The Sunrise Woodhenge - 2006 - 2008

The Sunrise Woodhenge 2006 - 2008

Our ancestors, who built many of the scared sites and stone circles around Britain, most likely did not start their projects with stone. Lets face it, you don't want to build a huge stone circle as a solar and lunar calendar with a built-in eclipse predictor only to find out that is out by a week or so! So firstly, wooden posts were used as observation posts, then some years later when it was working and observations could be predicted, they replaced the wood with stone for a more permanent solution. As evident in many of the stone circles that still exist today.

From archeological evidence we know that our ancestors started building in wood between 5000 to 7000 years ago, but no precise date can be obtained (as wood rots away - but fortunately the holes don't!). In many major sites there is still the evidence of post holes. A prime example of this is in the Stonehenge car park. Yes the Car Park! There are three painted white circles in the tarmac at the far end of the car park, these align east-west as could have been Equinox markers. The famous 'Woodhenge' can be found just off the A345 north of Amesbury, but now the wooden posts are represented by concrete stumps, and near Avebury is the Sanctuary- another Woodhenge, also with concrete posts. In this new(ish) festival it is only fitting that we start with a wood circle, and see if we can inspire some of the more skeptical among us that sacred sites are very much needed these days, with the proposal to eventually turn this into a modern stone circle.

How many earth quakes do we have in Britain? And do you think this has anything to do with the number of stone and wood circles? Well not only are these circles calendars, but also they harmonize energy and release geopathic stress from the earth (much like an acupuncturist will release chi from a meridian). With the creation and use of sacred sites we can alter the environment (including the weather) for the better. The main alignments for this circle are for the Summer Solstice sunrise and sunset, as well as some local places such As Glastonbury and Stonehenge (See image below).

Planned for the 2008 Sunrise event, was a new space: "Escape to Tranquility". The new space included the wood circle and small garden shrine around the oak tree, a small meditation dome and chi cafe.. Other events up in this space were sweatlodges, healing ceremonies, shamanic workshops, dowsing, crystal bowls and chanting to name but a few. The Wood circle has been with us now for 3 years, and there are still revelations being uncovered. The alignment with the Tor and Big Green Gathering stone circle from sunrise is a big deal for many researchers (see the diagram). Also a well know earth mysteries researcher Nicholas Mann, has discovered what he calls the Glastonbury diamond. It connects Glastonbury Tor, with Burrow Mump then to St Michael's Hill to Cadbury Castle and back to the Tor. This diamond shape, is exactly cut in half by the sunrise wood circle to the Tor alignment.

Remember that Sacred Sites can only be that way if they are treated as Sacred. Please do not litter or abuse the Wood Circle, and it will be a magical space for all!

Many blessings, Shaun Kirwan - www.avalonrising.co.uk