View From The Big Hills

Somebody recently asked me what was the correct way to pronounce a particular letter in Classical Greek. There was a difference of academic opinion on the letter in question. My response was that I don't much get concerned about the correct pronunciation of classical greek, latin or hebrew. The intent and meaning behind it should really be the paramount focus and concern. If I had more time to spend on research I may hold a different view - but I don't! In terms of esoteric working, it only becomes a real problem when there is such an extreme difference in pronunciation that other participants in your working don't recognise what you are intoning or saying. That's pretty rare.To make a illustrative comparison, a Geordie will still understand a Liverpudlian accent in 99% of cases and vice versa. Somewhat surprisingly the discussion reminded me of my Gran. Let me elaborate. My sister and I went to different schools. She went to a state school while I went to private...

As 2009 draws to an end and 2010 begins, many of us may be inclined to think on matters such as Time and Change. Below is a beautiful Hermetic text my old friend Tony Willis flagged up which seems more than apt for contemplation with this coming shift into a new year. The Hierarchy of Creation Atum creates the Cosmic Mind. The Cosmic Mind creates the Cosmos. The Cosmos creates Time. Time creates Change. The essence of Atum is Primal Goodness. The essence of the Cosmic Mind is permanent sameness. The essence of the Cosmos is beautiful order. The essence of Time is movement. The essence of Change is Life. Atum works through Mind and Soul. The Cosmic Mind works through immortality and duration. The Cosmos works through turning and returning. Time works through increase and decrease. Change works through quality and quantity. The Cosmic Mind is in Atum. The Cosmos is in Eternity. Time is in the Cosmos. Change is in Time. ...

“The Heavenly Spheres make music for us, The Holy Twelve dance with us, All things join in the dance! Ye who dance not, know not what we are knowing.” - Gustav Holst, in a letter to Clifford Bax. Who can forget the first time they heard Holst’s stunning suite of music, The Planets? Whether it was as a child or adult, it is difficult to forget the immediate reaction to hearing the music, particularly the gargantuan “Mars.” Love it or hate it, it is magical, powerful and evocative music. The energy of “Mars, the Bringer of War,” is represented by a frenetic and unremitting march in 5/4 time. The orchestration of the piece is stuffed full of brass instruments giving the music incredible raw force and sense of movement. Kettle drums boom as they are beaten with the hard–ended sticks. The strings are furiously struck with the wood of the bows, producing a harsh and almost sabre-rattling sound. The music grows in size, energy and volume until it ...

We woke up this morning to a perpetual drizzle of rain and increasing swirlings of mist. It looked like it would be one of those Sundays spent indoors enveloped by a suffocating fog. By lunchtime the sun had broken through, the rain had stopped ... "Mr Blue Sky" graced us with his presence. Family and dog decanted from the house and bounded up the Malvern Hills delighting in the warmth of the sunlight upon our faces. Three weeks after the Autumn Equinox and it could have been Summer but for the falling leaves and apples. However, the nights are drawing in and it will soon be the Winter Solstice followed by the long and dark journey of the Water Tide through to the Vernal Equinox. Enjoy the sunlight while it lasts! Soon be time to batten down the hatches!

"A dream of heaven was brought a little nearer to earth at Chalice Well during its hey-day...the spirit of the place lives on and does not die, for it does not belong to any person, but uses persons to its ends." Dion Fortune, Avalon of the Heart Chalice Well at the foot of Glastonbury Tor is a peaceful and healing place. Many questing souls visit this beautiful peace garden every year. The water tastes of blood due to its exceptionally high iron content. Myth, legend and magic arise from the depths of this place to leave those with eyes to see utterly changed forever. These are some of my favourite photographs from this place. Chalice Well has been an inspiration to me and many many others over the past century and beyond. (Above - the well head at Chalice Well). "The rune of the Water Bearer Ye have supped from the Pools of Sorrow Ye shall drink from the Wells of Joy! The golden Wheel is turning -  The heavenly sphere's employ!" Al...