St Nectan's Glen in Cornwall
St Nectan's Kieve in Cornwall. Photograph by Rob Purvis
Saint Nectan’s Glen in Cornwall - the unspoilt sanctuary of magic beauty and salubrious energy.
Saint Nectan’s Glen, situated in the immediate vicinity of popular Cornish village of Tintagel, is a secluded woodland area that stretches along the cheerfully babbling Trevillet River, looking more like a brook than a river. For centuries it has been known as somewhat of a sacred place, like a magnet attracting the pilgrims from various corners of Britain. According to legends before having started off for hunting of the Holy Grail, King’s Arthur knights at first had bathed in the waters of Saint Nectan’s Kieve (“kieve” is the old word for tub, vat or basin) in belief of that it would bring them good luck.
This place is also often associated with Nectan, the saint who reportedly settled here around 4th century as a hermit. A private cottage, scrambled above the river on the rocky hedge of the glen, was built here in the middle of 19th century and supposedly on the site of Saint Nectan’s Chapel. There is even a reproduction of the recluse’s cell in the house that some people visit for meditation, having been convinced that the spot is a wealth of positive energy since it sits on the crossing of magic lay lines. In opposition some say that Saint Nectan had no bearings to the location, and that in fact it got its name due the Celtic water god Nechtan that usually has been linked with pools, springs and wells. And to tell the truth in St Nectan’s Glen it is not hard at all to give credence to any deity or mythological creature. There is something mystically special and alive in the whispering of the trees, rustling in the grass and the whole aura of the place. And ambling along the silver snake of the Trevillet River you cannot get shot of the feeling that someone invisible monitors you, involuntarily making you to peer into the thicket of the forest for darting pixies.
St Nectan's Kieve in Cornwall. Photograph by Rob PurvisBut the excitement about St Nectan’s Glen reaches its peak, when the 18 metres (60 feet) high waterfall suddenly appears before you. It looks so unique with its frothy jet gushing through the naturally formed stone arch, that you near want to pinch yourself for being proved it is not a dream. The water from St Nectan’s Kiev is said to have the healing properties. Some might dispute that, but the power of faith is truly unlimited. I personally know a man, who was so certain about the curative effect of one holy spring that by only drinking the water he had collected from there, he got rid off his kidney stones without any surgical intrusion. When he showed me the stones, I only was left to wonder whether the water really contained some salubrious elements or it was due to his positive thinking and unshakable belief.
It is not surprising though that from the old times men has been seeing waterfalls as something mystical. Nowadays scientists have already discovered that the air nearby the waterfalls, as well as mountainous, sea and after-thunderstorm air is very rich in negative charged ions (also known as air ions) that have a great impact on human’s health. It was found that these air ions increase the immune system, makes the blood more fluid thus reducing the heart’s exertion. After having walk in a place abounding with the negative ions, the sleeping gets better and general state receives the surge of vivaciousness.
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