The first stop of the afternoon was a familiar one; we had made a point of visiting the magnificent Sueno Stone on our last trip to the area. It is
Tag: psychology
Hunting the Unicorn: “…and under the earth…”Hunting the Unicorn: “…and under the earth…”
Sharp tang of woodsmoke, tall shadows climb stone walls, reflected flames dance in a black pool. Deep in the belly of earth, the symbols of the rite painted on pale
Hunting the Unicorn: “Upon the earth…”Hunting the Unicorn: “Upon the earth…”
Our morning began with an early meditation upon the hillside, turning our attention to the light, both in literal and symbolic terms. It was a moment to drink in the
Hunting the Unicorn: Dusk in the kirkyard…Hunting the Unicorn: Dusk in the kirkyard…
On the banks of the river Spey, Dean introduced us to some of the concepts we would be working with over the weekend before leading us into Inverallan burial ground.
The Quest for Immortality: Anomalies…The Quest for Immortality: Anomalies…
* Given that much of the Epic of Gilgamesh has found its way into the Hebrew Book of Genesis in a somewhat garbled form… Why, we may wonder, is the
Lord of the Deep: Taking rootLord of the Deep: Taking root
One of the questions people don’t like to ask is whether or not our ritual drama weekends serve any useful purpose. It is all very well coming along to share
Gilgamesh descending (8) ~ Steve TanhamGilgamesh descending (8) ~ Steve Tanham
The portal through which all the others have passed – except ghostly Enkidu and forlorn Gilgamesh – shimmers and fades. My brother – his twin – fades… And he and
Lord of the Deep: Outrunning the sunLord of the Deep: Outrunning the sun
“Can’t stop,” said I, dashing through the corridor. “I’ve got to paint celery…” “Can you help me with my skin?” “Sure. I’ll just grab the pins…” There were a number
Lord of the Deep: “Why is there such grief..?”Lord of the Deep: “Why is there such grief..?”
Preparing the temple for the final ritual drama of the weekend is always bittersweet. It is the last stage of a journey that has been years in the making. This
Lord of the Deep: Surfing the WebLord of the Deep: Surfing the Web
Saturday is always a heavy day, with three rituals and attendant prep sessions, as well as two explorations, led this time by Lorraine and Jan, both of whom are ordained
Lord of the Deep: Rebuilding the citadelLord of the Deep: Rebuilding the citadel
Once more the fates move. Now, while Gilgamesh steps beyond himself, he and Enkidu, Life and Death, Man and Nature, become the portal that guards the Veil of the Beyond.
Lord of the Deep: Stepping beyond…Lord of the Deep: Stepping beyond…
When Lord of the Deep was being written, decisions had to be made about which elements of the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh to include, which to leave out altogether and
The Quest for Immortality: Gods…The Quest for Immortality: Gods…
* The workshops serve as a Celtic Cauldron of Plenty… Everyone gets what they most need. How is this possible? How is it possible that three years on from
Lord of the Deep: Getting under the skin…Lord of the Deep: Getting under the skin…
In any drama, be it ritual or otherwise, there is a fine line over which you must hover as an ‘actor’. You are not your character. Lines and scenarios that
The Quest for Immortality: Dreams…The Quest for Immortality: Dreams…
* When the people of Uruk rebel against the tyranny of Gilgamesh, they petition the Gods… * Hearing their plea the Goddess, Aruru, fashions the twin of Gilgamesh from the
Lord of the Deep: True colours?Lord of the Deep: True colours?
Gilgamesh and Enkidu journey into the wilderness; pursuing the king’s desire for personal glory, the two have left Uruk to seek out the ‘forest demon’, Humbaba. Gilgamesh has vowed to
Gilgamesh descending (4) ~ Steve TanhamGilgamesh descending (4) ~ Steve Tanham
Steve continues his view of the Lord of the Deep weekend through the eyes of Gilgamesh: And as I watch Gilgamesh ascend towards the vast cliff-edge from which his life
Lord of the Deep: Going for gold…Lord of the Deep: Going for gold…
One of the ‘simple pleasures’ of working on the Silent Eye workshops is that I get to fulfil my dream to run a wardrobe and props department. I love the
The Quest for Immortality: Terms…The Quest for Immortality: Terms…
* … The terms Ego and Id had not yet been applied to the components of the human psyche when Gilgamesh was written but the self same dynamics are evident
Lord of the Deep: Brothers in arms…Lord of the Deep: Brothers in arms…
In order to indicate the passage of time and distance in our story, we tend to walk the circular form of the temple. The third ritual drama began with Shamhat
Gilgamesh descending (3) ~ Steve TanhamGilgamesh descending (3) ~ Steve Tanham
Steve continues to share his experience of the weekend from the perspective of Gilgamesh: Entranced by the living spell that is the movement of the Fate Dancers across their patterned
Lord of the Deep: Dancing the Seven VeilsLord of the Deep: Dancing the Seven Veils
The first part of the second ritual drama was easy enough to design. The Trapper…who looked so good in his costume, he should really dress that way all the
Lord of the Deep: A radiant dawnLord of the Deep: A radiant dawn
There is something about greeting the rising sun at the dawn of a new day that changes our perspective, especially on a spiritual workshop, when the attention is already focussed
Lord of the Deep: The Tyrant and the PriestessLord of the Deep: The Tyrant and the Priestess
We began the workshop weekend by opening a whole can of worms. Gilgamesh, Lord of the mighty city-state of Uruk, stands within the temple of Ishtar, face to face
The Quest for Immortality: Seeds…The Quest for Immortality: Seeds…
* “And in their bed chambers at night… The young-folk of Uruk cry themselves to sleep…” * “When the wild-man succumbs, the animals will leave him forever. He will no