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The Legend of Arthur
and Excalibur
~The famed sword of King Arthur of Camelot....
According to legend, Arthur, was the only one who could pull the sword from the stone in which it had been magickally fixed. Thus, proving his birthright and nobility as the rightful heir, Arthur was acclaimed King. Some legends say that Excalibur was given to Merlin by the Lady of the Lake to give to Arthur. With the sword, Arthur would cure the land of the darkness. After Arthur's last battle while he lay dying, he gave the sword to Sir Bedivere to return to the lake. Other legend has that it was returned to the Lady of the Lake by Merlin.
Some say that the sword given by the Lady of the Lake and the one drawn from the stone were not the same sword. The sword given by the Lady of the Lake has always been known to us as Excalibur, whereby the sword drawn from the stone was only referred to that name once, at the time it was drawn by Arthur. It has been said it was that important moment, when he drew the sword Excalibur from the stone, that "it was so bright in his enemies' eyes it gave off the light of 30 torches".
The Legend of Avalon
~ Also know as Ynis Wytrin, the Isle of Apples, and now called Glastonbury.
Legend has it that Avalon was cared for and protected by the priestesses of the Goddess, and ruled by the Lady of Avalon, also know as the Lady of the Lake. The Isle of Avalon was located on the Glastonbury Tor and rose above the Marshlands of Somerset.
During the time of the Inquistition, the pagans were removed from the Tor and St. Michael's Church was built there. It is believed that when the Christian doctrine of the One God started to overpower the Pagan beliefs of the Mother Goddess and the Father God, Avalon began to fade beyond the Mists. Only those with the powers of the Goddess could call the barge, parting the Mists so they could travel between worlds to Isle of Avalon. There the Priestesses of the Goddess were trained and lived.
Another legend has it that the Isle of Glastonbury and the Isle of Apples occupies the same space. Only those with the power to call the barge and part the Mists could cross over to Avalon, while St. Michael's was open to anyone. Of all the legends, this one states that the People of the Earth, also know as pagani or Pagans, view and know Avalon as the Isle of the Goddess, and only those of this faith can travel there.
