I am not sure what I feel about omens as sometimes they sound like new age clap trap but I did pause to think about the person who carried this shell on a pilgrimage.
This shell dated at 1200 AD was found in the old city at Bristol. Now, the interesting thing about this shell is that this type of shell is not found in British waters. The scallop shell is the symbol of St James and worn by pilgrims as a sort of badge while walking the Santiago de Compestela in Spain. In times past it was believed to keep pilgrims safe and it was also handy to scoop water from streams and drinking fountains along the way. The shells have 2 holes drilled in them and are stung with leather. This enables them to be worn on belt or around the neck. The tradition is still alive as these days pilgrims still carry a shell but tie them to their back packs.
As regular readers know I am slowly heading towards France where Jerry and I are going to walk the Camino de Santiago. This pilgrimage is a 500 mile (800 Kilometres) from St Jean Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago in Spain. It will probably take us about 5-6 weeks to walk it but this shell was found in Bristol so who ever carried it to Santiago and back had a much longer than we do!
Needless to say I had to add a quick sketch to my travel journal. I used aquarel pencils, watercolour, pitt pens in a hand book journal which is 5 inches by 5 inches. The buff colored paper is about 140 gsm and takes a light wash.
Yesterday we went to the V&A and who should I bump into but a small statue of St James dressed as a pilgrim. Well… Not literally bump as I am careful in a museum. It was found in the Midlands in England, dated 1400-1500. Made off alabaster this figure was probably used for personal devotion.
Once again it seamed appropriate to attempt a small sketch in my travel journal. It was done using graphite a aquarell pencils and I added a light wash of water when I was back at the hotel.
Sometimes stories unfold themselves in a journal. They can appear to be over a couple of days or couple of weeks. It is fun and interesting to watch for and pick up the threads of various stories as they interweave themselves into my life. So I don’t see omens but I do see stories.
Thanks so much for sharing these beautiful experiences and legends linked with your pilgrim.So interesting Sharon.You are indeed a precious Chest full of treasures!! Each day you are sharing them with us.
I was so keen to learn more of the shell and the legends and found this link. Really interesting.
http://caminoways.com/the-scallop-shell-and-the-camino-de-santiago
Have a safe , blessed journey and keep writing more 🙂
God bless you both!!!
Ash*
This is a great link thanks Ash – I have been poking around that site for months but not found that page
I hope you are enjoying your time here in the UK. Pilgrimage is a special thing, so wear your scallop shell with pride when you start your journey to Santiago.
I hope you are enjoying your trip to uk even the weather is ok Jean
Very interesting about the shell. I had to read up on this and apparently most pilgrim badges are recovered in or near rivers because Medieval pilgrims believed that the badges would bring good luck if they were thrown into water. So with 2 large rivers Bristol may have been a really lucky spot!
The Lucky spot theory sounds a good one – I agree
I read it with interest!❤️
Once you know about the pilgrimage to Santiago it is amazing how many references to it that you can find in different places. There are so many routes all converging in the north of Spain. Also don’t forget that Bristol and Bordeaux have been closely linked through the wine trade for many centuries with ships crossing back and forth which may have shortened the route a little for some pilgrims. Very hot and dry here at the moment – I hope it cools a little for your walk. xx
Thanks Sharon it’s good to remind ourselves that we are following in others footsteps. Lovely sketches.