DEVELOPING COMMUNITY SPIRIT

World Healing Project is part of a worldwide movement to revive ancient celebrations to help bring about community wellbeing. One such event is St George’s Day - Saturday 23rd April which was celebrated in great style last year with hundreds of people joining in a joyous Dragon procession in the ancient village of Castle Hedingham, Essex – known in ancient lore and old maps as a place of the dragon.

This year, organiser Giles Bryant is planning a bigger and better event. The celebrations begin in Castle Hedingham at 11am outside the Rising Sun pub on Nunnery Street. People will sing the special ‘George and the Dragon’ song and follow the procession with the Dragon accompanied by drummers, musicians and dancers. The procession will lead through the village centre and on to the neighbouring village of Sible Hedingham, arriving at the church at around 12 noon.

The Dragon makes its next appearance at 2pm on the Castle Mound in Saffron Walden. Again music and celebration will follow the Dragon around this historic and picturesque town stopping in the Market Square at 2.30pm for a world peace song. Many local people remember tales of the Flying Serpent in the lanes around Saffron Walden.

The event finishes in London at 8pm, where a live music and ecstatic dance event will take place.

About St George

St George is the Patron Saint of England as well as many other countries. He is famously depicted with his lance spearing the dragon and many legends have developed around his colourful life.

His celebration day on 23rd April was once a scene of widespread fun and community spirit. Our ancestors placed great importance on this time of year, when the days grew warmer with the coming of summer’s abundance of sunlight, greenery and produce.

Many modern researchers believe that St George existed as a historical character yet his myth and power continues. In the past St George has been used as a figurehead of conquest, of nationalism, a symbol of good overcoming evil or of the Christian religion overcoming the older pagan ways.

Yet there is a meaning to the story of St George and the Dragon that is much older and one that could have far reaching benefits for our community wellbeing.

A revival of the true spirit of St George and the Dragon is taking place – one that sees, as the oldest myths do, George taming or charming the Dragon, not killing it. For the Dragon represents the raw power of the earth, which when brought into balance with spiritual activity, brings harmony to the land and to the people.

In the old stories, St George tames the Dragon and in three ways: Firstly, through his lance which represents a focused intention of light and positivity. Secondly, through the love of a maiden which represents love for the earth. Thirdly, the Dragon is enchanted through music. The story of St George tells us that if people join together in these three ways a good feeling will return to the land.

A special song has been written by Giles Bryant to celebrate the day:

• Twas a merry old day in Walden
• When George did tame the Dragon
• The Dragon awakes – it’s the spirit of the earth
• And the healing of the land is being rebirthed
• The sun does shine as the seasons flow
• Through our celebration our community grows
• And old Saint George keeps reminding us of
• That the spirit of the earth is the sprit of LOVE

This year St George’s Day falls on a Saturday; we hope that people all around the country will get involved in celebrating wellbeing and community spirit by having a St George’s Day celebration where they live.

Ways to celebrate St George’s Day

Invite all members of the community to get involved. Tell schools, churches, community groups, scouts and guides, and senior citizens so that everyone can join in.

• People could make a dragon, representing the growing abundance of the earth and have a procession around their community.
• Learn the St George and the Dragon Song.
• (A music track will soon be available for free at www.worldhealingproject.com)
• Put on a music concert for the community.
• Join in a circle of peace (a Peace Circle) and send out blessings for world peace.
• Watch the sun rise or set.
• Have a village fête, gathering or party.
• Cook a lovely meal using some fresh, local produce.

For more information about our St George’s Day celebration visit:

www.worldhealingproject.com

For information on author Paul Broadhurst’s seminal book, The Green Man and The Dragon visit www.mythospress.co.uk