Read more: Stonehenge attracts thousands as Pagans mark longest day of the year with celebrationĪlthough not much is known about its formation, those facts are thought to be involved with whatever religious, mystical or spiritual elements were central to its construction. The way that the stones are positioned is said to be aligned with sunrises on the two annual solstices.
This year it’s falling on a weekend for the first time in more than a decade and is expected to draw much larger crowds. Of those who attend, many are druids, but some are tourists. Thousands flock to the English Heritage site for the solstice in a tradition which has its roots in pagan times, when Midsummer Day was considered to have power. The midsummer solstice is being celebrated at Stonehenge on Saturday into Sunday and at the Avebury stone circle from Friday until Monday. Near Stonehenge in Salisbury, sunrise will be at 04:52 and sunset will occur at 21:26. In London on the summer solstice, the sun will rise at 04:43 and set at 21:21. This year it’s on Monday, June 20.Īs it happens twice annually, the winter solstice in the UK is between December 20 and 22. In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice takes place between June 20 and 22. Read more: New Stonehenge alignment theory proved right as monument’s tallest stone points at solstice sunset When is it? The word solstice is derived from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). In the winter solstice, we’re tilted furthest away from the sun, hence shorter hours of daylight and the shortest day.
Technically, it’s when the tilt of Earth’s axis is most inclined towards the sun, and that’s why we get the most daylight of the year. It’s generally understood to mark the middle of summer – even though some of us may feel like we haven’t really had the first half yet in the UK. Mostly it’s because it’s the longest day of the year, and there’s a very British pessimism that says the days will immediately start to shorten into winter from now on.īut there’s also the shenanigans at Stonehenge, general celebrations and a pause to celebrate the summer. Party time: Druids, pagans and revellers take part in a winter solstice ceremony at StonehengeĮvery year, around this time, we start talking about the summer solstice.
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