To feel weird in Glastonbury

[Wellsbells]

I moved about a half hour’s drive from Glastonbury a few years ago but have only visited the town itself once. I hated it. It just felt uncomfortable and a bit sinister, and I couldn’t wait to leave. I’ve not felt that way anywhere else, I mean there are places I like more than others of course but this was just a really strong sense of “I want to get out of here”. Would be interested to know if anyone else has felt this way? Or about anywhere else?

Serin, you felt evil on Iona? For me that's one of the most peaceful, calm places. There's definitely a kind of liminal, between the worlds kind of feeling. Its really fascinating how each of these places affects us differently.

I love Wells especially the Bishop's Palace gardens for me it has a good feeling.
Hot Fuzz was filmed in Wells.
Someone mentioned Lynton and lynmouth, I have stayed there lots of times and love it but there was a flood there in the 1950s and a lot of people died so there is a certain sadness that you would especially pick up if you read some of the information plaques.

Kind of disappointed, I've never been to Glastonbury but I've been to Matlock Bath and Tintagel many times and never sensed anything unusual

The only place I've ever felt had a "vibe" was New Orleans, I found it had this particular smell to the place, a clean soapy smell that seemed very unique to it.

Used to live in Glastonbury...never again. I had a great time in the pubs but there is a spiritual one upmanship and everyone knows your business.
I like to dip in now but i know a few people who died young there...drugs/ murder.Don't get me started on the Covidiots.
There is a good side but you have to be discerning.
LOVE the festival though.
Like Bath but very twee agreed.
Love Frome even if it is hipster heaven.

@HintOfVintagePink @Madhairday Wooky Hole has a resident witch. They actually advertised for a new witch some years ago (full time position with a salary). It also has a legend regarding a witch being turned to stone by a monk.

Like the person who kept their children close at a witchcraft museum, it's the residual Christian fear that's imbedded in us all. In truth Witches (now Wiccans) do not believe in the Devil (or God) so why they should be in cohorts with him makes no sense whatsoever.

@Bulldoglady

My dog feels the same! She didn’t like it one bit and refused to walk around, she just put the brakes on. She has been up and down the length of U.K. and Glastonbury is one town she was not happy to visit! So strange!

Dog's sense your fear, so do horses. If you're feeling uncomfortable then your dog will pick this up.

@SleepOhHowIMissYou

Sorry if this has been said upthread but the non-woo explanation is the rejection of Religion that follows the Old Testament and the understanding of old beliefs being followed instead.

When you think about horror films, these also use that fear, how many of you have been terrified by a film about demons or the devil, even if you're atheist?

Monotheism is ingrained in the UK's psyche and places that openly reject it feel sinister.

I love Glastonbury, Lewes, Tintagel and Totnes. Osaka in Japan has a lot of Shinto temples (a nature religion like Paganism or Wicca) so I can see the connection and understand why some may feel uneasy there.

Now that’s quite an interesting theory, thanks. It makes sense when people are faced with something different to unconsciously ingrained patterns. Wonder if that accounts for Matlock bath, something that looks like it should be at the seaside but it’s in the middle of the country. Try to marry things up causes people to go a little off balance

My Mum got freaked out by Glastonbury.. Think it was the Star sign candle shop, various places selling Rekki and Tarot all the other new age crap that discerned her. I think it’s a fab place especially for people watching..

@Loopy22

My Mum got freaked out by Glastonbury.. Think it was the Star sign candle shop, various places selling Rekki and Tarot all the other new age crap that discerned her. I think it’s a fab place especially for people watching..

It's bonkers really. Most 'Christians' stick a pentagonal star on top of their pagan Christmas tree. In fact, all Christmas stars are pentagons, not six point stars of David.

Probably best not to point this out to your Mum if it freaks her out though.

[quote SleepOhHowIMissYou]**@HintOfVintagePink* @Madhairday* Wooky Hole has a resident witch. They actually advertised for a new witch some years ago (full time position with a salary). It also has a legend regarding a witch being turned to stone by a monk.

Like the person who kept their children close at a witchcraft museum, it's the residual Christian fear that's imbedded in us all. In truth Witches (now Wiccans) do not believe in the Devil (or God) so why they should be in cohorts with him makes no sense whatsoever. [/quote]
I guess it the Christian belief of you’re either with us or against us. Everyone who wasn’t a believer in the particular flavour of Christianity that was accepted at that particular time you were, by default in league wiith Satan. The “occult” has become synonymous with black magic and satanism in the popular kind, helped in no small part by Hollywood, yet it is often anything but. But it’s hard to disentangle this in people’s minds

@Ihatefish I agree. Thankfully, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists aren't met with the same suspicion in this country as Western pre-Christian Polytheistic religions. Historically, subversion of Christian thought structures was quashed with extreme violence and the fear endures.

I totally agree about Frome. I lived there briefly with an ex.
It feels so grim to me. If you look beyond the wanabee hipsters and overpriced boutique shops it's full of crime and drugs. There is so much arson, theft, burglary, dog poo, suicide, poverty. Ugghhh it's pure Asbo-ville. Also there is no diversity at all which I found so depressing. It's where white people live.

Oh interesting about Frome, I’ve never been but an old school acquaintance lives there and makes it out to be vair naice. I feel the bleak feeling about Cullompton and Bath too!

I agree about Buxton.

I grew up near there and go back now and then when visiting parents.

I think it's the contrast between the very regal surroundings vs. the people wandering around town who often seem a bit down at heel. Like the world has moved on and left them behind. Sort of shuffling between those cheap shops that sell everything while all around them are the trappings of Victorian luxury?

(I'm not saying everyone in Buxton is down at heel by the way, just enough in the town that it has a strange vibe).

It's also like you arrive and sort of expect, from the grand buildings, a town with lots of naice shops and then it's very different to that. Bit of a weird vibe.

I felt this way about Leicester
It gave me the feeling that I was being buried in cold black damp earth.

Don’t like Glastonbury, but at least it’s not Totnes.
God I hate Totnes.
Neither for any esoteric reason, but because I can’t stand towns full of middle class hippies that secretly vote Tory. 😑

[quote SleepOhHowIMissYou]**@HintOfVintagePink* @Madhairday* Wooky Hole has a resident witch. They actually advertised for a new witch some years ago (full time position with a salary). It also has a legend regarding a witch being turned to stone by a monk.

Like the person who kept their children close at a witchcraft museum, it's the residual Christian fear that's imbedded in us all. In truth Witches (now Wiccans) do not believe in the Devil (or God) so why they should be in cohorts with him makes no sense whatsoever. [/quote]

This. I've been watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch (the new version) on Netflix which is all about them being in cahoots with the devil.

The whole point is what witches believe in pre-dates Christianity (and so the devil too).

[quote SleepOhHowIMissYou]@Ihatefish I agree. Thankfully, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists aren't met with the same suspicion in this country as Western pre-Christian Polytheistic religions. Historically, subversion of Christian thought structures was quashed with extreme violence and the fear endures.[/quote]
Unless you try and practice yoga in a church hall😁.

Historically Christians have been one of the most intolerant religions, even amongst themselves. The crusades against the Cathars in what is now France arguably resulting in Europe’s first genocide, the Inquisition etc.

I’m currently reading Frances Yates book “The occult Philosophy I the Elizabethan age” so far it’s fascinating- some of the attempts to fuse magic (notably through the Kabbalah and Hermeticism ) with Christianity were brave and ground breaking but ultimately a largely hidden part of the Renaissance and Reformation in most of the teaching and study of this period. There’s still a fear of synchronised thought of religions and beliefs. After all division is a very powerful tool of control

My parents stayed in Glastonbury and hated it. They sensed a weird and sinister atmosphere the whole time they were there. They mentioned it to the owner of the B&B they were staying in and she said many visitors reported similar feelings of unease.

They are Christians.

Lymm is my weird place. Not an enjoyable weekend, felt “odd” is all I can say!

I think Bath is lovely - very beautiful, if expensive.

I wasn't fond of Boscastle when I visited, didn't feel terribly at ease there but I don't think this was for any woo reason - just found it a strangely unappealing place.

Wookey Hole I loved as a child, fascinating and beautiful. Always felt sorry for the supposed 'witch'.

Visited Stonehenge about 3 years ago for the first time since I was young, was surprised by the experience. There was a strange sort of ethereal power to it, a sense of it being a liminal place. Probably down to it being quite awe inspiring.

Can't comment on Glastonbury as I was planning a visit last summer but you all know what put a stop to that...I hated Gloucester, the cathedral aside (which I loved) but that's cos it was a complete dive when I visited and dreadfully grim.

I think as humans, we unconsciously pick up on energy and mood from each other. Consider the energy that we can get swept up with at times of celebration. Rituals, religious, social or otherwise, use this. I think we find a sense of this 'energy' (for want of a better word) naturally stronger in some places than others and it's obviously affected to some extent by subconscious bias and preconceived expectations.

If you visit a place where overall the natural or historical features of it that generate awe are respected, you're more likely to have a positive experience than when visiting a socially deprived or overly commercialised area.

[quote SleepOhHowIMissYou]**@HintOfVintagePink* @Madhairday* Wooky Hole has a resident witch. They actually advertised for a new witch some years ago (full time position with a salary). It also has a legend regarding a witch being turned to stone by a monk.

Like the person who kept their children close at a witchcraft museum, it's the residual Christian fear that's imbedded in us all. In truth Witches (now Wiccans) do not believe in the Devil (or God) so why they should be in cohorts with him makes no sense whatsoever. [/quote]
Not all witches are Wiccan. Wicca is a religion, witchcraft is a practice. Christian witchcraft is actually surprisingly common. You also find plenty of atheist witches too.

I've never been Christian ( nor Wiccan), I am a practising witch and I still loathe Glastonbury!

The current Wooky Hole witch isn't as far as I know an actual witch - she's an ex chef with a degree in drama who auditioned for the role

I've been to Glastonbury and rather liked it. I did live in Bath at the time though, so probably didn't notice! I loved Bath.

The 'strange atmosphere' wouldn't be that there are a lot of homeless people and rough sleepers in both places? Just thinking that's the only thing I noticed.

Glastonbury is ok, we’re not too far away so go there occasionally. I quite like wandering round the place, and alway enjoy a walk up the Tor, but the overpowering hippy bullshit does get too much very quickly - I could never live there.

A lot of people go on about Bath which I never get- I love the place. I used to want to live there, but though I could the desire to has lessened over the years.

The one place that felt very threatening recently was Ilfracoombe. I never liked it that but but it was ok to mooch round for an hour or two. We went there last Summer after lockdown and couldn’t wait to leave. Horrible down at heel feel and as though it could kick off any minute. I think that’s explained by the problem most small towns are facing - no jobs, no money, no sense of any future, exacerbated by Covid. I do feel for people living in these places.

Jesus visited Glastonbury.