A very strange occurrence yesterday.... I was taking Boo for her mid-morning walk to the Ghost tree when spirit spoke and told me to go somewhere else. I just allowed them to lead me on their chosen path. We, Boo, me and spirit, walked way past the swamp. past the Cedar grove and deeper and deeper into the disorientation zone ( A place where both Tara and I have been lost before, which I have already blogged about).
I found a clear spot and lit my herbs and called on the plant beings of Mugwort to purify space before I started my prayers. At that very moment, I heard the crashing of trees and looked to my side, to see tree after tree collapsing. I thought that is strange, I wonder what it is. The noise got louder and louder as if a huge truck was smashing though the trees, and came closer and closer... I called to Odin
" Odin, All father what is this?"
His rely was one word " HIDE!"
I stepped behind a huge cedar, looked down to see where Boo was but she was gone.
The deafening sound stopped instantly, no trailing off into the distance utter silence. No sound of Boo barking and running through the brush absolutely nothing.
I followed the trail of destruction and it just stopped dead, I hung around for about twenty minutes calling and calling for Boo but no sign. So I decided to head back to the house grab the walkie  talkie, my gun and return to look for the dog.
All the way home, I called and whistled to no avail. As I turned the corner to the house there was Boo Shaking in fear, a huge gash on her chest and many many cut and scuff on her belly. The wound on her chest was like something had stripped the skin clean off.
We treated her injuries and gave her something to calm her down, for the rest of the day before she went outside she would stop in the doorway and just bark and bark. Normally Tara would receive my spiritual adventures with usual, I have to see it for myself, attitude but this time the state and condition of the dog, whether the damage was caused by something or by the dog being so frightened that she did it to herself escaping, made Tara wonder.
I myself will take another look at this place, but not just yet.

Have been back from Avalon for nearly two weeks now, and after some struggle to acclimatize, my feet are grounded back in the US. It was a good trip with many things to mull over in the coming days.  One thing, for me is known for sure, that sitting around a fire with good brothers, spinning yarns,sharing music and stories, is the way, WE (mankind) are supposed to live. The echoes of that tribal existence fill my soul with joy and happiness.
So step away from the TV, the phone, and get really connected. Stare into the flames that flicker and dance in the fire. Lose yourself in the warm glow that generates from the communal hearth. Let the laughter and rants of good friends and family be your entertainment. For all there is, is the moment, enjoy and absorb its magic and the allow the tribal energy that rises to heal your trouble soul.

For my Brothers Tim Raven and Bill Francis, let us gather by the fire more often. Let us share our stories and spread the words of those who came before.

" Man is the joy of Man." The Havamal. Sayings of the High One

Beginning to ground back in the US. Woke up at 4;30am and went for a walk in the forest as dawn broke. Ended up at the ghost tree and held prayers and ceremony asking the land to welcome me back and to reveal more teachings for me to absorb. I called on the plant beings of the Mugwort plant, to consecrate me and the land I stood on, burning its dried form to cleanse and purify the space. Inhaling some of the holy smoke, to help with my visions, the answers came.
"Be true, be pure and know that Odin walks with you, where ever you are."
As I left the forest, I thought of the retreat just done and the one that will be held at Mabon. This event will be different from any others I have held before. We will help the students become engulfed and entwined of one of the Celtic legends. Which one will be decided by consulting the runes, then we will incorporate the equivalent Norse saga and blend the two legends and their riddles together.
Some will bond more with the Celtic, some with the Saxon / Norse tale. Each individual will take their role within the yarn, whilst in the land, whilst in a vision, to find how this archetype guides them to resolutions of the imbalances in their Midgard lives. This allows the Red and White Dragon's to weave their healing path.

Beltane Retreat.

A big thank you to those ladies who attended our workshop. This was the first time Tim and I had worked on retreat together. It went absolutely brilliantly, we were definitely blessed by the Gods. At the end of the event we celebrated the Beltane morn on top of Glastonbury Tor. At which point we were blessed by being allowed to witness a glorious sunrise. It will take a while for the attendees to embrace all the teachings ( from spirit) they received. Not only they but myself and Tim had some important messages and confirmations come forwards.
Now back in the US, with a bald eagle perched in the tree beside my house, I know that being here has made my connection even deeper than it was and the medicine that comes forward, makes more sense, in Glastonbury I was inundated with readings and healings, so found it difficult to truly make time for my own connection and medicine. I can only understand the true magic of Avalon when I am away and I can only appreciate the healing and nurturing of the forest when I am the other side of the world.
Here is a pic of Tim and the students making the Symbel Oaths, drinking from the mead horn to Honor, the Gods, the ancestors and making oaths for themselves.