Chalice Hill

Seven days in Glastonbury and some amazing realizations.

On my last day in Glastonbury. I decided to walk up Chalice Hill. I had been staying at an Essene Retreat B & B and the reading I was doing of the Essene teachings said the Graal/Chalice and the round table were both buried in Chalice Hill. My journeys in Glastonbury taught me that myths and legends have some basis in truth, especially if I want them to. My walk took me past buddhist prayer wheels at an ashram and finally onto the pathway leading up the hill. As I walked I spoke to the earth Goddess asking her to help me find a rock to take home. If there is a rock for me to take let me notice it. The earth is red in parts and the rock as well. There is a red spring which emerges out of the Glastonbury Tor which runs parallel to Chalice hill. I could feel the energy of this sacred place. The energy helped me keep climbing. The view from Chalice Hill is of the city below and of the magnificent Tor with its ancient tower dedicated to St. Michael the Archengel resting on the top. The Tor itself is a labyrinth and one can see that clearly from the view on Chalice Hill. 

I love Glastonbury. Glastonbury asked me to know myself, to stay connected with the land and with love. That is what I took on my walk up the hill. Many people were walking up the Tor only 4 of us were walking up Chalice Hill. It is easy to stop and let others pass, my pilgrimage this day was inner as well as outer. The inner was saying goodbye to Glastonbury. 

I realized that staying in a place I really loved for a longer period of time allowed me to see the shadow and light. The light was easy to see, I was a pilgrim, I was in love and it was fun. The shadow emerged in the later couple of days. The strong held beliefs and how they sometimes become truths that restrict. How was I doing that in myself I wondered. As I walked the hill I carried my last 6 days in a place I had been saying I would love to live in and realized to live in a wild, sometimes crazy, mystical and spiritual place I would need to open my heart and love all of it while not being attached to any of it. Ohhhhh I wonder how spirit would help me walk that path? 

I walked up he hill, used my prayer beads to help me find the energetic centre where the Chalice and Round table were buried, stood on the centre and connected with the land and the possibility.  I sat on the grass and connected with why I was here. The land was what brought me back to me. The Tor, Chalice Well, the Abbey, Wearyall Hill and Chalice Hill were Glastonbury, the Glastonbury I loved. The town with all it's shops and seekers of "something" was the more mercurial part of Glastonbury I could take in little bits.  Glastonbury taught me what I love and need more of in my life, nature. 

I decided to end my last day the same way I started my pilgrimage in Glastonbury at the Chalice Well. 

By the time I entered this world peace garden I was roasting from my walk. The sweet lady in the gift shop suggested I cool my feet in the healing pool In King Arthur's Couryard. I put my feet in the cold water of the red spring that emerges from under the Tor and flows through the Lions head in the Chalice Well and down into the pool. It was wonderful, cold and wonderful. 

I breathed in the garden and Glastonbury. I was so thankful and felt very blessed. I had met the land, the earth goddess had shown me the most amazing rock to bring back filled with fossils and crystals and I had allowed myself to fulfill a dream to come and stay in Glastonbury for an extended period. 

I also realized I was not saying goodbye to Glastonbury, it lived in my heart, lived in me. I feel that I don't really know what Glastonbury means to me and how wonderful that it will continue to reveal itself in time and in many magical, mystical, alchemical, earthy ways. Thanks Glastonbury I love you.

Now I am heading to a lovely little town called Compton Bassett in Wiltshire to house sit for two weeks. A place 5 miles from Avebury, also one of my favourite stone circles. I will be looking after chickens, goats and Diane. A quieter time a different pilgrimage. What a blessing, I did not know what I was going to do for my two unplanned two weeks. I did know I was needing to plant myself in one place quietly for a time and this wonderful opportunity presented itself from two generous mystical, beautiful new friends.

More to come.

The heart is where legend and truth meet.

I am sitting in a tiny room at the top of the house. I have a skylight which opens to allow air and light in.

Right now little golden particles are being lit up by the setting sun. Glastonbury is a place of magic, mysticism, legend and above all fun. Today I spoke to a fellow in a Tarot shop who wears a copper wire over his head ending in a beautiful spiral at his third eye. A woman who wears the most beautiful elf ears. I love Glastonbury. Have I mentioned that before, I Love this place.  Magical, mystical, alchemical .....

Have you ever wanted a legend to be true? Well in Glastonbury the one legend I want to be true has much evidence of it's possibility. The legend - Joseph of Arimatheia a rich man, and relative of Jesus  who after the Crucifixion claimed the body of Jesus from Pilate. He came to Britain with other disciples and founded the first British church at Glastonbury, where he planted his staff. This miraculously flowered into a tree, The Glastonbury Thorn, whose offshoots may still be seen today, flowering every Christmas. (A sprig or cutting is sent to Buckingham Palace every year from this tree, which analysis has shown is a Palestinian variety.) Joseph also brought and kept there certain sacred relics, perhaps the Chalice Cup or Grail. He knew Britain from his trips as a tin merchant, and in fact, on one of his trips he brought his nephew, the boy Jesus.

Joseph, and some say the Mary, are said to be buried there, along with the Grail featured in legends of Arthur – whose official tomb is still to be seen there.

So in one little place we have: the Grail, a holy thorn Tree, the burial place of Arthur and Guinevere, the uncle of an amazing being who walked the earth.

As I walk around this village it opens my heart and mind, what if this is really true- what if. That is part of the excitement and maybe it helps me feel closer to the magic of stories and legend. 

I love the energy and the friendliness of Glastonbury. Today I talked to a elder in the church who loves her village. She asked me if I had been to the Abbey, (pictures coming tomorrow) when I said yes it was wonderful she replied "Yes, we love it." Each person who I have spoken to loves living here, because I am so excited I have been asking.

It really is fun being in a place filled with legends, faeries, dragons, ruined Abbeys, holy thorn trees and a tiny chapel that began in 1264 as the St. Mary Magdalene Hospital and was converted in 1444 to a chapel. I sat and did my spiritual practice in two churches today St. John the Baptist (where the stained glass window is from) and the little chapel. Both fed my soul and helped me love Glastonbury even more. Below you will fiind a lovely window from St. Mary's

Blessings to you all. I know I am feeling blessed and having fun. Tomorrow I am off to lay on the grass in the Glastonbury Abbey to feel the St. Michael and Mary ley lines. How fun is that!

A place of the Goddess

The Chalice Well in Glastonbury is one of the beautiful spots in this mystical village. This morning I sat near this grotto and did Spiritual Practice. I could hear the birds, feel the peace and a connection with the Goddess energy of Avalon. I love Glastonbury, it is a mix of peace, mystery and creativity. 

I spoke with an artist today who painted a mural of the Glastonbury Tor on a wall in her shop. She spoke of the energy in her shop and hearing monks singing. Glastonbury is all about energy. I have been asking myself what I am here for. Energy, art, ancient legends all that and more. What are you offering me Glastonbury? Help me to open my heart and being to the reason I answered your call.

  

Standing in Stonehenge

Here I am in the middle of Stonehenge communing with the wonderous beings of rock and earth.

The fascinating thing was certain rocks called to me. This was one who felt familiar.