Meditation with the Moon

Tonight is my final meditation, save the Samhain workshop, with the Moon at Norton priory. When I say The Moon, I am talking about Luke Jeram’s Museum of the Moon. A beautiful illuminated art installation that uses photographs from Nasa to recreate a stunning replica of our celestial best friend.

I have felt it an absolute privilege to work with this installation, and in such an evocative setting as Norton Priory. For those of you who don’t know Norton, it is a Museum set around the ruins, and the archaeological finds, of a medieval Augustinian Priory in Runcorn. I am lucky enough that this is very local to me, and one of my favourite places already, so to be able to take my work into this setting has made me feel like a kid at Christmas.

After the Priory was dissolved due to Henry and his BDE, the land was sold to the Brooke family. The remains of the Under croft of the Priory was incorporated into their Manor House, and their Walled Garden remains a short walk from the Museum. I am also lucky enough to be part of an artist in residency in the Walled Garden this Summer, and I shall write another post about that shortly. The Under croft is going to be the venue of most of our Saturday morning meditations this Winter.

One thing I was not expecting is the energy a simple representation of The Moon can possess. Her splendour is with us as a constant, but to feel her so close is a wonder. On evenings when the Museum is full and folks are milling about taking photos, the joy it gives to every age is apparent. I can’t help wondering if worship of the Moon is inherent in our DNA. I know its in mine.

Our meditations have shown me even deeper understanding that both art and nature are part of our mental landscape. The energy we created in the atrium as we give ourselves permission to bask in this atmosphere, accept these symbols as part of our psyche, was tangible. St Augustine felt the Moon was representative of The Soul, and I can see now why he felt that way.

Places like Norton Priory were created as places of care and reflection, and I have felt this tradition strongly this month . Tonight will be our last meditation before our workshop celebrating Samhain on the 31st, the evening we will say goodbye to the Museum of the Moon. I will miss her.