The Glastonbury Tor has been dated back to 500 – 1000 AD. There is proof that in 1243, the Monastery of St Michaels was granted permission to hold a fair on top of the hill. The monks lived there until 1275 when the monastery was destroyed by a large earthquake. It was rebuilt in the 14th Century, but all that remains today is the topless Tower. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539, this particular monastery was a pile of rubble and most of the stones were carted away by locals for their own building projects.
We leave the faeries behind and work our way up the hill to the tower. I was surprised how close we
actually were when we hit the path we were meant to follow. Originally the Tor would have been walked in
its labrynth pattern, but with fear of erosion to the hillside, it is requested that we stick to the marked
path.
It is very windy at the top and stepping inside the tower is like stepping into a wind tunnel. It is cool as
well, and many of my Reiki classmates seek the side of the tower for its warmth and windbreak. We
enjoyed our lunch, marvelled at the 360 degree view, took pictures and gradually separated to check out
the energy around the hilltop.
I lay on the earth and sent Harth, a Karuna Reiki symbol (heals all relationships) that the faeries requested
we send. Considering the hanging of the abbot in the tower in 1539, by King Henry VIII, the energy of the
Tor feels pretty good. In fact, it is almost invigorating. It is said you can climb the Tor in a negative frame
of mind, but you will leave feeling lighthearted, even singing. I could understand why the Tor would need
to fill its own well of healing energy, and as we left the Tor, headed towards the trees, I did feel pretty
good and was ready for more adventure.
Gog and Magog, are 2000 year old oak trees that have survived much in their lifetimes. (These trees are named after two legendary Pagan giants who are immortalized through wooden carvings displayed in the London Guildhall). Until several years ago, they both held all their leaves, but now Gog is but a tall stump and his bark is threatening to fall. These two trees are the last of an ancient avenue of oaks, believed to be planted by the Druids to walk between on their sacred journey to the Tor top. They are hidden in a corner of a field surrounded by a fence that we eagerly climb to get closer, and put our hands on the ancient trees.
Magog still lives but you can feel her sadness. I call her a ‘she’ as I felt a gently, soft energy. People have
been paying their respects as there are little gifts of jewelry, money, ribbons and crystals nestled in her
crevices.
I moved to Gog and was totally caught off guard with his sadness. Within a minute, there were huge tears
pooling in my eyes and gulps caught in my throat. I knew if I didn’t break contact, I would have been a sobbing mess.
I pretty well ran to the fence to put some distance between us as this amount of emotion was the last
thing I expected to feel.
In fact, here at home, I have a large oak tree, who is slowly losing some of its life. I have often felt her
energy while I was looking for wisdom and/or stories and just to feel the soft green cloak of her aura, but never have I felt the likes of which overcame me that afternoon by the ancient, sacred giants. I am blessed and full of gratitiude for the journey once again.
Nameste, Kate