Photo courtesy of Artemis and Lugh Iseum, Germany Used by permission. Olivia Robertson. Dulce Domum 1917 - 2013 Lady Olivia's Journey to the Stars
November 20, 2013 A Report by David deRoeck This report is from my point of
view and experience as being a participant and observer on the day. I apologise
now if I forget anything or anyone present it is unintentional and in no way
meant to offend I will also only be using first names of the priesthood rather
than full titles as this is Lady Olivia’s day of celebration and communion with
Isis of Ten Thousand Names, so on that note I will begin. I had a somewhat restless night my mind awash with details the members of the Circle of Brigid as we had arranged and set out plans of how the day was too progress. Although to the forefront was all those who had been attending Lady Olivia that day and night Tuesday 19th as the Priestesses had devoted much time to being with her and attending any needs for the Temple. With this and the many words and memories barrelling around my noggin I thought sleep would never come. Yet without a whisper into the arms of Morpheus I slipped unknown and embraced by the Angelic beings so ever present.The morning was all too swift up dressed in bib and tucker with case in hand my
chariot roared into life like young lions ready for the hunt. It was somewhat
cold and drizzles as if a celebrity chef was making some salad thing on an over-sized
plate and even my music skipped and hopped oddly enough from slow classical to
vibrant pop. I took this as a sign and left it to do its will then from Bray
onwards as if a giant bear had unzipped an overly heavy fur coat to reveal blue
skies and beaming sun shine RA was truly embracing the road ahead. Gone were
the thoughts of the weather forecast saying it would rain all in sundry of
appropriate animals along with ice cold winds to chill the warmest of bones. The day was as Lady Olivia would have been bright and beaming to see all the
things that are to be, I quickly came to the right turn to enter the village of Clonegal over the stone bridge and
through the main street. Then hard left to the gates of Huntington Castle
the majestic tree lined avenue glistened and danced in the sun shine and the
castle look magnificent bathed in RA’s wake only the Flag of the Family’s Crest
stood at half-mast speaking silent volumes of the day. I parked grab my things
and walked to the courtyard of the castle and its gravelled surface had been
raked and cleaned as if a Zen garden was to placed there no small task as the
courtyard is quite sizable, I delivered the cakes I had with me into the
theatre. Then moved towards the temple greeted by some of the priestesses already
waiting we hugged and spoke of the days plans. Soon after when everyone had
arrived we made our way to the Temple
of Isis. At the doors I
opened the gateway and Portals to bid us all welcome as we descended the stairs
into the Temple. At the Gate of Brigid's Well I tolled the bell once to announce
our arrival. We all processed into the main temple and at the high Altar of Isis we all linked hands in a circle as Cressida welcomed
us all and spoke a little before saying we now as the priesthood keep in our thoughts
and Hearts Lady Olivia as her journey is beginning a new. We all had our tasks
and positions clearly in our minds as the sands of time gently tricked onwards Lydia stepped forward to light the sacred blue
candle that had been made transported from Glastonbury with a tapa that was from the
eternal flame with tones and drumming. Marion stepped forth and lit the Sacred
Golden Candles of the High Altar of Isis stepping back to take her position.
Eimear began the welcome with her playing the harp it was as if heavenly note
permeated the air like incense wafting into every corner of the temple and
beyond. Minette blessed all the congregation with Brigid's Well water as they
entered the Temple
from the Persephone, Sean stood holding the energy at the shrine to Gemini and
Vesta with David making sure the space was reserved for the family. Then as the
Family came in from the main temple entrance the harp became silent. Andrew
tolled the great bell thrice as Cressida welcomed all to this celebration of
life and Solar journeys. She then struck the Tibetan Gong. Its clear notes sliced
through the air in waves creating moments as all hearts came together in an ebb
and flow as a great river then all sound ceased as that moment between a
heartbeat and breath a void of potential. Eimear stepped up to give the
invocation to the Morrigan in the words of old it was as a sweet scent of
earthy forests of trees and shapeless shadows. Then I gave the invocation to
Amun with ancient words of the solar boat that we will soon row to the Horizon
for everlasting life. Cait stepped forth to invoke Pallas Athena that Lady
Olivia had been working on a new order and this will be coming into being early
next year. Then it was Caroline from across the water whose reading and words
sent the minds a loft with wisdoms far and hopes to hear. Then Cait stepped
forth to sing an Irish air with her ethereal voice it floated like a leaf on a
warm summer’s breeze that drifts away too soon too soon as the last note fell
silent. Cressida calls Eileen to bless the sarcophagus with sistrum in hand she
recites Pilgrim of Eternity from Dulce Domum. Moments lingered as eyes gazed
skyward she handed the sistrum to Marian who elated the air with sound and the
words of "With Gratitude For" from the same source. Deirdre then took the
instrument and followed with Divine Isis breathes were deep and short silences
seemed more than poignant as Cressida recited Releasing the Shadow and “Rejoice
Olivia is Isis Risen” energy wiped around and many felt the spinal tingle with glazed
eyes. Maureen stood forward reciting the Isis Prayer with firm of note and
delivering tone as Celia then recited “The quality of mercy is not strained” as
this was one of the last things Lady Olivia had written in her note books
(which there were many and all full with notes pictures and tasks for the
priesthood). Cressida spoke a final "Thanksgiving to the Beloved Divine" then
David, Eimear and Cait all thanked the Gods and Goddesses they had invoked,
sending out Blessings to all across the Globe. Julie sang words of the divine
in her native voice that held the silence in Temple. Máire then recited the poem she wrote
to link the Temple
to the next part of the ceremonial procession to the Church in the village. As
the family withdrew upstairs, Julie and Lydia
lead the congregation with guitar and drumming out of the Temple
through the grounds to await the hearse.
Then in the Temple
Leslie and Josephine said
their own prays before extinguishing all the candles and I closed the portals
locked the gates and headed to join everyone at the castle main gate. As we all
stood waiting, Ra was above the castle and so bright that we had to shield our
eyes to see as the front door opened and Lady Olivia’s great nieces carried her
wicker coffin. It looked like a solar boat with hand maidens gently bring it to
the shore. She was placed into the hearse and a lone piper in Irish kilt played
as the family and all followed down the avenue through the village up the hill
to a small stone church, where the vicar was to hold a ceremony for family and
friends before the burial. It was a simple ceremony with hymns and readings and Anna Lady Olivia’s niece had written a eulogy that was so Olivia she was there with us we laughed and sighed and lamented our own thoughts of why. From there we all headed back to the castle theatre for tea coffee sandwiches and of course Olivia’s favourite Cake we spoke and recounted story and hugged and introduced ourselves to those not known. Then down to Osborne’s (a local coaching house as Olivia always said) Julie and Lydia played music and Deirdre’s son played tunes on the fiddle we spoke some more as the cloak of night covered the land of Ireland it was a very special day and one that will not soon be forgotten.Blessings to you all, |