Happy #SummerSolstice! /sNhNKEGExR- English Heritage June 21, 2018īuilt in three phases between 3,000BC and 1,600BC, the stones are positioned to align with the sunrise on the two annual solstices, summer and winter. The crowd cheers as the sun rises through the stones on the longest day of the year. The summer solstice occurs when the tilt of Earth’s axis is most inclined towards the sun and is directly above the Tropic of Cancer. It was often the period when people who worked the land could relax, too, which is one reason why June became the traditional months for weddings. It was a fixed point around which the planting and harvesting of crops could be planned, but also marked the spiritual side of the shifting of the seasons. In the West, summer solstice festivals are associated with pagans, for whom the longest day had both practical and religious significance. The name derives from “sol”, the Latin word for sun, and “sistere”, meaning “sun standing still”.Īstrologers believe the name came about becuase the Sun seems to “stand still” at the point on the horizon where it appears to rise and set, before moving off in the reverse direction, according to The Daily Telegraph. The newly launched Stonehenge Skyscape project, set up by English Heritage, means people across the globe can “tune in to the monument whenever they want”, says The Guardian. On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone, the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle, and rays of sunlight are channelled into the centre of the monument.įor those unable to enjoy the spectacle in person, a digital live-stream of Stonehenge is now showing the scene, with a digital version of the sky above screened at night-time. The monument is built on the alignment of the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset. “There was a lovely, friendly atmosphere throughout, the Sun shone and the dawn was greeted with loud cheers,” she added. Kate Logan, English Heritage’s director of Stonehenge, said the event was “one of the highlights of the year” at the popular site.

Fact Check: Is Easter a Christian or pagan festival?Ībout 10,000 people gathered at the Neolithic monument in Wiltshire as dawn broke, the BBC reports.

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Summer soulstice 2016