“From Darkness into Light”
Today has been our day of “Living Water: Outer and Inner Landscapes” as we steeped ourselves in the natural world created and inhabited by God.
Before sunrise this morning, an intrepid group of pilgrims made a two-hour round trip trek to Dun I (“hill of Iona”). Marked by a cairn of stones at the top, Dun I is the highest point on Iona, standing 333 feet above sea level. It was an uneven and rocky climb and descent in places, but the group was rewarded with a glorious sunrise and spectacular views of St. Columba’s Bay and Jura to the South and the Treshnish Isles, Rhum, and Skye to the North.
Another reward was splashing faces in the Well of Eternal Youth, a natural pool in a cleft of rocks just below the cairn. The pool is associated with the 6th Century St. Brigid of Ireland, who appears in Celtic myths as having blessed it while visiting Iona on the Summer Solstice to bring physical and emotional healing and renewal to all. Bottles of this blessed healing water were carried back to Bishop’s House for non-trekkers to bathe faces.
After lunch we walked and communed with the nature of Iona. The Rev. Joyce Watson, an Episcopal priest who lives on Iona, took us on a walk to learn about the flora and fauna of Iona. She noted that milder winters here are a sign of climate change.
Joyce+ celebrated the Holy Eucharist with us in St. Columba’s Chapel which is part of Bishop’s House where we are staying.
–Lolly Mixter
Cairn of Stones at the top of Dun I
“I made it to the top … dear God, get me safely down!”
The Well of Eternal Youth on Dun I
Water from St. Brigid’s Well
“God, send your Spirit,
Renew the life of the earth.”