Stone circles and the solstice?

Question

There is a stone circle not far from my house (see link), i just wondered if there will be anything going on tomorrow. Is it just stone henge people go to, or do they also visit other stone circles across the country.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=3

What sort of rituals will go on there?

Answer 1

Stone circles or "henges" are generally accepted as being religious sites predating the Druid era. The druids came along after most were constructed and adopted them as sites of Druidic worship Stonehenge is only the MOST famous of these henges and therefore the MOST used for religious purposes by modern day Druids and Witches. Your local "circle" MIGHT be used by local Druids and Witches as the setting for a small ceremony however I doubt that there would be a LARGE gathering at that site. Litha, the Name of the Pagan Sabat for the Summer Solstice is not usually one of the days where LARGER gatherings are held. The larger gatherings tend to Occur on May 1st (Beltane) and October 31st (Samhain).. IF such a gathering is to be held it would most likely be a public event. You MAY attend but be respectful of what is going on, observe, listen, and learn. There may even be a time for questions from the outside court. Do NOT cross the boundary of the "cast circle" unless personally invited. The CAST circle is the same as the Altar area of a Christian Church, and is off limits to everyone NOT actually a participant in the Religious ceremony and is considered to be "Sacred Space". If you are invited, remove your shoes as you will be walking upon Sacred Ground.

I hope this answers SOME of your questions.

Brightest Blessings,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 2

It probably is there for the same reason stone henge is. Its something to do with the alignment of the planets and places like stonehenge and your circle on the summer and winter solstice. I think the winter solstice is bigger than the summer. I don't know what happens at stonehenge on the solstices as I've never been although I live near by. But I read that you can feel an energy when you get close to the stones, so maybe you should just go to the stones near you on the 21st June and 21st December (take a picnic), hang around and see if you feel anything and see what other people do.

Answer 3

There are many sites around the country that will be visited on the day of the Summer Solstice, one of the pre-eminent days in the calendar of the pre-Christian Britons. Stonehenge will be the central focus, especially as Glastonbury festival is taking place at the moment, but Glastonbury Tor will also see an influx of people, particularly to welcome in the dawn. Other sites which I suspect will be visited are Avebury and the numerous chalk figures around the country, such as the white horses and the Cerne giant.

I am hoping to be at Wayland Smithie to welcome in the Solstice dawn. This is a neolithic long barrow about 1 mile due east of the Uffingham white horse, just outside of Wantage, and I feel certain that I will not be the only person there.

Answer 4

Stone circles are quite old and their shape and orientation did seem to have a celestial basis.

Their introduction coincided with climatic which ha a negativ impact on the yearly cycle of food for hunter gatherers and for the budding farming communities of the time.

Itis posible, therefore, that these were an attempt to appease whatever deities it was felt were responsible fo the weather change. The effect of the clmate change at the time must have felt catastrophic as cut forests and farmland turned slowly to bog.

The appearance of the circles also coincided with the transition from moon to sun worship in the Brtish Isles.

So bottom line, its open season on stone circles!

Answer 5

How fantastic to live near such a place. Why don't you go along and have a look. Sunrise is about 4.40am tomorrow morning so be there to greet it. If there is anyone there you normally find they are very friendly and open in the ritual. The more the merrier, so to speak.
Most pagans are quite open about these things, there will probably be an open ritual,music, dance, chanting etc.
What a lovely way to start the day.
If you go do let us know what you think of it.
Good Soltice.

Answer 6

stonehenge was built aligned with the summer and winter solstices the equinoxes are aligned to others,Avebury is a popular place to visit because of the pub in the village and the vegetarian restaurant and its links with the sanctuary,the adam and eve stones and the bekhampton tumulii.
also silbury hill and west kennet long barrow beautiful places to eatch sunrise.

your circle may be aligned to something else but it won't hurt to get up and watch a sunrise tommorow.

have fun

Answer 7

Stonehenge does seem to be a main one, but other stone circles are also visited. There are some not far from me at Avebury & I know that it is popular there on the solstice.

Answer 8

You don't have to go to stonehenge.

I'm not sure many people go to others. But I'm just going for a walk in the woods on the solstice and doing my own private ritual in my back garden.

Answer 9

There will be small festivals all over the world in celebration. If there isn't a gathering in your circle, make one. I go where ever I can to celebrate the solstice. The goddess knows that you honor her where ever you decide to spend your day.

Answer 10

stone circles predate the druids by a 1000 years so its all nonesense anyway. It like confusing the Battle of Hastings with the Battle of Britain.