been developing a careful understanding of the surrounding landform and the wider landscape context in which the Arch will be re-sited. To support this, a detailed three-dimensional physical model is being produced to explore how the reconstructed Arch will sit within its setting and relate to the broader Green Corridor vision.
The model will help illustrate the Trust’s proposal for a connected landscape route, bookended to the north by the Gatekeeper Stone and to the south by the reconstructed Arch, reinforcing a coherent narrative of place, embodied knowledge, and heritage across the site.
Here is a link to a fascinating film about a Portland stone mason in 1971 as times were changing: https://youtu.be/-8a7Woe48hw?si=1B-4i6jeNf4nF3FY
A Gatekeeper Pilgrimage to Astbury, Cheshire with Vicky Wade
Sunday 31 May at 10.30 am
Explore this ancient village via its mere, fields and Grade I listed church. Journey through the SummerScape taking in sights and sounds of a popular location to a quiet one with a lost secret. Find out about the rise of the 'Beartown' and a mysterious shrine.
We shall be meeting up at the Coffee Shop at Astbury Mere car park on Sandy Lane at Congleton on Sunday 31 May at 10.30am. This is a relatively easy walk across lanes and fields with a few stiles and gates for a couple of miles. Please register your interest with Vicky on 07956 015879 by Friday 29 May.
Spring Equinox – Friday 20 March
Wood engraving by Sue Scullard
This year the Spring Equinox falls on Friday 20 March, marking the time of equal day and equal night. It is celebrated in Celtic/AngloSaxon countries as the festival of the Goddess of Ostara from which derived the name Easter. Ostara’s symbol is the egg, symbolising fertility and new life and also the hare associated with the full moon, which is used to dictate the date of Easter Sunday.
With thanks to Peter and Sarah Dawkins, our Gatekeeper Trustees and our hardworking secretary Amelia.
Sending love to you in your landscape
Rose
Rose.wol2022@gmail.com