WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgao6FxtMLI
“A San Andrés de Teixido vai de morto o que non foi de vivo”.
Old Galician saying regarding the pilgrimage to San Andres de Teixido which must be visited if not while alive, then following our departure from this world, in death.
San Andres de Teixido, a pilgrimage centre dating back centuries, overlooks the sea, perched on the highest cliffs in Europe in the northernmost corner of Galicia, the land of some of my maternal ancestors, just on top of Portugal. It feels as remote and magical as the land of the Goddesses, Ireland. Like the Emerald Isle, this remote region of what is now Spain, was once upon a time also next to the edge of the known world, hence the name Finisterre which derives from the Latin “finis terrae”, meaning "end of the earth" as the westernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. Places that are on the edge of the known and unknown are significant as thresholds and sacred geography places with some of the oldest energies imbued to them through sacred worship. Energies that with the land birth ancient myths and tales such as those of the Meigas (witches in Galicia) that inhabit the valleys but that also attracted many here, not just pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela but also the Knights Templar; together with the Knights of the Order of Saint James, they would protect these sacred lands but also carry out a very special mission, undisclosed until now as part of their untold story. Sharing a music video by a traditional folk group from Galicia, Luar Na Lubre, who actually work history into their music; this song is about the pilgrimage to this place.
On September 8th, pilgrims from all over Galicia head here and as the saying goes “if you don’t go whilst alive, you must go after death”. It is believed that the pilgrimage to Teixido began as early as the Iron Age, during the Castro culture. In fact the first record of the existence of a pilgrimage appears in the year 1391, in the will of a lady from Vivero. This location is next to the Costa da Morte (Coast of Death), which is a treasure trove full of cryptic symbols. This breathtaking sanctuary with strange elements that link its cult with ancient beliefs that predate Christianity, provides a profound initiation into the mysteries and a true awakening.
Magic is indeed in the air in this area and near the dangerous cliffs, we find “herba de namorar” or “preñadeira”, a herb used as an ancestral fertility rite. People throw stones into the piles at the crossroads and village women sell magical figures made of flour dough. The sacred feminine is truly present in this pilgrimage route to this well-known and venerated sanctuary, which snakes its way up to the idyllic A Capelada mountain range, where wild cattle and horses roam free. Horses are truly relevant to the Knights Templar and like all symbolism, have a plurality of meanings but for today’s post, they are relevant in terms of being a feminine symbol and also representing “balance” but also acting as a vehicle or “chariot” that allows to travel from A to B, not just in life but also energetically as “riders” on our spiritual journey. Those of you who are familiar with Hebrew mysticism, will know exactly what I’m talking about.
After following the above trail for about 10 Km (10 being the number of the Goddess and the perfect number for the Pythagoreans, who like the Knights Templar, were also initiates of the Mysteries), the road descends sharply towards a place that is impossible to reach by sea and practically hidden from view: we are rewarded with the small village and church of San Andrés de Teixido. Here, pilgrims and Knights Templar alike came to pay their respects to this site, which for many, was regarded as more important than Santiago de Compostela (in Latin the field of Stars or “Milky” Way due to being a ley line aligned to it) as St Andrew was the first apostle. He was also a disciple of St. John the Baptist before Jesus' call and early Byzantine tradition (dependent on John 1:40) calls Andrew protokletos, “first called.” Interestingly, in the nearby area known as Cotobad area, the Milky Way is called “Camiño de Santo André” and is said to end above the chapel of the sanctuary. This holy place houses a simple bust that resembles what throughout centuries was believed to have been the Templars’ “Baphomet”. Coincidence? Now, I won’t go into what Baphomet is today, but I will say Sapientia Sapienti Dono Data (Latin: "Wisdom is a gift given to the wise"). This magical name is relevant to Baphomet and was the magical motto of Florence Farr, Egyptologist: member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, who resurrected much of what we know today re Egyptian magic.
On this 27th day (a significant number for the Archangel defender of the Knights Templar and weirdly, my father’s birthday), whose numbers add up to 9 - key number for the Knights Templar – and under the threshold and light of the full moon, great for new beginnings, make a wish under tonight’s “field of stars”…
