Happy Solstice!
Posted: Wed 21st Dec 2005 04:40 pm
To those of us living in the northern hemisphere, today (21st December) is the Winter Solstice (in South America, Australia etc. it is Summer Solstice). For us it is the shortest day and, therefore, the emotional low point of the year, which is why it is traditionally a time for partying and feasting to raise spirits.
This date is particularly significant to me and others of my generation who once made the annual pilgrimage to Stonehenge for a massive free party at the Summer Solstice in June.
The Stonehenge Festival was an extraordinary event. Every year up to 100,000 of us would gather in some fields across the road from the stone circle for some sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. It would start around the beginning of June and reach an overwhelming euphoric climax at sunrise on the 21st of June. The power of such a huge crowd focussed on a specific point at a precise moment was inspirational. I’m sure that it would have been magnificent even without the LSD and lack of sleep!
The festival coincided with the Glastonbury Festival, also held in June and still going. Unlike Glastonbury, though, Stonehenge was free of charge, free of authority and spontaneous. Everyone just turned up and made it happen. Bands like Hawkwind and Here & Now were regular performers along with loads of artists of every description who would bring everything required to exhibit or perform.
Unfortunately, this event was violently terminated by the fascist government of Maggie Thatcher 20 years ago (see here: http://tash.gn.apc.org/sh_bean.htm).
If you want to join me in smoking one for Solstice, the exact moment of the Winter Solstice this year is 18:35 GMT (or UT). The sunset today is also a traditional time for a celebration.
This date is particularly significant to me and others of my generation who once made the annual pilgrimage to Stonehenge for a massive free party at the Summer Solstice in June.
The Stonehenge Festival was an extraordinary event. Every year up to 100,000 of us would gather in some fields across the road from the stone circle for some sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. It would start around the beginning of June and reach an overwhelming euphoric climax at sunrise on the 21st of June. The power of such a huge crowd focussed on a specific point at a precise moment was inspirational. I’m sure that it would have been magnificent even without the LSD and lack of sleep!
The festival coincided with the Glastonbury Festival, also held in June and still going. Unlike Glastonbury, though, Stonehenge was free of charge, free of authority and spontaneous. Everyone just turned up and made it happen. Bands like Hawkwind and Here & Now were regular performers along with loads of artists of every description who would bring everything required to exhibit or perform.
Unfortunately, this event was violently terminated by the fascist government of Maggie Thatcher 20 years ago (see here: http://tash.gn.apc.org/sh_bean.htm).
If you want to join me in smoking one for Solstice, the exact moment of the Winter Solstice this year is 18:35 GMT (or UT). The sunset today is also a traditional time for a celebration.
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