Fireball Wijchen: a new pilgrimage ritual?

This winter we were approached by Ine van Gaalen of ceramics studio Terrazul in Wijchen. She was preparing to walk the Walk of Walk of Wisdom and saw that the route passes by her studio. There she has a ‘wishing fireball’ where people can entrust a wish or other thought to the fire. Could that be a nice ritual for pilgrims?

Now Manja and I are careful when it comes to filling in the route with new symbols or customs. We would like to preserve the peace and space and not fill the route with all kinds of things you have to do. Then the Walk of Wisdom becomes too much of a fair for us where you experience things that others offer for you, instead of stepping into your own inner world.

But Ine’s offer was relaxed and free. Pilgrims did not have to pay for the fire and could also walk on if it did not appeal to them.

Surprising

In short, Manja and I were curious and went to visit Ine at the end of May. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

The studio turned out to be located on a huge, beautiful garden. It looked like a small estate. Ine herself turned out to be warm and happy: she was once a teacher, but woke up one day with the determination to change course. That became the ceramics studio Terrazul. The studio was a success and it was clear to see from Ine that she was in the right place.

I thought it was nice to hear how she is walking the Walk of Wisdom herself: in eleven stages with different people who are a source of inspiration in her life. After each stage, she creates something that comes out of the walk and so a new work of art grows for her. In the same connected way, she works with materials that she finds or that are handed to her.

Wishing Fireball

The Wishing Fireball is at the back of her garden. Pilgrims can report to the studio and then walk to the sphere on their own. There is a sheltered bench where you can sit in peace and quiet to reflect on something you want to entrust to the fire. The sphere resembles an earth.

Location

The fireball is described in the third edition of the route guide on route map 24. In the other editions you can find the studio on the same map, you walk past it after dot 5 in the route description at Ravensteinseweg 300.

At the front door there is a sign “Welcome Pilgrim” when the studio is open, then you can walk up the driveway. At the studio itself there is a ‘pilgrim’s bell’ that you can ring if you don’t see Ine (she may be busy in the garden).

Just sit down for a while

The pilgrim who just wants to sit in the paradisiacal garden is also welcome. Then you will notice for yourself whether you want to do something with the fire.

We are happy with this new, warm place and very curious if pilgrims will use it. Highly recommended!