I Surprise Myself

[poliphilo]

Yesterday morning we were in Glastonbury.



Glastonbury is one of the two places I think of as "home".

I climbed the Tor as I always do. Dion Fortune says the air at the top is full of sparkles- and I can't think of a better way of putting it. On this occasion it made me feel very heavy and earthbound. I addressed myself to the genius locii and said, "Guidance would be nice".



I came back down and rejoined Ailz and Ruth in the town- and then I surprised myself. We went down a wynd- and there was a shop there called The Witchcraft Experience or something of the sort- and I insisted we went in- and first I bought a pendant in the shape of a viulva- which I wore for the rest of the day- and then an amber ring for Ailz and a pentacle ring for myself.



Will I wear this to church on Sunday?

But of course.

Because Jesus is not enough. He's the god of the public temple I can get to most easily- so convenience comes into it- but I have to say I've never really loved him. Tipharetic Sun Gods aren't particularly lovable. They're too bright and shiny. Did anyone ever love- as opposed to adore- Apollo?  I need other Gods in my life.

Especially I need Her.

They have a Temple of the Goddess in a yard in Glastonbury. You go up wooden steps into an upper room. You take off your shoes- as if it were a mosque- and leave them by the door. There was a woman at the back arranging flowers. The shrine is Hindu or Catholic in its over-the-topness, with incense and taped music and lots and lots of images. The central image is a terracotta statue of Herself as Crone in a cloaked hood carrying Her staff. I could look at images of Jesus all day and feel nothing in particular- except admiration for the artistry- but show me any image of Her....

I lit a couple of candles- and promised I'd rebuild our temple at home- in some form or other.

Comments

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

Correct me if I am wrong. Isn't Glastonbury a formerly pagan site that was "baptized" by an order of Christian monks, then returned to its former state in modern times? If not, do you know the true history, and would you be willing to enlighten me?
I think you know from some of my previous posts that I recognize "magical" places, and like you, I experience very emotional moments in some of these places. I can feel the spirits surrounding the areas of which I speak.
By the way, as always, these are wonderful pictures. What kind of camera do you use? I am planning to buy a new one that will do more than the present one, and I am asking this question of many friends whose pictures I admire.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The camera is a Nikon Coolpix- nothing very special. I like how handy it is- that I can wear it at my belt.

Actually I have two cameras. The other is a Kodak EasyShare. I think the Kodak has a better flash.

Glastonbury's "true history" is uncertain. It may have been a prehistoric holy island- but there's nothing in the archaeology to bear this out. There are many myths and legends- but most of them are of modern origin.

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

I, too, have a Kodak Easy Share. However, I have a more powerful - and more compact camera that is put out by HP. What I am looking for is a camera that will let me get clear closeups without me standing right on top of the subjects - so that when I go to the zoo I can get good shots of the animals in their habitats, for example.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

What you want is a powerful telephoto lens- or more precisely a camera body to which you can attach such a lens.