I enjoyed the Brigid Imbolc ceremony at Butser Ancient Farm. I too am a Pompey native, that took flight at the first opportunity and moved to Brighton where I settled. Shuttling still between the two landscapes. Brighton turned out to hold many of my ancestors bones as does Portsmouth so I feel native to both places. The Downs and the sea connecting both. The Meon Valley is a special place. Ive stood in the centre of the Iron Age Celtic Roman shrine to the horse goddess Epona, close to a bend in the Meon, with Old Winchester hill rising in the back ground. The archeological dig was incredible, and finds from the temple complex are on display in the British museum. The Meon flows close to the route if the dragon lines of the Spine of Albion, which Ive dowsed section of. Powerful energy spots crossing sacred buildings such as Titchfield Abbey (where I was locked in whilst tracking it and had to call the fired brigade!) and the monastery and palace at Bishops Waltham.
The ash die back is terrible along with the Elm disease slowly decimating the national elm collection of Hove.
For me the tree of life is the yew, not the ash, and having held a powerful six hour ceremony at Samhein under a full moon back in 2018, in the magical yew grove on the Downs, know that the tree needs 'feeding'. The yews Old Winchester Hill are incredible too.
Heartfelt anchor of place and belonging to the Downs and the story of Brigid taking her place alongside the pre Christian mythology was really helpful to reflect on.
I enjoyed the Brigid Imbolc ceremony at Butser Ancient Farm. I too am a Pompey native, that took flight at the first opportunity and moved to Brighton where I settled. Shuttling still between the two landscapes. Brighton turned out to hold many of my ancestors bones as does Portsmouth so I feel native to both places. The Downs and the sea connecting both. The Meon Valley is a special place. Ive stood in the centre of the Iron Age Celtic Roman shrine to the horse goddess Epona, close to a bend in the Meon, with Old Winchester hill rising in the back ground. The archeological dig was incredible, and finds from the temple complex are on display in the British museum. The Meon flows close to the route if the dragon lines of the Spine of Albion, which Ive dowsed section of. Powerful energy spots crossing sacred buildings such as Titchfield Abbey (where I was locked in whilst tracking it and had to call the fired brigade!) and the monastery and palace at Bishops Waltham.
The ash die back is terrible along with the Elm disease slowly decimating the national elm collection of Hove.
For me the tree of life is the yew, not the ash, and having held a powerful six hour ceremony at Samhein under a full moon back in 2018, in the magical yew grove on the Downs, know that the tree needs 'feeding'. The yews Old Winchester Hill are incredible too.
Wonderful, thank you for sharing and indeed the key tree in the text is the Yew along with the ash.
Heartfelt anchor of place and belonging to the Downs and the story of Brigid taking her place alongside the pre Christian mythology was really helpful to reflect on.
Thank you Janet, we live in a wonderful area xx