Stonehenge. I feel as though I’ve always known about Stonehenge; there isn’t one singular moment in my time I can recall; of course there a great many years to sift through! But seriously, I believe my knowing of Stonehenge is a soul memory. And for decades, and I mean decades, my soul longed to return there. The people I have friended on Facebook have been viewing my posts of Stonehenge photos taken by a variety of photographers across The Pond. Some might say I have been obsessed – and they would be right.

The decision to finally go to England evolved real spur-of-the-moment-like in mid-July. Every year I watch videos of the Glastonbury celebration of the Summer Solstice at Glastonbury Tor as well as the event held at Stonehenge and share them on Facebook. In July I sent a summer solstice video to a friend of mine, who shares my spiritual beliefs. I wrote about how wonderful it would be to go to Glastonbury. Long story short we decided to just go for it after I told her the annual Glastonbury Dragons Wild Hunt was happening on her birthday, just two days before mine. And Glastonbury was only a couple hours from Stonehenge. And that’s how it happened.

The dream I had longed for for so long became real. We were not on one of the “Inner Circle” tours that take 12-15 people into, into, the circle. But, in 2027, when I return (gotta pay off this trip!), I will be booking that tour.

And yet, the energy, ever emanating from those stone pillars of sarsen, lintel and bluestone, was palpable; vibrating me into a state of peace and wearing a “Mona Lisa” smile. I’m reliving it as I write this. Soul memories surfaced, which I will keep to myself ...

And the crows! I learned there are five different crow species found in and around the Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, where Stonehenge is located. And there are always crows there, which makes sense: Crows are messengers, connected to this world and the spiritual realms. As such they’ve been associated with prophecy. All around me was magic.

For all the intel on each of the stones, The English Heritage website has all the physical and historical information about the site you could want.

On the Winter Solstice, its Druidic name, Alban Arthan (the light of Arthur), will arrive here Sunday, Dec. 21 at 10:03 a.m. A celebration of the rebirth of the sun which, from this day forward, will gradually gain strength right through to Ostara – the first day of spring.

The Winter Solstice is celebrated with fires – in fireplace, fire pit, or cauldron – rituals are held followed by feasting, singing, dancing, drumming (and any other instrument someone in your group can play), readings, meditations, tarot, runes, readings of prose and poetry, often lasting through the long night.

Candles, let there be light! There are many observances/rituals, written long ago as well as contemporary. Some individuals or groups of celebrants write their own ritual or use one they have come to love over the years. My favorite begins in darkness, as most do, however there are as many candles as can be safely placed all around the room, or outdoors in a stone circle (which can be tricky with cold winds and such). At a specific moment in the ritual, all of these candles are lit and remain so. There’s a lot of bell jingling at certain points during my favorite ritual. It is, in short (heheheh), a most light-hearted celebration of love, the sun and each other.

Meanwhile, the celebration at Stonehenge will begin before the sunrise. Drawing a very large group of celebrants - Druids, witches, seers, musicians, poets and other folk will gather to witness the rising of the sun on Alban Arthur. 

However you choose to celebrate the return of the sun, may there be loved ones celebrating with you this Sunday, Dec. 21.

Bright Blessings and Blessed Be!