An Ancient and Sacred Trees pilgrimage in Stratford-Upon-Avon along the Spine of Albion.
Celebrating AST member Gillian Butlers tree pilgrimage raising funds for Uk tree planting with Ancient and Sacred Trees.
Long Compton on the way to Stratford-upon-Avon
The Elen energy line passes through the Church and out into a neighbouring field that used to be a site of a stone circle. The delightful Lychgate at St. Peter & St. Paul’s has some impressive Yew balls which lead up the path to the Church.
There is a carving of a woman wearing a horned headdress inside.
Clifford Chambers
In the village of Clifford Chambers by the River Stour is St. Helen’s Church, through which the Elen line flows.
St. Helen’s, is a large church for the size of the village and there is also a Manor House and grounds here.
Walk a Sacred Tree Trail Along The Spine of Albion.
Gillian Butler, an Ancient and Sacred Trees member, has started out on a pilgrimage to honour our Ancient and Sacred Trees of Britain while raising funds for tree planting.
Gillian who is a Mentor/Coach, Weleda Wellbeing Advisor, Massage Therapist and Animistic Practitioner has planned her trip inspired by the book The Spine of Albion written by Gary Biltcliff and Caroline Hoare.
Over the coming months she will be walking and honouring the trees that grow along and around the ‘Spine of Albion’; an Alignment, or Ley, that runs through the UK from the South Coast of England up to and beyond the Highlands of Scotland. The route is inspired by Gary Biltcliffe & Caroline Hoare’s book “The Spine of Albion”
If you purchase the book direct from here please email the authors Gary & Caroline to say you heard about it through AST and they will donate £2 for each book sold to AST UK tree planting funds!
“I am passionate about raising awareness of the utmost importance of trees to our very existence here on earth.”
Stratford-Upon-Avon
At Holy Trinity Church the main entrance is approached via an avenue of Lime Trees. The 12 trees either side of the path represent both the Apostles and the Tribes of Israel.
All Saints’ Church at Honington.
According to Gillian there are "some rather splendid trees to spend time with in the grounds."
St. Gregory’s in Tredington,
This church has the tallest spire in Warwickshire. The Elen earth energy line flows through the church to the font. It has a unique feature of 2 large metal staples set into the base. According to the church guidebook they are there to help ‘ground’ the priest whilst performing baptisms and to ward off evil spirits and witches.
St. Mary’s in Halford
Part of the original building date back to over 800 years
Here also is a depiction of the Archangel Gabriel holding a message of the Annunciation. It is unique in England and similar to contemporary manuscript paintings of the early 12th century
St. Mary and the Holy Cross, Alderminster
Standing on the site of an early Celtic Shrine Gillian says there are some "mighty trees" here.
Mosley Bog
Moseley Bog is a site of importance for Nature Conservation. It was the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's ancient forests in his books ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’. This area and the nearby Sarehole Mill was his childhood playground after the family moved there from South Africa at the end of the 19th century.
Elen flows with the watercourses of the Blythe and Cole Rivers near the Mill and heads out across parkland to Moseley Bog.
St Mary's, Lapworth
This church is on the Elen current and surrounded by Yew trees. Here you can find the tomb of Robert Catesby, one of the main conspirators of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot.
St Peter's, Wootton Wawen
Both the female, Elen, and male, Belinus, energy lines converge with the actual Spine of Albion Alignment. Part of St. Peter’s is said to be older than AD900 and referred to as the Saxon Sanctuary.
Next Time:
Tree pilgrimage traveling through (part of) Staffordshire
To purchase the book that inspires this pilgrimage buy it direct from authors Gary & Caroline here & please email them to say you heard about it through AST and they will donate £2 for each book sold to AST UK tree planting funds!
Donate for AST tree planting in the UK here
Visit Gillian's blog here for more information on her journey and the earth energy lines https://gillianandthetrees.wordpress.com/blog/
All photos ©Gillian Butler with grateful thanks for all she is doing for our trees!
Amanda, I have been trying to get a response for a week now over purchase from your online shop which was mis-sold. You need to respond to one of my messages