Danu's Cauldron: Wisewoman's Ways, and Wild Fey Magic

Living in a sacred landscape, walking between the worlds in the veil of Avalon Glastonbury. Where the old gods roam the hills, and the sidhe dance beneath the moon...wander into the mists with me and let us see what we may find...

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Avalloc and the autumn orchards of Avalon.

This year astrologically the autumn Equinox falls upon the 23rd of September, bringing with it longer nights and the gradual shift towards winter. Leaves fall, berries and nuts come to fruition and here in Avalon it is apple time. The name Avalon, the British otherworld, often geographically said to be here in Glastonbury in the Somerset levels, comes from the word for apple, which in the Celtic tradition symbolises the wholeness and healing of the soul, the sensual delight of being alive, of the human lived experience, without shame or sorrow. It is said to be a place where nine priestesses dwell, attending to a great otherworldly cauldron, symbolising the goddess of the land, who goes by many names, yet there is also a god of Avalon, Avalloc who is its guardian and keeper, father of the famous enchantress Morgan le Fay.

Avalloc is a mysterious figure with only a few mentions in the traditional literature, but a walk in the misty damp orchards of Avalon, on a September morning have much to teach about his nature. Gentle, elusive, a little wistful, I see him often as the orchard keeper of the soul; round apple face wrinkling with kindness and wisdom, sun tanned and weather beaten and full of juice, an irrepressible vitality and sense of wellness, an unassuming delight in being fully and physically here. The mythology and folklore of apples is endless across the globe, but always it brings life and sensual presence, even in the Christian mythology where it brings sin or the knowledge of good and evil, the apple leads us on to the next stage of our soul’s development and growth. It reminds us of our potential as well as the lesson of becoming at peace with what we already are.

This equinox, I invite you to spend a little time seeking presence with Avalloc. Seek him in your inner vision, sitting among the trees in the great apple orchards of the otherworld, which is found in the Celtic tradition, deep within us. Take a seat upon the damp grass beside him, and smell the cidery scent of ripe apples and falling leaves and woodsmoke upon the air, and feel the year turning. He sits with you, quietly and ageless, and hands you an apple. Hold it in your hands, feel its skin, the firm fruit within. How is your souls wholeness this year? Feel its texture, smell its perfume? Sense its health and goodness. What will you choose to do with this gift of awareness, this glimpse of the soul from the otherworld? Do you hunger for it? Or will you store it for when you are in need? or plant its seeds for a better harvest next year?

Like the leaves- let the past go gently, and like the seeds- find good soil for your life to take root in, and trust while there will be winter, there will also be spring, and growth again in the year ahead. But like the fruit- know also you are always whole, and delight in the knowledge that here and now, no matter the  weather, you are already all you need to be.

©danuforest 2020 

www.danuforest.co.uk courses, readings, consultations- including online, books and articles.

 

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Danu Forest is a wisewoman in the Celtic Bean Feasa tradition of her Irish ancestors. You could call her many things- witch, seer, walker between the worlds, healer, druid, priestess, teacher, writer, gardener, herbwife, stargazer, faery friend, tree planter, poet, and wild woman. Danu lives in a cottage near Glastonbury Tor in the midst of the Avalon lakes, in the southwest of England. Exploring the Celtic mysteries for over 25 years, and noted for her quality research, practical experience, as well as her deep love of the land, Danu writes for numerous national and international magazines and is the author of several books including Wild Magic, The Druid Shaman, Celtic Tree Magic, Gwyn ap Nudd and The Magical Year'. She teaches regular workshops and online courses and is available for consultations, including healings readings and other ceremonies.

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