December 3, 2017 I was taking photos in a zoo once, stalking a lioness, she was agitated, pacing in her pen, she didn’t seem to like the sound of my camera. I got up to the fence and started snapping again. I heard the people scream, I saw the lion hurtle towards me. I lowered […]
Journal
Sunrise through the trees and the Southwest entrance stones to Avebury Circle and Henge
People are always going on about celestial alignments with the neolithic stone circles of Britain, Ireland and beyond. But it’s a simple fact, these are, more or less, circles. Stand in the middle and eventually there well be a solar or other celestial alignment for every stone. The solstices, the equinoxes will usually line up […]
To the two little fairies who once lived in my garden, who had stars in their eyes and flowers in their hair
Last night I had the strangest dream. I dreamt it was my wedding day, or rather wedding evening. It was being held in that little church where I first really spent time with one of you. I had known you for years, but it was the first occasion where I was responsible for you and […]
Namaste this … a warning before embracing the gods within, for divinity has a dark side
Top: Gilded head of a Minerva, found in Bath, Somerset. Originally atop a statue larger than life, she would have looked out from her temple next to a sacred spring onto the altar where sacrifices were made in her name. That the gods require living sacrifice should be a warning to us all, that not all […]
Adam and Eve Longstones on a Misty Day
The longstones, known locally as Adam and Eve likely was the terminus for the Beckhampton Avenue, which was believed to have extended from the Avebury circle and was obliterated in the post medieval era. The slender stone, Eve, was likely the last stone in the avenue. Adam was part of a four sided cove which remained […]
Pickled, buried in lead beneath their death masks in the crypt at Farleigh Hungerford Castle
A collection of eight lead coffins can be found in the crypt of Farleigh Hungerford Castle in Somerset. Bodies were essentially pickled and put into the anthropomorphic caskets to hold them together. The faces were carved from death masks. It’s believed this is the largest collection of lead coffins in Britain.
Living With Ghosts, Part One: The Downstairs and Restoring This Old Gothic House
Author’s Note: This is the first in a series of pieces on my childhood home. It’s my own story, more or less. I did fudge a few details to protect the innocent. I’m in the process of whipping it into shape, to stay or to sell it and go. It’s like This Old House with […]
Unfinished business in Bath
Dear H., I’ve got unfinished business in Bath. I don’t know why I was drawn to it to begin with, even before you. It just seemed like I needed to go there. When I’m there I feel like I’m looking for something. I felt it when I was there 20 years ago, I felt it […]
On paganism and the naming of gods … “Will the real god please stand up?”
Top: Jan Van Eyck, The Arnolfini Wedding Today I found myself listless, without direction. My sails were up, but there was no wind. The albatross was still around my neck. It has begun to stink. Then someone mentioned starting a religion and I thought, “I’m game for that.” My goals in life have been achieved, […]
Shelley’s Indian Serenade inspires a visitation by a ghost
Tonight I was visited in my dreams by a ghost. But it wasn’t me in the dream, for I was a ghost there as well. I saw both ghosts and for an instant, remembered who I am, where it was I left myself for safe keeping. In dreams we can travel where we wish. I […]
