Glastonbury Pilgrim Reception Centre:: All Paths

The groups and places listed in this section all have a strong 'interfaith' ethos. All faiths and paths are welcome at these meetings.

This is a 'work in progress'. If you would like to be included in this section, please contact us by email.

Sai Baba Devotional Singing Group

( See under 'spiritual tea chers' section)

Website : www.sathyasai.org

Contact person: Michael Stevens:email link

Chalice Well

Chalice Well is one of Britain's most ancient wells, nestling in the Vale of Avalon between the famous Glastonbury Tor and Chalice Hill.
Surrounded by beautiful gardens and orchards it is a living sanctuary in which the visitor and pilgrim can experience the quiet healing of this sacred place. For over two thousand years people have gathered here to drink thewaters and find solace, peace and inspiration.

Chalice Well events, ceremonies and concerts celebrate the cycle of the year and include the solstices, equinoxes, summer full moons, Christmas, Easter and Celtic festivals andare open to all.

Website:www.chalicewell.org.uk/home.html

Events page: www.chalicewell.org.uk/cgi/events

Tel: 01458 831154 Fax: 01458 835528 email link

The 'Hedge Moot' - 'Open Hearts and Open Minds'

There is a monthly Moot gathering at the Queens Head Pub, top of Glastonbury High Street (upstairs in the meeting room / skittle alley) on the first Monday of every month. Lively discussion of all things Pagan. All welcome.

Contact person: Brian Conquer : 01458 834 431 and Cathbriana 07596 137 112

The Kabbalah - The Tree of life

Kabbalah (or Qabalah, an alternative spelling) is a powerful tool for self-realization, for exploring important ideas about life and for discovering the profound truths at the heart of our existence.

Based on a map of consciousness called the Tree of Life, Kabbalah is central to the Western Mystery Tradition and Jewish Mysticism, but it is an ancient system that transcends all belief systems and is of practical relevance to modern life through engendering a greater sense of freedom and fulfillment to our lives.

Websites:wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah Local author Will Parfitt's Kabbalah page Qabalah Web Kabala Words of Wisdom

Books: Kabbalah For Life by Will Parfitt A Woman’s Kabbalah by Vivienne Crowley The Chicken Qabalah by Lon DuQuette

Kabbalistic Healing by Jason Schulman

Contacts: Ian Rees email link or Will Parfit ema il link

Subud

Subud is not a religion but a spiritual practice which enables people of all religious backgrounds and beliefs to worship together. There is no teaching in Subud, and nothing that you have to believe. The Subud practice, called the latihan, consists essentially of learning to surrender to the power of God (or 'a higher force' if you prefer) and follow whatever happens.

In that way you could say it's a bit like the Quakers, but much more active and noisy. We usually sit quietly for about ten minutes beforehand, but once the latihan starts people may do all sorts of things, such as walk about, sing, shout, dance, wave their arms and so on. The aim is to be able to follow the movements without thought or hesitation.

The group latihan is usually held twice a week and lasts about half an hour. Men and women always do it separately. In Glastonbury the men meet on Monday and Friday evenings, and the women on Monday evening and Thursday during the day. You can also do the latihan on your own sometimes, once it is established. Anyone over 17 can become a Subud member, but there is usually a waiting period of up to three months to give the applicant time to find out more about Subud and to be sure that they really want to follow this spiritual path.

We always welcome enquiries, but there is no pressure to join. We don't proselytize.

Subud, like any genuine religious practice, is for the long haul, and the real benefits take time to manifest. There are no membership fees, but most members give small voluntary contributions to cover the hire of the hall and other overheads.

Website: www.subud.org.uk

Contacts: Robert Coker:01749 830227 Emmaline Maxwell: 01458 834181 Sophia Knock: 01458 830293 Henry Cox: 01460 66215

St Margaret's Chapel & Almshouses

This small ancient chapel and the adjacent Magdalene Almshouses were once part of the Abbey. Opening times are restricted at the moment - please check with the TIC or www.glastonburyoracle.co.uk each month for opening times, or the notice borad outside the chapel.

The chapel and almshouses are now administered by a new charity - The Mary & Margaret Charity. There are plans to restore the Chapel redesign the garden and develop the almshouses as an Education Centre. The charity would like to hear from anyone interested in volunteering or becoming a Friend of this sacred site. Please contact The Secretary, Mary & Margaret Charity, 7 Albert Buildings, Glastonbury BA6 9JN Tel: 07967 046672.

How to find the chapel:

The Chapel is situated behind 38 Magdalene Street. Access is down a path adjacent to 38 Magdalene St. It is also No 19 on the Glastonbury Millenium Trail.

Website: www.stmargaretschapel.org/home.html

Contact: email link

Saturday Mornings in the park( Tai-Chi & Chi-Gung)

Throughout China, whole families of Chinese people gather in town and city parks and practice together - in China it is as common as 'walking a dog', it's what parks are for.

This is not a commercial thing nor is it an educational thing, it is simply friends meeting in the park to exercise; but in so doing you can feel comfortable practicing on your own under a tree, teaming up with a partner to practice Pushing Hands or working as a group to practice a set of choreography. There is great comfort in numbers so you needn't feel shy or embarrassed. Come and practice what you know, chat and share ideas with friends or just sit back and watch other people's moves.

Let's make Saturday mornings'Tai Chi in the Park' mornings!

Please wear appropriate clothing (plenty of layers to keep the cold and wind out of your vertibrae and joints) andmake sure you bring a drink with you. If the weather is really bad (heavy rain or strong winds) then don't come - it's not good for chi development, in fact it's quite detrimental. But a light rain or comfortable wind is ok.

Venue: Abbey Park,Glastonbury. When: Every Saturday morning 9.00am onwards

Website: www.taijitogether.co.uk

Contact: Yuri Leitch: 01458 830483

The White Spring

The White Spring (in Well House Lane) is open regularly for all to visit.
They hold new moon and full moon meditations, rituals and healing circles and celebrate the sabbats (the festivals of the wheel of the year). Please consult the website for details.

You can subscribe to their newsletter if you would like to be kept in touch with events. (see web-site).
Mass is celebrated most weeks and on feast days. the priest is ordained in an independent catholic church (Apostolic). Please email if you wish to know the times of these church services.

Website: www.whitespring.org.uk

Contact: Max or Lisa: email link 01458 834454