Cathedral

[Gwion]

A few years ago I visited Ely Cathedral in England. This is in Cromwell’s home town, and his home stands not far from the cannon scarred Cathedral. Warning: The fish in the fish n’ chips still has the SKIN on it! Anyway, there is a labyrinth set in tiles on the floor when you first enter. I walked it, and remembered the Amber series. It was like a meditation or a kinetic spell, like following a dance choreographed in stone. It was early on a weekday, and I was the first there. There is a silence after a snowfall, and before the waking world has disturbed it; but this was a silence that dwelt in the ancient stones. There were marble sarchophogi of Knights and Ladies; some holding their swords, some with palms together in prayer. I knelt and prayed in one of the smaller chapels. In the flickering candlelight I could hear my own breathing. The sense of the Sacred was everywhere. Here I was, a Witch, praying in a Catholic Cathedral and the Goddess was everywhere as Mary, the Mother of God. A guide, late for her morning shift, offered me a mirror in the main hall in order to see the painted ceiling without straining my neck; but I wanted to look on the paintings directly. As I reached the Octagon, the organist started playing. I just about jumped out of my skin, but after I recovered, it was beyond description. It was like I was swimming in the faith of all those who had worshipped there. Here is a link to their web page:

http://www.cathedral.ely.anglican.org/

[materra]

Gwion, I always believed that all faiths fit into a holy place. It was especially common for the Catholic Church to build on old sites of ancient pagan worship. I am so glad you had that experience... BB

[Silver_Alhena]

And if you ever have a chance to visit Wells Cathedral in Somerset, have a quick look for 'pagan' images in the wall carvings. It's the oldest Cathedral in England, and so beautiful...

[Psyche Ague]

I love Cathedrals. The art, the atmosphere, the sanctity...I always feel at home. And they're usually cold and echo-y. *purrs* I grew up catholic and always thought it was because of that that I felt comfortable in Cathedrals. But I think it's just because Holiness is everywhere. *smiles* Sounds like you had an amazing experience. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[Mythrel]

I love the architecture on churches...that one is really cool

[Witchy Cowgirl]

I'm echoing Phyche Ague here....thanks for sharing your wonderful experience.

[Thistle]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience, Gwion. Reading of it has rekindled my long-smoldering desire to walk the labyrinths at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

[shnen]

yes, I love architecture of old cathederals as well, thanks for sharing... jsut think of all the pagans that have been there before, even all the non-xians that have gone there. :)