When I have the opportunity to travel, I often go with my dear friend, Carla, whom I have known for over thirty years.  It is always fun to travel with someone who has like interests and Carla is like a second sister to me.  We both enjoy exploring off the beaten path finding places less people venture. 

This was one of those days.

We had been driving a good part of the day and since this was England, that task is always a bit more challenging.  Being from the US, we have to coerce our "driving brains" to shift into "Opposite" gear.  On this particular day, we were driving on a narrow, picturesque road with an old, mossy rock wall that lined it for miles right on each edge.  I could easily imagine a horse and buggy traveling this path once but now is used for two way car traffic.  And with not one inch of extra room, I felt my heart drop into my stomach as a truck headed towards me in the oncoming traffic!

But the beauty of the Lake District is well worth the drive and we began exploring our destination.

Continuing on another narrow road, it winded even more precariously as we drove up a steep hill in a mostly uninhabited country area.  We almost missed the tiny National Trust sign that told us we had finally found what we were looking for.  Always a pleasant surprise, we appeared to be the only people here at the moment.

Once out of the car we began hiking across the expansive meadow before us.  The crisp cool of autumn caused me to pull my coat tighter.  I drank in the air and the smoky scents of the season filled my senses.  I could have walked endlessly for miles across the fields without interruption except for the one thing that broke its perfect continuity.  I approached this extremely common yet simultaneously extraordinary object in my path.  As I reached out, my hand passed over its surface with a keen reverence of history.  Before me was a massive stone emerging from the earth and reaching high towards the sky.  It was one of many carefully arranged in a large circle.  I contemplated the humor in the fact that I would think of this particular rock as special. It was ancient, yes, but all rocks everywhere are equally as aged and a part of this planets history. Yet, this rock was different.

Not only is the massive rock part of geological history but it is part human history which gives it a significance beyond other rocks. 

My travels take me many places and one can always find me trekking about with my big black camera bag slung over my shoulder...my constant companion.  There are many pleasures in life and for me one of them is to bring the world I explore home with me both in my memories and in my photos.  This day in the stone circle was no exception.  My camera was rapidly recording images as I kneeled down closer to the ground taking shots from every angle.  My mind wandered as I thought about all the people the walked on this same spot throughout the many ages it has stood here.  One of my fascinations with this country is that it is so rich with layers of history and artifacts that have survived through time.

Still kneeling near the edge of the circle, as I paused for a moment to just enjoy the peaceful beauty, I became aware of something curious.

At first it felt like my heart beating in my chest, just a deep, soft thumping.  I was uncertain why I would suddenly be aware of my heart beating but then I realized I could also feel the pulse down my legs and feet.  Reaching down with my hand, I could feel the vibrations as if they were coming from a memory in the Earth itself.

I closed my eyes as the rhythm grew stronger. 

The beat engulfed me in its primeval chant.

A sudden gust of wind brought with it a new sound and I turned my attention toward the sky where its source was coming into view.

Dozens of glistening black birds flew toward the meadow calling out as though in answer to the unseen music.  The ravens circled and landed as if in search of something that no longer was there.

The circle of stones holds onto the secrets of its past like a puzzle with no answer. 

But today a pulse from the past called out and the ravens lingered adding a riotous mix to the ancient melody.

Among the tumult of wings it seemed, for brief moments, I caught glimpses of another time.  Then there was a silent pause and in one synchronous motion the ravens took flight and were gone.

The sun was low and across that vast, darkening sky a full moon was rising as we walked back to the car.  We sat quietly for a moment before Carla said, "I hope you caught some of that on your camera."  We looked at each other and smiled.  No other words are needed between good friends.

 

By Susan Schroder

Photographica from the Realms  (Faezine's Cover Artist)

"Believing in Magic is easy, but, for me, Living in the Magic comes from inspiration…

My muses are from Nature and all the many creatures we share this planet with… seen and unseen. 

But mostly, true Magic comes from the people who touch my life.

I currently have 923 songs on my iPod, 532 Books, 227 DVDs, at least 70 Faeries residing in my house, 16 teapots, 6 Bonsai, 3 Cameras, a million yards of fabrics waiting to be made into costumes (okay... that's an exaggeration...) and one lonely gargoyle!"

Susan has been a member of Enchanted Folk since October 2007

members.enchantedfolk.com/www.photoimagerybysusan.com

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