Daryl Urquhart, series editor
Does the spirit of the those gone before us linger where we have laid their physical remains to rest?
It’s a question that has haunted and befuddled the minds of scholars, skeptics, psychics and every man and woman since the beginning of time. But what if that which we refer to as a spirit was actually a manifestation of a stream of insight that provides comfort, peaceful reminiscence, deep self searching thoughts or even an enlightened philosophy or perspective. From where did it originate? Would you recognize it as a message from a spirit or simply your own original thought and would you heed the thought? How might it effect the person you are and how might you look at life’s challenges, given the notion that some form of potential wisdom has just come to you? Wisdom, perhaps founded on centuries of life experiences resting just below the surface of a cemetery? To Scholars, skeptics and whoever, it is either an intriguing mystery or possibly a soul searching adventure into our own mind.
First, let me define the word spirit, as it is used in this article. It is not synonymous with the supernatural or with ghost. It is merely the creation of a thought, whether it be through one of our five senses, a figment of imagination or even a consciously conjured thought. It is this “spirit” that creates the notion of an external communication leading you to contemplate and consider perspectives, whether or not you are in a place of worship, sacred solemnity or simply anywhere.
On a recent walk through the church and cemetery behind the hedges at St. Georges with the renowned and celebrated psychic, Angel Morgan I hoped to find some insight into the questions above. I asked if she had visited St. Georges before. She confirmed that she had no general knowledge of the church or cemetery, having never visited. “I didn’t even know it was here.”, was her response. Entering the church yard through the ancient lychgate, I wondered if a spirit might be manifest in some way that would open my mind to the possibility of a connection to past souls.
Feelings, emotions and sentiment are well known to us all in our own lives as reactions to either physical encounters or intellectual/mental influence. All are human and all are real. We all know this and when confronted by uncertainty our reactions can be muddled or multi layered. The notion that a passed soul can communicate with the living is difficult to comprehend yet we all think or act according to lessons learned or “the little voice” in the back of our head. Does this “little voice” originate from our own mind and memory or is it a spiritually triggered response to lessons learned from those whose wisdom comes to us when called upon. Can it be that the energy that is the eternal life essence of our ancestors exists not only in our brain but all around us as an intelligence sent to us when needed? Is it a connection to some greater spiritual power or God? In These challenging times of uncertainty and global unrest a little spiritual support seems a welcome influence.
In the centre of the western reach of the cemetery at St. Georges Church is an earthen, organic, mound, covering nearly a hundred square feet and rising about ten to fifteen inches above the surrounding level ground. It is the root remains of a massive, ancient, tree. One, which in times gone by, may well have been at the centre of sacred or existentially meaningful ceremonies, even before the cemetery was dedicated. Upon approaching the mound, Angel became animated, expressing strong feelings of grounding and spiritual strength. In her feelings was the overpowering notion that the remaining roots of the tree that formed the mound were akin to a guardian in the cemetery, the will of which was to protect the souls therein. She cautioned never to dig it up. She described a circle of happy Indigenous people around the tree in a celebration of life. She also described a vision of a small child or infant running around the area in play, who had died at a very young age and who, she believed, was likely interred very nearby. It was only then, after her vision, that I brought to her attention a partially buried and recently, mysteriously, emerged flat marker not ten feet away. Unbeknownst to Angel, the marker is a memorial to the Indigenous infant, Jimmy Charles, who died and was interred there, nearly a hundred years ago. The story is told of how his young, expectant, mother was trying to get from the Island to the doctor for help, a great distance as no care was available close by at that time. She apparently suffered the misfortune of going into labour in the forest surrounding the Cemetery, in the vicinity of the current parking lot. Little is known of how long the infant lived before his interment at the base of the Great tree. The challenge at the time was one of primeval survival, however, the vision of Angel Morgan suggests that his spirit remains playful and happy to this day in a place of peace and serenity. His short life not without meaning and purpose if those who visit feel the same warm feelings experienced by Angel in her vision.
While inside the church Angel felt the presence of a stocky, perhaps rotund man, a stern and important gentleman and pillar of the community. At his side she envisioned a young girl singing happily with her father. The image she described sent a shiver down my spine as unbeknownst to Angel and known by me, the church had been built directly on top of the grave of Commander William Bourchier, a founding father of our community, builder of the “The Briars”, and brother of James O’Brien Bourchier, founder of Bourchier’s Mills, now Sutton. Also buried beneath the church is his three and a half year old daughter, Agnes Mary who died in January of 1844 just a week before her father. What raw and brutal challenges they must have faced 200 years ago in the infancy of what was to become a great country. Both of their memorial monuments are permanently encased and visible in the fabric of the northern exterior wall of the church. Despite the hardships they faced, the spirit of Angel’s vision was engagingly happy and reflected the strength of good will and encouraging faith. Wise and timeless life advice from…?
If the spirit in the cemetery can invoke meaningful feelings, remind us of the importance of respectful, positive, thought, give us a moment to reflect on life’s lessons and pay attention to the wisdom to be gained from those interred therein, then it is truly much more than a collection of monuments over decaying remains. Beneath every monument is a Canadian story with lessons to be learned and memories to be respected and not forgotten. They can lead to introspection and relative perspective (no pun intended) on the challenges we face today. Who we are or choose to be. An observant walk through the cemetery past the monuments of known or unfamiliar souls can trigger emotions, curiosity, and vision. Canadians who lived, built and fought to protect their country lie there beneath their memorial stones. Insightful or not, tying the past to the present brings us a glimpse of what is meaningful and emphasizes the importance of the connecting chain of family and friends, of sorrow and joy, of challenge and achievement. Whether Indigenous or immigrant, builders, writers, soldiers, sailors, businesspeople, professionals and labourers of all descriptions have helped to create the soul and spirit of Canadian culture right here in Georgina.
Regardless of whether or not you believe in an afterlife, the power of suggestion, spiritual influence, or the presence of God, there is comfort in the notion that those souls buried in St. Georges cemetery are remembered and surrounded by peaceful beauty and meaningful, caring, spirit. A spirit that seems to settle the mind and heal the scars of loss or sorrow and bolster the strength to face challenges to come for all who visit. It is a spirit we all need and it is vibrant and strong behind the 165 year ancient hedges of St. George’s.
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