Happy Pagan Christmas 2007: Winter Solstice is 22 December, 06.08 UCT(GMT). While Stonehenge (and Primrose Hill in London) are well known focus points for solstice celebrations, the Megalithic Passage Tomb, built in 3200 BC, at Newgrange, Eire, beats them all for megalithic presentation on the winter solstice.
The underground passage and chamber at Newgrange are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise!
A shaft of sunlight shines through the roof box over the entrance, and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber.
The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn from the 19th to the 23rd of December. This year the Newgrange Winter Solstice Illumination will be web cast live via Heritage Ireland.
• The fascinating and ever informative Remote Central has loads more information, plus news of a similar event in Maeshowe, the Orkneys, Scotland, which is also being streamed live.
• Between 1979 and 2005, half of all Christians stopped going to church on a Sunday.
1 comment:
Thanks for the mention Chris, have a good Solstice, talk soon...
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