Glastonbury and Shaftsbury, England
Glastonbury-Shaftesbury is believed to be the 4th Earth Chakra, the Heart. Located in the Southwest corner of England is the legendary village of Glastonbury. To say that this village is legendary is actually somehow an understatement, it has been recognized as a spiritual center since the megalithic era. It is the site of the first Christian church in the British Isles and claimed to be the Avalon of the King Arthur tale. The village of Glastonbury itself is pretty small but very quaint, cradled among a series of velvety green hills.
Tor is an English word referring to a high rock or hill, derriving from the Old Enlgish Torr. The Celtic name of the Tor was Ynys Wydryn, or sometimes Ynys Gutrin, meaning "Isle of Glass".
Tor's ruins originiated around the same time as when Stonehenge was constructed. Thousands of years ago it was an island. Before modern drainage, the Tor in winter would have towered above the flooded Somerset Levels.The tallest of the hills is the famous Tor. At the top of Tor are impressive remains of a church on top, dedicated to the Archangel Michael. The top of the Tor was levelled at some point in the 10th or 11th century to build a large stone church. In 1275 an earthquake levelled this church. Years later a smaller church was rebuilt on the site in 1323 and lasted until the demise of Glastonbury Abbey in 1539. The church was quarried for stone and now only the tower survives.
At the foot of the Tor is the Chalice Well and the spherical dome of Chalice Hill. Below in the town center are the ruins of the great Abbey, site of Joseph of Arimathea's church, and gravesite of King Arthur himself. Wearyall Hill, location of the legendary thorn tree is on the west entrance to the village. On 2/22/2002, archaeologists Nancy and Charlie Hollinrake of the Glastonbury Antiquarian Society announced that they have unearthed on top of the Tor the foundations of what looks very much like an ancient circular temple.
Glastonbury was a major religious center long before the time of King Arthur or Joseph of Arimathea. The most famous legend of Glastonbury tells the story of Joseph of Arimathea and the Holy Grail. After the Resurrection of Jesus, Joseph shifted the archetype of Everlasting Life -the Grail- from Jerusalem to Glastonbury. The Druids utilized the Tor from 2500 BC as an initiation center for priests. Megalithic Age remains dating from 5,000 BC reveals Glastonbury as the site of a massive astrological calendar combining a stone circle, with solar and lunar alignments, and a land carved zodiac map, ten miles in diameter. Druid priests and society considered Glastonbury their "holy mecca". There were temples, stone circles, and fertility sites.
The energy is soft and healing. The famous well is located at the back of the ample garden, and there are benches located throughout for relaxing and taking in the beauty. The gardens have a comforting feel and a vibrational purity. There are three distinct, yet harmonic energy sources within the gardens.These are the leyline energies forming the vortex in the King Court, the anionic energy formed by the Chalice wellspring and flowing waters, and the soft energy field of the vibrant trees and plants. All of these have tangibly different effects that vary from meditative, gently relaxing to vibrant electric intensity. The Chalice Well holds another dense energy around the wellhead area. The Goddess speaks from within that field, she is most tangible there. The wellhead is at the rear of the gardens with a perfect view of the Michael Tower atop the Tor, just a few hundred meters away. The wellhead is adorned with the sacred geometry symbol of the Vesica Pisces. The Chalice Well itself is very therapeutic. The waters have been thoroughly tested and analyzed. The spring water is slightly radioactive, rich in iron and carries a detectable magnetic charge There are countless documented accounts of healing taking place. In the mid 1700's an English aristocrat was healed of a long-term infirmity after he was 'instructed' by an angelic apparition to drink from the well for five consecutive weeks. The highly publicized cure created a renewed notoriety for the Chalice Well. Visitors stream in from all areas of Europe to drink the water.
Glastonbury Abbey held a prominent and sacred position in the Christian world. Still today revered as holy grounds, the Abbey Ruins are the site of the first Christian Church in Europe, and are reputed to be the burial site of Joseph of Armithea, The Virgin Mary, Saint Patrick and King Arthur. Legends claim both the Holy Grail and Arc of the Covenant were kept in the Abbey grounds. Glastonbury may have been a site of religious importance in pre-Christian times. The abbey itself was founded by Britons, and it dates at least to the early 7th century. Later medieval Christian legend claimed that the abbey was founded by Joseph of Arimathea in the 1st century. This legend is intimately tied to Robert de Boron's version of the Holy Grail story and to Glastonbury's connection to King Arthur, which dates at least to the early 12th century. Glastonbury fell into Saxon hands after the Battle of Peonnum in 658. The Saxons under Cenwalh of Wessex conquered Somerset as far west as the River Parrett, perhaps with the intention of gaining control of the valuable abbey. However, Cenwalh allowed the British abbot, Bregored, to stay in power, a move perhaps intended as a show of good faith to the defeated Britons.[4] After Bregored's death in 669, he was replaced by the Anglo-Saxon Berhtwald, but British monks remained for many years after.
The most powerful location on the Abbey grounds is the hallowed Lady Chapel. It is found just outside the museum exit, in the main body of ruins. It is in the subterranean section of the cathedral assemblage. It is intact on three sides, and is topped by a low stone ceiling. A symmetrical stone altar occupies the center of the small chapel The Lady Chapel is located at a precise crossing of the Michael and Mary Leylines, in what was clearly the most 'Christian' employment of telluric energy in the religious mecca of Glastonbury. The heavy stone altar in the Lady Chapel was placed in the exact center of the Michael & Mary vortex. As such it radiates a very bright, telluric energy. Glastonbury is the Heart center of the World, and the Lady Chapel is the Heart Center of Glastonbury. It resonates to the 4th chakra.
The fusion of the Holy Grail with the Phoenix of Aquarius alters the potency and character of both forces. The point where this alchemy occurs is several metres beneath the summit of Chalice Hill – the Hill of the Holy Grail – in Glastonbury. One of the four sacred hills of Glastonbury, Chalice Hill is the Heart Chakra of the Phoenix. This earth effigy of the Phoenix includes the Tor, Chalice Hill, Chalice Well, the Abbey Ruins and other features nearby. In the Glastonbury Zodiac the Phoenix represents Aquarius. In the Somerset landscape zodiac, this Aquarian Phoenix activates the 12th and final initiatory events of planetary regeneration.
In the old myths of the Phoenix a regeneration back to life through fire occurs once every 500 years, or some other long linear period of time. At Chalice Hill a dramatic evolution in archetypes occurs. The archetypal structure of the Holy Grail perpetually emanates at the centre of the heart of the Aquarian Phoenix. This key alchemical event transfers the magick of the Phoenix from linear time into the ever-expanding perfection of the present instant – eternity.
No longer does the Phoenix build its own funeral pyre and rise from the ashes. At Glastonbury, Heart Chakra of the world, the Phoenix is perpetually regenerating. Death and birth are simultaneous and eternal, fuelled by the Waters of the Holy Grail and inflamed by Fires of Avalon. When a vibrant, living archetype mutates or evolves to a higher expression of life and magick, then the implications of this shift are only integrated into the planetary culture over succeeding years and decades. The significance of the Aquarian Phoenix perpetually regenerating itself through the power of the Holy Grail will be more fully understood during our journey through the 21st century.
Stand alone upon the summit of Chalice Hill and look at the nearby summit of Glastonbury Tor. The Tor is the Throat Chakra of the Phoenix – where the Word of the World’s Heart is transmitted, via the artery of the Rainbow Serpent, to all life and to the universe. You are standing on the Heart of the Heart at Chalice Hill. Directly beneath your feet, within the interior of Chalice Hill, is the Holy Grail. Do not physically excavate for it, for the Grail resides in Avalon.
Many individuals visit Glastonbury. Only a few find their way into Avalon. Avalon is the parallel dimension of Glastonbury. The Grail resides incorruptible within this realm, forever protected from impurities of will and heart. Magick, grace, eternity – these are the forces animating the vigour and beauty of Avalon.
Alone upon the Heart of the Phoenix, above the rising waters of the Holy Grail, meditate upon the Tor. Unite the Heart to the Throat. Inside the Tor, within the Throat of the Phoenix, within Avalon, is a Green Emerald Rose containing an Omega Point. The Omega Point is a very small sub-atomic particle oscillating at a frequency above entropy and decay, in support of the Grail and the Phoenix.
Practice teleporting yourself from Chalice Hill to the Tor, and from the Tor to Chalice Hill. This exercise strengthens the flow between the heart and the throat of the Phoenix. The strength of this connection allows for a greater outpouring of the Waters of the Holy Grail via the ley artery of the Rainbow Serpent to all parts of the world.
Teleportation requires much practice. Make a habit of regularly meditating on the summit of Chalice Hill and upon the Tor. Raise the frequencies of your entire being to the highest levels of vibration and then project yourself to the other nearby hill. The best way to raise frequencies prior to the Shortening of the Way is to open the heart as widely as possible and then ignite spiritual flames of praise upon the High Altar of the Open Heart. When these flames are at their greatest potency then magnify outwards to all creation a feeling of joyous gratitude for all things. Finally, unite True Will and Love into a force that goes forth in dedication to the nurturing of all life. Keep practicing this meditation on both hills. At the mystic peak of each meditation, when Praise, Joyous Gratitude, and Love united with Will are fusing as one force of grace, then project the essence of your self from Hill of the Grail to Throat of the Phoenix. This technique is known as the Shortening of the Way.
If you alternate your teleportation meditations back and forth between the two hills you build up a touch down landing site for your self on both locations. To Shorten the Way you must move out of linear time and into eternity – into Avalon. In linear time you are already at the beginning – Chalice Hill – and the end – the Tor - of your short journey. Shift into eternity and you are at both locations simultaneously. At this point the magick and grace of teleportation – the Shortening of the Way – becomes a reality useful to the world.
The practice and eventual mastery of this technique serves the Living Earth by strengthening and expanding the flow between the Holy Grail within the Heart of the Phoenix and the Emerald Rose-Omega Point within the Tor-Throat Chakra of the Phoenix. From the Tor the Rainbow Serpent carries the Word of the Phoenix throughout the living body of the Earth.
The Glastonbury Zodiac is the most magnificent feature of the magickal landscape of central Somerset. Currently, it is also the least understood and least visited feature. There is a large effigy or sculpted shape in the landscape representing each of the twelve signs of the zodiac and two guardian dogs. This ancient landscape zodiac was rediscovered over 400 years ago by Dr. John Dee, Queen Elizabeth I’s court wizard, and his associate Edward Kelly while they were staying with their friend, Sir Edward Dyer, at Sharpham Park, just west of Glastonbury. Dyer was the Head of the Knights of the Garter, the highest English order of Knighthood, and the modern equivalent to the Arthurian Order of the Knights of the Round Table. It was while working with Dyer, in search of the location of the Holy Grail at Glastonbury, that the unexpected revelation of the landscape Zodiac occurred.
In the 21st century, the Glastonbury Zodiac provides an ideal magickal environment for the work of energising and expanding the Planetary Chakras. The Earth is a living and creative being with its own ley arteries and major energy centres, or chakras. Each landscape temple within the Glastonbury Zodiac connects to one of the great macrocosmic planetary chakras. If a person meditates at the most auspicious time at the most appropriate location within the Zodiac, then a communicative link with a major Earth Chakra can be utilised.
The lunar calendar provides the best structure in time for Earth Chakra-Glastonbury Zodiac meditations. Almost every traditional culture on Earth uses the lunar calendar for their celebrations, rituals and initiations. The lunar rhythm puts you in touch with nature. This is essential. Our western calendar, where the year begins on 1st January, is artificial, and divorces us from the magick of the Living Earth. The utilisation of the lunar calendar in western societies is very important.
There are 13 lunar cycles every year. Go out into the Zodiac for the inception of every new moon and for the culmination of every full moon. The best time to work with a new moon is exactly at the inception minute and for at least an hour thereafter. The opposite pattern prevails on a full moon – begin at least an hour before the culmination time of the full moon and end exactly at the instant when the moon is full.
It requires the great dedication and faith of a Fool to follow this pattern exactly around the Zodiac throughout the year. Some new and full moons may occur at three or four in the morning, while others may form during the day. Rain, lightning, snow, night and day – all must be part of the adventure. Try to be precise with the times. If you use an astrological ephemeris, be sure to adjust during Summer Time. If Summer Time is in place, add one hour to GMT to get the exact times for new and full moons. If you find it impossible to get to the Glastonbury Zodiac location at the correct time, then there is a recommended procedure. For a new moon, go to the site as soon as possible after the ideal time. With full moons, go to the Zodiac location as near as possible in time prior to the culmination point.
What to do at a Glastonbury Zodiac site to establish the link to a major Earth Chakra
Creative activities are the best. Music, poetry, dance – try to celebrate the creator and all creation. Follow your intuition and listen to nature, listen to the Earth. Work with breathing exercises to energise internal chakras and to open an inflow of external energies from Earth, Sun, Moon, stars, wind, clouds, birds – all of nature – into your body. Alchemically unite the sacred site forces with your own energies, and then magnify this combined force by generating spiritual fires of Praise within the heart and expansive energies of joyous thanksgiving. As gratitude flows outward from the expanding heart, consecrate the event to the highest planetary purpose consistent with the occasion. With purpose united with love, direct the energies of the Glastonbury Zodiac site to the world chakra site it links with. Move the magick, grace and blessings back and forth between the two linking areas. Try to do this work with humility, no ego and an empty mind. Build your creative activities, meditations and rituals to culminate at the instant of a full moon or begin at the instant of a new moon. Joyous gratitude has the power of magnification. If the heart is pure and overflowing with gratitude during an Earth-link ritual then all ley energies and spiritual energies emanating through you will be magnified as they move outward into the arteries of the Living Earth. Breathe in the vibrant forces of the site you are at, magnify them with gratitude, and breathe out your joyous blessings upon all life. Gratitude and humility are the twin keys to successful Earth Chakra work.
Here are the Glastonbury Zodiac locations that are ideal for connecting with the world chakras and major energy centres. They are presented in the order of the initiatory pathway around the Zodiac, which begins in Pisces and culminates in Aquarius. There are three primary sacred sites that, together, form the structure of an Earth Chakra or major planetary organ. The inspirational site is primary, and should be worked with first. What is inspirational should then be moved to the structural site in order to be made useful or grounded. Then the useful force must be moved to the creative site to complete the chakra activation.
PISCES
Landscape shape
Two fish, tied together with a bond of love, between Glastonbury and Street. Leviathan swims along the River Brue lowlands, threatening to break the bond. Wearyall Hill forms the northern fish. The southern fish is on the northern edge of Street. Its head area is equally divided between a playground and a cemetery.
Key location
Wearyall Hill, the summit. This is the hill where Joseph of Arimathea landed at Glastonbury. Also, the Holy Thorn Tree. Alternates: The Celtic stone, dedicated to St. Bridget or Bride, which stabilises the dangerous tail fin of Leviathan, on the east bank of the Brue. Walk into the central area of the tail fin of Leviathan and find the place where the Tor appears to rest exactly on the summit of Wearyall Hill. This visual image unites the beginning (Pisces) and end (Aquarius) of the Zodiac Quest.
Planetary sacred site link
Global Water Element centre – Rotopounamu, New Zealand (inspirational centre), Mont-Panié, New Caledonia (structural centre), Macquarie Island (creative centre). Qualities and images: Spiritual waters, love, green stone, planetary grail net (the global ley artery pattern; Glastonbury and Rotopounamu are antipodean points for this ley structure). Clockwise and anti-clockwise rituals at Rotopounamu stimulate the flow of the Rainbow Serpent around the world.
ARIES
Landscape shape
A lamb, sitting on the ground, its head tilted back looking west. This figure contains the town of Street.
Key location
Walton Hill, south of Street. An area just a few metres SE of the summit, with a nice view south towards Dundon and Lollover Hills. Alternate: A large oak tree near the heart chakra of Aries, in an open field, near a public footpath.
Planetary sacred site link
Global fire element centre – Haleakala, Hawaii (inspirational centre), Midway Island (structural centre), Mauna Loa and Kea, Hawaii (creative centre). Qualities and images: Spiritual fire, liberty, will, the wand, the Polynesian god Maui’s blessing of the Earth through the touch of the Sun. Clockwise and anti-clockwise spinning rituals at Haleakala stimulate the flow of the Plumed Serpent around the world.
TAURUS
Landscape shape: The head of a bull, with horns, looking south. The horns are formed by ancient artificial earthworks.
Key location
The Hood Monument, on the crown chakra of the bull. Alternate location – the star-root of the Pleiades, along the top of the open ridge north of the Hood Monument, with a great open view. All stars visible from the Glastonbury latitude have fixed star-root locations within the Glastonbury Zodiac. The eye of the bull looks at the star site of Capella, which is nested in an open field surrounded on three sides by forest. Imagine Capella, or other major stars on the landscape as spheres 100 metres in diameter, half submerged in the earth. Aldebaran, another major star, sits on the bell-shaped object on the hoof of the bull.
Planetary sacred site link
Planetary First Chakra – Mt. Shasta, California (inspirational centre), kachina Peaks, Arizona (structural centre), Vancouver Island, British Columbia (creative centre). The First Chakra generates the universal life force prior to its embodiment in biological forms. Animism – everything is alive. Mt. Shasta, the primary first chakra centre, is a major Earth energy driving force upon the pathway of the Plumed Serpent ley artery. Qualities and images: The base of the spine, where things begin, kundalini, Katchina spirits.
GEMINI
Landscape shape
A Grail knight and a Grail Priestess, face to face, fused at the third eye in Dundon Hill and at the heart at Lollover Hill. South of Street and north of Somerton. The upraised hand of the Priestess touches the nose of the bull. The hand of the knight blesses the head of the Griffin, an initiatory guardian figure situated between Cancer and Leo.
Key location
The crown chakra of the Grail Priestess, at the tumulus on the south edge of the summit of Dundon Hill. Alternates – summit of Lollover Hill, heart chakra or octagon surrounded yew tree in St. Andrews churchyard, throat chakra of Grail Knight. The Gemini spring anointing the brows of both figures, on the upper north side of Dundon Hill, approachable by a forest footpath.
Planetary sacred site link
Global androgyny and balancing of forces centre – El Tule Tree, near Oaxaca or Palenque (dual inspirational centres), Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica (structural centre), Cascada Cola de Caballo [Horsetail Falls], near Monterrey, Mexico (creative centre). Qualities and images: El Tule – the centre for Quetzalcoatl, the nest of the global ley artery, the Plumed Serpent. El Tule is another major energy centre driving the force of the Plumed Serpent around the world. (The central ritual centre for the activation of the Plumed Serpent ley artery at sunrise 17 August, 1987.)
CANCER
Landscape shape
This is the last Glastonbury Zodiac figure that crystallised after the draining of the moors in the early 1800’s. An ancient ship with a sail moving south. This figure is associated with Solomon’s Ship in the Grail legends. The above mentioned Gemini figures are seated on this ship. In this area, look for the message of the swan.
Key location
The Druid Stone Ford, on the front of the ship, running under the River Cary. This is an important site and marks the true river point for Excalibur. The more famous Pons Perilis bridge site on the Brue between Glastonbury and Street does not have the geomantic resonance that the more remote River Cary site has. This Druid Ford is a gateway on the ancient processional pathway from Lollover Hill to the star-root of Sirius, in the heart chakra of the Griffin. Alternates: At the base of the rear sail, the keel area where the ship is steered. The spring marking the star-root of Sirius, just south of the River Cary. Red poppies grow at this ancient spring. (Although within the heart of the Griffin figure – an intermediate guardian figure located between Cancer and Leo, this is the guiding star that the Cancer Ship sails towards. The Sirius location marks the transition from the quest for Excalibur to the quest for the Holy Grail.) Seek the source of the Cary, and along the way, visit Camelot at true solar midnight on Midsummer Night’s Eve (23-24 June). Bless the source of the Cary and the source of the Brue – the two main rivers contributing to the Glastonbury Zodiac.
Planetary sacred site link
Planetary Second Chakra – Titicaca Stone, Isle of the Sun, Lake Titicaca (inspirational centre), Lima, Peru (structural centre), Iquitos, where Amazon River begins (creative centre). Qualities and images: This Earth Chakra regulates the introduction of new species and major evolutionary advancements for life on Earth. Lake Titicaca is a major ley artery intersection on the Earth, one of two locations (see Sagittarius below) where the male Plumed Serpent and the female Rainbow Serpent cross. The Swan Knight.
LEO
Landscape shape
A large lion, heraldic in style. The extended front paw contains the central area of Somerton. Five miles long, the rear foot reaches Lytes Cary.
Key location
St. Michael’s Church in Somerton or the ancient site of Maggoty Paggoty (Mater Pater) in the crown chakra of the Lion. This site is in a forest and is hard to find. Once found, it is magick. There are two stone circular formations in the earth, overgrown with vegetation most of the year. An ancient Roman site where love and will can be united in heart. Also, the star site of Regulus is important. Take the Keinton Mandeville road out of Somerton. At the summit of the first steep hill turn south and walk about 200 metres south along the track. Do this when Regulus is visible in the sky and breathe its force into your third eye, open eyes and heart. Then project these forces into the earth at the Regulus star-root. A Leo full moon culminating at night would be an ideal time for this star meditation.
Planetary sacred site link
Planetary Fourth Chakra – Glastonbury-Shaftesbury (inspirational), Brandenburger Tor or Gate, Berlin (structural), Montserrat-Barcelona (creative). Qualities and images: Holy Grail, Spear of Destiny, Shaftesbury Eagle. The Planetary Heart Chakra is located on the pathway of the Rainbow Serpent. The rising sun shines down the English section of the Rainbow Serpent at sunrise of 1st May each year. Glastonbury Tor is located on the northern thread of the Rainbow Serpent, while Shaftesbury lies on the parallel southern thread. Glastonbury is Heart and Love, Shaftesbury is True Will directing Love. In Shaftesbury, the ancient site on the tip western tip of Castle Hill is the symbolic tip of the Spear or Wand. On a clear day, the Tor is visible from here and may be invoked. The musical note of love sounds forever within the global heart chakra. This World Heart Chakra develops the ability of individual life forms to interact with each other, with love and compassion, to raise the frequencies of all life on Earth.
The unique mobile planetary Sixth Chakra, the Aeon Shift Factor, is currently conjunct the World Heart Chakra. This chakra moves 1/12th of the way westward around the world approximately every 2160 years to activate the next Aeon. Currently, it conjuncts the Heart Chakra for 180 years (1904-2084) to activate the Aeon of Aquarius. 20 April to 20 May, 2008 (The Great Wesak Month) is at the centre of this Aquarian activation period. The World Sixth Chakra (Third Eye) allows individuals to participate in the major phases of life advancement on Earth, over greater periods of time.
VIRGO
Landscape shape
This is a complicated figure consisting of three figures which rotate and overlap each other in significant areas. There is an upright goddess (life), a reclining pregnant goddess (fertility) and a sphinx (wisdom). The three Virgo figures unite to uphold a Grail Cup.
Key location
Wimble Toot near Babcary is an ancient tumulus. It’s a key site in all three figures. Alternate site: St. Mary Magdalene Church is located within the Grail Cup upheld by the Virgo forces.
Planetary sacred site link
Global earth element centre – Table Mountain, Cape Town (inspirational), The Pilansberg (structural), Mount-aux-Sources, South Africa-Lesotho (creative). Qualities and images: Light, the materialisation of spirit, Planetary Round Table, Rainbow. Clockwise and anti-clockwise rituals at Table Mountain stimulate the flow of the Plumed Serpent ley artery around the world. The prism.
LIBRA
Landscape shape
A Dove with a wafer in its beak leaping out of the King Arthur-Sagittarius figure third eye and flying south to drop its alchemical force into the Grail Cup upheld by Virgo.
Key location
The Barton St. David Church is within the wafer of the Dove. Alternate site: The Baltonsborough Flights, on the south edge of Baltonsborough. This is where the Dove emerges from the third eye of the Sagittarius figure.
Planetary sacred site link
Planetary Fifth Chakra (Throat) and also the Global air element centre – Great Pyramid, Mt. Sinai, and Mt of Olives (triple inspirational centre), Mecca (structural), Throne of Solomon, Iran (creative). This is a unique centre, where the Word of the Living Earth is being spoken, and many living there find it hard to listen. It is the structural complex where the Earth Chakra system and the Four Elements Vortices intersect and unite. Qualities and images: Immortal Life, the Sword of Truth flaming from the throat. Clockwise and anti-clockwise rituals at the inspirational centres stimulate the flow of the Rainbow Serpent global ley artery. The World Throat Chakra activates the ability to have direct communication with the Earth Spirit, in order to understand its Will, and to align oneself with that purpose. Dialogue between the host life form – the Earth, and all living beings.
SCORPIO
Landscape shape
An eagle, heraldic martlet or thunderbird flying southeast towards Shaftesbury. Its southern wing tip touches the River Brue. Arriving in Shaftesbury it expands five-fold and becomes the Shaftesbury Eagle. This bird is flying from the Returned Arthur’s shoulder, communicating to the world a revelation of new energies and wisdoms.
Key location
Hornblotton Church, the crown chakra of the Eagle. If a Scorpio new or full moon occurs at night when the church is closed, then move to the south edge of the church cemetery where there is a large tree. The head area of the Eagle around Hornblotton is the symbolic location of the Philosopher’s Stone in the Glastonbury Zodiac. This is also the vital star-root location for Antares. Individual regeneration occurs within the Scorpio Eagle temple; planetary regeneration emerges from the Aquarius Phoenix temple.
Planetary sacred site link
Planetary Seventh Chakra – Mt. Kailas, Tibet (inspirational), Ismail Samani, the Pamirs, Tajikistan (structural), Banyan Tree, Botanical Gardens, Kolkata [Calcutta], India (creative). Qualities and images: The Crown chakra of the Earth, Kailas, is the annual focus for the Scorpio Wesak full moon in April or May each year. Kailas is a major driving force upon the pathway of the Rainbow Serpent. The Wand or Dorje of the True Will. The musical note of the Fire of Praise sounds eternally at Kailas, to maintain the absolute purity of purpose for the Living Earth. The planetary seventh chakra allows complete unity to be established between Earth evolutionary purpose and individual purpose, in dedication to the overcoming of all entropy, to the eternalisation of all life.
SAGITTARIUS
Landscape shape
A centaur, with a crown upon its head. Arthur Returned, as Grail King. This is a very large earth figure, stretching from Baltonsborough up to the highway connecting Glastonbury to Shepton Mallet. The head is to the south and the feet are to the north, resting upon the back of the Capricorn Unicorn – resting on the foundation of Merlin. The Eagle of Scorpio flies eastward from its shoulder.
Key location
The third eye of the centaur is at the Baltonsborough Flights (see Libra above). Windmill Hill in Baltonsborough is the Heart Chakra. Alternate sites: There are waterfalls within the body of the horse. Also, the arm of the figure reaches out over the River Brue to confer knighthood. Travel west out of Baltonsborough and stop near the bridge over the Brue. Walk north until you find a concrete walkway over water. Stand on this spot and face the Tor. This is the site where a returned Excalibur may touch the seeker of truth. When you first go there, the hand may be empty. Part of the Zodiac initiatory work is to Return Excalibur to this outreaching hand. This figure is strongly associated with King Arthur.
Planetary sacred site link
Global Purification centre – Six World Temples on the Island of Bali. Five of these Temples are visible and One is invisible – Pulaki. Pulaki is an inner parallel dimension, like Avalon, and is located in the remote western mountains of Bali. The White Tiger Immortals reside here. (Balinese sites are the inspirational centre), Borubodur, Java (structural), Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah (creative). Along with Lake Titicaca, Bali is the only other place where the great Plumed Serpent and Rainbow Serpent ley arteries cross. They cross as straight lines in the Andes. On Bali they cross in a swastika pattern. The currents are deflected here in order to make the job of purifying the planetary ley energy streams much easier. Qualities and images: The White Tiger, swastika, amrita – the elixir of immortality emerges from the holy spring Tirta Empul, from out of the Earth’s body, to assist in purification.
CAPRICORN
Landscape shape
A unicorn with a horn a quarter mile long. Its feet push off Launcherly Hill northeast of Glastonbury. Its nose approaches Gog and Magog.
Key location
Ponter’s Ball is the horn of the unicorn. It traverses the highway just east of Glastonbury. This ancient earthwork is also known as the Golden Coffin, or the Chamber of Alchemical Transformation. This is the Merlin figure in the Glastonbury Zodiac. The horn points towards the star-root of Sirius, on the other side of the Zodiac circle. Alternate site: Launcherly Hill is a Merlin site. (Also, Park Wood, near the centre of the Glastonbury Zodiac, is another important Merlin area.)
Planetary sacred site link
Planetary Third Chakra (solar plexus) – Uluru-Katatjuta, Australia (inspirational), Kakadu, Australia (structural), Hamelin Pool, Gathaagudu [Shark Bay], Western Australia (creative). This Third Chakra maintains the vitality and increases the health of all individual beings. The musical note of Joyous Gratitude resonates within the Earth at Uluru and Katatjuta. Uluru is the world invocational centre for the Rainbow Serpent. Qualities and images: The solar umbilical cord connecting Heaven to Earth, Sun to Earth. The construction of this solar cord completes Dreamtime.
AQUARIUS
Landscape shape
The Phoenix of Aquarius includes part of the town of Glastonbury. The tail is in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, the heart is at Chalice Hill, the Voice is at the Tor, and the beak of the Phoenix drinks from Chalice Well.
Key location
The Tor or Chalice Hill; the Abbey (at the fish pond or along the central axis of the ruins) or the Chalice Well. Also, the Gog and Magog Oak trees. After the Rainbow Serpent artery, which passes from the northeast, through the Tor, to the southwest, the central axis of the Abbey is part of the second famous ley energy current that passes through Glastonbury. This is the Avalon-Stonehenge-Canterbury ley, connecting the three great spiritual centres – future, past, present - of England.
Planetary sacred site link
Global Beauty-Immortality centre – Mt. Fuji, Japan (inspirational), Mani San, Khangwa Island, Korea (structural), Sefa Utaki, Okinawa (creative). Fuji is a major driving force upon the pathway of the Plumed Serpent. Qualities and images: Immortality, beauty and the quest for the Ideal. The yin-yang symbol (Korea), Sword of Life.
BLUE MOONS
Approximately every 18 months there occurs a new or full blue moon. This happens when there is a second new or full moon in the same sign of the zodiac. The second moon is the blue moon. The most important blue moon in the early part of the 21st century is the Scorpio blue full moon of 20 May, 2008. Every blue moon has a special link to a specific planetary sacred site. Every blue moon from 20 May 1989 until 2008 has had a link to sites in Russia: Sergiev Posad (inspirational), central Urals (structural), and Mt. Elbrus (creative). Beginning with the 20 May 2008 blue moon, and continuing until 2027, each blue moon links to sacred sites in China.
A blue moon can occur in any sign of the Zodiac. If connecting to the planetary site from the Glastonbury Zodiac, use one of the sites recommended in the above listings.
There are two guardian dogs to the west of the Zodiac. The Great Dog of Langport lies along and south of the road from Street to Taunton. The Polden Hound is north of the Great Dog, along the Bridgewater road. While not associated with any particular signs of the zodiac, these sacred temples should also be worked with.
Burrow Mump looks like a miniature Tor and is the next main Rainbow Serpent ley node to the southwest of Glastonbury. It is the nose of the Great Dog of Langport. Just to the south of the Mump is the confluence of the Parrett and Tone rivers at the mouth of the Dog. Ritually feed this dog at the joining of the rivers before sunrise of 1 May every year. Then connect with the Rainbow Serpent as it touches the summit of the Mump at sunrise. Later in the day, go to the Edington Holy Well, which sits above the crown chakra of the Polden Hound. If the well is dry, bring other holy waters to it. Other sites: Climb the 169 (13 times 13) steps of the Burton Pynsant monument in the forepaw of the Great Dog and behold the distant Tor; find Oath Hill at its heart chakra and take a sacred vow in the presence of all Life.
The Great Dog is male and the Polden Hound is female. They act to keep unwelcome forces from entering the Glastonbury Zodiac, and they also guide the pure in heart into the Zodiac. They are guard dogs and guide dogs.
Note: For a more expanded presentation of the 1 May events mentioned above see the essay, Walpurgis Dogs and Beltane Dragons.
Other Glastonbury Zodiac features
This essay concentrates upon the ritual connections between the Glastonbury Zodiac and the Earth Chakras and major planetary sites. There are twelve main links, one for each sign of the Zodiac. Every new and full moon may be worked with using this structure. There are many other features of the landscape Zodiac that are important.
