Working with Spirits of the Land and Ancient Sites.
The Merry Maidens shrouded in mist.
Cornwall is a deeply spiritual place steeped in ancient history retaining its unique Celtic energy and Cornish language. The land has produced an abundance of folklore and we feel the presence of the ‘hidden folk’ – Piskies and Knockers that inhabit the mines and deep underground places. Cornwall is full of enigmatic stone circles, holy wells, potent waters and powerful earth energy currents. When visiting here one can learn about the beliefs of the ancestors, spirituality, myths, legends and history within the ‘Wisdom of the Ages’. West Penwith at the ‘toe’ of Britain is surrounded by the ocean and mighty coastal cliffs and it can be described as a ‘land out of time’. While some sites are associated with witches and fairies, they are also described by William Bottrell as Celtic monuments that may have been used as calendars to mark the solstices. He described holed stones as ‘crick’ stones containing healing properties and holy wells that are used for divination and healing.
Each person connects with these sites in their own way, by meditation, ceremonies, and dowsing, also by treading the secluded country paths leading to secret holy wells, lone standing stones, hidden stone circles, caves and cromlechs. They are all connected with evocative, appealing legends and folklore that enchant many who visit.
Image – Joan’s Cottage at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic by Patheos.
There are hundreds of stories referring to witches and witchcraft. William Bottrell told the story of ‘Old Betty Trenoweth’ the witch of Buryan church-town and quotes a curse used by her toward a rival. There are also more common stories describing the benign activities of conjurors. Another story in Bottrell’s collection concerns west country folk who consulted a male conjuror to have protection ‘renewed’ and he details incidents involving Tammy Blee the famous ‘white witch’ of Helston.
More information can be found by reading the well researched discoveries of renowned Historian Jason Semmens. Art Cornwall
Celtic Labyrinth Maze at Rocky Valley Tintagel
The Cornish land and its ancient sites imbue strong energies that can be drawn upon and utilised within the spiritual work of Wisewomen.