Rosslyn Chapel

The Lady Chapel

The Apprentice Pillar

Today our Sacred Celtic Pilgrimage started with a visit to the remarkable Rosslyn Chapel close to Edinburgh. Our expert guide Margaretanne explained many of the puzzles that surround the mass of stone carvings that adorn the interior of this enigmatic fifteenth century chapel. It was built by a member of the Sinclair family who still own the building today and has many connections to the Knights Templars, the mysterious society who were attacked by the Catholic church in the early fourteenth century. Some of those who survived found safe haven in Scotland because the king of Scotland had already been excommunicated by the Pope.

Because of the popularity of The DaVinci Code visitor numbers to the chapel have increased more than five hundred percent in recent years, so a new visitors centre is being built. Also the huge renovation project to preserve the chapel is still underway and the large protective canopy covering the whole building will remain there for another year at least allowing the building to dry out slowly while the roof is recovered.

There are so many mysteries surrounding the building - is the ark of the covenant hidden in the sealed crypts? does it prove North America was visited long before Columbus 'discovered' it? what secrets did the Templars discover in Solomons Temple in Jerusalem? what do some of the puzzling carvings mean? and did Jesus marry and have a child?

Temple
Following our visit to Rosslyn we explored the ruined 'kirk' (church) at Temple, once headquarters to the Knights Templars. The surrounding churchyard contains many old gravestones with Templar carvings such as the skull and crossbones. Our group decided to say a prayer to honour the Templars and the legacy they have left us, and to send healing back in time. The atmosphere of this place was very tranquil and peaceful, the sun was shining and the birds were singing - Scotland at its best.

Tomorrow we head towards the Highlands!

2 more circles in barley

Waylands Smithy, Oxfordshire

Knoll Down, near Avebury

The area around Waylands Smithy and the Uffington White Horse has become a regular venue for crop circles in recent years and although its in Oxfordshire its only just over the border from Wiltshire and about 20 miles north from Avebury. For field reports go to www.cropcircleconnector.com

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We have now started our Scottish tour and are in Edinburgh tonight. Tomorrow we'll report on our visit to Rosslyn Chapel and Temple.

First 3 formations in barley

Windmill Hill

Bishop Canning's

Barbury Castle

Having had a wonderful start to the crop circle season with a record-breaking eleven formations in flowering oilseed rape, the first circles have now been reported in green barley. This is truly a pleasure to go into as the soft heads of the crop sway in the breeze making you feel you're walking through the ocean as you go down the tramlines. All three circles are in Wiltshire within a few miles of the crop circle epicentre of Avebury and all three are in locations that regularly have crop circles.
Last year we had a formation at Barbury Castle that showed Pi clearly in its clever design, and now we have another one at the same location also showing Pi as 22/7. There are 22 circles in total and 7 in the inner ring of circles, there are also 7 rings within the design. We are told that on 22nd July (22/7) this year there will be a total solar eclipse. Many people are finding astronomical interpretations within the crop circles geometry.
We havent been into these formations but the reports we've heard are that the ground features are impressive with few signs of damage to the stems.
What will be next?

Eleventh Circle of the Season

This circle was reported after we had left Wiltshire yesterday and so, sadly, we havent visited it. The grey circle is the stems indicating that those plants unusually were probably laid radially towards the centre. The five laid circular areas appear to be impossible to access. What an interesting design!

Peak's Down Formetion

Some of the First People to Enter

We entered the Peak's Down formation early afternoon Sunday and it was apparent that we were amongst the first people to enter it. It was gorgeous with all the yellow flower heads and stems gently laying close to the ground with no visible signs of damage. Some stems were broken close to the ground but most were curved over and the soft bloom on the stems (like that on a grape) was unmarked. We felt we needed to tiptoe between stems to make our way around the different circles, some of which has swirled nests in the centre and some of which had flat spiralling centres. In actual fact all of them were somewhat 'off to one side' and not in the geometric centre at all.

Inside the Rapeseed Formations

Yesterday (Sunday May 10th) we went into this formation, the largest ever crop circle in oilseed rape. The stems stand at five feet tall and you get yellow pollen all over your clothes walking down the tramlines. the formation was 6 days old and had obviously had a lot of visitors but there was still strong dowsable energy present. It is massive and rather like walking through a maze, not being able to see much of the rest of the pattern except the part you are in.
Check out the next blog about the latest circle to appear that we went into.