Saturday 2oth March 2021
It had been on my mind for a little while to go to Castlerigg, feeling the pull of the stones and the call of something deeper. A physical journey and a spiritual journey that I needed to make. I knew I needed to walk barefoot around the stones and offer prayers for those who have departed this life over the last few months, ask for blessings for them from my Ancestors, and send healing to all those in need, including for our our Mother Earth.
When I arrived there were folks milling around, someone was playing guitar, and the atmosphere was light and joyful. A very welcoming relief after the stifled darkness of the winter months. I unpacked the few things that I had brought with me. A candle, my rattle, charcoal discs and incense that I had specially prepared that morning for use during the ritual, and some crystal skulls loaned to me by a very dear friend.
Once I had set up my altar in the sanctuary, I lit my candle and incense, I took off my shoes and socks and walked barefoot on the blessed earth for the first time this year. With my rattle in hand I walked around the outside of the circle. One shake of the rattle for every two steps I took. The rhythm became almost trancelike as I walked, and becoming more and more grounded with each step I took.
I could feel my footsteps like a pulse sounding down into the earth, reaching out to stir and awaken the sleeping dragon beneath.
After three rounds of walking I sat down and plugged me earphones in, wrapped myself in the blanket I had brought with me, because even though the sun was shining there was an icy chill to the breeze, and settled down to listen to a recording of drumming by Sandra Ingerman on my phone.
Almost instantly there appeared in the space surrounding me the hull of a large boat. There were lots of people in the boat and they all seemed to know that it was time for a very important journey.
This was a crossing from the earth plane to that of the realm of the dead. I felt so honoured to be allowed to witness the journey. I had so many emotions in that moment tears began to stream from my eyes. I felt the boat moving and rising, travelling towards the west as we moved through the veil to the otherworld. There are no words to describe just how beautiful it felt to be a companion to those who were crossing over to begin their new journey. Humbled, and in awe of experiencing the gateway open and the souls to be received with love.
Time ceased to exist in that moment as one by one the passengers alighted from the boat. When everyone had left the boat and moved off to their new destination, I felt the boat rise again and made the return journey back to the sanctuary space, in the circle within the circle.
The whole journey lasted about fifteen minutes, but it felt to me like an endless moment, without beginning or end.
What was really nice, was afterwards two lovely ladies enquired as to what I was doing and asked me lots of questions about the ceremony and the ritual items that I had brought with me.
It was an honour to share and I feel so blessed to have witnessed this beautiful ceremony.
©Jade Melany 2021