March 23rd

It was the date that last year spawned "making a difference", and in previous years presented times to go into hiding, deadlines, realisations and general breakthroughs n understanding, experience and consciousness. This year, well not much to report. A friend who i had been speaking to got back into touch, and whilst I spend time with him, and I learn new and interesting things, I cant see anything that relates to a breakthrough or prominent step in my development.

One thing I have noticed of late (in the past month or so) is my desire to build, make, create and grow things. Currently im thinking about the garden, growing things etc. From a magick perspective, i suppose this helps a great deal - i get to see life from beginning to end, and as an ingredient and reagent. I often think to myself that i will be better off growing things, whether they be from an observational / interactive level, or from a growing of herbs and vegetables in a personal farming capacity. Or even just for pleasure. I have some sunflowers growing that will look very pretty :).

I'm also building a chest for the end of my bed - i dont know just lately everything seems to fall into place, when making or constructing things. Perhaps i just understand everything alot better. I have also noticed that my physical condition has improved. Aside from the ongoing goal to shed excess pounds (5 stones now since 2008) , I noticed that im also stronger, my endurance has improved. In this respect it was highighted greatly in my climb to the summit of Mt Snowdon last week in "T minus, wings please".

So what now? I suppose ill be looking forward, trudging headlong into the future, wondering whats around the next corner... If anyone has any pointers let me know :) I'm eager to listen.

T Minus...Wings please..

I suppose im now counting down the march 23rd. Whatever it may bring..... The moon tonight is said to be closest to earth its been since 1993 - It should be a lovely sight providing the skies stay clear. An ominous time for me - a full moon and an impending date which collides with the first days of spring....

Having climbed the mountain yesterday I feel renewed in vigour and outlook somewhat, although I have kept a nice reminder of the hike - I still have a few aches and pains but nothing major. My hips and my neck feel a little stiff but other than this I'm fine. For your perusal I decided to take a few pictures at the summit of Mt. Snowdon - we were blessed with a glorious day which was extremeley warm on the way up (but very cold at the top).

There was a gratifying peace in the looking down over the world, watching people, houses and buildings become smaller, as we ascended up Mt. Snowdon. In the third photo, if you look closely you can see the coast on either side of wales, and the isle of Anglesey.

On the way up, trudging along and upwards steadily I was reminded heartily of the "Hermit" card in the tarot deck - an image of wisdom, perseverance and patience.

I suppose at the moment this is a good motto for me, knowing that something is up ahead, and waiting patiently for it to arrive - for nobody can control the passage of time. Along with this symbology, my friend who I hiked up the mountain with likened me to "Gandalf", the wizard in the Tolkien classic "Lord of the rings". Its because i'm wise apparently (we will leave the old bit out). In true hermit fashion he is depicted lighting the way also in the darkest of places, leading men and others, against the darkness, and finding their own strengths. In retrospect, the climb was a pleasant challenge - but it was not easy. I had the foresight to bring my heart rate monitor, which showed a total of 2100 calories. Thats some exercise!

Did it bring me everything I hoped it would - nice views, picturesque scenery, and pleasant walk, a challenge - yes. There was something also incredibly calming about hearing almost absoloute silence. Although some sounds of distant places carried on the wind was somewhat interesting. From these welsh mountains, looking across at the pretty landscape, I wondered to myself, how many had trodden these steps before, how many leaders of men, Kings,Queens, Emperors, Politicians, Teachers, Mentors, Knights, or even common men could not fail to see the value of all things, looking down at the world. Up here it seemed, money didn't matter, possessions didn't matter. Life up here was different. Literally the world at ones feet. 

A bird flew past, calling - presumably to other birds. It had followed us all of the way up - i was comforted to have an aerial companion to watch our journey. It reminded me somewhat of the symbology of the ace of birds (ace of swords in the original tarot deck), which is depicted to carry an arrow. It signifies decisive, determined and direct approaches to life. In this instance, thats what mattered on the mountaintop. Should you be born with wings, you could fly to anywhere from here with only the wind to get in your way. I concluded that was the purpose of the ascent, to realise ones limitations and potentials.From here,  decided there can be only the elements in my way from achieving what I wish to. For those who master the elements - the cosmos is theirs for exploring.

At the top of the mountain there was a waypoint showing directions to all of the places the eye (and further could see). But no man could step from here to those places - save only on wings. I do not have those... in which case I must walk. But isn't the journey more important than the destination? From here, I guess, the infinite waypoint, my journey continues. Wings optional.

In continual motion...

So it has been a week since my last post- not much has changed with me `I guess. I am consciously aware of the fast approaching self fulfilling prophecy date of March 23rd. Aside from its usual resonance with me, it is also  the first (or second maybe) day of spring (officially). I have always been a fan of springtime, for a variety of reasons. Aside from the fact its not so cold anymore, there is also alot of exciting things happening in nature. The level of sunlight increases (which in turn makes people alot happier), the nights become shorter, and things once again begin to grow.

Another thing im aware of of late is that the moon is closer to earth than usual - some 30,000 km closer I might add. Aside from the usual influence of the moon being hung upon us, i suppose it is in effect more amplified than normal - its effect on the tides, on our moods, on our psyche etc.

This leads my thoughts to recent events on the further side of the world. The state of affairs in the pacific at the moment in particular. I feel heartily for the people of Japan - and their turmoil and misfortune regarding the earthquakes / tsunami. Their nation has been rocked by wind, water, earth and fire. Perhaps spirit will be gracious to them. I dont know how anyone could cope with that. I dare say they will recover with vigour eventually - the Japanese have always been a resilient people. I have viewed them with admiration and respect - if anything due to the concept of "kaizen" - a methodology for life of self improvement.

The aspect of self improvement has long been inherent in my life - desiring to learn more, to know more and to improve myself in every way that I can. In my previous post "the walk to work" I outline the desire to improve and discover more and more - both physically and mentally and spiritually. My exercise routine is getting more and more difficlt, and somehow i feel that little by little I am getting stronger.

What is happening in the macro sphere of my influence is anyones guess. Within the post macro and micro I outline its perspectives and influence on us all, and how one will mirror the other. I dare say in higher planes of existence, the macro versions of mysefl are striving to improve things also.

I am due to hike up a mountain later this week with a friend, and i am looking forward to being closer to the heavens. There is something very gratifying about being high up and looking down on the world, and seeing its simplicity outside the chaos. Maybe this is a fated preparation for March 23rd. Maybe new truths will reveal themselves to me within that time. Maybe new mysteries will present themselves. As always time will tell.

The walk to work

Tonights walk to work wasn't the usual charge headlong for three miles. I decided to leave a bit later and take it slowly and enjoy the walk - I normally arrive at work horrifically early anyway.

My thoughts tonight were alot calmer than the usual whirlpool of things, which I suppose is a nice change. Usually my mind is somwhere between definite boundaries - the space between in which is hard to define.At some level there was a part of me taking comfort in the fact i didnt ache as much as the previous few days - a change in exercise routine had shocked my body somewhat, now I was beginning to get used to it. The path of progress I am often told is a painful one (he chuckles to himself).

I perhaps was also taking solace in the fact that I had booked some time off work - in particular the few days around March 23rd (mentioned previously in "making a difference"). It always holds revelation, development or resonance of some kind for me. I realised a few moments ago that it was probably a decade now that the date had outlined itself to be important, and had led me unwittingly on a path towards discoveries i hadnt bakc then percieved the existence of, let alone understood.

But back to matters at hand, tonight the walk to work was a calm and peaceful one - and so it should be. Theres plenty of opportunity along the way to work to enjoy the surroundings. I pass through three city park areas, along a main road and traverse the space bewteen two towns. The first part of which, although inside an urban area, is quite peacful. Just after i leave my house and go along the road, is a large park which has a heavy yield of wildlife. Mostly ducks, geese and swans with the occasional squirrel or two, but theres some tasteful architecture, water features and some lovely foliage.

The second park i go through isnt as lavish, and is home to a good many magpies in the morning. Its not as well lit in or around the other park, but i quite prefer it because on a clear night, as you enter this park, the stars put on a great show. To my left orion, and the bright and briliant star sirius show themselves, and accompany me for the entireity of my journey. Looking up I see the pleiades, cassiopeia and the plough lit above like tiny candles hanging in the sky. For some strange reason, i feel that when I look up and see the stars, I feel phenomenally safe. Sometimes the moon makes an appearance also, but not tonight. It's still new.

Then its on to the third park area, the graveyard. There are those amongst you who probably feel thats its a bit odd i would choose to cut through the graveyard in the dark, but seriously its probably one of the most peaceful places there is. I take great comfort in knowing there are those resting around me in hallowed ground - a history of those who came and went before us, who walked the land as we do, and who rested as we probably will. Two statues of angels mark either side of the path - I always look at them and think to myself they serve as watchers or guardians of the path and the graveyard. Gracious and solemn, thoughful and insightful they stand unmoved.

A light in the sky ahead made me curious as to its origin. Plane? Helicopter? Space shuttle? Extra terrestrial visitors? No such luck it was a search helipcopter. Two search helicopters in fact. I'm guessing the new moon sent someone on the run. nonetheless the excitement was there, the desire to learn something new. I told myself that the day i look around at the world and am uninterested in it, is the day I shouldn't

For the larger part, the walk was entertained by Gustav Mahler and his first symphony "the titan". An interesting piece of music which bought back memories of being a teenager - i first discovered this symphony when i was about fourteen, along with beethovens famous "pastorale" symphony number six. I usually let me mp3 player pick randomly what i am to listen to - let the forces of fate deicde my mindset. I'm glad that tonight I did.

I say tonight, its actually morning, and i have found a spare few minutes at work to write this down. Which means of course it is shrove tuesday, or "pancake day" as it is affectionately known. A time of enjoyment I have always found - im fond of pancakes and all of their forms, shapes and sizes. I may cook a savoury pancake dish for the folks at home tonight.