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| Illustration © Paul Atlas-Saunders |
The
Winter Wild Wood Mystery
A Meditation for Alban Arthan
by Alex Langstone
Illustrations by Paul Atlas-Saunders
This meditational piece was first published
in 'The Lighthouse' Vol. 2, No. 1, Winter 1999 - 2000. It was partly inspired by a vision of the Green Man in Tehidy
Woods, Cornwall, UK during the winter of 1999.
All
is in darkness.
Gradually you see stars shining, glowing
intensely in the night sky. As you become aware of your surroundings you realise that you are standing in a meadow. A heavy
frost shimmers upon the ground, illuminated by the faint starlight and a slender crescent moon.
You notice that you are standing by a wooden gate, and on the other side of the gate is an ancient
trackway leading to a vast woodland. You open the gate and begin your journey on the path. Your footfalls crunch upon the
frosted landscape and your breath vapourises on the still night air. In the distance movement catches your eye. Your heart
quickens and you increase your step. Something stirs in the approaching woodland.
Before you enter the forest you notice that dawn is breaking towards the eastern horizon. The
sky is clear and soon the sun will be reborn at this sacred time, and the light of Arthur will shine across the land once
again. For this is a time of beginnings and completion, death and rebirth; the sun dies and is reborn as the Child of promise.
The Sun's journey is about to begin once more as it has
since the dawn of time, for in the depths of winter's darkness stirs new life, and the Oak king stirs in readiness for
the waxing sun.
You now enter the winter wild wood,
and again you see movement up ahead. Then at once as the Solstice Sun rises over the distant hills you enter a clearing. A
huge stag greets you, his antlers rise up and he looks at you. Look into his eyes, for he is the guardian of the forest and
the sacred totem of Cernunnos, of Herne, of Gwyn ap Nudd - He who leads the legendary Wild Hunt at the winter solstice; hunting
out the light from the darkness, seeking out our future dreams and aspirations from the hidden depths of our souls.
As you watch him, he turns away and walks deeper into the magic
forest. You feel compelled to follow him, for now is the time to use the light of the returning sun to aid us in our continuing
quest. Follow the Stag-headed-one, keeper of the mysteries of the winter wild wood.
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| Illustration © Paul Atlas-Saunders |
As you walk onwards you notice that the trees are
getting bigger. Mighty oaks are now in abundance, their twisted branches look like ancient hands reaching out to welcome and
guide you, for you are about to enter the sacred grove of the Horned God. He awaits you, and should you require his assistance
and guidance, then ask for it now. Call out to him and he will answer. Spend some time in communion with the protective power
of nature.
Whatever is happening now, look around
you, notice that you are still in the forest but the Horned God has gone and shafts of pale winter sunlight pierce through
the bare branches of the trees. You now retrace your steps, walking away from the clearing and towards the forest edge. As
you leave the clearing you notice the bright red berries of the holly, which add life and colour to the woodland. You follow
the path and shortly you see the mighty oaks again and you note the most sacred of all winter plants growing high up in their
branches: the Mistletoe, it's gleaming white berries shining and silken, symbolic of the seed of life!
Shortly the woodland changes and you enter a Birch grove. The slender
silver graceful trees form a perfect circle. You walk around the edge of the circular clearing. A Wren greets you by flitting
from tree to tree. The sylvan trunks glisten in the watery sunlight. A small bubbling brook winds its way along the outer
edge of the clearing. You listen to the sound of the water running over the rounded pebbles, which glow like jewels in the
morning light. Take a drink from the stream. Feel the cold water refresh and cleanse you in readiness for your continued journey
home.
Soon you reach the edge of the wild wood and
as you leave by the old wooden gate, a Robin darts across your path from the old Yew by the gate. His sweet song greets you,
the sacred song of winter. Remember what you have learned and take inspiration from what you have experienced and as you look
around the landscape fades away.
All is in darkness.
For further information, please see the following websites:
www.alexlangstone.co.uk
www.atlas-art.blogspot.com
About the Author: Poet Alex Langstone is head of the Druid Grove of Bega, a pantheistic anglo-celtic
grove offering rites
of passage for one and all. The Grove has an active online presence,
offering meditations, poetry, ritual and other related articles. www.alexlangstone.co.uk
About the Illustrator: Artist Paul Atlas-Saunders is resident artist and joint founder of
the Druid Grove of Bega. His art is inspired by the sacred places in the landscape, he is available for commissions and
can be contacted through his website www.atlas-art.blogspot.com
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