When
I first read the classic fantasy novel, The Mists of Avalon by Marion
Zimmer Bradley, I was enchanted with the story’s setting in Glastonbury,
England, the ancient Isle of Avalon. After reading the novel, I visited Glastonbury several times. I
eventually moved there for 13 months in order to immerse myself in the energy
and do research, as all of my novels take place in Glastonbury. As a lovely surprise and side bonus, I actually met
and married my husband there! And of all the wonderful people I encountered, one incredible woman has remained a dear friend, across the sea, up to this day.
While living in Glastonbury, I would make daily excursions to the Chalice Well, one of Glastonbury’s more powerful sacred sites. Spending time in the Chalice Well Gardens quenched a deep longing within me as only the fulfillment of a spiritual quest can do. During my daily visits, I would experience spontaneous waking visions that stirred my soul. I began to study the local folklore
and legend. Glastonbury taught me to explore the realms of mystery and magic,
and helped me to discover worlds seen and unseen. The worlds that lay parallel to our everyday existence. These are the worlds that visionary fiction is created from.
I tapped into these realms of legend and archetype, especially Celtic lore, to
weave the edgy magical fantasy aspect throughout my novels. Tapping into all of my
experiences, I began to write my Goddess of the Stars and the Sea series
about priestesses who had lived in Glastonbury throughout the ages up through
today.
 |
| Lion's Head Fountain, Chalice Well Gardens |
Glastonbury
remains one of my favorite spots. The Chalice Well Gardens, the beacon-like
hill called the Tor - all the sacred sites I was introduced to through reading The
Mists of Avalon – touched the core of my being, and continue to inspire the content of
my visionary fiction, magical fantasy stories.
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~Jodine Turner is the best-selling, award winning author of the visionary fiction, fantasy Goddess of the Stars and the Sea series about young priestess who have lived in Avalon down through the ages to today. www.jodineturner.com
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1 comment:
Hi I've been browsing your blog. My husband loves Glastonbury. He lived south (born in the highlands of Scotland) for ten years and visited Glastonbury regularly. I've only been to England once in 2011? 2010? I can't remember now. We did a mad dash tour of Stonehenge, Avebury and Glastonbury, but never made it to the Well. Maybe some day!
Did you get to Callanish? We went there once, years before. Wonderful place, but I'm afraid I got suckered into playing catch by a very charming border collie (standing hopefully) and forgot to take photos.
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