Mystical Engand: July Itinerary

		September 2nd - 11th, 2009
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 medieval village of Lacock, where we will take tea, stroll through the cobbled streets and visit the beautiful cloistered abbey. 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 by the ancient apple groves of Avalon.
Day Three		Today we explore the legends and lore of the Holy Grail, beginning with a visit to the magnificent ruins of Glastonbury Abbey with its fascinating Arthurian legends and lore. After lunch in town and a chance to explore the shops, there will be more optional visits to other sacred sites associated with the Grail, including a walk up Wearyall Hill with its holy thorn, legendary descendant of the one planted by Joseph of Arimathea. Mara will also lead meditations and attunements with the Holy Grail to deepen the experience.
Day Four		An early start today to travel westwards down to glorious Cornwall where we visit Tintagel, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur spectacularly located on a cliff-top. Then a walk in the magical St. Nectan’s Glen where Bronze Age carvings of a labyrinth can be discovered in the rock-face. Through a lovely wooded gorge, passing an early Celtic church, and we arrive at an ancient chapel hidden in the trees above a dramatic waterfall where legends say Arthur's knights came to drink the healing waters.
Day Five		Today we visit Wells, the smallest city in England, with its magnificent 12^th century cathedral. We will tour the cathedral with its resplendent architecture, Gothic carvings and exquisite Mary chapel. Then free time for you to explore the Bishop’s Palace with its beautiful trees and sacred pools or wander through the old streets of the town. Later we drive over the Mendip Hills to Stanton Drew to attune to its remarkable little-known stone circles. 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		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. Later, we visit the mysterious mound of Silbury Hill, associated with ancient harvest rituals, and enter into the womb of the Earth at West Kennet Long Barrow.
Day Seven		We spend this morning at the historical city of Bath, starting with a visit to the Roman Baths and, originally a spring dedicated to a Celtic goddess. After this you are free to explore the fine streets, parks and shops and have lunch at the world-famous 18th century Pump Room restaurant or another of Bath’s eclectic cafes. This afternoon, we gather for an evening with Caitlin Matthews, one of England's most well-known Celtic scholars and authors.
Day Eight		We travel to the hillfort of Cadbury, the traditional location of King Arthur’s Camelot, and an intricate part of the sacred landscape of Avalon. Then we go for lunch at the beautiful stately home and gardens of Stourhead, designed according to esoteric principles by a prominent Freemason in the 18th century. Here we will be joined by Jo Cavopol, author and Western Mysteries teacher, who will guide us on 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 Nine		On our last full day in Glastonbury, there will be time for final visits to the Tor or shopping for last-minute gifts in town, before an initiatory meditation and closing ritual at the Chalice Well. In the evening, we celebrate our pilgrimage and our lives with a special 5-course candlelit dinner, accompanied by the music of the harp.
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.