Glastonbury: Avalon of the Heart [Paperback]

Dion Fortune (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

Dion Fortune's description of Glastonbury remains one of the most evocative and poignant accounts of this wild yet holy place; a power center polarizing with distant Jerusalem and linking and harmonizing the Christian way with the primeval and pagan past of England. She describes three ways of approaching Glastonbury: by way of the legends associated with it (including early folklore, Joseph of Arimathea, the Grail, and King Arthur); through the known history of the area and its great, but never dominating influence on the history of England; and finally, through the mystical path. It is this true vision of the mystical way, encompassing all aspects of the area, both seen and unseen, which reveals Glastonbury as the Avalon of the Heart. Fortune first visited Glastonbury while Bligh Bond was still uncovering its past with his psychic investigations into the Abbey ruins. It was also there that she received her first major and dramatic Inner Plane contact in Chalice Orchard, close to Chalice Well. She later established a retreat where this first contact took place, under the shadow of the Tor. Glastonbury -- Avalon of the Heart is her personal account of the love affair with the area that repeatedly drew her back through the years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: RedWheel / Weiser (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578631572
• ISBN-13: 978-1578631575
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MAGICAL, June 5, 2000

By 

David D. Warner (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Glastonbury: Avalon of the Heart (Paperback)

Celebrate! This delightful book is no longer out of print! After unsuccessfully searching used and out-of-print bookstores for this book for many years, it has recently been reissued by Samuel Weiser, Inc. I was NOT disappointed. Dion Fortune, a.k.a. Violet Mary Firth, wrote this classic work in the 1930s, yet her observations on Glastonbury still ring true today. GLASTONBURY: AVALON OF THE HEART eloquently brings together in one place all of the various mundane and esoteric lore that surrounds this quaint little hamlet in the middle of the English West Country. All of the mystery, intrigue and sacredness of this ancient land are beautifully rendered in her tiny collection of essays. To read this book is to inspire a visit to that sacred land. To visit the ancient seat of Avalon is a life-changing experience. Those of you who are familiar with Dion Fortune know clearly of her association with esoteric secret societies, the sacred Qabalah, and the use of psychic defense measures to combat Nazism during World War II. Fortunately, for those of you who haven't the time or the inclination to pursue those other noble but complex disciplines and intersts, AVALON OF THE HEART has been kept simple and accessible. Read it. Then visit this truly magical land and see it for yourself. And by all means, take a copy of this book with you.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Glastonbury - Avalon of the Heart, March 27, 2000

By 

BuddhaFrog "buddhafrog" (TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Glastonbury: Avalon of the Heart (Paperback)

The author's love for the Glastonbury area shines through in the wonderfully detailed images she is able to convey to the reader. We learn a bit about the surrounding countryside, the history of the area, and the stories and myths of Avalon. Christian and Pagan alike will find things that touch the heart in this book. If you have been to Glastonbury, it will bring back fond memories. If not, after reading the book you will probably want to visit some day. Minus one star for slightly redundant writing style; otherwise a five star book.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Charming and Personal Account of the Glastonbury Mystique, March 24, 2005

By 

Stephen Triesch (Shoreline/Seattle USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Glastonbury: Avalon of the Heart (Paperback)

I don't believe for a moment that Joseph of Arimathea or Jesus Christ ever set foot in Britain, but there is no denying the charm of the legends surrounding the quaint town of Glastonbury. And no one tells it better than Dion Fortune, the pioneering British occultist who spent some years in Glastonbury and was captivated by the romance surrounding the Great Tor, Chalice Well, Glastonbury Abbey, and the Legend of the Holy Grail.

Unlike some Glastonbury books which go into gteat detail about gematria and esoteric symbolism, Fortune's book reads more like a spiritual travelogue. For those interested in the Western Mystery Tradition and "The Matter of Britain," this slender volume will make an enjoyable weekend read.