Pilgrimages to holy mountains
What are they?
The Aetherius Society organizes several pilgrimages a year to holy mountains which contain special spiritual energies which can be radiated to people in need through prayer, mantra and visualization.
Taking part in a pilgrimage is an inspiring – sometimes life-changing – event for any open-minded spiritual seeker.
It is also an opportunity to meet and spend time with other like-minded people, usually followed by a social gathering. Pilgrimages bring people together from all over the world to celebrate the common purpose we all share – spiritual service to others!
The Aetherius Society does not charge for these pilgrimages, and we are delighted to welcome spiritual seekers of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds.
When is the next pilgrimage?
You are warmly invited to check out our schedule of upcoming pilgrimages and register if you are interested in experiencing the magic of a holy mountain for yourself.
What are the holy mountains?
The holy mountains we visit were charged with spiritual energies in a mission called Operation Starlight, which took Dr. George King on a worldwide journey which lasted just over three years.
In July 1958, Dr. King was instructed by a Cosmic Master to climb Holdstone Down, a small mountain located in North Devonshire, England.
It was here that he was contacted by the The Master Jesus, who sent streams of spiritual power through him deep into the mountain, making Holdstone Down forever holy.
Often in gruelling and testing conditions, eighteen other mountains around the world were also charged by Cosmic Masters or Ascended Masters with spiritual power in this mission – making them beacons of light for all humankind.
The holy mountains charged in Operation Starlight are as follows:
British Isles
- Ben Hope, The Highlands, Scotland (nearest community: Tongue)
- Brown Willy, Cornwall, England (nearest community: Bodmin)
- Carnedd Llywelyn, Gwynedd, Wales (nearest community: Betws-Y-Coed)
- Creag an Leth-choin, Grampian, Scotland (nearest community: Aviemore)
- Holdstone Down, Devonshire, England (nearest community: Combe Martin)
- Kinder Scout, Derbyshire, England (nearest community: Hayfield)
- Old Man Of Coniston, Cumbria, England (nearest community: Coniston)
- Pen y Fan, Powys, Wales (nearest community: Brecon)
- Yes Tor, Devonshire, England (nearest community: Okehampton)
USA
- Castle Peak, Rocky Mountains, Colorado (nearest community: Aspen)
- Mount Adams, New Hampshire (nearest community: Gorham)
- Mount Baldy, Southern California (nearest community: Mount Baldy Village – also not far from Los Angeles)
- Mount Tallac, Northern California (nearest community: Tahoe Valley)
Australia
- Mount Kosciuszko, New South Wales (nearest community: Thredbo)
- Mount Rams Head, New South Wales (nearest community: Thredbo)
New Zealand
- Mount Wakefield, South Island (nearest community: Mount Cook)
Africa
- Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (nearest community: Arusha)
Europe
- Mederger Flue, Switzerland (nearest community: Davos)
- Le Nid d’Aigle, France (nearest community: Les Houches)
Dr. George King at the charged spot on Mt. Tallac, California.
This photograph of Dr. George King is one of several that were taken on Mt. Ramshead, Australia, immediately after the mountain was charged through Dr. King, on December 8th, 1960. All of the original negatives show a distinct energy beam flowing from the top of the frame to Dr. King's head and shoulders.
Dr. George King at the charged spot on Mt. Baldy, California, during Operation Starlight.
What to expect during the pilgrimage
Dynamic Prayer and Mantra
Send out spiritual energy for peace, and to specific areas of the world in need which have been affected by war, natural catastrophe, etc, using The Twelve Blessings.
Operation Prayer Power
Take part in Operation Prayer Power in July every year on Holdstone Down in Devon, England, where this mission was first inaugurated by Dr. King in 1973. This is the only place anywhere in the world where Operation Prayer Power takes place on a holy mountain.
Socials
Pilgrims usually gather after the pilgrimage at a restaurant, pub or other local venue for a meal together. The arrangements for this are announced during the pilgrimage.
Preparation and climbing
Mountains are potentially very dangerous places. We recommend that if you have a long distance to travel, you arrive the day prior to a morning pilgrimage at suitable local accommodation so as to have a good night’s rest before climbing the mountain on the following day. We also strongly suggest having a good breakfast and drinking plenty of fluids before climbing.
You should be well prepared for sudden changes in the weather – wear mountain boots, and carry both warm and waterproof clothing. A hat, sun block, energy bars and water are all basic essentials but requirements will vary depending on the mountain and weather conditions. Always make sure you inform someone of your plans and the time you are expecting to return.
Official pilgrimages are led by designated Members of The Aetherius Society.
There is often a group of pilgrims who are unable to make the full climb, but who nevertheless gather together on the lower slopes in order to tune in to, and access, the spiritual energy of the mountain.
You should not attempt a mountain climb that exceeds your level of fitness or health. If you are unable to make the full climb on a particular mountain you can still do a tremendous amount of good from whatever point you reach.
Services are usually held at more than one spot on the mountain, to take into account the differing levels of fitness of the pilgrims.
IMPORTANT: All pilgrims should inform us in advance which mountain(s) they plan to climb. Please note that all pilgrims take part in these pilgrimages at their own risk.
During the Service
During these Services we chant mantra and practice The Twelve Blessings.
Prayer is one of the most important practices in Aetherius Society teachings; it is a way of invoking and sending out spiritual energy in order to help yourself and others.
If you are not familiar with the prayers we use during these Services, we usually have prayer sheets on hand for anyone to use. Alternatively, you may wish to just focus on the experience and allow the energy to flow through you. Either way, if you come with an open heart and mind, it can be a powerful spiritual experience.
In The Aetherius Society we also use mantras. Mantra is the chanting of sacred sounds.
If you have not been initiated into the mantras we use during our Services, we request that you remain silent and just allow the energy to flow through you. The mantra initiation CD/audio download is available to purchase. Once you have listened to the initiation given by Dr. King, you will be able to join in with the mantras when you attend.
In this 72-minute recording, Master of Yoga Dr. George King will initiate you into no less than eleven mantras of great power and beauty.