from this little journey with the words we can say quite confidently that the Torc was a symbol of martial ability and personal notoriety. We also begin to get a peak of a possible deeper meaning, imbuing the symbol with aspects of the twists and turns of fate, the overcoming of personal struggle and the mortality of man.
The Great Torcs timeless beauty, is for me perfectly mirrored by the timeless nature of Boadicea’s struggle. Both speak through the ages to the true nature of ourselves and the world we dwell in.
From the apparent simple title “Velleda” a divine archetype is invoked, simplified it becomes the archetypal “mother figure”.
The single grip forces the wielder to use it far more aggressively, and as the old adage states “Attack is the best form of defence”.
Against almost impossible odds, you came into being. By ancient ancestral effort, your heart beats. Long before you were a twinkle in your fathers eye, your forebears endured, all hardship. They stared down the impossible, and by their audacity, made it flinch.
During research for a piece on the Torcs of the Iceni, and having an avid interest in words, I deemed it essential to pronounce the word “Iceni” correctly. As is often the case, what I assume to be a rather straight forward process, leads me on a magnificent journey, as I jump down numerous rabbit…
These Torcs of a most splendid nature, show us another aspect of the Iceni. Not only were they bold and brave in war, but possessed advanced metal working knowledge and an intimate admiration of beauty. A beauty that which for anyone looking upon these Torcs today, will see is timeless in its nature,
we can only imagine the scene as they said their goodbyes. The final hugs, the tearing eyes and the stern looks of encouragement, when family ties and loving bonds were severed as they set of on their fateful march for new lands.
The winter solstice, To our ancestors this date held a magical attraction. Such was their reverence that they marked its coming in the land. No other time of year, has so many ancient monuments built in its honour. Newgrange, Maeshowe,Glastonbury tor, and even the most famous of them all Stonehenge,make up just a fraction of their number.
What does it matter where we are going, if we cannot take care of where we are? I ask you, what kind of man, would secure for himself a heaven while leaving a hell for his children?