Historically, the spring has been characterised as masculine by Christians, with the red colour symbolising the blood of Christ eternally pouring forth, and as feminine by Pagans, with the colour representing menstruation and therefore life. Whatever its "gender", it represents eternal life, and it's great to fill up a few glass bottles with it while you're visiting. A pint every week is a useful iron supplement.
My partner and I just enjoyed an absolutely magical evening there. The gardens were lit entirely with tiny candles, tucked away in all kinds of bushes, around springs and in trees, with the pools of water reflecting the stars and the stars seemingly reflecting all the tiny lights on the ground. As above, so below! It was utterly beautiful. A harpist played gentle music and a group meditation was held.
After the meditation, I had a strong urge to stand in a certain spot by one of the two ancient Yew trees- it was as if I could see an empty person-shaped aura where I should go and stand- so I stood and pressed my hands and forehead against the bark for a while. All I could see behind my eyelids was a beautiful sky-blue. I went and found my boyfriend and asked him to stand in the same spot and see if he could 'see' a colour. He also reported blue. Neither of have us any idea what that could mean- maybe it's the blue the branches reach up to in the daytime?- but it was pretty cool that we both sensed the same thing. It made it feel like it was real and not wishful thinking.
It's difficult to describe how I feel after a great couple of hours spent in Glastonbury, whether it be at the Chalice Well Gardens, White Spring Temple, Goddess Temple, the Abbey or the Tor, except "on a natural high." I feel friendly and relaxed and like everything is right with the world. If I could bottle this feeling and sell it, I'd be rich. Or just an MDMA dealer, whatever.
