This morning we celebrated the summer solstice with a few hundred if not a thousand or so people who wanted to celebrate the summer equinox.

I’ve been to stonehenge as a teenager but that was a number of years back and besides, we were behind the guided rope and quite a distance from the actual stones. To say I was unimpressed is an understatement.

My lovely had never been there and it was a ‘bucket list’ experience she wanted. Plus it happens to be on the way to Glastonbury (another first for both of us) and she was sure I was going to say “you wanna go where?” but instead my answer was short and sweet “Hell yeah”! Such a turn around from being the stroppy kid. This time I’d be able to touch the individual stones and be inside the ring of monoliths.

Arriving in the oh dark hundreds we parked with all the rest of the masses and clomped through the fields to reach the ancient site. It was full of all different kinds of people and drinks were not allowed in so there was no very big displays of drunks or arguments. Just chatter and sleeping mounds with feet to avoid tripping over in the dark .. even if it was lit by huge flood lights in the distance.

We settled in, taking photos and chatting with people, one guy regaling a story of meeting another man at a previous solstice who was convicted both of them had been friends and worked together on the construction of the henge a few thousand years ago. People are a pleasure to listen to and to experience when you take the time to be still. I love to witness the humanity in people, the care we can have for each other as lovers, friends and family. To see parents proving all the needs of their child who is happily toddling along hand in hand, while pulling a cart with blankets, sippy cups, teddy bear and love.

It was just before the sunrise and we edged slowly slowly among the shuffle of people to the inside of the ring of stones. These stones are called the healing stones of stonehenge and after being inside during the solstice sunrise .. I’m inclined to believe in a mystical alchemy there. The energy is incredible amongst so many people trilling and ululating their joy with the beat of the drums providing a pulse to the gathering. I didn’t notice it so much while inside the ring .. just a feeling of peace and calm joy. Of acceptance.

The moment the sun rose was a pure rush of sound and a clamouring of arms with cameras thrust in the air to capture it all. To preserve this moment .. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t do the same. Yet I took a moment to make a positive affirmation for myself and a rejection of the negative. To issue a renewed change for the better in my life. If ever there was a time to try the law of attraction and healing .. this was the time and place.

We soaked it up and moved out of the ring to capture to entirety of the stone monuments from outside with the sun as the backdrop before the sun rose into the clouds on the horizon. On our way out of the stones I met a lovely group of people standing on the outer stones all with joyful faces. I asked if I may take their photo and they said yes. I’m glad they agreed.

Within minutes of leaving the inner section and photographing from outside the stones I felt like something was missing, incomplete. I couldn’t name it but we circled and went back in to stand at the altar stone. I repeated my affirmations and stood still, just being. Saying goodbye and thank you for the experience.

Time to go. A few final photos to remember the scale of the place and the numbers of people. A few fields to walk and we received a very welcome meal from the Hare Krishna people at the exit. Delicious and now complete.

So .. face forwards and go.