I met Britannia – Angel of Britain
20 December 2019
Two days after the Brexit Referendum on 23 June 2016 I met Britannia, Angel of Britain. She came to me in a dream and then a meditation.
I have never shared this experience publicly, but following the recent UK election it might be useful.
During the lead-up to the Referendum I supported the Remain campaign. I felt that the European Union was a guarantee against another world war triggered by European conflicts and I appreciated being able to travel freely. Also my instincts are globalist. I identify as living in a global village. I am first generation British. My parents’ families were from Czechoslovakia, Germany and Russia via New York, Cape Town and Singapore.
When the Remain campaign was lost I was shocked and saddened.
Then I had a dream, which was echoed in a meditation.
The feeling of the dream was expansive, comfortable and liberating.
I had the impression of meeting a substantial being of light. She identified herself as Britannia, the angel or the folk soul of Britain. She was content.
Why, I enquired, are you content?
I am content, she seemed to respond, because the pendulum had swung too far into globalism. The European project was ignoring the precious and unique identities of the nations’ folk souls. I was forgotten but still here. Brexit remembers me. Trust that this separation is healthy and lays the foundation for a better form of cooperation.
After the dream I was disoriented. The communication dismantled my strongly held Remain position.
I then did my morning meditation for an hour and allowed the dream to come back to me. I sat with it, open, connected, witnessing and enquiring. The encounter and the message stayed with me. And rang true.
As some of you know, my doctoral research was in identity politics. So after the encounter with Britannia I recalled how Hegel, the 19th -century German philosopher, had described nations and their folk souls, emerging from a marriage of geographical/cultural ecology and the incarnating world spirit. Local landscapes blend with incarnating spiritual energy to create a nation, a national culture and a folk soul.
During the same period another German philosopher, Johann Gottfried Herder, wrote that folk souls were beautiful and like individual flowers in a lovely garden. Rudolph Steiner also wrote about them. (Later tragically this philosophy of the volksgeist was corrupted by fascism.)
This understanding of folk souls and the meeting with Britannia altered my thinking and feeling about Brexit. I have yielded to its realities and even its wisdom. At the same time I appreciate the concerns particularly of my European friends living in Britain.
*
And now two years on from that Brexit Referendum we have Boris and his electoral victory.
From a metaphysical perspective, this was surely inevitable because Jeremy Corbyn never made a single statement asserting the dignity or pride of Britannia. If I had ever been able to challenge him personally I would have asked: To whom are you loyal – to the idea of an international working class or to the British people?
Whatever we may think of Boris we can imagine him wearing a Union Jack waistcoat.
And yes of course I acknowledge too those beings who are the Unicorn of Scotland, the Dragon of Wales and the Lion of England.
As individuals we all have multiple identities. Politics is complex.
There is a spectrum of activities that will achieve peace on earth, happiness and justice for all beings.
Some meditate alone and radiate into the ecology of humanity.
Others are frontline activists.
Bless you all.
*
As I wrote in my last email my affirmation right now is:
Stay steady.
Stay hopeful.
Maintain right livelihood.
Model good care for people and planet.
Hi William,
I found your comment interesting and both re-assuring but challenging.
Your encounter was back in 2016 and since then Brexit has evolved into something I find more challenging – in particular it has now put the United Kingdom at risk. Northern Ireland has now been segregated from the rest of the UK (as shown on Boris’ own map) and Scotland may well go independent. At that point Britain – and being British – no longer exists.
The “Economist” magazine reported that the Conservative party membership on average feels that breaking up the UK to achieve Brexit is a price worth paying. I don’t agree.
William, I don’t know if you remember a leaflet published around 1981 called “Conversations with John” by David Spangler (of Findhorn fame). In that publication he describes the folk soul of Russia. That is where I first came across this concept. The Communist System tried to bury much of the traditional old mother Russia, but in the end the communist system failed as it did not want to recognise the strength of this deeper traditional reality that nourished the hearts of the Russian peoples.
Yes – thanks for reminding me of David’s leaflet. Most people do not appreciate the power and influence of these invisible forces – for good and for bad. x
When I first read this I felt upset and angry. I l am from a Jewish refugee family and I love the European ideal and the individual identity of each member of the EU.
I didn’t respond to the writing initially because sometimes my anger is a resistance to something I don’t want to hear.
The piece has stayed in my thoughts and I have read the comments, enjoying those which reflected my own views.
As the days have gone by, I have understood Williams’s writing better, that’s all I can say at the moment. It has resonated with something within me which I sometimes feel but do not acknowledge. I am not yet completely sure whether I approve of it or not but it needs to be brought to the light for scrutiny.
I appreciate your raw honesty, Ruth. I too love the European ideal but am looking at the influence of other forces here. I don’t think there’s anything here to approve or disapprove. If is just a different lens. x
Thank you, thank you, thank you writing this piece, I think it must have taken some courage. It said exactly how I’d been feeling without being able to formulate the words. It really lifted my spirits.
Oh dear William……too much patriotic spiritual by passing & other nonsense here for my liking.
And usually I find your posts both interesting & intelligent.
But not this one sadly……
The Britannia archetype/angel/demon is drenched in blood, oppression, colonialism & racism. Sounds more like a nightmare than a vision.
Boris Johnson is an extremely damaged, dysfunctional, lying, narcissist individual.
It makes no difference to who he is or how I & many people perceive him whether he wears a union jack waistcoat or one on his underpants. He needs long term therapy as a boarding school survivor – I know that one well having been subjected to that particular form of ‘education’ myself & the long process it took for me to get out from under it.
He is definitely not fit to be prime minister & I probably wouldn’t trust him to post a letter for me.
I wont even bother with your Jeremy Corbyn remarks other than to say that what we actually need right now to face the immediate crises of climate change & rampant unfettered global capitalism is surely more compassionate, intelligent internationalism.
Not the kind of parochial mythic English nationalism that for some reason seems to have taken over you & your usual pragmatic good sense & spiritual advice.
Frankly…….balderdash……
I hope you wake up from the bad dream soon.
Be well
Gordon
I wanted to add that at one point Jeremy Corbin seemed like Mandela or Ghandi a real leader.. It was the way that particular piece of media portrayed /saw him I suppose.
So many people so wanted a new kind of leader. They idealised and kind of fell in love.
From William
Below you will see many comments, some supportive and some angry.
This is the text of an email that I sent to one of the angry comments:
Thank you.
I appreciate the push-backs and the passion of these other perspectives.
I was writing only about one level.
I agree with much of what you say.
Yes there is a terrible history of nasty imperialism in which Britannia is implicated. And as I noted in the piece these ideas can be bastardised by fascism.
And Yes it is really good that Jeremy Corbyn is such a dedicated constituency MP but that is so different from leading the country.
Between us we do not need to repeat all the current arguments in the Labour Party of which I am a member.
I am just suggesting a metaphysical perspective, rarely mentioned, that may prove helpful in understanding the current situation.
Of course I may be wrong.
Thank you again for your engaged feedback. Appreciated.
Love.
William
I have long appreciated your writings, your talks ,your wisdom and your compassion and from a personal experience, your prayers, when my partner was very ill. I was a strong remainer and found your post very disturbing and and thought provoking and although I wouldn’t join in the strong rebuttals of many, I do need to spend a lot more time with what you have expressed and experienced.
I, with so many, asked that when it came to the Election “Thy will not mine be done ” and completely accept that I do not understand the bigger picture. I know that I need to listen to those who have completely differing views from myself and your post gives me a new perspective for me to ponder upon.
I’m an English/Welsh person living in Scotland and in the first Indyref voted against Independence. I agree with so many of the tenets of the Green Party and the SNP, especially getting that of rid of Trident, but not in Independence, partly because I have no trust in Nicola Sturgeon. I feel that the UK Government should give Scotland the chance to vote again but I have absolutely no idea how I would vote next time.
Thank you William as always and blessings to you both for greater peace and hope in 2020
Oriole
Rather than an immediate reaction I thought I would contemplate and live with this piece of writing for a day or two. Like several others who posted I’m upset and angry with the way the referendum has allowed hostility to rise in the public arena towards black people and women. And then last night my daughter of mixed race experienced a hostile racist episode in Oslo where she was doing stand up comedy. Now I must post something. William how can you put up a picture of John Bull a racist image? What does Brittania have to say about slavery, empire and the Windrush scandal? You have sort comfort in this contact with the spirit. My current state is to acknowledge my sadness, my desolation, to accept, to endure and to atone. Atone for what my ancestors did, atone that the Union Jack was the symbol of this oppression, and hope that as England wakes up to a smaller position in the company of nations she will learn humility and service.
Yes – the John Bull image is horrible. Obviously so.
We are in a space where we have to understand why Boris has a majority of 80. The Britannia perspective helps to explain it.
Hello everyone – well… I can’t comment on William’s dream – it fits with his personal cosmology, and I believe he is offering it here in good faith. However, things continue to fall apart and it is clear from the comments just how divided we are. For me it is entering dangerous territory to assert an authoritative spiritual basis for nationhood, with its symbols and identity politics. I don’t know where we’re headed, I don’t want to speculate. I am sorry for all the hurt that has been engendered by the cruelty of this process we are in, and I am aware that we are by no means done. I would hope that we continue to feel free to challenge each other, with respect and kindness, and avoid retreating into tribes (I just don’t look good in woad).
Interesting–good to be able to discuss. I voted remain feeling collaboration was good in a big world. My mother took a DNA ancestry test last year and my family goes back 10 generations and 10 eighth grandparents back to the 1500s to 1600s (and rising) in the triangle Bristol/Taunton ,Bridport. Just a few percent Swedish and Irish (not yet found). Largely agricultural. Does that perhaps give such a sense of belonging geographically that it is not necessary to be defensive about it (Like Jeremy Corbin?)
I have gleaned the rest from media/internet research and —like with my recall of what you have written may not be accurate. But it may explain why some images/stories stay in our minds .
Jeremy Corbin from Wickepedia seems to be very English, self effacing with pacifist intellectual parents. whereas Boris Johnson on a utube documentary seems very foreign–spending childhood in the USA and Belgium as well as Exmoor. and related to foreign royal families. His father (?)changed their name to Johnson from Kemir(?) their Turkish name to sound more English and his great grandfather was publically executed by the Turkish masses for being a journalist against the Nationalist government. Apart from the fact he is portly I cannot imagine him in a John Bull outfit.. He also had long hair as a 10 year old and was home educated with an artist mother.. Should this resonate with certain people in Glastonbury?
Thank you for this, William. It resonates strongly with me. You’re refreshing and renewing your perspective, while staying true to yourself.
I also appreciate the diversity of the comments here.
Brilliant piece William that helped me unravel my feelings. I too was totally against splitting from EU for reasons of peace and tolerance, but you have made sense of my feelings and I too am now happy to let Boris get on with it. I’m not sure he would use your language but who cares!! What a tough process it has been to get to this point. Thank you again.
Hi William
We met around 1977 at Cluny.
So what is the function of the Britannic angel in the solar system? Does she also carry a connection from the galactic centre?
What are the implied/imposed functional responsibilities of the human inhabitants of Great Britain, and indeed of those of Lesser Britain?
Cheers
No, I can’t take this on board. I love the notion of the folk soul and the spirit of the land, and I think it’s important that it isn’t lost – but people are suffering and dying, and lives are being ruined.Is that really the spirit of Britannia? Maybe it is – a pugilistic bulldog.
Corbyn stood for hope,compassion, truth and honesty, in my opinion, something I thought I would never, ever see in a politician.
I also had a vision of Britannia around the time of the Referendum, but she manifested as a Remainer Goddess with a mission to build a progressive alliance among the rival tutelary deities in order that the body of Europa may never again be dismembered. As above so not below, sadly…
Wm: That may yet happen . . .
Of course Boris would wear a union jack waistcoat. He’d wrap himself in the flag if he thought it would increase his power base. He is a proven liar several times over, racist and misogynist. Wearing a union jack can never excuse food banks, an increasing gulf between rich and poor, contempt towards the planet and running down the nhs…for instance. And then blaming austerity on the previous labour government rather than their own chums in international banking who actually caused it. Your Britannia might be comfortable with all that, mine is furious and very sad. I’ve worked in the nhs most of my adult life and I think that it is a sublime symbol of the best of Britain. Under a Boris it would never have been created, whatever waistcoat he was wearing (do the Bullingdon Club have one?)
I have loved reading these comments. I’m deeply saddened and disturbed by the latest turn of events in the UK, even though I’ve lived in other countries for many years. I love the diversity and Unity of the European Union and what it stands for, how it arose from the depths and human degradation of two appalling wars. One of my best experiences was in Brussels, standing under all the many flags outside the European Parliament. Unity in Diversity.
I know about Rudolf Steiner’s Folksouls ideas but can’t understand why this Union should detract from this.
I’ve also witnessed first hand the effect of Britannia’s dealings with indigenous peoples and cultures. Why the shield and warlike demeanor? I relate more to the faery beings of these islands, not this warlike symbol.
Thank you Beth, Mark and Bruce Mitchell for your sane comments!
Mark, like you I found this latest blog post troubling and disappointing and I totally understand why you are tempted to unsubscribe from the list. I had been planning to enrol on William’s new Psychic Protection online course tomorrow, but now I am having second thoughts about that!
William, I really enjoyed meeting you recently at your Polyvagal Theory workshop, and your work has helped me in my recovery from trauma and I am grateful to you for that. But I think you are very wrong on this and that history is going to prove that. And that your dream was just that: just a dream, not a message from an “angel”. People can read any meaning they want into a dream, but the reality is that Boris is a disaster and that poor people are going to continue dying as a result of Tory policies and the destruction of the NHS. I can agree to disagree with you about the existence of angels, but I can’t support what you have said here as it goes against my core values as a human being.
So disappointed 🙁
I’ve read your piece with great interest. I love the idea of Folksouls and Steiners ideas about it. However I don’t feel that being part of the EU threatens to wipe out the Folk Souls AT ALL. How could it do that? Even in a small country like the Netherlands were I come from, we have the different folksouls of the ‘Hollanders’ the Tukkers, the Limburgers, the Amsterdammers, Hagenaars en Rotterdammers. They are all different. Very interesting. And we have been a very small country for centuries (about as big as the West Country, much longer than the EU exists. and it hasn’t wiped out differences.
Also, if there is a British Folk Soul, how do all the immigrants relate to it? If the folk soul is bound up with the land and the culture which emerges from it, How do the immigrants relate to the folk soul they are part of, the land they originally come from? How do they become a true part of Britain? How does the folksoul of their original country call for them? Are they disadvantaged living here?
I had a dream too William. A long time ago. about the European Union. I found myself under the dome of a great building. It reminded me strongly of the large dome you see from the train when you enter Brussels. I looked up towards the lantern (through which light entered) and on the ridge high up going round the inside of the dome I saw a large woman standing dressed in red. She held up her arms, holding horses on both sides, with helpers or angels in heroic postures. The name of that woman was something like Anana. and I knew she was the goddess of the European Union. I was surpised she was wearing red. She was a strong, benign, protective presence. A way forward for the world.
Wm: What a great dream. Gives a good balance to mine.
I am all for folk cultures, for tribal cultures to be truly protected and supported, and for biodiversity.
I also see this tricky path to navigate which preserves diversity yet embraces unity.
However, what I see is Britannia (the colonialist British Empire) has savaged and still does savage folk cultures worldwide (e.g. most recently, refuses Scotland a second independence referendum).
Further, UK was highly central to the creation of the USA monoculture that now dominates our world. It seems to want to precipitate this path. Boris Johnson wants to pursue an unsustainable and highly destructive capitalist trade policy in a secretive UK-USA trade deal. The UK is in danger of being brutally Americanised by Trumpocracy. This is the opposite of preserving folk cultures, surely?
The UK won’t let Scotland have a second referendum. Is this evidence of a Government that supports folk cultures?
If Corbyn “never made a single statement asserting the dignity or pride of Britannia”, has Britannia ever made a really bold and substantial statement apologising for its genocidal and culturally destructive past? Is this arrogant omission evidence of a Government that supports folk cultures?
I also was a Remainer but through the last few years I’ve come to think that maybe the groundswell for Brexit has a Collective wisdom to it that may one day be appreciated – if some years in the future.
At least I hope so!
William, I’ve enjoyed your writings and you helped me at a difficult time, but after reading this I am tempted to unsubscribe from your list. I’m glad you had a comforting dream but I’m not convinced that it says anything except about the state of your own mind or spirit. I am 100% British (as far as I know) of English and Irish ancestry, I love my country but I find this nauseating, sorry! I don’t know about angels but in this world Brexit and Johnson are a disaster, for human rights, democracy, social justice, the environment and the economy. Some things just are bad. I know some will disagree with me but then I’m sure many people believed Hitler represented the angel of Germany (yes, Godwin’s law, blah).
I totally agree with Mark and also will be unsubscribing from William’s list. We will see what happens next but I am not optimistic. Brexit has divided people and brought out a huge amount of racism and complete distrust of politicians.
Gillian
Dear William
Thank you for sharing this lovely information. It gives form to the way I’ve felt for a good while. There is a soul need to reconnect with the layers of spirit and the soul of this land. To love and to respect her and tread more gently through the multi layered and faceted field of energies that she is. That we can share with her. Hope is back 🌟💚🌟
Interesting. If Brittania felt forgotten then presumably she does not resonate with the rise of St George Cross flag waving nationalism that has emerged over the last decade. A matter of appropriated facade of ide tity over a deep souls of custom and traditions. Could a folk revival not have been achieved without leaving the EU? The natons still have their identities.
It was a comforing vision It is a shame you had to have a dig at Corbyn though. People have different perceptioons of people I suppose but he is local to where I live and has been the most kindly, hard working and helpful person when ordinary people have problems and does ost of this quietly rather like Diana usedo. Boris Johnson is famed for his duplicity and lack of integrity and isn’t someone who is loyal to Brittania one bit. If you look how those of us who have had experience of him as mayor voted it tells volumes.
Thank you so much, William, for this nourishing article. I am very pro-Europe and have been very upset by the train of events since David Cameron’s insouciant move to stage a crude and ill-thought through referendum on our relationship with the EU back in June 2016. The landslide GE result of a couple of weeks ago marks a profound shift in the U.K.’s future. am trying to see the silver lining in what is happening! Your upbeat article is very welcome. Have a warm and nurturing holiday break.
Wonderful, your piece resonates totally with how I have been feeling/knowing underneath the daily distractions. Thank you!
I’ve always felt a little stupid about this issue (I live in the US), intuitively supporting Brexit even though everyone I know was opposed and acted like it would be the end of the world. My work as an activist centered around local, grassroots, creating an economy for the living earth. And the “bigger is better” mentality just has so many problems. That’s the lens I was looking through. To read this today was confirmation of my intuition. Thank you for sharing it.
Being from the US, a very sad, frightening state of affairs we’re dealing with right now. I have to wonder about this nation’s folk soul. A part of me feels that what we’re going through is somehow fated, necessary, to get to a better place. Yet the life of all our places is so endangered by current policies, and dismantling what meager environmental protects we had in place is terrifying. Any insight you or other readers may have is most welcome.
William very well done for putting this piece out there; really appreciated.
Whilst I am leaver in BREXIT, my reasons for choosing to do so are around the criticality of all of us needing to take responsibility for our own subconsciousness ‘dragons’ and to learn to transmute and love them before projecting their fear onto others. As we know everything is a reflection of us in what we think we see in others, so judging others is simply us not transmuting ‘the plank in our eye first before attempting to take it out of somebody else’s’.
Failing to connect into our own shadow in a way that allows us to ‘ride and integrate those dragons’ rather than ‘slaying them’ is a critical step to being able to shine our light and help to transmute the shadow in the Collective Unconscious of Mother Earth; remember our own subconscious is part of the Collective Unconscious. So this important work is all about each of us learning to do our own inner work on our shadow and in that way impact with the Collective Darkness with LIGHT and LOVE for the amazing being of the Divine Mother. Light and Love is pouring in to help, so just tune in to do your part.
Without spoiling the new Star Wars movie ‘The Rise of Skywalker’, we see right between the eyes the message of the final episode for learning to ride the dragon.
The Angel of Britannia highlights that in fact the Divine has everything under control in this BREXIT process and provided we all stay focused on our own inner light and avoid falling into duality then Britain now has an opportunity to show the World how we can heal our selves and therefore start to heal the planet. LOVE for all planetary BEINGS including that of Mother Earth requires all of us to go inward to do the Great Work and to heal the World Soul of the planet by our own subconscious connection.
LOVE and LIGHT to all and many thanks William for sharing this really important message.
Thank you William for articulating so clearly what I have been sensing over the past few years. Our roots stabilise and nourish.
Thank you William. Most helpful, and reassuring. Chimes with my own intuitions, too, for what that’s worth. Wishing you and yours every happiness of the season.
Thank you William. This is so timely. I echo everything you have said. As a Remainer I have despaired for these last three and a half years and was very confused, on the morning after the election, to be overwhelmed by a great sense of peace. Your dream explains so much and I thank you so much for sharing it. With much love and blessings for this festive time. Maghie
Hi Willie
Thanks for that, it helps and makes perfect sense for you mainlanders! Any thoughts about Northern Ireland?
Wm answers: What a great and difficult question. That is the challenge with identity politics. If only identity could be disengaged from politics. Ultimately surely Ulster will integrate into one island. That was one of the benefits of the EU, that it provided an umbrella for that process. At one level there is separation – like counties, provinces or US states. At another there is coherence. —– Like I said: complex. — Peace. Peace. Peace.
Wow! This is powerful stuff and it rings true for me.
Thank you William!
Jennie x
Dear William
Blessings of the Solstice, Advent and the Coming of the Light to you and yours always. Thank you for a very moving and wonderful reflection on Britannia, and for sharing.
My grandmother came out of Poland late 19th century, with family, in a haycart, and remembered the pitchfork going in. They emerged and we have family now in the UK, US, SA. Many lived in the East End, moving out to the suburbs in London, always respectful and appreciative of Britain. Most started businesses, and some were very successful. That is part of my history and very important to me. The little house and shop my great aunt lived in (five of them with no bathroom but impeccably kept) is still there, in Shoreditch.
All of which is a preamble to say how much I valued your meeting with Britannia and reflections. I have been a Leaver throughout, mainly for reasons of hidden powers, communism, a recruited army, and potential loss of free speech. I stand by St. Michael and All Angels – a very strong sense and impression with wonderful energy in and around the election. We have a destiny in our country – St.J. was part of it and still is, but esp. back in the days with Donald. Much to do, and the spiritual identity of our islands is not mocked, or to be lost. Many have tried, and failed. We hold firm to the Light, freedom, peace in action, goodwill. Crusaders. The blessings of Christmas to you and yours, William, with love and appreciation. Beverly Martin/SOPH.
Thank you William, I appreciate you sharing this dream/meditation. It is most comforting in a time when I have felt increasingly unhappy with the way it has all turned out. I am also first generation British with European parents. Your article give me a new way to hold what has happened. Having been reading Steiner for the last 25 years and appreciating the folk spirit concept this does make sense. I now have a new active appreciation of Britannia and a new way to go forwards in my thinking.
Thank you William. I am also staunchly pro-EU. And, like many other caring people, the election has brought me so much consternation, despair, panic even. Not just about Brexit, but also about the continuation of the selfish years – the uncaring and hatred. Your article returns me to a state of peace. And of balance. And for that I am very grateful. Sending love. Sue
William, I am so grateful for this wonderful description of what lies in the depths of all our souls. I have struggled to identify that feeling in me of something deeper than and different from politics and partisanship and you have done that for me. As I read it I felt my heart beating and my eyes welling up as I recognised something true. I’ll be spending a lot of time with this in meditation and sharing it with others.
Thanks for that, William, interesting, I´ve got the same information years ago after the Brexit vote, that this at the end was good for England, because like you said the EU is a globalist organisation who wants to eliminate differences and level down single culture to one big unified picture. Thanks for pointing this out, and connecting with Britannia. She is a beautiful big proud feminine lady! 🙂 merry christmas to you and Sabrina!
Thank you so much for sharing this experience.
In my 75 years, I had never been more certain about this. I just knew that I had to vote to leave the EU. It was a deep knowing and supported me when many around me said I was either mad or selfish or both!
Every day I give thanks for this deep connection that I and so many others have, to this inner guidance and truth.
Thanks for this, William – it chimed somewhat with something I was reading this morning about us all having lost our connections to our own ‘ethnic’ roots in having been caught up in a generic ‘white’ identity (that served a powerful political agenda): I found this website quite powerful: https://whiteawake.org/. As you say, politics is complex.
love…..