Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote, The droghte of March hath perced to the roote…..
So priketh hem Natúre in hir corages, Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages,
Geoffrey Chaucer – The Canterbury Tales
When in April with it’s sweet showers has pierced the drought of March to the root…..
Those that sleep at night with their eyes open feel the urge from nature to go on Pilgrimages. (Loose translation)
Starting a Journey
Going on a Pilgrimage was a common thing in the middle ages and to a lesser degree something people embark on now. Think Lourdes or Santiago de Compostela. Chaucer’s famous Canterbury Tales tells the story of a group of pilgrims heading to Canterbury from London. Each pilgrim entertaining his fellows with a story to while away the time on the journey. In his opening prologue Chaucer describes April, the warm westerly wind, the dawn chorus and flowers springing up. Nature is on the move and man feels a similar urge to get up and go. Then, the church played a much greater role in society than in these secular times. So a trip to the nearest centre of Christianity was the order of the day.
Why did people go?
Often to get cures from illnesses; illness was considered to be caused by sin so they would go to cleanse themselves. Or for spiritual enlightenment (which may also help to ward off ill health). Sometimes it was to give thanks for something good that had happened or to atone for wrong doing. It could also be ‘itchy feet’ a simple desire to travel. People travelled long distances i.e Rome even as far back as the 15th century. There are recordings of pilgrimages from Neolithic Arabia from the 6th millennium BC.
What do we do now?
Well – holidays (Holy Days); how many of you have already headed off or are planning an Easter break? As in nature we feel the sap rising and with it comes a restlessness, a desire or quest for new horizons and different experiences. We don’t have to hire horses, or decide to walk to our destinations (although when the travel arrangements go pear shaped we might wish we had!). We are probably not trying to atone our sins, but we may feel the need for change to benefit our health.
Going away can change our perspectives on work, home or relationships; move us out of our routines for a few days. Blow a bit of that blustery west wind through everything and bring in new ideas and thoughts.
It may be the R&R we need to restore ourselves a little to be ready for the growth and blossoming of spring and summer.
You may not be actually on the move, perhaps a restorative few days at home, maybe restoring your home? DIY stores enjoy increased sales over the Easter Weekend. A holiday may also be an inward journey, a time to consider your life and work. A pause in a busy life to reflect and dream. Time to slow down, sit in the sun and recharge your batteries. We have more light now, longer evenings and for a few days no alarm clock to pay attention to.
Whatever you decide to do I hope you enjoy it and feel the restoration that a few days at a different pace can bring. I hope all of your outer and inner travels are smooth, fun and relaxing. That you come back restored and ready for your onward journeys