The Power of Pilgrimage

I have been watching a documentary on BBC 2...we are very fortunate to have some really good programmes on our UK television uninterrupted by advertisements....in a three part series entitled 'Pilgrimage to Rome '. Eight celebrities of varying faiths or no faith at all were followed through all the ups and downs, both physical and emotional of their journey on foot to Rome. They followed the pilgrim's way which has been used by pilgrims for many hundreds of years. It starts at Canterbury but these modern day pilgrims began their journey in Switzerland.

Watching this, and the dialogue as the pilgrims walked, prompted my own thoughts about faith. One said 'I don't know what I believe' and another...a non practising Jew, 'I don't know what I am supposed to believe.' So I looked up what I wrote about pilgrimages in the book 'Walking with White Eagle in Sacred Places'. I wrote about how White Eagle encourages us all to go on inner pilgrimages, especially if our health or circumstances prevent physical walking. I explained, 'A pilgrimage is not a holiday; it is a rite of passage during which significant inner transformation takes place. After the pilgrimage your eyes are opened. You see the world differently.'

That was so true for every one of the eight pilgrims to Rome, former believers and non-believers alike. Their journey culminated in a private audience with Pope Francis. By that point they were all open to his loving non-judgemental welcome and blessing. Even those unsure of any spiritual belief at all were touched and changed and I remembered my mum (Joan Hodgson) saying to me when I was quite young, 'Faith is caught, not taught.'

This was truly demonstrated by the way our amazingly inspiring present-day Pope Francis encouraged every one of the eight pilgrims to look at their lives in a new light.

The Wonderful World of Bees

I had not realised when I visited Kew Gardens that the following Saturday (20th May) had been designated World Bee Day. 

I had heard about 'The Hive at Kew' - the iconic new installation bringing to life the world of bees - but I had no idea just how amazing it would be to actually experience. The Hive is seventeen metres high and is truly an example of modern day creativity and inspiration. The structure is the work of artist Wolfgang Buttress, who was inspired by the pioneering work of Dr Martin Bencsik of Nottingham Trent University, who has developed technology to monitor the health of beehives. 

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Kew, try to go to the Hive at as quiet a time as you can! It truly is a place where one can experience an extraordinary meditation, a time of being 'in the heart of the great AUM'. (The way the Hive has been constructed, linked to a living bee colony, means that when you are inside, you hear the actual sound of bees humming, but amplified in a way wich gives an intense experience - like being within the heart of our Earth Mother, was my feeling). But then there is also the upper area, filled with light, and more amazing sound, bringing the feeling of soaring into sunny heights on wings of light, and oneness with not only the great family of bees, but all insects, all creation. (Outside, the Hive is surrounded by wild flowers, chosen to encourage all pollinators.) The sound instillation is the work of Dr Bensik, and as well as the natural bee sounds, he has added more sound, all in the key of C, the key that bees buzz in.

In the challenging world in which we are now living, I find it encouraging to experience yet another example of the awakening consciousness of so many people to the interconnectedness of all creation (which is amazingly demonstrated in the life of bees), and the extraordinary achievements of our modern day scientists and researchers. 

We are concentrating specially on this very aspect of healing in our Earth Healing Focus for this term. The special words for our Earth Healers are: 

'We hold in the Christ Light all those who have the ability, knowledge and wisdom to aid in the healing of Mother Earth.

We hold in the Christ light inventors, innovators and those who support them.

We focus especially on children and young people and see them, with all humanity, continuing to develop an awareness of the need to care for and protect Mother Earth as she evolves through her own karmic journey.'

Our children are our future, and it is exciting to see the way in which children are now being educated in so many inventive ways (including all the work at Kew Gardens) about the wonderful world of nature and that we are part of it and responsible for its wellbeing.

Angel of the North

I recently had the joy of re-visiting ‘The Angel of the North’ 

which is in a prominent site just off the main A1 road near Gateshead in the north of England. It is regularly viewed by thousands of motorists passing by, and many journeying there specially.* 

On this visit I was struck again by the power of the iconic figure and the inspiration it can bring, both collectively and individually. This inspiration can encourage a feeling of the innate goodness in human beings as well as the angelic power to help this arise (no matter the challenge) and stand firm in the face of so called evil. (‘By chance’ I visited soon after the tragic bombings in Sri Lanka.)

I had time to read carefully the noticeboard on the pathway up towards the Angel. The part which touched a particular chord within me is this: Why an Angel? No-one has ever seen one and we need to keep imagining them!

The angel of the North has three functions: (I have précised what was written).

1.  Historic – to remind us of the miners who worked in the dark below this area for over two hundred years.

2.  Transformation – to take hold of the future with courage, as we embrace the transition from the industrial age to the information age.

3.  Hope – a focus for our hopes for the future rather than on our fears.

Do visit if you can—I truly believe this very site is powerful in our Earth Healing work.

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* Angel Facts

The Angel is seen by an estimated 90,000 people every day and 33 million annually.

It stands 20 metres high with a wingspan of 54 metres, almost the width of a

jumbo jet!

The Triumph of Love

I hope that you had a glorious Easter full of sunshine outwardly and of inner happiness.

Last year I was in the beautiful country of Guatemala at Easter time. I had the joy of witnessing a glorious Easter procession through the little narrow cobbled streets of the town where I was staying. Although the main focus of the procession was the carrying of a large statue of Jesus on the cross and another tableaux of Mary weeping, actually the mood of the whole occasion was one of joyous celebration! `Santa Semana` - Holy Week - is one of the most important festivals of the year in most Spanish speaking Catholic countries, and everyone is in party mood. 

Our Easter time in the UK has become a little like that too - no processions through the streets, but holidaying families and children enjoying all the fun of Easter egg hunts and chocolate treats. Has everyone forgotten the spiritual meaning of Easter time, one may wonder? Well, yes, for many I believe that is so outwardly, but what really matters, I think, is the way it has now become a festival of joy, not sorrow. Families come together for happy times, and the giving of Easter eggs has become a way of showing love not only for the younger members of our family, but also older ones too! 

This links in with some inspiring words of White Eagle`s which are printed in this month`s issue of our magazine, Stella Polaris. White Eagle reminds us: `Easter is not just about triumph of life over death, but more about the triumph of spirit over matter; of spiritual principles over earthly ones. The Easter story is about the triumph of love...Jesus demonstrated the triumph of humility over arrogance, of love over fear and hatred;  of acceptance over resistance; of surrender to God`s will rather than insistence of his own; of forgiveness over resentment.`

In a magical and subtle way, I think these transformational qualities can shine through the present day material trappings of Easter and bring `resurrection`, new life, new ways of looking at things to many minds and hearts.

The Winds of Change

A favourite present I received at the beginning of this year is a little 'chest of treasures'! What are these treasures, you may wonder? They are sayings entitled 'Wisdom of the East' - one for every day of the year.

Along with my White Eagle sayings for the week, which always inspire me for the days ahead, I now look forward every morning to opening my 'treasure chest' and finding a wise saying from an Eastern philosopher, all so closely aligned to White Eagle`s teaching, for he brings us the wisdom of both East and West, and has had incarnations in many different cultures. 

The saying which particiularly inspired me at the beginning of April is this Chinese proverb: 'When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.'

I love this image of windmills and the vision it brings of embracing change and using it for good. Thinking about this, I turned to the lovely book of White Eagle`s teaching, Earth Healer, with its glorious photographs, which bring inspiration themselves. On page71, White Eagle says, 'Now there is a particularly powerful wind sweeping over the globe. It is as though a beautiful fresh wind is blowing through the earth, and it is the work of all to think goodness, and to trust God and God`s laws - which are just, perfect and true. Be at peace, but do your best by thinking constructively, and remember always that most valuable lessons are beeing learned.'

So let's build windmills together, not walls!