In January as winter winds blew and temperatures plummeted, my Harp Quest began.

I had been asked to hold Sacred Space for two friends, in my capacity as a Priestess. The ceremony was set in Chalice Well Gardens at the foot of Glastonbury Tor. Thought by some to be the heart Chakra of the world, Glastonbury has long been associated with spirituality ~ both Pagan and Christian. Well known for its associations with King Arthur, Guinevere and the Holy Grail, the area around Glastonbury is also known as the Isle of Avalon. It is a place of pilgrimage for Pagans, who see the banks of the Tor as a physical body of the Goddess; and for Christians, who return to the site of the ruined medieval Abbey.

Chalice Well Gardens are a haven of quiet and tranquillity, set just outside this, small busy town in Somerset. Within the Gardens themselves, there is an air of love and acceptance which is tangible to all who enter. It was a perfect place for a ceremony of release and healing.

We had been granted access early in the morning before the usual opening hour. So, just after 9am whilst my fellow Priestesses set up their things for the ceremony, I took my harp to the Lion's Head and quietly asked the Goddess for guidance ~ not only for myself, but also for those I was Priestessing for. Sitting by the red flowing water of the spring, I was enveloped by the cold and wondered how on earth I would be able to play my harp for these two wonderful friends.

The ceremony began and as we progressed around the Gardens performing ritual in the separate areas, each of us became aware of a very physical presence surrounding us. In an already quiet place, the world seemed to have slowed and hushed. We were surrounded by an aura of caring that really touched us. It was stunning.

When we approached the Lion's Head and I sat down to play, I became extremely nervous. This was so different from my usual impromptu playing, and I desperately wanted my music to reflect the beauty of the ceremony and setting. I hesitantly started to play, beginning with my favourite lullaby. After a couple of minutes I looked up briefly and noticed a very bold blackbird sitting almost at my feet. He stayed with me for almost the entire time I played and reminded me of my Harp Quest friend Wendy Wylde. I'd like to think she sent him to help allay my nerves!

It became clear as I played that my music was adding to the presence that we could all feel, and I was humbled when I realised that the Goddess was acknowledging our work. However, as my fingers became progressively numb from the cold, I wondered if any music could be heard by my friends. A bitter wind had sprung up, and I was sitting some way away from them. I realised afterwards though, it was the essence of the musical energy which helped hold that part of the ceremony, although later I was assured that my friends had heard everything!

After that particularly emotional part of the ceremony, we finally completed the ritual at Chalice Well where the sacred spring emerges deep from beneath the ground. Here, surrounded by the decorated trees and in the presence of the healing waters, we each rededicated ourselves and our lives to the Divine Feminine.

As often happens in ritual, with perfect timing the Gardens opened to the public just as we finished. Somehow we had spent almost 2 hours in Sacred Space, and it had all passed in the blink of an eye! Gathering all our ceremonial garb, we came back to the Lion's Head where we intended to take photographs to document our amazing time. A lady had walked up to the Lion's Head and after drinking the mineral rich waters, was deep in contemplation. As we finished quietly talking she looked up and seeing my harp, shyly asked if she could touch her. Apparently it was a long held ambition, and I was only too thrilled to not only let her touch my harp but also give a mini lesson at the end of which she was able to play a simple triad. She was delighted and afterwards remarked that her whole trip to Glastonbury had been a series of powerful encounters like ours. I smiled as I replied that Glasto had a habit of doing that . . . .

Several weeks later, one of my friends surprised me with a beautiful poem written to honour our time at Chalice Well Gardens. With her permission, I am pleased to be able to include it here, as part of my Quest journey.

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