Aquarius Full Moon Meditation

LEO MOON (FIRE - LEADER) OPPOSITE AQUARIUS SUN (AIR - GROUP COLLABORATION)
12 N00N – FEBRUARY 16th 2022

The playful Tumbling Wier Ottery St Mary on the River Otter.
By Tony in Devon - Own work

[CC BY 3.0,[https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2585791]

THEME: What does Aquarian style Leadership (pilgrimage) look like: leading collaborative group with diverse expressions from arts to research, improvisational, playful, creative, colourful? If we quest for ourselves, how can we imagine being a leader of pilgrimage groups using a variety of arts as our ancestors did using architecture, ritual, sacred number and icons?

In tradition ‘LEELA’ is the Goddess of Playful creation, perhaps it relates to the Gatekeeper Trust’s objectives about the study of temples generally, and how their use in tradition may be relevant today. The element of water is playful, when we learn to work with its gifts of purification, we can allow it to tumble and spin. Collaborative leadership can reflect the generously accommodating spirit of co-creativity.

BARBARA SIDDALL - Celebration of a pioneering 'Aquarian’ group leader.

BARBARA, who sadly died last month, studied drama, Yoga, Meditation, Healing and Psychosynthesis, offering a mix of storytelling and counseling for groups of cancer patients in the Bristol Cancer Help Centre for many years. She also ran pilgrimages in her home landscape around Watford, and always wearing beautiful colourful, flowing clothes, she stood out as playful, artistic pilgrim on many journeys throughout Britain and Europe. We celebrate her long years as dedicated pilgrim, spanning from pre-trust days, she accompanied founding member Sir George Trevelyan, who introduced our current elders Peter and Sarah Dawkins to the art and architecture of landscape temples. Thus we have ancestors leaving us a long tradition of group leadership through pilgrimage and arts in the landscape. Here are Barbara’s recollections: http://www.sirgeorgetrevelyan.org.uk/mem-Siddall.html

News from groups in the Aquarian section of the British Zodiac:

Roma Harding, Weymouth:

‘IMBOLC WALK, Saturday 5th February 2022.

‘Meet 10.30 am Upwey-Broadwey Memorial Hall (car park) on Dorchester Road, Weymouth DT3 5LH
We shall pilgrimage across the field, through Upwey village to the church of St Lawrence, view the restored Tudor Roses, wall paintings from the Civil War, and ‘Green Man.’ In the churchyard we’ll attune to Brighid, the maiden of spring and talk about Imbolc traditions.
At the Wishing Well we’ll offer a water blessing at the source of the river Way and share stories of snowdrops and spring. Followed by tea and cake!
Do bring any poems, songs and musings you’d like to share. Please message if you hope to attend. All welcome.’

David Matthews: - Dartington Imbolc Celebration

I shared with David his sense of the importance of regular meetings at Dartington, and pilgrimages along the River….“It seemed to me that Nature's invisible subtle beings are waiting for human innovation, and will collaborate to make our creations powerful and effective”. David has for years brought small groups of pilgrims to the ruined church tower in Dartington gardens, and this regular input of heart-felt appreciation of the spirit of place at Imbolc, is how the landscape and its invisible eco-community builds on humanity’s sincere intent of the heart: being at the right place at the right time holds true to the sacred geometry, time and planetary solar cycles.

Dartington near Totnes holds a secret connection to ancient wisdom and Britain’s history. David explains the astrology behind this, as Dartington college has been acknowledged as a centre for the arts for a long time, and was founded by the Elmhirst family who were interested in the link with ancient mystery wisdom traditions. His group meets regularly to celebrate the solar cycles at the site of an old church tower and ancient yew, and annual visits to other sacred sites in the Totnes, and Dartmoor landscape.

DAVID MATTHEWS at IMBOLC 2nd February 2022:

The Old Yew (around 2000 yrs old) used as an inspiration
for musical composition and celebration of Imbolc:
https://jasonsinghmusic.bandcamp.com/track/plant-as-composer-ancient-yew-at-dartington-estate

Tower of the remains of St Mary’s Church, focal point with the ancient yew for celebrating Imbolc. [https://commons.wikimedia.org]

We shared a common insight along with others of the South Hams Pilgrim group: “It seemed to me that Nature's invisible subtle beings are waiting for human innovation, and will collaborate to make our creations powerful and effective”. The expectation of the new age of Aquarius is the creation of ‘One World, One Family’

David has for years brought small groups of pilgrims to the ruined church tower in Dartington gardens, and this regular input of heart-felt appreciation of the spirit of place at Imbolc, is how the landscape and its invisible eco-community builds on humanity’s sincere intent of the heart: being at the right place at the right time holds true to the sacred geometry, time and planetary solar cycles.

Dartington near Totnes holds a secret connection to ancient wisdom and Britain’s history. David explains the astrology behind this, as landscape and college at Dartington has been acknowledged as a centre for the arts for a long time, and was founded by the Elmhirst family who were interested in the link with ancient mystery wisdom traditions. His group meets regularly to celebrate the solar cycles at the site of an old church tower and ancient yew, and annual visits to other sacred sites in the Totnes, and Dartmoor landscape.

The astrological synchronicity of Dartington Hall:

David: ‘When the Elmhirst family’s the first visit by Leonard, who “discovered” Dartington, on 4.3.1925, the Lunar South Node was in 13 Aquarius, conjunct Cygnus X-1, a colossal X-Ray/Cosmic Ray source – which seems to have a connection with, and an effect on, Human lif, in terms of “accelerated” evolutionary periods.

On 2 Feb –every year, the Sun is in that Degree,13 Aquarius, with Cygnus X-1 and the Dartington South Node- a small gathering at the Yew at12.00 (February 2nd 2022) will give us the opportunity, possibly, to experience that quality of energy, with, I hope, the collaboration of the Spirit of Place (Genius Locii) of Dartington itself.

In fact the New Moon on the Previous day, 1 Feb, is closely conjunct the same point – emphasising the opportunity created.’ [2022]

The area along the River Dart holds many well loved historical symbols of the sacred, along the estuary, up to Totnes, and on through Dartington into Dartmoor. Some years bc, the Trojan King Brutus landed at what is now ‘Brutus Stone’. From here he travelled to the ancient settlement on the River Thames …. ‘Caer Troiau, afterwards called Caer Lludd, now London (Lud-din, Lud’s city), on a spot known as Bryn gwyn, or the White Mount, on the North side of the æstuary of the Thames.’ [https://www.thebernician.net/history-of-britain-from-the-flood-to-a-d-700-part-two]

The earliest records relating to Totness on the edge of the Dartmoor/Dartington area tell us of the link between our relationship with the land as source of law and sovereignty. It is said that Trojan Law predated those we use today. Some ask are we in the time of return to our sovereign rights – listening to the land through pilgrimage and the arts returns our awareness to who we are as co-creators of harmony and beauty.

‘The descent of the British People from Troy and the Trojans was never disputed for fifteen hundred years. The “Island of Brutus” was the common name of the Island in old times. …The word tan is the old British or Japhetic term for land,—Brutannia (pronounced Britannia, the British u being sounded as ë) is Brut’s or Brutus’ Land…..The only two national names acknowledged by the Ancient Britons are Kymry, and Y Lin Troia, the race of Troy. The Trojan descent solves all the peculiarities in the British Laws and Usages, which would otherwise be wholly inexplicable…. The most learned Jurists refer the original Institutes of our Island to the Trojan Law brought by Brutus. Lord Chief Justice … affirms, “the Original Laws of this land were composed of such elements as Brutus first selected from the Ancient Greek and Trojan Institutions.” ‘ [https://www.thebernician.net/history-of-britain-from-the-flood-to-a-d-700-part-two]

The land holds the key to our individual sovereignty: [Wikipedia: ‘In his account, one of the Molmutine Laws [Geoffrey of Monmouth] declared that the temples of the gods and cities should act as sanctuaries from death. Furthermore, anyone who fled to a temple for being accused of a crime must be pardoned by the accuser upon departure from the temple. This law soon included all roads leading to temples and all farmers were declared safe from such crimes. Geoffrey credited the British Trojans as the original source of many of Dyfnwal's laws, including one allowing the reign of queens’... “There are three things belonging to a man, from which no law can separate him—his wife, his children, and the instruments of his calling; for no law can unman a man, or uncall a calling.”

Brutus Stone set for posterity in the pavement of Totnes town.
[Commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=987445]

Dartington’s beautiful garden yew avenue.
[https://commons.wikimedia.org]

In our Aquarian landscape, Stanton Drew Stone Circle is also connected to the myth of King Bladud of Bath who created a Druidic Academy at Stanton Drew as a ‘model of the universe’, and ‘flew’ to the Temple of Apollo (under Westminster) in Caer Troia/London. This landscape connects with the ancient Fosse Way, which extends to Goatpath and other remnants of ancient paths in Devon, showing the Romans built their straight road along previous Celtic routes. [https://devonassoc.org.uk/devoninfo/the-secret-of-the-fosse-way-1915].

Research in the Dartmoor Zodiac - Evidence of an even older law of sovereignty embedded seem to be embedded in the patterns of stone sanctuaries and rows linking ritual with laws of the land.

Many pilgrims have contributed to the discovery of the imaginal inner landscapes of a terrestrial star map. After Anthony Thorley gave a talk in Totnes, the key feature of the ‘Milky Way’ pilgrim route was taken up as a pilgrimage focus.

In Anthony’s words [From Cingulum Coeli to Nodus Celestis: the deepest mystery of all? A Talk by Anthony Thorley]

‘The Milky Way, cingulum coeli or girdle of heaven, traverses the gates of heaven at the saltire crossings of the ecliptic pathway of the sun. Beyond this is the deeper Piscean mystery enshrined in the Avebury landscape, of the knot of heaven or nodus celestis, a place which unifies the Goddess and Christ consciousness.’

Dartmoor Zodiac: A tentative diagram showing some
pilgrimage paths taken by the group, using Peter Dawkins’
graphic superimposed to test accuracy.

The central feature of a ‘masonic compass’ was discovered through sacred geometry by Peter and represents a philosophical knowledge of how the constellation of Cygnus points to significant points of the star map on a sacred landscape. On this map, the bifurcation points to the Tottiford Reservoir researched when in a severe drought and found to reveal stone rows and circles of a complex ritual landscape. This is in the sign of Leo, a sign, says Anthony, that the landscape ‘imaginal space’ of sacred significance like a star map, is drawing in human intent which marks the starting point of a living relationship between man and the sacred in Nature. We began our journeys at this point, synchronistically, at Marden Stone Circle where we danced and sang.

At the fulcrum of the ‘compass’ is Kings Tor, symbol of sovereignty
and ‘lawful’ authority in the landscape – a ‘turning point’ perhaps for earth energy?

Kings Tor, in the area of Cygnus in the star map.
In 2014 Pilgrims celebrated a Llamas Loaf picnic together and wrote
and recited our own poetry to the landscape in gratitude.

Kings Tor Bard, Lammas Loaf and group poem, Dartmoor 2014

Sleeping giants surrounded by rocks
scattered by a past awakening,
Yellow bright flower summons the bee.
Still, as eternal love olds our fleeting minds,
Rocky summit reflects the singing swan.
Wild horses are free.
I sit and watch the changes,
And offer silence carved by the zephyr of my love.

The Milky Way path in Dartmoor, sacred symbol of transformation, is a ‘work in progress for pilgrims, as we return to a heart-felt relationship with the spirit of place:

‘Walking the Heavens on Earth’ – a guide map to pilgrims
drawn by Helen Loxton, (based on Anthony Thorley’s talk on the Alchemical Traditions), which explains the significance of the ‘Milky Way’ in the landscape zodiac to a modern pilgrim. To the right are
marked the features on the moor fitting the definition to the
place-names such as ‘Lower White Tor, and ‘White Horse Hill’ etc.

Text on the map: “The Milky Way is where souls were thought to go at death. The journey of Birth, Life, Death and Re-birth can be symbolized by ascending the left pillar at death, passing through the cross-over point or ‘star gate’, symbolized by the saltire cross (X), journeying along the Milky Way as a soul, the re-incarnating through the cross-over point, down the right pillar, through life’s experiences again, and thus around the wheel of Life, Death and Re-birth.”

“The idea is to ‘sound’ the line to make it resonate, to play the Bardic Harp of the Soul’, through singing, chanting, the sounding of the OM etc. We also listen to the voices of the landscape, the Angelic Beings as we listen and sound.” [HL]

At the bottom of the map we find Ugborough Beacon/Western Beacon (we hypothesise being on Scorpio/Sagittarius cusp), and the starting point of Butterdon Stone Row stretching across the zodiac aiming for the White-named hills and Belstone Tor (on the Taurus/Gemini cusp). Both these points have had one or more pilgrimages over the years, and to my mind fully embody the ‘Aquarian’ wisdom in their collaborative leadership and inspiration.

From South Devon: exploring leadership skills to plan annual programme of pilgrimages at the end of the year, we used the following guidelines:

1. Use the above group linking meditation.
2. Discuss what events have been run and insights or lessons that it has brought.
3. Offer new suggestions for places in the landscapes with which you are familiar, and write them down.
4. Make an attunement, offering the suggestions for consideration.
5. Make a rough outline of feasible monthly or other dates.
6. Select each potential event and discuss which part of the year your group feels appropriate. Discuss who is facilitator, and other practical considerations.
7. Close with a thanksgiving to the Gatekeeper/over-lighting inspiration for the programme. Blow out the candle.
8. Be flexible if weather and attendance necessitates cancellation or variation in the plans. Circulate the list of events, and reminders at regular intervals to all committed members.
9. Share a lovely meal together.

Pilgrims in Dartmoor – creating circle dance and poetry.

BARDIC WALK ON HAYTOR 2012

The circle receives around us
The blissful softness of rock.
Space speaks invisible words of knowing:
“Oneness with all life,
Go with the flow, take the path
Of least resistance.
Light is air,
Walking hand in hand with the wind -
“Worries evaporating to infinity.”

Pilgrimage dance on Taytor, Dartmoor - 2011:

A mystery tour of creative glory:
Soft cumulous clouds drift above gigantic granite outcrops,
I grew up on your heartland.
Space is freedom, and
This forever land in forever time I honour.
Gently the feminine embraces even the hardest stone,
The stone lion unmoving since time began, crouches without intent.
Haytor from the back: feminine power and beauty,
Dark shadows melt across the shifting landscape.
Journey’s end: a vast wooded valley.
“Be calm. Be still. Honour Me”.

Contributors and editing: Charlotte Yonge, and pilgrims 2022.