News from the Well

Whenever we come together in community to celebrate wheel of the year fire festivals, we are always aware of the importance of this living sanctuary. We give thanks for the constant flow of these blessed waters that have welcomed people for so many years.

Our Gatherings for Winter Solstice, Imbolc and Spring Equinox have been full of joy, hope and love.

Spring Equinox

Caroline Glazebrook writes:

At the still point of balance and harmony, vibrant spring flowers, joyful yellows of abundant daffodils and the sacred Chalice Well water, were shining with unfailing renewal, new growth, and constant flow.

From a booklet entitled “On the Eve of a Spiritual Renaissance” written by Wellesley Tudor Pole, founder of The Chalice Well Trust:

“Do not let ourselves become depressed if from time to time the burden of individual life seems to have become almost intolerable. The Christ Light is never far away if we did but know it. The Light is within us all waiting to release its radiance through our silent stillness. Therefore never be dismayed, always remembering those inspired words of Heddewick Browne: Hope on, Hope on Your eyes fixed on the goal, The issue lies in your own conquering soul. The while you strive; learn to be still and wait, Know, he who masters self has mastered fate. Hope on”

Imbolc

How beautiful to gather together at the Wellhead to celebrate the awakening of the earth, the awakening of our dreams and the awakening to love. There was a softness about the gentle energies of Imbolc, as the snowdrops flourish and these sacred waters flow. We blended the waters of the Red and White Springs and filled them with all of our wishes and prayers during the meditation, before offering them to the Well and sending them out into the world. Thank you to Nik from the White Spring for being part of our ceremony. And so much gratitude to everyone who joined us at the Well.

Winter Solstice

At our Winter Solstice fire ceremony we gathered to share in the energies of joy, abundance, new blessings and love that were as clear as the returning sunrays shining on our meditation and Solstice Fire Ceremony.

Tom Bree shared his expert knowledge of sacred geometry with us as we marked out a perfect Cretan Labyrinth, ready for the inward journey of transformation and rebirththe themes of Winter Solstice. It was created with love of this sacred land, ready for everyone to walk on Wednesday 21 December as part of our Winter Solstice Gathering.

Our livestream wellhead meditations on our Facebook page welcome everyone who joins us virtually from all around the world. It is a beautiful bridge of connection for unity consciousness. Facebook.com/thechalicewell

Ark and Dave

Ark Redwood, our wonderful Head Gardener, retired on 7 February after 23 years at Chalice Well. Ark’s legacy is so evident in the garden with so many things he has planted over the last 23 years. Ark says his favourite plant is the Silver Birch by Berry Corner and says, ‘My heart is filled with a love for the spirit of the whole place. Chalice Well is special and we are in service to it.’

We are now delighted to welcome Dave Balian to Chalice Well as the new Head Gardener. Dave says:

“I’m inheriting a lifetime of plant understanding and knowledge that goes from one corner of the garden to the other. The maturity of this garden has been brought about by constant attention to detail. It is multi-layered and multi-dimensional and the people who’ve worked here for many years haven’t just invested their gardening expertise, they’ve invested their spiritual wealth here. So it’s imbued with a sense of spiritual purpose that everyone who comes sees and feels that. I’m a no-kill gentle gardener and I’ve applied that understanding my whole gardening life. I think part of the reason that I’ve been invited in here is because the beings have understood the love that I put in.”

We wish Ark a truly happy retirement with enormous gratitude for an outstanding contribution to the Well.

The Heart of the Well Retreat 2023

The Heart of the Well retreat for this year is taking place from 17th-19th November. All enquiries for booking your place please contact Chalice Well office. Take time out to sink into the deep peace and joy of Chalice Well and learn more about the story of this living sanctuary.

And finally for this issue we are pleased to announce the second edition of the Chalice Well book ‘Chalice Well – The Story of a Living Sanctuary’ with copious new photographs and updates to the text.

There will be more information on-line about this and on the shop website.