Under the moon and stars

[vwzoo]

I walked Camino Frances in Sept 2018 and hope to walk it one more time this November and December as my retirement gift to myself. One of the things that made it so very special for me was walking each morning, predawn, under the stars and moon, the world quiet, watching the sun rise begin and slowly becoming day. Alone, the sound of the ground crunching under my boots, just the sound of my breathing. My time of conversation with God under the so beautiful sky of brilliant stars and moon. I am rereading the book The Karamazov brothers. There is a passage that almost captures how I felt in those moments.
"He had only just been hearing his voice, and that voice was still ringing in his ears. He was listening, still expecting other words, but suddenly he turned sharply and went out of his cell. He did not stop at the steps either, but went quickly down; his soul, overflowing with rapture yearned for freedom, space, openness. The vault of heaven, full of soft, shining stars, stretched, vast and fathomless above him. The Milky Way ran in two pale streams from the zenith to the horizon The fresh, motionless, still night enfolded the earth. The white towers and golden dome of the cathedral gleamed out against the sapphire sky. The gorgeous autumn flowers, in the beds around the house, were slumbering till morning. The silence of the earth seemed to melt into the silence of heaven. The mystery of the earth was one with the mystery of the stars..."

The mystery of faith, the mystery of the Camino.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Yes there is something "spiritual" about an early morning walk whether it is on the Camino or in your own locality. Of course the rural areas of the Camino do provide the opportunity to commune with ones spiritual guider. Best wishes for a very special Buen Camino.

 

[MesaWalker]

Last fall we walked south to north, Gibraltar to Santiago. For the first month it was clear and hot. We would get up early early each day and walk 2+ hours in darkness before the sun would start to appear in the ast. During that time, the Big Dipper and North Star almost always vivid in the north sky, guiding us northward. They were like heavenly companions, watching over us and safely leading us on our way.

 

[Blister Bill]

There is something magical about an early morning walk watching the sunrise or a city waken from its slumber. Similarly watching the sunset and transition to night sitting under the stars with a vino and still being back in the albergue before lights out is such a rewarding end to a long day. Everything is a compromise. Coming from literally the antipode of Lugo, I don't want to miss any of the scenery good or bad on the Camino so most of the time choose to walk when light. I've come a long way for it at not insignificant cost so want to see it. So I tend to enjoy the "fresh, motionless night" from the comfort of my bunk bed. However, If you choose the time of year you can be up for your heavenly conversation under the stars without being the most popular pilgrim in the albergue and without the heat of the day dictating your camino routine. I just hope as you let your eyes adjust naturally to the ambient light before setting off your serenity is not compromised by those that can't do the same without the latest billion lumen head torch! I wish you a truly memorable, safe and fulfilling retirement camino.

 

[Bogong]

I walked Camino Frances in Sept 2018 and hope to walk it one more time this November and December as my retirement gift to myself. One of the things that made it so very special for me was walking each morning, predawn, under the stars and moon, the world quiet, watching the sun rise begin and slowly becoming day. Alone, the sound of the ground crunching under my boots, just the sound of my breathing. My time of conversation with God under the so beautiful sky of brilliant stars and moon. I am rereading the book The Karamazov brothers. There is a passage that almost captures how I felt in those moments.
"He had only just been hearing his voice, and that voice was still ringing in his ears. He was listening, still expecting other words, but suddenly he turned sharply and went out of his cell. He did not stop at the steps either, but went quickly down; his soul, overflowing with rapture yearned for freedom, space, openness. The vault of heaven, full of soft, shining stars, stretched, vast and fathomless above him. The Milky Way ran in two pale streams from the zenith to the horizon The fresh, motionless, still night enfolded the earth. The white towers and golden dome of the cathedral gleamed out against the sapphire sky. The gorgeous autumn flowers, in the beds around the house, were slumbering till morning. The silence of the earth seemed to melt into the silence of heaven. The mystery of the earth was one with the mystery of the stars..."

The mystery of faith, the mystery of the Camino.

Exactly my experience winter 2014. Pre-dawn walking day after day alone. The Meseta in particular was magnificent. Crystal clear days not a cloud in the sky, and I prayed and sang. Six days of this. Most of the rest of the trip it rained sleeted, snowed, hailed, and blew.

De Colores

Bogong