In Paul’s new book and in tonight’s illustrated lecture, Glastonbury is the pivotal place from which to explore William Blake’s extraordinary life and work. The inspiration for so many artists, musicians, and poets, Blake’s life journey and the context of the times in which he worked have given rise to and inspired many social movements and cultural changes since.
Paul will combine history, mythology and mysticism, in a living journey of Imagination. We will investigate the amazing London occult underground: the Moravian Church, Swedenborg, Cagliostro, the Kabbalah,and sexual mysticism. Featuring the Gordon Riots, Albion Rising, the punk connection, and the Druid revival of Iolo Morganwg. Blake’s work was kept alive by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Algernon Swinburne, WB Yeats, and the Cosmic Consciousness of RM Bucke. The afterlife of ‘Jerusalem’ brings in the greatest Glastonbury legend. Allen Ginsberg’s Blakean mission is revealed. The New Antiquarians, Katharine Maltwood and Mary Caine, inspire the Star Temple as Glastonbury Golgonooza. Concluding with the New Jerusalem as the Shekhinah, Planetary Art for Peace, Nicholas Roerich and Jose Arguelles, a waking Jungian dream. All coming together through the alchemy of the prophet Bard.
Paul Weston is the author of Atargatis, The Michael Line, the Qabalah and the Tarot; Mysterium Artorius; Aleister Crowley and the Aeon of Horus; Avalonian Aeon; The Glastonbury Zodiac and Earth Mysteries UFOlogy; and Glastonbury Psychogeography.
Having majored in Comparative Religion for a Combined Arts degree, Paul went on to work for the Scientology-influenced Institute of Hypnosis and Parapsychology. He eventually became completely absorbed into the Glastonbury matrix and was fortunate to be closely involved in the Psychic Questing work of Andrew Collins. A frequent lecturer, his other main influences and inspirations include Colin Wilson, Dion Fortune, Reiki, Mother Meera, the Fellowship of Isis, Adi Da, John Cowper Powys, Osho, Psychogeography, Gurdjieff, Anthony Robbins, and UFOlogy. He affirms the 2012 gnosis.
£5 on the door including light refreshments.