E13

Earth Temple

Wednesday 28th September 1994 (approx 10:10pm)

Earth Temple Air Temple Water Temple Fire Temple

Rob: It seems to be late morning. The air is clear, fresh and vibrant.

Barry: The leaves are going golden and red. There is an expectancy in the air. The Green Man's eyes sparkle.

Rob: I turn to the maypole and take down the wolf mask, then put it on. The wolf is a pack animal, but there also exists the lone wolf who takes its' own direction. It lives by its' wits in a sometimes hostile environment. It is not governed by others.

Barry: I put on the kestrel mask. I can see the kestrel perched on the East Stone. It is also solitary and survives by its wits, being far-sighted. He has fed well over the summer, and must now build up its strength for the winter, as are other animals.

I can see the wolf, lean and hungry, treading long distances through the snow, and the boar searching for roots buried in the snow.

Rob: The wolf howls to make homage to the Moon Goddess.

Barry: The kestrel can see how the land changes under the Moon's light. What is true in the day is different under moonlight. They are subtle differences.

Rob: The wolf is aware of the subtle energies of moonlight.

I leave the circle and head for the woods as a wolf.

Barry: I am sweeping over the forest.

Rob: The wolf is going to the barrow.

Barry: Lines of energy radiate around the barrow.

Rob: It is a place of darkness, a symbol of the Shadow.

Barry: It appears to me as a cave or hole under the roots of a gnarled old tree. A hidden dark entrance beckons.

Rob: The wolf enters the darkness and makes contact with within.

Darkness is the home of fear, fear is intangible.

Barry: I enter the root cave. I can smell the dark smells of earth. It creaks and groans, and feels constricting. Our shadows are different but similar.

Rob: The atmosphere is brooding - hates long nurtured, fears buried, embarrassments forgotten.

The Giant is in the barrow. He is afraid of the wolf. Fear is powerful, yet has no power. It is illusionary.

Barry: The cave is dark and symbolises the shadow. The roots of the tree go down and feed off darkness. The tree was young and healthy; it is now old and diseased. It could be strong and healthy again, but light needs to be brought to the cave. The first obstacle is that the constricting nature protects itself with sharp thorns.

Rob: Any light brought into this barrow would be quickly extinguished.

Barry: My first barrier is inertia - constriction.

Rob: Self-hatred and loathing. Despising myself for events long past.

Barry: The first layer to mine is heavy constriction, fear. The wolf would be held back, but the kestrel is small enough to pass through. Things pass through your fingers. I see myself as a young boy staring into a shop window. I see a toy that will be a present. I feel guilt towards other things. Guilt and fear pull me down as does selfishness.

Rob: I/the wolf can hear pipes being played nearby. The barrow atmosphere has changed. The constriction is suddenly gone. One important thing, the giant was afraid of the wolf, fear is banished when faced.

The wolf leaves the barrow, the pipes are stronger now. I can see the notes, feel the music, and I'm drawn towards it.

Barry: The kestrel is small enough to enter the space beneath the tree. I can see the energy lines which draws the traveller, they stretch back to the stone circle. The moon is very bright, it invigorates the tree.

Rob: The wolf is drawn to the circle. There is a horned figure near the maypole, it is playing the pipes.

Barry: I can see the figure, and I can see the music as lines of energy calling me back to the circle.

Rob: I feel free, light and strong, because of the music.

Barry: The kestrel lands on the East stone. I do the kestrel dance. Pan is playing. I dance in step to the tune. The music stops and I replace the kestrel mask on the maypole. Pan is smiling.

Rob: .....beyond words....no longer a body - energy spirit - glowing, feel so powerful - no action of any kind - don't think music is going to stop.... I take the wolf mask off and replace it.