Well here we are coming up to the Summer Solstice, and enjoying an issue of Cheeky Angels which is putting focus on this festival. When I was asked if I wanted to write something in line with the Solstice theme, I had a little think and became inspired by the landscape around me and thought I would share it with you.
When we think of Solstice days and special times of the year, we envision gatherings, celebrations and times of festivities at communal sites, held sacred by many due to their longstanding beauty, mystery and the awe they inspire, namely standing stones and stone circles for us in the UK.
Fortunately for me, I live in the centre of Aberdeenshire in Scotland, and a landscape littered with stone circles, 99 on record! Our stone circles are know as recumbent stone circles and are particular as they are only found in this area of Scotland and South West Ireland respectively.
A recumbent circle always has a large slab, laid recumbent( reclined, horizontal) and levelled, with tall, flanking stones at either side. To any who sees them, this organisation of stones creates the appearance of a mighty alter, a platform, or for some a representation of the horizon- to view the major standstill moon in the southern sky, occurring every 18 & half years.
Though we cannot know for sure just exactly what the purpose of such circles were for, in researching the recumbent circles of the North East, I discovered a few things: 1) that they are often found in good farmland, 2) they are usually near hilltops 3) specially selected stones such as red jasper for example would be transported from a good distance to form part of the circles and 4) many are clustered round the hill range know as Bennac hie. What, for me at least, becomes interesting is that Bennachie translates from the Gaelic for‘ hill of the breast’, and is believed to have held a religious significance to the Bronze Age inhabitants, those thought to have painstakingly built the circles, who lived in the shadow of this mountain form of fertility and farmed its land.
For me, while visiting the stone circle known as Easter Aquhorthies, by Inverurie( believed by some to mean field of prayers) my mind’ s eye could clearly vision the gathering of the fruits of labour and a sharing, celebration of thanks in the sight of the‘ Mither Tap’( mother top / tap) of Bennachie, a reverence of mother nature. Amongst the stones, wonders the shadows of the past and faint dreamy images of those giving praise, seeking solitude and harmony in times of unrest, and the apprehensions of a good harvest.
In contrast to the peace and comfort of one circle can lay the sadness of another, as the times changed, though some circles remained as they ever were, others became the burial sites, monuments of a communities grief and battered by the passage of time. At the circle called Loanhead of Daviot, in Daviot, we are confronted with, a broken flanking stone; cleaved recumbent stone, the remnants of cairns( stone plies containing burial remains) and a low walled cremation cemetery, where over 30 cremated humans were excavated. I could feel the tightness in my chest in this unsettled space and the wisps of mourners sombrely walking through, and was compelled to say a prayer to bring light to the dark and love to the silence of the long forgotten.
Though it may always remain unclear as to their precise beginnings and purpose, a spiritual significance and value for many will always be placed upon these sites across the UK, some thankfully better preserves than others. We will individually create of these places what we so wish them to mean and take from them the constant chance of reflection. For as long as they continue to inspire our minds to the magic and mystery of life, awaken our internal ancestral memories, and turn our hearts toward community and the desire to recognise working with cycles of nature and the earth- the same earth, that landscape of those very early settlers, which continues to support and sustain our lives and livelihoods to this very day, we will be driven to convene upon them in joy and celebration.
DEBORAH ASHLEY-JONES
Certified Spiritual Therapist, Usui Reiki, Angel, Non-Traditional Energy Healer, Psychic and Oracle Card Reader.
Deborah is a strong advocate of Energy Medicine and applies Shamanic journeying to provide long distant or absent healing to receivers around the world. Deborah is also a mother of two who lives in the Scottish countryside with an active interest in local myths, lore, legends and hauntings and is active in community volunteering.
http:// theabsenttouch. moonfruit. com /
Email: deborahashleyjones @ gmail. com
IMAGES COPYRIGHT: ROSS JONES
www. cheekyangelsmagazine. webs. com MAY / JUNE 2013 30