Summer Solstice - Stonehenge 20/21 June 2008

Today is the Summer Solstice also known as Litha (also The Longest Day). After today, the days will shorten and the nights will start to draw in. The Solstice in one of the Minor Sabbats (along with Winter Solstice and Autumn and Equinoxes). Summer Solstice is a sign of halfway through the season; the power of the sun begins to wane. It is a time of fertility and to celebrate the harvest due to arrive. It is also a time of reflection.

Usually I celebrate the Sabbat at home by sitting in a circle meditating and healling, however, this year, I had the chance to visit Stonehenge and to actually be in amongst the stones until sunrise.

I arrived around 7pm where I met up with some of my team members until about 8pm where we made our way to the stones. After walking through the centre of the stones, we made our way to the other side where we found our spot for the duration of the Solstice (near the Slaughter stone). There were 7 of us altogether and it was such a fun night. We spent the time together chatting and the team dynamics worked well. The centre circle was absolutely heaving with people dancing to drum beats and at times it was near impossible to walk through.

There were a diversity of people visiting Stonehenge; Witches, Druids and others who came along to experience Stonehenge (unfortunately including some who were only there to get totally stoned). I estimate around 20,000 people may have visited the stones yesterday. Everyone seemed very friendly and happpy to chat and it was certainly an experience.

The sunrise was around 4.50; seeing an orange colour start to gradually appear at daybreak was awesome however that soon descended into cloud and rain, preventing the sun from appearing.

I would definitely go again though it's not something I'd like to do every year though. Just a shame it rained. I got absolutely soaked and it took around 2 hours to get out of the car park in the morning (why they don't have 1 entrance to get in and another to get out is a mystery to me!).

It was a privilege to have been allowed to go actually into the stone circle; however as lovely as I found it, I have to say I think I preferred the time when I assisted with a memorial ritual a few years ago as that was a lot more personal, more private and wasn't crowded.

SOLSTICE PHOTOS FROM STONEHENGE