Mystical Engand: July Itinerary

		September 2nd - 11th, 2009 July 21st - 30th, 2010
Day One		We meet at London Heathrow Airport, where our private mini-bus will take us to the West Country. On the way, we will stop at the mediaeval village of Lacock, take tea at a historic inn, and visit the cloistered abbey where the peaceful atmosphere will help us prepare for the slower pace of the West Country. Then on to our Glastonbury retreat house, where, after a gourmet vegetarian dinner, we’ll gather for our opening circle in the Chalice Well Gardens.
Day Two		We begin our journey into the Mysteries of Glastonbury with a ceremony at the Chalice Well, or Red Spring, to attune to the energies of the Deep Feminine. We will drink deeply of its healing waters and then pursue our own meditations in the gardens. After a picnic lunch, we walk over to the cave-like source of the neighboring White Spring and climb Glastonbury Tor, with its seven-spiraled labyrinth topped by a ruined tower. From here you can see for miles all over the ‘Summerlands.’ Afterwards, we take a walk to Gog and Magog, the ancient Druid trees, and walk back via the ancient apple groves of Avalon.
Day Three		Today we explore the legends and lore of the Holy Grail, beginning with a walk up Wearyall Hill to see the holy thorn, scion of the one said to have been planted by Joseph of Arimathea, when he brought the Grail to Glastonbury. Then on to the evocative ruins of Glastonbury Abbey with its fascinating Arthurian legends and lore. After lunch in town and time to explore the shops, we return to the Chalice Well for a meditation on an extraordinary icon - the Blue Bowl: Glastonbury's own Grail, which is charged with spiritual powers. Tonight we have a special guest presenter: Karen Ralls, author of The Templars and the Grail.
Day Four		Our pilgrimage leads us to Avebury, a village which sits right in the middle of a unique megalithic ritual landscape of giant stone circles and avenues. We will ritually enter the stones, then be free to wander among them and attune to their energies. A short way from the stone lies the mysterious pyramid-shaped Silbury Hill, associated with ancient harvest rituals, and the chambered mound of West Kennet Long Barrow, an entrance into the underworld.
Day Five		We journey to the World Heritage city of Bath, starting with a visit to the Roman Baths, originally a spring dedicated to a Celtic goddess. After this you are free to explore the elegant streets with their 18th century architecture, leafy Victorian parks and fine shops and have lunch at the world-famous 18th century Pump Room restaurant or another of Bath’s eclectic cafes. In the afternoon, by way of contrast, we visit Stanton Drew, an ancient ruined Druid temple of stone in the North Somersetshire countryside. Tonight, Nicholas Mann will join us to talk about the sacred astronomy of Avalon and will give a group reading from his tarot deck, “The Silver Branch.”
Day Six		We drive down to glorious Cornwall to visit the castle ruins of Tintagel, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur, dramatically located on top of a promontory by the sea. We will see the chapel of a female Celtic saint, ruins of the mediaeval halls, and King Arthur’s footprint in the rock, a symbol of rightful kingship. At low tide, we’ll enter Merlin’s Cave, an extraordinary portal to the Otherworld. There will also be an optional walk to the mediaeval church of St. Materiana. In the village, you may want to visit King Arthur’s Great Hall, once a Masonic temple dedicated to the Arthurian Mysteries, with a beautiful collection of stained glass. We spend the night in a lovely cliff-top retreat centre by the sea.
Day Seven		This morning we will visit Rocky Valley to view what may be unique examples of Bronze Age labyrinth carvings. Afterwards, we wander through the magical St. Nectan’s Glen via a Celtic saint’s chapel and holy well. We will also explore its faery-haunted woods and waterfall, where the Grail knights were said to ride, and visit the hermit's cell. Then on to the little harbour village of Boscastle for lunch and an optional visit to the Museum of Witchcraft, before heading back once more to Glastonbury, stopping at one or two other special sacred sites along the way.
Day Eight		Today we take a short drive to visit the magnificent 12^th Wells Cathedral in the smallest city in England, with its resplendent architecture, Gothic carvings and exquisite Mary chapel. Then free time for you to explore the Bishop’s Palace, which is surrounded by beautiful trees and sacred pools or wander through the old streets of the town. This evening, special guest presenter, Professor Ronald Hutton, author of Witches, Druids and King Arthur, etc., will give a talk on King Arthur.
Day Nine		We travel east to the county of Wiltshire and visit the beautiful stately home and gardens of Stourhead designed according to esoteric principles by a prominent Freemason in the 18^th century. We will take an initiation walk through the extraordinary ritual landscape with its temples and grottos dedicated to classical gods and goddesses. In the early evening, we will drive to Stonehenge for our wonderful sunset ceremony, private and exclusive, in this most famous and majestic of megalithic temples.
Day Ten From USA, call toll-free: 1 800 657 1520 From UK or worldwide: +44 (0)1239 858 830 or send email		Breakfast, hugs, and fond farewells as we return to Heathrow Airport for our flights home. Back to Mystical England: A Journey to Avalon *Home* Chalice Productions, 2007. All rights reserved.