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Glastonbury ...Spiritual Heart of Great BritainBy Carol Anne StrangeThe first glimpse of Glastonbury is of its famed Tor, rising out of the Somerset levels as you approach this ancient town. Legendary isle of Avalon, Glastonbury is the spiritual Mecca of Great Britain, drawing Pagans, Christians, new age thinkers and wandering souls from all parts of the world. For me, Glastonbury is a timeless place with a magnetic quality. This was only my second visit to this magical town and yet I felt completely at home among the strange cornucopia of people that gather here. And on this particular August weekend, it was an especially strange gathering. The Classical Musical Extravaganza drew in the 'well-to-do' intermingling with the 'new-agers' who looked like they had taken root in Glastonbury from the previous rock festival. Despite the diversity of people and beliefs, there was a tangible sense of calm and togetherness as everyone soaked up the vital atmosphere of the place.
Along Magdalene Street, High Street and Market Cross, you will find the main shopping area, full of marvellous little shops selling new age wonders such as books on mysticism, scented candles, healing remedies, crystals, tools for Wiccan rituals and lots of beautiful, spiritual gift ideas. There's a fine selection of cafes and restaurants, some providing organic, vegetarian and vegan menus, catering for all dietary needs. Tourist information can be found in the ancient buildings of The Tribunal on the High Street, which is also home to the Lake Village Museum containing many archaeological artefacts. After a delicious organic lunch, we found ourselves in the peaceful courtyard. I couldn't help but spend another few hours just browsing through the book shops, picking up several second hand books on complementary medicine and a few choice crystals that leapt up from their display and said' buy me! ' Also in the Courtyard, was the Bridget Healing Centre. We called in for my partner to have a relaxing Indian head massage treatment. It was there I met Kestrel, a bearded Shaman healer. We had quite an inspirational conversation on healing and crop circle formations while he ate his lunch. It was a most interesting half-hour and the people here were happy to stop and chat.
We had booked the 'Green Room' with its lavish hand painted silk wall hangings, crafted by Jan. The healing energy of the place was alive and I felt instantly at home there. I took advantage of booking an Aura Soma Colour Therapy reading with Jan and had an enlightening hour of healing and visionary work based on the colours I chose. This hour proved to be quite a life-transforming event and my only regret is that I didn't book the Aura Soma massage as well! Perhaps next time!
We looked down to see the festival in full swing. Five hundred feet up, we sat by the remains of the former church on top of the Tor and looked out for miles around as the sun set and cast a mystic, golden glow across the land. The music carried on the lightest breeze and to this day, if l close my eyes, I'm sat on Glastonbury Tor feeling the sound resonating within me. Much later, when light had faded, we made our descent to see fireworks fill the night sky as the musical extravaganza reached its glorious finale. What a perfect way to end the day. A self-service breakfast at Berachah started the next day followed by a glass of healing water from the roadside spring, which is quite literally on the doorstep. No visit to Glastonbury is complete without going to Chalice Well Gardens. Situated on Chilkwell Street, by the side of the Tor, Chalice Well Gardens is a truly mystical spot full of legend, symbolism and atmosphere, described as' a place whose history has no beginning! ' This natural shrine has been visited for thousands of years and is linked with Christian, Arthurian and Pagan tales of old. Regarded as a sacred place, Chalice Well has many beautiful, natural features including ancient yew trees and two of the Holy Thorns, the Chalice Well itself and the beautiful pools where many people stop to meditate, contemplate or drink the healing waters. Rituals are often conducted within the grounds and many visit to get in touch with nature, to gain peace, to picnic in the nearby meadow with their family or to quietly take in the magic of this natural garden in all its heavenly splendour. The tour leaflet asks that people do not remove their clothing in the grounds as it has been known in the past for some to get as close to nature as is possible by walking around naked! I have to admit, I felt this irresistible urge to blend with nature there but managed to resist the temptation of removing any clothing. What I did do while I was there, was meditate, drink the iron- rich healing waters from the red spring and simply delight in the vibrant energy of the place. Lunch in town and a final walk round the shops and it was time to leave Glastonbury, knowing that I would return before long to this place of enchantment and legend that continues to hold me, and many more like me, absolutely spellbound. Great Britain is fortunate to have a rich history and the most heart-warming tales of old but Glastonbury is, without doubt, one of the most spiritual places you could visit. If you get chance, go there and find that special magic for yourself. LINKS:Guide to Glastonbury for details of
accommodation and attractions. Glastonbury Abbey Information Glastonbury Circle – details of
events and tours Words and pictures by Carol Anne Strange |
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Having
visited Glastonbury before, and knowing that virtually all the main
attractions are in walking distance of one another, I had in mind a kind of
schedule for the two- day visit. After an energising breakfast from a cafe
on the High Street, my partner and 
Accommodation
for the night was at Berachah House on Well House Lane, next to
In the
evening, we decided to walk up the Tor to enjoy the sunset. The fact that we
had timed our visit and this walk with the Classical live music extravaganza
taking place in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey was quite a coincidence,
but what a memory it provided. We commenced the walk up the labyrinthine
path, to the soothing and energising sound of the Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra playing below.