Sky Lanterns Let Loose at Glastonbury
With Glastonbury Festival approaching there is one specific product that comes to mind, sky lanterns. They have, in recent years, become an integral part of any Glasto-goers experience. In an interview last year the headliner’s, Kings of Leon, cited the launch of lanterns from the Stone Circle as their enduring memory of the festival. If you do not directly release one from the magical Stone Circle you are likely to witness their spiritual presence as they drift up and across the open Somerset landscape. It is no surprise that the release of the lanterns, with their connotations of peace and hope, have become intrinsically connected with the Stone Circle. This field is where festival goers seek rest in the dark of the night, sitting and chatting together around fires in the open spirit that remains at the heart of the festival. As is traditional with sky lanterns, a wish is made with each one released. It is a close to numinous experience to watch from the hillside of the Circle as the wishes rise across the packed festival, oblivious to the frantic crowds beneath them, up in to the sky and out of sight. Watching the sky lanterns take this journey in to the clouds is a pure moment to contemplate and escape. It is one of the reasons that in spite of its ever sprawling size, Glastonbury remains unique.
