Solstice Ceremony at Stonehenge with Dolmen Grove - Part 1

Highlights of Solstice Ceremony at Stonehenge with Dolmen Grove.

N.B. Due to the length of the footage I had to splice it in half, so for part 2 click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfwIC4vibIs

On the 29th June 2008, Dark Dorset was privilege to be invited to the Solstice Ceremony at Stonehenge held by the Dorset based pagan group the Dolmen Grove. Find out more about the group by visiting http://www.dolmengrove.co.uk

Discover more about the Summer Soltice and other Dorset traditions in the book 'Dark Dorset Calendar Customs', by Robert Newland, now available at Amazon.co.uk. Visit the Dark Dorset website, http://www.darkdorset.co.uk or blog http://darkdorset.blogspot.com
and open the door to a world of fascinating folklore and legends.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Summer
• Solstice
• Druids
• Stonehenge
• Taloch
• Dolmen
• Grove
• Dark
• Dorset
• darkdorset
• Folklore
• Midsummer
• Pagan
• Occult
• Witch

[SparklAmethystDragon]

Of course the 29th isn't the solstice but some groups prefer to do it without the drunken ravers

[Ziggyztarz]

29th June is NOT the 'Solstice', that's a week later.........

[sonofherne]

@Kashinthegreen So no one misunderstands, anyone can book for private access to the stones. You don't need to be part of a group. It's just that each access is limited to 26 people and quite often groups of people (pagans/coach trippers) do fill up those slots. So, you have to be flexible and just a little lucky to get the day you want. Generally avoid summer as this is the most busy period.

[BlackfoxKitsune]

do you mean Ravers of CHAVs who just wreck it all for everyone, and leave rubbish all over the place ...

[Jhimrey]

Scientists have created a real life replica of Stonehenge, being 100% complete, the original one we all know so well is thought to be only 40 percent complete.

Try and look up or watch the MysteryQuest episode about the replica.

[galenct]

It makes me sad that they have not thought about reconstructing the site and placing the stones where they should be.

That being said, as a druid I feel I should say this about Stonehenge. It was originally built before Druidism. It was built by ancestors of the celts, who held old gods and goddesses. As they and the Saxons progressed it began to be used by the new religion of the celts administered by druidic priests. so, the druids did use Stonehenge, like many other stone sites and mounds.

[Hexywitch]

I love it..you have no taste!! Dolmen Grove Rocks!!!!

[Hexywitch]

The drumming is out of this world its breathtaking..Love the druids this is the home of our Ancestors..One of my favourites!

[Kashinthegreen]

Stonehenge is maintained by English Heritage. Tourists can visit (after paying a fee) but are kept about 10M from the stones by rope fences, this is to prevent damage to the stones. As a group you can book a private viewing in the evenings where you do get to walk amongst the stones. It is only the solstice rituals where the general public can walk in and use the circle like this.

[brociande]

The stones need to be reclaimed from this lot. What terrible drumming!

[SparklAmethystDragon]

Of course 29th June is not the Solstice but a number of Druid and Pagan organisations celebrate the weekends either side of the solstice so that they get can do it with the reverence it deserves and not with all the drunken ravers - I was there on the 14th June 2009 with OBOD celebrating - it was magical and very beautiful and very quiet!