Guest Author - Karyn Johnson

When I visited Glastonbury seven years ago, I was completely amazed by the mystical nature of the place. It is, after all, famous as the Isle of Avalon in Arthurian legend. The ancient Tor stands majestically on a hill overlooking the city, and the ruined abbey is an interesting place to explore. Arthur and Guinevere are rumored to be buried here, and Jesus himself was said to have visited here. Joseph of Arimathaea built a church here and as tradition has it, hid the Holy Grail somewhere within it. It is these aspects of Glastonbury that draw pilgrims by the thousands to this sacred place.

Glastonbury Abbey claims to be the oldest above ground Christian church in the world. The building of the old church was believed to have begun around 63 AD. Throughout the years, splendid additions and renovations were made, including the still-intact Abbot's kitchen. In 1539, the abbey fell prey to Henry VIII, in an act known as the Dissolution of Monasteries. Glastonbury was ransacked and all the goods were either sold or added to the King's treasury. The abbey was left to rot.

The Glastonbury Tor is another draw, and probably the most obvious site to visitors, as it sits atop a huge hill and can be seen for miles. Mythically, it is home to Gwyn ap Nudd, King of the Fairies and Lord of the Underworld, and is home to the fairy folk. At one time, a church was located at the Tor, but it was destroyed in an earthquake in the late 13th century. A smaller church was built on the site, and then closed and quarried for stone after the abbey was abandoned. The Tor, however, remained standing through it all and is now under the care of the National Trust. It's revered as both a pagan and a Christian site, but its origins are pre-Christian. An elaborate labyrinth surrounds the tour, although its purpose can only be speculated upon.

Aside from the Tor and the abbey, Glastonbury is also full of small, funky shops. It is known as a place of healing, and the practitioners of alternative medicine that set up shop here are renowned. Many of the townspeople live alternative lifestyles, and there is a good mixture of people from all spiritual paths.

One of the other things that put Glastonbury on the map is the Glastonbury Festival, which is held nearly every year at the end of June and attracts thousands of people from all over the world. The festival in the past has included such performers as Paul McCartney, Tori Amos, Van Morrison, Radiohead, REM, Nick Cave, Coldplay and The Killers. But the Glastonbury Festival celebrates the performing arts in general, not just music. Theatre and dance is also performed here. During the festival, Glastonbury is transformed into a tent city, and the town is packed with people from all walks of life.

If you're looking for a spiritual experience, a trip to Glastonbury is definitely in order. I was fortunate enough to spend a few hours there, but I am anxious to go back and let even more of its wonders unfold to me. A visit to Glastonbury is like a visit to another world and another time.