Today we spent a very New Age day in ever wacky Glastonbury. Had such a good time. The weather was really kind – nice and warm in the sun, a few clouds but absolutely no rain. It was about a 35 minute drive from Winscombe to Glastonbury.
We first stopped off at the Chalice Well, https://chalicewell.org.uk/the site of a spring that has been sacred to many people for thousands of years. It is the red spring, rich in iron. There is another, very close by called the White Spring, which is white and rich in calcite. They both come from the caverns beneath the Tor. You kind of know you’re in the right area because there are an awful lot of women in Arthurian robes and flowers in their hair wandering about. Not to mention as we parked our car, Gandalf road by on a pedal bike. Or it could have been that guy from ZZ Top….. Seriously though, it is very wah wah in atmosphere but seemingly full of very nice, serene people, not doing any harm to anyone. But a bit odd…. Also notable is the complete absence of 5g phone signal within about 15 miles of the place…
The Chalice Well is set in the most beautiful garden. Honestly, it’s just the perfect epitome of an English country garden, beautiful flowers and trees on a hillside site. The spring is near the top and the water cascades down through the garden from the Lion Head well via a system of gulleys and pools. You can drink from the Lion’s Head. We did and it was cold but with a distinct metallic taste from the iron. Further down around the well itself, people could sit in silent meditation, some bringing flowers to the Goddess of the Spring. At the bottom of the slope was a pool in which you could paddle and indeed be immersed. It was icy. Lucy and Geri had a go briefly. We touched some water to Baby at the Lion’s Head and made a Blessing on her. It was all rather lovely.
From there Bob and I drove into Glastonbury proper, the kids walked in. Today was the day of the Dragon Parade – we hadn’t realised – so we definitely wanted to see that. We met up at the Abbey and wandered up the main street, looking in many of the quirky shops found there. If you want to buy magic herbs, wands, crystals, dreamcatchers, robes, essential oils, incense.. this is your place. Had a bit of lunch and came out of that just as the parade was starting. The Dragons – one white and one red – have a battle at Market Cross and then they parade through town and up to the Tor lead by differing pipe and drum bands. We got a great curbside spot to watch them pass.
After that more fuddling…. and shopping…. Bob’s knee was hurting, so we decided we’d walked enough. We drove just south of Glastonbury into the Somerset Levels (flat marshy area) to get photos of theTor. When his knee is better, we’ll come back and maybe climb it. But not today. The Tor is the emblem, the embodiment of the spirit of Glastonbury. Rising majestically out of the flatlands, often misty, it is decidedly strange and other-worldly. Many people believe it to be the Isle of Avalon, from Arthurian myth and maybe it is. I have learned never to discount these old stories in toto. There is often a root of truth in there somewhere, embelished by the telling over time but factual nonetheless.
We got home about 445. Had a lovely evening. The kids arrived about 530. They’d gone to the White Spring which has a temple lit by candles over it. Said it was a little strange and full of naked people in the pools, chanting. Hmmm.
Hot-tubbed with Daisy which was excellent for aching feet, knees and backs. Babysat for Lu and Geri who went out for dinner. A really lovely day to round off a lovely weekend.
