Things to do and places to see in Glastonbury:
The Glastonbury Tercentennial Labyrinth
Photo: Sig Lonegren
The Glastonbury Tercentennial Labyrinth resides in the churchyard of St John the Baptist on the High Street. It is a grass labyrinth of the classical seven circuit design: its path delineated by blue lias stonework, a local stone present in Glastonbury Tor.
Laid down in 2007, the labyrinth was very much a communal creation. Students from St Dunstan’s school had dug the trenches under the supervision of a local builder and many people from all walks of life and spiritual persuasions volunteered their time to help in its construction. Many local residents helped to finance the project, including bookshops, organisations, and Glastonbury Town council.
The Labyrinth came into being by the determined efforts of Sig Lonegren, Glastonbury geomancer and author. It was proposed in 2002 that a labyrinth be constructed to mark the 300th year of this very important event in the history of Glastonbury. To this end a committee was set up including among others the town’s mayor, the vicar and the curate of St John’s the Baptist, and Sig, who took on the role of co-ordinator. Several sites were chosen in succession and permission gained from appropriate authorities, but then were turn down on objection from residents living adjacent to the sites. Just when it seemed that the project would never get off the ground, the Reverend Maxine Marsh had the idea to ask her congregation about building it in the churchyard. After an illustrated talk on labyrinths from Sig, they gave their approval. Once constructed, the labyrinth was blessed in a simple and meaningful ceremony, which wove Christian and Celtic symbolism in the blessing of the four quarters. All are welcome to experience the labyrinth during the opening hours of the church.
For more on experiencing labyrinths, click here…
Laid down in 2007, the labyrinth was very much a communal creation. Students from St Dunstan’s school had dug the trenches under the supervision of a local builder and many people from all walks of life and spiritual persuasions volunteered their time to help in its construction. Many local residents helped to finance the project, including bookshops, organisations, and Glastonbury Town council.
The Labyrinth came into being by the determined efforts of Sig Lonegren, Glastonbury geomancer and author. It was proposed in 2002 that a labyrinth be constructed to mark the 300th year of this very important event in the history of Glastonbury. To this end a committee was set up including among others the town’s mayor, the vicar and the curate of St John’s the Baptist, and Sig, who took on the role of co-ordinator. Several sites were chosen in succession and permission gained from appropriate authorities, but then were turn down on objection from residents living adjacent to the sites. Just when it seemed that the project would never get off the ground, the Reverend Maxine Marsh had the idea to ask her congregation about building it in the churchyard. After an illustrated talk on labyrinths from Sig, they gave their approval. Once constructed, the labyrinth was blessed in a simple and meaningful ceremony, which wove Christian and Celtic symbolism in the blessing of the four quarters. All are welcome to experience the labyrinth during the opening hours of the church.
For more on experiencing labyrinths, click here…
More places to visit in Glastonbury
Bride's Mound | Chalice Well & Gardens | The Church of St John the Baptist | Glastonbury Abbey |
The Glastonbury Experience Courtyard | Glastonbury Goddess Temple | Glastonbury Thorn |
Gog & Magog | Lake Village Museum | Library of Avalon | St. Margaret's Chapel & the
Magdalene Almshouses | Somerset Rural Life Museum | Ponter's Ball |
The Glastonbury Tercentennial Labyrinth | Glastonbury Tor | Wearyall Hill | White Spring |
The Glastonbury Experience Courtyard | Glastonbury Goddess Temple | Glastonbury Thorn |
Gog & Magog | Lake Village Museum | Library of Avalon | St. Margaret's Chapel & the
Magdalene Almshouses | Somerset Rural Life Museum | Ponter's Ball |
The Glastonbury Tercentennial Labyrinth | Glastonbury Tor | Wearyall Hill | White Spring |