Happy Sun in Sagittarius! Above is a photo of the Shrine of Sagittarius, found in the Well Chapel of Brigid at Clonegal Castle Temple. Listen to this audio clip of Olivia Robertson giving a guided meditation of the Window of Sagittarius in a past ritual:
(MP3 file - 4:30 mins./1mb.)
Audio transcript:
"We face a hill surmounted by the Temple of the Zodiac. Now, begin to climb up this hill. . .we reach the South-West portico flanked by two female sphinxes. We now enter this Temple. There are 12 stained-glass windows. In the center is the altar of the perpetual flame of everlasting life. Come to the window of Sagittarius. The window depicts a Goddess enthroned on a mighty rock of ages. She is crowned and bears in Her right hand a sceptre surmounted by a golden eagle. In Her left hand She holds a mighty crystal orb. Above Her on the left is a crescent moon shining down above a winged white horse. On the right is a rayed sun illuminating a peacock with raised tail of blue and green and gold.
"A sudden wind blows open the window and we see the nine mighty stars and the fifty-four lesser stars of constellation of Sagittarius. Protected by the starry bow of the Centaur lies Arcadia. Friend, enter Arcadia of the Starry Bow of the Goddess Diana, leader of the dance of the Muses and receive joy and love and enchantment from the Immortals. This is the realm where rest those who accept divine commands with faith and happiness. But linger too long here and you will be the lotus-eaters, who sit by the Arcadian stream, unendingly smiling, bereft of strength, purpose and wit.
"I want you now to pass through this window. How you've envied those with spiritual faith, the serene countenance of a nun, the absolute acceptance of a follower - of Diana or any Deity - obedience, and in that: obedience, certainty, peace, joy, no questioning, no struggle, peace, no war, cared for, loved. Enter Arcadia. Just to let go - to let go the separated self, to obey the rule, to follow the guru, the teacher, to accept the Divinity totally, like slipping back into a warm pool surrounded by still water lilies, for what can grow in tumult?
"Nothing matters without happiness, so accept and drink of the pool of happiness in your cupped hands . . the happiness the Goddess Diana gives. . .the sounds of birds. There is someone you love reflected in the pool and you look up and see this one, smiling at you. Here you are together, forever when you return here, it's always here.
"But even as we lapse into complete peace and happiness, we hear a voice say: "come back, come back, come back from Arcadia." Reluctantly we drag ourselves back. We return to the Temple of the Zodiac, and from thence down the hill and you find filled with the elation and joy of the Goddess that you return to your own time and place."
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You may also review last year's blog post, which contains an audio clip of Olivia speaking about the painting in this photo of the "Bride Ad Infinitum":
Related links: Shrines of the Zodiac
Audio Gallery
(Photo by Minette Quick, cropped and enhanced by this website. Photos and audio are copyright protected, all rites reserved, please do not duplicate.)
