A Solstice Pilgrimage

This is a pilgrimage which meets story telling, ritual, song & elixirs during the Winter Solstice tide. Taking you on a deep and soul enrichening journey through the heart of the land ~ This will be a day to remember!

Our pilgrimage will commence around a big warm fire to herald the Solstice tide together, upon the banks of the Avon, by a sacred place known as the 'Stonehenge Spring’. This incredible wellspring is one of the reasons why Stonehenge came to be and is not open to the general public (on private land), granting us a one off experience. It is a place that ancient Britons worshipped and made offerings....the waters being full of many ancient artefacts some from 10,000 years ago.

Set within an enchanting glen we will make a mistletoe ceremony, bringing us into alignment with the blessings of the season with the all-healing warming essence of the golden bough..

From then on we will walk the ways of the Salisbury planes visiting the kings of olde and the trees of Yule, the Yew as we rejoice in the rebirth of the sun and the coming of the new year.

At Stonehenge we will watch the setting of the sun encapsulated perfectly in the doorway of of the central trilithon where the sunlight pierces the altar stone within the megalithic circle of stones. Aligning our pilgrimage and prayers during this magical moment. 

As dusk falls by the stones, torches and lanterns will be lit with flame, to celebrate our way across the silvery planes back home.

Welcomed back with a roaring hot fire and mulled mead to complete our journey of ~ the Solstice dream.

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• START: 12:00pm

• FINISH: 6pm

• LENGTH: 6 hours

• DISTANCE: 6.5kms (walked at a slow to moderate pace, with stops along the way)

Once you have booked on the pilgrimage ~ Full details of the meeting place, parking, transport and what you need to bring for the day etc will be emailed to you.

>>> If travel is tricky for you on the day due to train delays/strikes. We have a car share lift service in place with all fellow pilgrims. To see if any one is driving from your area if you need a ride and would like to attend this pilgrimage please contact us on: pulvers.apothecary@gmail.com

A tithe of monies will be donated to the 'Stonehenge Spring Protection Fund'.

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FAQ’s

Where do I meet and what shall I bring ~ When you book on the pilgrimage, we will send you details of the meeting place and what you need to bring for the day.

Are there fitness limitations? ~ This pilgrimage is moderately intense. We will walk a moderate to slow pace. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for mobility-impaired people or those requiring wheelchair access.

Can kids come? ~ Children 18 years old and under are welcome to join accompanied by a guardian/parent. We ask that you simply make a donation for their attendance in the ticket booking form.

Can I bring my dog? ~ Sadly not - we can’t accommodate dogs on our guided pilgrimages. However, if you have a registered assistance dog, they are welcome.

What is in the elixirs provided and is it compulsory to drink them? ~ It is definitely not compulsory to imbibe the elixirs that are shared on this pilgrimage. On the day you will be explained in person what is in them, so it is totally your decision if you'd like to have some or not. All elixirs are 100% made with organic and wildcrafted ingredients from the bounty of the UK.

Do you provide concessions? ~ What we are able to provide is a payment plan whereby you can pay for the pilgrimage fee over a period of 2 months. ie. make 2 payments. To apply please contact: pulvers.apothecary@gmail.com

Can I get a refund if I book? ~ We cannot offer refunds or cancellations for this event, if you know someone who would like to take your place please ask them to contact us with their name and who's place they will be taking. You may forward your ticket onto them to use as proof when checking in on the day.

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PILGRIMAGE HOSTS:

The Keeper of the Stories & Rituals ~ Will be introducing you to the threads from our ancestors through the stories of the land, ritual and ceremony.

Chris Park: As a druid priest Chris has worked as a celebrant, teacher & guide. With different hats on he is a professional storyteller, musician & ceremonial piper. Steeped in British & European folklore his life and work ranges from arts and craft, ancient technologies & eco-building to apitherapy, educational projects, ceremony & pilgrimage. A prolific beekeeper, he is often seen extolling the virtues of bee products, mead and the traditional honey drinks of this honeyed isle.

Charlotte Pulver: At the heart of things is a modern day alchemist and change maker; being born into the Pulver lineage of apothecarians. She has a background in natural healthcare, studying and practising various medical systems of healing for 20+ years. Her love is rooted in making medicines for people which she sells through 'Pulver's Apothecary'. She has been hosting water ceremonies and pilgrimages for many years; and helped co-found The Fellowship of the Spring, a group championing water guardianship in the British Isles.

The Keeper of the Song ~ Will be blessing us with his song along the pathways that we make together on this day. Nectarine is his voice. We are blessed...

Sam Lee: is a Mercury Prize nominated folk singer, conservationist, song collector, award winning promoter, broadcaster and activist. He plays a unique role in the British music scene. A highly inventive and original singer, folk song interpreter, a passionate conservationist, committed song collector and a successful creator of live events. Alongside his organisation The Nest Collective and fellow collaborators Sam has shaken up the live music scene breaking the boundaries between folk and contemporary music and the assumed place and way folksong is heard. He’s injected a renewed passion into this old material, helping to develop its ecosystem by not only inviting in a new listenership but also interrogating what the messages in these old songs hold for us today.

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Artwork Credit:

Stonehenge by Matt Murphy

The White Hart by Hannah Willow