You would have thought I would have lost count by now! I am a Cancerian, we are the great list makers of the zodiac!!
2003 Glastonbury visits
Tue 22nd Apr 03, visit 34
"Went to Glastonbury for the day with Ann and Andrew. Andrew picked me up at Bristol Parkway station as it was easier than Temple Meads. We went to Glastonbury first and had a couple of hours shopping. I bought Avalon magazine, a couple of Tor cards, a unicorn which is a mini handbag, and a unicorn fridge magnet. We went to Wells for lunch".
We actually spent the rest of the day in Wells, we tried to go to the Chalice Well but couldn't park and Andrew was (and still is) slightly less than keen on Glastonbury! I only took one photo, of the gems set into the pavement outside Stone Age in the courtyard.
Sat 8/Sun 9th Nov 2003, visit 35
Sat 8th Nov 2003
"Got up very early to go to Glastonbury for the weekend. I was in Bristol in time for the 9.07 bus. I was in G by 10.15. I had a cup of coffee first, then did a bit of shopping and had lunch in Rainbow's End. I felt very weary as I walked to the gardens, but Little St. Michaels is lovely, I had pretty Willow Room. I had a walk round the gardens then went back into town to do some shopping, with a coffee stop and a visit to the lovely Goddess Temple. I felt very weary going back to the house so when I got there I had a shower and lay on the bed just relaxing. About 7.45 I went for a night walk round the gardens, and though I had them all to myself I didn't feel at all scared. They are magical out of hours. Spent rest of eve reading."
Sunday 9th Nov 2003
"Woke about 7 and crept down to make a drink, then had a nice long lie in until 8.15. Then I got up and had a long wander round the gardens, just sitting in various places, watching the birds and absorbing the colours. It was magical, I felt so relaxed. I had to leave my room at 10. Went to the Abbey then and had a long wander round the grounds which was also very peaceful. Had lunch in Rainbow's End, and did a little bit more shopping. Got the bus back to reality at 1! Met Ann and Temple Meads and we went and had a coffee in the nice little buffet. It was raining when I got back home. Got in about 6."
This was the first time I stayed at Little St Michaels, which is the retreat house available for Chalice Well companions and I love it there. The house is beautiful and you can go into the gardens at any time (except if there is a special private event, then you need to respect that and wait till it is over)
I did a lot of shopping but looking at the list I made, a fair bit of it was Christmas shopping for friends. I also bought a unicorn notebook which I use to jot down ideas and magical happenings, and a mermaid who sits in my "mermaid lagoon" at home.
Little St Michael's.
Statue in a niche in the gardens
Autumnal Vesica pond. The spiral fences have gone now
Owl who was briefly in residence in the Glastonbury Experience courtyard
The well at night
The Vesica pool at night
Chalice Well
Musings. Somewhere along the way, in my late 30's and early 40's, I lost my way. I lost sight of who I am. I think I decided I had to conform to be accepted, wear sensible clothes, have my hair short. During that time my spiritual side went into hibernation too. But by 2003 the real Jackie was coming back out, the hippy Jackie because that is who I really am inside. The ethnic clothes came back, because those are the things I feel most comfortable in. At the beginning of 2005 I decided to grow my hair long again. And I got back in touch with my pagan spirituality again. That was awakened on my first visit to Glastonbury in 1988. from 2003, my visits went back to being several times a year. I have to visit Avebury regulary too, and any other ancient sites which I get the chance to. Geoffrey Ashe once said that there was undoubtedly a great spiritual presence in Glastonbury and I am one of the ones who feels that. To me it is a presence which you feel and which you can interpret in many ways, but quite what it is.. who can really ever say.
