Our programme of releasing archive presentations onto YouTube is now firmly under way and they are receiving many views around the world, sharing these vital insights with a huge number of people. As we sit in the Town Hall in our hundreds, we should remember, then, that we are in reality sitting there with hundreds of thousands of future viewers too.

This year, as ever, we have combined a mix of brand new and important areas of so-called ‘alternative thinking’ with classic subjects that retain their currency even in a changing world. Whether it’s the deeper truth on current events that you are seeking, unexplained mysteries, fresh thinking on crucial health and consciousness issues, knowledge of the esoteric realms or the importance of music to our development as a species, there is going to be something here for you at the Symposium.

After the traditional jovial introduction from the weekend’s MCs Sheila Martin and Andy Thomas, the opening speaker for this year’s event, Joy Wisdom, lived up to her name by giving a truly helpful lecture on the reasons for trauma. Not only can it result from incidents in our own lives but sometimes from conditions going back to our time in the womb, the circumstances of our birth and even from genetic imprints coming down from generations past. These problems are not recognised sufficiently by authorities, and the cost to both lives, social structures and the economy is great. Joy has had tremendous success stories working through these issues with her clients and she gave some very helpful tips on identifying and clearing lack of self-worth, anxiety problems and other issues. Joy’s website: www.allonus.co.uk

After a lunch break, next up was Helen Sewell – me! As well as being involved in the running of the Symposium, it is always a privilege to be able to speak occasionally. This time I tried to convey some of the important astrological shifts which are influencing events right now, from the rise of Donald Trump and other US events to some of the unfolding and monumental British issues, from Brexit to the unexpected result of the recent general election. As we enter the Age of Aquarius, we can expect many other significant developments, especially over issues such as equality and technological advancements, which will, of course, bring their own enlightenments and dilemmas. Astrology is my passion and I hope I managed to show what a crucial tool it is in helping us to navigate these times of change. Helen’s website: www.astrologicalinsights.co.uk

At the end of a long and information-packed day, the fact that the hall was still packed for Neil Geddes-Ward goes to show that no matter how dismissive the likes of Radio 4 and other mainstream media are, there is still a phenomenal interest in ghosts, faeries and spirits. In his animated and often very funny style Neil shared many examples of experiences that he and other people have had that are very convincing, no matter how bizarre. Through claims of spirits walking out of cupboards and many other strange and often excitingly liberating weird events, Neil expertly made his case, all without the need for any visuals; the visuals were conjured perfectly in our heads. It is such a shame that this kind of subject isn’t given more credence in the mainstream when plainly we live in a world very different from the one we are routinely told we live in. Neil’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheArtworkOfNeilGeddesWard/

After a dinner break, the Friday night began with music from Torbz – this time very different to anything we have had before. Torbz, a renowned Glastonbury musician – and social activist – plays the ‘handpan’, a relatively new instrument that resembles a flying saucer but which makes a compellingly evocative and beautiful sound of tuned percussion, somewhere between a steel drum and tabla. Everyone was mesmerised as Torbz played and sang some of his own excellent compositions and a very memorable rendition of Peter Gabriel’s Mercy Street. This was a real treat to begin the evening programme. Torbz’s website: www.torbz.co.uk

The Saturday morning began, as is now customary, with Sheila Martin giving out the notices and introducing the usually stage-elusive Diana Brown, our main ticket secretary, getting her some much-deserved applause. Sheila then went into her now nicely-honed and very entertaining routine of seeing how many people in the packed audience come from which countries. From the shout-outs and shows of hands it was clear just how much of an international conference the Symposium is, with a surprisingly large number of countries represented from all around the world.

Psychopathy is not an easy subject but Thomas Sheridan, who followed the lunch break, has spent a long time researching it and has reached a balanced perspective. Speaking with a good dose of Irish humour – indeed, he likened the Trump presidency to an episode of Father Ted! – this was a perfect antidote to the very dark nature of some of the material he was dealing with. Thomas explained the danger signs that might reveal psychopaths in one’s personal life, as well as teaching us how to identify them in world leaders and authority figures (not understanding humour being one of the signs). He expressed the importance of never underestimating the peril that can result from exposure to people capable of real “evil” and gave useful advice as to how to deal with them – the most basic strategy being always to run away in the opposite direction if at all possible… This subject was an unusual but highly valuable addition to the Symposium’s repertoire, presented very well. Thomas’s website: www.streetdruid.net

It is always nice when people share their personal experiences and how they have led to a sea change in life. The next speaker, Philip Kinsella, described experiences of a different kind when he told of his memory of being abducted by ‘grey’ extra-terrestrials. Despite the more frightening aspects Philip spoke with great positivity, not in regard to the event itself but as to how it opened up a whole new universe of love for him. He discussed different aspects of the ‘alien abduction’ phenomenon, what these beings might be and why they need us (the extraction of genetic material, for instance, perhaps to aid their own reproduction, but also a desire to reconnect to soul, a gift they may have lost). His talk, presented in a very convivial and generous spirit, was illustrated with amazing artwork from his twin brother Ronald, and Philip left the audience with many profound thoughts to ponder. Philip’s website: http://philip-kinsella.co.uk

Our original speaker for the final Saturday slot was geopolitical journalist Gearoid O’Colmain, but unfortunately he suddenly had to pull out due to unforeseen circumstances. Therefore it was very good that the Symposium’s old friend Palden Jenkins was able to step in at extremely short notice and, being a true pro, still managed to give a brilliantly informed and interesting talk on the way the world is heading. Whether it be political, environmental or technological changes, changes there will be – and they will be profound and arrive rapidly. How we choose to respond to them will be what makes the difference to creating a positive future for humankind and the planet. Palden is renowned for speaking off the cuff and from the heart and he did not disappoint, with his fluid and deeply insightful commentary. (Let’s hope there was nothing prophetic in the fact that when he said “we haven’t blown ourselves up – yet” there was instantly, by coincidence, a loud blast of interference over the speakers!) Palden’s website: www.palden.co.uk

With the continuing controversy over the UK’s attempts to break away from the European Union, Terry Boardman‘s presentation, which examined the deeper history of how the EU was set up and of how the USA was at the heart of encouraging it into being, was a revelation. Terry’s understanding of history and the unseen undercurrents that underpin huge events, together with his ability to explain this accessibly and dramatically, is spellbinding and he held the audience enrapt. His ability to paint vast landscapes which uncover the bigger picture of how underlying geopolitical movements have shaped the world is second to none. Terry believes that only a reformed free (“threefold”) Europe, not the federal nightmare it currently risks becoming, will offer a real way forward if it is ever to really work. This was a truly compelling lecture and the fact that it received the longest and most heartfelt applause of the whole weekend is testament to Terry’s powerful performance. Terry’s website: www.threeman.org

After lunch, Brian Stein‘s talk wasn’t easy listening, but essential listening. For all the benefits, we can’t bury our heads in the sand and pretend there isn’t a risk that mobile phones and wi-fi might have ill-effects on our health. With calm tones and sometimes wry humour Brian expertly presented his personal story of realising that he was becoming ‘electrosensitive’ to such devices in a way that made it hard for him to continue working as the CEO of a major company. His campaign to raise awareness of the issue has met suspicious resistance from authorities, which are demonstrably covering up concerns over the effects of the electromagnetic soup that now surrounds us. Brian has put together an impressive amount of research which strongly suggests we have a problem. If there is even a small risk that we might be endangering our long-term health and the environment (bees may well be affected too, for instance), then it surely needs addressing – now. Brian’s webpage: www.es-uk.info/about/brian.html

“Repetition, repetition, repetition” was David’s advice for the successful outcome of positive visualisation. Over the years, the Symposium, too, has learnt this lesson: by continually pushing to give coverage to subjects generally ignored by the mainstream, the hope is that gradually, gently but persistently, these important areas will filter out to the world and leave a permanent mark somewhere in the collective psyche, however modest.

From the vast collection of archive presentations from the last 27 years, our videos have begun to circulate on YouTube and beyond from this summer onwards, so hopefully this effect will become ever stronger, justifying the existence, and persistence, of the Glastonbury Symposium even more. Thank you to everyone who plays a part in its organisation; long may it continue.

Report by Helen Sewell, photos by Andy Thomas