English Heritage is saying that people have been celebrating summer solstice at Stonehenge for “thousands of years“. But where’s their evidence? Winter solstice, yes, they have shown loads of evidence for that, but not summer. So it’s strange they are making unsubstantiated claims about the cultural importance of the summer considering they are keen to reduce numbers in the summer. Anyway, here’s the authentic solstice view that none of the attendees will see this summer, it’s by our member Jimit and it showes the winter solstice sunset, viewed from outside the stones on the original ceremonial approach ….
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How convenient by the ancients, making the big moment sunset instead of sunrise. No-one has to stand around waiting all night and, because it’s mostly not dark, it involves a lot less security and infrastructure. The Australians can confirm that’s the case. Here’s their winter solstice sunset celebration at “The Henge”, Bywong. No expense, no security, no infrastructure, no stone climbing, no litter, no damage, no moaning!
As the Canberra times reported: “Out at Bywong they steered clear of any of the pagan rituals seen at some genuinely ancient sites around the world, and instead enjoyed a barbecue, hot chocolate, mulled wine and a fun family atmosphere”. Imagine that! Hot chocolate, mulled wine and a fun family atmosphere!
So who stole OUR solstice?
The Heritage Journal 
4 comments
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09/06/2016 at 17:38
solsticepilgrim
In theory, its great idea to develop the winter solstice sunset as separate gathering, however what about the detail? Firstly, the summer solstice celebration is an established gathering with lots of people turning up whether you want them to or not. The introduction of car parking charges and the alcohol ban will help reduce numbers to some extent, but attendance is still likely to number in the thousands. English Heritage (EH) and the National Trust (NT) need to get along with their promise to remove the old A344 northern stock boundary fence and reconnect monument field with the upper end of the avenue. This would help spread people out over a wider area. It would also help if EH and the NT would start negotiations with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and remove a section of trees on the horizon in order to recreate the ‘sun gap’. Both these suggestions would provide a visual focal point and the space needed for people to gather away from the stones.
If EH were to develop the winter solstice sunset (bearing in mind that it is often cloudy and there is nothing to actually see), then lighting /security would be needed to be provided at an extra cost. Another issue would be that people would still want to attend the dawn gathering as well. It is worth remembering that the current access arrangement is only an hour and half long with many leaving before 9:00am. One cost effective solution here would be to simply film the sunset with a thermal imaging camera and broadcast the results online with a little commentary.
09/06/2016 at 17:46
heritageaction
It’s the going inside the stones in large numbers that is the root of all damage and disrespect. If EH discouraged this, on the grounds it wasn’t what the place was for, half the problems would be solved!
09/06/2016 at 20:23
solsticepilgrim
I certainly agree that overcrowding in the centre of the circle at midsummer is a major problem which needs to be addressed. However, I would suggest that one way to solve this issue is by opening up monument field in order to reconnect it with the upper end of the Avenue (EH and the NT have promised to do this – please see Tim Daw’s Sarsen website for more details)
http://www.sarsen.org/2016/05/summer-2016-planned-improvement-to.html
At present attendees are bunched-up against the old A344 fence in an unnatural way. The sun gap is also important because when viewed from the centre of the circle the sun can only be seen to rise to the right of the Heel Stone, rather than to the left as originally intended. Both, these issues are to do with ‘authenticity’ and simply providing the space and focal point for people to gather away from the main circle. Yes, the winter solstice sunset is / was the main event, but the summer solstice sunrise is also important. The researcher Terence Meaden talked about the ‘sacred shadow’ in his book ‘Stonehenge – The Secret of the Solstice’ whereby the ancients witnessed a shadow cast by the Heel Stone reaching right into the heart of the circle. The midsummer sunrise shadow was about the renewal of life (mating of father sky with mother earth) in addition to the sombre reflection of midwinter.
Basically, this discussion is about people gathering outside of main circle (whether it be midsummer or midwinter) and whether they are ‘authentic’. I would say they both are and a summer gathering outside the circle is possible, albeit without the old A344 fence and a small section of trees on the horizon.
18/12/2016 at 08:12
oracleofeerwah
Have a look at Summer solstice at Eerwah… its older than Stonehenge. 21 Dec. Its Summer in Oz… It might just blow you out, nobody knows about it.
When I was a lad, I used to play and climb the stones at stonehenge… my children have been there at Solstice and you can’t get near the place. Times have changed.