Yesterday, I travelled down to Bath to meet up with my daughter. It was great catching up with her, I realised how she has matured into a fine, well developed young woman in such a short space of time. It doesn't seem so long ago that I was changing her nappies and watching her first steps. That time has now passed and yesterday we all spent the day together as sightseers around the ancient city.
I've always wanted to visit the ancient Roman baths there, which were dedicated to the celtic goddess, Sulis and later became Romanised into the goddess, Minerva. I'd heard so many accounts about it that I was determined to go. It's a great place to visit as there seems to be something there for everyone. Very little is known about Sulis, but I felt that I truly experienced Her presence whilst walking around the ancient baths and the warm waters of the bubbling spring, Her Source. I left an offering in the cold pool and later drank the warm, chalky healing waters at the pump house. It was wonderful to think that I had been walking the same steps as the pilgrims of old, leaving offerings and taking the waters. I bought a little golden owl and a small effigy of Minerva to hang on the Yule tree.
But first my thoughts turn to Samhain on Sunday. I've yet to prepare my altar for my ritual so later I will be carving the pumpkin and dressing the table ready. Weather permitting I will be outside around the bonfire at some point so I have all that to consider too. Warm soup will be on the menu along with mulled wine. Hopefully I will have a blessed and peaceful Samhain.
