With the arrival of the Summer Solstice on June 20 and the International Day of Celebration of the Solstice on June 21, you may be thinking of meaningful and fun ways to observe this annual event.
One way is to explore the meaning behind an intensely magical circle that is more than 5,000 years old: Stonehenge.
Stonehenge and the Solstice
This famous ring of 83 stones in Wiltshire, England is believed to have been constructed between 3000 to 2000 BC, before the existence of the pyramids in ancient Egypt. Some of it may have been erected even earlier, perhaps dug with deer antlers.
But nothing adequately explains how the stones were erected during a period before the invention of the wheel. Two types of stones are present – smaller bluestones and larger sarsens. Some of the stones were brought from sites more than a hundred miles away. The massive stones of Stonehenge are arranged in concentric circles and a double arc, precisely to align with the rising of the sun during the summer solstice and the setting of the sun at the winter solstice.
In addition, the stones are carved with hundreds of geometric patterns. The carvings were made almost 1000 years after the stones were erected. It is believed some of them depict bronze axe heads. Since similar carvings have been detected at ancient burial sites, and Stonehenge is surrounded by burial sites, there’s a theory that at some point, Stonehenge was used as a memorial place.
The mystery is how these stones were erected and why. For centuries, people believed Merlin had erected them, as that is what Geoffrey Monmouth wrote in the King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table stories! Archaelogists have analyzed the stones and digs in the area. Some of the findings reveal animal bones and evidence of bonfires. Bonfires are associated with Celtic Solstice celebrations. So,there are lots of theories, but the mystery endures. Was it the work of man? Or supernatural beings? Who can say?
Today, some associate Stonehenge with positive energy and mystical healing. Thousands of people gather there every year to greet the rising sun. For them, it is a magical place, energetically charged and powerful.
How to Watch the Sunrise at Stonehenge Live on the Solstice
Watch this livestream event on the English Heritage YouTube channel, but remember the 5-hour time difference! Sunrise occurs at Stonehenge in England on Friday, June 21 at 4:51 a.m. We are five hours ahead in Virginia, so plan to watch the live event at 11:51 p.m, one day ahead on Thursday, June 20.
Visit Foamhenge in Virginia
Foamhenge is a full-scale replica of Stonehenge. It was created by artist Mark Cline. With the help of an astronomer, the structure was aligned with the rising sun on the summer solstice, just as Stonehenge is in England.
The ‘stones’ are painted Styrofoam, stabilized with interior piping. They weigh about 100 lb. each, whereas the heaviest stones at Stonehenge weigh 25 tons! Foamhenge was assembled in about ten days, while the construction of Stonehenge is believed to have occurred over a period of about 1,000 years.
Foamhenge is free to visit at Cox Farms Corner Market in Centreville, VA on Saturdays during the summer through mid-August. Since the Solstice celebration day happens on a Saturday this year, consider visiting! It’s a fun visit for all ages, with live music, farm animals, lawn games and food and plants for sale.
The Stonehenge site is visited by hay wagon, starting at 1 pm. Visit www.coxfarms.com for more information.
this is really cool 
Looks like a really fun place to visit - would love to go some day!
