Newgrange passage tomb in Ireland is one of the earliest and greatest feats of solar alignment, built 500 years before the pyramids in Giza and 1,000 years before Stonehenge. This prehistoric monument built around 3200 BC is associated with the Alban Arthan festival. In the Welsh language, "Alban Arthan" means for "Light of Winter." Alban Arthan is considered to be the oldest seasonal festival of humankind. Part of Druidic traditions, the winter solstice represents a time of death and rebirth.
Cultures around the world have long held feasts and celebrated holidays around the winter solstice. Fire and light being the traditional symbols of celebrations held on the darkest day of the year.
For me it is that important turning point during our winter months when the nights no longer turn darker but very slowly turn lighter, signalling, brighter, warmer days ahead.
We have never been big on birthday, anniversary and other celebrations, but the winter solstice is always worthy of noting because it signals the lengthening of the days and a march towards spring. Now that's a reason for a toast!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same David - the thought of lighter brighter days put a spring in my step.
DeleteWhat beautiful photos! Winter Solstice blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteWinter Solstice blessing to you too Debra.
DeleteHappy Solstice to you!
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you Barbara.
DeleteIt's nice to know that we've turned the corner again and we'll start to get a little more light each day. When I worked on a farm we always noted Valentine's Day, not because we were hopeless romantics, but because it always seemed to mark the day when we could finish work and get home without needing to turn the car headlights on!
ReplyDeleteSt Valentine's Day is only 2 months away - I like your thinking John.
DeleteDear Rosemary, For us the toughest weather is yet to come. It does give me hope that there are places where the Sun shows it's face a little longer each day. Photos are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteWe need candles and pretty lights to nuture us thought these darker days of winter Gina.
DeleteStunning photos. I'm so pleased we have reached the winter solstice, a bit more daylight each day.
ReplyDeleteMe too Polly.
DeleteWinters do seem to be getting easier now I'm older, probably due to the fact I'm not working outside every day these last few years. I do like my sunshine and fire though and it's amazing how even two candles burning can heat a living room up by several degrees without any other heat source switched on. The power of the light is still relevant today.
ReplyDeleteLight the candles, enjoy a mug of hot chocolate, an oven warm mincepie, and alls well in the world.
DeleteLovely photos as always, Rosemary. Of course, we are now going to be getting shorter days although at present we have lovely long days with temps of 25/26°C quite hot enough for me. Have a wonderful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteNow the snow has departed, our temperatures have gone up to 11/12°C which is not at all bad for us here in mid-winter. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas too.
DeleteLove that first photo. A place I’d love to visit. Roll on brighter days. B x
ReplyDeleteThe interior passageways inside Newgrange are awe inspiring and so too is the wonderful megalithic artwork carved into the stones.
DeleteNewgrange is interesting, another celebration of the solstice. We hear so much about Stonehenge and have visited it. They both look spectacular in your photos. I had not noticed our Summer solstice was yesterday - good to look forward to shorter days with less burning sunlight!
ReplyDeleteDear Patricia - how interesting to hear that you look forward to less burning sunlight whilst we yearn for more sunlight. Are we humans ever satisfiedX
DeleteFor us the worst of winter comes after the solstice, but knowing that brighter days are ahead makes it seem easier. We are in the midst of a deep freeze just now, much like what you recently experienced.
ReplyDeleteOur very cold week, although lovely to look at, mean't that we used far more energy than normal so the milder conditions now very welcome.
DeleteFascinating how the ancients could devise these.
ReplyDeleteThese ancient remains have been researched ad infinitum but the stones keep their mysteries to themselves. Most of the stones are enormous and impossible to move but they do not come from the areas where they have been assembled. How on earth did Neolithic man manage to lift and move them?
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