Glastonbury Tor

I first saw GlastonburyTor in 1997. It rises from the Somerset Levels and can be seen from miles away as if beckoning to the traveller to “come hither”. The Tor, also known as the Isle of Avalon (It appears that I am continuing on with the Ecotone Wiki topic of Islands and Place), is a magical place and one I keep returning to whenever I visit England. Centuries of legend and folklore have gathered around the Tor. It is believed that the “veil between the worlds is thin” here. The Tor has a powerful spirit of place - it attracts and fosters all kinds of ideas on nature, mythology, paganism, and Christian legends. For a very good tour of the Tor, visit The Magical Tor.

On December 31st 1999 I returned to Glastonbury to see in the New Year and the new Millenium. There was a choice of activities offered for us from the ecumenical candlelight service in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey to taking part in a ceremony which involved surrounding the Tor’s terraces with flares and lighting the Phoenix beacon at midnight on the summit Midnight on the Tor. It was freezing with a light misty rain falling, but mystical - I would not have spent this time any other way.

The Tor is a place that has the power to move me even though I live at the other side of the world - it is a place where I feel connected with the spirit of mother earth and celtic spirituality. It is a place where Goddess worshippers and Christians can comfortably co-exist. It is indeed a holy eclectic place - my kind of place.

Comments

[Pica]

Jenny--what a great post! I have somehow never managed to get to Glastonbury; all those years I lived not too far away. Oh well. Seems like a must-visit next time I'm in England.