Winter solstice in Glastonbury 2012 - sacred ceremony and silent landscape

Dawn ceremony hosted on St Edmunds Hill with sacred water, fire, incense, drum, chant and a portal to pass through.

Glastonbury Tor was framed in soft pastel clouds and plumes of delicate mist, then the sun erupted through spectacularly. 

View of Glastonbury Tor from Well house Lane showing the constant line of pilgrims making their way to St Michael's tower.

In contrast to revelry on the Tor, a silent meditation at Chalice Well Gardens.

Strong solstice sunlight illuminates the glorious gnarly bark of an ancient yew tree in Chalice Well Gardens.

Away from the gatherings of people, Glastonbury's quiet lanes deliver the blessing of tranquility and the teaching of silence and stillness. Bare hedgerows and shapely trees animated by nature's sounds: trilling birds, gentle wind and water gurgling in rivulets and forming streams.

Glossy ivy assert the presence of a rude and vigorous life force in the evergreens.

Sycamore drupes are a delicate and lovely silhouette and represent the beauty of death, the cyclic nature of the seasons and existence- how all passes and changes form.







Solstice blessings from the heart to all.  A few more pics on my facebook page.

Jennifer

Kirtan with Upahar at Shekinashram

Butterfly Barn, Sve Dame community, Auroville

 

I am very pleased to tell you about a great evening kirtan taking place the auspicious night of the Venus Transit with Upahar Anand

Upahar, originally from the UK, now divides the year between Italy and Tiruvannamalai in south India, site of Ramana Maharshi ashram, sacred mount Arunachala and a town of spiritual pilgrimage where the transformational energies are strong.

 

I was blessed to attend his kirtan several times during my recent trip and always achieved a wonderful feeling of connection and love. 

Our paths kept crossing. We first met over idlis at the Sheshadri Bhavan in Tiruvannamalai, introduced by Lillah,  friend and fellow Glastonbury yogini who I was visiting.  Then I attended two evenings with Upahar in Auroville where I was a long term guest. 

Sea of souls - Tiruvannamalai

Upahar was excited to know that I was from Glastonbury as he had played the ashram in 2010 and was keen to return, Would I hook him up? Of course!

I hold such strong and positive memories of Sunday morning kirtan, sitting cross legged in Upahar's house, knees touching my neighbours as the room was so full of people, including several familiar faces from Glastonbury.  

 

 

Many people I did not know, nonetheless we were sharing a powerful experience. One morning in late January felt particularly strong, I witnessed an ecstatic sensation something like being part of an ocean, the congregation of singers rising and swelling as a single entity as my heart surged in my chest, carried by the sacred songs. Utterly moved, to tears, several times and I looked around the room and saw that I was not alone.

Fortune also gifted me the blessing of an afternoon session in a temple, the day of my birthday, when I had travelled to Tiruvannamalai, having left Auroville after two months, I surrendered to the lure of the town.

 

Upahar is an accomplished and experienced multi-instrumentalist, adept on harmonium, guitar, drum, vocals and flute.

He has an extensive repertoire of chants and songs; well known bhajans and some interesting less familiar material. Upahar is strong on Shiva and Shiva energies and also weaves sufi influences and poetry into his sessions.

 

Unmissable! Come, share and participate in a field of divine love at a time of amplified celestial vibrations.

Kirtan with Upahar, Shekinashram, Glastonbury Weds 6th June 2012  7pm

Hope to see you there!

Peace and blessings

Jennifer

 

Savouring Spring Equinox

Dawn circle atop Glastonbury Tor

The Vernal Equinox of 20th March 2012 was an exuberant entree into Spring. launching the mood and intention of new growth and beginnings which will carry us us through to Beltane at the start of May, when the town of Glastonbury explodes in a riot of colour and drama and energy.





The weather colluded in the unfoldment; as we approached equinox, the balance point between light and dark, a week of misty, cold weather with flat grey skies set the tone, a final pause and winter breathing its final breath before spring, sunlight and warmth reclaimed the skies.

Celebration, ceremony and ritual mark all turning points in nature's cycle here in Glastonbury. With pride and conviction I assert that we do it well. Locals show up to organise and participate and the town draws in visitors from all over the UK and other nations too, because it is so special.

Well head dressed for spring

Some began at dawn; climbing the Tor and sharing a sunrise meditation. I opted for the Chalice Well which had free entry as is usual on special days. I spent a good while seated by the cascading red waters in the lower garden, catching sunlight on my face and watching visitors arriving at the gatehouse above.

Eventually I was joined by two close friends and we decided to enjoy the sacred fire quietly rather than taking part in the midday meditation, having first visited the beautifully dressed wellhead to pay my respects to the water in a silent prayer of gratitude.





In the afternoon a different type of celebration, serendipitously a housemates birthday meant that our living room was filled with balloons, cake, ice cream and gifts and also joy, laughter and sharing.

A few days later I adjusted my clocks to British Summer Time -  Spring forward, fall back is a neat way to remember. Silently and efficiently my phone and laptop reset themselves, impressive!

This first light evening of the year was graced with glorious sunlight and steady blue skies, an invitation to be outdoors with friends and make the moment last.  I visited a friend who has just relocated to a pretty cottage enviably located a stone's throw from the Chalice Well.

Radiant sunset

It was a supper party that almost happened outside. Sitting on the daisy spotted lawn with views across the levels, it was a mellow moment.

As the sun slowly set before us and there was talk of a building a fire.... Maybe next time. Sharing around a fire with a group of close friends is as good as it gets for me and it was satisfying to feel enthusiasm and excitement for good times to come.

 
We ate inside, an abundance of home cooked vegetarian food. After the meal, as daylight fell away, gently illuminated by tall candles, stories began to emerge; remembrances of old Glastonbury,  the brickworks of Sandpits lane, the gasworks of Northload Street. Tales from the early days of Glastonbury Festival, lovingly embroidered and told with great fondness and animation.

Here was a very special moment, a de facto family gathering, a soul family, entertaining each other in a simple, time honoured and tribal way and we were keeping our history alive. With this understanding I paused to savour this point of connection and store it in my bank of positive memories.

Back home the night skies were still clear, revealing the moon and stars in perfect clarity. A slender silver crescent highlighted by bright Venus, trined by Jupiter. As I stood  in awe, a text came through on my phone, an artist friend was also star gazing, 

Check it out, a symbol of hope and love for humanity!

Aho to that!

Peaceful blessings

Jennifer

Calendar of events at Chalice Well  www.chalicewell.org.uk/


Photo credits:

Tess Jennings dragonet66@hotmail.com
Amanda Gazidis www.amandagazidis.com

Early Spring at Glastonbury Healing Gardens

Recently I took a Bristolian friend to visit the Glastonbury Healing Gardens, the permaculture and foodshare project I belong to.  It was 11am, the sun was high and the gardens were flooded with warmth and light. 

The sky was blue with perfect white clouds and the sense of spaciousness and tranquillity was just lovely. 
 
Wow, announced Thinley, It’s a mandala!


She was referring to the layout of the growing beds in circular formation. As the ground was relatively bare, it was easy to see the shape, based on sacred geometry.  

Thinley also remarked upon the quality of the soil, which in accordance with organic and permaculture principles had been heavily mulched and enriched to improve fertility and drainage. 

Serendipidously, Juliet Yelverton, who conceived and created the gardens was working on the land and greeted me with a smile and a hug. 

She was wearing a large red pair of protective gloves as she had been collecting nettles for her personal use,  encouraging me to do the same, 
 
These are the most useful plants we have growing here, 

Juliet spoke with great enthusiasm,   

I’ve been juicing, you can also steam them, excellent for the lymphatic system and the kidneys.

Juliet also pointed out a clump of cleavers, another native wild plant, growing vigorously. Thinley took some away to add to green smoothies.   

Juliet guided me around the planting and I picked out some sturdy brussell sprouts, emerald green chard and delicate fronds of parsley. Juliet explained that although the recent hard frosts had affected the tender chard, there was a strong growth coming through, it looked to be hardy variety well suited to its environment.


From across the field, we were being waved at by Rowena, a member who lives in Coxley, just a few miles from  Glastonbury. 

She paused her work to lean on her fork, relishing the bright sunshine and declared,  

I think I’ll get a sun tan today! 

We certainly chose a great day to spend time at the gardens. 

A real sense of spring in the air, of the return of the sun and of possibilities and new growth.

Back at home, I steamed the brussell sprouts for my evening meal, storing the greens in the fridge.

Tip: rinse greens in cold spring water and store in a plastic bag for maximum longevity.

The chard and parsley are tender enough to be finely sliced and added raw to a lunchtime salad. 

I cycled back over to the gardens a couple of days later to take some more brussell sprouts. Juliet was working on the land again and in buoyant mood. Across the field I waved at Zoe, who is highly committed to the project. 

Zoe was in the initial stages of erecting a structure, a canopied seating area for summer that would provide shade during the hot part of the day and planned for hop vines to grow over and provide cover.


Zoe proudly pointed out how a tender looking kiwi bush had survived the late winter frosts and for her this seemed to have a symbolic value, resilience under duress and the ability to rejuvenate!

I was introduced to Joe and Ankah, who were working on separate tasks. 

Joe has been here since day one 

Explained Juliet, with warmth, 

His was the first spade to strike the soil and then others came.

Indeed Joe was digging purposefully as she spoke, having firstly created beds to contain fruit bushes, he was now planting them into the rich, fertile soil; blackcurrants and raspberries - so much to look forward to!

Ankah was also planting out, tender young plants for summer crops of broad beans and rocket. These vulnerable babies were protected by sturdy cloches, large transparent plastic water containers. 

The Healing Gardens Co-operative is actively seeking new members and offers freshly grown organic produce in exchange for  time spent on the project and a membership fee.


For further details visit the project website www.glastonburyhealinggardens.com

Spring blessings 

Jennifer

New! Yoga Chant group in Glastonbury

I invite you to join me at a new weekly session taking place in Glastonbury as follows:

Yoga Chant

Thursday 11am - 12pm

The Miracles Room, Glastonbury Experience,

High St Glastonbury

Starting 1st March

Contribution £5/£4

Chanting is a powerful way to create joy. To balance, heal and accelerate inner transformation.  As such it is a useful part of our yoga and a yoga in its own right.

For millenia, yogis and rishis of India have passed on sacred formulas through vocal repetition, aspiring to higher states of consciousness and to preserve and transmit wisdom. I have been blessed to spend extended  periods in India studying mantra and sutra and have incorporated chanting into my personal yoga. I offer these sessions so that you may benefit as I have.

Such as :

- Calmness and relaxation Standing down from the stress response, soothing the adrenals, regulating heart rate, blood pressure and hormones.

- Quiet mind Thoughts are stilled while we are chanting.

- Empowerment and confidence It  feels good to use the voice with awareness, focus and intention.

- Energizing the spiritual body Chanting clears the nadis (channels where life energy flows) and bathes the cells of the body with positive energy.

- Healing and re-balancing Mantras act as prayers; as we recite them we create a  powerful intention of healing. In ayurveda, mantra is regularly prescribed to heal physical symptoms.

- Creating and manifesting Mantra can be directed to specific areas of life where we might wish for improvement, they are the original positive affirmations!

- Inner peace  Many mantra are formulated specifically to create inner peace within the practitioner.

- A gift to humanity As we become more peaceful, we radiate peace into the fabric of the universe so assisting the whole of  humanity.

- Eternal wisdom and liberation We may not understand the subtleties of the Sanskrit, but we are imbuing ourselves with ancient yogic wisdom which percolates through to the subconscious level. Overtime, this creates conditions for moksha or enlightenment.

- The joy of sharing Positive energies generated by chanting are amplified in a group and there arises a wonderful feeling of wellbeing from sharing and belonging.

We will chant a selection of short, simple sanskrit verses that I use myself and have been authorised to teach, from the classic texts of India including the yoga sutras of Patanjali, the Vedas and the Upanishads. 

These will be relaxed, informal sessions, and all are warmly welcomed, no previous experience of yoga and/or yoga chanting is required.

I provide written sheets with the chants and meanings and we will progress at a pace that supports everyone.

The Miracles Room is a lovely venue; spacious and tranquil, flooded with natural light and conveniently located on Glastonbury High  Street, close to the Market Cross.

Sessions are drop-in, so no need to book in advance, however you are welcome to call  me on 07779 807089 or email jennifer@divine-yoga.org with any enquiries.


I look forward to chanting with you!

Om shanti, shanti, shanti

Jennifer