St Bellarmins Tor, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall

St Bellarmins Tor, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall

This was quite an adventure, starting in the village of Millpool. We took a footpath up through amazing woodland, so green it looked unreal. There is a surreal quality and an ancient timelessness to this part of the walk. After climbing through the coppiced woodland and passing remnants of granite quarrying , you suddenly break out into open moorland. This time of year, (June), it is covered in fresh bracken filling the air with scent. We picked our way across scattered granite boulders trying to follow a path up to the summit of St Bellarmins Tor but after a while it was really just rock scrambling.

Once on top you can understand why a trig point has been placed in this high place. The view is spectacular in every direction, 360 degrees. We could look back to Sky Tip (a China clay spoil heap which looks like a pyramid) and the St Austell area, even glimpsing the sea of St Austell Bay. In the other direction the two highest points in Cornwall, Rough Tor and Brown Willy were clearly visible across the open moor. It was so clear today we could see the uplands of Dartmoor in Devon. Likewise, we could glimpse sea on the north coast and the countryside to the east towards Liskeard.

In fact, it is exactly the kind of site where a Celtic Christian might have set up a prayer hermitage. They loved to live in the ‘edge of the world’ places, and this is why we went. I’d read there were stories of an ancient chapel and holy well on the tor. Research threw up no clues about who this St Bellarmin was. There is a similarly named Catholic Saint but as he was Italian it seems unlikely and more plausible, he was another Celtic Christian.

There's no direct remains of a chapel or holy well in evidence but there was a site which looked like it could have had foundations of a building but who knows.

The moment we stood on the summit I was immediately worshipping in high praise, then despite the blowy wind, a deep hush and weight of peace fell enveloping me. The whole atmosphere changed around me.

There was some evidence of pagan activity which we repented of but carried on worshipping Jesus. In fact, for a while I couldn’t stop. It was all I felt compelled to do, loudly! This is one of the frequent things which happens to me in a ‘thin place’. It is easy to worship, and I want to, earnestly and joyfully.

We prayed and declared over all Cornwall the Lordship of Jesus Christ. With such a vantage point it was easy to face each direction and pray.

As I’m praying, I can sense three yellow angels standing together in a small circle with their hands clasped. The presence of God, by now, is deeper and weightier than I’ve experienced in most churches. I just want to linger it is so beautiful. A skylark sings briefly but then I am into another vision. I will call it a vision but it’s unlike anything I’ve previously experienced. I literally became unaware of my surroundings (even though there was a strong wind) and I seemed to sink deeply into God’s presence.

I suddenly see two figures like guard angels. They are tall, about 8’, dressed in white and with long white hair down their backs. I saw no wings. They are both holding wooden staffs and guarding an entranceway. It is on the eastern side of the tor. Seeing them takes me by surprise. I’ve not seen angels like this before. They face away from me. Then I’m slightly confused by what I’m seeing but keep watching.  I see a medieval king in a red cape, a small gold circlet crown on his head and he has a reddish full beard. He is visiting the hermit who lives here at Bellarmins Tor. Now I see the hermit, in brown monk's robe with a hood. The king is seeking counsel and wisdom from the hermit who listens attentively, then prays with him.

Suddenly I feel the anointing this man carried for wisdom, guidance protection, peace and sanctuary. All are present and fill the atmosphere with serenity.

My attention is drawn back to the three angels in yellow gold I first saw. They are helping someone up onto the first rung of a rope ladder which leads directly into heaven. I can’t see who they are giving a leg up to, but they are helping and steadying the person on their ascent. It feels like a direct portal, a thin place where heaven and earth touch. I have no idea if this is connected to the hermit and king! There is a sense of real kindness and deep rest in this place. It is so surprising.

I have been in such a deep place of rest with God I haven’t been aware of anything but very suddenly the wind whips up and I ‘see’ a sorcerer in a hooded cloak with a bird mask on. He has a spear and readies to throw it but immediately the white guard angels intervene preventing him coming near us.

The battle between light and dark still rages, even in this place! Yet the prayers of previous Christians still linger and there is no cap, the heavens are open. But it is contested by the darkness. We continue to pray. We pray the presence of God will be felt by any visitor, that they will be captivated by God’s amazing love.

I come out of the encounter and ready myself to leave when I spot a red deer in a distant field. It felt like a special kiss from the Father who knows how much I love wildlife.

We descended across the granite studded moor back into the woodlands, deciding to take the bridleway down to Millpool rather than the ancient footpath we came up on. It was equally old and equally beautiful.

I don’t always have a grid for understanding these encounters, but I have walked with God over 45 years now and I have learnt to trust what He chooses to reveal. I never go to a place with any other agenda than sitting with Jesus and worshipping Him. I think that’s a safe place to be. I’m not chasing after weird experiences, I keep myself well rooted in the Bible and in church fellowship accountable to my pastor. Yet sometimes the inexplicable happens and I am left pondering.

Was I seeing an event from history and taken ‘outside time’? Was I being given a glimpse of what God wants to release today across Cornwall? I’m not sure. So, I pray what I sense God wants me to pray and I leave the rest with Him, until the next adventure.