It's been quite a week for parts of the Western World, hasn't it? and not one I have relished. Polarised opinions, anger and anxiety and that feeling - as I look into the future - of wondering what exactly will happen next?
When the pressures of the world weigh heavily on my shoulders, I turn to the natural world, and so it was today; I turned my back on the whole gamut of social media and the world of so many words which seem to ricochet around and sting right now, and took off - with my camera - to one of the places which truly does restore my soul.
The ancient ceremonial pathways and stone circle of Avebury henge have received humans for thousands of years - all seeking their own spiritual restoration and affirmation in one way or another. Today I walked those paths of the ancestors and they received me - on a dark, drizzling day with few other people around.
The stones were massive, lowering and grey - quite different to walking with them on a sunny summer's day - but they were good company. They just stood and listened - and I was restored, ready to face forward again, towards February 1st and Imbolc, the first festival of the Celtic year, a celebration of the first hopeful signs of spring.
Bring on the milk and fire of Brigid - the stones have got my back!
Exquisite decoration on a clay beaker - which may have been made like this....
In life...the tools used by Neolithic housekeepers
In death - fragmented bone cremains in a decorated urn
3000 years between them - two foci of spiritual sustenance - the Stone Circle and the Church
Facing forward towards Springtime - the lovely volunteers of the National Trust, grubbing out blighted Box Balls in preparation for the Mid-February re-opening of Avebury Manor. Doesn't that lovely smile cheer up the dreariest day?
What a grey day it looks, but a wonderful sense of continuity.
3000 years of history, puts all the upheavals we are facing into context!
Glad you felt re-energised. Cilla
Posted by: Weaversjournal | Monday, January 30, 2017 at 21:28
A lovely peaceful break, Roz, thank you.
Sheila
Posted by: Sheila | Monday, January 30, 2017 at 22:38
I've been to Avebury, but in summer sunshine. How different it looks that dark day! But I agree, that man's wonderful smile lights it all up.
Posted by: Diana Birchall | Wednesday, February 01, 2017 at 11:49