With Kind Permission of Tristian Doe; Glastonbury 2012 Chalice Well Gardens
Having only moved officially to Glastonbury last Autumn I was absolutely honoured to be included in the Glastonbury 2012: Harmony & Healing event held in Chalice Well Gardens on Saturday the 21st of April, representing the Covenant of Hekate as Keybearer, and all those who honour the Torchbearing Goddess of the Mysteries.
This event was organised by the lovely Morgana West of the Glastonbury Pilgrim centre (http://www.glastonbury-pilgrim.co.uk/) and aimed to bring together as many as the different faiths, religious traditions and paths present in Glastonbury as possible. As part of the ceremony each participant brought water from somewhere special to them in Glastonbury to the event. I gathered rain water that morning from the grave of the mystical author and priestess Dion Fortune, representing the connection of the Goddess Hekate to the realms of the dead and ancestors, but also with rain and storms! The central candle was lit that morning and processed around the town to the shrines, temples and churches of many different traditions, and finally to Chalice Well Gardens for the ceremony, where in turn each faith representative poured the water they brought into a special bowl (see image at the bottom of this blog) and lit their candles from the flame of the central candle which had been processed throughout the day.
“Many faiths and beliefs are upheld in Glastonbury and this will be celebrated, by a small procession consisting of representatives of different faiths, paths and beliefs who will carry the Glastonbury Candle from Glastonbury Pilgrim Reception Centre, around the town and arriving at The Chalice Well… ”
http://www.glastonbury2012.com/
It is estimated that there are more than 70 religious traditions present in Glastonbury, making it, per capita, the most religiously diverse town in Britain and probably in the world. And probably also one of the most interesting for those people, who like me, have a passionate interest in religion, and related areas of study and practice. Of these more than 50 were present at the Chalice Well ceremony, a testament to the work and commitment of the organisers!
I was honoured to share circle space with the Qabalist and author Will Parfitt whose work I admire greatly. Moreover, the sheer diversity of traditions, beliefs and practices represented was simply amazing, as was the levels of tolerance shown to and by people who are of traditions which are not traditionally compatible. Where I stood in the circle I was surrounded by the representatives of the Anglican Church, OBOD Druidry, Hoodoo, Gardnerian Wicca, Pow wow, Taoism, Western Mysteries, Occultism, Gnosticism, Triratna Buddhism and many others.
Then there was of course the magic. The little things. Flames flickering and refusing to light, being relit from other flames in the circle, the sharing of fire between faiths and people from different traditions. But there was also the little robin who chose his moment to come and strut his stuff carefully, and the white doves circling above. The wind playing in the branches of the two yew trees where we stood, and the gentle sound of water which, every now and then, made itself heard above the sound of the ceremony and everything else. The sparks of friendships and new beginnings being lit, and all the unspoken things which happen at a community event which in turn changes the future for each and everyone touched by it.
On behalf of myself and all the members of the Covenant of Hekate we would like to thank Morgana West and all the organisers for including us and for organising this utterly amazing event! And a special thank you also to Adele Clough of the Covenstead for lending me an awesome container for the flame I was carrying!
May you all continue to be blessed as bearers of the lights of the Mysteries.
Much joy to all of you,
Sorita d’Este
With Kind Permission of Tristian Doe, Glastonbury 2012 Chalice Well
This year I will again be joining thousands of others around the world to light a flame for the Goddess Hekate at the full moon in May (5th and 6th of May) for the third year as part of the
