Extract From Answering Avalon's Call

Here is a short extract from a book called Answering Avalon's Call - The Mystical Odyssey of an Earth-Healer, by Carol Ohmart Behan. The book isn't due to reach shops until May, but this short sample should give you a taste of what it is like:

The Lady of the Lake

A cool, cloudy Autumn day greeted us the morning of October 11th as we gathered at Long Branch Park at the northern end of Onondaga Lake. We began the day by joining in a large circle, nearly sixty of us, with ceremony calling the Sacred Directions, giving thanks to the Beings of the Land, thanking and acknowledging the Peacemaker. And most especially we called upon the Lady of the Lake to hear us and receive the healing energy we were raising for Her in our work together that day.

There was music from several wonderful groups, speakers, informational booths, a labyrinth to walk, and a children’s activity area, all focused on celebrating the Lake and honoring the Earth. And everyone was encouraged to spend some time during the day at the simple altar we’d devised for the Water Blessing. A wooden stool held a white and blue enameled basin into which people poured their offerings of water blessed by their prayers of Love and Thanks. The four directions were marked with rows of yellow gourds so people could choose the place that felt right to come and stand with their offering and then pour it into the basin. Many had brought small bottles with water from a body of water that was special to them, springs, streams and rivers, the ocean, lakes, even from their own wells. And for those who hadn’t known about this ahead of time, a pail of the Lake’s water rested on the ground next to the stool from which they could dip up a cupful. It was my privilege to oversee this all that day, standing nearby to answer any questions, but mostly to “hold the energy” of this beautiful ceremony.

All day the humble basin received people’s water-offerings, each one infused with blessings and messages of Love and Healing for the Water. And of course there were a dozen and more water offerings and messages from the larger Mystery School community and I reverently added and gave voice to each one.

Late in the afternoon the much-blessed water was poured carefully into a five-gallon bucket which was brought into the center of our closing circle. Over one hundred people held hands and we sang a last blessing to the gathered water. Then it was carried down to three canoes and the half-dozen people waiting to carry it out from shore and offer our day-long efforts to the Lady of the Lake.

With everything finished at last, I drove off into the evening dusk somewhat weary from the long day, but so marvelously elated. I was driving along the Parkway on the Lake’s east shore when an unmistakable summons came. “Find a place to stop and come down to the water.” Moments later a pull-off appeared and I turned into it, shut off the engine, and got out. It was only a short walk down to the water, not yet too dark to see my way clearly. I had no idea what to expect, only thrilled at what was unfolding. Then I stood at the water’s edge, the peaceful Lake stretching out before me, mirroring the moving golden string of car-lights driving along the highway on the west side.

There was a stirring out on the water not far from shore. Transfixed, I saw a shadowy shape rising and begin moving towards me. Now in total awe I knew at once it was the Lady of the Lake. It was She who had called me to stop and come down to the water. She came to within perhaps a dozen feet of the shore and stopped, hovering above the water, clearly pleased that I had come and that I could see Her. I felt more than saw Her smile and nod to me. I received her thoughts, a gentle message of thanks to all of us who had gathered that day and for what it was we had done and created together. Then, unmistakably, these words were clearly spoken to me in the dusk, “We are healing one another… we are healing one another. Please share this with the others.” I told her I would and again She nodded, smiled, and slipped away into the night. I remained there at the water’s edge for several long moments suffused with the Grace of this visitation, then made my way back to the car and drove home.

Carol Ohmart Behan is a writer, eco-activist, and a teacher of Earth-wisdom through labyrinth and pilgrimage. She lives in the Catskills of Upstate New York.

Answering Avalon's Call - The Mystical Odyssey of an Earth-Healer is published by O Books. It can be ordered via Amazon

Links and previous related posts
www.goldenspiraljourney.com
http://www.o-books.com/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/09/dozmary-pool-and-death-of-dragons.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/pagan-eye-glastonbury-tor-in-sea-of-mist.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/01/glastonbury-tor-entrance-to-land-of.html