Sacred Sites Journeys

Transcription

A Division of Heartlight Fellowship
Andrea Mikana-Pinkham, Director
P.O. Box 3591; Sedona, AZ 86340
888 501- 3853 (toll free in the US) or 928 284-2384
www.SacredSitesJourneys.com
[email protected]
ENGLAND: Sacred Sites, Crop Circles & The Paranormal
June 23 – July 6, 2013
Join us for this spiritual pilgrimage to Stonehenge, Glastonbury,
Avebury, Crop Circles, Cornwall, Land’s End and more....
some of the most powerful sacred sites on Earth!
Experience the powerful energies and understand the esoteric significance
of the mysterious stone circles and other power spots
that will come alive for you, as you walk the ancient pathways
and connect with the rich legacy of the Celtic Goddess Tradition
and its Avalonian Mysteries.
Participate in meditations, sacred ceremonies and initiations!
Explore paranormal phenomena with long-time local investigators.
SPECIAL OFFERINGS!
Private Entrances for our Group for Sacred Ceremony and Meditation
Inside the circle at Stonehenge
The Well House for the White Spring in Glastonbury
Glastonbury Goddess Temple with Lynne Orchard, Priestess of Avalon
OTHER SACRED SITES YOU'LL EXPERIENCE:
SALISBURY PLAINS in WILTSHIRE
World-famous Avebury, Silbury Hill and West Kennet Longbarrow,
where you will experience the powerfully transformative and palpable energies
that have endured at these ancient sites for centuries…
ready and waiting to assist you in your spiritual evolution.
Salisbury Cathedral
GLASTONBURY AREA
Glastonbury Tor and the Chalice Well, you will transcend the veil of time and place
and connect with the lingering energies from ancient Avalon.
The Great Circle of Stanton Drew,
the second largest English stone ring after the outer circle at Avebury
Wells Cathedral & Bishop’s Palace
CORNWALL:
Tintagel Area
Tintagel Castle, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur
Arthur’s Hall of Chivalry
Merlin’s Cave
St. Nectan’s Glen
Boscastle: Witchcraft Museum
Penwith Peninsula Area
Mên-an-Tol Standing Stones
Merry Maiden’s Stone Circle
St Michael’s Mount
Madron and Sancreed Sacred Wells
Iron Age Village of Carn Euny
Dartmoor – Possible Visits
Prehistoric Enchanted Wistmans Wood
CROP CIRCLES & Other PARANORMAL PHENOMENON
Our journey is during the crop circle season.
We'll explore the strange and puzzling mystery of these intricate symbols
that seem to appear out of nowhere in the local fields.
(Admission to fields is subject to permission of the owner, at the time of our request.)
We'll have the unique opportunity to take advantage of the years of experience that our paranormal
investigators have in this mysterious field.
They’ll take us to areas where they have viewed and photographed various phenomena,
such as the haunted Red Lion Inn at Avebury and other more out-of-the-way places.
TOUR PERSONNEL
Andrea Mikana-Pinkham
Director of Sacred Sites Journeys
Tour Director/Featured Speaker
Andrea Mikana-Pinkham, the Founder/Director of Sacred Sites Journeys, is an avid practitioner
of the Goddess Tradition. In July 2008 Andrea received the auspicious initiation as a Sister of
Avalon from the late Priestess of Avalon Koko Newport during a private entrance at the Chalice Well.
Andrea has been an intuitive channel since 1987, bringing through the energy of the Kumaras, teachers
of the Divine Feminine. During a visit to Glastonbury Tor several years ago, Andrea received the
message that part of her service to the upliftment of consciousness on the planet was to bring pilgrims
to holy Avalon, which she has avidly been doing ever since!
A Lady Knight Templar, Andrea is the North American Grand Prioress of The International Order
of Gnostic Templars (www.GnosticTemplars.org), a modern-day spiritual Knights Templar Order
dedicated to the revival of the Goddess Tradition and Gnostic Wisdom. She is also a trained shamanic
practitioner, Reiki Grand Master of Ichi Sekai (One World) Reiki, and a spiritual counselor.
A Message from Andrea: I invite you to join our smaller group of spiritual pilgrims as we explore
mystical sacred sites in and around the sacred land of Avalon, today the
area of Glastonbury, as well as in the ancient land of Cornwall. I've
traveled to and led groups to these power places several times during
the last several years, and have always found them to be alive with the
ancient wisdom and powerful energies! During our sacred journey
Michael, Lynne and I will facilitate meditations and rituals to assist you
to connect with the transformative energies of these sacred sites and
the Celtic Gods and Goddesses. As well, I will also offer optional
group Sharing Circles, which in the past we've found to be extremely
supportive for integration and mutual support. I'd be honored to support you to manifest your dream of
traveling to England, and will assist you to create the experience of a lifetime during this spiritual
journey.
Photo: Andrea & Harpist Peter Sterling at the Chalice Well, July 2009.
For more information about Andrea, visit www.SacredSitesJourneys.com/about.htm
Michael Orchard
Spiritual Tour Guide
Michael Orchard has lived and worked in Glastonbury, otherwise known as The Isle of Avalon,
for over 30 years. He has always had a love for the ancient history of the place and all the myths
and legends associated with it. Over the years Michael has visited many sacred and historical sites
throughout the British Isles, and is fascinated by the cultures of the ancient people of these lands.
For many years, Michael together with his wife Lynne, was the Guardian of one of Britain’s most well
known and sacred sites, the famous Chalice Well Gardens in Glastonbury, one of the legendary
resting places of the Holy Grail. Here Michael personally welcomed thousands of pilgrims from around
the globe, and helped them to understand and to feel the special energies and legends of the holy well
and its healing waters.
Michael is a good communicator, and on his tours brings the history alive through a skillful
combination of myth, history, and local folklore seasoned with some good West Country English
humor.
Michael is also an accomplished ceremonialist and will be facilitating ceremonies during our spiritual
pilgrimage at the sacred sites that he knows and loves. Michael’s philosophy of tour guiding is to
give his groups some background information and then to allow folks to feel the energies and the spirit
of the place themselves. There is always time to sit under a tree, to touch an ancient standing stone, to
have a prayer or a wish, or to dowse some earth energies. And after all the excitement of a new place,
there is usually time for a cup of tea or a spot of retail therapy as well! Michael looks forward to meeting
you and guiding you through some of the wonders of ancient Britain!
Lynne Orchard
Priestess of Avalon
Ceremonialist
Lynne Orchard has been a Priestess of Avalon since 2002. She became an honorary Priestess after
being the Guardian of the sacred Chalice Well in Glastonbury for many years. In her time as
Guardian of the Well, Lynne, together with her husband Michael conducted many sacred ceremonies,
celebrating the wheel of the year, handfastings, blessings, rites of passage, naming ceremonies, and
initiations. Since leaving the Well in 2005 Lynne has continued to do ceremonial work and to deepen
her connection with the Isle of Avalon and to honor the presence of the Goddess and divine
feminine within the landscape.
Lynne also works deeply with people as a therapist, helping her clients find their wholeness and
integrity through a spiritual approach to grounded bodywork. She works primarily with essential
oils and massage, and with craniosacral therapy. Lynne has travelled to many sacred places in the
world and her core belief is to honor the earth and all living beings as a manifestation of the divine
play. Lynne uses ritual and ceremony to invite you to join her in entering the world of the Goddess and
to embark on a journey of deep transformation.
BRIEF TOUR ITINERARY
June 23 – July 6, 2013
(For a more detailed itinerary, scroll down)
Day 1. Sunday, June 23. Arrive on your own in England (Heathrow Airport):
Transfer to Glastonbury; Welcome Dinner (D)
Overnight Glastonbury
Day 2. Monday, June 24. Glastonbury: The Tor, Chalice Well & Free Time (B)
Day 3. Tuesday, June 25. Glastonbury: White Spring Well House; Free Time;
Ceremony at the Goddess Temple (B)
Day 4. Wednesday, June 26. Stanton Drew Stone Circle; Wells: Cathedral & Bishop’s Palace (B)
Day 5. Thursday, June 27. Silbury Hill, West Kennett Longbarrow, Avebury
and Paranormal Activity Investigation (B)
Day 6. Friday, June 28. Free Time; Crop Circles (B)
Day 7. Saturday, June 29. Free Time; Paranormal Activity Investigation (B)
Day 8. Sunday, June 30. To Tintagel: Arthur’s Hall of Chivalry,
Tintagel Castle & Merlin’s Cave (B/D)
Overnight Tintagel
Day 9. Monday, July 1. Tintagel: St Nectan’s Glen; Boscastle Witchcraft Museum;
Minster Church (B/D)
Overnight Tintagel
Day 10. Tuesday, July 2. St. Michael’s Mount; Chyauster Ancient Village;
Madron Holy Well (B)
Overnight Penzance
Day 11. Wednesday, July 3. Merry Maidens Stone Circle; The Pipers Menhirs; Mousehole
Village; Boscawen Un Stone Circle; Carn Euny Prehistoric Village; Sancreed Holy Well,
Ballowall Barrow Chamber & Cairn (B)
Overnight Penzance
Day 12. Thursday, July 4. Lanyon Quoit Dolmen; Mên-an-Tol Standing Stones;
St. Ives; Wistmans Wood; Dartmoor; To Glastonbury (B)
Day 13. Friday, July 5. Stonehenge (Private Entrance); Salisbury Cathedral;
Farewell Dinner (B/D)
Day 14. Saturday, July 6. Group Transfer to Heathrow Airport. (B)
For a complete itinerary, continue reading.
TOUR ITINERARY
(Meals Included: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
Day 1. Sunday, June 23. Arrive England; Transfer to Glastonbury; Welcome
Dinner (D)
This Sacred Sites Journey is a Land Only sacred travel package. You are responsible to book your
roundtrip airfare to London Heathrow International Airport. (Please book your flight to arrive by 9:00AM,
so that you will have time to clear Immigration, Baggage Claim and Customs and transfer to Terminal 3
if you do not arrive there, for our 11:00AM group meeting and transfer. NOTE: If you’re not able to
arrive by 9:00AM, we suggest that you fly in a day early. There are several airport hotels where you can
spend the night. This will also assist you to overcome jet lag and be more ready for the tour beginning
on Sunday.)
Upon arrival at Heathrow clear Immigration, claim your bags and
exit through Customs. Meet the group and Tour Director/Speaker
Andrea Mikana-Pinkham in the Arrivals Hall of Terminal 3 (full
details to be announced in the final tour itinerary).
We board our motor coach mid-morning for our drive through the
English countryside. We'll stop along the way for lunch on your own with the group. Arrive midafternoon in mystical Glastonbury - fabled Avalon! For centuries it has been the gathering place for
those following the ancient Druid and Celtic traditions honoring the Divine Feminine. The Goddess
is definitely alive in Glastonbury! In the sacred landscape Her body is the soft rounded hills. Her love
will whisper to your heart and be your source and inspiration as it enfolds you during your time here.
The small town of Glastonbury still preserves its long history and rich traditions, along with a uniquely
blended atmosphere of modern times. People are pulled here from all over the world by a special
something...just like you have been.
On our arrival we check in at our charming Bed and Breakfasts,
located a two-minute walk from the heart of downtown Glastonbury,
in a quiet neighborhood.
1) Pilgrim’s B and B - We've been using this B & B for our groups
for several years. Owners Clare and Brian have gotten to be our dear
friends over the years. They operate a non-smoking, ’shoe-free’
house, so please feel free to bring your slippers to keep your toes
warm. A sheltered smoking area is
available in the garden. They have a
‘come and go as you please’ policy and provide front door keys for all
the rooms. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the house and gardens.
All rooms are en-suite with their own shower. All rooms are warm and
comfortable, with hairdryers and tea/coffee-making facilities, plus little
extras which makes you feel at home. Facilities: The focal point of the
house is the kitchen with its large dining table, where you can gather for
tea, tarot readings, and great visits with others in the group. They also
have a guest lounge with sofas, an open fireplace, TV and small library.
For hungry pilgrims, a guest fridge with drinks and chocolate is always
available in the hallway. Extensive local information is on hand and
original artwork by notable local artists is on display.
Gardens and ‘The Sanctuary": The beautiful gardens are always
available for your use, with a rock pool and garden seats scattered
around where you can sit and relax with friends old or new, or quietly
meditate. Despite the proximity to Glastonbury center, the B & B is
blessed with a quiet, tranquil location, making the gardens a wonderful
place to just ‘be’. Tucked away is the secret garden, great to sit and meditate or to process all you have
learnt on your pilgrimage in Glastonbury. The Sanctuary, a large Meditation Room within the gardens is
available for individual or group meditation and is also used for individual and group therapy and
healing sessions.
Your daily English breakfast, lovingly prepared by Clare and Brian, gives you a choice of:
- A large range of herbal and caffeinated teas, coffee and fruit juices.
- Fresh fruit salad, cereal, yogurt, toast or bread alternatives (e.g. rice cakes, oatcakes).
- Individually cooked Full English breakfast or Vegetarian / Vegan alternatives.
- Fresh dairy and soy milk always available.
The owners appreciate that breakfast is an important part of your stay and will therefore happily try to
accommodate any special dietary requests. (You will be able to
give us this information on your registration form.)
2) Jasmine Cottage B and B – Those in the group who opt for
the single room will stay at this lovely B and B right around the
corner from Pilgrims. Former SSJ travelers who have stayed here
have given it rave reviews! (NOTE: There are only 2 single rooms, so an early registration will assure
you of this choice.) Jasmin Cottage is lovingly and tastefully decorated, with luxurious beds & bedding.
There are tea and coffee facilities in all rooms. Bathrooms are
well-equipped and fitted with power showers & baths. The cozy
communal lounge area is decorated in warm terracotta tones and
has a small altar with candles and incense that sets the
meditational mood. Jasmin cottage is a TV free house but staying
here you will be surrounded by abundance of wonderful books
and music. Breakfast choices are Fruit Salad, Cereals, Yoghurt,
toast, eggs and tea or coffee. You can have your eggs scrambled,
poached, boiled or you can go for the now famous Justine’s Eggy
Bread! Justine will accommodate special dietary requests if
possible. (You will be able to give us this information on your registration form.) Weather depending
breakfast can also be served in the garden. The garden boasts an old apple tree, an art installation
(known as a cosmogram on marble,) and a small pond brimming with fish. There are tables and chairs
for you to use in the garden and therefore a space where you can relax and while away the hours.
Smoking is permitted outside in the garden.
Owner Justine offers Swedish, Thai, Hawaiian and Rejuvenating Facial Massage.
Take some time to get settled in your space and rest. In the later afternoon we'll gather at Pilgrims for
our Introductory Group Meeting to get to know each other a bit by sharing our stories of how and why
we've come to be here. Andrea will facilitate a Meditation that will assist you to begin to connect with
the powerful energies of Avalon!
Afterwards we walk to a nearby local restaurant for our Welcome Dinner.
Overnight Glastonbury. Pilgrims B & B or Jasmine Cottage.
Day 2. Monday, June 24. Glastonbury: Tor and Chalice Well; Free Time; (B)
After breakfast we depart from Pilgrim’s taking a short walk from downtown to
Glastonbury Tor. Rich in legend and mythological associations, the Tor may
have been a place of ancient ritual. Today, it is still a destination for spiritual
seekers. The terracing on the slopes of the Tor may be the remains of an
ancient observatory, a seven-tiered sacred mount, a great three-dimensional
labyrinth, a ceremonial way to the Otherworld. At the top of the Tor stands the
remains of the Medieval St. Michael's Church, dedicated to Archangel
Michael. We take the footpath to the top to enjoy its sweeping view of the
Somerset countryside. Take time to gaze at the landscape; you can see for
miles. Though the Tor is a majestic hill rising enigmatically above the flat
surrounding meadows, it's no ordinary hill! Some say it's home to the King of
the Fairies, Gwyn ap Nudd, a psychopomp who helps those who cross over to
the Otherworld. Centuries of legends and folklore about the Tor all arrive at the same conclusion: it is a
place where the veil between the worlds is thin. You will have time for individual meditation to connect
to these powerful energies.
We return walking to the foot of the Tor and
stop in at the Chalice Well, a pilgrimage site for
many thousands of years for those seeking
physical and emotional healing from its iron-red
waters, thought by some to represent the blood
of the Goddess. During the Middle Ages and in
the 18th Century Glastonbury gained a great
reputation as a place of healing, and the Well
was one of the centers where pilgrims came to
take advantage of its curative powers. Today the waters of both the Red Spring and the adjoining
White Spring still have a reputation for their cleansing, healing and transformative qualities. Like
pilgrims who have come here since ancient times seeking physical and emotional healing from its ironred waters blessed by the Goddess, we too may receive our healings! At the bottom of the garden we
stop at the pool that has water flowing into it through a series of flowing steps from the body of the
Goddess Herself. We then continue to the main well, with its cover in the shape of the Vesica Pisces,
one of the most fundamental symbols of sacred geometry, symbolizing the Sacred Marriage, the divine
union of the male and female energies. Here at this ancient sacred place, we have time to meditate
and reflect on our own Divine Union.
You’ll then have some free time to walk through the gardens
and the meadow. Perhaps you’d like to stop at a special tree
where the ashes of Marion Zimmer Bradley, the author of
The Mists of Avalon were scattered, to pay homage to her
and her compelling novel that has brought so many people –
and perhaps yourself – to Glastonbury.
Here's a great YouTube video of a walk through the
Chalice Well Gardens:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co9Xml-gQic
Return walking to town. The afternoon is free for rest and integration and/or individual exploration. Here
are some options:
1. Glastonbury Abbey. Set in 37 acres of beautifully peaceful parkland in the center of town. Built in
the Middle Ages, it's described by some historians as "the holiest
place in all of England". St Mary's Chapel marks the site where
Joseph of Arimathea established the first above-ground church in
all of Christendom. The Celts had a deity named Easus who died
and was supposed to come back to life. When they heard about
Jesus from Joseph of Arimathea, they saw the return of Easus in
the story, and gave Ynys Witrin, or Glastonbury, to him as a site for
a church. This was the birthplace of Celtic Christianity, and grew to
be a powerful pilgrimage site. Many people believe that the Holy
Thorn tree that can be seen in the grounds originated from Joseph
of Arimathea's staff. Graves thought to be those of Arthur and
Guinevere have been unearthed here. Take time to wander among these ancient ruins and powerful
energies, exploring their mysteries through reflection and meditation.
2. Stop in at the Glastonbury Goddess Temple off of Hight Street and meditate at the Flame of Avalon.
3. Visit the St. Margaret's Chapel / Magdalene Almshouses and Garden in Magdalene Close in
downtown, for a time of peaceful meditation, prayer and reflection. The original structure was built in the
1070's but burned down in the great Abbey fire of 1184. The present one was re-built in
1444. Today its a sacred space of prayer, sanctuary and spirituality.
4. Take a walk to visit Gog and Magog, two ancient oak trees in Wick Hollow thought by
some of the locals to be the root chakra of the area. Others honor them as the last remains
of a Druidical avenue leading up to the Tor.
5. Go into St. John's Church in the heart of town, dedicated to John the Baptist, one of
the original teachers of the Goddess Tradition. Here you
can view the beautiful stained glass window depicting
Joseph of Arimathea holding two vials of "Holy Grail."
6. Or take in some Retail Therapy as you wander along High Street in the center of town, where shops
full of new and used books on every topic you can imagine, Celtic jewelry, clothes, artwork, crystals and
gemstone and many more treasures abound!
Lunch and dinner on your own. There are several excellent restaurants in the center of town, just a few
minutes walk away, that offer varied ethnic cuisines.
Overnight Glastonbury. Pilgrims B and B or Jasmine Cottage.
Day 3. Tuesday, June 25. Glastonbury: Well House for the White Spring Private
Entrance; Free Time; Goddess Ritual/Meditation (B)
This morning after breakfast we gather in the meditation room at Pilgrims for a Sharing Circle
facilitated by Andrea.
Then we walk to the Well House for the White Spring near the Chalice Well, for a private entrance,
facilitated by Michael and Lynne Orchard. For thousands of years
seekers have been drawn to the mythical Isle of Avalon, which was
once an island separated from the mundane world by an inland sea.
From its heart under the Tor, the water still rises and falls in profusion,
presenting one of the greatest mysteries of the Isle: two different
springs, the Red Spring touched red from iron and the White Spring,
which is actually several springs that arise from the Tor. They're mixed
in a mixing chamber that is behind the cottage located above the
spring. One of these springs contains chalybeate water, similar to
Chalice Well water, which gives rise to some thoughts that the water from the Chalice Well may actually
have its source within the Tor. Once the water leaves the White Spring building it flows underground in
a completely separate plumbing system to the Chalice Well.
The building was initially constructed as a reservoir by the local water
supply company. It was used as a reservoir for a number of years, supplying
most of the town's water, until the pipes blocked up owing to high calcite
deposits that built up within them. In the 1980s and 90s it was used as cafe
and a shop, and was sold in 2003 to a benefactor who had no wish to
commercialize it. He formed a local committee to manage it on a non profit
basis. For a while it was an empty space with the water flowing through a
conduit in the floor. Then in 2009 the new pools were designed based on
sacred geometry and the dimensions of the building. Behind the building is a tunnel (now sealed off)
that leads into the Tor; how far is not known, but it's given rise to various legends about it possibly
being an entrance to the underworld.
So the Well House could be referred to as a subterranean cavern within the Tor, lit
only by one small skylight and the flickering of candles. Entering in represents a
powerful symbolic journey from and through the darkness into the light, with
the healing waters of the White Spring flowing through it. The Celtic Goddess
Brigid, the Lady of Avalon, is the guardian whose ancient presence pervades this
sacred space. Inside there are three domed vaults, and beautiful bowed floors like the hull of a boat moored at the portal to the Otherworld. The constant
temperature and the sound of the perpetually flowing water make this a unique
sacred space. We'll have the opportunity to step into the pools, as well as time for
a ritual led by Michael and Lynne Orchard. And time for individual
meditation.
Return walking to town. You have free time again this afternoon to explore more of Glastonbury.
Lunch and Dinner on your own.
This evening we gather in the evening at the Glastonbury Goddess Temple for a
Goddess Ritual and Meditation with Lynne Orchard, Priestess of Avalon. She
will offer our group a special initiation into the age-old Goddess Mysteries that
are connected to this area of ancient Avalon. What special Gift of Spirit will The
Lady bestow upon you? What wisdom will She gently whisper to your Heart?
Come in openness and humility...and receive!
Return walking to our B and Bs.
Day 4. Wednesday, June 26. Stanton Drew and Wells: Cathedral and Bishop’s
Palace (B)
This morning we visit the huge megalithic complex of Stanton Drew.
The Great Circle, the second largest English stone ring after the
outer circle at Avebury, consists of three stone circles, two stone
avenues, a cove of stones and an outlier. From the two visible circles
there are two avenues running eastward towards the nearby river. As
Professor Aubrey Burl writes: Midsummer processions and
ceremonies may be imagined, rituals by moonlight celebrated by
hundreds of people from the countryside, assembling for reasons long
forgotten but preserved silently in the stones themselves.
You have time for exploration at the site. Then Michael and Andrea will facilitate a ceremony
and meditation to connect with the Ancestors of this sacred site, as well as your own
personal ancestors. What Gift of Spirit will receive from them? Hold it close to your heart as you
carry it home with you!
We drive to a local pub for lunch on your own with the group.
After lunch we drive to the city of Wells, England's second smallest city.
The name Wells derives from the three wells dedicated to Saint
Andrew, one in the market place and two within the grounds of the
Bishop's Palace and cathedral. There was a small Roman settlement
around the wells, but its importance grew under the Saxons when King
Ine of Wessex founded a minster church in 704CE, around which the
settlement grew. Wells became a trading center and involved in cloth
making before its involvement in both the English Civil War and the
Monmouth Rebellion during the 17th century.
Our first stop here is at the Cathedral of the Diocese of Bath and Wells,
which is situated next to natural wells where springs of water rise up
from beneath the Mendip Hills. This site has been a holy place for
nearly 2000 years. The foundations of the building you see today were
laid in 1185CE. The Cathedral stands adjacent to the medieval Bishop’s
Palace and Vicars’ Close, the oldest continuously inhabited street in
Europe. A major project completed in 2009 provided new facilities for
choirs and education, a dedicated interpretation area, a new entrance with shop and restaurant, and
has enabled the medieval cloister to be reopened to the public. Enjoy the wonderful display of
medieval statues on the West Front, and inside the graceful scissor arches, the humorous carvings on
the pillars, and the deep colors of the stained glass. In this place hallowed by the prayer of centuries
pause for a moment and give thanks for the gift of life
Return to Glastonbury and our B and Bs. Free time. Dinner on your own.
Day 5. Thursday, June 27. Wiltshire: Silbury Hill; West Kennet Longbarrow;
Avebury and Paranormal Activity Investigation (B)
After breakfast we meet at Pilgrims for a short Sharing Circle. Then take some time for rest, relaxation
and integration. Lunch on your own
We depart early afternoon to explore and experience the local sacred sites and ancient mysteries in the
Wiltshire area. We begin our exploration of the area at the huge and mysterious Silbury Hill, a grasscovered man-made chalk mound that is the biggest prehistoric artificial
mound in Europe. Evidence from radiocarbon dating indicates that
Silbury was constructed about 4,400 years ago in the Neolithic period.
Its construction is estimated to have involved roughly 4 million hours of
work using 500,000 tons of material, mostly chalk that was quarried and
cleared from the surrounding terraces and ditches. Some people see
the Hill as a symbolic effigy of the ancient Mother Goddess that was
associated with fertility rituals which marked the course of the year. The
festival of Lammas in August, when it is thought Silbury was founded,
celebrates the first fruits of the harvest. Andrea and Michael will lead a
short meditation to connect with the Mother Goddess.
We then continue to West Kennet Longbarrow, a Neolithic tomb or
barrow, situated on a prominent chalk ridge, near Silbury Hill, one-anda-half miles south of Avebury. It's one of the most impressive and wellpreserved burial chambers in Britain, as well as being one of the most
visited. The site was recorded by John Aubrey in the 17th century and
by William Stukeley in the 18th century.
Archaeologists classify it as a chambered long barrow and one of the Severn-Cotswold tombs. It has
two pairs of opposing transept chambers and a single terminal chamber used for
burial. The stone burial chambers are located at one end of one of the longest
barrows in Britain. It’s estimated that it took 15,700 man-hours for its construction.
The entrance consists of a concave forecourt with a facade made from large
slabs of sarsen stones which were placed to seal entry.
The construction of the West Kennet Long Barrow began about 3600 BC, which is
some 400 years before the archaeologically-determined first stage of
Stonehenge, and it was in use until around 2500 BC. This was at the same time
as the great stone circle at Avebury was begun, and may signify a change in the
focus of belief and religion.
The mound has been damaged by indiscriminate digging, but archaeological
excavations in 1859 and 1955-56 found at least 46 burials, ranging from babies to elderly persons. The
bones were disarticulated with some of the skulls and long bones missing. It has been suggested that
the bones were removed periodically for display or transported elsewhere with the blocking facade
being removed and replaced each time. These excavations also revealed that the side chambers occur
inside an exact isosceles triangle, whose height is twice the length of its base. Artifacts associated with
the burials include Neolithic Grooved ware similar to that found at nearby Windmill Hill.
It is thought that this tomb was in use for as long as 1,000 years and at
the end of this period the passage and chamber were filled to the roof by
the Beaker people with earth and stones, among which were found
pieces of Grooved ware, Peterborough ware and Beaker pottery,
charcoal, bone tools, and beads. Stuart Piggott, who excavated this
mixture of secondary material, suggested that it had been collected from
a nearby 'mortuary enclosure' showing that the site had been used for
ritual activity long after it was used for burial.
Folklore & Legend: The mound is traditionally visited by a white spectral figure accompanied by a
white red-eared hound at sunrise on Midsummer's day. There is a slim possibility that this tradition is a
folk memory of a ritual event or at least a time thought to have been
significant in the use of the barrow. There is no doubt that some traditions
can become convoluted into folklore, and be passed down over the
centuries, whether this is the case with West Kennet Long Barrow has
never been explored. However, some people do notice a strange
atmosphere in the darkened chamber. And photographs taken inside the
long barrow have revealed interesting phenomena…like the mist seen in
the photograph here. We’ll have time for a meditation to connect with the
Ancestors, here in their ancient final resting place.
Time for dinner on your own with the group at the Red Lion Inn’s pub, a
local haunted one! Apparitions served at the Red Lion include a woman
named Florrie who pays particular attention to bearded customers.
Dating back to the English Civil War she was thrown down a well, by her
husband who was a soldier at the time, when he caught her in bed with
another man. Several reports have been received of Florie being dressed
in black walking around the pub looking for a man with a beard. One
report was that of a bearded man sitting under a spinning chandelier.
Customers have also seen Florie in the ladies toilets and one of the past
owners reported seeing, Florie throw salt and pepper across the tables
and chairs in the restaurant area. Another report is that of spooky looking horse drawn carriages pulling
up outside the pub in the dead of night; this can both be seen and heard but never both. Ghostly
children have also been seen and visitors have often reported orbs of light, weird shadows and cold
spots within the 400 year-old inn, which is never short of visitors looking to test their nerves with an
overnight stay. Will Florrie reveal herself to any of us? Or will we see the children or other ghosts who
are caught in this dimension? Perhaps we can help them move on to The Light if they are ready.
After dinner we explore Avebury UNESCO World Heritage site,
one of the world's largest and most complex monuments of the
Megalithic Age, an ancient neolithic and bronze age initiation site
of immense standing stones. The Avenues used to run out from
the main circle. One avenue is now almost completely gone but a
part of the other still remains, having been restored in the 1930’s.
Today its mysteries are still being explored and solved by multidisciplinary scholars in archaeology, science and ancient religion.
As there are lunar and solar ley-lines that cross in this area, we will connect with these powerful
energies through ritual and meditation facilitated by Andrea and Michael.
In the later evening Phil and Steve, local longtime guides for paranormal investigation, will lead us to
some places in the area where they’ve observed paranormal activity over the years. Not to worry;
your participation is optional; but if you do choose to participate bring an open mind and heart and we’ll
ask for only energies of The Light to reveal themselves to us.
Return to Glastonbury and our B and Bs.
Day 6. Friday, June 28. Free Time; Crop Circles (B)
After breakfast we’ll gather at Pilgrims for a short Sharing Circle. Then you have free time the
rest of the morning. Lunch on your own.
This afternoon we head back to the Wiltshire area to explore the
enigmatic phenomenon of Crop Circles. These geometric
symbols of unknown origin form in fields of grain, and have
appeared in this area over the past 20 years. Wiltshire is one of
the most active areas for crop circles in the world, particularly
around the historical stones of Avebury and Silbury Hill. In this
ancient landscape, the grassy whorls take over the fields of rape,
barley and wheat like massive installation art. If we are fortunate
we may be able to enter one or more of the formations and have
private meditation time to connect with and experience the other-dimensional energies that many
researchers believe form them. What is the general communication that is being given to us by these
circles? What is the particular communication from each circle? Where do they come from? Who/what
forms them? Why here? Why now? AND, why have we been lead here to experience them? What does
all this mean for our personal and planetary transformation?
Michael and Andrea will facilitate meditation(s) in any of the circles we’re able to visit.
After dinner on your own with the group at a local pub we return to Glastonbury and our B & Bs.
Day 7. Saturday, June 29. Free Time; Paranormal Activity (B)
After breakfast the day is free for rest, relaxation and integration. Lunch on your own.
Lunch and dinner on your own.
We’re off this evening with Phil and Steve again for more paranormal investigation. They will guide us
to places where they’ve encountered various phenomenon in the past. Will we see ghosts? Will we
hear voices from other realms? Will we feel a strange presence? Again, keep your mind and heart open
as we invite in energies of The Light to reveal themselves to us.
Day 8. Sunday, June 30. To Cornwall: Tintagel Village; Arthur’s Hall of Chivalry;
Tintagel Castle; Merlin’s Cave (B/D)
We check out of our B and Bs this morning and depart Glastonbury for Cornwall,
the fabled and enchanted land of King Arthur's birth. We arrive later morning in the
little Village of Tintagel. Our first stop is Arthur’s Hall of Chivalry, an atmospheric
and historic building built in the 1930s by Frederick Thomas Glasscock as the home
of the Order of the Fellowship of the Knights of the Round Table of King Arthur.
Everything in these halls is based upon the Arthurian Romances; all of the art and
symbols are directly associated with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round
Table. We enter The Halls through the gift shop and continue through to the Small
Hall to view a brief audio visual presentation of the story of Arthur. We leave and
pass along a corridor into the Hall of Chivalry. Here we see 125 shields of granite,
set along its full length, representing the passage from darkness into light. Granite is also used in the
huge canopy over the throne, weighing six tons and supported by nine massive granite pillars. There is
also a granite Round Table, along with two wooden ones. The Halls contain seventy three beautiful
stained glass windows designed and crafted by Veronica Whall during 1930 –
33. The galleries of The Hall of Chivalry contain ‘The Windows of the Knights’.
Each Knight of the Round Table is illustrated by his unique shield depicted in the
windows. By each window, the Knight’s story is told in words. The Hall of
Chivalry holds eighteen windows portraying the principal virtues which the
Knights of the Round Table agreed to observe. In the Hall of Chivalry, these
virtues are graded in quality, starting with the less spiritual ones such as
Strength, Perseverance and Obedience, through to those considered more
spiritual such as Purity, Faith and Love.
Lunch on your own in Tintagel at one of the ancient inns or the famous
Pengenna's Cornish Pasty Restaurant – Yum!
After lunch we’re off to explore Tintagel Castle, on a rocky windswept headland above the sea,
surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean. The name Tintagel derives from Din Taggel, meaning
fortress of the narrow entrance. Historically it would appear that Tintagel was an important trading post
from late Roman times until it was abandoned at the end of the 7th century. Around 1230, a castle was
built at Tintagel by Richard, Earl of Cornwall and son of King Henry III. When Geoffrey of Monmouth
wrote about it in the History of the Kings of Britain in 1136, the 1230 Tintagel Castle would not have
been there and legend would have been his main source of what had happened on the island
stronghold.
Legend has held that this is the place where Uther Pendragon mated with Arthur's
mother, Igraine, and conceived the future king. Arthur is reputed to have been born
here. Excavations in the 1930's uncovered 5th to 6th century Dark Age settlement and
monastic remains. In 998 excavations by Glasgow University led to the discovery of an
inscription on a piece of slate reading ARTOgNOV, which is a Latin form of the Celtic
name Arthnou, derived from the Celtic word Arth, meaning bear.
Whether King Arthur was born there or not is impossible to tell, but archaeological
evidence does make Tintagel a plausible site for such a kingdom at the supposed time
of King Arthur. The unique artifacts at Tintagel emphasize its dominance as a royal citadel and
Mediterranean contact during the 5th and 6th centuries.
An archeological find was made there in July 1998 when a team from Glasgow University uncovered a
sixth-century slab with this inscription: PATER COLI AVI FECIT ARTOGNOV. This has been translated
to mean "Artognou, father of a descendant of Coll, has had this [building] made". The name "Artognou"
was probably pronounced "Arthnou." Art and Arth were fairly common prefixes to the names of Dark
Age rulers. Some researchers believe that the stone is probably just another piece of evidence that
Tintagel was a wealthy Dark Age stronghold. It confirms that there was a relatively well-educated and
wealthy person there in the sixth century with a name that may have sounded like Arthur. It does not
prove that King Arthur himself lived at Tintagel. But the mystery lives on!
As we walk through these ancient ruins, keep your Third Eye open to see between the veils to those
days long past. Perhaps you'll glimpse Arthur and receive a message from him. We’ll find a quiet and
peaceful area of the site for our group meditation facilitated by Michael and Andrea.
Tide allowing, we then descend to the beach to Merlin's Cave,
located under the rocks close to Tintagel Castle. If not, we'll view it
from above. Legend maintains that the spirit of the great Druid Merlin
still inhabits this lonely place. It’s very atmospheric; you might imagine
Merlin approaching, with his staff held up to light up the darkness of
the cave. If we're able to enter, we'll take time to meditate and
connect with the energies that reach out to us from the misty past.
In the later afternoon we check into our hotel, home for two nights, the
Camelot Castle Hotel. Sitting proudly in Tintagel overlooking the
Atlantic Ocean and Tintagel Castle, the stunning hotel offers rooms
with magnificent panoramic views over the rugged Cornish coastline
from Hartland Point in the North, to Trevose Head in the South. Our
traditional castle rooms in a classical Victorian style with en-suite
shower facilities overlooking the Atlantic. The Hotel, which is fully
licensed, offers excellent cuisine. Enjoy superb freshly-cooked food
made using local produce in the restaurant while also enjoying the
equally superb panoramic views. Weather permitting, you can also eat & drink al-fresco on the terrace.
There is a grand piano for any musician who would like to entertain. In the Arthurian-style bar you can
relax for a quiet drink and look out over the Atlantic ocean. Or enjoy music for your comfort and
entertainment in the dance hall. You can sit and talk with friends at King Arthur's Round Table. You can
also write a letter to Merlin and drop it in the box on the table.
At our group dinner tonight we take time to share our experiences of the day.
Overnight Tintagel. Camelot Castle Hotel.
Day 9. Monday, July 1. Tintagel: St Nectan’s Glen; Boscastle Witchcraft Museum;
Minster Church (B/D)
This morning we’re off to visit St Nectan’s Glen, an area of woodland in
Trethevy near Tintagel, which is held sacred by many people who visit it.
Stretching for around one mile along both banks of the Trevillet River, the
glen's most prominent feature is St Nectan's Kieve, a spectacular 60 ft.
waterfall. The walk through woodland takes us alongside a stream with many
places to stop and take in the calming beauty of the water. At the amazing
and powerful waterfall, we may be blessed to experience its legendary
healing qualities.
Who Was St Nectan? Around 500CE St Nectan built his small sanctuary
beside the Trevillitt River, just above the waterfall and the kieve (Cornish for
'basin'). Tradition has it that behind the chapel was a tower where he hug a
silver bell that he rang to warn sailors of submerged rocks on the
treacherous Cornish coast, or to summon help from the Celtic monastery
near Tintagel castle for vessels in distress. From his vantage point he would have been able to see
both coast and castle from the top of his tower. Or, perhaps he rang it just to assure sailors that he was
praying for their safety. As the end of his life approached, the area was split apart by bitter differences
between the older Celtic and the newer Roman faiths. St. Nectan prophesied the return of the older,
simpler faith, vowing that his bell should never ring for unbelievers; he carried it to the bank above the
kieve and dropped it into the basin. It's said that his bell still tolls today. When he died, two strange
ladies who are believed to have been his sisters came and, acting upon his wishes, they placed his
body, the sacramental vessels and other treasures into an oak chest. They diverted the waters of the
fall, dug a grave in the river bed below the Kieve and buried the chest. The river turned back to its
natural course and now flows over the saint's grave. We’ll take time here for individual meditation.
Afterwards enjoy lunch on your own with the group in one of the harbor-side cafes in the little village
and fishing port of Boscastle, a few miles northeast of Tintagel. The village with its picturesque harbor
is a very popular tourist destination. Much of the land in and around Boscastle is owned by the National
Trust, including both sides of the harbor. The Forrabury Stitches,
high above the village are ancient "stitchmeal" cultivation plots.
Large areas of the Valency Valley are known for its connections to
the novelist and poet Thomas Hardy. The National Trust runs a
shop at the harbor, and a visitor center in the Old Smithy. We’ll
visit the Museum of Witchcraft, which houses the world's largest
collection of witchcraft related artifacts and regalia dating from
prehistory to today. This very unique privately-owned museum has
been in existence since 1951 when it first opened on The Isle of
Man. It's been in Boscastle since 1961 and is amongst Cornwall's
most popular museums. It also houses a large library with around
5,000 books which is used by researchers from the UK and around the world.
After the Witchcraft Museum we move on to the nearby
Minster Church. The atmospheric Minster church stands on a
superb viewpoint above a wooded river valley near Boscastle.
Surrounded by tombstones overgrown with bracken and
wildflowers, its graveyard precinct is set in National Trustowned woodlands, and encompasses the site of a pagan/early
Christian healing well. A few years ago it also hosted the reinterment of the bones of a woman unjustly condemned as a
witch in the 18th century. There are no other houses or
settlements nearby, and the way that the Victorian graveyard
merges into the ancient woodland, combined with the superb
coastal scenery and the air of mystery (why is there a solitary church here in the middle of nowhere?)
make this obscure place one of the spookiest locations in England. The church is dedicated to St
Materiana, a very early Celtic Christian saint who set up a hermitage around the holy spring below the
present church in the time of King Arthur, over 1500 years ago.
In the later afternoon we return to Tintagel and our hotel. This evening we’ll enjoy our group dinner at
the hotel restaurant.
Overnight Tintagel. Camelot Castle Hotel.
Day 10. Tuesday, July 2. St. Michael’s Mount; Chyauster Ancient Village; Madron
Holy Well (B)
This morning our visit is to famous St Michael’s Mount, a tidal island located 400 yards off the Mount's
Bay coast of Cornwall. It's united with the town of Marazion by a
man-made causeway of granite setts, passable between mid-tide
and low water.
Its Cornish language name means "the grey rock in the wood" and
may represent a folk memory of a time before Mount's Bay was
flooded. Certainly, the Cornish name would be an accurate
description of the Mount set in woodland. Remains of trees have
been seen at low tides following
storms on the beach at
Perranuthnoe, but radiocarbon dating established the submerging of
the hazel wood at about 1700 BCE. The chronicler John of
Worcester relates that in 1099CE that St. Michael's Mount was
located five or six miles from the sea, enclosed in a thick wood, but
that on the third day of the nones of November the sea overflowed
the land, destroying many towns and drowning many people as well
as innumerable oxen and sheep. The Cornish legend of Lyonesse,
an ancient kingdom said to have extended from Penwith toward the
Isles of Scilly, also talks of land being inundated by the sea. In
prehistoric times, St Michael's Mount may have been a port for the tin trade. Gavin de Beer made a
case for it to be identified with the "tin port" Ictis/Ictin mentioned by Posidonius. Historically, St Michael's
Mount was a Cornish counterpart of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, which shares the same tidal
island characteristics and the same conical shape. It was given to the Benedictines, a religious order of
Mont Saint-Michel, by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century. St Michael's Mount is known
colloquially by locals as simply the Mount. Legend says that a mythical giant named Cormoran once
lived on the Mount, and he used to wade ashore and steal cows and sheep from the villagers to feed
his gargantuan appetite. One night, a local boy called Jack rowed out to the island and dug a deep pit
while the giant was asleep. As the sun rose, Jack blew a horn to wake the angry giant who staggered
down from the summit and – blinded by the sunlight – fell into the pit and died. During our time here
we’ll follow in the footsteps of pilgrims over the ages who have looked out over the rocky ledge on the
western side of the island. It was here – where an ancient stone chair stands at the entrance to the
castle – that according to legend, a vision of the Archangel St Michael appeared to some fishermen
in the year 495CE. A place drenched in spiritual energy and religious roots, St Michael’s Mount has
been an important pilgrimage destination throughout the ages. We’ll have time for a meditation
facilitated by Michael and Andrea.
After lunch on your own with the group at St Michaels Mount café or
restaurant we depart to visit Chyauster Ancient village. This RomanoBritish settlement was originally occupied more than 200 years ago. The
village consists of stone-walled homesteads known as ‘courtyard houses’,
found only in this area of England. The houses line a ‘village street’ and each
had an open central courtyard surrounded by a number of thatched rooms. There are also the remains
of an enigmatic ‘fogou’, or underground passage.
From here we drive to Penzance, a town, civil parish and port, the most westerly major town in
Cornwall. A typical bustling harbor town with many interesting gift shops, pubs, craft-markets and
galleries, the whole place is alive with plenty of things to see and do. Situated in the shelter of Mount's
Bay, the town faces south-east onto the English Channel. Its
location gives it a temperate climate, milder than most of the
rest of Britain. The name Penzance (Pensans), means "holy
headland" in the Cornish language and is a reference to the
location of a chapel that is today called St Anthony's. It's said
to have stood over a thousand years ago on the headland to
the west of what became Penzance Harbor. The only
remaining object from this chapel is a carved figure, now
largely eroded, known as "St Raffidy" which can be found in
the churchyard of the parish church of St Mary's near the original site of the chapel. Until the 1930's this
history was also reflected in the choice of symbol for the town, the severed "holy head" of St John the
Baptist, which can still be seen on the civic regalia of the Mayor of Penzance and on several important
landmarks in the town.
Before dinner we’ll make a early evening trip to nearby Madron
Holy Well. We’ll walk down a little path lined with blackthorn and
hawthorn just north of the village of Madron to the well, which has
long been revered for its magical and healing powers as well as its
supply of water to the local community. Even today strips of cloth, or
clouties, can be seen tied to surrounding branches and stand
testament to its continued use. The well head is defined by a rough
circle of granite slabs (re-laid in the 1980s).
Nearby lie the remains of a simple 12th century chapel, with a doorway to the north, which is unusual in
churches as it is sometimes considered the Devil’s Door. There is an altar to the east and a simple
stone font in the southwest corner, originally fed by the same source as the well. Despite its altar and
dedication to St Madern, this tiny and beautiful place is believed to be originally rooted in pre-Christian
Pagan worship. St Madern is oft considered a Christianized corruption, with a change of gender, of the
Celtic mother goddess Modron.
In terms of healing, the infirm and crippled would come here, often in May to coincide with Beltane
fertility festival. The sufferer would enter the water naked three times, circumnavigate the well clockwise
and then rest on a nearby hillock named St Maderne’s Bed. A piece of cloth would be torn from their
clothing (specifically from the afflicted area) and it was believed that as the rag deteriorated, so the
ailment would improve. Some deem the well’s unusually high radiation levels as connected to its
restorative powers. Another ritual that took place at Madron Well was the enquiring by local maidens as
to how long they would have to wait to be married. In May near Beltane, they would come and make a
cross with straw attached by a pin. Once placed on the water, the number of bubbles arising would
signify the years left to wait. This, along with offerings of straw crosses and pins for all manner of
wishes, continued well into the 20th century.
We head back to Penzance where we’ll gather at
a local restaurant for dinner on your own with the
group and a time for sharing our day’s
experiences.
Overnight Penzance. The Lugger Hotel.
The Lugger Hotel is located on the only promenade in Cornwall, occupying an ideal position
overlooking the beautiful Mounts Bay. It’s a comfortable centrally-located family run hotel with 20 plus
en-suite rooms. The restaurant and both bar have views over the bay. The Wheelhouse Restaurant is
proud of its reputation for excellent cuisine. The busy restaurant and terrace make a worthy setting for
enjoying good home-cooked English food, prepared and served with care and imagination. And they
cater for individuals with specific dietary needs.
Day 11. Wednesday, July 3. Merry Maidens Stone Circle; The Pipers Menhirs;
Mousehole Village; Boscawen Un Stone Circle; Carn Euny Prehistoric Village;
Sancreed Holy Well, Ballowall Barrow Chamber & Cairn (B)
We depart the hotel after breakfast, stopping to buy pasties or sandwiches for our picnic lunch.
Our fist stop this morning is the Merry Maiden’s
Stone Circle, also known as Dawn's Men (a
corruption of the Cornish Dans Maen or "Stone
Dance"), a late neolithic stone circle. This complete
circle is comprised of nineteen granite megaliths.
Restored in the 1860s, this 78-foot perfect circle is
Cornwall's pride and joy. Each of the nineteen stones
is about 4 feet high, and evenly spaced at about 12
ft. intervals. There is a 20 ft. gap located at the east, which may indicate an astronomically-related
entrance to the circle. To the south is another stone, giving the system a north-south orientation.
The local myth about the creation of the stones is that nineteen
maidens were turned into stone as punishment for dancing on a
Sunday. The pipers, two megaliths some distance north-east of the
circle, are said to be the petrified remains of the musicians who played
for the dancers. A more detailed story explains why the Pipers are so
far from the Maidens: Apparently the two pipers heard the church clock
in St Buryan strike midnight, realized they were breaking the sabbath,
and started to run up the hill away from the maidens who carried on
dancing without accompaniment. These petrifaction legends are often
associated with stone circles, and is reflected in the folk names of some of the nearby sites, for
example, the Tregeseal Dancing Stones, the Nine Maidens of Boskednan, as well as the more distant
Hurlers and Pipers on Bodmin Moor.
We’ll also take time here for a group meditation facilitated by Michael and Andrea.
We then drive to the fishing village of Mousehole for a short stop for tea or coffee. Then we visit
Boscawen-Un stone circle. The name is Cornish, containing the syllables bod (farmstead) and
scawen (old tree). The suffix Un denotes an adjacent pasture. Therefore
the name translates as “the pasture of the farmstead at the old tree”. The
stone circle, which is elliptical, consists of a central standing stone encircled
by 19 other stones, including 18 made of gray granite and one of bright
quartz. The position of the quartz stone in the southwest may indicate the
likely direction of the full moon during the solstice. At the northeastern edge
of the stone circle are two stones in the ground, one of which has an axe
petroglyph, engravings are unique in the United Kingdom. There is a wide
gap in the west of the circle, which suggests the loss of stones. However
this gap may represent, as with the nearby Merry Maidens, an entrance.
The central stone has a strong inclination to the north-east; the tip is only
slightly above the ground. Some researchers believe that the central stone embodies the phallic male
principle and the quartz stone represents the female powers of the ring. We’ll take some time for
individual meditation to commune with the ancient energies which are still very palpable here.
Our next stop is the well-preserved Iron Age village of Carn Euny,
among the best preserved in the south west, occupied from the Iron
Age until late Roman times. Here we enjoy our picnic lunch before
visiting the site. It includes the foundations of stone houses, and an
intriguing 'fogou' underground passage.
The first traces of settlement on the site date from the 5th century
BC. For some 500 years, the village was formed of relatively simple
Iron Age 'round houses'. These have now completely disappeared with only the circular drainage gullies and postholes surviving, to be
excavated by archaeologists in the 1960s.
As part of this early settlement, a remarkable underground stone
chamber with an entrance passage was built. This distinct type of
monument, found only in the far west of Cornwall, is known as a
'fogou', deriving from the Cornish word 'ogo' meaning cave. What is
a Fogou? The original function of the fogou is unclear. It may have
been used as a place of refuge, or perhaps as a cellar for cold
storage. Alternatively the presence of certain features, such as the
niche at the back of the chamber, point to some kind of ritual
significance. The Fogou was extended and rebuilt in three different
phases during the Iron Age and Romano-British Period. It’s
important to note that when the first part of the fogou was built, it was the only stone structure at the
site. This suggests that whatever the purpose of the fogou, it must have been of overwhelming
importance to the community for them to expend so much of their resources on its construction. These
enigmatic underground chambers, thousands of years old, have a powerful atmosphere even today.
Here, in the silent interior, take some time to meditate; maybe its secrets will ever be revealed to you.
Then we’re off to visit Sancreed Holy Well. As with Madron Well, this water source in the village of
Sancreed pre-dates Christianity, though traditional rituals and reverence did not diminish in the
Christian world; visits for sacred ritual and healing passed from association with pagan spirits to saints,
which in this case is St Credan. The well lay forgotten and obscured by thicket for a long time until
rediscovered by the vicar of Sancreed in the late 19th century.
Located a one minute walk west of the Church, the water now normally surfaces below ground level
and is accessed by descending several granite steps into a magical fern and moss lined cavern, some
of the moss being phosphorescent. However, it does sometime surge and overflow down a surface
stone channel. Again similarly to Madron, Sancreed Well has a neighboring baptistry or chapel. A
simple rectangular ruin, it contains a 15th century carved stone amongst its verdant undergrowth. A
Celtic cross was also erected on the site in 1910.
Pilgrims seeking healing would come here, perform bathing rituals and, like at
Madron Well, they would tie a rag torn from their clothing to nearby trees, awaiting
the same results and healing. Inside the grotto-like entrance a variety of offerings
can also often be found, such as flowers.
The entrance to the granite passage faces south and so, at certain points in the
calendar, the sun shines directly onto the water. Paul Devereux explored Sancreed
Well regarding energy and radiation and in his 1990 book recorded levels 200%
higher than the surrounding area, suggesting that could have some bearing on
visionary activity here.
Here Michael and Andrea will facilitate a sacred ceremony.
We make a stop in St. Just for afternoon refreshment. Then we’re
on to the nearby Ballowall Barrow Chamber and Cairn on the
West Penwith coastline overlooking Cape Cornwall. In a spectacular
cliff-edge position, this unique Bronze Age tomb had a long and
complex history as a sacred site. One of the largest and most
complex of the prehistoric funerary monuments in this area, it was
likely built to provide striking shrines or tombs for the dead. Also
known as Carn Gluze Barrow, it was first excavated in 1878 by
William Copeland Borlase, when it was discovered under mining
debris. We’ll take time to wander through this ancient site making
our individual connections with the Ancient Ones.
In the later afternoon we return to Penzance and our hotel. Take some time to rest before we gather for
our dinner on your own with the group tonight. More time for sharing our day’s experiences.
Or, there’s the possibility of taking in a performance at the nearby famous cliff-top open air Minack
Theater. Although the plays themselves are not exactly Broadway or West end standard the setting
and atmosphere, if you get a nice evening are totally amazing. An evening trip there to see a play can
be a memorable experience! (We would have to book in advance, a few weeks ahead. The June 2013
schedule won’t be out until later this year. Once you register, if you’re interested in this opportunity, let
us know and we’ll give you the information once it becomes available. We could take a picnic supper to
enjoy before the show. http://www.minack.com)
Overnight Penzance. The Lugger Hotel.
Day 12. Thursday, July 4. Lanyon Quoit Dolmen; Mên-an-Tol Standing Stones;
St. Ives; Wistmans Wood; Dartmoor; To Glastonbury (B)
We check out of our hotel and leave this morning to return to Glastonbury. We make a brief stop at
Lanyon Quoit dolmen, one of the best-known of Cornwall's
ancient monuments, dating from the Neolithic period (35002500BCE). In the 18th century, the structure was tall enough for
a person on horseback to stand under. The capstone rested at 7
ft. high with dimensions of 9 ft. by 17.5 ft., weighing 13.5 tons.
The monument is thought to be a burial chamber; perhaps a
mausoleum. On October 19, 1815, the dolmen was torn down
by a storm. Nine years later enough money was raised by local
inhabitants to re-erect the structure. During the storm one of the
uprights was broken in half. Thus, there are only three uprights today and the structure does not stand
as high as it once did.
Before the collapse of the structure, it was said to be aligned with the cardinal directions, which gives
historians and archaeologists reason to believe that Lanyon and other quoits in the area were used as
ritual funeral sites. It's possible that bodies were laid on top of the capstone to be eaten by carrion
birds. Similar sites show evidence of bones from several individuals, and it's thought that bones were
moved to sites such as Lanyon and used in rituals, perhaps involving attempts to communicate with
ancestors and the spirit world. Will the Ancestors speak to you here?
We continue to nearby Mên-an-Tol Standing Stones. One translation of the Cornish name is “stone
with a hole”; another is the “devil’s eye”. Its age in uncertain but it is usually assigned to the Bronze
Age, between 3000-4000 years ago. There are actually four
stones here: one fallen, two uprights, and between these a circular
one, about 4 ft. in diameter that’s pierced by a hole about half its
size. An old plan of Mên-an-Tol shows that originally the three
main stones stood in a triangle. They could be the remains of a
Neolithic tomb; holed stones have served as entrances to burial
chambers. It's also possible that they were part of some ancient
calendar. The circular stone aligns exactly with the center stone
at Boscawen-Un, another nearby Bronze age stone circle, as well
as the church at nearby St Buryan. While this may conceivably be coincidental, the precision of the
alignment suggests an intentional positioning of the structures in relation to each other.
Holed stones are found in many parts of British Isles as well as in other countries of the world; together
with holy wells they have retained the ideas and customs associated with them more tenaciously than
any other type of ancient sites. Beliefs connected with them are remarkably similar from the Orkneys to
the far west of Cornwall. Traditional rituals at Mên-an-Tol involved
passing naked children three times through the holed stone and then
drawing them along the grass three times in an easterly direction.
This was thought to cure a form of tuberculosis, as well as rickets.
Adults seeking relief from rheumatism, spine troubles or ague were
advised to crawl through the hole nine times against the sun.
According to nineteenth-century folklorist Robert Hunt the holed stone
also had prophetic qualities. It was believed that if two brass pins are
carefully laid across each other on the top edge of the stone, any
question put to the rock would be answered by the pins acquiring,
through some unknown agency, a peculiar motion. Another local
legend claims that if at full moon a woman passes through the holed
stone seven times backwards, she will soon become pregnant.
Michael and Andrea and will facilitate a meditation here to connect with the energies of this ancient
sacred site.
We depart to the artists’ town of St Ives for lunch on your
own with the group and a bit of free time for individual
exploration of some of the many art galleries. St Ives is well
known from the nursery rhyme and riddle "As I was going to
St Ives", although it is not clear whether the rhyme refers to
the Cornish town or one of several other places called St
Ives. Tate St Ives, part of the Tate Gallery in London, is a
stunning building with a varying exhibition of local and
national works, well worth a visit.
Then we’re off to the prehistoric enchanted Wistmans Wood on Dartmoor, which is an area of moorland
in south Devon that is a National Park covering 368 square miles. The moorland is capped with many
exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for wildlife. The highest point is High
Willhays, 2,037 ft above sea level. The entire area is rich in antiquities and archaeology.
Wistman's Wood is one of three remote copses of stunted oaks
on Dartmoor. A rare relict example of the ancient high-level
woodlands of Dartmoor, and because of this it has been a Site
of Special Scientific Interest since 1964, as well as a Nature
Conservation site. Its name probably derives from Wisht-man's
wood, the vernacular word wisht meaning pixie-led or haunted.
The wood consists mainly of stunted English oak trees that grow
from between moss-covered boulders and are festooned with
epiphytic mosses, lichens and ferns. There are also some
rowan, holly and willow trees.
Legend has it that Wistman's Wood was a sacred grove of the Druid's and it was here that they held
there pagan rituals. The huge boulder in the title picture above has become known as 'The Druid's
Stone', otherwise called the 'Buller Stone'. Sometimes the small ghost of a dog called 'Jumbo' can be
seen scurrying around the rocks and boulders in search of rabbits. At nights, the plaintive cries of the
little terrier can be heard echoing down through the valley below. History has it that the poor dog died in
the wood, from what nobody is sure but there is a strong possibility that it was from an adder bite.
Some people say that the small oak trees never
produce acorns but on the other hand people
also say that if you carry an acorn from the
Druid's Grove it will protect from rheumatism.
Near to the northern edge of the wood is the
ancient Lych Way or 'Way of the Dead'. It was
along this track that the corpses were carried for
burial at Lydford. There have been reports of a ghostly procession of monastic looking men dressed in
white habits slowly walking by the oak wood in sombre silence. For centuries Wistman's Wood has
been the inspiration for numerous artists and poets and a whole plethora of paintings, etchings and
poems have been produced.
We arrive Glastonbury in the early evening and check into our B and
B’s. You have free time. If you’re not too tired, maybe you’d like to
climb The Tor this evening for one last visit. Dinner on your own.
Overnight Glastonbury. Pilgrims B and B or Jasmine
Cottage.
Day 13. Friday, July 5. Stonehenge Private Entrance; Salisbury Cathedral (B/D)
We depart early morning to Stonehenge. (Bagged breakfast provided.) There is much debate as to the
age of Stonehenge, as well as who built it. History says that the site
was begun in the agricultural Neolithic Age and was completed in
the Early Bronze Age by early Britons known as the Beaker Folk, so
called because of beakers, drinking vessels, found in their grave
goods. Around 1500 BCE some disaster or systems collapse
progressively brought the impressive Megalithic Age to an end, not
only here, but throughout the whole of Britain and Ireland. Although
we can never know exactly who the architects were who planned
Stonehenge, the face sculptured into the side of trilithon stone 54
does give us cause to wonder if he or she was so influential that
his/her facial features were placed here to be preserved forever as a representation of the Divine
Marriage, the concept of Sacred Marriage between an Earth Mother and Sky Father, that was universal
in early or primitive agricultural and Goddess-oriented societies. Those who are sensitive to this
massive temple claim that the megalithic blocks are constantly
radiating tremendous amounts of energy. Some say it is because
the ancient Druids turned themselves into the stones, while others
assert that they hold the power of innumerable Druid ceremonies
held there in the past.
We enter for our private entrance inside the circle. Andrea,
Michael and Lynne will facilitate a ritual and meditation among
the magical stones and their powerful energies. What ancient
secrets will be revealed to you? What will be your Gift of Spirit that
you will receive? Open your heart, mind, and soul…and receive!
Afterwards we drive to Salisbury for a second breakfast on your
own with the group at a wonderful medieval café located right in the
heart of the city. Then we'll have visit Salisbury Cathedral. For
over 750 years pilgrims have come to Salisbury to seek inspiration
in the glory and peace of the building and surrounding Cathedral
Close. Take a guided tour, wander about on your own to be awed
by the beauty and scale of the cathedral interior or climb up to
Britain's tallest spire. There’s also a Black Madonna here. And don't
forget to view the original Magna Carta in the Chapter House!
We return to Glastonbury later morning. You have free time for the rest of the morning and early
afternoon to explore more on your own. Lunch on your own. Perhaps visit some of the area's sacred
sites and power spots you've not made it to yet. OR revisit those that have you have been particularly
drawn to. More gifts of Spirit await you today as you take time to make your lasting connections in
Avalon.
In the later afternoon we gather at Pilgrim’s B and B for our final Sharing Circle. Afterwards we walk to
a nearby restaurant for our Farewell Dinner, where we
Day 14. Saturday, July 6. Return to Heathrow; Depart England (B)
AM: Morning group transfer to airport. (Please do not book your flight to depart before noon. Thank
you.)
NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
Your Sacred Sites Journey to ENGLAND Includes:
- Roundtrip group transfers between Heathrow International Airport and Bed and Breakfasts in
Glastonbury (Note: If you do not fly into Heathrow and/or do not meet the group for the transfers, then
you are responsible to make your own arrangements for this transportation to and from your B and B.
SSJ can give you a quote for these extra services after you register if you would like for us to arrange
this for you.)
- Accommodations in First Class Bed & Breakfasts, including daily breakfast (vegetarian available)
- Welcome and Farewell Dinners (vegetarian available)
- Sightseeing tours as per itinerary, including entrance fees
- Escorted on arrival at London Heathrow Airport by Sacred Sites Journeys Director Andrea MikanaPinkham
- Pre-Paid Gratuities for driver, guide, waiters at group meals, etc.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Travel in a smaller group of other spirit-centered people
- Spiritual Tour Guide: Michael Orchard
- Ceremonialist: Lynne Orchard, Priestess of Avalon
- Ceremonies, initiations & meditations at sacred sites facilitated by Michael & Lynne Orchard and
Andrea Mikana-Pinkham
- Private group entrance at Stonehenge for sacred ceremony and meditation
- Private group entrance into the Well House at the White Spring at the Chalice Well
- Initiation into the Mysteries of Avalon facilitated by Lynne Orchard, Priestess of Avalon, at the
Glastonbury Goddess Temple
- Glastonbury Tor and the Chalice Well
- Avebury UNESCO World Heritage Site, including Avebury and Silbury Hill
- Possible crop circle sightings
- Paranormal activity investigation with long-time local researchers
- Tintagel Area: Arthur’s Hall of Chivalry; Tintagel Castle; Merlin's Cave (dependent on tides); St
Nectan’s Glen; Boscastle Witchcraft Museum; Minster Church
- Land’s End Area: St. Michael’s Mount; Chyauster Ancient Village; Madron Holy Well
Merry Maidens Stone Circle; The Pipers Menhirs; Mousehole Village; Boscawen Un Stone Circle; Carn
Euny Prehistoric Village; Sancreed Holy Well, Ballowall Barrow Chamber & Cairn; Lanyon Quoit
Dolmen; Mên-an-Tol Standing Stones
- St. Ives
- Dartmoor Area: Wistmans Wood
- - Free time in Glastonbury to explore on your own
- Welcome and Farewell Dinners
NOT INCLUDED:
- Roundtrip international flight to England (Arrive/Depart London Heathrow Airport)
- Meals not included, as indicated in the itinerary
- Cost to obtain valid passport
- Any items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, internet access and telephone calls. Any item
that is not specifically detailed on the Sacred Sites Journeys website or final trip itinerary
888 501- 3853 (toll free in the US) or 928 284-2384
[email protected]
ENGLAND: Sacred Sites, Crop Circles and The Paranormal
June 23 – July 6, 2013
TOUR PRICING
This tour is LAND ONLY. You are responsible to book your international flights to and from
London, England. Please see the information in the itinerary regarding the requested times to
arrive and depart from Heathrow International Airport.
DISCOUNT! Make ALL of your payments by check or money order and receive a 5% discount! This
discount is INCLUDED in the price below listed for this payment option.
Per Person, double occupancy, land only:
TO BE POSTED SOON
Single Room Supplement:
TO BE POSTED SOON
NOTE Regarding Credit Cards: We are able to take credit cards for payment until 45 days before the tour
begins, or before May 9, 2013. After that you can pay with a credit card check, bank cashier's check, or money
order. Or wire funds to our bank account (additional $25.00 fee applies for wires originating from outside the
U.S.).
Our 2013 Sacred Sites Journey to ENGLAND group participation is open to 12 people. At Pilgrims B and B
there are four twin-bedded rooms and one triple-bedded room. We have two single rooms available at Jasmine
Cottage B and B; these will be assigned to the first two people to register for them. All rooms at Pilgrims are
ensuite; one room at Jasmine Cottage is en-suite and the other is with a bath shared by one other room.
ROOMMATES: Would you like to meet and make a new friend on your journey? If you're not traveling on the
journey with anyone you know, and would like for SSJ to try to match you up with a suitable roommate, we'll be
happy to try to do so. Per our Terms and Conditions, we will hold the registration for the trip open until 30 days
before the departure date (or later if possible) in order to try to match you with someone. If by that date we have
not been able to do so, and there is no one to share your room, you will be responsible to pay for the single
supplement. If you would like to be matched with a roommate, please register early.
TO REGISTER, please use the form below.
We suggest you keep a copy of the Registration Form and the Terms/Conditions for your records.
928 284-2384 or 928 814-0773
Toll Free in the US: 888 501-3853
www.SacredSitesJourneys.com [email protected]
REGISTRATION FORM
June 23 – July 6, 2013
Please complete and sign this form and mail it to the address above
with your non-refundable deposit of $350.00.
Payment must be made via personal check, bank cashier’s check,
postal money order (US Only – see below), bank wire or credit card.
PAYMENT VIA CHECK or MONEY ORDER:
IMPORTANT: Please make payable to “Heartlight Fellowship”
(Heartlight Fellowship is the Administrator of Sacred Sites Journeys)
Checks not made out in this name will not be accepted by our bank & will be returned to you to replace,
and could thus jeopardize your reservations.
NOTE: For registrations from outside the US:
We can accept personal checks or bank cashier’s checks only. (Sorry, no postal money orders).
Checks must be drawn in US Dollars and on a bank that has an affiliate bank in the US,
and the name of the affiliate bank must appear on the check.
PAYMENT VIA CREDIT CARD:
If you would like to use your credit card to pay for your tour, please use the form provided below.
No credit cards accepted after May 9, 2013.
PAYMENT VIA BANK WIRE:
You may wire funds to our bank account. (Details to be provided through email; please contact us.)
(An additional $25.00 bank wire fee applies for wires sent from outside the U.S.)
FINAL PAYMENTS:
Final payment is due 60 days prior to the beginning of the journey, on April 24, 2013.
If you are registering after that date, please remit your payment in full.
Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________
NOTE: The name you use must be exactly as it appears, or will appear, on your passport. If you do not have a
passport when registering, please complete this registration form and mail it to us now. You can provide Sacred
Sites Journeys with your passport information when you receive it.
Passport number ________________________________________ Country of Issue ______________________
Issue Date __________________ Exp. Date________________ Date of Birth ___________________________
Place of Birth _________________________________ Profession ____________________________________
Mailing Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________________ State ______ Zip ________ Country _________________
Phone (Day) ______________________________________ Phone (Eve) _______________________________
E-mail: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Sex: Male ______ Female ______
___________ I would like single occupancy. (Note: There are two single rooms available at Jasmine Cottage
B and B. SSJ will assign them to the first two people to register for this rooming option.)
___________
I
would
like
double
occupancy,
and
have
a
roommate.
My
roommate
is
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Roommate Phone (Day) ________________________Roommate Phone (Evening) ________________________
Roommate E-mail: ___________________________________________________________________________
If your roommate is not sending in their registration at the same time as you are, please indicate when Sacred
Sites Journeys can expect their registration: _______________________________________________________
___________ I would like double occupancy, but do not have a roommate. I understand that Sacred Sites
Journeys will try to match me with a suitable roommate. I further understand that if by 30 days before the
departure date, SSJ has not been able to find me a roommate, that I will be responsible to pay the single
supplement fee before the tour departure date.
___________ I understand that Sacred Sites Journeys highly recommends purchase of Trip Cancellation
Insurance. I understand that a trip insurance pamphlet and acknowledgement/waiver form will be provided to me
with my registration packet documents that will be sent to me after my payment is received by SSJ.
I do ___ do not____ don’t know at this time ____ plan to purchase trip insurance.
__________ I do not have any physical limitations that require special attention. If you do, please attach details
on a separate sheet. Most situations can be accommodated, but we must know beforehand in order to make
arrangements. There may be additional costs involved.
________ I require the following special diet:
I understand that some or all payments made may be forfeited, based on my cancellation of this program as
detailed within the “Terms and Conditions” included with this Registration Form. Should this trip be cancelled
by Sacred Sites Journeys, all payments received will be refunded.
My signature below affirms that I have read and completely understand the Tour Itinerary as described in the Tour
Brochure, as well as Information and Conditions as stated in the “Terms and Conditions” provided herein and
agree to all of the contents therein.
Signature_______________________________________________________ Date_______________________
NOTE: A separate Registration is required for each traveler.
We suggest you photocopy this for your records.
888 501- 3853 (Toll Free in the US) or 928 284-2384
[email protected]
June 23 – July 6, 2013
CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION FORM
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD: Please fill out and sign the form below, and
return it with your registration.
SACRED SITES JOURNEYS accepts American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover
FOR THOSE REGISTERING BEFORE APRIL 24, 2013:
CREDIT CARD INFO & AUTHORIZATION TO CHARGE REGISTRATION DEPOSIT:
I, _________________________________________, do hereby authorize Sacred Sites Journeys to submit a one
time charge for my registration deposit to my Credit Card.
Credit Card Type: _________________________ Expiration Date: _______________ Security Code: ______
Credit Card #: ______________________________________________________________________________
Name as it appears on card: ___________________________________________________________________
Billing Address for card: ______________________________________________________________________
Phone Number of record for card: ______________________________________________________________
Amount to be charged: $350.00
Signature _____________________________________________________ Date ______________________
FOR THOSE REGISTERING AFTER APRIL 24 but BEFORE MAY 9, 2013:
CREDIT CARD INFO & AUTHORIZATION TO CHARGE PAYMENT IN FULL:
I, _________________________________________, do hereby authorize Sacred Sites Journeys to submit a one
time charge for my registration deposit to my Credit Card.
Credit Card Type: _________________________ Expiration Date: _______________ Security Code: ______
Credit Card #: ______________________________________________________________________________
Name as it appears on card: ___________________________________________________________________
Billing Address for card: ______________________________________________________________________
Phone Number of record for card: ______________________________________________________________
Amount to be charged: _______________________________________________________________________
Signature _______________________________________________ Date _______________________
928 284-2384 or 928 814-0773
Toll Free in the US: 888 501-3853
www.SacredSitesJourneys.com [email protected]
Terms and Conditions
Reservations and Payments: Reservations and Payments: A non-refundable deposit of $350.00 per person,
along with a completed and signed application must be submitted with the reservation to confirm the trip.
Final payment for all tours is required 60 days prior to departure. If you would like to join the group after
that date, lodging accommodations will be on request. SSJ will notify you if space is available. You will also be
responsible to pay a late booking fee of $100.00 for any reservations that are made after 30 days before
departure. Immediate payment in full for all tour package pricing and additional late booking fees will be required
via bank wire transfer, certified bank check or money order mailed Priority or Overnight Delivery before any
reservations are made. An early registration assures you of your place on the tour. Therefore, we highly
recommend that you submit your registration deposit as early as possible to avoid disappointment and/or
additional fees.
Cancellations and Refunds:
Days Prior to Departure
Cancellation Fee
Registration Deposit
Non-refundable upon submission
60 – 0 days before departure
Final payments are 100% non-refundable
SSJ highly recommends trip interruption/trip cancellation insurance. See Insurance Protection Plan section
below.
Credit card payment: Sacred Sites Journeys accepts American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover.
Sacred Sites Journeys is able to accept credit cards for payment up until 45 days before the tour departure date.
After that you can pay with a credit card check, bank cashier's check, or money order. Or wire funds to our bank
account (additional $25.00 bank wire fee applies for wires originating from outside the U.S.).
Tour Pricing: SACRED SITES JOURNEYS offers a 5% discount on the published Tour Price if ALL
payments are made by check or money order. This discount is included in the pricing listed on our website for
this payment option.
Possible Cancellation Due to Lack of Participation: Should the trip fail to achieve minimum participation, SSJ
reserves the right to cancel the tour, and SSJ will refund in full all payments received. Please note that in all of our
years of operating tours to England, this has never happened.
Possible Tour Surcharge: The advertised cost for this Sacred Sites Journey is based on an established minimum
level of participation, as noted on the “Tour Pricing” page of this document. If the final number traveling in the
group falls below this number, in order to keep from having to cancel your trip, SSJ will issue a surcharge. This
amount will merely be the difference in fixed costs for the different group sizes, and no commissions for SSJ will
be included. SSJ makes every effort not to have to enact a surcharge; but if we do, we keep it as small as possible.
If assessed a surcharge, you will be notified of the amount as soon as the tour registration is closed. Payment is
due upon notification, and must be received in our office immediately in order for your final tour documents to be
emailed or mailed to you in a timely manner. If your payment arrives at such a date that SSJ has to mail your
documents to you with expedited service, you will be responsible to pay for these costs.
Required Tour Documents: A valid passport must be held by each passenger.
Accommodations: Based on twin-bedded or triple-bedded rooms, with ensuite bath or shower at Pilgrims B and
B and one ensuite room and one shared bath room at Jasmine Cottage B and B. You are assigned
accommodations as the guest of the facility selected. The tour operator reserves the right to substitute B and B’s
of similar category.
Meals: Meals will be provided as per the trip itinerary. Any foods or beverages not included in the program and
purchased by you will be at additional cost. Tour price includes only foods and beverages that are provided to the
entire group.
Sight-seeing: As specified in itinerary. Entrance fees are included.
Land transportation: As specified, by modern air-conditioned (where required) coaches.
Not Included: Roundtrip international air to London Heathrow Airport, England. And items of a personal nature
such as laundry, drinks, internet access, and telephone calls, as well as any item that is not specifically detailed in
the trip itinerary.
Consumer Disclosure Notice: SSJ and/or their agents act only in capacity as agents for the passenger in all
matters connected with hotel accommodations, sight-seeing tours and transportation, whether by air, rail, bus,
motorcar, boat or any other means and as agent holds itself free of responsibility for any damage occasioned by
any cause. SSJ and or its agents will not be responsible for any damages, expenses or inconveniences caused by
late departures or change of schedule, strikes or to their conditions, nor will be responsible for loss or damage to
baggage or any of the passenger’s belongings. All prices quoted are correct at time of brochure printing, include
the cost of operation of the tours, and are subject to currency exchange rate and airfare changes. SSJ, its parent
corporation and affiliates, officers, employees, servants and agents shall not be responsible for personal injury,
death or property damage as a result of force majeure or for any other losses or damages incurred by any person
or tour participants caused by any delay or change of itinerary or arising out of any act, including, but not limited
to, any act of negligence, any person acting for or on behalf of SSJ for transportation, accommodation or sightseeing provider or any other person or entity rendering any of these services or accommodations being offered in
connection with these tours. Any dispute arising out of these tours, must be submitted in writing within 30 days of
the completion of the tour and will be settled by arbitration within the State of Arizona.
Insurance Protection Plan: We strongly recommend TRAVEL INSURANCE to protect against cancellation
fees and additional travel expenses that may incur before, after or during the trip. With your reservation
confirmation, will send information about insurance coverage.

Sacred Sites Journeys

Transcription

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