The Goddess in Glastonbury-- Chalice Well

Glastonbury was a pilgrimage for me--A site where I could interact with ancient Goddess wisdom and receive healing.
Red Spring at Chalice Well, Photo by Kaliani Devinne, Copyright 2013
Red Spring at Chalice Well

Our group had already spent an hour at dawn at Stonehenge, a few miles away, and arrived at Chalice Well in time for a garden stroll and short drum journey before lunch.

Lion at Red Spring, Photo by Kaliani Devinne, Copyright 2013
Lion at Red Spring
Lush and green, the grounds invite the body to sink into the enjoyment of the natural springs and beauty of the yew trees, manicured gardens, and view of Glastonbury Tor, the ancient earthen monument to the Goddess.

       At the Lion or Red Spring, one encounters the feminine energy. Water emerges with reddish tint (due to the iron content), symbolic of women's creative power and menstrual blood. Outside the garden gates and around to the right, there runs a second spring, the White Spring, which represents masculine energy.

Wading in the Spring, Photo by Kaliani Devinne, Copyright 2013
Wading in the Spring
At the fabulous on site gift shop you may purchase small souvenir bottles for collecting the healing water, so don't forget to stop there first, before you go exploring. You also have the opportunity to bathe your feet in the water further downstream from the spring source in a small walkway designed just for that purpose.

The well cover, famous for its Vessica Pisces design of two intersecting circles, has long been indicative of feminine energy as a symbol of the yoni. A symbol of the divine feminine on hallowed grounds. Legends and stories, as well as historical accounts, mark this area between the natural springs and the Tor, as the site of Avalon, the storied home of priestesses of the Goddess.
Chalice Well Cover, Photo by Kaliani Devinne, Copyright 2013
Chalice Well Cover

A small grassy area above the Lion Spring was the perfect spot for a picnic lunch and a short drum circle (thanks to modern technology, we'd stored a drumming track on an iPhone that we could play back for our small group, and not disturb the quiet surroundings for other visitors). Ley lines run through this area as well, and draw the energetically sensitive in magnetically, to the heart of Mother Earth. A dragonfly alighted and stayed for our journey work, to me, symbolic of the close presence of the fairy realm as well.

Glastonbury Tor, Photo by Kaliani Devinne, Copyright 2013
Glastonbury Tor
Up the same path was a bench where you can sit and view the Tor in the distance. The adventurous continue on down the main road to the path that winds spiraling up to St. Michael's Tower at the top of the Tor. The Tor is legendary home of Gwyn ap Nudd, King of the Fairies. My photos do not capture the magic of the place, but not to worry, just visit the "Tortraits" page for some beautiful sunrise and sunset portraits. For the hikers who reach the top on a clear day, there are panoramic views of the Somerset countryside that are breath-taking. Before Christianity became the conquering religion, every spring dancers would use their feet and sticks to awaken the earth mother by stomping and pounding on the ground, winding their way up the Tor, until it was outlawed as a pagan ritual.

Vessica Piscis Fountain, Photo by Kaliani Devinne, Copyright 2013
Vessica Piscis Fountain

Offerings at Yew Tree, Photo by Kaliani Devinne, Copyright 2013
Offerings at Yew Tree
When you go, give yourself time to rest in the gardens near the springs, or to sit and contemplate the Tor, or meditate in silence.  It can be a remarkable healing experience to pause and allow the land to speak to you and the water to wash away your troubles. Don't rush this one. It's a beautiful and natural experience to soak up and let sink in all the way to your weary bones.

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