IT ALL began fifteen years ago when Celia Gunn and her husband Anthony bought a small home near Bath that came with a half-acre of neglected, derelict, weed-infested, boulder-strewn clay soil and builders’ rubble, described by the optimistic estate agent as a garden.

Well it wasn’t then, but it is now.

Celia decided to create a Chakra Garden.

Briefly, the Chakra system began as a Vedic tradition in India around 1500 B.C.

The seven Chakras comprise seven ‘wheels’ or energy centres throughout the body, from the Root Chakra at the base of the spine, to the Crown Chakra at the top of the head.

And each one is associated with a particular colour of the light spectrum, otherwise known as the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (or white).

Which told Celia exactly what colour flowers and plants were needed in each area.

So armed with a spade, a fork and a wheelbarrow, Celia set to work.

“Nature speaks to us,” she said.

“We have to learn to listen.”

It told her, in no uncertain terms, the land needed clearing, and she began by shifting 60–70 tons of stone, which she later recycled and used as edging for the paths throughout the garden.

Progress was slow.

They were sad to lose a 150-year-old beech tree that was dead, but their tree surgeon skilfully carved the 15-foot tree stump into the figure of a monk.

The branches were recycled and used to make seats for the garden, and yet more wood chips for the paths.

Over the years, the garden evolved, and today this half-acre is a peaceful haven of colour and calm.

Chi – the Chinese name for energy – flows through it like a river, curving and meandering, a place to sit and simply be.

Celia’s talk on March 12 was remarkable for its honesty and openness in sharing some of her most personal experiences and thoughts from the garden, things she had learned by listening to nature.

There is a longer version of this report on our website slimbridgedowsers.org.uk

Our next meeting will be on March 28 at Cam Parish Council hall (this week only) with Geoff Brooks on Psychometric Dowsing.

Visit website or phone 01453 545855.