Nemeta: The Significance of the Grove
For the ancient Celts (my ancestors), sacred space was primarily found outside. The Celts worshipped deity out under the sun and stars, on the land. Trees were particularly holy to the Celts and druidic peoples, and sacred groves of trees were places of worship.
A sacred grove of trees was called a “nemeton.” The goddess of these ancient sacred sites was Nemetona, the lady of the sacred grove. Opinions differ on what exactly a nemeton was, but in my view, a nemeton is a grove of trees forming an enclosure or partial enclosure, or a small clearing in a forest. Have you ever been out in the woods and found yourself in a clearing? Have you felt a sense of presence in a space like this, of heightened awareness?
If you’re sensitive to energy, you have probably noticed that some trees have quite an energy field. I have an old juniper on my property whose energetic aura extends over ten feet out in all directions from the trunk. Even if you’re not particularly sensitive to energy, you can measure a tree’s aura with an inexpensive set of copper dowsing rods. Simply start about thirty paces out from the tree and walk towards it holding a set of copper rods. For me, when I reach a tree’s aura, the rods will cross, closing off, alerting me that I am crossing an energy field. (I love to dowse energy on the land and am happy to answer any questions you have on dowsing! Reach out via my contact page.) For older trees, the aura or energy field is often large. This is particularly true in wilder areas where humans do not interrupt nature frequently. In a neighborhood where the trees are younger and/or are more distanced from other trees, you may find smaller auras (only 1-2 feet from the trunk). In blighted areas of a city with lots of concrete, poverty, and no green space, you may find a tree almost entirely closed off, as if protecting itself.
Without digressing too far, what I mean to convey is that all trees have an energy, and a grove of trees can create a strong energetic field. This strong energetic field creates a prime place in which to connect with the divine. I mention dowsing only to let you know that this fact is measurable, and you can try it at home to see these energetics at play for yourself.
Our ancestors knew that trees were sacred, and indeed, early residents of the British Isles created an entire alphabet based entirely upon trees (the Ogham). Because trees have energy fields, and groves of trees in nature can create a larger group energy field, the ancient peoples of the British Isles and Northern Europe sought out groves of trees as places of worship. Some people might describe these ancient groves as “energy vortexes” – places where the earth energy is particularly strong, and thus places where connection with spirit can be attained more easily. For the ancient nature-based religions of the British Isles, nature was a portal through which great mysteries could be revealed. Priests and priestesses in these times knew that the veil was thinner in groves and other places of higher energetics (such as a hilltop or cliff), and that experiences beyond the veil were more readily accessible in these places. Thus, ceremony and ritual were carried out in these sacred natural spaces.
As a priestess following in a modern version of this ancient tradition, I honor the trees and sacred places in nature. These places ground me, bring me back more fully into myself, and help me to gain access to Spirit, even on days when my mind is overfull or cluttered with thoughts.
Thus, you have the story behind the Grove.
Have a story about a grove in your area? I’d love to hear!
