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The Glastonbury Unity Candle and the Silent Minute for Peace

8/19/2020

13 Comments

 
"There is no power on earth that can withstand the united cooperation on spiritual levels of men & women of goodwill everywhere.” - Wellesley Tudor-Pole OBE (23 April 1884 – 13 September 1968) 
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Join our international Unity Candle Ambassadors with a live feed from 20.55 - 21.10 on The Glastonbury Unity Candle Facebook page. Click 'like' to get a notification when we go live.  


Since March, at 9pm UK time, and the beginnning of the Covid-19 pandemic,  our Unity Candle  has been lit every evening, in a quiet place of stillness and peace. You are invited to light your own candle or tealight and join in whenever you can, wherever you can, and focus on peace in our world. 

​Don’t have a candle? Imagine a bright flame shining its light in front of you or use your own inner light, just for one Silent Minute, let us be at peace. 
Our Ambassadors are not only in Glastonbury. The live-stream also comes from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Greenbelt Maryland, and 

The Silent Minute 

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​The original Big Ben Silent Minute was a peace prayer initiated by Wellesley Tudor Pole, a major in the British Army and the founder of the Chalice Well Trust, right here in Glastonbury. Every day at noon, a bell is chimed in Chalice Well Gardens to remind us of the Silent Minute and the peace that can be drawn from it.  Tudor Pole’s vision was for people to unite in meditation, prayer, or focus (each according to their own belief) and consciously will for “peace to prevail”.

During World War II, all over Britain and the Commonwealth, millions of people joined together every evening at 9.00pm just before the news, to the chimes of Big Ben, to pray for peace.
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In the dark days of war the Silent Minute became a vast network of Light and Hope in the hearts of all people of goodwill. It had the blessing of King George VI, Sir Winston Churchill and his Parliamentary Cabinet, and it was also recognised by the US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Silent Minute was observed on land, at sea, on the battlefields, in air raid shelters and in hospitals. With Churchill’s support the BBC, on Sunday, 10th November 1940, began to play the chimes of Big Ben every evening at 9pm, on the radio, as a signal for the Silent Minute to begin

The Glastonbury Unity Candle

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In 2009, Morgana West and Jamie Evans of Starchild, on behalf of the Pilgrim Reception Centre, explored the idea of creating candles that could be used to represent Glastonbury. In 2010, the first Unity Candle was lit in a simple ceremony involving the Pilgrim Reception volunteers.

The candles are made by Starchild, right here in the heart of Glastonbury. Each candle is charged with a unique infusion made with herbs, trees and flowers including the Glastonbury Thorn, and collected in tune with the cycles of the moon from various sites in and around Glastonbury.

Blue was chosen because there is a deep spiritual significance to it and is seen in many cultures and beliefs representing faith, devotion, peace, inner knowledge, love, tranquility and harmony.

Since then, the Candle has visited hundreds of events and, in its familiar lantern, has been taken to ceremonies and events of all kinds, attending churches, temples and sacred venues, weddings, anniversaries, christenings, funerals, talks, workshops, conferences, civic events, festivals and concerts. It also stands on the Glastonbury Town Council table every month, where, all members of the council and public are asked to stand and, following its lighting, observe a Minute’s Silence. 

Each host lights it in a way that is appropriate to them, so they are personally and energetically engaged in the process of igniting not only the flame of the Candle, but their own inner flame and reminded that peace and understanding starts within. 
13 Comments
Renata Kabke Pinheiro
8/20/2020 07:39:32 am

The Glastonbury Unity Candle Silent Minute has been a haven of peace, love, strength and light (in many different senses) through these months of COVID-19 pandemic for me. There, in that virtual room, along minutes of silent reflection, I found people willing to put their loving energies and good vibes together and send them out so that peace and unity may be spread in the world. A net of good will with people from all over the globe was formed, and the level of support and sustainment for the spirit it brings to those who join it is amazing. The Silent Minute is the highlight of most of my days, and it's definitely been the best balm for the strain of these pandemic times. I'm deeply thankful for it, and strongly recommend it for everybody who wants to a peaceful moment in their hectic days.

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Morgana West
8/20/2020 07:45:30 am

Thank you so much for your encouraging comments, Much peace be with you. Morgy x

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Hattie Atkinson
8/20/2020 08:40:51 am

This beautiful Circle of new friends that meet to share thoughts & encouragement at 9pm has been a joy. On days when things feel out of our control to be able to have this oasis of calm & compassion has kept me going during the pandemic. Just a few minutes near the end of the day to put down your worries & cares & feel love & companionship ..... Priceless 🕯💙

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Morgana West
8/28/2020 06:55:57 am

Thank you! It means a lot to the Ambassadors to know it helps and supports.

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Sheryl
8/20/2020 09:06:28 am

During the isolation of lockdown , The Silent Minute for Peace has been a way to connect with like minded people all around the world..... and I really have felt connected to people in the group.

For me, it's a calming time of reflection and gratitude at the end of the day and it's powerful to know that the group is collectively sending peace and unity to the world......."From small beginnings come great things".

Thank you Morgana and all of the ambassadors.

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Morgana West
8/28/2020 06:57:30 am

Little seeds of light, glittering in the darkness eh?

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Karyn Boniface
8/20/2020 10:03:33 am

As we are in a different time zone, sometimes I am tucked up in my bed during the silent minute. However, I know that you are doing the silent minute and feel you all near. It is like having a big family close by.

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Morgana West
8/28/2020 07:34:49 am

We are always together xx

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Joyce Wightman
8/21/2020 01:43:42 pm

I so look forward to the Silent Minute every evening. It’s lovely to be part of a world wide group and lighting my candle with everyone else gives me a sense of peace. It is so very helpful for me,

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Morgana West
8/28/2020 07:36:22 am

I am so blessed to know that this means so much to people and it's lovely to have you with us.

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Bethan
8/25/2020 12:33:34 pm

Working from home 40 hours a week whilst running a household can be stressful. The Silent Minute helps me take time out to breathe and reflect on the days or weeks events. I learn from all the lovely Amazing people who are part of the group. It is truly an uplifting experience that helps to bring peace, calm and light. Namaste and thank you Morgana and all Ambassadors that take time out to share this Lovely experience.🙏💜💙🌻

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Morgana West
8/28/2020 07:39:13 am

In busy and demanding lives, it's so vital to take time out and relax and build up more strength for the next day. Love and blessings to you.

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Ray Greenwood
8/28/2020 07:53:02 am

I would just like to say just how much the Glastonbury unity candle silent minute means to me. It really helps to know that all over the world, we gather together for peace and unity in these testing times. Thank you all so much for being there. With much love and many blessings.

Reply



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    Would you like your own Glastonbury Unity Candle?
    ​Find out more. 

    Our Ambassadors
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    Morgana West
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    Joanne Mudhar - Glastonbury
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    Katy Frost. Middle England
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    Tim and Dee Sauerwein. Greenbelt, Maryland & Glastonbury, UK
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    Gail Finley - Colorado Springs
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