When I was doing my Unit 19 for my Lay Preachers course, I went to Turvey Abbey in Bedfordshire to do a course on Icon Painting. It was wonderful. I went back and did an Icon of Elijah a second time. I would love to go on another retreat. Perhaps in France this time.
However on the second visit, just before leaving I was asked to talk with a Priest. He produced a set of cards with all sorts of pictures on them and asked me to pick some out.
I didnt know what what they were to start with so looked at them and found myself choosing some. Then I got a bad feeling. I suddenly realised they were like Tarot Cards. I thought shit, if I wanted to have a Tarot reading I would go to someone who is an actual Tarot reader. I did once, it was interesting!
God expressly forbids divination. When I went to get the Tarot reading, God actually sort of urged me to go. I was very dubious about it. I am not sure it was beneficial to me in any way. This chap turned round at the end and said ‘You do know next time God comes back He is coming as a Woman! Well, He can do what He wants, He is God after all!
Still, I feel better for confessing that I have been very upset by this episode with the Priest. It really took all the wonderful experience I had during my time at Turvey Abbey and turned it into an awful experience. I suppose that’s why I haven’t been back.
I need to find a proper Orthodox Monastery to do a retreat at. I love painting Icons, and have such inspiration stored up in me from my trip to Russia. That was just wonderful. Perhaps I should just get on with painting Icons now I have got that off my chest...
However on the second visit, just before leaving I was asked to talk with a Priest. He produced a set of cards with all sorts of pictures on them and asked me to pick some out.
I didnt know what what they were to start with so looked at them and found myself choosing some. Then I got a bad feeling. I suddenly realised they were like Tarot Cards. I thought shit, if I wanted to have a Tarot reading I would go to someone who is an actual Tarot reader. I did once, it was interesting!
God expressly forbids divination. When I went to get the Tarot reading, God actually sort of urged me to go. I was very dubious about it. I am not sure it was beneficial to me in any way. This chap turned round at the end and said ‘You do know next time God comes back He is coming as a Woman! Well, He can do what He wants, He is God after all!
Still, I feel better for confessing that I have been very upset by this episode with the Priest. It really took all the wonderful experience I had during my time at Turvey Abbey and turned it into an awful experience. I suppose that’s why I haven’t been back.
I need to find a proper Orthodox Monastery to do a retreat at. I love painting Icons, and have such inspiration stored up in me from my trip to Russia. That was just wonderful. Perhaps I should just get on with painting Icons now I have got that off my chest...
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