Only In New Zealand – Celebrating Winter Solstice at Stonehenge.
I was hoping to bring you some stunning photos of sunset from Stonehenge Aotearoa’s Solstice festival, but it turns out we should have booked way in advance. So one again we have completely failed to make the 2 minute journey to see this event.
Stonehenge Aotearoa is one of those things that for me typifies the occasional madcap nature of Kiwis. I mean; would any other nationality dare to even think of building a “replica” of the one and only Stonehenge? And then build it out of chicken wire and concrete render? Nope – it takes a bunch of weird Kiwi Astronomers with way too much time and a scary amount of imagination.
Bizarrely – I now live just a 2 minute drive down the road from there, and yet we didn’t even visit it for 2 years to have a look around. Stonehenge Aotearoa was actually completed just after we moved to New Zealand, and like many people we trekked out to the wilds of Carterton to go and see it. And it was closed. In fact it was almost always closed, and if you wanted to go and have a look – you needed to book in advance and go in via a guided tour.
When we finally did it – it was well worth the wait. You get a Audio Visual presentation, all about stone circles, how they were used by ancient people, and then a presentation about Maori Star Lore. It’s really fascinating. You then get taken to the henge itself, and your guide tells you tales and legends of the Maori ancestors and explains more about how the circle works, and why they built it. I think it worth the trip even if you don’t like Storytelling – but as we do – it was really up our street. Ok, so your guide isn’t dressed up in fancy costumes – but what the heck!
It is not actually meant to be a replica of the great Stonehenge. It was built by members of the Phoenix Astronomical Society, and it is designed to mark the movement of the stars, and to act as an educational center – teaching people about New Zealand’s ancestors. The gaps between the uprights (They aren’t stones) act as windows for the different movements of the stars over the year. One of those gaps shows the setting of the sun this evening. It’s a pity we didn’t see it. It was built here in the Waiarapa because we have particulary clear skies – which are fabulous for stargazing. Unfortunately today was completely clouded over, so we couldn’t see the setting sun, but usually we have amazing clarity – virtually no light polution and a stunning view of the heavens. The Astronomical Society also runs monthly stargazing meetings up at Stonehenge, and opens up the three big Telescopes they have up there.
Stonehenge Aotearoa often hold ancient festivals for local pagan groups, so you can if you book in advance celebrate the solstices and equinoxes with Druid Groups. It looks stunning – and I promise I will get to one some day!
Stonehenge is now open during the week for people to just turn up and wander round. I do however recommend booking one of the tours – it really is fascinating.
Given that we didn’t make it to the Celtic Festival – we made do with our own Midwinter Feast. Christmas Dinners always seem a bit odd here – but today it felt a lot better. With a roaring fire, and being cold enough to drink mulled wine it was a lovely day to have a Turkey and Trimmings. And it made up for us all missing Christmas together last year. We just have Black Forest Trifle to go for pudding!
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4 Comments on Only In New Zealand – Celebrating Winter Solstice at Stonehenge.
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William Knight on
Mon, 22nd Jun 2009 7:52 pm
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Avalon on
Mon, 22nd Jun 2009 10:17 pm
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Hubby on
Wed, 24th Jun 2009 8:34 pm
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Anon on
Tue, 30th Jun 2009 2:05 am
This is barking isn’t it. sometimes the Kiwis are more british than the brits, don’t you think?
Kiwis are truly Nuts! Ive seen more Morris Dancing since I left the UK than I ever saw when I lived there – and that includes having a friend how IS a morris dancer.
Of course, the 100% cloud cover all day put a bit of a damper on any decent sunset photo’s also. Dark grey cloud just ain’t that photogenic.
will it still be there in 4000 years?
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