Stonehenge Summer Solstice Sunset

We enter the Stonehenge grounds by walking up “the Avenue” in the same manner of the ancients, as they partook in the Summer Solstice events. A long, adventurous, and filling day is behind us, while the best is yet to come. Up from “the Bottoms” we walked, following “the Avenue” through the field among the sheep. Looming on the horizon, Stonehenge begins to enter our view.

As we enter the “Inner Oval” and look back to the east, we can see sunlight still hitting the upper reaches of the structure. Soon it becomes another sunset across the Salisbury Plain. It has occurred countless times before, although one can’t help but wonder how many sunsets remain.

Bluestones stand stoic
Clustered high upon the hill
Stonehenge sunset starts

Interactions of the Earth and sun come alive during the Autumnal Equinox, Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, and the Summer Solstice. Stonehenge is one our planet’s focal points during these celestial events, and watching a sunset from within it is nothing short of mystical. Chills run up my spine as I stand in the middle and try to comprehend all that surrounds me. Humans fully understand that the Summer Solstice marks a turning point, and the days will now begin to get shorter. However, the Neolithic structure known as Stonehenge, its mysterious origins and unknown true purpose, reminds us of how little we actually know about the world in which we live.

Stonehenge beckons us
Blue Neolithic structure
Where solstice is marked

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All photos by Ron Rowland, September 2018 (not on a solstice day).

Another article, Stonehenge: Inside The Circle, contains many additional photographs (and more of the story).

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Travel Note: If you ever intend to visit Stonehenge, it is imperative that you purchase one of the “Inner Circle” tours. These are limited to about 15 people, one tour per day, and it begins after the park closes to the general public. The daily access rotates among half a dozen or so tour companies, so you have to find the one that has access rights on the day you want to visit (and purchase your tour well in advance). If you do not get an “Inner Circle” tour, you will be required to stay behind the fencing, which is probably 50 yards away from the stones, and you will be in a very large crowd of people.

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Linked to dVerse Poets Pub — Haibun Monday 6-21-21: Solstice I, where Frank Tassone is hosting tonight and asked us to pen a haibun about the solstice.