GODDESS IN KERNOW 2009

by Rachel Mica McCann

CALLING US IN

On my first visit to the Goddess in Cornwall, I had hoped to experience the wildness of Cornwall and wasn’t disappointed, as I was welcomed by the wind and rain, swirling around West Penwith and letting me know I had arrived! My next welcome was warmer. The friendliness, care and attention to detail from the Priestesses of Kernow group, who hosted us, was evident from the start - I was met from the bus stop, given help to put up my tent in the rain and hugged as if I was an old friend. Cheryl, Lana and all the team had created a space that was both visibly and emotionally beautiful. A place where we could share our gifts and vulnerabilities, where friendships were formed, where love and laughter were present and where our Goddess sisterhood was alive and well! We had been called together, in this time and this place to celebrate and share in a magical experience.

Boswedden House is an ideal venue. The gentle encircling grounds, nourishing food and comfortable rooms complemented the rugged and beautiful Cornish landscape. We could see the sea and Cape Cornwall is a few minutes walk away. We talked in the group of the mixed feelings this landscape brought in us – an appreciation of her incredible beauty, a respect for her power, a sense of oneness with nature and a feeling of stark, stripped back emotional nakedness. Perhaps the land was our guide, showing us our own fears and feelings and giving us what we each needed over the next few days.

Women arrived throughout the day and a sense of excitement and anticipation buzzed amongst us. On our first night we gathered together in the light, spacious meditation room which was decorated wonderfully with Sue’s original artwork and elemental Goddess altars. After our introductions to one another and the programme, we were invited to share in a ceremony of welcome, led by the Priestesses of Kernow. We gathered in circle around the fire-pit as the Priestesses, dressed in the colours of the elements, called in Goddess and the energy of earth, air, fire and water to be with us during ceremony and throughout the week. Hearing the language of Kernow spoken for the first time, and in such a sacred setting, powerfully rooted me in the land beneath my feet . As the fire was lit and the wind blew wildly and we were firmly connected to all the elements, as the moon smiled her blessing down upon us.

WALKING WITH WILDNESS

Our first workshop on the Thursday morning was on ‘Walking the Labyrinth’ and was led by Marj and Geraldine, both of whom inspired me with their knowledge, creativity and experience. We learned of the ancient labyrinth symbols discovered in many cultures and countries around the world, and of the mythology, mystery and meaning attached to these. Marj mentioned the red, black and white threads which were associated with the labyrinth to symbolise walking in the three worlds. As she talked, I glanced down to notice a piece of red cotton on my arm, one of many magical moments of Goddess reminding us of her presence.

Once we had been prepared for walking, we went out to the labyrinth in the grounds. Created in the grass and wood, a living, growing labyrinth seemed appropriate for our inner and outer journey. We were invited to lay down and let go of all we needed to we stepped one after the other into our meditative path. I was stuck by the beauty and variety of the women who walked - some barefoot, some in wellies, some skipping playfully, some stepping slowly and serenely. All of us, women aged 23 -73, were on a journey, both collectively and in solitude. I enjoyed releasing my needs to the wind and receiving a lovely surprise Goddess gift at the centre of the circle. I felt I travelled out much lighter and with a sense of freedom. Although I took a rest in the afternoon, I know that other women continued to reflect on their labyrinthine walk through creativity and meditation.

After another warm and hearty meal, in our evening workshop, we were invited to discover the ‘Wild Woman’ within, through voice, movement and song. Val creatively guided us to explore and express with the voice of our inner Wild Goddess. We turned to each altar and allowed the elements within and around us to resonate in our souls and to rise up through our bodies, in sounds and shapes. Our wild alchemy sounded both primal and powerful. Val led us in some chants and movement and I found this a liberating workshop, feeling one with Mother Earth and all her creatures.

LAND AND LEARNING

A bright sunny day greeted us on Friday when Cheryl and Lana led us in an excellent, informative and inspiring session on the ‘Goddess in the Land’. It felt a real privilege to listen and learn form their experiences and knowledge of ancient sites and Goddess landscapes. We were shown slides of archaeological discoveries of Goddess sculptures and it seemed a tangible testimony to the love of Goddess, powerfully present in Bridget’s Isles for thousands of years. As we gathered together to listen and learn, I felt a real connection to the many people who had honoured Goddess before us. We also learned of the seasonal and festive Goddesses associated with the land of Cornwall and shared something of the rituals and groups we were involved with locally in our own regions.

In the afternoon we set off on our pilgrimage to Men an Tol, a Bronze Age monument in the nearby landscape. We walked in silence to the site, along a short rocky path surrounded by the vibrant and vivid yellows and purples of gorse and heather. Each of us was in our own thoughts, preparing for our ritual of rebirth and healing.

As we stood in a circle and sang chants around the stones, our ancestor sisters were present - adding their voices to ours as we remembered them. The central stone is circular with a hole in the middle and each woman that wished to was supported by the others to go through this stone as part of our ceremony and to embrace the rebirth and renewal the stone offers. It felt very healing to be helped and held by other women – perhaps we were midwifing one another through this. After our ritual, some women lay in the sunshine bathing in her healing touch, others did some more healing work together, some hugged and communed with the stones and others simply absorbed the magic and mystery of the moment. I am passionate about sacred sites and standing stones, so visiting the Men an Tol as part of the ‘Goddess in Cornwall’ event was a real privilege. There was a sense of joy and oneness as we walked back from the site together.

In the evening it felt appropriate that after our ceremony of initiation and rebirth, Sheila led us in a workshop on 'Priestessing'. Shelia’s dedication to her role as Priestess of Brighid and Priestess of the Goddess was inspiring. She conveyed a real sense of the sacredness of this path, of the changes and challenges innate in following the truth of one’s calling, and of the dedication and commitment needed to serve with wholehearted integrity. She gave us some excellent handouts and led us in powerful meditation and discussion about the role of the Priestess and the many aspects of this, such as in ritual, service and healing. We were given the opportunity to consider our own spiritual path and gifts and what the role of 'Priestess' may mean to us in our everyday lives. A very valuable workshop for any women interested in exploring this area.

Amongst such a talented group of women who had come together, we were treated to some spontaneous sharing of gifts. Jane, one of the other guests, told us the story of Inanna in the cosy lounge later on that evening. Her skilful and passionate storytelling brought alive the characters and their plight in a way which had me on the edge of my seat!

DOLPHIN DREAMS

On Saturday Delphiris led a morning 'playshop' on Dolphin Therapy and healing. As a reticent and earthy Virgo, I was a little nervous as to what this would involve! However, it turned out to be, for me, one of the most healing and powerful experiences of the week. The meditation room was decorated with beautiful soft blue fabric, shells and sea stones creating a sense of entering the womb of our Mother Ocean. Delphiris guided us to meet our inner dolphin friends and I felt a softening of my heart and a relaxing of my mind as my dolphin led me on an inner journey. We were also given blindfolds and invited to use our other senses to 'swim' and play around the room, connecting with other dolphin women as we went, and we spent time communicating and sharing with a partner using touch and intuition. Delphiris held the space beautifully and gently and many women valued the discoveries made in the workshop.

While most of the group went off to Sennen Cove in the afternoon, myself and a couple of others stayed behind. I was treated to a lovely relaxing massage from Sam, as part of the free therapy treatment each woman was given, and I followed this up this up with a swim in the lovely, warm on-site swimming pool. Most of the women made use of these luxuries during our time together and this reflected a wonderfully balanced programme were we were encouraged listen to our bodies and felt free to opt in or out of workshops and to pamper ourselves! I found times around the workshops were an opportunity to get to know women in a relaxed way.

FIRE WOMEN!

In the evening we were treated to a truly inspirational concert by Julie Felix, renowned folk singer and Goddess lover. In the intimate space of the meditation room around 30 of us gathered to listen to songs of passion and peace, and of justice and joy. Through her music and smile our Priestess of sound encouraged us to move freely, to sing wildly and to listen reverently. It was a magical atmosphere and fantastic to be amongst women joining in songs celebrating Goddess and all women. The creative flames danced around the room and we danced with them!

After this a powerful fire ceremony was skilfully and enthusiastically facilitated by Nikki and Zoe and some of us had been invited to embody the different fire Goddesses and to learn and speak about theri particular qualities. We each created a symbolic headdress to be worn in ceremony. It felt an honour to be part of this ritual with the other women.

We created a circle outside, with the Fire Goddesses facing outwards and the rest of the women facing inwards in an outer circle. Before the ceremony started, as our circle was forming, I was sure I 'saw' a wild horse run across our field,  a reminder from Rhiannon!?. Each fire Goddess gave us words of wisdom and a symbolic gift as we honoured them. The ceremony moved around the a big bonfire as we celebrated our inner fire and gave thanks.

Our ritual was followed by fire dancing from Nikki and Zoe. Two beautiful women spinning and circling with the golden flames of fire poi under the thick dark sky. This was a mesmeric and enchanting sight and seemed a fitting close to our evening.

WIDENING THE WEB

On Sunday, our last day, we were invited to a closing ritual led by the Priestesses of Kernow. It was lovely to be led in ceremony by the women we had got to know over the few days, and others who joined us for the morning. Some of the women embodied maiden, lover, mother and crone. Each woman shared words of inspiration and offered us gifts to take away to remember them. I was particularly moved by Grandmother Crone moving amongst us in her dark robe and the two spiders who wandered across my hand and along the wood beside the fire, perhaps felt the same! It was profound to be reminded of aspects of Goddess and all women. It was also very beautiful to see three generations of women from one family celebrating the Goddess and guiding us through our ritual together. We all joined together in passing around the cup of mead and locally made bread as Julie gently lulled and led us in singing. As our time together drew to a close and the web widened, we danced a farewell embrace, prepared for the journey ahead.

It was hard to say goodbye to such a wonderful group of women. We had lived as a small and creative community for a few days, sharing times of laughter over meals, healing in ritual, and we had each told something of our stories. We had been called together in this magical, elemental and powerful time and place. As the web widened and it was time to travel home, I felt very blessed to have made some real new friendships, to have learned so and to have shared such an nourishing experience .

There were many wonderful moments from our time in Cornwall, I have mentioned just some of my personal experiences and I am sure all the women present would have much to tell and be thankful for. For me these experiences are continuing to inspire me in my daily life. Our time together is perhaps not done justice with words - I would simply encourage all women to come along and experience for themselves a wonderful few days of Goddess eternally weaving her web amongst us.

See you next year!

Rachel Mica McCann
Priestess of Brighid

Content: © Goddess in Cornwall, 2006-9