In response to sunlight an environment has evolved upon the surface of the Earth that is suitable for certain forms of life. The atmosphere, the oceans, the forests, the microbacteria, maintain a balance within which this life can thrive. This dynamic yet delicate ecological balance preceded the emergence of humans by millions of years. As we are but a very recent addition to this particular manifestation of ‘cosmic law,’ and as we depend entirely upon the Earth for our still juvenile existence, it would seem imperative that all human actions are undertaken in the spirit of these powers – if we are to grow together into our fullest potential.
When wisely managed early human societies resonated with the natural landscape. This was understood as full of the presence of forces and qualities - known variously as genius loci, daemons, devatas, netr, mana, chi, anima mundi, soul or psyche. As these powers are manifestations of divine law, they were held to be intrinsically in harmony with it; and reverence toward and cooperation with them was deemed essential.
Our current epoch, sometimes dubbed the ‘Anthropocene’ (the era of man) has failed dram-atically in its obligations to life. It fails to realise its unity with all things and has little or no respect for its fellow-creatures.
Humanity is asleep, and we live in a false culture, one that is out of balance with life and its elemental powers. Many of us know now what the price will be, more or less, for the excesses of our current lifestyles. And that too is in keeping with cosmic law. A key aim of our work is to encourage our individual and collective remembrance of the principles followed by our ancestors, in order that we may learn to live in balance with life once again - accepting and enjoying it for its gifts, and being part of its unified revelation.
The purpose of this work is to help practitioners self-initiate into what amounts to a shamanic realisation of our true state of unification with life on Earth. By reestablishing a relationship with our ancestors and all beings in the landscape of the place in which we dwell, we can wake up and begin to cooperate closely with the ancient and powerful spirits of the land at this time of unparalleled planetary upheaval.
Our work is focused upon the land of Britain, and in particular on the Isle of Avalon as the ancient temenos or sacred centre of the land.
Our hope is that by relearning how to live in balance and harmony with all that is about us, we may at last become a mature ‘civilisation’ worthy of the name of homo sapiens (wise man). In this time of crisis, we believe it is vitally important to reconnect with the deepest levels of ancient wisdom, in order to restore our alignment with divine law and sow the seed of a responsible future society.
The British guides, ancestral, elemental and devic, are part of a vast planetary web of guiding powers that are overseeing the transition of humanity into a New Aeon, called by some the Age of Aquarius. Britain will be profoundly affected - geographically, economically and demographically - by the unfolding planetary changes; but in this aeonic shift its inhabitants are destined to play a global role of especial spiritual importance. For as the legendary custodian of the hidden Grail an aspect of the spiritual mission of Britain is the healing of the Wasteland.
Ironically and sadly, what we did not know when this legend was extracted from Celtic myth to be popularized in the Arthurian romances of the middle ages was that humanity would itself cause the wasteland in which the Grail is concealed. Thus only now, as we finally accept that we ourselves are the cause of serious damage to our life-supporting but fragile planetary eco-system, can the deeper meaning of the Grail legend begin to appear. Indeed, once we begin to understand our collective culpability, we are also in a position to call on the wisdom of the Grail guardians, who have waited for thousands of years for us to ask the right question of them: what is the Grail and who does it serve?
