This page offers an opportunity to look back over past library events.

The Library of Avalon 2026 Annual General Meeting

Last week on Saturday the 11th we held our AGM, a well attended event where we read through the annual reports, voted in the trustees and socialised over some refreshments.

Though every effort was made to contact all members via their email addresses and with adverts in the Oracle and online it is likely that someone may have missed out. If you as a member have not heard from us and would like to receive the annual reports and AGM minutes contact Ishtara Veen at loachair@gmail.com

22nd December 2025 – The Knowledge Book presentation by Louise Johnson Smith

07754 920836

The Avalon Spiritual Development Book Club:

Nikita Marie hosted this Book Club again on Sundays in our reading room every 6 weeks in 2025 after a great success in 2024.

Contact at: 07917 771846 Instagram: @reiki_with_nikitamarie

Our mission is to create an inspiring community to exchange ideas and thoughts, helping facilitate the expansion of each individual’s growth.

If you would like to meet like minded people from all disciplines of spirituality this is the place for you.

We meet every 6 weeks at the Library of Avalonin Glastonbury, often hosting guest authors. Physical spaces are limited to 20 so please contact me directly if you wish to attend in person. We can however host unlimited numbers online.

A donation to for The Library of Avalon for the venue space is not compulsory but very much appreciated.

When you join the group we ask you to suggest a book you would like the group to read. at the end of each meeting we vote on what text to read next. Although we have a facilitator we want this to be a shared experience. so if you book is selected to can open the meeting reflection at the next time.

Listening to the audio book instead of reading absolutely fine, and if you feel the need to discuss anything while reading the book one to one then you can contact myself to arrange a time.

The LoA Is Now Open Again – January 2025

Following a month long library reorganisation and refit.
During January we moved and expanded the Librarian’s working area to two desks, allowing two librarians to simultaneously loan out books and renew memberships.
We moved the Librarian’s desks to the window side and installed new cupboards on the old window seat which was never comfortable to sit on and generally covered in boxes.
We also got rid of some old cabinets and created more space for the reading area.
The mobile bookcases can now be repositioned to create a much larger and more usefully shaped area for events and performances.
At the end of this month we are having 10 new spot lights installed in the reading room. These will be easily directed as required, and can be dimmed and have coloured Gels added which will give us a flexible lighting solution for events. We are also having more lighting installed in the far corner of the annexe which previously was under lit.
We are very pleased with the result and we hope you are too.

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Starting Summer 2024 – Spiritual Development Book club by Nikita Marie

20th May 2023 – Kabbalah workshop by Mike Bais

30th April 2023– The Poetic Imagination workshop by Helen Garrett

Our 2023 Annual General Meeting

11th March 2023 – Party to celebrate Barry Taylor’s and his extraordinary contribution to the LOA.

On the Saturday 11th March we had a wonderful party to celebrate Barry Taylor’s extraordinary contribution to the LoA as a founder member and supporter over 30 years. Many members and volunteers enjoyed an opportunity to meet and mingle sustained with much bubbly and cake. It was a great opportunity to try out our “new” open space and was a thoroughly enjoyable success. Thanks to all those who attended and supported in making this such a memorable day.

27th March 2023 – Remembering Helene Koppejan

On Monday 27th we gathered at the Library of Avalon to honour the memory of Helene Koppejan (born Helene van Woelderen) who, with her husband Willem, purchased a number of buildings in Glastonbury in which they set up what came to be called the “Glastonbury Experience”, a complex of alternative shops and studios. Helene and her husband were famous Dutch astrologers and authors who themselves had a library of some 30,000 books and she was co-founder of the Glastonbury Trust, an organization which promoted ecological awareness and sustainable development, and which took over the Experience development.

Unfortunately Dirk was unable to participate in his own event and so It was an inspirational meeting led by Mano Mannaz, creator of the Avalon Ascension Oracle,Teacher, Life Path Guide, Writer, Visionary Artist and Travel Guide. Dharam Barrett , executive director of the Glastonbury Trust, also was there and brought a wonderful collection of photographs from the 1970’s illustrating the building and opening of the courtyards.

The discussion ranged across subjects as diverse as the founding of the Glastonbury Courtyards, astrology, the lost tribes of Israel, English dark age history, grail legends, medieval libraries, St Dunstan’s lost manuscripts, the importance of weaving, the Dutch influence in trade and the local landscape and in the development of craft skills in Glastonbury as well as the importance of the Glastonbury courtyards in the development of the alternative Glastonbury society and economy. Born on exactly the same day as Barry Taylor, who played a key role in helping Helene realise her vision; their graves now lie just a few feet apart in Glastonbury Cemetery. It is 45 years since the opening of the courtyards and we were inspired to discuss possible future projects and developments to ensure the continuation of Helene’s and Barry’s vision in the years to come.

3rd March 2023 – A talk on Toltec tradition by Billy The Celt

Billy The Celt gave one of his fascinating talks on ancient wisdom at the LoA on Friday 3rd March at 7pm . It covered Toltec tradition which inspired a number of South American cultures.

Which was the same date as requested on our RSVPs regarding our afternoon remembering Barry Taylor’s extrordinary contribution.

Saturday Matinees at The Library of Avalon

12 Noon to 1.30 pm on the first Saturday of each month.

We aim to begin holding Matinees again in 2023

LoA Matinee Talks to go Online.
Share your Wisdom & Support your Library

Plans are afoot to move our Saturday Matinees online via Zoom. These fortnightly talks proved popular and were one of the ways we raised much needed donations.
If you want to support your library into the future a great way would be to :
● Give an LoA Saturday Matinee talk on any subject with an esoteric aspect. Talks based on personal experience as well as on learning are most welcome.
● Attend an LoA Saturday Matinee in person or on line and donate what you can afford. All donations go towards the £150 the LoA needs to raise weekly.
● Technical support for the online broadcast will be given and talks will be advertised on the library Facebook and events pages, website and Newsletter.
● A live audience of four and an unlimited worldwide online audience can attend.

29th August 2021 – Kabbalah workshop by Mike Bais

TALES from the WILD with HELEN JR BRUCE LIVE !

Tuesday, 18 May 2021 from 7 PM TO 9 PM BST

Entry by Magic Hat donation towards the Library of Avalon.

This event will take place in the courtyard outside the Library of Avalon

and will also be live-streamed via our FaceBook page.

Tales from the Wild – an evening of traditional folktales with Helen JR Bruce

Join Helen, a local Somerset author, artist and storyteller, on a wild ride through some of our most loved folktales. Tremble at the tale of the Green Knight, learn the magic of the golden apples and wonder why the crow is no longer white. Plus, explore the mystery of the Gurt Dog of the Mendips and consider his relation to Black Shuck of East Anglia and other canines in folklore.

Discover some of the myths which have inspired Helen’s book ‘Heat of the Hunt‘ and join her quest to reclaim our inspiring folkloric heritage.

Learn more about Helen’s writing at

www.facebook.com/heatofthehunt

We are limited to 30 people per event, so please come early to ensure your place. After the storytelling evening, Helen will have a book signing of her novel Heat of the Hunt. If you are interested in her novel, please contact her directly or click on the link provided.

This event will take place in the courtyard outside the Library of Avalon,

so please come prepared. This event will also be live-streamed via our FB page for the benefit of all our members and supporters who might not be able to watch live – a donation link will be provided accordingly.

The LoA AGM 2021

Was held via Zoom on Saturday 24th April
TRUSTEE ELECTION RESULTS:
Andy Scott was re-elected to the office of Chair
Richard JL Newman was re-elected to the office of Secretary
Sandra Cole was re-elected to the office of Treasurer
ANNUAL REPORTS:
The Annual Reports by the Chair and Secretary, together with the Annual Finacial Report by the Treasurer were received and adopted by the 40 association members who responded.
Thank you to all those who attended and also responded to our online vote. We were delighted with the turnout which exceeded previous years.

Card Payments in the Library

You can now pay for your membership or merchandise with a card or contactless with a card or mobile device.

Art as Healing workshop

With Maxine Alexander

Prior Booking is required.
Wednesday 7th October 11. 30 am-1 pm
£9.50 per session
Please email to book a place
@ magicalmandala@hotmail.com
All materials provided

Using a range of materials and themes
we will use the process of art to release
and affirm a more positive outlook. 🌈

Reading Room Hire

Look What’s New at The Library – More Comfort – Greater Flexibility

We have continued the refurbishment of the library by replacing the old bar tables and uncomfortable wooden chairs with pine tables and comfortable banqueting chairs.

It is now easier and more comfortable to come and read our wonderful books in the Reading Room and we can now also seat 30 there comfortably for events.

Or we can clear all seating and tables away for a stand-up event.

The Library of Avalon provides a quiet space in the heart of Glastonbury for the study and research of esoteric and occult arts.

The Library’s Reading Room is also available for hire in the morning or evening when the library is not open to the public, from 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 9.30pm.

This space has been used for committee meetings, meditations, visualisation sessions, dream workshops, poetry and creative writing groups.

The Reading Room is available for Hire for as little as £15. The full terms and conditions for hire are available on request.

Please inquire at the Library of Avalon or phone 01458 832 759.

The Glastonbury Pilgrim Centre

The Library of Avalon is delighted to congratulate The Glastonbury Pilgrim Centre on its move out of our reading room and into St Dunstan’s House. Long may they prosper there.

Below are listed the Symposia and talks we have held in the recent past.

4th February 12.30 – 1.30pm

“Emerging from Darkness”

By Sarah Mooney

Chaired Bard of Glastonbury

Sarah created this story in her dreaming cave this winter, inspired by the painting by Dorrie Joy, who will illustrate the final version.

OLDER EVENTS……..

7th January 2017 12.30 – 1.30pm.

Jackie Hosein

Ritual and Seasonal food in Modern Paganism.

No fee to attend (hat passed round – all donations gratefully received to the Library Book Fund!)

November 5^th

Speaker will be Sandra Cole

on Tarot Archetypes

December 3^rd

Speaker will be David Prince

on Hindu Astrology

Come to our next Symposium

“The Magic of Plant Spirit Medicine”

By Sophie Knock

15th November 2016 at 7.30pm

Glastonbury Town Hall Entry £6

Plant Spirit Medicine is a doorway into cosmic consciousness; a revelation from the heart of Nature. It is a simple, powerful method of receiving and storing nature’s gifts, which everyone can learn and benefit from: and it has probably been part of an energetic healing tradition here on the Isle of Avalon for millennia. In this illustrated talk we will look at some of the history, science and techniques of working with Essences and Plant Consciousness.

Sophie has been co-creating Wild Medicine Essences as a spiritual practice since 2003, learning from the plants themselves. She is a core member of the Chalice Well Essences team and involved in the development and delivery of the Chalice Well Essences Practitioner Training as a Tutor Member of the BFVEA. She is qualified in vibrational medicine is a registered homeopath working with bio-energetic medicine. She is passionate about teaching people how to make and work with Essences as well as how to heal themselves naturally.

WALKING BETWEEN WORLDS

with Caitlín Matthews

7.30 PM 24th September 2016 At The Assembly Rooms

In this relaxed evening gathering, Caitlín Matthews will talk about her life as a ritualist, writer and shamanic practitioner who walks between worlds. Drawing on her songs and poetry, she will explore how we pick up the contacts and inspirations about the many-layered spiritual path that we each follow. These windows to other worlds are the invitations that lead us to explore the path ever more deeply; if we stick at it and actually visit, rather than just study, wonderful connections result.

Click on image below to access larger, legible version of the poster!

Symposium

Rasputin and the Goddess.

With Steven Ingman-Greer

25 August at 19:30–21:00

in the Avalon Room,

2- 4 High Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9DU

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Rasputin was part of an ancient Siberian Shamanistic Tradition which treated everything on earth as being alive with life and part of the body of the Great Mother. His cultural past is very Feminine-centric- a philosophical view that sees time move, not in a straight line, but in circles, and that includes everyone in a loving embrace. Even the view of the meaning and significance of death itself undergoes a radical shift in his world, centred as it is on the Divine Feminine. He taught his philosophy to the Imperial Family of Russia – and it very nearly revolutionised the world. Properly understood, the tradition he is a part of could change our world today – for the better.

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Steven Ingman-Greer is a musician, author and poet, who has spent most of the last 35 years researching Russia’s last Imperial Family. His novel, “Lost Eagle”, about the life of Nicholas II’s daughter Tatiana was published by Top Hat Books in October 2013 and is one of a series of five about the children of Nicholas II and Rasputin. He was consultant to Channel 4 in their TV series “Masters of Darkness”, on Rasputin. His Poetry collection, Russian Snowflakes and his novel about Nicholas II’s daughter Anastasia, “Voice on the Wind” are due to be published in 2017. Please see his website for more information.

Symposium

The Magical Battle of Britain

Thursday 21st April 2016 – Glastonbury Town Hall – 7.30pm

Don’t miss a fascinating discussion about Dion Fortune and the 1940 Glastonbury workings, featuring John Goodchild, Houston Stewart Chamerain, Wellesley Tudor Pole, the Thule Society and the Glastonbury and Aryan Christs.

We look forward to seeing you at the Town Hall on the 28th November for a fascinating evening with Tim Freke, Kathy Jones and Ian Rees discussing the books that have been most influential to them on their spiritual journeys.

Click on the images to enlarge.

“The Magic of Plant Spirit Medicine”