The Wisdom of The Bard Series
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Primary Chief Bard.
Excerpt From The Book of Taliesin.
"Primary chief poet
Am I to Elffin.
And my native country
Is the place of the Summer Stars.
John the Divine
Called me Merlin,
But all future kings
Shall call me Taliesin."
Translated by John and Caitlín Matthews
From the book:
"Taliesin. Shamanism and the Bardic Mysteries in Britain and Ireland"
This series was one where I thought only a couple of works would come from a photographic session in February 2024. I had actually stopped here on my way back from somewhere else, but I noticed the light was creating some captivating sights in the trees, so I drove into the carpark of this Forest to see what I could capture with my camera.
This Forest is called Friston Forest in East Sussex in the UK, which forms the main body of the Forestry Commission's plantation here that was established in 1926 and has gradually over time matured beautifully. It provides many attractive walks and views, and over the years I have spent a lot of time here, from childhood walks with the family dog to then returning as an adult with my camera.
The River Cuckmere valley in the South of England was at one time in the Second World War considered a real concern in that it was thought the German invasion from the sea would try to land here and make its way up the valley, so it was fortified all the way up to the village of Alfriston. Thankfully this did not come to pass, but there are still remains of the fortifications left in the landscape.
But there has also been much earlier evidence of man here since prehistoric times from the Mesolithic and Neolithic right up to the Saxon settlements. The valley and surrounding area was also occupied in medieval times, surviving the Black Death plague with a heavy death toll, but the lands were too rich and fertile for it not to be occupied thereafter and up until the present day.
Sometimes in the right lighting, there are hints of the past that break through and the history of this area at those times does not seem to be so long ago after all. These works on this page explore this earlier time of twilight beliefs where the woodland of the area influenced the atmosphere and how people negotiated and managed their fears and hopes in their lives. I hope you enjoy these works as I gradually load more this series up on this page..
Circle Of Knowing
Circle Of Knowing
The shadows reach out to touch me
But so does the light
One does not exist without the other
And if I could I would always
Celebrate this in song
A Bard praises the heavens
And recognises the solidity of the earth
But when the two meet together
We can begin the dance
Join the Circle Of Knowing
Weave in and out of the eternal story
Understanding that we are part of the music
That forms the intricate beauty
Of the land that we call home
Photography and Poetry
By Shelley Turner
Axis
Axis
Oh we have held our boughs up
In homage to the setting sun
More times than you would ever remember
Even if you thought about it all your life long
We hold the memories of the star
As we know exactly who we are
We join heaven and earth
Rising up like an insatiable tide
Our inner rings speak of aeons
That follow our branches out far and wide
Along the arms of galaxies
Spinning forever in the mind
Our roots reach down into the soil
They travel back in time
Down into the death stars
God knows what you might find
Who else can keep such a record
Only the creator knows our secrets
We are the lungs of the earth
Breathing out the air of life
But we can also burn like pure carbon
And provide fire for your hearth
Photography and Poetry
By Shelley Turner
Just The Waiting
Photography and Poetry
By Shelley Turner
Just The Waiting
For all my knowledge
And for all my skill
I am reduced to this ordinary level
Of any human being
Waiting on your decisions
As to whether I can continue
To bring down the heavens
To the level of the earth
Much as the trees do
Those who I regard as my brethren
Whose feet are planted in the soil
Yet move with the slightest breeze
Easily and freely
Unlike me
As I am always fighting against
Unplanned movements
That might disrupt my concentration
But perhaps I should just let go now
Become as a tree
And therefore closer to you
Humble in my need
Before I finally take my leave