I enter my Sacred Grove from the west, through tall silver-skinned birches that cast their dappled shade on the emerald and sapphire hued grass and blue-bells below. The narrow path I'm on is soft with rich peaty loam and my bare feet sink into it, feeling its earthy warmth envelope my toes. The clearing opens up before me like a womb, surrounded on all sides by the softly rustling birches, their water-plump leaves quivering in the breeze. Here the grass is verdant and silky, brushing my legs with light lover's caresses. An underground spring feeds a glistening pool of water, which in turn feeds a small stream that meanders laughing through the trees. To the north, half hidden in the long grass, lays a large flat granite stone decorated with spirals carved by the ancient ancestors.

It is here in front of this stone that I settle down with the scent of blue-bells heady in my nostrils and the warmth of the sun stroking my back. Birds twitter and chirp high in the branches above my head, singing love songs to the sun. All around me is profound peace and tranquillity. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, a tall grey-robed figure stands before me. His eyes glitter brightly yet darkly from within his face, deep-wrinkled with time. He tells me his name is Grayling and he is my guide. With that he throws a bunch of hazel twigs onto the stone and they miraculously arrange themselves into a sign - four sticks forming a square, intersected by the other four sticks forming eight sections.

He then disappears as suddenly as he came. For a while I ponder this sign and what comes to mind is the eight yearly festivals bounded by the four elements. The significance of the hazel twigs may be spiritual and/or creative manifestation, wisdom, listening and trusting my intuition.

I sit for a while with the soft earth clinging to my feet...I am blessed by the Element of Earth, the gentle breeze surrounding me...I am blessed by the Element of Air, the warm rays of the sun...I am blessed by the Element of Fire, and the laughing sound of the cool water-filled pool...I am blessed by the Element of Water.

Leaving the hazel twigs where they lay on the stone; I take my leave of my Sacred Grove feeling calm, refreshed and very blessed.