Thursday 30 January 2014

Gog and Magog

So... I’ve been cleansing.  Fasting for a week, which is always interesting.  Often we eat (or rather over-eat or eat crap) stuff to dampen down our emotions, to distract ourselves from what’s really going on in our lives, our selves. Well, some of us do – others may use alcohol, or work, or drugs or cigarettes or whatever.  Others, of course, may be totally conscious.  *smile*
Anyhow.  It was good.  I had my own little cottage; simple, almost monk-like, yet comfortable, warm, serene.  A candle over the fire.  Flowers on the table. A snugly throw.  Instead of eating, I meditated, did some gentle Zen yoga and walked, in the aura of the Tor at Glastonbury. 
I didn’t talk that much but I listened, and I heard some things I needed to hear.  I met some very beautiful people but the encounter that touched me most deeply was with a tree.  Or, rather, two trees, but one wasn’t listening, or indeed talking, so much.
Gog and Magog.  Ancient oaks.  How old?  Some say 500 years, some go as far as 2,000.  Once they had companions, many of them, an avenue of oaks that led to the Tor and beyond.  There is even a legend that the oaks once linked the Tor to Arthur’s castle in South Cadbury, many many miles away.  Sadly, most were cut down to clear land about a hundred years ago, and just these two remain.  They say they are Druid trees, ‘wishing trees’ – with the ability to help you manifest your deepest desires.  I wonder.
Gog...grumpy old sod.
Gog is male, Magog female.  They stand close, their branches stretch out but cannot touch yet their roots are surely entwining.  Hollowed (hallowed?) out, the centre cannot hold.  They say that Gog is dead but I’m not so sure.  He felt, to me, as if he had sunk deep into himself, as if he could barely be concerned with the world (whirled?) any more.  But Magog kept watch and she was still listening.  Old, for sure, lightning-blasted, twisted, hunched, ancient of days (daze?) but still there, keeping a toe on Gog. 
Magog
I touched her skin and found, to my surprise, smoothness, softness, suppleness and something so deep and serene and loving, it took me by surprise.  And I talked to her and she smiled. I could barely bear to leave.  But, as I did, I noticed something daubed on the fence.  One word. 
That night I dreamed of Gog and Magog. Gog’s branches were growing, stretching down into the ground around, as if to prop him up.  And from those branches new saplings were springing up (and yes, I know, oaks don’t do that, but hey, it’s a dream, okay?) and their leaves were spring green and pure. Does anything truly (true lie) die?   



7 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I enjoyed hearing your news of my old friends Gog and Magog. It's been nearly 5 years since I've seen them. Long may they continue to bless the landscape of the Tor.

Rachel Selby said...

I love trees. I'd be interested to hear about the fast - what did you drink? Was it a total solids fast? Was it supervised or did you just do it yourself? I'd quite like to try fasting but couldn't go to an official retreat to do it. I need a DIY home fast kit. :)

Anonymous said...

'I see the wind... I see the trees... Everything is...'

Ashen said...

Very impressed by your discipline re: fasting :)
I have a story about two trees, Gog an Magog, in a friend's garden. I may post about her in April, the anniversary of her death.
Here a link to the multiple roots of the terms Gog & Magog -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gog_and_Magog

Proofing to blogger that I'm not a robot will be a challenge again.

Frances said...

Hello Jane on this first day of February, that month that is short on days, but still can pack a wintry punch.

Is winter a good time to fast? You might recall that I usually keep away from chocolate during Lent, but that's not really a fast.

I am intrigued to learn a bit more about this recent experience you shared with Gog and Magog. If and when I get back over the the UK and we do have the chance to meet, I will remind you of my curiosity!

xo

String said...

Love that post, I love trees, what a great dream.

Exmoorjane said...

@Debra - huge thanks for dropping by. Loved your post too. :)

@Rachel - it was supervised, with Vital Detox (I posted links on my FB page if I recall). We drank water - and some vegetable juices too. Now then, there is nothing easier than a home fast! Not like you need a ton of complicated recipes. :)

@Maste: '...clear in my heart.'

@Ashen: Truly, it's much easier than eating! :) Will look forward to your G&M story. And thanks for the link.

@Frances - wild, cold and windy here...the power keeps cutting out.
Yes, absolutely! When you come, we will take a trip to visit my old friends. How wonderful that will be. :)

@String - thank you! Me too. And yes, I loved the dream too. :)