It is with Knightly honour that we are empowered to have great knowledge from within & without. With such knowledge comes power, a power that is naturally produced & requires no additional influences to achieve great things. Power is not about the control of others, it is about harnessing the inner strength & full understanding of one's purpose in this particular existence, such truth that can only be realised at a knightly level Off to the Land of the Vikings!
WEEK TWO:
DAY EIGHT: Tuesday 23rd May: Hamar Cathedral: A three hour drive took us to the most northerly point of this (or any quest to date) to the city of Hamar in North Norway. A bit of a grey, cold old day and although the Cathedral was closed we took some good photos. It was originally built in 1152 AD, but burnt down by the Swedish army in 1567 AD, then rebuilt in 1864 AD. The cathedral is in a busy area on a road junction, with not much in the way of grounds, but very attractive and well looked after never-the-less. Sadly it was very closed and very cold! It was originally a church, and one of the churches of the Hamar parish, and is a white-washed brick church. Several changes have been made to it over the years and there are some nice architectural touches on the outside.
Read more about it below:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamar_Cathedral
Some lovely shots of the waterfront, as far north as i have so far ever been! Almost level with Iceland – our next quest!
Tuesday 23rd May: Stange Kirke: After another twenty minute drive, we arrived at Stange Kirke, Norway. Built in 1250 AD, there has been a graveyard here since 535 CE. The new church was built in 1250 CE and in 1703 CE it had extensive restoration due to a fire. The first church in Stange was a stone building constructed in the twelfth century. It is the parish church of Norway in Stange Municipality and is under the diocese of Hamar. Sadly this church was closed to us. It is set in a beautiful, slightly ethereal waterfront setting with peaceful and rejuvenating energies. There is a connection here to Karl’s 32 x Great Grandmother, Princess Groa Thorsteindottir. (more about her in Iceland!)
Keep joining the dots of the quest to discover the truth of the Grail and the truth of life….
Read more here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stange_Church
DAY NINE: Wednesday 24th May: Karlstad Cathedral: There has been a church on the site since 1312 AD. That church and almost all of the city centre was burnt down in 1616 and re-built as a cathedral in 1647 AD by Queen Christina (1626 – 1689). It is located in the middle of Karlstad and belongs to the Cathedral Parish of the Diocese of Karlstad of the Church of Sweden. We found the church to be shut when we first approached it, yet were later delighted to be able to enter through a side door ‘the tradesman’s entrance, magically opened for us’. This was certainly important to Karl, as he bears it’s name (for many reasons). Inside there is so much of a Templar connection and symbology everywhere. Somewhere in the cathedral there is said to be a very special and mysterious ‘Star Crystal’ of pyrite and crystal formation, but where did it come from and why and how was it known about…?
Templar Symbology and Grail clues all over this Cathedral
Let Karl take you on a tour of Karlstad Cathedral
….and something very special….
It was a very hot day for May, but we were out and about in Karlstad, Sweden – having lunch and coffees etc. A very vibrant place to visit and a really lovely day with nice warm weather and good energies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karlstad_Cathedral
Wednesday 24th May: Varmlands Museum: This is the main museum in the centre of Karlstad, set in a lovely park setting, covering the local history and different selective artifacts of interest. It was an interesting visit.
and yes they caught my eye and imagination…..
Wednesday 24th May: Grums Kyrka: Established in 1971 but on a site of ancient celebrations. It is said that at Grums one can truly see…. The kyrka was opened and truly lovely inside. Grums is in the urban area of Varmland in Sweden. It is the seat of the Grums Municipality.
DAY TEN: Thursday 25th May: Nossemarks Kyrka: The current church was built of grey stone in 1794 AD, replacing the older wooden church of 1162 AD, which was beyond repair. In 1957 the altar piece was re-established, having been taken down in 1891 AD. The gardener kindly let us in, opened it up for us. It was small but beautiful inside with some lovely artworks and artifacts inside, some of a medieval origins.
Most of the churches in Norway and Sweden are painted white, in a very different style from our UK churches, all are usually in beautiful settings and very well looked after. One does not usually see the big gothic style buildings common in the UK and Europe.
`Thursday 25th May: Frederikstad Museum: An interesting museum in which we spent a good couple of hours. There was a little coffee shop and gift shop there too. The guy on the reception was friendly and very helpful. The museum is mostly themed around the second world war, from a local (to them) perspective and of the events that shaped this fortress town. There is an historical time line of the town too and some nice old buildings nearby.
DAY ELEVEN: Friday 26th May: Rest day:
DAY TWELVE: Saturday 27th May: Fjallbacka Church: A long but pleasant drive found us at Fjallbacka in Sweden. The church built in 1892 in Neo Gothic, was high up on a clifftop overlooking this charming seaside town. The architect of the church was Adrian C. Peterson. Although we thought it was closed, we did get in as there was a private music practice going on, and very lovely it was too. But we kind of got in by chance though, so it was obviously meant to be for us to get in. There were many symbolic artworks inside and with an important connection to our quests. The Templars have been on this land for many years past with a connection to Ireland too… Although we did get in ok, it was to be a very brief visit as we seemed to be almost ‘chucked out’ by a rather ‘jobsworth‘ person sporting a rather brisk manner to say the lest! .
Sea, scenery and retail therapy! What more could one wish for!
Saturday 27th May: Foss Kyrka: A stunning church, high on a pennisular overlooking miles of green countryside, first mentioned in 1157, reconstructed several times. The tower dates from 1872 AD. The altarpiece was painted by Pehr Horberg in 1703. It was very beautiful, but very closed, very windy and very high!
Although we couldn’t get inside there is a ‘virtual’ tour here – so the second best thing!
https://matterport.com/discover/space/96H9BuchGn
DAY THIRTEEN: Sunday 28th May: Torrskogs Kyrka: Built in 1766 AD, replacing an older wooden church circa 1153 AD. Renovation works undertaken in 1894 AD, with the current external form being preserved. There is said to be a medieval predecessor about five kilometres northwest of the current site. There is a richly sculptured altar piece inside together with many beautiful artifacts, but we couldn’t get inside, so we did not see them. However the most important and special part here to see was outside, and not inside, something here that relates to other quest, both past, present and indeed future, which serves to tie many quests together, joining the dots and answering riddles….. As i have said before it is not about the church, but what lies hidden….
Time and Stones always do have a tale to tell. Look closely before moving on….
Sunday 28th May: Varviks Kyrka: Sadly the church was closed, but what a stunning area surrounded by crystal clear waters, and splendid views across the lake, and where i was treated to a ‘tale of the deep’. (see my previous video). Since 2012 the church has belonged to Laxarby, Varvik’s parish, in the Karlstad Diocese. It is located on an island in lake Vastra Silen in Bengtsfors municipality. Today’s church has been preceded by two earlier ones, a medieval wooden church built in 1662, and before that a possible stave church from the thirteenth century. There are preserved items from the church in the State Historical Museum. The current church was built in 1843 to 1846, according to drawings by the architect Johan Fredrik Abom. It has natural stone walls. Today the church was closed but we still stayed a long time, really soaking up the energies and enjoying the scenery.
DAY FOURTEEN: Monday 29th May: Larvik Church: The church was built in 1670 AD by the Count of Larvik, as he wanted to get married in a new church! The church contains (apparently) the famous Lucas Cranac painting, (with a link below) but the church is not open every day, and today was just one such day! Apparently for those interested in Art, the painting was once stolen but recovered by the Norwegian police, it is worth two to three millions! So today, just a quick visit with a couple of photos. The area did not seem very photogenic, although it is near the sea, in the middle of town on a bit of a hillside, good views but with more time could have connected more. The area and the church were quite simple, and did not look like a home for such an expensive painting….
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lucas_Cranach_Larvik.JPG
https://www.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idUSTRE52714F20090308/
Monday 29th May: Bragernes Kirke: The church is in the parish of of Drammen in Viken county. It was designed by Ernt Norgrenn (1839 – 1880) in Neo-Gothic style and built of brick and was consecrated in 1871 AD. Older church was built just west of the square in 1708, but burnt down in 1866 AD. It is located at the end of Church Street. The altarpiece, ‘Resurrection’ was painted by Adolph Tideman and was copied in many Norwegian churches. I am sure it can be easily seen on the internet. The church was closed and looked a little sad, but had a wonderful serpent door handle round at the side door which made my day!
Just a book, a window and a candle….
- The Grail connection of the whole quest is of the journey of the Grail itself, the purpose thereof and how and why there is a connection to the mundane plain, to the main ‘players’ and why….
The Keeper of Scrolls/Guardian of the Grail
AKA moon.willow@ntlworld.com
Published February 3rd 2024
