It's that time again when the Pagans, Hippies, dossers and other weird freaks descend on Stonehenge to celebrate Summer Soltice.

So with the longest day of the year upon us (sunrise 4:53 AM - sunset 9:33 PM) we can rejoice that from now on the days will draw in and winter will soon begin.

Summer Solstice

21st June (sometimes 20th)

Standing stones on a summer's day

As the sun spirals its longest dance,

Cleanse us

As nature shows bounty and fertility

Bless us

Let all things live with loving intent

And to fulfill their truest destiny

Taken from a Wiccan blessing for Summer

Solstice, Midsummer or Litha means a stopping or standing still of the sun. It is the longest day of the year and the time when the sun is at its maximum elevation.

This date has had spiritual significance for thousands of years as humans have been amazed by the great power of the sun. The Celts celebrated with bonfires that would add to the sun’s energy, Christians placed the feast of St John the Baptist towards the end of June and it is also the festival of Li, the Chinese Goddess of light.

Like other religious groups, Pagans are in awe of the incredible strength of the sun and the divine powers that create life. For Pagans this spoke in the Wheel of the Year is a significant point. The Goddess took over the earth from the horned God at the beginning of spring and she is now at the height of her power and fertility. For some Pagans the Summer Solstice marks the marriage of the God and Goddess and see their union as the force that creates the harvest’s fruits.

This is a time to celebrate growth and life but for Pagans, who see balance in the world and are deeply aware of the ongoing shifting of the seasons it is also time to acknowledge that the sun will now begin to decline once more towards winter.

When celebrating midsummer Pagans draw on diverse traditions. In England thousands of Pagans and non-Pagans go to places of ancient religious sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury to see the sun rising on the first morning of summer. Many more Pagans hold small ceremonies in open spaces, everywhere from gardens to woodlands.

From here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/festivals/summer_solstice.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Solstice

Totster

Well, it's now shown that Sonehenge was used as a WINTER soltice festival vs. summer thing. Discover or History channel had a program on last week depicting the entire area. Good stuff.

Well, it's now shown that Sonehenge was used as a WINTER soltice festival vs. summer thing. Discover or History channel had a program on last week depicting the entire area. Good stuff.

Well... whatever they reckon... it won't stop the weirdos and freaks getting there for the summer solstice..

Can't see the freaks from the old ages wanting to worship the sun during the winter, or being able to ... there is no sun in the winter..

But I'm no expert

totster

Well, it's now shown that Sonehenge was used as a WINTER soltice festival vs. summer thing. Discover or History channel had a program on last week depicting the entire area. Good stuff.

Well... whatever they reckon... it won't stop the weirdos and freaks getting there for the summer solstice..

Can't see the freaks from the old ages wanting to worship the sun during the winter, or being able to ... there is no sun in the winter..

But I'm no expert

totster

Further up the Avon River was a place called "Woodhenge" and to respect their dead, the folks back then (before the Druids) would have a ceremony connecting the two places - there's more information coming out about the area all the time although I still have $ on Aliens moving those rocks into place.

Well, it's now shown that Sonehenge was used as a WINTER soltice festival vs. summer thing. Discover or History channel had a program on last week depicting the entire area. Good stuff.

Well... whatever they reckon... it won't stop the weirdos and freaks getting there for the summer solstice..

Can't see the freaks from the old ages wanting to worship the sun during the winter, or being able to ... there is no sun in the winter..

But I'm no expert

totster

Further up the Avon River was a place called "Woodhenge" and to respect their dead, the folks back then (before the Druids) would have a ceremony connecting the two places - there's more information coming out about the area all the time although I still have $ on Aliens moving those rocks into place.

What shit you been smoking again Boonmee? Stonehenge is miles away from the River Avon, and anyway, it was Asterix and Obelisk what moved them rocks from Wales. I've got Euros on it.

What shit you been smoking again Boonmee? Stonehenge is miles away from the River Avon, and anyway, it was Asterix and Obelisk what moved them rocks from Wales. I've got Euros on it.

Actually ... the River Avon is close to Stonehenge. It runs past Amesbury and then through Salisbury. That particluar branch then runs on down to the coast at Christchurch.

With regards to Woodhenge.. this was actually found at another stone circle in Avebury. The Avebury Circle is famous and important in it's own right, even though it is less known than Stonehenge.

What I will say though BM is that Avebury is actually on the River Kennet, so definately not up the River Avon.

Avebury

totster

Ta for the geography lesson Tots. Actually.......know the Avon well from Salisbury's tallest spire down to Ringwood and Christchurch Bay, thru' some of the most beautiful countryside in England, and was only winding our American pal Boonmee up. But I was technically correct all the same ........ Stonehenge is about 3 or 4 miles from the River Avon down the A303, and was one of the landmarks on my regular runs from Hampshire to Zummerzet many moons ago.