Gothic Image Tours
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Gothic Image 23 May—1 June 2018 An Otherworld journey featuring encounters with From Avalon to Camelot Pamela Colman Smith, Merlin and Arthur A Tarot magic quest through the mists of time with Call in the spirit of Pamela Colman-Smith in rituals in stone cir- cles in her beloved Cornwall. Sense how she felt Mary K. Greer as she created the iconic images in the Waite- With more than ten Smith deck and open to messages she may books and 48 years have for us today. experience in Tarot, Experience the energy of sacred sites and land- Mary K. Greer scapes by following in the footsteps of Merlin, pioneered many of Morgan La Fey and King Arthur. the Tarot reading methods used today, Listen for whispered messages in Merlin’s Cave including reading at Tintagel, at Stonehenge, on the ancient Isle of Tarot for yourself and methods that are Avalon (Glastonbury) and at Avebury. interactive, transformational and On the giant hill fort of Cadbury/Camelot, empowering. She has a deep knowledge of imagine standing under the light of the full moon, waiting to hear the origins of the Waite-Smith deck and a the thunder of hooves as Arthur’s knights ride forth on their next particular interest in ‘Pixie’, the artist, adventure. Pamela Colman-Smith who lived for 30 Take part in a Druid dawn ceremony inside the circle of the pre- years in Cornwall. historic temple of Stonehenge. Linda Marson Through Tarot readings in sacred sites, gain insight into your own spiritual journey...readings whose messages will continue to Professional Tarot unfold for years to come. reader, teacher and author, Linda Deepen your understanding of Tarot in workshops with world- Marson. is the founder renowned Tarot author and teacher, Mary K. Greer of Global Spiritual Itinerary Studies. She likens the Tarot to a GPS, Wednesday 23 May one that helps you Rendezvous at London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4, Arrivals navigate your way Building, 'The Meeting Point' - at NOON. Transfer to coach. Lunch through life. On the tour, she facilitates a en route to Marlborough for overnight stay. Introductory Tarot process for exploring the link between our workshop prior to dinner. inner and outer journeys and for tuning into Thursday 24 May the messages sacred sites and landscapes have for us. We rise before dawn for a pilgrimage to the great temple of Stone- henge where we hold a Druid ritual inside the circle of stones to celebrate Jamie George Beltane, the festival that ushers in the Director of Gothic cycle of summer. We return to the hotel Image Tours, Jamie for breakfast. In the afternoon we visit the George, has been World Heritage Site and sacred land- taking spiritual pilgrims scape of Avebury. The henge, the largest on tours for over 30 stone circle in the world, has an imposing years. ‘It’s been an bank and ditch, and inner stone circles. honour to journey with We visit the largest burial mound in so many interesting Europe - West Kennet long barrow - and and inspiring people, the largest artificial structure in Europe - helping them tune in to the history, mystery the enigmatic Silbury Hill. At these sites, and magic of ancient sacred places, where we are joined by Steve Marshall, whose every site has a story to tell,’ says Jamie. book, Exploring Avebury, reveals, for the ‘What is always a revelation is how people’s first time, the importance of water, light lives are transformed by travelling with and sound in these ancient sites. kindred spirits. When our hearts open to the Overnight in Marlborough numinous and luminous, we open up and become much more at one with ourselves and the land.’ Friday 25 May Today we travel to Glastonbury, the Ancient Isle of Avalon with its intriguing blend of Christianity, Druidry and Arthurian legend. According to tradition, Joseph of Arimathea arrived with his 12 companions in AD37, bringing the Chalice of the Last Supper or the Holy Grail. We visit the beautiful gardens of Chalice Well and drink of the well’s healing waters. Here is the legendary burial place of the Holy Grail. We climb the magnificent Tor hill with its three dimensional labyrinth. In this landscape, the veil between the worlds is thin and we tune into its special energy through Tarot and meditation. Overnight in Glastonbury. Saturday 26 May This morning we visit the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey - the 'Holyest Earthe of England'. The Abbey is said to be King Arthur’s final rest- ing place and a stone in his honour, has been laid in the grounds. The afternoon is free for shopping or just chilling out. Tarot work- shop with Mary Greer before dinner. Overnight in Glastonbury Sunday 27 May This morning we visit the spectacular hill fort known as Cadbury/ Camelot - the likely site of King Arthur's citadel. Here we can see the enormous stone ramparts that surround the hill and walk the perimeter of the 21 hilltop acres that constitute the fort. This became an important defensive site over thousands of years, but its charm lies in its links to the myth and legends of the Arthurian period. Free time in the afternoon. Tarot workshop with Mary Greer before dinner. Overnight in Glastonbury Monday 28 May Today we travel to North Cornwall, to Tintagel, the legendary birth- place of King Arthur. En route we visit the holy well and chapel of the Celtic St Clether, set in a beautiful valley with a bubbling stream and rocky outcrops. A place of rare peace and sanctity. We arrive in Tintagel in the early afternoon. Weather and tide permitting, we explore the ruins of Tintagel Castle, set on an island peninsula amid the rugged Cornish coastline. We descend to the awesome Merlin's Cave, said to be haunted by the spirit of the great sage. We visit the fogou (iron-age underground ceremonial cave) and the King's Inauguration Footprint, set in stone at the highest point of the island. Overnight in Tintagel (Camelot Castle Hotel). Tuesday 29 May This morning we set out early for the enchanted fairy glen of St Nectan with its wonderful waterfall, kieve (initiation bowl), saint's hermitage and chapel. Here is a precious nature site of outstanding beauty. According to legend, King Arthur and his knights found re- freshment here. We then proceed to the lovely little fishing village of Boscastle, home to the Witchcraft Museum which we visit before lunch. Tarot displays feature the Waite-Smith deck, and the Golden Dawn, so this is a wonderful place to tune into the energy of the artist Pamela Colman-Smith (Pixie). After lunch in Boscastle, we travel to Bude to honour Pixie, who, for the last five years of her life, lived there. She died a pauper and no one knows whether she was buried or cremated. However, her spirit inhabits this place and Mary will lead a ritual in the churchyard to commune with her. Overnight in Tintagel. Wednesday 30 May After breakfast we embark on a day trip to south Cornwall and the little district of West Penwith with its stone circles, wayside shrines and holy wells. This is a day for crossing over into the otherworld, through Tarot, ritual and meditation. 2 Wednesday 30 May (cont’d) We visit the evocative stone circle of Boscowen-un ('house of the elder tree'), secluded amongst bracken, with a central leaning pillar stone and an enigmatic quartz stone in the south-west of the circle. Next is the Merry Maidens stone circle, named after a group of girls caught dancing on the Sabbath by the Devil, who turned them to stone. We travel to Land’s End for lunch and view St Michael’s Mount. In the afternoon, we visit the holy wells of Madron and Sancreed. We return to Tintagel for dinner and our last night in Cornwall. Tarot workshop on the coach with Mary Greer. Thursday 31st May Overnight in Tintagel. Today we travel to Marlborough, stopping on Bodmin Moor at Jamaica Inn, made famous by Daphne Du Maurier. We visit Avebury again for a closing ceremony. Overnight in Marlborough Friday 1 June After breakfast we depart for London Heathrow Air- port for international, domestic flights and transfers. We arrive by 10am in time for flight departures from 1pm onwards. The Gothic Image approach We always spend a good amount of time at each site so that you benefit fully from the ambience and subtle magic of the experience. Ours are not 'now you see it - now you don't' tours. Our focus is on experiencing the 'spirit of place' and the peculiar enchantment that each site offers, and learning something from it. We visit inspiring locations where the ancient spirits of each place still reside. In addition, some of you will be returning to the homes of your ancestors. This can raise spiritual and emotional issues. On our tours we seek to build a supportive atmosphere, and your fellow travellers tend to be of a supportive and understanding disposition. At different sites that we visit, you will be given opportunity for reflection and peace. This inner dimension is what makes our tours especially memorable - a pilgrimage and nourishment for the soul. The pace is not rushed. There are some areas where we climb steps or hills, but otherwise each site is easily accessible and within walking distance from the coach. Nevertheless, you will get some physical exercise! We reserve the right to vary the itinerary as necessary, to provide the best possible experience under the circumstances prevailing at the time. Special offer! Cost Tarot magic is also happening in Scotland prior to Early bird: £2,300 per person twin share this tour from 14-23 May.