Welcome to the Goddess Study Centre
Situation
Ground waters rise around Silbury Hill, Wiltshire, UK. Sheila Broun & Chesca Potter. Photo taken by Monic Sjoo.
The Goddess Study Centre is situated in the Bath area. Bath is the centre of a 30 mile radius containing major British sacred sites, including :
The only hot mineral springs in Britain – three in Bath, and Hotwells in Bristol.
A number of sacred wells, springs and rivers, too numerous to mention here, but including Chalice Well and the White Well in Glastonbury, Swallowhead Spring and the river Cunnit/Kennet in Avebury.
Sacred sites dating from the Iron Age - Uffington White Horse, Glastonbury Lake Village, the Sweet Track (oldest trackway in Britain);numerous round barrows etc.
The most complete Neolithic ritual site in Europe, comprising of Avebury Henge, Silbury Harvest Hill, East and West Kennet Long Barrows. Also from the Neolithic - Stoney Littleton Long Barrow, and Stonehenge.
About the tutor
Sheila Broun
Sheila Broun is an artist, teacher and Priestess Hierophant of the Goddess with the Fellowship of Isis.
I have a MA in Communication Studies (Sheffield, UK) and have been teaching Art & Symbolism since 1975 and Goddess & Sacred Landscape since 1987 in Further, Higher and Community Education.
A visionary artist and mask-maker, I create work about my experiences of the Goddess and the Wheel of the Year. My artwork is currently published in the We'Moon Diary and the We'Moon Anthology. You will soon be able to see it on the Goddess Gallery page - which I am currently setting up.
Now living in Bath, UK, I have reached the point of stripping back all traditions and work directly with the land, relating very closely to trees, to the turn of the seasons, elemental forces and weather. My aim is to re-connect to the healing power of Nature, and to participate in re-building the foundations of a joyous culture.
Beltane
.jpg)
Merry Beltane, for as the Padstow Day Song says: 'with the merry ring, adieu the merry spring, for summer is acome unto day'.
Suddenly within the past week, plants have put on a spurt of growth. The lilac is blossoming which is a sign that the earth has warmed up and it is safe to start sowing seeds outdoors. However, there is still a chance of occasional night frosts.
Beltane is the time when everything is in blossom and the Goddess appears radiant in Her nubile beauty, adorned with flowers. Traditionally May Day is a time of sexual licence, the time of the 'honey' moon - whether in the ploughed fields or in the greenwood.
Hawthorn is the flower of May, and is also known as such. Haw is Hagg in old English. The Crone is transformed into the May Queen. Hawthorn is one of the four spirit bushes, and represents the spiritual awakening of women.
Merry Beltane, for as the Padstow Day Song says: 'with the merry ring, adieu the merry spring, for summer is acome unto day'.
Suddenly within the past week, plants have put on a spurt of growth. The lilac is blossoming which is a sign that the earth has warmed up and it is safe to start sowing seeds outdoors. However, there is still a chance of occasional night frosts.
Beltane is the time when everything is in blossom and the Goddess appears radiant in Her nubile beauty, adorned with flowers. Traditionally May Day is a time of sexual licence, the time of the 'honey' moon - whether in the ploughed fields or in the greenwood.
Hawthorn is the flower of May, and is also known as such. Haw is Hagg in old English. The Crone is transformed into the May Queen. Hawthorn is one of the four spirit bushes, and represents the spiritual awakening of women.
Wheel of the Year
.png)
SAMHAIN – marks the beginning of winter and the Native British New Year. A time of death for rebirth – the fruit has decayed and the seed is left, holding the pattern of next year’s cycle.
WINTER SOLSTICE – celebrates the turning point of the sun at midwinter. From this time the light increases. Frost spreads across the land, and everything is strengthened through rest.
IMBOLC – here are the first stirrings of life. Shoots of the first flowers come through the earth. Daylight has increased, the early lambs are born, and the dawn chorus begins once more.
SPRING EQUINOX – day and night are of equal length. A time to celebrate the beauty of dawn. The earth is awake and seeds germinate and burst into life. The mating season begins.
BELTANE – marks the beginning of summer. This is the merry month of May when everything blossoms. It is a time of fertility and rapid growth.
SUMMER SOLSTICE – a time of maximum light and the longest day of the year. A time to enjoy golden summer days. From this time onwards the light decreases.
LAMMAS – first fruits of harvest. A time of abundance and celebration. A time of giving thanks to the earth for our food, and of working together.
AUTUMN EQUINOX – day and night are of equal length again. The harvest is finally gathered in with thanksgiving. A time to celebrate the beauty of dusk.
Sacred Sites from Prehistory
Avebury
Since 1999 I have been working in a 30 mile radius around Bath, focussing on the Goddess Sulis in Her animist forms. In vision I have seen these as a bear, white horse, red deer, owl and snake.
The red deer changes into the Faerie Woman which is a vision of overwhelming beauty. The red deer can be found at many sites, at Charlecombe Spring in Bath, in Glastonbury at Chalice Well, at Avebury at the Henge and on Silbury Hill, where there is an overwhelming loving energy.
The red deer is a creature that represents the heart, as it does not predate on any other animal. Its gentleness is its strength, and does and their young live together, protected by an older female who keeps watch over the herd.
Sulis & Nemetona
The Goddess Sulis has been revered in Bath
Sulis also takes another form as Silina, the Moon Goddess, after whom the Scilly Isles and Silbury Hill are named. Silina rules water, including all the cold springs in and around
The triple form of Sulis, known as the Suleviae, were the Matron Goddesses of the hill dwelling Horse Tribes living within a 30 mile radius of
Nemetona, the Goddess of The Sacred Grove has also been revered in Bath since time immemorial. According to Patricia Monaghan She is depicted as a young Queen, crowned and veiled, with the orb and sceptre in Her hands.
Standing behind Her are The Fates. She is linked to Nemesis, who is shown holding the Wheel of Life, and the Ash Wand.
