Saturday 26 September 2026
12 Noon, local time
Sun in Libra, Air, Diplomat/Mediator
Moon in Aries, Fire, Warrior
Mitchell’s Fold Stone Circle looking towards Wales – photo Kate Owen
Dear Gatekeepers
Welcome to our full moon meditation on 26 September. This full moon is known as the Harvest Moon and is also closest to the Autumn Equinox which is on 23 September this year. This full moon is special because it rises and sets at the same time for several nights. The full moon will rise at sunset and will appear larger because it is low on the horizon.
A reminder to book your tickets now for our Annual Conference on 8 November. More details below. On our monthly full moon pilgrimage around the British Landscape Zodiac, we are in Aries which lies in the western segment from the centre at High Cross to the mid-west of Wales. Here we meet Jane Knight at Mitchell’s Fold Stone Circle.
On 3 April 2018 I attended the Gatekeeper Lantern Walk to Mitchell’s Fold Stone Circle in the Marches borderlands between England and Wales. The site sits on a raised plateau between Stapeley Hill and Corndon Hill in Shropshire.
I was keen to visit the stones with the Gatekeeper pilgrims as this had been one of my regular haunts when I lived nearby. I loved its wildness and stunning panoramic views with the Stiperstones to the east and the Welsh hills to the west. It had been some years since I had visited. Usually I had travelled either on my own or with one or two friends. It was interesting to take in the experience with the energies of a larger group led by Charlotte Yonge. Andrew Clark joined us, so with his guidance our voices were part of the lantern ceremony too. After the ceremony we shared our reflections. We all felt the deep power of the site.
As I look back, I reflect on some of my other visits there. At the time of the Gatekeeper pilgrimage, I was living in North Shropshire but for 14 years I had lived some 10 miles away from Mitchell’s Fold, just west of Ludlow in North Herefordshire (though with a Shropshire postal address). That signifies the nature of the shifting borders throughout the Marches region where you regularly pass in and out of English and Welsh counties.
I would go with my various dogs, especially my two lurchers, who were very tuned into the spirit of place. Their energies were very grounding. I could imagine their hound ancestors roaming this countryside too. I had named one of them Brân after the great Welsh King, Brân the Blessed. That was partly for his grandeur, partly for my Welsh heritage and partly because he had come over from Ireland!
Legend has it that Brân’s head was taken from Ireland via Holyhead on Anglesey to what is now the Tower of London. It seems appropriate that this A5 route runs nearby. Although the site appears isolated now, in former times it would have been part of a network of important hubs and routes. There are signs of old industries everywhere as well as prehistoric sites … long barrows, standing stones and stone circles scattered across the Shropshire Hills.
Mitchell’s Fold is certainly an extremely atmospheric place. I have been there throughout the seasons. In fact there seemed to be some days with all the seasons in one day. I remember one memorable occasion when I travelled alone there with my dogs one late afternoon. It had been a fairly mild day. I parked the car at the end of the narrow track leading to the stones. As I reached the cattle grid to enter the site, there was an almighty horizontal wind that seemed to come out of nowhere. It was making it difficult for me to balance so I took a different route to the stones down the ridge along the lefthand side hoping to gain more shelter.
Pilgrims – photo Kate Owen
The wind continued as strong and the clouds were looking increasingly black and ominous approaching the site. I almost turned back but I had decided to visit the stones that day, so visit them I would! The dogs were looking at me as if to say, “Are you sure?” Just as I thought heavy rain was going to drench us, I reached a wide grassy track on the right that I assumed led to the stones. As I took it and walked away from the dark clouds and up the slope, the wind dropped and the sun broke through, illuminating the area. It happened so suddenly I went into a state of awe. I didn’t look behind. I slowly and mindfully made my way up the slope until I reached the stone circle. I felt as if I was in a procession with ancestors, with many souls who had lived, worked and worshipped in the area. Even the dogs seemed quiet and reflective. I wandered round the circle still bathed in that golden evening light, I suppose in a state of meditation. It was one of my most profound experiences at an ancient site.
It is interesting to recall that time now. Although the feeling is less intense, I can still take myself back to how blessed I felt. Truly a special place.
FRIENDS OF GATEKEEPER BENEFITS
Gatekeepers may not be aware that for an annual fee of £25, there are several benefits to being a Friend. There is a £10 discount on our annual Gatekeeper conference. Instead of £25, members buying a ticket for this year’s conference Gateways on 8 November pay just £15. That includes all the recordings which are sent out shortly after.
Friends have a special area of the Gatekeeper website where they can access many articles, reports, research and other archive material not available elsewhere.
In addition, Friends can apply for a discount code to buy books and magazines at half price in the website shop. For example, Legendary London and the Spirit of Place is £7.50 instead of £15 and Glastonbury Zodiac is £5 instead of £10. Magazines are also half price at £2 instead of £4 or 3 for £5. A standard £1.50 will be added for postage and packing for one or multiple items. Here is a link to our Gatekeeper shop.
If you are interested in joining Friends, or you are an existing Friend, and would like to take advantage of any of these offers, please contact our secretary: secretary@gatekeeper.org.uk
Here we meet Charlotte in the Sun Sign of Libra.
With love and light to you on your landscape.
Rose
Rose.wol2022@gmail.com