Irish Affectionate Alliance Pilgrimage

Geocosmological pilgrimage on the axial AA line of the landscape zodiac of Ireland

Led by Peter & Sarah Dawkins

30 June - 6 July 2012

A geocosmological ‘mystery school’ pilgrimage across Ireland, from coast to coast, following the main axis of the country’s landscape zodiac, bringing a blessing down the spine of Ireland from crown to root—from the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick to the sacred peninsular of Howth Head, Dublin—from ‘Orion’ to the ‘Galactic Heart’.

Like Scotland and Britain (England and Wales), Ireland is blessed with a landscape zodiac that was recognised by ancient cultures and forms a powerful etheric structure underlying the land, affecting our psyche and expressing the divine wisdom. This pilgrimage will focus on the main axis (the AA Line) of this zodiac, which links the two AA Points (the opposing cusps of Gemini-Taurus and Sagittarius-Scorpio, where the galactic equator crosses the ecliptic) through Uishneach, the heart centre of Ireland and Occult Pole of the Irish Zodiac. Moreover, the pilgrimage proper will begin at Croagh Patrick, which is located in ‘Orion’, the Christ-figure of the Zodiac, with the intention of bringing a blessing of spiritual love and consciousness down the whole AA Line, to assist in making it vibrate like the string of an angelic harp. When such things occur in a landscape zodiac, ‘magic’ appears to happen that enlightens the mind, uplifts the soul and beautifies all things.

The two AA Points of the Irish Zodiac are marked by Ballintubber Abbey and Howth Head (the nearest landmass to the actual Sagittarius-Scorpio AA Point, which lies in the Bay of Dublin). The Sagittarius-Scorpio AA Point of the Celestial Zodiac coincides approximately with the central area of the Milky Way Galaxy: hence Howth Head can be perceived as being associated with this great galactic heart, as also is London and the site of the 2012 London Olympics within the British Zodiac. We see the resonance between these as being especially important, particularly in respect of the Europa and Leda stories.

The pilgrimage, led by Peter and Sarah Dawkins, will include group meditation, prayer, teaching, training, discussions and sharing, and walking/climbing by foot the moderately gentle hill of Uishneach (600ft/182m high) and the relatively steep and stony mountain of Croagh Patrick (2,500ft/762m high).

Starting on the Saturday evening with an introduction and night at the Marine Hotel, Sutton Cross, Howth, Dublin, we will travel the next day by coach direct to Westport, County Mayo, on the west coast of Ireland, where we will stay for two nights at the Mill Times Hotel. This hotel is located in the town centre of Westport, not far from the beautiful Clew Bay, which opens to the Atlantic and whose islands help to focus the crown chakra energy of Ireland. Whilst there, we will visit and climb Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s premier sacred mountain and place of pilgrimage.

On the following day, leaving Westport, we will travel to Ballintubber Abbey, a royal abbey marking the beginning of Tochar Phádraig, the ancient pilgrimage route to Croagh Patrick. From there we will carry on to Tulsk, in County Roscommon, where we will visit Rathcroghan, the site of Cruachan, traditional capital of the Connachta and one-time seat of Ailill and Medb (Maeve), the legendary king and queen of the Connachta in the Ulster Cycle.

Having stayed overnight at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, on the edge of Loch Ree, where the ‘Pole Star’ of the Irish Zodiac is focused, we will travel on to visit Uishneach, the heart hill of Ireland and site of the sacred ‘ever-burning’ flame from which the Irish high-kings ritually renewed their own fire at Tara. On the side of the hill is the giant phallic-looking Stone of Divisions (Ail na Míreann), the omphalos and original meeting point of the five provinces of Ireland—Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Ulster and Mide (Meath: “Middle”), the latter originally being the hill of Uishneach.

After Uishneach we will return to Dublin and the Marine Hotel at Sutton Cross, the entrance to Howth Head. On the final day of the pilgrimage we will explore Howth Head, the site of Dun Criffan, an ancient promontory fort built by one of the earliest Irish kings, Crimthann Nuad Nair, and the place where St Columba is reputed to have had his vision of the cross in the sky over Iona, which called him to set up home on that sacred isle. From there we will visit Tara, the ancient seat of the high kings of Ireland that marks the heart of Ophiuchus, the 13th Sign of the Zodiac, in the Irish landscape zodiac. The main part of the pilgrimage will conclude that evening (Thursday) at the Marine Hotel with a summary, sharing and suitable celebration, and the whole event will end the next day (Friday), after breakfast.

For those who wish stay longer in Ireland and perhaps visit Dublin city and/or Newgrange, we have arranged this pilgrimage so that this might be possible to do (on a private basis) on the Fri/Sat after the end of the pilgrimage, thereby keeping the whole trip to Ireland within the confines of two weekends and the week in between.

COST
Except for two lunches and travelling to/from the event, the cost of the pilgrimage is all inclusive, with six nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast, three lunches (including two picnics), private meeting rooms, coach transport, organisation, teaching, guidance and leadership.

If booked before 1 May 2012
£760 Shared accommodation
£910 Single accommodation

If booked after 1 May 2012
£810 Shared accommodation
£960 Single accommodation

BOOKING
If booked before 1 May 2012
A non-returnable deposit of £150 is payable on booking, with the remainder due by 1 May 2012.

If booked after 1 May 2012
Full amount is payable on booking.

Please fill out and print out on-line booking form and send with cheque for due amount (made out to ‘Zoence Academy’) to:

Sarah Dawkins, Old Rick Barn, Mill Lane, Shenington, Banbury, OX15 6NB, U.K.

The organisers reserve the right to refuse a booking if, in their opinion, it seems appropriate to do so.

CANCELLATIONS
If, for any reason, you decide or need to cancel your booking after 1 May, we will endeavour to refund any monies paid (less the £150 non-returnable deposit), depending on whether or not your place can be taken by someone else. If this is a worry to you, we recommend that you take out insurance to cover against the possibility of such an unforeseen circumstance.

AGREEMENT
By booking on this Irish Affectionate Alliance Pilgrimage you will be agreeing that you understand that an event of this nature carries certain risks (e.g. uneven and sometimes rocky ground, steep climb on foot up and down Croagh Patrick, uncertain weather) and that you are fully prepared to be responsible for your own safety and health, physical and psychological, as far as is normal and reasonable in such circumstances, and will have suitable and sufficient personal clothing and footwear, and are fit enough to do the walks and climbs.

It is also a requirement that you have sufficient health and travel insurance for the event.

FURTHER INFORMATION
sarah@zoence.co.uk