Oaklight

To anyone who sits and listens intently with his or her very soul, no matter where in the world he or she might be, he or she hears the call deep inside leading him or her to those ancient magical places. These special sacred spaces, whether known to many, such as Stonehenge, or known to only a guarded few, seem to call forth to those who would tune themselves to nature, and quiet themselves and hear nature’s song. The sacred Earth guides them to these places and gives special blessings to their rites.

These are often great places of healing or places where various elements meet, such as wells streams, valleys and mountains. Even volcanoes have drawn people to worship due to their meldings of Earth and Fire. Though from what I have seen water seems to have the greater pull, in my humble opinion, due to the great healing, renewing, and refreshing qualities it seems to embody.

When entering into these places the sense of sacredness and immense power seems to fill you to the depths of your being a form of deep awakening of the ancient tribal instincts within us all. It cries out “Be at peace in this Sacred Space!” To those attuned to such places either naturally, or through practice and meditation, these places and their spirits have much to teach and many ancient stories to pass on to future generations.

Many of these sites are shared between cultures and religions. And in this modern day of speedy travel, where even intercontinental travel only takes hours, they are even more reachable. In touring the different sites as you come upon them or make a pilgrimage to the more famous ones, if you are lucky, they will impart unto you some of their wisdom. Whether you receive the wisdom or not you will most likely come away with a deep sense of peace and awe of their ancient power and majesty. The subtle change in the atmosphere at these locations is unmistakable. Once there you will truly know what you have found and come away changed in some subtle way.

Seeking these sites can be a very important step in one’s spiritual development. No matter what religion you are, there are places seen as sacred or holy places. From churches to standing stones, deep wells and springs of inspiration, our world is full of sacred sites once used or still used for sacred rites. Whether we travel thousands of miles to find them or find them right outside our doors, through finding them we are truly finding places of magic and power.

In these places the Spirits of place and time mix and mingle in that special way that calls out to the very soul of the religious and spiritual people. These places touch upon deep levels both spiritually and psychologically. They seem to rejuvenate the spirit and renew the psyche. The beauty and power found at these sites is marvelous on its own. But, when you have the chance to take part in a ritual at these sites the effects are even more substantial and truly seem to come together.

I encourage each and everyone who reads these words to begin the journey to find these sacred spaces. The journey is often as important as the destination and should always be cherished and remembered. Whether you find these places, these sacred spaces miles away or nearby, seek them. Open yourself. Hear the guiding words carried upon the winds. And let your journey begin.

(Originally printed in Touchstone the Journal of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids October 2006)