Do you ever sense that holy things are all around you?
I moved to Ireland about six months ago. Around every turn are ancient walls and crumbling stone walls alongside fresh and modern buildings. One of my favorite things to do is to search out ancient and holy sites.
Today, I took my dog for a walk in the arresting Derrigimlagh Bog. The weather has been nice for a few days, so I thought that it would be a nice side trip to go see a sacred well.
The well I sought is devoted to St. Flannan, a 7th century Irish saint , though we don’t know much about him. The whole peninsula where this well is located is named after the saint. I’m sure, though, that the sacred geography of the landscape far predates St. Flannan himself.
The first time I tried to get to the well, the road leading up to it was a bit flooded. Today was the perfect day – a little mud but no flooding.
My elderly dog and I parked at the gate, and got out to walk the short road to the modern day cemetery. The well is right outside the walls of the cemetery, and the walk up the road provided me with a bit of time to experience it as a mini-pilgrimage. Right next to the road is a small lake with beautiful rushes, and birds gently circling above it. As my feet moved forward, my mind cleared and my heart got more full.
Upon approaching the cemetery, I didn’t see the well. Pretty sure it wouldn’t be in the cemetery walls, I quickly consulted a website. Ah, then I spotted it.
Blog Title: Holy Wells and Energy of the Land
Do you ever sense that holy things are all around you?
I moved to Ireland about six months ago. Around every turn are ancient walls and crumbling stone walls alongside fresh and modern buildings. One of my favorite things to do is to search out ancient and holy sites. Today, I took my dog for a walk in the arresting Derrigimlagh Bog. The weather has been nice for a few days, so I thought that it would be a nice side trip to go see a sacred well.
The well belongs to St. Flannan, a 7th century saint in Ireland, though we don’t know much about him. The whole peninsula where this well is located is on named after the saint, though the sacred geography of the landscape far predates St. Flannan.
The first time I tried to get to the well, the road leading up to it was a bit flooded. Today was the perfect day – a little mud but no flooding.
My elderly dog and I parked at the gate, and got out to walk the short road to the modern day cemetery. The well is right outside the walls of the cemetery, and the walk up the road provided me with a bit of time to experience it as a mini-pilgrimage. Right next to the road is a small lake with beautiful rushes, and birds gently circling above it. The peacefulness of the surroundings lent itself to experiencing a sacred well.
Upon approaching the cemetery, I didn’t see the well. Pretty sure it wouldn’t be in the cemetery walls, I quickly consulted a website. Ah, then I spotted it.
The quaint well rested gently on a small hillside with a stone wall around it. The water in it is no longer fresh, so it’s not used for drinking now, but the sacredness of the site remains intact. I paused and saw the small devotions left at the well – coins and medallions – but I didn’t have anything in my pockets on this day. Instead, I offered St. Flannan by thanks and gratitude for blessing this small spot.
The energy of the land is deep here. It strums, quietly, for those who are quiet enough to listen. The name of Flannan can be found all over this region, but I am quite sure that this spot was a sacred one even before Flannan graced the shores of this Irish peninsula. The energy of sacred wells predates the names we give to them. Our attentiveness to the land and pilgrimages to sacred sites help keep the sacredness alive and flowing.
I spotted some rushes all around the well. Asking permission, and receiving it, I took some from this spot. This will make a St. Brigid’s Cross in about 12 days. Brigid is another Irish saint, and love honoring her feast day as one of the ancient beings that energizes the landscape, both of the land but also of my own soul.
On Saturday, Jan. 30, I’ll be guiding seekers on a mini-pilgrimage to another well. While we won’t gather in person, pilgrimages can be done through the imagination and guided visualization. We will be going to the sacred well of Brigid to experience the Divine Feminine and gain wisdom that heaven has for us right now. We’ll also be making a Brigid’s Cross together.
If you want to visit your own well, come and join me at this workshop. I’d love to have you.
