Caerdroia – Field of Turns
Every now and then, as we navigate life’s twisty turning path, something extraordinary happens to us. If we are lucky and paying attention, we recognise this happening as a defining moment and life is never quite the same again.
Mostly we go to the theatre to be entertained; or maybe educated about some important historical event. But in Caerdroia, the focus has shifted onto oneself. It is far more subtle than smoke and mirrors, it is far more real than magic. The further into the set we process, the more we can suspend our disbelief and leave behind those things that connect us to what we perceive as our daily round. We become immersed in this theatre. It exists solely for us, here and now, in this very moment.
Carrying nothing behind which to hide and with our touchstones gone, we embark on a journey into unknown territory as a child would and although parts may e scary and we may be full of foreboding, we know that Caerdroia will hold us safe whilst we explore this alternative reality. If we travelled through Caerdroia a thousand times, each journey would be different. The forest, the light, the birdsong, the people we meet, our selves – all different, every time. Every journey excites our senses in a new way. And life is more than just a walk in the park.
Caerdroia – Summer 2005
They took me off in a taxi into the forest and I didn’t know where I was. Then I was in a dark room and the door fell down. Red riding Hood came and got me and she was really worried about something but she showed me a path and t was so dark and I was scared but I went into a tunnel anyway ad it got smaller ar maybe I got bigger, I don’t know. And just when I wanted to cry I was in a kind place ad my mum was with me and she loved me.
My mum rocked me and sang to me and I felt better and strong and I was able tro stand strong and greet the world.
My goodness there are some funny people out there. Sometimes they spoke to me sometimes thy just got on with what they were doing before I came along. There was this mad English lady in a mad garden. She gave me a drink and she gave all the flowers a drink too. It was a long path I had to walk. There were birds singing and there were flowers but after a while my feet hurt and I never felt so alone.
Then I was with some people and hey washed my feet. It seemed like they were expecting me. Is life always like this? Sometimes things and people come along just when you need them.
I looked into a cupboard and it went on forever. I sat on a chair, at a table and became a child again. My legs swinging free beneath me. And there was a wise woman far away in a circle of stone. The keeper of our shared stories. Past – Present – Future
I was born here
I lived here
I travelled here
Caerdroia – Summer 2006
This can’t be right. I want candy floss and pony rides. All the normal things I’ve been led to expect. And I’ve just been sold, I think. SOLD! You can’t sell me, I’m not for sale. I’m my own person. I thought I was my own person.
She’s just bought me
I’m really angry
I am so scared
There’s something going on here. This must be some sort of game. I don’t know the rules. But look, she gave me a bag full of things, perhaps I can use this – Oh good.
Look at this beautiful girl. The wide smile as she holds out her gift to me.
Honey, a wafer. Is it her desire to love and serve me that keeps her here by this rock? Or is it the chain attached to her ankle.
Temptress
Dome
Flare of light
Reek of sulphur
Horns
A game of cards? With you? No thank you – I’m having no trick with you.
What happened to the ……? I see it’s a trick. So I lost anyway.
Always a trick.
Except maybe for this one. No chains, no ties. Dancing to music that winds and wreaths across the late evening light. And somehow, I too can dance. It’s hard to know whom to trust, but there is good. I like this. I will take this with me.
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