Dressing and Blessing the Wells and Springs of Malvern

I heard from one of the circle dancers about the annual Dressing of the Wells.  I was in Malvern at just the right time.  There are about 50 wells/springs around Malvern.  Some are old livestock watering troughs, no longer used.  Others are springs that still flow, and people take their water bottles, large and small, and fill them up at the spring.
Individuals and local groups and schools dress the wells at this time each year.  A sort of a fancy dress competition for wells.  I got to see quite a few of them.  The theme this year was Tree of Life.

One of the locals filling up his water container at a well in the centre of town.
The same well all dressed up for the May Day weekend, complete with dragon and phoenix.

 The Druids of Malvern blessed the waters at Hayslad Spring.  An interesting, inclusive ceremony.  We chanted the Awen  (ah oo wen) much like a yogic "OM".  Lovely reverberations.  I think Awen can be roughly translated at 'Flowing Spirit'.







The next day I went to Evendine Spring which was blessed by the local Buddhists.  Another lovely ceremony with some chanting and sprinkling of water.   There were also some Christian blessings at other wells.

close up at Evendine Spring

                                                                                                        More wells and more stunning bluebells just up the road