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Friday, July 2, 2010 the Red and White Dragons Mara Spoke of The Friday, July 2, 2010 Gull in flight, over Anglesey The Red and White Dragons Mara spoke of the magic of dragons at our morning discussion after an excellent breakfast. She told us that dragons were an ancient symbol in Celtic mythology, and in fact, world mythology, throughout Europe and Asia. They represented the earth’s forces. In Britain, ley lines are often called dragon tracks. The white horse of Uffington looks in fact, more like a dragon that a horse. The adjacent hill, called Dragon Hill has a bare spot that was blasted by a dragon’s breath, on which nothing can grow. The Norse recognized dragons in their myth of the Midgard serpent. In India, the Kundalini is seen as two snakes (who are a version of dragon) that form a helix as they rise along our spine – our own internal dragon energy (also, the double helix of DNA). Greeks had two snakes twisting up the caduceus. In Gaelic, the word nathair or nathrach means both snake and dragon. In the movie, Excalibur, John Boorman’s Merlin raises the dragon’s breath with the spine tingling invocation, “Anail Nathrach!” In Avalonian magic, the colors red and white are especially sacred, and show up in mythology in several ways – the red and white streams emanating from Glastonbury Tor, the red and white of the Tudor rose (probably an ancient symbol), and the red and white dragons of the Merlin myth. All of these images are probably much older, with a deeper significance buried in the folklore for us to discover. Red and white are faerie colors – often the beasts of Faerie are white furred with red eyes. Tudor Rose Dragon energy resides in the landscape of Britain, along the ley lines, and even on the hilltops. St. George and St. Michael are often seen slaying the dragon – an image of the ancient powers of the land. Mara told us the tale of the Red and White Dragons of Britain. An ancient British King desired to know where the exact center of Britain was, and his Druids did their geomancy to discover that it was where Oxford is now. There were two dragons plaguing the land, and it was decided to trap them at Oxford. At the direction of Druids, a large pit was dug in Oxford, and a stone chest full of honey mead was placed within, covered by a cloth of silk. This mead attracted the two thirsty dragons who descended for a drink. The trap was sprung and the dragons were magically transformed into pigs – another totemic animal of Britain. They were transported to Dinas Emrys in Wales and once safely trapped underground in the pool, they transformed back into red and white dragons and didn’t trouble anyone until Vortigern tried to build his castle above their prison. But these dragons are probably evidence of even older myths – the solar red dragon and the lunar white dragon, also known as the Red King and White Queen. Alchemically, when you mix the male (red) and female (white) energies of these two magical beings, you get the Magical Childe, the Elixir of Life, the Philosopher’s Stone sought by the Alchemists. They have their celestial counterparts as well – Draco, the red dragon; and Antares, the white dragon. The eternal dance – as above, so below; the stars within the stones. Angelsey Anglesey Every Druid born longs to see the island of Angelsey, which is sacred to the Druids. Today was another dream come true for me. The island is also called Mona or Môn Mam Cymru - Mother of Wales. (Wikepedia) In 60 AD, Roman General Gaius Suetonius Paulinus attacked the island, known to the Druids as Ynys Môn, destroying the shrines and sacred groves, murdering all the inhabitants – the rebellious Druids and their students. I’d heard the legend that fierce Druidesses, dressed in black robes, lined the Anglesey shore tearing at their long hair and shrieking curses at the Roman soldiers, who initially balked at the terrifying scene. They only proceeded when their own officers behind them prodded them with weapons and threatened to kill them if they didn’t cross the waters and destroy the Druids. Those valiant women were the first to be massacred. This happened at the same time of Boudica’s revolt, causing the general to abandon his assault and return to join the Roman armies to subdue Boudica’s army. But those who fought and died in those battles will never be forgotten. The Druidesses of Mona Hear us, all who would trod Upon this sacred isle We have kept holy what The Romans would defile We are the spirits of ancient Stone, tree and well Nine Druid sisters, who Cast a mighty spell Feel the Winds of Mona As it passes o’er the field Know the sacred knowledge That the raven cry does yield Touch the hoary stones That guard our mighty dead Taste the sacred water Where Druid blood was shed. Smb 7/2/10 We crossed the Menai Bridge from the Welsh mainland to Angelsey, the Druid’s Isle of Mona. Menai Bridge Tourist stop We stopped at an unpronounceable place for a break in the journey and a little shopping at the tourist center! Angelsey beach It is not recorded where the Druidesses confronted the Roman Army. But I gathered nine black stones on the Anglesey shore (nine is sacred in Celtic mysticism) to represent those valiant women, as well as some nicely shaped black stones to turn into pendants to wear in their honor. Mona’s Stones Bryn Celli Ddu Chambered Mound Angelsey was a fertile island of grains, a bread basket for the harsher environments of the surrounding area. It was heavily forested, called the “shadowy isle” in ancient times. Mara speculated that Angelsey might have been a Druid college center, a place of healing and oracles. Nemetons – groves of sacred trees were planted – oaks, hazels, hawthorns. British Druids retreated to Angelsey under the pressure of Roman armies. It was a beautiful sanctuary of stream, meadow and forest. After the massacre, the Romans cut the forests down, and the land eroded from deforestation. Rome saw Angelsey as an important crossing point from Britain to their next target – Ireland. As a bastion of resistance to Roman rule, the general sought to annihilate the population on Angelsey. Bryn Celli Ddu was once a part of a much larger complex, and there are remains of other mounds nearby. The name has been translated to 'the mound in the dark grove'. (Wikipedia) Entrance to Bryn Celli Ddu In the middle of the mound is a standing stone – which may have been part of an earlier stone circle. Mara led us on a meditation inside the mound. In this vision journey, I saw this mound as masculine, and another mound nearby, long gone, as feminine with nine priestesses passing a newborn child among them, giving their blessings. There was a lemniscate between the two mounds, blending the male and female energy. The standing stone within Bryn Celli Ddu felt phallic to me, a place of initiation for men, whereas the other mound would have been a place of initiation for women. Standing stone within the mound Passage inside Bryn Celli Ddu Barclodiad y Gawres We visited another chambered tomb, Barclodiad y Gawres, on the coast, said to have been dropped from a giantess’s apron (similar to Scottish Calliach myths). The energy here was more feminine. Our group inside Barclodiad y Gawres Ancient markings on a standing stone inside Barclodiad y Gawres Eerie green stones inside Barclodiad y Gawres We stopped off in the town of Beaumaris (named after the castle). Beaumaris Castle We had time to visit the castle, do a little shopping and have tea in this quaint little Welsh town. Beau’s Tea Shop A nice Welsh Tea in Beau’s Tea Shop in Beaumaris Mara then led us to a very lovely place, St. Seiriol’s Well. St. Seiriol’s Well The well is located on the eastern tip of Angelsey, with archeological remains going back over 1000 years. St. Seriol lived in the 6th Century. Mara suggested that at one time, it might have been dedicated to the Goddess, or Saint Mary. Dovecot near Penmon Priorty th Nearby was the local parish church, Penmon Priory, originally built in the 6 Century. Penman Priory Among the ancient artifacts we found in the church were an amazing traditional Celtic “Sheila –na – Gig”, and a stone man that might perhaps be a “green man” or some kind of woodland figure. Sheila – na – Gig Stone Man The remarkable thing about ancient churches and cathedrals in Britain is that they often still contain remnants of the old religion, like these figurines. Interior of Penmon Church We finally wended our way back to the Trignosis retreat center. There is an interesting legend connected with the place the center is located – in the tale of Blodeusedd and Lleu Llaw Gyffes. Blodeused was made from flowers by the Druid Gwydion, and promised to the hero, Lleu Llaw Gyffes. Unfortunately, the damsel did not love her husband, but fell in love with another – Gronw. The two planned the death of her husband so that they could marry, and nearly succeeded. But magic saved the hero, and even though wounded, he was transformed into an eagle and escaped. The Druid, Gwydion found him in a tree, located at what is now the retreat center Trigonos, and was able to restore him to human form. It’s amazing how the ancient legends live in the landscape! Trigonos Trigonas Trigonos Another scrumptious dinner at Trigonos After exploring the wonderful grounds of the retreat center, another wonderful dinner awaited us! Trigonos’ kitchen Meeting room at Trigonos A warming room for our wet clothes and shoes! They were dry by the next morning! Resources: Mara Freeman’s Celtic Tours: www.celticspiritjourneys.com/ Isle of Anglesey: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Anglesey Menai Bridge: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menai_Bridge Longest name in the world: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch Bryn Celli Ddu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryn_Celli_Ddu Beaumaris Castle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaumaris_Castle Barclodiad y Gawres: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barclodiad_y_Gawres St.
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