Last weekend, for Samhain, I went on a very special trip to be with kindred spirits, connect with nature, honour the ancestors, and following in the footsteps of the Knights Templar, find the True Cross.
It was a moving, spiritual journey, the “Gathering of the Tribe” as my friend Joanne called it, and enjoyed an amazing couple of days in her historic Airbnb; the Old School House, in the breathtaking Glen of Aherlow. Since I fully embraced who I am and have stayed true, life has not stopped surprising me, in the best of ways. There is a price we pay that comes with being true and authentic; a new life that will cost us our old life. A “Death in Life” which needs to happen, so we can “Resurrect” and awaken to higher wisdom, with doors opening that were nowhere to be found before as well as crossings of paths with the right people. The Celts had a name for it; Anam Cara (Soul Friend) as in the much-loved book of the same name written by Irish Celtic mystic and priest, John O’Donoghue. Anam Caras always appear in times of need or when we need to make significant life changes, challenging and encouraging us to be true and become the best version of ourselves; who we were and are meant to be, free, unbound, and real. Anam Caras can come into our life temporarily or remain permanently; they can be friends, mentors, colleagues, or even romantic partners. Like the True Cross, they demand we sacrifice meaningless pursuits, shallowness, and anything that isn’t true, does not serve our higher good, or has tainted our soul. Without realising it, I embarked on what seemed to be a Samhain weekend with friends and research for an upcoming book but was surprised by life-changing discoveries that would turn my world upside-down for the better.
The drive to Co. Tipperary on Freyja’s day was accompanied the entire time by a rainbow that could not be ignored; as I drove, I smiled and silently greeted Heimdall and Freyja, thanking them for this omen. Shortly after, I found it hard to keep my eyes on the road as there were beautiful medieval ruins that drew me in every so often in the hauntingly beautiful winter Irish landscape. I made a note of the names and promised to return, and as I got nearer to my holiday stay, I was lost for words again…and worried! I honestly did not think my car would fit through those narrow picturesque Irish country roads. It was definitely an adventure!
Once there, I had a moment to sit down and let the trip, natural beauty, and history of my surroundings sink in. That would continue to be my mood for the rest of the trip, completely in love and in awe with the place, feeling loved by friends and animals, but also cradled by the Earth. I have never felt more at ease or relaxed in my entire life, the constant feeling being very similar to my early days of experiencing Trance. Everything spoke to me here and made my heart smile. I was really well looked after by my friend which for me, still is somewhat of a shock as I have rarely experienced kindness from other human beings. We stayed up til late, talking, giggling, and doing what teenagers do best, for we are both young at heart. We also reached out to the ancestors and sent energy to those who needed it, the thinning of the veil calling for it. The best conversations I’ve ever had have been after midnight and in the early hours of a new day before dawn; the hours of Truth, Magic, Poets, Lovers & the Spirit World.
The next day my colleague Steve joined us and we all went into the forest for what I thought would be a short walk but also to be introduced to local spirits and ancient energies of the land, including the frozen mountain waters of a beautiful waterfall. I expressed my gratitude to the Norse Gods and Hekate as well as Isis for looking after me this year in a very special way and…I remembered those no longer here, or near but who forever live in my heart. The walk turned into a hike of over 3 hours…and though I loved it, I was slightly relieved when I finally reached, in complete darkness, the place where we had parked the car that has become my best friend. Achy but feeling full of energy, we cooked a lovely dinner shared among friends, leaving a place for the ancestors to honour them. And again, more truths by the fireside among soul friends until those magical hours. Ideas were forged and dreams shared: under the stars and witnessed by the mountains, I made a wish and willingly demolished the palace of ice that had surrounded my heart all these years…
On Sunday, we all journeyed together through an unforgettable forest drive, following in the footsteps of the Vikings, Normans, and the Knights Templar; in search of the True Cross. Arriving at Holy Cross Abbey, I felt something life-changing was about to happen, and not just an exciting private history tour with one of the best and most dedicated historians I have met in a very long while; Adam from Holy Cross. The abbey, one of Ireland’s finest Cistercian Abbeys, was set in whimsical almost fairy-tale-like surroundings, by the river and next to a very old bridge which gave it a very romantic, old-world charm look. It was really picture-perfect and I was so excited, that 3 hours went by and there I was, listening mesmerised to tales of Richard the Lionheart, Eleanor of Aquitaine whom I always admired, and of course the Knights Templar. I ran my hands across the ancient stones, tracing the old mason marks and reading ancient energies as pages of a history book. Saving the best for last, Adam got my teen to ring the oldest bells in Ireland as they did once for the Knights Templar, when they brought the relics of the True Cross from their preceptory. In this heightened state and revisiting moments in time, on seeing the actual relics of the True Cross found by Empress Helena, lost to Saladdin at the Battle of Hattin in 1187, I fell on my knees. The old wood in the central piece of the relic was part of the True Cross on which Christ was crucified; its power and symbolism stood for Truth, Justice, Sacrifice, and the Triumph of all that is pure. Associated with eternity and endless Miracles that drove pilgrims, kings, clergy, and the Knights Templar to protect and search for it, it was a moment I’ll never forget. Spellbound by this ancient relic and a prisoner of hope, I said a silent prayer and also made a wish; for Truth, Justice but also love. True love; a love to cross oceans for and more valuable than any treasure. A love that has existed beyond space and time; sweeter than any wine and imbued with the promise of eternity in every kiss.
