Weaving our Prayers in the Old Ways - The Stonehenge Clootie Project

Sacred Earth Activism works to weave sacred practices and earth-centred spiritual traditions into our direct action and movements for change. As part of our campaign to protect the sacred landscape of Stonehenge, we are calling on the old ways to help us weave our prayers into action.

Tying clooties is a tradition in Britain and Ireland that traces back to our ancient history. In Celtic times, people called on the healing power of the wells by tying a clootie, a piece of cloth, usually torn from the clothing of someone who is unwell, to a sacred tree near the holy wells. This practice has evolved in recent times to the tying of prayer ribbons at sacred sites, so that the spirits of place at a powerful spot may hear them.

The sacred landscape of Stonehenge, including many ancient burial mounds, woodlands and the ancient spring of Blickmead, a site that has received sacred offerings as far back as the mesolithic, are currently under threat from desecration from the proposed road, tunnel and flyover development.

Sacred Earth Activism has been supporting the campaign to protect the sacred landscape of Stonehenge from desecration by the planned road and tunnel development. Despite the advice of countless experts, recommending any plans be rerouted away from the sacred site, Grant Shapps approved the plan to cut through this part of Salisbury plain, destroying the local environment, destroying burial sites and risking toppling the stones at Stonehenge.

There is currently a legal challenge underway to challenge the road and tunnel development, which will be heard in the High Court on 23 – 25 June.

To weave the prayers of all those that care for the protection of this sacred landscape, directly into the land itself, we are beginning the Stonehenge Clootie Project, gathering together many clooties from all around the world, filled with love and prayers for Stonehenge. These will then be taken en masse to Stonehenge at Beltaine, and weaved into the landscape along the proposed route of the tunnel, road and flyover to the fences and trees.

How to get involved:

Join us in our sacred art activism, to make clooties as an offering to the ancestors for the protection of our sacred lands. Please use a natural biodegradable fabric, like cotton or wool, perhaps from and old item of clothing that you have a strong connection to. Speak to it your prayers or write your blessings on the clooties and send them to us at the following address: Stones, PO Box 5497, Glastonbury, BA6 0DU, United Kingdom

As mentioned, we are looking to take these en masse at Beltaine, so please make them with your friends and families, share this through your networks and help support us in raising awareness of the sacred lands that surround Stonehenge.

Also, to help spread this project to more people, help share our poster on Facebook.