Glastonbury Dismembered – The Wild Hunt

Samhain Blessings. Today there will be a fantastic Wild Hunt procession in Glastonbury town.

This story is about the Wild Hunt witnessed by Ambrose Gilpin in October 1539, a snippet from my novel about Richard Whiting the Last Abbot of Glastonbury. An historic fairy tale of sorts.

I have just finished writing the last chapter and I am looking for 10 volunteer readers who will give me honest critique. Please let me know if you would like to read it in advance.

Ambrose last rode this way on All Saint’s Eve when he was caused by the beauty of that afternoon to ride further than he intended. Before he knew it, he had reached Cleabarrow.

The sky had been clear all of that day, but as he climbed the crag to look out over the valley the orange of the setting sun was suddenly chased out by a sudden storm cloud. A severe chill came upon him and he stood there shivering as the wind whipped up in the trees. The sky unsettled to a deep thunderous rumble.

He fancied that he saw moss covered maidens emerging from the trees! Devilish imps and all manner of nature spirits rising up from the land. He tried to shake those visions from his head, but could not, neither could he run, nor frozen in terror could he hide. He covered his eyes. Still he could not shut it out, for he heard a howl so full of dread!

The primal roar rumbled his chest and shook him to the core of his being, then the clatter of horse hooves. The blast of a horn sounded that would raise the dead to walking. And so it did!

He should not have looked, but he dropped his hands from his face and opened his eyes, fearful that a mighty army was coming. There came a great black boar tearing through the trees heading right for him. He rolled over a tree root to avoid the huge beast. It rattled right past, not hesitating in its charge.

Blackened clouds rolled out to the horizon and an even greater terror followed. A wild and gruesome cavalcade!

Fierce white hounds led the hunt. Hounds with pointed ears of bloody red that had surely come from hell, followed by numerous ghost like warriors on black horses. Huge and terrible. They came tearing through the clouds, the thunder of their hooves rumbling, though they rode some distance above the ground.

It distressed Ambrose to remember that day because he heard the baying of those hounds, he still heard it, the noise had frequently woken him in the night!

He shivered to recollect these things now. One month on and his body still remembered the terror he felt then.

Dominating the scene was the most glorious golden light. He would have thought it heavenly were it not for the menacing scene surrounding it. There in the light arose a terrible giant riding on the largest stallion that he had ever seen. The horse had the sickly hue of a corpse. The giant’s face was encrusted with white chalky paint, the cracks in the paint showing black beneath. His bloodshot eyes fixed on Ambrose as the magnificent horse reared up.

The giant held aloft a burning torch that lit the bottom of the clouds bright red as if a great fire burned through the forest. By the light of the flame Ambrose could see black ravens, owls and other air spirits flying in and out of the smoke, that by their appearance defied nature .

The riders clawed out with brutish hands to tear these otherworldly spirits from the land and sky. They dragged the moss covered maidens into the throng, whipped up the imps from the trees and struck at the air sylphs. Still, with all the chaos and savagery, the party remained in pursuit of the wild boar!

Ambrose knew the old superstition that death would come to those who witnessed the Wild Hunt and he had heard the baying of those hounds. He watched to see the harbinger of his death rear up. Then, out of the heaving mass of horror, another rider struck out. He held a spear above his head that glowed in the firelight as if the tip were aflame. He thrust it forward, it flew through the air and hit its mark. The mighty sable boar flailed against the pain of the shot, turned to charge and then, with an almighty crash, slumped to the earth.

Re-member Richard Whiting

I have been studying ritual and esoteric magic systems for over 20 years, and since becoming a Bard of Avebury in 1998 have been openly leading and taking part in public ceremony in Glastonbury and at festivals across the UK. I am a trained VortexHealer interested in Earth energy systems and leylines. My work within the Merlin lineage has led me to work with sacred space and geomantic stress. My love of community brought me to Glastonbury.
In September 2007 in London I attended an Intensive Earthshift Class as part of my VortexHealing training. Some of the work we did had the intention to clear the earth of negative energies that could be used as a source of power for black magic. This dense ‘black magic’ energy had accumulated on the planet through the intentional use of magical ritual, torturous death, and events involving pain and deep trauma. These sources of power are held in pockets of energy in the land that can be drawn from to support potent magical practice with ill intent.

My consciousness was drawn directly beneath the Tor. As if there was, at least at one time in history, such dense energy moving through the location that it had stuck and it was still there. I breathed rapidly, along with the rest of the class, and followed the instructions we were given. I felt an intense rush of energy; it felt like pulling out a plug and leaving room for fresh clear flow.

Much good work has been done within our community to lessen the impact of these killings, and it has had a potent affect on many levels; physically, spiritually, magically and energetically. Each of us is a part of the bigger picture and the healing that has occurred at this location of great global importance is crucial in the rebuilding of common unity.

My interest in local history and a little bit of synchronicity soon led me to the Glastonbury Documents. I found that there was in fact a ritual murder right on the top of Glastonbury Tor! Now I have written a document to detail my findings. You can look forward to hearing more about it soon.

On the 13th November 2012, at the Scorpio dark moon we met at The White Spring ‘For the Love of It’ to gather together and celebrate common unity. It was a joyous night, a true tribal gathering that warmed our hearts. At midnight, we stood in circle together to re-member Whiting and his companions and to acknowledge and empower the persistence of love and common unity that cannot be broken. Our community is coming together, I see it all around me, different groups working together, civic support opening up into areas of the community that they have never before. The rift is healing in Glaston and I give thanks for all those who have been called to play their part.

The White Spring – Beltane Climax – For the Love of It

At Lunar Beltane each year, Scorpio full moon, we have a gathering at the White Spring, from dusk to dawn, For the Love of It!

This year a friend of ours was hand-fasted on top of Glastonbury Tor in the afternoon, so sadly I would miss the reception and celebration afterwards at Paddington Farm, but I was delighted to be able to offer a blessing at The White Spring before taking the bridal party up the Tor for the hand-fasting ceremony.

At around 1pm, the couple came and took some time in the peaceful courtyard whilst their family and friends arrived. When we went inside for the blessing the handmaidens had to lift the bride’s dress so it didn’t sit in the water. I welcomed everyone and offered an elemental blessing, using the water, incense, candle flame and stone.

Phoenix is a long time friend and rainbow brother, so it was very special for me to offer this blessing to their union. We stood at a portal to the otherworld and invited the blessings of the spirits of Avalon.

Then we all joined hands and lifted our hearts in celebration and support of this union. After much cheering, we went outside and prepared for the ascent up the Tor. Taurus would be leading the men around to the egg-stone and up a steep incline to the top, whilst the bridal party would use the path from the bottom of Wellhouse Lane. Taurus blew his horn and the men set off. The rest of us waited about 15 minutes before leaving to give them time to go around. We climbed, pausing to catch our breath and look at the path below. It was sweet to look back and see the trail of people following the bride up the hill.

We arrived to a huge circle of people. A beautiful handfasting ceremony followed, Lyn (the ceremonialist) was fabulous, and the characters who spoke for each direction were perfect for the energy that they were expressing. We all turned outwards to express the love of these two people, and the love in our hearts out to the world. It was all so beautiful; a powerful tribal feeling, but I couldn’t linger too long; I had to get on.

We had already worked out the format for the evening ceremony, but we had soup to cook, ingredients to get together and equipment to load into the van. Max had got everything together when I arrived back from the Tor, so I had a chance to sit and have a cup of tea.

We arrived with plenty of time for Max and I to unload the wood, set up the tables, get the soup hot and prepare the chai. When we got there we found a large group of people from Slovakia – they had previously asked to book the place and I had told them that it wasn’t possible because of this celebration, so they decided to come along and support. And that they did! Before we knew it there were about twenty people offering to help unload the wood, light the candles and do anything else we asked of them to, it was great! We set up in record time. Many hands …

This meant that there was plenty of time for them to hold a short ceremony inside before we began. Each of them had brought a large peace candle with them and they all lit them and stood in the central chamber. All of their faces were aglow and the building was really bright. After I had slightly freaked out in my head about the candle wax dripping everywhere (and resolved it), I saw how beautiful it was. I could not understand what they were saying and singing, but I could feel the energy. They sang until we were ready to start the ceremony.

We lit the fire outside, talked of Brigid and the nurturing flame, and invited everyone to join us inside. Max and I climbed behind the central pool. This is a perfect place to do public ceremony from; the pool has a lateral wave that helps the acoustics in the building and projects your voice. It also lends inspiration and power to the words. We opened the circle, with Max inviting the blessings and honouring the four directions whilst I dramatically represented each of them with the incense, candle flame, water and a large rock. I then called to the spirits of above, below and within. We asked that each guard, guide and protect all who visit here, living or otherwise.

We invited everyone to lend their energy to the creation of a powerful orb of light, feeling the energy by clapping our hands until they tingle, then intensifying that energy to make it bigger so that we may co-create a wonderful sphere to keep us all safe and held throughout the whole night. Then we said a prayer to the water.

We shared food and drank spiced apple juice. A few people came and asked whether we would be heating up the water tonight, we had done this three years previous and (I think) because it is 2012, people assumed we would do the same. Perhaps we will do it again before the year is out but not tonight. Several people bathed in the cold waters and so many people expressed to me how the building felt more alive, more joyful.

A few women from the singing group were there, so we sang some chants and lots of people joined in with us. An elder bard of Glastonbury arrived and treated us to some wonderful seasonal songs by the fire, Jack in the Green, Hal an tow, Cuckoo… excellent songs that are now becoming familiar to me. The (holders of the roles of) May Queen and Summer King at the town celebrations arrived, invisible and unnoticed. The Queen bathed in the central pool, looking just like a pre-Raphaelite painting. Then the drumming …

Oh the drumming, it has been a bit of an issue in the past; medicine drums are pretty okay, but it really is quite loud in the building when djembes are played, and usually 10 minutes or so is enough. A previous keeper of the Spring who had a love of drumming had arrived with a djembe and asked if he could drum for a bit. When he began in the Brigid bower, I felt inspired to just dance, and I mean really dance! I surrendered to the beat and encouraged some of the Slovakian women to join me – and it went on! The bower was filled with dancing women, then the drums would die down and the women would leave to make room for another group of women to dance inside the bower. It was quite incredible, and I let it go on a little longer than I would usually (it was Beltane after all, and the energy was really rising). It was such a powerful moment and the building seemed to love it. On the opposite side of the building, men were gathered, all getting ready to bathe in the pool; they all jumped in together making a huge splash! How fantastic!

Just as it was feeling like there had been enough drumming energy, Daygan turned up; what joy! I love it when he plays his mandolin at The White Spring; it is so very magical, stirring up the fae energy; tripping and dancing on light-hearted notes of bliss – I immediately get transported to another realm entirely. I danced at each of the shrines, and let myself go. There often comes a moment at the all night gatherings at the Spring when the spirit of faery shines through so strongly that it is easy to see the fae nature of all the visitors. The light-footed faery dancers, the elven warrior, the gnome like character by the fire, sometimes I look and can see the slight hint of wings or little horns and occasionally I wonder if they have come through the front door, or a portal to the otherworld in the depths of the building. Daygan’s music often evokes that very moment.

Later in the evening, three djembes turned up from a drumming session in the Rifleman’s pub. They began to play after Daygan had finished. I told them that they could play for 10 minutes. I explained that it rattles the building if we have too much drumming. They played, gently at first, and then it got louder and louder. Everyone was loving it, the wellhouse was full of people dancing. But after a while it felt like it needed to stop, so checked in with the shrines to get a feel for how the building was being affected. It had soon became too much – the beats echoed back from the walls and the water until there was no distinguishing of each beat and it was nothing but noise. I approached the drummer with the biggest drum and as I did, saw that he had already understood; he had felt the rattle. The acoustics of the place are great, drumming to raise energy is good for 10 or 15 minutes, but beyond that, it often shakes it up too much.

The drumming stopped and the drummers stayed for some chai. The group from Slovakia had left to climb the Tor and we chatted and sang by the fire. People from the wedding party began to drift by on their way home, and we got to hear stories of the gathering up at the farm. At the moment of full moon we paused for silence, and in the morning we listened to the dawn chorus. The sky was getting lighter.

Then Pok the bard arrived. He chanted inside the building whilst we broke down the coals of the fire. We carried the fire pit, still gently glowing, into the King of the world of Faery shrine and gathered around it in the semi darkness to give our thanks to the energies that had supported us all night. We closed the circle and after Pok had spent a few moments by the coals he came outside and treated us to his wonderfully crafted words. An epic battle involving nubiru and a great earth worm; magic meeting sci-fi to create a sublime rendition of powerful proportions, delivered with unique style and a twinkle in the eye.

Then a man who I shall now remember as King Richard totally blew me away. A kind-hearted man who has been around for a couple of weeks, who by his own admission drinks a bit too much and rambles on a bit, he has slightly scruffy dress and no fixed abode. He stepped up and, like a true Shakespearian actor, quoted a speech from Richard III. Quality!

Everything had been perfect all night long, the scene had changed and shifted throughout the night, from climactic to gentle and back again – it was another amazing Beltane night. Our next ‘For the Love of It’ all night celebration takes place at Samhain, the other side of the wheel awaits us; but first we have a glorious summer to come.

Bright Blessings

Lisa

The White Spring, Glastonbury Beltane Energy Rises

On the morning of the 1st May we dropped off our costumes at the Assembly Rooms and went to the White Spring early to make sure it was ready to receive hundreds of visitors. I opened the doors, went round to the back doors and found it flooded!

The persistent rain had filled the chalk aquifer and it was spilling out like an overfilled sponge, the flow into the well house had increased dramatically. The water was pouring over all the walls of the pools, and it had backed up at the back door to mid calf height. The rate of the flow changes the feeling and sound of the place dramatically, especially when the water runs this fast and wild. I love it! It creates a raw excitement, makes my heart beat stronger and faster … sometimes it expresses the energy of a natural waterfall in a rugged windswept mountain pass.

A third of the building was flooded, with all the expected visitors, we had to pull up the drain covers, get the rods out and start pumping. It was not long before the blockage was cleared, yet it would take some time for the water to drain away fully, so we had no choice but to trust that it would be clear when the Beltane/Mayday procession arrived at 1.30pm. There was no guarantee that it would clear of course, there is always a chance of it blocking again whilst the gallons of water held back finally flow through. However, we were short of time, so had to leave it to get ready for the celebrations. I realised I would just have to ‘wing it’ if it was still flooded later.

Rushing to the rooms, we got ready as fast as we could. By 11pm we managed to get to the Market Cross, hopefully managing to appear graceful and un-hurried. Deep breaths!

Hundreds of people gathered at the Market Cross. More than last year? I couldn’t tell; the market was on the same day, meaning we had much less space to work with. Nevertheless, we managed really well with the space we had. I had cut some red and white ribbons to give to people so they could tie them around their arms and feel a part of it all – I had about 250, and I only managed to give them out to less than half of the crowd.

Before I knew what was happening, there was in a dragon dance. There are two dragons which were made at Beltane 3 years ago. A red one and a white one. In the story that was played out that year, the dragons were battling, so they had to be strong enough to take it. They chased each other around the small arena to much merryment and laughter.

The Winter King arrived, as consort, he accompanied the Queen. To warm her heart there would be entertainment and fun. So a local singing group came forward to sing a selection of beautiful chants that everyone could join in with. It was a joy to be with the community and visitors all singing together. Another group was asked to sing Jerusalem … And did those feet in Ancient times ? … everyone joined in, with particular aplomb when it came to the lyrics, ‘I will not cease from Mental Fight, Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand: Till we have built Jerusalem, In England’s green & pleasant Land.’ I can’t possibly convey here how moving and powerful it feels to sing that song right here in Glastonbury along with hundreds of people.

A fabulous performance by the Town Crier, the Arch-druid of Glastonbury, the graceful May Queen, the Summer King, and the Winter King … and lots of ooohs and ahhhs from the crowd, followed. It had been a grey and chilly morning, with a chance of rain. At the very moment when the Summer King stepped forward, the sun broke through the clouds!

The king led a flower dance, which was chaotic and fun, then it was time to walk to the waters. Chalice Well would be opening the Monks gate on Wellhouse Lane, a representative from the gardens would be bringing a blessing from the red waters, and I would be bringing a blessing from the white waters. I knew that Chalice Well would hear the procession coming so they would be ready in time.

The doors were still locked at the Spring when we arrived; all of the keepers wanted to be part of the procession, so we had planned for this. Max created a diversion (by jumping up on the wall and using his powerful voice to let everyone know what was happening) whilst I opened the doors and slipped inside with the May King and Queen, and the Winter King. Then there were a few moments for them to rest whilst I jumped around the walls lighting all the candles, probably faster than I had ever done it before. There was just enough time for me to offer a private blessing before the doors were opened.

It wasn’t exactly flooded any more, but the water was still a little deep in places and it was very wet. Still we managed to find a dry place for the King and Queen to stand whilst everyone poured in to the building.

How wonderful it is to see The White Spring, Chalice Well Gardens and Wellhouse Lane filled with people enjoying the waters and celebrating together. The story of the Summer King and Winter King was told, locally expressed through the living mythology of this land. Then the call went out – The King is dead! Long live the King! The cue to call everyone back for the blessing of the maypole. There were such cheers!

Alison and I offered our individual blessings from the red and white springs, then the waters were mixed and Merlin talked about the symbology of the mixing of these waters and how this is potent and relevant to us today. The May Queen stepped forward to give her tender blessing upon the pole, before the Summer King called on the Green Men to lift it up and lead us out onto the land.

Max and I held back to clear the wellhouse before joining this last part of the procession. It would be open again later, but for now we needed to get up to the coombe, so we cleared the building and encouraged those inside to go and join the celebrations. When we arrived at the circle, the directions were called and it was opened by the Arch Druid. Wonderful celebrations followed, we witnessed the marriage of the King and Queen, the maypole was lifted, and everyone joined in the dance.

I felt the warmth of our community, and the joy of the visitors and I loved every minute of it. Singing, dancing, playing all over the field. It is remarkable that this happens here – we are so blessed to have such a vibrant and talented community, and such a rich landscape to play in.

Later, when we returned to The White Spring, it was full of people bathing, singing and enjoying the water. Ria, another keeper had been taking care of the place whilst we were at the coombe, and it was so busy. We stayed open for a few more hours; people just kept on coming to bathe in the healing pools!

Now we were at the end of the town celebration, we could shift our focus to The White Spring celebration at Lunar Beltane. For the Love of It! From dusk to dawn, we would hold the place open and see what people would bring. The only thing we ask of visitors is that they leave the modern world behind for a night, no cameras, mobile phones or money … just an invitation to share and celebrate their inspiration, their love of the land, and of the season. Beltane was quickly coming to a climax, and with the full moon rising, I could feel the pulsing energy of the season as we prepared for the following Saturday.

You can read about that in the next blog – Beltane Climax

Bright blessings

Lisa

The White Spring – Glastonbury Beltane Begins

What a long Beltane season it has been. Glastonbury has been alive with vibrancy and energy.

It began with weeks of preparations; Before I can even think about the seasonal altar at The White Spring we gather with an informal group of Glastonbury residents. From Spring Equinox onwards we all begin to weave and craft the town celebrations. In a relatively short time we do manage, by some miracle, to plan and create wonderful community celebration for townsfolk and visitors of all faiths and backgrounds to join in with …. More about that in the next blog.

The run up to Mayday / Beltane can be hectic; there is so much going on …

At the April Dark moon, we had set the seasonal altar and were ready for the week running up to April 1st. However, the weather turned, we had rain, and more rain … floods, high winds! It was beginning to look like some of the Beltane events could easily be a washout.

Each year, Max and I host a Beltane firewalk at the end of April. Firewalking is beautiful in the rain, but not so great in a flood or gale. We had to change our venue at the last minute and fortunately found a field that wasn’t waterlogged.

It is a wonderful and empowering thing to do and it perfectly compliments the work we do at the White Spring. Particularly potent at Beltane, firewalking has become a tradition for us at this time of year. There were 18 firewalkers, including my own son. He has been around a lot of firewalking events, has seen me teach on many occasions, yet at 16 years old this would be his first time participating.

We all gathered around to light the fire. This is no ordinary fire! This fire is lit with a 7 year flame, and built with sacred intent. Whenever I can, I use the Brigid flame that I keep at The White Spring and on my shrine at home to light the firewalks.

The group were fabulous, we had a lot of fun preparing for the walk before all of us, everyone, went outside and walked the coals. After the build up, after feeling the nervous energy in the room when people arrive, after the focused teaching and raising of energy; after all this comes the celebration as people cross the coals; it is liberating, free, reality shifting … a dance begins; a celebration of life and a realisation that amazing things really are possible.

And, it didn’t rain!

I have done this workshop with hundreds of people, but on this night I got to see my son take part! It is incredible to see people walk the coals time and time again, but for me to witness my own son and knowing what it means to him on a deeper level, was something entirely different. I was quite overwhelmed at the end of it all. As elated as I was, I would need to sleep; I had to be up and ready the next morning to open the White Spring for two groups.

The first group arrived to find the wellhouse lit beautifully, and me standing in the central pool! This is an immense thing to do after a night of firewalking, it is like the tempering of the sword. Like when a blacksmith fires up a bit of metal, he hammers it into shape and plunges it into cold water! It is such a powerful sensation to stand in that water after doing something so incredible.

I got out of the pool and dried my feet whilst the group got settled in and set up, then stayed with them as they chanted and sang. I sat by the front door, so as not to intrude, and I listened. It was really good to just sit and be at peace in the place after all the heightened energy of the night before.

The next group we had booked in had been at the firewalk, and instead of the calm and serene feeling from the first group, this group were excitable, energised and still buzzing from the night (even those who had just come to watch their friends!) They all took off their shoes and put their feet in the water – one of them said it was almost as difficult as the firewalk because the water was so very cold. They soon got used to it and were walking all around the place barefoot. Their first time firewalking and their first time at The White Spring. They had an awesome weekend!

Beltane waits for no man, or woman … so onward. After the two groups were gone, it was up to Bushey Coombe at midday to meet the women of Glastonbury to prepare the hole for the Maypole – so I collected some water, a trowel, shovel and most importantly strawberries and chocolate to share. It had been blowing a gale the night before and some of the trees in the lane had come down. It was grey and windy, a bit wet still and the grass was soaked. After shifting a broken tree limb from the road on Wellhouse Lane, I arrived at the end of the lane leading to the coombe. I got the tools and the treats to the site, and two other women arrived. The three of us bailed out the hole from last year, which had filled with water, and dug a little deeper. We decorated the hole with flowers, made our offerings to the land and shared water, treats and love. We said a prayer for all of our sisters, and brothers, and made a wish that all those who are looking for love find their heart’s desire. The rain only just held off, and the wind blew away the cobwebs. There were less women than in previous years, but the job was done.

We thought of the men, who had gone to collect the maypole ready for the celebrations on the 1st. We knew that they had gone to Wearyal Hill to collect it, and they had to carry it through town to the Assembly rooms.The rain did hold off for us, but as soon as we were done, the heavens opened and it poured.

With the maypole planting preparations done, Max and I returned home to get ready for Tuesday’s Beltane Celebrations in town. On the Monday, we needed to build a bower for the May Queen and Summer King, and attend a walkthrough for the ceremony on Bushey Coombe. I didn’t need to be there so I decided to take a bit of time out to walk the land. It is important to connect with the land when you are involved in this kind of work – my time spent communing with the land is very special and it connects me to the forces of nature in a deep way.

I felt quite relaxed about the whole thing, although it was busy, I felt very calm in the midst of seeming chaos. The big day was approaching, and hundreds of people would come to the Springs as part of the celebrations.

On Monday night I went to bed wishing for good weather – and the next morning, we went to make sure the White Spring was ready to light up quickly and recieve lots of visitors. Well, it wasn’t!

More about that in the next blog!

Bright blessings

Lisa

 

 

 

 

White Spring Diary – Merlin – Part 2

So on Monday evening we waited at The White Spring. We lit up the place with candles as usual, swept the shrines out and then sang for a while. Anthony arrived with a new teacher, her husband, and Daisy Foss, another Vortex Student.

As he stepped over the threshold I noticed, of all things, his shoes! They were black converse boots, the same shoes that Dr Who wears in the current TV show. I had an odd sci-fi moment. The blue of the doors, the Tardis quality of the White Spring; it seeming much bigger on the inside, the ‘Dr Who’ shoes disappearing into the building … and for a moment, my mind was transported into a fantastic story of time travelling Wizards. I chuckled to myself and followed him inside, stepping into another world entirely.

Those of you who know the White Spring will appreciate the ‘other worldlyness’ about it. It takes you right out of the mundane world and expresses such a magic and beauty that, once you surrender to it, you cannot help but feel moved by the experience.

We told them a brief history of the building and about the water, the shrines and the philosophy of the temple space. After wandering around getting a feel for it, Anthony told us of the interesting energies that he could sense. There was a short pause at each shrine before he told us what we were going to do. I was pleased when he said that, rather than changing anything here, we would be enhancing the natural magic already present at the site. Merlin had a gift for the White Spring and the teachers, with our help, would create the energetic structures needed for them to manifest.

A divine door would be opened in the space, to deepen the expression of the natural magic of Gaia and an earthworks funnel would also be created in the centre of the space that would link into the nexus point of ley-lines beneath the Tor and flow out from there, preventing any further stagnation.

I didn’t fully understand these energetic structures or know how to create them, as I have not done the training to Earthworks level yet. However, I do understand (something of) this place, and the energy of VortexHealing, so I knew that nothing would happen here unless it was perfect for this place right now. Besides, my heart was singing a resounding Yes! through the whole experience. Max and I don’t yet have the tools needed to create these kinds of energetic structures so we were to be focussing on integrating them whilst the two teachers and other two students created them.

We stood together in the central chamber. First, the divine door was created; the teachers focused and our breathing became much faster. I felt the energy build all around us and then there was an intense sensation in the centre and around my heart space, it felt like an awesome amount of energy. As the ‘door’ opened it was like the whole building was breathing, the stone, not so solid, seemed to be sighing.  The whole building was alive, it was in the very structure of the place. Daisy confirmed this when she asked Anthony where the door was located, and he said ‘it’s everywhere’.

When we moved on to the funnel structure there  was also an interesting sensation. Whilst integrating, I felt a need  to pull back out of it for a second to ground because the energy was so intense … difficult to put into words. A very powerful (almost orgasmic) feeling deep in the heart space expanded and kind of moved up to my head.

It was so intense that I had a huge wave of emotion (associated with my mind suddenly saying something like ‘Wow, this is amazing’). I thought I might pass out, I could feel my eyes rolling backwards and had to really pull my focus back and surrender so that I could keep going.

Then Anthony told us that Merlin wanted to open a divine door in the funnel. More powerful breath work was needed. We needed to do a mantra to connect deeper to the Merlin. Like a burst of energy from the centre, like lightning, but without so much impact – the door opened. Anthony told us that this divine door was quite unusual, and even more so, that this funnel was connected to a galactic ley-line.

Anthony visited the Brigid Shrine just before he left. He seemed to particularly like the energy there. He told us that it was truly magical. I had no doubt, the hazel bower; built as a prayer, the flame; kept warm and tended for 7 years, the love and dedication, the songs that are sung, the consecration of the space – it all goes towards the divine presence that may be felt here.

It was delightful just after they all left – our resident robin hopped into the building through the front door, right inside the building. He took a look around and then flew out again. Natural magic.

Max and I locked the doors for a time and stayed in the semi-darkness after putting out the candles. I felt like a child with a new toy; it felt so wonderful in there! We stood in the centre, where the funnel is, and looked at the back wall – we could see very clearly an image that I took to be Merlin – it looked 3d like it had depth and character, a giant head (like in the Wizard of Oz) – Yes really! I have a vivid imagination and often ‘see’ things in the White Spring, but never have I seen such a powerful image of Merlin so clearly. Max could see it too. One eye open and one eye closed. Funny … I know it was the light in the wet places on the wall, and the lime seeping through the walls that the image was made up of, yet my mind hadn’t done that with it before. I have seen dragons, monks, ladies dancing, and even a boat, this was the first time I saw such a tangible image of Merlin in the shifting shapes.

The next day I arrived at the Spring and the keepers for that day looked at me and said – ‘What have you done to the place!’ They told me that the energy was tangible, they had felt it the moment they opened the doors. They said it felt kind of feminine, like a secret rose garden or something …. I guessed that would be the divine door to Gaia that they were sensing. One of them commented that it feels like a new temple.

The water flow is increased now due to the rain and there is a powerful raw energy about it. Anthony told me that the energy would build and it will come more into form. When I asked what we can do as keepers to help or maintain the energetic structures he told us, simply be aware of them, love nature and continue with what you are doing.

I have so much gratitude for Anthony, the VortexHealing group, and for Merlin bringing the gifts for the White Spring, they are so appropriate and perfect right here, right now. Merlin knows what he’s doing for sure!

Many of our visitors at Mayday and Beltane commented that the place feels joyful and alive. Why not come along and see if you can notice any shifts in the energy at the White Spring? I’d love to hear what impressions you might get.

 

Brightest Blessings

Lisa
 

White Spring Diary – Merlin – Part 1

The excitement began to build as soon as I had word that a VortexHealing teacher of ours would be in town for two weeks. I  invited him to the White Spring and he said he would like to come so we arranged a day for his visit. He told me that he would see if ‘Merlin’ … (as arising within VortexHealing) has a gift for the sacred space. I was also very interested in his impression of the place.  I trust the magical integrity of my teachers and could feel that this visit would be of such benefit to the White Spring.

To explain, here are some words from the VortexHealing website.

‘VortexHealing® is a Divine healing art and path for awakening. It is designed to transform the roots of emotional consciousness,
heal the physical body, and awaken freedom within the human heart.
This is the Merlin lineage.’

‘It [The Merlin lineage] is the historical line of teachers and students that have learned VortexHealing from the Divine Expression that calls itself Merlin. (The Merlin that is associated with King Arthur was not this Divine Expression but one of the human teachers of the Merlin lineage.) All Divine Expressions bring into manifestation a unique quality of the Divine. Merlin brings in the quality of magical transformation. Merlin’s healing art, VortexHealing, transforms emotional conditioning, transforms physicality and transforms ego-identity. The movement of that transformation is through the Divine magic of Merlin’s energy and consciousness. The nature of that movement is the magical awakening of conditioned consciousness to its true nature and expression.’

Read more at www.vortexhealing.org

The first time my work with the White Spring and VortexHealing came together was in September 2007 in London, when Max and I attended an Intensive Earthshift Class. Around 140 Vortex Students and 3 teachers had gathered in a hotel next to Hyde Park where we did some very intense energy work. We did a variety of things and for much of the time we had the help of the Angelic realm.

Some of the work we did together had the intention to clear the earth of negative energies that could be used as a source of power for black magic. This dense ‘black magic’ energy had accumulated on the planet through the intentional use of magical ritual, torturous death, and events involving pain and deep trauma. I got the sense that this energy had been created in history (maybe even in some places in the world it was still being created) and that the sources of power were kind of ‘held’ in pockets of energy in the land that could be drawn from to support magical practice with ill intent.

When I surrendered to the process, my consciousness was drawn directly to the White Spring, and more specifically beneath the Tor. If I could put it into words, I would say it was something like unblocking a huge plug hole. Like when the hair blocks up the flow in a bath so that what needs to shift through cannot drain away naturally. As if there was, at least in one time through history, such dense energy moving through the location of the Tor that it had stuck and it was still there. I breathed, along with the rest of the class, and followed the instructions we were given. When it unblocked I felt this huge rush of energy, it was like pulling out the hair so the dirty water could now flow away leaving room for fresh clear flow. The negative energy was now able to drain away from the physical locations.

Now, of course this is just my perception, and my feeble attempt to put the indescribable into words. I recognise the work that has been done by many others and has helped to put this right, on many levels; physically, spiritually, magically and energetically.

After this intense weekend we returned to the White Spring to see if there was anything different. As soon as I walked in I saw that someone had left a figure of an angel as an offering. Much of what we had done in London had involved the Angelic realm, so I was delighted to be greeted by a beautiful Angelic image. The whole place felt much clearer and fresh, confirming what I had felt at a distance; it even seemed lighter in there. I mean the physical light as well as the uplifting feeling. This all happened before the renovation of the White Spring, so it was a very different place to what you see now. There were hidden areas, low ceilings, dark corners, little lights (that often didn’t work because it was so wet). It was beautiful, yet it was very old and in a state of entropy. The renovation began the following year (September 2008) and continued at a pace until we built the pools that are seen there now.(Pools completed 1st May 2009)

In the years that followed, through my interest in local history and quite a bit of synchronicity, I found that there was in fact a ritual murder right on the top of Glastonbury Tor! In 1539, Richard Whiting, the Last Abbot of Glastonbury and two of his companions were hung drawn and quartered, I believe, with the very intent of creating such a ‘pocket of negative energy’ beneath the Tor that could be (and indeed has been) used for the purposes of black magic.

The story and mystery of the Last Abbot of Glastonbury is easily found online. Max and I first found out about it when we got an invitation to attend a remembrance service in the Abbey for Richard Whiting and his companions. Although it was a Catholic service and neither of us are Catholic, we both felt compelled to go, and so we did … but that’s another story.

For now, all we need to know is that there is no longer any expression of negative energy that can be used for black magic at or around the site of Glastonbury Tor. I have now been reliably informed by Anthony (after his visit) that this is the case.

So that’s where it started. Ever since arriving here in Glastonbury, and feeling so ‘at home’ at the Spring, this feeling of being supported and guided by the Divine magic of Merlin at the White Spring has been a constant. So I am sure you can understand why I was so excited to have a teacher of the Merlin Lineage be physically present in the building, and to think of what Merlin might do with that.

Read Merlin – part 2 to find out what happened

The White Spring Diary – Beltane Preparations

So with the season of Beltane fully upon us, the seasonal altar changes. Although we are very caught up with the Community Beltane Celebrations our focus is very much on the White Spring. Often at this time of year, the energy rises, and occasionally so does the noise. We have to be very careful that it doesn’t get out of hand, and occasionally remind some of our more raucous visitors to be thoughtful of other people’s needs. It has been relatively peaceful over the past week, but before that we had one or two people who were trying to be disruptive – this was dealt with quite quickly and with little fuss. It is not wise to take our eye off of the White Spring at this time of year.

Besides, we have our own For the Love of It Celebration to organise at the Beltane full moon. Altars need to be set and cleaned, and the powerful spring water flows kept in check so that we don’t flood with the increased flow. Whenever I reset the seasonal altar, it gets a complete wash down with White Spring water. All the offerings are taken down and the stones are cleared of wax and scrubbed clean.

For this Beltane altar I placed red and white fabric at the back, behind everything, then a huge copper disk in front to symbolise the return of the summer and to give a beautiful reflection. I like simple shrines and altars and I also like to avoid too much clutter, so I do try to keep it very simple. I created a simple maypole using a stick from my altar at home and attaching red and white ribbons to it. I planted it in the earth that I had put into a small glass vase. This I placed in the centre of the altar. We were gifted some wonderful clay faces, one masculine and one feminine, these were also placed on the altar, with the ribbons connecting to them both, and to the candle that lit up the whole scene. Our Beltane picture was placed to the side of the altar, leaving the dramatic contrast of the red and white colours around and in front of the copper.Now for some fresh flowers, and a stone to ground the whole scene and it was set.

I used more red and white fabric to cover the inside of the doors and create a kind of opening at the entrance. This is also to cover up the damage on the doors (they are the same doors that were there in the 1980’s and although they have lasted well, they have definately had their day. We are currently awaiting new doors, paid for by donations and gifts, which are being hand made by a local carpenter who undertands the energy of The White Spring and what is required from such a set of doors. Sometimes we have to wait for quality craftsmanship.

I had gone to the Spring in the late morning, arriving early for a booking, to give me enough time to redress the altar before the group arrived. I had just completed the task and lit some incense when they turned up. The leader of the group was so appreciative, it was very special for him and this group to have some private time there. I could see why, they loved the place.

It was a grey day that threatened to rain, so they all arrived wearing raincoats and walking boots. I sat at the front step, ready to answer any questions or let people out if they wanted to leave. It was my favourite place to sit when we have a group, you can take in the whole scene and see the diverse ways that people engage with the place, and with the water. There were all ages in the group, a balance of men and women. They visited all the shrines, stopping longer at some than others. It wasn’t long before they decided to get undressed and bathe in the pools. Many of the group bathed naked in the healing pool, and then in the central pool. It is a beautiful gift to be able to hold such a place for people to visit and I am often humbled to see what an impact it has.

One of the visitors came to talk to me. She told me that she was a shaman and asked me if I felt a connection to a dragon power animal. I aid yes; I could understand why she may have tuned in to this, I often commune with what I perceive to be a dragon spirit at the White Spring, I feel a kinship with this particular force there and was not at all surprised to hear that she had noticed this connection. This lady, from New York, stayed after the rest of the group had left and spent a lot of time at each of the shrines. She asked if I would sing with her and share some of the songs that we sing at the White Spring. We sang together … Born of water, cleansing, powerful; healing, changing, I am … then Spirit of the water place, I hear your song. It was delightful to sing together and she wrote down some of the words before taking them to share with the whole group at their fire ceremony the next day.

That evening I had to attend a meeting about the town celebrations. For the past 3 years we have been involved in organising the Beltane celebrations in town. I say organising, but what I really mean is, holding a space where an organic group of volunteers can come together and make something happen. Each year it is different, due to the changing nature of the group and their backgrounds. It’s an interesting excercise to surrender what your personal vision may be to include those of the collective. It is amazing how it all comes together, as people feel empowered to take on roles and organise parts of the day. Somehow the magic happens and we have a stunning spectacle each year for the hundreds of visitors who come to town for Beltane.

It was my job to bring a schedule for the part of the procession that stops at the White Spring and Chalice Well for a blessing of the waters. We knew there would be hundreds of visitors and it is quite a task to get them all through the building and onward to the ceremony out on the land. We discussed the best way of doing this and prepared a loose plan. Chalice Well would be opening the monks gate, so that people may go into the gardens freely and a representative would come out with a blessing from the red waters.We would have a chance to rest and refresh by the waters.

Everyone seemed happy with the ideas, so after a long day I went home and warmed up from the chill I had in my legs from being in the Spring for too long earlier in the day. I love that feeling, but it needs to be sorted, a fire (or a duvet) and a hot drink usually does the trick.

In amongst the preparations, I had word that a VortexHealing teacher of ours would be in town teaching basic and advanced VortexHealing. I had been in contact with him and invited him to the White Spring to see what he thought about the place. He said he would come and we had arranged a day for his visit. He told me that he would also see if ‘Merlin’ … (as arising within VortexHealing) has a gift for this sacred space. I could hardly wait for his visit, but I had too. It was my son’s 12th birthday and I had things planned with him. It would have to wait until after the weekend. And it will have to wait for the next post for you to read about the exciting developments.

Bright Blessings

Lisa

The White Spring Diary – Glastonbury 2012 – Unity and Diversity

We have had such a vibrant and busy Beltane season so far that I have only just had a chance to write it all down – and we still have some way to go with our full moon Beltane celebration happening from dusk to dawn tomorrow, Saturday 5th May.

The last couple of weeks have flown by. We have felt such a shift of energy co-inciding with some pokey magical unfolding. I’ll start by telling you about the multi faith gathering organised by the Pilgrim Reception Centre. Glastonbury 2012.

On Saturday 21st April 2012 a momentous event occurred here in Glastonbury. I hadn’t realised the enormity of it until I was walking into the centre of a circle of representatives of over 50 different faiths, paths and ways. All of us gathering together in a spirit of unity.

It was a remarkable undertaking. Everyone had been invited to collect a candle and a small blue bottle from the pilgrim reception centre in town so that they may bring water from wherever they wished in the locality and take a light from the Glastonbury candle away with them.

A Glastonbury candle was lit in the morning and placed on a magnificent flowered bier. It was then carried from place to place, resting at many churches, sacred sites and places of spiritual significance to many townsfolk.

I had opened the White spring for the afternoon and awaited the arrival of the candle at 4pm at the last stopping point of the journey. I had collected the water that I would bring to the ceremony from the healing pool, at the shrine dedicated to ‘Our Lady of Glastonbury’.

At around 3.30 two of our keepers arrived for the ceremony, so Max and I went to prepare the candle. It was too big for most lanterns so Max had to whittle the bottom of it so it would fit into the one we had brought.

A friend came running up the hill to tell us that the candle would arrive soon. It had been carried over Glastonbury Tor by druids and bards of the town.

What a lovely sight it was, from the bottom of Wellhouse Lane as the Druids of Glastonbury appeared carrying the candle and a standard bearing the Awen symbol. They processed to the White spring and placed it inside the building.

Now, I am accustomed to sensing the energy and consciousness of a flame through my work with the fire. I teach firewalking and keep a perpetual flame that has been kept alight for 7 years, so I feel an affinity with fire energy. This flame had been lit that morning, using a Glastonbury candle that has been created and infused with herbs and essences including The Holy Thorn. It was lit with a dedication to unity and diversity; a flame to honour the multi-faceted aspects of Glastonbury. It had journeyed to so many places around the town, carried by representatives of many different faiths and I could feel the significance in this. I had thought it would have been great to have lit it with the Brigid flame, but now I could see that this was a different kind of energy that was building.

After a few minutes in the dark of the cave like structure under the Tor, it was time for us to carry the candle to the gardens of Chalice Well. Two of us were needed to hold the large bier that housed the lantern. We placed it on our shoulders and walked the long way round to the gardens led by Morgana, manager of The Pilgrim Reception centre. I was at the front and could not see the flame. Max was holding the other end, he told me later that his main objective was to stop the bier from swinging side to side and to keep the flame from going out!

As we turned onto Chilkwell Street, Morgana turned and asked me to sing so we sang, ‘there is a fire burning for peace.’

As we entered the garden and saw the people gathered there I really began to feel the power of what was happening here. I felt a rush of energy come up through me as we entered the circle and placed the candle in the centre.

I was a little overwhelmed as I collected my lantern from the keeper who had been holding it for me. I stepped back into the circle. Opening up to the moment, I looked around me and saw so many people with different ways of life gathered around this one flame. Neighbours, friends, people I see regularly, others I have yet to meet, all gathered together.

A few words were said about the flame, about the gardens and about why we were invited to this event. We were asked to step forward and pour the water we had collected into a beautiful crystal glass bowl made for the occasion. To say something of what we represent and then to light our candle with a blessing.

I had thought about what I represented; I am the current custodian of The White Spring and keeper of the perpetual flame held by Brigid, a flame of divine consciousness arising in humanity. I represent … (wow, big statement!) what do I represent? …. Me? The energies of the White spring? Pagan? Wizard? Priestess? Mother? Druid? the divine power expressed from this locality of being? No thing? I could and I do represent all of this and none of it … If that makes sense.

I ended up saying nothing about what I thought I represented, feeling unable to put it in a box or limit it by labelling it. Instead I simply stated where I had brought the water from and then lit my candle with a blessing.

‘A blessing for all the people of Glastonbury and all who pass through this place, living and non-living. May this gathering here today help us all to re-member … Re-member the common unity here in the heart. The heart of the land, the heart of the world. May the heart thrive!’

Everyone stepped forward and one by one poured their water and lit their candle with a unique blessing for Glastonbury. Water was brought from all over the landscape. From hills and springs, from gardens and graveside, from rivers and taps.

It was very moving to see each person come forward in such diverse expressions with a common purpose.

If we can stand in a circle of peace here in Glastonbury, extending our compassion and love to others in our community no matter their background, or their way of belief and faith, then why not across the whole world? Perhaps this is just the seed, maybe other towns and cities will be inspired to do the same, gathering together to celebrate similarities instead of fighting over differences.

As the candle was taken by each person and lit up the whole circle, I was reminded of an analogy that I came across that helped me to make sense of the many different paths to the same source.

There is a lamp so bright that it may overwhelm you, it burns so powerfully. This lamp has a lampshade lest it blind those who look upon it. It is so vastly beyond our comprehension. There are many different shapes to let some of the light through. Some familiar, others not so. We are drawn towards those shapes and impressions of the light that make sense to us. Those shapes give the light a form through which our human understanding can access the awesome light at the centre. There is just the one divine light – the shape, the story and the structure that we give to it is our own unique way of experiencing that divine expression.

One of my teachers told me once that it is fun to hang out where god hangs out … It may seem funny to think of it like that, yet this thinking has led me to special sites of power, and some churches, chapels, ashrams, darshans and to unexpected places and people where I have felt potent expressions of divinity. Here I was again, hanging out where god hangs out; feeling divinity arising, and this time with so many different tones, expressions and flavours.

After everyone had come forward, we were offered a bottle to take some of the mixed waters away with us and another gift. A sweet little box with pieces of the Holy Thorn inside it. This symbolic gift was potent. The Holy Thorn was damaged last year, a devastating event that sent ripples around the world. People of many faiths were united in their feelings of sadness. Paradoxically, this destructive dismemberment has inspired this gathering together of different faiths. An act of violence has manifested a powerful moment of peace and remembrance.

At the end of the ceremony, Natasha of Chalice Well, Morgana and I took the remaining water. Half of it was poured into the flow form pool in the gardens and half was poured into the pool at the White Spring.

I took up the lantern, my small bottle of water and gift from the Holy Thorn home to my altar. I imagined all the other participants doing the same; all going in their own directions; branching out into the community with this feeling of unity.

May we all feel inspired to look for what unites us and allow that to grow in the heart of our communities.

Blessings x

Phallic Frolicking – Beltane Glastonbury

Phallic Frolicking Awakens Fertility

– Just a bit of fun –

Summer is a coming, and the winter’s gone away. Oh!

The landscape is set to explode with colour and exuberance. The earth is full of fecundity and life.

Standing proud and prominent on village greens across the land, huge erections will await the spiral dance of life. Some people may even dare to touch the potent Maypoles!

Breathless maidens anticipate the arrival of magical dew! Rushing out on Mayday morn, beautiful young maidens will wash their bodies and faces with the potent dawn elixir. This is said to perpetuate their eternal beauty. Remaining forever young.

Men who join them will find that washing their hands in the potent liquid will make their fingers more nimble. The ladies may find comfort in the fact that the men’s knot tying skills will improve.

Fire warnings have been issued this season; Do not allow anyone to take fire from your home on Beltane eve, or on Mayday because it may give them power over you and your family. Is this mere suspicion?

Many people find it is wise to keep your hearth at home. Indeed, fairies and nature spirits will be especially active at this time.

Fires of passion will roar!

It’s anticipated that wild fires will kindle love between frisky couples. Jumping the fire together with the hope that the fires of Bel will keep their love aflame. Be aware who you jump with.

Last year as the tide turned to Beltane, one local resident commented ‘In all my years, I have not come across naked orgies taking place in our woodlands!’ So now we ask ourselves …. Are naked orgies immanent? or will frisky residents be disappointed?

People do indeed go out into the woodlands to enjoy the warm nights and experience the rhythms of nature. It was recently discovered that ‘Going A-Maying’ means staying out all night to gather flowering hawthorn and make love in the woods! This wild union is said to be a ‘greenwood marriage’ celebrated among couples.

It is this time of year that the Earth Goddess, the May Queen is re-united with her consort, the Green Man. If you are lucky, you may just spy them cavorting in the undergrowth. The Goddess makes herself ready. Her dark moist earth awaiting the planting of the fertile seed of the King of Summer. Even seemingly innocent Morris Dancers will take to the streets to honour the season and brandish their poles in the spirit of awakening passion.

The rising sun will have a special potency; as green shoots emerge, the leaves unfurl, and the blossom shouts its praise! The beauty of a summer’s day will call us all to the green places. Let’s embrace that passion and revel in the light and life of Summer!

      Bright Beltane Blessings!