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Deirdre said:It's is also customary to bring a stone from home ... and leave it at the Cruz de Hierro. I forgot to bring one
Deirdre said:but after many tears I decided that it was not worth abandoning the Camino.
BobM said:I would certainly urge all pilgrims to go on to Finisterre - although it takes a high degree of motivation to walk there after the highs of arrival in Santiago (especially if you have walked from SJPDP).
It certainly is and you're close, Bob! But I do 'believe' however that something else could be happening with most of us at Fisterra. That 'something' might be 'the' essence (or 'a' quintessential) of the whole pilgrimage concept as it is indicated by Georgiana Goddard King in her 'The Way of Saint James' which is now discussed in the pilgrims books chapter.BobM said:I hope this is helpful. Bob M
PILGRIMSPLAZA said:It certainly is and you're close, Bob! But I do 'believe' however that something else could be happening with most of us at Fisterra. That 'something' might be 'the' essence (or 'a' quintessential) of the whole pilgrimage concept as it is indicated by Georgiana Goddard King in her 'The Way of Saint James' which is now discussed in the pilgrims books chapter.BobM said:I hope this is helpful. Bob M
I 'believe' (and this time I'm rather sure) that it makes all the difference if one would read this classic before or after reaching our end of the world as it was known in those days.
Geert
elzi said:I was quite surprised when i got to Faro the other to find lots and lots of stuff left behind tied to the telephone pole thingy near the iron boot(s?) on the rocks. I´m sure most of it wasn´t there last year... is this a new tradition of just dumping your stuff in a big pile??
Anniesantiago said:Bob, for some reason I missed that quote you posted the first time I read this thread. I'm putting it in my journal - it's great!
When I finished the Camino last time, I said I'd never do another -- within about 2 weeks I was longing to walk again.
Thanks for this.There is a custom among some pilgrims of burning a small personal item, or throwing it into the sea, on reaching Finisterre. The act may be a form of spiritual completion, or of a hoped-for new beginning rising Phoenix-like from the ashes.
In my case, I threw a small, inexpensive (but treasured) pocket knife into the sea. The little knife had cut my queso and jamon for lunch over 35 days and it was a wrench to let go of my little friend. But in the ocean it would slowly corrode and form part of the life of the ocean and even the substance of our planet, completing a great cycle begun years ago when its component parts were made from materials taken from distant parts of the earth.
Sometimes we get too attached to objects and material things. It is good to make a small material sacrifice occasionally to bring home to us the importance of other values in our lives.
Recently I watched a BBC TV series about five men who spent 40 days in a Benedictine monastery. The series was a form of reality TV, but it had some interest for me in its potential for insights into the Camino de Santiago.
In one episode, the “novice monks” were advised to write on a piece of paper whatever was troubling them, or something they wanted to let go of; then burn the paper as a ceremonial act of breaking with the past.
It occurred to me that such an act would also be a good way to end the pilgrimage at Finisterre. Some pilgrims may decide in advance what they will write on their piece of paper. For others, insight will come during the pilgrimage itself.
I hope this is helpful.
Bob M
Very true, on our first visit to the cape we sat in the rain and left only the pain of having to leave the Camino behind us. On our last visit I threw my old shell (well travelled and well boiled and therefore not spreading bio hazards) down the cliff, as it tinkled down bouncing of the incline Scott said the meaningless line "Shelly sleeps with the fishes" and that was that.remember, there is only one earth...
Thank you for the links to King's books! Years ago I picked up volume 1 in a used book store; I've never run across volumes 2 and 3. I'll now read them 'on line' and doubtless enjoy every page!It certainly is and you're close, Bob! But I do 'believe' however that something else could be happening with most of us at Fisterra. That 'something' might be 'the' essence (or 'a' quintessential) of the whole pilgrimage concept as it is indicated by Georgiana Goddard King in her 'The Way of Saint James' which is now discussed in the pilgrims books chapter.
I 'believe' (and this time I'm rather sure) that it makes all the difference if one would read this classic before or after reaching our end of the world as it was known in those days.
So anyone who plans to see Fisterra I would like to ask kindly: Please read King first and then write a review on what you feel is going on there. I really would like to talk about it over a good lunch!
Tip: When you go by bus choose a sunny day to see the famous 'blues' of Finisterre. We were lucky and it was unforgettable!
Geert
http://www.openlibrary.org/details/wayo ... 01kinguoft Volume 1
http://www.openlibrary.org/details/wayo ... 02kinguoft Volume 2
http://www.openlibrary.org/details/wayo ... 03kinguoft Volume 3
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