Wednesday 20 January 2010

Glastonbury's Goddess Temple


Glastonbury has a very active Goddess community. For the past 14 summers, a Goddess Conference has been held in Glastonbury. This fun and creative festival draws people from around the world. And since 2002, Glastonbury has had its very own Goddess Temple. Tucked away among charming shops in a tiny square off the High Street, it is found up on the second floor of a building. That's it with the open door and purple sign in the top picture.

The Goddess Temple is run by volunteer priestesses called -- of course -- melissas. The interior is a peaceful space, full of beautiful and artistic shrines to the various Goddesses sacred to Avalon. You can light small tea light candles as votive offerings. A circle of wicker Goddesses provides another space where you can sit and meditate on cushions and throws. The air is redolent with incense and soft music plays in the background.

I enjoyed visiting the Goddess Temple very much. It operates on donations and sales from its tiny gift shop. I made sure to spend a fair bit of money to help encourage the melissas in their devotion and service to the Goddess!

14 comments:

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Mmmmm, it looks as if there are beautiful items, to be bought here...

clairedulalune said...

Ohhhh Debra, I have been wondering where me and big fella could go on a bring adventure together and here it is! He has no choice in the matter of course hehe! I must play catch with your posts, beautiful place!

Stacey J. Warner said...

THE MISTS OF AVALON is one of my favorite books, while reading it I was transported to another time and place at times giving me very real nightmares. Excellent post.

much love

Anonymous said...

*stamps feet* I wanna go to the goddess temple!! Sounds fab.

Renee said...

And the statue of the amazing goddess on the outside.

xoxoxo

kj said...

hello debra, i want to tell you how much i liked what you wrote on renee's blog today. our souls do seek....i love the way you said it.

love
kj

mxtodis123 said...

I really want that blue gown. Simply stunning. I look forward to your tales of Glastonbury. You really make me feel as if I am there.
Mary

Judith said...

To the Goddess! I have a soft spot for the statues of Quan Yin found in the back of Vietnamese market places.

Emme Toaye said...

That sounds like a wonderful place to visit and to shop. I like those beautiful gowns even better than my dolly gowns!

Jeanne said...

And who wouldn't be tempted to spend some $$ with all those lovely items.... What a quaint little spot. :0)

yellowdoggranny said...

thanks for bring these pictures and stories to us...Goddess bless.

Rue said...

I can't even imagine how wonderful it would be to go there! It's a shame your visit didn't correspond with the conference!

Yet another thing to mark on my bucket list!

Janice Lynne Lundy said...

Your posts are wonderful to read. :-) I just finished a second read through of Jean Shinoda Bolens book, Crossing to Avalon. Her chapter on Glastonbury was amazing. I'd love to go here someday...Blessings on your journey!

baili said...

seems like elegant collection dear Debra
nice to learn about place and tradition