Pilgrimage to Avalon

Well,
I have just returned from Avalon
And I must say, it was truly wonderful.

Husband booked us up for a mini-pilgrimage away, just the two of us, for a Spiritual retreat and a much needed dose of Magick.
We began with a visit to West Kennett Long Barrow. This was the place where my Journey on the Path of Avalon began back in May last year when Celtic Moon pilgrimaged there.

Grandmother Crow had presented herself to me that day, and had told me that on my own Priestess path I had further yet to go. She wasn’t wrong!
Since beginning the Immramas to Avalon I have found a great connection to the Goddess, amd the first Immrama was for finding my Avalon Guide… guess who? Got it Grandmother Crow.

So the journey back to the Long Barrow was one of Thanks, as well as for connection again with Crow. We were alone when we arrived, so Husband stood watch while I returned to the same chamber as last time (second on the left hand side from the entrance, on the stone slab at the foot of the chamber) for a Ritual & Meditation.
I did indeed connect with Grandmother Crow again, this time seeing her in her youth. Again, she looked scarily like me and my mother when we were little, and this time she wore a Crows Feather head-dress. I told her that I was thankful for her presence in my life, and for her direction towards Avalon. She showed me a Brighid’s cross, and I knew her meaning- That Brighid was also guiding my path.

After some time alone, and a few tears, I left the Long Barrow to be greeted by my Husband. It was lovely to have had the Long Barrow all to myself for a while.
I left it feeling peaceful, and contemplative. I feel very much that the Ancestors are still present within that sacred ‘in between’ place.

From West Kennet we headed past Silbury Hill and to Avebury stone circle.
I do so much love this beautiful place
We walked the route around the stones, stopping to connect with some of the largest Sarcens, and climbing the locked gate to greet the ‘Twisted Sisters’ – four beautiful tress with intertwining roots on the hill above Avebury.
We had lunch in the Haunted Red Lion Inn, and bought some books in the Henge shop.
It was a lovely, spiritual day.

The next day was time to head to Avalon.
The closer we got, the bigger the butterflies in my tummy! And when we crested the hill, and saw the Tor rising out of the Somerset Levels, I gave a little gasp

I felt like I was coming Home.

We started in the High street. I went to the Goddess Temple for the first time ever. There was only me, the Temple Melissa (helper) and 2 other ladies in Meditation. I found a spot within the Circle of Morgens (wicker statues of the 9 Morgens or Priestesses of Avalon) and sat down on a meditation cushion. I prayed to the Goddess of Avalon, and the 9 Morgens, giving thanks for allowing me to visit this beautiful place. I thanked them for calling me to the Avalon Path, and for guiding me thus far.
I then prayed at the Altars of Brighid & Nolava that were set up in the Temple.
I lit a candle for all those whom I Love, and again gave thanks for all that I have been Blessed with. The Goddess Temple is a Beautiful, Peaceful and Loving space, and I really enjoyed my time connecting there.

We did some esoteric shopping in the many beautiful pagan stores and bookshops, and then headed for Chalice Well.

We spent time drinking the Healing Waters, charging pendants and banishing ill health.
We lit candles in the Goddess Prayer space, and then I joined a woman by the Chalice Well Head. She was sat ON the well grill meditating. I sat on the steps in front of her and began meditating too. Another lady joined us, and then another.
The lady on the grill got up, thanked us silently and left. 2 men then joined me and the other ladies.
One of the men turned to the other 3 (who were all Dutch) and asked them to get their incense sticks out. I opened my eyes and the man asked me if I would like to join them in a small ritual. I agreed. He gave me 2 sticks of Nag Champa (my fave incense) and directed us all to hold the sticks together and to grip them at either end. We then filled the incense sticks with all of the negativity that we wish to let go of, any energies that we wished to release or anything that we didn’t need to hold on to anymore. We then lit the incense from a candle lit on the Well Head, and placed the sticks into the earth. I chose to place my sticks on either side of the stone step way to the well, so that anyone approaching the well would pass through the incense.
It was a short, impromptu, but well timed ritual. I let go of many things in that simple rite, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was meant to be there at that time.

I thanked the man, and his Dutch guests, for allowing me to take part, and bid them a blessed farewell. I returned to Husband in the Goddess Prayer space and we walked down to the Vesica Pool together, enjoying the scents and peace of the Gardens. The bell tolled for the silent minute, which we observed, and we took some photos of our visit.

We headed into the Chalice Well shop, where Husband gifted me with a Chalice Well pendent and a Chalice Well ring, to always remember my connection to Avalon and to the Blessed Blood Well.

From Chalice Well, we headed to the White Well, hoping that it would be open this visit…it was!
The well house is dark, lit only by the candles on the 4 Blessed Altars in there. The water runs directly into a large pool, and then cascades all over the floor. I removed my boots and walked in the Ice Cold Waters.
We started with Brighid’s Altar, decorated with flowers and a wicker archway.
The scenes of incense was very strong in the white well house, and it was very intoxicating.

We visited each of the Altars, and I ran my hands in the water, anointing my 3rd eye Chakra and Heart Chakra.

The most potent Altar for me was the one dedicated to Herne the Hunter. We spent some time in this space, in awe of the energies of the place. It is a man made Temple- claimed by modern Pagans, to pay homage to the Healing Waters and to the God and Goddess. It reminded me of the Ancient Temples of Rome & Greece, and specifically it reminded me of some of the Ritual spaces at Knossos in Crete- a place I am fortunate enough to have also visited.

The energies of the White Well are fed by many modern visitors, and the volunteers who keep it running, and I can see how some would find these energies overpowering or too much at times. But for me, having been here during Immrama vision questing only, it was a wonderful experience to actually visit it in person. The waters are sacred, but the magical space that has been created by modern Pagan visitors has made it into something else. An almost ancient yet modern, raw, energetic Temple dedicated to the Power & Energy of the Gods.
20 minutes was more than enough time for a visit, any longer would have been too much.
No photos are allowed in the White Well, but my memories of it are still potent now.

From the White Well we returned to the High Street for some food – a much needed grounding exercise! And off to our Hotel Room for a well earned rest.

At 6am the next morning, Husband and I rose early, and wrapped up as warm as we could.
We left our Hotel in the dark and headed for the Tor.

We wanted to see the sunrise, and hoped for a clear morning.
The whole way up the Tor I was saying prayers to Nolava, and running my fingers over my 13 piece Amethyst Bracelet. Husband was up ahead with his camera, happily snapping away, while I was connecting to Her with ever step I took. We were alone in our walk.

I could hear Her voice saying ‘Come, I am waiting’ as I walked. It made me walk faster, until I had no breath left in my body and I had to stop.
Once I caught my breath again, I continued.

When we crested the top of the Tor, the sun was not yet up, but the winds were blowing harshly.
It was freezing, and my whole face went numb.

Then we saw it. The slight curve of orange… The sun was rising. And we were alone!
It was beautiful to watch, and completely clear with blue skies. I said prayers of thanks to the Sun, to Nolava & to the Morgens of Avalon for Blessings us with beautiful weather all weekend, but especially on this morning.

When the sun had risen fully, while a husband took photos and a man walked his dog, I did 7 circles around the Tower on the Tor, I said the Ninefold Blessing of Avalon and thanked the Gods for helping me find my new path.

I heard her voice again. ‘Yes’ she said. To every question I asked Her. ‘Yes’. And I knew then that my feelings had been right. Avalon was the path for me.

Strangely, I had ‘Lady of the Silver Wheel’ by Damh the Bard going through my head whilst I was up there. It is a song dedicated to Arianrhod in her Spiral Castle. The Tor is meant to be one of the locations cited for this spiral castle due to its spiral labyrinth.

Whilst I was in Ritual mode, Husband spoke to the man who walked his dog (as he does every morning) and he said that we were very lucky- that morning was only the second full CLEAR sunrise they had on the Tor since before Christmas, and usually there are lots of other people taking pics. Seems we were in the right place at the right time…. Synchronicity again.

Avalon Magick.

We descended the Tor and went back for Hot chocolates and Hot baths.

When we said goodbye to Avalon, I wasn’t sad. I was so Happy. So Happy to have had the chance to visit, however briefly, and so Happy to find that the energies welcomed me back lovingly. I felt so Happy that my feelings for the Path of Avalon have been reinforced, and the Goddess Herself had told me that I was on the right path.

I am smiling like a loon and STILL feeling the effects of the magical Aura that is Avalon. It is the veil which sits over the physical town of Glastonbury, but it is also that spiritual realm inside of us all that we can connect to, whenever we want to.

My journey to Avalon has confirmed for me that my Path is moving in the right direction for me, and I have returned Inspired, Excited, Hungry for more, Blessed, Peaceful, Determined, Stronger, Happier and Healed.

Now to see where the journey, and the Goddess, leads me next….

Blessed Be,
Breaca

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