Stonehenge Tour is Only Tiny Element of Sacred England Journey

Stonehenge may be the top destination for travelers making their first visit to southwest of England, but even if the early morning private ceremony at Stonehenge were to be removed from the itinerary, the sacred sites tour of Britain recently announced by Body Mind Spirit Journeys would still be an experience of a lifetime. Billed as a “Journey through the mists of time from Avalon to Camelot”, the guided tour features sites associated with King Arthur and even Jesus, as the group will visit Glastonbury and Tintagel.

We predict one of the highlights will be the excursion to the Avebury stone circle. It has been said that comparing Stonehenge to Avebury is like comparing a country church to a cathedral. It is the largest stone circle in Europe, originally having nearly 100 stones, some of which weigh more than 40 tonnes –  twice the size of the largest at Stonehenge. It is believed to have been built around 2600 B.C. and is one of 14 of Britain’s World Heritage Sites. You can click on the Avebury photo to the left to see a larger size image of some of the stones.

Much of Avebury was destroyed by Christian zealots. In the 17th century, John Aubrey campaigned for the site to be preserved. Today, visitors may roam freely among the stones, and — unlike at Stonehenge — touching them is not forbidden. It is more than the arrangement of the cyclopean stones that makes them unique. Many people believe human faces, animal shapes and other symbols were deliberately carved into them. Some are readily observable while others require specific angles of sunlight before they appear. Terence Meaden in his book “The Secret of the Avebury Stones” believes there are symbols representing female and male sexuality. He says that fertility, rebirth, and the eternal return of life after death are seen in the stones, as they also relate to the cycle of the sun and the return of the light at the winter solstice. Michael Dames, in his book “The Avebury Cycle,” says the henge is only one element of a larger monument to the Great Goddess, which also encompasses nearby Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow.

You can see more details about the June, 2012 tour by following this link to: spiritual UK tours.

Damaged Holy Glastonbury Thorn Tree Returning to Life

A thorn tree in Glastonbury, England believed to be related to one planted by the uncle of Jesus, is showing signs of new growth after having been deliberately damaged. The tree, on Wearyall Hill, had its branches chopped off last year by a vandal. According to a new report by BBC News, the tree is showing signs of returning to life. A new green shoot was reportedly noticed emerging from the tree on the recent spring equinox.

Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus’ uncle, is said to have visited Glastonbury in 37 A.D. He placed his walking stick into the earth, where it took root and grew into the Holy Thorn tree, according to legend. He is also said to have buried the Holy Grail at the site in Glastonbury now known as Chalice Well.

There are actually several thorn trees in Glastonbury believed to have been started as cuttings from Joseph’s original tree. The trees blossom at Christmas time, and it is traditional for a sprig to decorate the holiday table of the Royal Family.

For the complete report on the Vandalized Holy Thorn showing signs of new life, please visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-12886489

Glastonbury is one of the featured destinations of a Body Mind Spirit Journeys women’s only tour to the southwest of England July 16 to 22, 2011, to be led by Koko Newport. Other highlights on the itinerary include Stonehenge, crop circles and London. For more information, please visit: http://bodymindspiritjourneys.com/england-july-16-to-22-2011.html

Was Jesus in England?

Glastonbury Tor in England has been a pilgrimage site since before the Christian era. Did Jesus once visit Glastonbury?

I first heard about the possibility that Jesus may have traveled to England when I was listening to the Van Morrison song “Summertime in England” on his “Common One” album. Along with references to William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge going to the Lake District, Van also sings “Did you ever hear about Jesus walking, Jesus walking down by Avalon?”

This aroused my curiosity, and I soon discovered William Blake had written a poem in 1804 speculating whether Jesus did “in ancient times walk upon England’s mountain green.” These lines were later set to music and became part of the hymn “Jerusalem.”

The legendary Vale of Avalon is believed to be a reference to the area around Glastonbury in England, a place rich in legend not only with regard to Jesus and the Holy Grail, but also King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

I was again reminded of the connection of Jesus to Avalon when I saw that Body Mind Spirit Journeys is offering a spiritual tour for women to the southwest of England that includes not only Glastonbury, but also Stonehenge, crop circles and London. The tour is hosted by Koko Newport, and is happening July 16 to 22, 2011. The full itinerary is online at http://bodymindspiritjourneys.com/england-july-16-to-22-2011.html

If you’d like more details about the connection of Jesus and Glastonbury, an article I wrote about Jesus in England has just been published online at http://ezinearticles.com/?Glastonbury-Legends:-Did-Jesus-Christ-Visit-England?&id=6086519