Llantarnam Abbey, Cwmbran

“I don't ask for the meaning of the song of a bird or the rising of the sun on a misty morning. There they are, and they are beautiful."
Pete Hamill


This is such a brilliant time of year - I don't even have to get up early to catch views like this!  The leaves are beginning to turn, some are deep red already, others a mixture of yellows and browns.  The morning mists here are glorious, the ghostly shapes of cattle looming out of the haze so atmospheric.

Beginning of our final day at Llantarnam Abbey.  After breakfast, when I hear that some of the others have also been up and about exploring the grounds of this oasis, we continue our exploration of our "personal mythologies", i.e.how we interact with Life through a variety of practical "spiritual" practices.  Certainly some insights and "surprises" for me.

This time of year is seen by some as approaching the end of the year, December, it was certainly the way I was introduced to it. After Friday's Equinox we are now in the "dark" half of the year, the days getting shorter until late December.  But for others this is also the beginning of another year, after celebrating reaping the Harvest of the year just passed.  Plans begin afresh for the coming year, a time for time for cultivating below the surface in preparation for Spring growth.  So a time of endings and new beginnings.