Stonehenge Summer Solstice Festival
Every year, a large group of people gathers at Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice. Those that gather can be divided into two groups: pagan and party-goers.
What is the Summer Solstice?
The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, usually on June 20 or June 21.
It has historically been a date that has been celebrated since it marks the changing of the seasons. It is also a day that has been important to many religions and societies throughout history.
Who are the partygoers?
There is definitely a Burning Man-esque feel to the festival, with large groups of people celebrating the solstice with music, and drugs, and socializing. There is standing on top of the sacred rocks and yelling and partying.
They want to be a part of the celebration, and so they are. Maybe in the only way that they know how.
They want to be a part of the celebration, and so they are. Maybe in the only way that they know how.
Who are the religious gatherers?
Many are self-described "modern druids", connecting with the earth and celebrating in their sacred temple.
However, there are many critiques that these people are not druids, but instead "modern new-age hippies" who do not study or follow the old ways. I don't personally know enough to tell the difference
Does it work?
Personally, people from both sides feel a bit disrespectful to me.
The party-goers are easy to see why. They are not respecting the historical importance of the area, littering, and seeming to only care about their good time.
Many of the religious gatherers though seem to be there without understanding or belief, instead using a vague "spiritualness" to describe their presence. They seem to be there to feel important and party, but are less honest about that than the partiers.
But, religious festivals are generally mixes of the incredibly faithful and the faithful-when-it's-convenient (think about modern Christianity and Christmas and Easter celebrations). I don't know enough about anyone there to judge.
Kate Green, the Druidess of Aes Dana Grove, put it best:
The party-goers are easy to see why. They are not respecting the historical importance of the area, littering, and seeming to only care about their good time.
Many of the religious gatherers though seem to be there without understanding or belief, instead using a vague "spiritualness" to describe their presence. They seem to be there to feel important and party, but are less honest about that than the partiers.
But, religious festivals are generally mixes of the incredibly faithful and the faithful-when-it's-convenient (think about modern Christianity and Christmas and Easter celebrations). I don't know enough about anyone there to judge.
Kate Green, the Druidess of Aes Dana Grove, put it best:
"Everyone is here because they're drawn here for some reason. And if they're getting [unknown word] and still partying, they're still here. And, yah know, it's kinda sometimes when yah take drugs and drink that you're looking for something. Looking for a spiritual connection."
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