Druid's blessing for bluestone

The bluestone was originally destined for Stonehenge

The Botanic Garden of Wales is hoping the ill-fated Millennium bluestone will become its answer to Ireland's famous Blarney Stone.

A druid was brought in this week to bless the three tonne rock - whose planned journey to Stonehenge using ancient methods had to be aborted after it fell into the sea.

The stone's official new home is in the gardens and now tourists are to be encouraged to touch or rub it to bring them good luck.

Druid Chris Warwick, who performed the unusual ceremony, is convinced the stone has special properties and garden staff have their fingers crossed it could become their own version of the Blarney Stone.

People flock from all over the world to Blarney Castle near Cork in Ireland to kiss the famous stone which legend says can bestow the gift of the gab.

Mr Warwick, who is also known as Black Crow, believes the bluestone may have special powers.

"There is something particular about this stone," he said.

The Druid's Blessing

Strength of stone, refreshing water,

In peaceful place of green.

Strength of water, fresher flowering,

Peaceful stone has ever been.

Strength of growth, refreshing stone,

Peace of water to be seen.

"I definitely feel it has been used for something in its past - I felt an energy flow coming through as I moved my hands around the stone.

"It is in a nice place near water, as if it was meant to be here."

In 2000 it was intended the Bluestone would be transported from its home in the Preseli Mountains in Pembrokeshire to Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire in a lottery funded project aimed at recreating the efforts of the founders of Stonehenge.

Spiritual provenance

It is thought bluestones from west Wales were transported by land and sea in order to build the monument's inner circle.

But the bid was scuppered when the stone sank off the Welsh coast just 17 miles into the 240-mile journey.

After being retrieved from the sea by navy divers the stone finally ended up at the botanic garden which are now being marketed under the name of Middleton earlier this year.

"When it first arrived here we felt we could not just leave it there," said spokesman Owen Jenkins.

"Obviously the bluestones were very special to the ancient druids and they still are to present day druids.

"When blessing the stone the druid felt there was something particular about it.

"Blessing the stone does reinforce its spiritual provenance."