Spiritual aspects of the Walk

[Adrienne Patton]

Hello all,

I would love to know if there are any other Buddhist
pilgrims hereabouts and what your experience on the
Camino was - or what your expectations and motivations
are if you have not yet gone.

I met very few pilgrims walking for devout Catholic
reasons.  Most I met were there for spiritual,
"mid-life", community/experience type reasons.  I am
just starting to read William Melczer's wonderful
book(translation and discussion of Book V of the
famous Liber Sancti Jacobi) and am very interested in
the motivations/experiences of pigrims throughout
history and into our modern times as the Camino has
reemerged in popularity.

I am also very interested in the feminine aspects of
Catholicism - particularly the dark virgin.  There is
a dark virgin who is the "patroness" of Los Arcos on
the Camino Frances.  And there is one I intend to
visit in Irun, at the beginning of my coastal route
pilgrimage in May.  Does anyone here have experience,
interest or knowledge on this topic?

I have to admit, I became quite uncomfortable with St.
James as I walked.  I was disturbed by his title of
Santiago Matamoros and his depictions as such slicing
off Moorish heads. I mean no offense in bringing this
up as a topic - it just became an issue to me as I
explored my faith and spiritual motivations as I
walked.  I found more comfort and strength in the
peaceful, compassionate feminine figures (Mary - and
Tara for those who are more easternly inclined).

These are just some random thoughts - I would love to
discuss further if there are others interested in
these topics.

Thanks,
Adrienne

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