Meet Anima Loci
The Spirit of Place
Well I have typed the title and now I have some words on the page; which is a good start. It seemed like a good idea. I really do want folk to meet Anima Loci, The Spirit of Place, but can I do it? I mean can I do it in words; black type on a white page.
Right at this very moment my soul is screaming NO. It is almost impossible. And the voice in my head is saying “Fool, do you think you are good enough with words to convey a quality of such magnitude that people actually feel its numinous (presence of divinity) nature just through reading about it?”
Always being one to rise to a challenge and very rarely listening to the voice in my head. I know that my soul is right; it is almost impossible. Therein lies the rub 'almost impossible'. Which means that it isn't totally impossible. And it is only you, yes you - the one reading this, who will be able to tell me if I achieve it (in for a penny, in for a pound as the saying goes). So, come on, let's see if we can meet Anima Loci; The Spirit of Place - together.
Anima Loci is the 'soul of a place'
A concept, echoing through the ages, that particular places have a natural residential energy of their own. This residential energy is strong and unique enough to be experienced as a personality. This is the 'Spirit of place’.
This is a basic definition/description. Creating a meeting with 'Anima Loci' is going to take a lot more than a definition.
The reality of Spirit of Place is about far more than the component parts of the place. However special these parts may be, or what they make us feel about the place. It is what makes a place sacred and it is absolutely ancient.
Indicators
Quiddity - an inherent nature, essence, distinctiveness; a peculiarity, a quality that causes it to be 'a place apart', that creates its ‘whatness’.
Intense energy.
A presence of special beings - Deity, Spirits, Fae.
Possesses its own consciousness.
Manifests its own power.
Empowers people.
Any one of these on their own is powerful. A place where Spirit of Place resides will possess ALL of them. And the whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts.
Spirit of Place is immense - an invisible constant that manifests an influence on the place. An inherent complexity that materially affects everything within the place. A phenomenon that is tangible and speaks directly to your soul.
Experience
This is Llyn Cau on Cadair Idris, here Spirit of Place has the strongest manifestation that I have ever felt. Even those who have no knowledge of Spirit of Place will know that it is there, they will feel its presence.
Put yourself into this image. Into this sacred landscape. The mighty majesty of the highest peak, Pen y Gadair, facing you, takes your breath away just by its very existence, but that isn't the most noticeable thing.
The majesty of Pen y Gadair is almost dwarfed by the most noticeable thing. Although you cannot see it you most definitely know that it is there. The feeling is intense, it totally surrounds you. Almost like a pressure coming at you from all sides.
You get the sense that it is exploring you. This is a place like no other. There is a knowledge within you (not a belief, not a feeling, but a true knowledge) that there are beings living on this mountain that are not of our realm. Where that knowledge comes from I cannot explain but you just know.
Vast numbers of mountain walkers having traversed Cadair will tell you that "there is something up there, on that mountain - you can feel it", many refuse to return.
Where is this energy, this power that is creating such intensity coming from? It is that tangible that you are convinced that if you extended your hand you could touch it.
Is it the geological formation of the mountain Herself? Is it the lake? There are tales of things that live in that lake; there are very good reasons why you never swim in that lake. A realisation dawns; this isn't 'coming' from anywhere, this exists in its own right, it is alive and it is aware. It is aware that you are there......... and it is watching you.
This is the soul of the mountain and this is where you meet Anima Loci.
Coming Soon - Video ‘Meet Spirit of Place - Llyn Cau & Pen y Gadair.