The Oracle

Ok this is one of my favourite places, its believed to be a neolithic structure that has been used for some times afterwards aswel. I've had one hell of an experience there myself that I'd love to share with you all. But if you want to know more about the site first of all, read some of the info on the following links

http://www.stonepages.com/wales/bryncelliddu.html
http://www.megalithia.com/sites/sh505703.html

Now my experience there, it revolves around the chamber itself. I was on a field trip with my archaeology group and Mr bright spark here ignored the first signs of something waiting in there and went in. Now to describe going through the chamber, its cramped, you can stand up and it feels like you're traveling to the belly of the earth. To put it in Pagan terms, its like travelling the womb of the Goddess herself.

When I got inside I did have a moment of anger, mainly because some idiots had used concrete to support the structure inside instead of doing things the way they should have. Its typical of some conservationists in the area to use shortcuts, thankfully its not a widespread trend and many do a fantastic job. The added insult was somebody had performed a handfasting rite in site the chamber and used emulsion paint to leave a mark of what they had done, which was extremely disrespectful in my eyes. Now you're wondering why I ranted so much about that, well that's the bit that's coming.

I turned around the leave the chamber and suddenly ended up rooted to the spot. My teacher had neglected to inform me that there was an ancestor stone stood in the doorway leading out. Now to describe an ancestor stone to people who have never encountered one, they are big, powerful and in the dim light of the chamber, they look like a person who is big enough to tear off your arms

The problem I faced, this ancestor stone was annoyed for many reason, but also at me for not showing proper respect upon entering. I was a bit of an idiot and didn't acknowledge the stone outside before entering. The spirit within the stone refused to let me leave the chamber, the reason was simple, its function other than guarding was also to challenge you in regards to your path. The problem I had, other people were waiting to come inside and I had to get out first. Well after me slipping into a trance and having some rather profound experiences that changed a lot of my ideas, one of the lecturers actually came in and pulled me out. I was disorientated, completely oblivious to the real world and most of all, buzzing with enough energy to power the national grid!!!

Now after that experience, I have a very healthy respect for such sites, but an even healthier respect for the spirits that lay within them. Just goes to show doesn't it, we end up having surprises when we least expect them, but in the end, they do amazing things to help you.

Cadno ap annwn wrote: Now to describe an ancestor stone to people who have never encountered one, they are big, powerful and in the dim light of the chamber, they look like a person who is big enough to tear off your arms

Sounds very like my 'friend' who goes visiting with me.

Here is a virtualy *slap* around the head for not showing respect. Bet you got a shock that day!

The problem I faced, my lecturers always told us to leave faith at the door before going to survey a site. Now me being an idiot didn't realise that I can easily pay respect while also being impartial

Oh gods, theres no way I can do that without considering doing a recording for you to all hear it lol

lol, oh great, a how do you pronounce welsh words question! I will have a go at answering it!!!

Bryn Celli Ddu

Phonetically would be said:

Brr-In Keh-Ll-ee Dth-ee (or is it Dth-oo?)

The double L is the same as in the name Llewelyn, I am struggling to think of any thing to compare it to! it's a very welsh letter and appear in a lot of welsh place names etc, such as Llantrisant, Llantwit Major, etc. The closest I can think of is a merging of 'ch' (as in Bach) and 'le', so a sort of 'chler' sound. The double D is pronounced similarly to the english 'th' but more like you are starting to say 'D'. So I guess a 'D' merging into a 'th', so 'Dth'.

Perhaps Cadno or Binky might be able to explain better than I can!

Gassho,

M

Its Ddu (thoo) sound, but its the LL that gets me, how on earth do you write down something that sounds like you're clearing your throat

Once you say it, you'll get what I mean lmao.

As for the place itself, you may have noticed on the second link just how many sites are in that area. Well worth a camping holiday to explore them I tell you

To get the Ll sound, make the shape of an L sound then breath out past your tongue (my surname is Lloyd BTW). My understanding was that the conservationists used concrete so that it couldn't posibly be mistaken for an original part of the structure, although that doesn't stop the pain when you hit your head on it!

Oh, yes! But I'm not sure I understand them myself . I've also been to Barclodiad y Gawres on Anglesey, which is a much larger chambered cairn with some nicely carved stones, but that felt completely blank. i couldn't pick up any power or spirituality there at all, don't know why

So does Bryn Celli Ddu roughly translate as Black Spinney/Grove Hill?

Gassho,

M

Gawain wrote:Oh, yes! But I'm not sure I understand them myself . I've also been to Barclodiad y Gawres on Anglesey, which is a much larger chambered cairn with some nicely carved stones, but that felt completely blank. i couldn't pick up any power or spirituality there at all, don't know why

Now is that the one that just happens to look a little like the teletubbies home?

Because I went to a site up there that I can't remember the name of. Had a black steel gate to stop people going on and also it has some rather nice stone inside, with original cave paintings on them.

Right, found a much better website with loads of images of the internal structure.

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/352

You can even see the standing stone there