Glastonbury Goddess Conference begins

"The island of apples which men call “The Fortunate Isle” (Insula Pomorum quae Fortunata uocatur) gets its name from the fact that it produces all things of itself; the fields there have no need of the ploughs of the farmers and all cultivation is lacking except what nature provides. Of its own accord it produces grain and grapes, and apple trees grow in its woods from the close-clipped grass. The ground of its own accord produces everything instead of merely grass, and people live there a hundred years or more. There nine sisters rule by a pleasing set of laws those who come to them from our country." 

Geoffrey of Monmouth

  I stopped at the Roman Baths en route to Glastonbury, and saw the above...........felt like saying "Here I come!".  I brought with me my gift to the Temple, a mask based on the "Lady of Avalon".  It is primarily violet, based on the image I was sent, and included a rainbow, and apples.

"Avalon" meant the "Apple Isle", and I thought of so many wonderful legends of the apples of the Goddesses.  And, of course, Marian Zimmer Bradley's famous book "The Mists of Avalon".

The mask was presented to them yesterday, and I invited them to add to it as seems right, jewels or ribbons.   I love the thought that when I'm gone, the mask will remain, evolving story through the women who may chose to use it.

So walking to my B&B a few days after arriving, I felt naturally drawn to a bough of apples hanging over a wall, and went to help myself to a few of them..  Right where I reached for an apple was a little niche in the wall - and someone had left a polished amethyst there, with a wire on it so it could be worn on a cord!

I'll take that as a blessing, and find a cord for the stone!

Photo by Tony Howell (www.tonyhowell.co.uk)