There is probably nowhere else in the country where you can walk through a residential estate on a Saturday morning, in full ceremonial robes and with magical symbols painted on your forehead, without anyone batting an eye. It could only be Glastonbury. After centuries of being at the heart of the land’s tales of myth, legend and magic, they are used to stranger sights than that.
For once, it wasn’t me but our hostess who strode forth in flowing robes of crimson and purple. Alienora was taking part in a play as part of the celebrations… not that she and her theatrical friends were the only one in robes and costumes…. the town was awash with colour and excitement. Mine as much as any, for we were to meet our American friends and, as we see them only once a year at best, I felt like a child at Christmas…with hugs and greetings the gifts.
The day was young, so together we walked to the tiny chapel of St Margaret, tucked away off Magdalene St. It is a beautiful and peaceful place and one we always visit, sitting to meditate within its ancient calm. A walled garden encloses the chapel and almshouses. Founded a thousand years ago, the current building dates back to 1444.
The almshouses still stand and one has been restored to show how it could have looked many years ago. Just a single celled room with a wooden platform for sleeping… simple, but well appointed for the ‘ten poor men’ who were housed there. It was to be the only quiet moment of the day…
There was music in the Abbey grounds, and all through the town there were Green Men, damsels, dragons and just about everything else you can imagine from the town’s history and the mythical story of Avalon.
When the rain began, we must have had the best seat in town. The windows of Morgana’s office, our base for the proceedings, look directly over the Market Cross… and the windows are designed to be completely removed.
We had an excellent vantage point when the freshly cut maypole was carried through the streets. The tree had been prepared, according to tradition, and the wood carved with runes and symbols… a ar cry from the synthetic ‘barbers shop’ maypoles beloved of the Victorians. We watched as it was carried, with song and laughter, up the High Street to its destination on the Tor.
We watched too as the procession began with the drums. There would be time to talk later… time to catch up a little, share a meal, and just share time and presence together… but for now there were dragons, red and white like the twin streams that flow from beneath the sacred hill.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Oh! Woow Sue this all looks and sounds amazing!!💜
LikeLike
It was, Willow 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
💜🎆
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous, Sue – brings back many happy memories. xxx
LikeLike
It does… and seeing you in your element is one of the best 🙂 xxx
LikeLike
Thank you. Comforting words as storms in insecurity rage within. xxx
LikeLike
If they didn’t make themselves felt, we would never be able to address them 😉 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely true. xxx
LikeLike
xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Chronicles of an Orange-Haired Woman! and commented:
Our recent Beltane weekend through the eyes and lovely words of Sue Vincent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That looks absolutely marvelous! I really wish I WAS there. Have the best Beltane ever 😀
LikeLike
It was, Marilyn 🙂
LikeLike
What a wonderful day, I would have loved to be there!
LikeLike
You would have thoroughly enjoyed yourself, Jaye 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know I would, I love Glastonbury anyway…
LikeLike
I’d sort of gathered that 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Sue Vincent with Beltane’s Eve in full colour. What strikes me about this celebration is the number of people sharing and embracing it. This is worship that we would have all joined in with in ancient times and despite all the efforts to regiment, regulate and diminish.. it still survives today. Perhaps because it offers us a more nourishing way to appreciate the creation of our world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing, Sally. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
How fab! I must get to Glastonbury one day… Sounds as though you had a lovely time. Hope you’re feeling better, too xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh you really must, Helen! It hits you right between the eyes, especially that first time.
Getting there slowly, thank you xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear you’re getting there, Sue – sounds as though it was a very nasty bug xx
LikeLike
Cold, bronchitis, pneumonia… serves me right though 😉 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness! I didn’t realise it was as bad as that, pneumonia is awful (as is the rest). Sending wishes for speedy healing xx
LikeLike
It wasn’t good for a while, but I really am much better, thank you. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear it xx
LikeLike
❤ xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great read! David (Town Crier of Glastonbury)
LikeLike
Thank you, David. You had your work cut out that weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aye! Two days …… Voice held up well.
LikeLike
I heard 🙂
If you eer fancy writing a piece on what it means to be Town Crier, David, I’d love to have you as my guest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not a blog writer, but I could email you some words and pictures taken from my illustrated talk “For Crying out Loud” that I give to WIs etc…… D xx
LikeLike
That sounds perfect, David. You can email me here: findme@scvincent.com
LikeLike
Give me a few days……. xx
LikeLike
Whenever you are ready, David 🙂
LikeLike
A wonderful event, Sue.
LikeLike
It was and with more to come on May Day. 🙂
LikeLike
Wow. That looks like soooo much fun!
LikeLike
Oh it really was 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now there’s a colorful and fun time! I’m envious!
LikeLike
It was an amazing day…with another one to follow 🙂
LikeLike
Hope you’re on the mend. I had a chest cold that lasted four weeks, lost my voice (it’s still gravelly) and have residual coughing. Finally went to get a chest X ray to make sure my innards were recovered
LikeLike
I had x-rays recently too. Still on antibiotics though 😦
LikeLike
Hang in there.I slept a lot, and started exercising, which surprisingly, helped me get over it. And good nutritious food. Ani would be delighted to help you with the exercise, I’m sure!
LikeLike
Sleep would be good. Ani has helped with exercise since the start…and Nick’s spring cleaning and garden overhaul too 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glastonbury is now on my bucket list, Sue. Beautiful and inspiring post ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you can get there, Tina, you will love the eclectic feel of the place. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
You said the magic word, Sue ~ eclectic. Just moved Glastonbury up a few notches on the list 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a look at the GPRC website, Tina… it proves the point. http://www.unitythroughdiversity.org/spiritual-paths.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely site, Sue, and their mission is commendable. Interfaith dialogue is sorely needed in our world today; so many heinous crimes perpetrated in the name of religion. How encouraging it must have been to visit such a place – a little heaven on Earth ❤
LikeLike
There are divisions there too, but the community is actively working to heal those.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps they should write a book on how they’re doing that – could become a world primer…
LikeLike
There are man people out there working for that goal. It is just that the others shout louder 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
We look forward to welcoming you, Tina! I would be delighted to give you a personal “Cry of Welcome” to our town on arrival. David Greenway (Town Crier of Glastonbury and member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers).
LikeLiked by 2 people
Now that’s an offer you don’t get every day, Tina 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
David, my friend, you made my day! You must have a great deal of fun as Town Crier. If I make it to the BloggersBash next year, I’ll plan on trekking down to Glastonbury for a visit 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It will be an honour! Excited…..now where did I put my quill pen! D xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful 🙂 xx
LikeLike
Fascinating. Part of history and something far more important. I can only imagine. Wonderful.
LikeLike
Some very old traditions come together here… as well as newer ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks like a wonderful celebration. Wonderful you were able to attend Sue. Thanks for sharing a bit of it with us. 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
I’ll be sharing more of the weekend, Debby…it was a fabulous couple of days. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sure looks like it Sue. Looking forward. 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
🙂 ❤
LikeLike
Magical post Sue- it must have been amazing
LikeLike
It was, Paul. Echoes of so many aspects of belief…and friends too.
LikeLike
I’m very envious, Sue. It looks great!
LikeLike
It was a superb weekend, Olga 🙂
LikeLike
Wow, this looks wonderful, Sue. I love how everyone is drawn together to celebrate, and all of the colour too! 🙂
LikeLike
It is a fabulous weekend, Judy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great pics. What a glorious time.
LikeLike
It was, Rae 🙂
LikeLike