Winter Solstice Stonehenge pictures (1)

The Winter Solstice 2004 was on Tuesday 21st December 12.41p.m
There was Open Access at Stonehenge for the sunrise at 8.03a.m

Open Access for the 2004 Winter Solstice at Stonehenge began at 7.30a.m. There was no car park open on the English Heritage site, so everyone used the nearby lanes and any available lay-bys surrounding the stones. It was all very different from the heavy security and police presence at the Summer Solstice in June - much more relaxed, due to the smaller amount of people - the temperature tends to deter many at this time of the year!
Instead of around 30,000 people as in the summer we were amongst a small band of about 300.

It was easy to reach the centre of the mighty stones - no massive crowds, instead lots of room to stand and stare in awe of the massive megaliths. Luckily there was no rain as the dawn approached, but it was very cold. Most of the crowd was well prepared with thick coats, scarves, gloves and enveloping blankets.

We were led by a wonderful druid with some peace and love chants - the atmosphere was great. Then a hand-fasting ceremony was held and others followed this with dancing and bongo playing. A lone Japanese woman did her own celebratory singing between the trilithons, some hugged stones, whilst others just enjoyed being in the magical circle of the people's own temple.

The sky began to gradually change colour as dawn approached, but the cloud prevented us seeing the actual sun rise on the Winter Solstice morning. It didn't seem to matter though - most of us left the gathering feeling spiritually uplifted, generally energised and filled with a feeling of well-being - glad to be alive on such a magic morn!

click on the thumbnail to see a bigger version

The Winter Solstice crowd gathers
within the sacred stone circle