Summer Solstice Week: Stonehenge - The Ancient Druid Celebration
The Summer Solstice is celebrated each year at the Circle of Stone at
Stonehenge.
The Circle of Life is presented here in the form of the Celtic
Calendar. The Calendar represents the journey of birth, life, death,
and rebirth that is reflected in all life on Earth through the
seasons of the year. It is presented, not only to educate one on the
old ways, but also to invite one to look at these celebrations with
the eyes of a new age; that what was old is new and what has been, is
still to be again.
A journey that teaches one that all beliefs are similar and cyclical
to each other and that the difference arises in the symbols that we
as humans choose to remind us of the Light, the Sun/Son of God and
the journey of life and rebirth. The Celtic religion and calendar is
based upon the Lunar cycles of the thirteen moons which occur
throughout the year.
In mainstream today, the Solar calendar, which is based upon the
cycle of the Sun's travel through the twelve signs of the zodiac is
widely used. This can cause occasional conflicts regarding the exact
date of some holidays, as they are merged from the lunar cycle into
the solar calendar.
The celebrations of the seasons bring about great joy and
festivities, as well as serving as a time to reflect on past actions.
The date of the celebrations was decided by the lunar cycles in
conjunction with Earth Changes, Animal Migrations, Harvest Schedules
and Astrological Alignments. One will find that these cycles and
their celebrations are the same around the world, from the Aborigines
in Australia, to Native Americans in the U.S., to the Celtic/Druids
in Europe, the Mayan's in Mexico, and the Inca's in Peru.
There is a circle of life and when one quiets their mind and listens
within, the beat and the dance become apparent. It is the rhythm of
the world and all of nature dances to her beat.
The word Solstice is Latin in origin, translated it means that the
sun stood still. Exoterically, the solstice recognizes that the tilt
of the Earth's rotational axis is the cause of the seasons. During
this time, the North pole is pointed closest to the sun, creating the
longest day and shortest night of the year for people in the northern
hemisphere.
The Summer Solstice represents the time when life is bursting with
goodness. In Celtic tradition, June was the most favored month for
marriages. The moon during this period is known as the Honey-Moon,
because Mead, which is made from fermented honey, is drunk on wedding
nights as an aphrodisiac. This is where the word and symbolism of a
honeymoon began.
Esoterically, Druid priests know that the pineal gland is affected by
the the Sun and the seasons and that at this time of the year, great
enlightenment can be achieved. At Summer Solstice, the energy of the
light is at its highest for the year, in the warm sunlight of Summer
which strengthens the Earth and the internal light which is awakening
the consciousness through the pineal gland. Druid's symbolize the
journey at this time by building a fire using fir and oak wood,
complimented with nine herbs selected by the priests.
Spiritually, this is a time of reflection to understand one's
passion's and interest in life. It becomes clear that our passions
can be directed upward from the lower energy areas upward to the
creative center which unleashes a higher energy and leads to a
stronger awareness of love. One learns that it is through awareness
and conscious action, further growth is achieved.
Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.
Peacefulmind.com
Therapies for healing
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