C is for Camelot

"Don't ever let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was Camelot."

-Jacqueline Kennedy-

Camelot is a place of legend, a place where the round table dwells. As a place, Camelot is said to be somewhere in Briton, though no text specifies an exact location. Still, it is the legendary kingdom of King Arthur. It is Camelot that Knights gather along the round table, and form bonds said to be closer than any other. For all the grandeur though, Camelot was said to be a small place. Never having enough rooms for all, many legends hold stories of people in tents staying outside the city walls. Surely, Camelot was a place people wanted to stay and dwell.

In my path, Camelot has come to represent the place of the round table. It is the round table that stands for things such as justice, chivalry, and seeking. Out of all the things that the round table could stand for though, it also represents opportunity. The meetings at the round table were said to be wonderful, joyous, and even merry occasions. Even when there were said to be 150 Knights, legends arise of true friendship. Still though, Camelot reminds us all of our mortality. Camelot itself came to an end, just as the Knights could not live forever. It is the natural cycle of the God/dess that all must come to an end, only to be reborn. Often, things are reborn in the ways we least expect.

I could never do Camelot justice without mentioning President Kennedy. It seems strange that the topics of a Pagan blog would lead to a Catholic President. Still, roads cross at the least expected time and place. The Kennedy family found a fondness to the image of Camelot. Whether this was due to John F. Kennedy's favor of Arthurian Legends or not, remains uncertain. There remains still, a little fondness of the White House during this Camelot era. Surely, many would agree that Kennedy was progressive and could have continued to do a great many things. Perhaps that is what Camelot stands for, the potential to do a great many things that one for whatever reason cannot.

The linking between President Kennedy and King Arthur, at first, seemed silly. Arthur was a King, who accomplished great things, and created peace within his land. Looking at things now though, John F. Kennedy might fit that. Considering he led a country, who led others to accomplish great things within their daily lives, and who politically found a way to balance patriotism with peace. These things may seem like they don't belong on a Pagan blog, but to me, it's at the heart of what makes Paganism register with people. Pagans wish to find a sense of peace, a sense of understanding others, and accomplish the great joys that the God/dess can offer. There's always going to be our own visions of Camelot.

Visions of Camelot may look different person to person, and the legends reflect this. Camelot has changed from a mighty castle, to a simple kingdom. The change might not seem legendary, but the basis of it is. If those of us in the United States can look out and see our own Camelot, than many others can as well. Though Camelot is a place, it is also a symbol. It stands for things that undoubtedly are a reflection of those bonds of the true friendships we form. Not only do we form friendships that last our lifetime, but they can go on to spark bonds in another lifetime. Places live on in the spirit of the people, only then can a place truly exist. For those who wish to see it, Camelot may truly be a thought away.

Whether we wish to imagine a Camelot with King Arthur, or one with a President, Camelot remains. The origins of such a place may be unknown, and we may never glimpse a sight of the first Camelot. Still though, as hard as it may seem, Camelot can be created again. When Camelot is created again though, it will look very differently. There will be the same mystery, wonder, and camaraderie, but there will be the spark of a new time. It is the nature of the God/dess, that things be reborn. Life continues, and with it the places that we all hold dear. With time all things pass away, and are reborn again in their own time.