Gower - A Secret, Mystical Landscape

The Gower Peninsula is a sacred place, imbued with myth and ancient mysticism. It's landscape contains a plethora of holy wells, standing stones, megalithic burial tombs and ritual cairns. Embroidered onto this hugely evocative series of archaeological and magickal monuments are a fascinating tapestry of folklore, ghost stories and faery tales. These enrich and bring the Gower Peninsula to life as much as any other of the region's attractions or amenities.

Betty Church Wood, Llanmadoc
(Notice the Green Man Face in the Trunk)

And yet, whilst publicity and (albeit limited) resources *1 are directed towards the other aspects of Gower's acclaimed character, the peninsula's mystical heritage has been all but ignored - or, at least, strangely and deliberately, hidden from public view *2.

[*1 To take Gower's varied wildlife habitats as a single example, a plethora of organisations - the Forestry Commission of Wales, the Countryside Council of Wales, the National Trust and the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, to name just a few, exist to conserve these areas and make them suitable for public access.]

[*2

Three Cliffs Bay - One of Gower's Sacred Sites

At the mention of sacred landscapes and monuments imbued with ancient, spiritual powers, visions of Stonehenge and similar locations such as the Avebury Stone Circle naturally come to mind. There are, however, hundreds of less grandiose sacred sites scattered across the whole of the United Kingdom which, although of a "quieter" nature than the two celebrated examples already mentioned, are at least equally charged with that 'Other World' quality where one's mind can easily slip from time and space.

Spending time at these sacred sites can be a rejevating experience for the soul. Beneficial effects from visiting such locations include the unshackling of modern day stresses, increased spiritual awareness and growth and the opportunity to gain sometimes profound insight...

Please bear with me as I put together this section and forgive me if progress appears slow. Remember that this site does not officially go 'live' until Easter 2008, by which time everything on this site should have come together.

Thank you for your understanding,

Chris Elphick