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
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