Pagan Explorations (continued. Part 7) by Cuthbert Clutterbutt Pagan explorer. 

The annual summer pilgrimage was not quite what I was expecting?

It was everything I was told it would be, quiet, relaxing and friendly. But I must admit I was expecting (or maybe hoping) for something more.

While I was there I was made aware of various rituals and activities of one description or another, and I was invited to participate in all of them (as far as I am aware?)

I had the privilege of being invited to participate in a very personal and beautiful celebration, held to mark an important step in two people’s lives. But nothing I witnessed gave me any further insight into, or answered any questions regarding the strange mystical people of East Anglia and their magical beliefs (well maybe the strange bit?)                                                                                           

On one seemingly normal evening, I witnessed a very strange ritual that appeared to be based around colour and light. A small group of men spent quite a long time arranging and fastening, coloured sticks of light onto a length of cord. The trouble and effort taken by these dedicated people was most impressive, but all that paled into insignificance when compared to the physical exertion and pain one in particular endured (I guessed he was the High Priest of the group) in creating the most impressive show of light and colour later that night, a circular pulsing rainbow that almost outshone the stars.

None of those involved spoke of the meaning behind the ritual, not even the children, and I did not want to show my ignorance by asking.

I think I now understand the part alcohol plays in this, and many other “pilgrimage”/get-together type gatherings held by this happy group. And Mead I discovered is an old world alcohol created mainly from honey. It does have a very pleasant taste, and it would be very easy to drink more than you should, but it is alcohol and has the same end result when consumed in any quantity.

Of course it is possible that alcohol consumption can aid meditation, I did notice that some of those that indulged freely in the evening, appeared to be very “calm and peaceful” in the morning, or maybe it was just a coincidence?

A few people were noticeable by their absence during daylight hours, but seemed to appear with the alcohol in the evening. I can only assume they spent the day in deep meditation, preparing them for the night ahead. Whether this has something to do with their personal beliefs, or some other reason I do not know, and probably never will, and for now the opportunity to ask them has passed as I have not seen them at any of the regular meetings throughout the year. This short break was most enjoyable. Nice location and even nicer company, what more could any person ask for. But I feel I have lost sight of the original reason I came to East Anglia.

My quest for knowledge regarding the mystical/magical people that are reputed to inhabit this land, do these “magical people” really exist? Or is the “magic” really in the land, there for all to use and benefit from?

I feel that to answer this question I must search the land, not the people that inhabit it.

To achieve this I must spend time alone with it, connect with its inhabitants and energies, not its people.

I will try to keep you updated on my journey as time and opportunity allows, but time can have no meaning on some journeys as the 39 years since the beginning of my quest goes to show (where have the years gone?) When you will hear from me again and, what tales I will be able to recount I cannot say.

 Picture below by Nick Smith, Mootcamp July 2006