Journeying through the grail landscape

It been some time since I have posted about the Grail questing as I myself have been very involved in my own personal Grail journey which has taken me into the realms of forests and wastelands.
I have been strongly reminded that when we truly call to our deepest selves and to the desire for healing we must be mindful that the journey ahead is not always strewn with roses or calm waters.

 In fact the first part of the Grail Quest can often be one that begins in a wasteland as the world of the Grail seems to echo and mirror the outer experieinces and trials we face. Its in this wasteland we encounter the Fisher King and the scars on the soul which have been caused by some wrong,  either self inflicted or brought on us by others. It is in this place  where love does not grow, where the darkest parts of ourselves reside either hidden or our wounds bare for all to see. But in this place, in the grey barren wasteland the illusions are stripped away and we can stand surveying the land as it truly is..no glamour, no lies, no frantic hiding or escaping through what ever means we have...instead we stand and really begin to question what we see.


For me this wasteland is grey and devoid of love or compassion, it is a very cold place which terrifies me to my bones and threatens to turn me to dust if I remain. Or so the illusion tells me . But it is in this place full of its howling and bitter winds where I begin to glimpse the slightest shimmer of the Grails light somewhere ahead in the grey dead air. 
It is also in this place that we will come to meet some of the other characters from the Grail quest and this in its self provides us with the greatest gifts, That we are not alone in our journey , that there are archetypes and guides to meet along the way.

 

Stressed out?????

          

Stress...seems to be a word nearly everyone can relate to at some time, the seeming invisible malaise of modern society and living in it. Often we forget that stress in not only just a natural part of life it can also be very useful when we learn to use it and move with it. It isnt about getting rid of stress or anxiety but learning to recognise it and be able to keep FLOWING and GROWING in our life. So how does Grail questing have a solution here??

When we think of Grails and cauldrons we are often reminded of something very ancient and archaic but over the last week I have been reminded that the Grail/cauldron is ever renewing and always present in our now.

The Grail is also very much a physical energetical presence in our body, similar in some ways to the way chakras work .They reflect on an internal level the world we are experiencing, when we are calm and at peace our Grail is full of rich elixir and images. When we are stressed, anxious or upset the Grail can be a torrid swirling water spilling its edges....the saying  feeling churned up inside explains this so well ...

How many times in your hectic day have you begun to experience feeling out of sorts, rushed and unable to get tasks done and started to feel as if your almost awash in indecision or emotion??

 I wanted to share the following short exercise which is surprisingly simple and effective in helping calm and restore our sense of balance.

Firstly cup your hand as if  a bowl  just below your ribcage, feel the hand edge push against yout stomach firmly.

Then take 3 breathes slowly and deeply.

1.  The first breath imagine the earth beneath you drawing up into your body to rest in your Grail shaped hand.
2.  Next with a breath from above you flowing down to the centre, resting again in your Grail shaped hand.
3.  Finally a third breath from around you circling and centering in your Grail shaped hand.
4. Visualise the energy and "water" in your Grail hand becoming calm and settled, see the deep hues and reflections in the water.
5. When the image and sensations are fully calming and refreshing take your hand and imagine you are pouring the healing elixir from the Grail over your forhead and let it wash down your body.

You can keep repeating this excersise several times if desired, if you are in a place where the tipping motion may not be applicable then just visualise the water flowing into your body.

In the Druid Grove,

Caroline

Healing with A Grail Quest

Healing with A 
Grail Quest

The symbolism of the Grail or Cauldron is not something which can be traced back to a particular time or even place. Never the less its promise of secrets,  of life ,death and nourishment is one that has captured the spirit of many over centuries .Grail Questing evokes ancient  images of  seeking and  journeying, not only into the physical world, but into the  realms of spirit and ultimately the  healing of our deepest wounds.

Caroline has worked and trained for over 10 years as a qualified and registered counsellor in the areas of addiction, trauma, abuse and homicide in mainstream therapy agencies. She with combines this with over 14 years of formal Druid training with OBOD (order of bards ovates and druids England) to bring you a healing model which embraces the advances of psychology and the wisdom of Druidrys spiritual and holistic healing.

•   Learn about the 3 Grails of; Awareness, Manifestation and Wisdom with step by step interactive learning
• Develop awareness of how your thoughts, feelings, body and actions are interconnected  and how  cycles which may be hindering you  can be altered to help you
• Find freedom from self doubt, self sabotage and depression
• Improve relationships, intimacy and connection with those around you
•  Find healing and tools to  create long term change which is about you and your experiences
• Create a map which can support you continue to develop and grow holistically.

 When and Where

• March 3^rd in Caroline’s home ( details given upon confirmation of attendance)
• 10am till 1pm with a short break for nourishment and hopefully fresh air weather dependant)
• $35 entry fee 

What to Bring.....

• A journal and something to write with (notes and resources supplied)
•  Any tarot, oracles, crystals, tools or objects you may use already in healing, path searching or divination.
• Comfy clothes and a  pillow

Please feel free to contact Caroline on nannyoggcw@gmail.com for information and bookings

      Quest of the Grail

In the times of old, when healing was passed down by legends and myths, we understood the world as one of change and transformation. In these times the Grail and Cauldron was core to our well being.


The Cauldron and the Grail are symbols of containment, of potions and potency. Healing and nurturing from the magical concoctions which were tended and brewed within these magical vessels, allowed us to experience restoration and reclamation to our own well being.


On a basic level the cauldron was the vessel to feed and care for the tribe and the Grail or Chalice a source of water or more interesting liquor!!


 The Cauldron represents the magical powers of the feminine, birth, creation and sensuality which call to our sense of being born and those ancient calls to our foetal innocent state.
How often do we find groups or gatherings held in circles? The circle and cauldron symbolising containment, safety and a space which is contained within a circle.


In my blog I will explore the connection and mysteries of the ancient Druid spiritual tradition in harmony with the modern world we live in as a counsellor and therapist. For over 15 years I have worked and trained as a mainstream counsellor with specialised work in addictions, trauma and homicide while also studying as a Druid and shaman.


I finally came to a place in my journey where I saw the harmony of both traditions, how these to seemingly different models of healing can be a vital and potent journey of healing and growth. Finally we can share in a quest of our own healing which is alive and in our own hands.


The following weeks I’m going to share my own journey and invite you to come with me and be part of something truly magical and completely relevant in our modern world.


Caroline