Keepers Temple Pathworking

You find yourself inside the Keepers Circle at Faerewood.  It is night, but the scene is illuminated by the light of the Full Moon, making it nearly as bright as day.  You acknowledge the bush of Holly at the center, then walk around the Circle, stopping the South, the West, and the North.  You pass the Northeast gate, and stop at Hecate’s altar, then at the East gate. Between the East and the altar to Hearne is an opening that leads out of the Circle. You begin to walk down this path among the ferns and nodding bluebells.  It seems at first as if the path should end within a few paces, but the way opens before you, and you walk on.

Soon, the path begins to slant upward.  You observe that it follows a cut in the side of a hill, sloping upward to your left and down to your right.  It curves in a gentle arc, an easy walk beneath the Moon-lit sky. As you walk, you observe clusters of clear quartz growing out of the bluestone boulders against the hill. 

Eventually the path opens to a meadow at the crown of the hill, dominated by a large building. It is faced in white stucco, with a tall conical roof of cedar shingles.  You walk up the grassy lane to the entrance, toward a set of tall double doors. As you approach, the doors swing open of their own accord. They seem to know that you belong here.

The space inside is an octagon, completely open.  Moonlight shines through tall arched windows, augmented by the glow of pillar candles on each of the four quarter altars. You catch a faint scent in the air, as of incense burned over many years.  The sound of crickets echoes through the space, then slowly fades as the doors close behind you.

You turn to your left, and begin to walk around the perimeter of the Temple.  The floor is tiled in checkerboard squares of black granite and white marble. At each quarter stand two pillars of the same black and white stone.  You approach the East altar. 

The Altar of Air is a slab of white marble, sitting on four squat columns.  The central portion is draped with a light blue cloth, flanked by candles of the same hue.  Upon it rests an elegant sword. You bow your respect to the East, and move on.

On the Southeast wall, a brilliant tapestry depicts the Feast of Beltane.  Two figures, nearly life-sized, leap over a blazing fire.

You stop next before the Altar of Fire in the South. It is of the same style as that of the East.  The cloth and candles are red, and it bears a wooden staff topped with a clear crystal. You bow to the South, and continue.

The wall between the South and West carries a tapestry of the Feast of Lammas.  A Priestess bearing a cornucopia in her arms stands amid grain and flowers, against a backdrop of hills and fields.

The Altar of Water in the West is draped in silver gray, with silver candles.  Upon it is a large scallop shell filled with water. You bow to the West, and continue.

The tapestry of Samhain in the Northwest shows trees dropping the last of their brilliant autumn leaves and twining Celtic designs in rich Earth tones.

The Altar of Earth in the North is dressed in yellow.  Between the candles is a cluster of sparkling quartz crystals.  You bow to the North and turn your steps to complete the circle.

As you pass the entrance door, you raise your eyes to notice a Brigid’s Cross hanging above its opening.  This is a reminder of the Feast of Imbolc, and of the blessing of Brigid’s Fire in the hearth on her holy day.

Now, you turn inwards, and approach the central altar.  It is a cube of white marble resting on a cube of black.  On each of its four sides are the Tatva symbols of the Elements: the blue Circle of Air, the red Triangle of Fire, the silver Crescent of Water, and yellow Square of Earth.  Upon its top rests the Holly Chalice.

You stand at the altar and gaze into the Chalice.  A light shines on it from above, and increases steadily as you watch.  Soon, the Chalice is bathed in brilliance. You look up to see that it is the light of the full Moon, shining directly down through the clear oculus window at the peak of the roof.

As you stare into the Chalice, it begins to grow until it fills your entire vision.  It becomes a vast silvery pool, inviting you to step into it and bathe. The water’s healing essence fills your every sense, relaxing you and soothing all hurts, physical, mental, and emotional.

* * *

After a timeless time, you emerge from the water and find that you are once more standing before the altar.  You reach out to touch the Chalice, and feel your connection to it. You breathe in and softly tone an “Aum”, hearing the sound ring through the Temple space.

It is time to return.  You turn toward the door, and leave the Temple.  You walk back through the meadow, then down the wooded hillside.  In a short time, you have returned to Keepers Circle in the light of the Full Moon.