Summer Solstice
SATURDAY 21st JUNE 2008
Summer Solstice
At Summer Solstice the sun pauses on its yearly route through the heavens giving us the shortest night and longest day.
This is a turning point, a time for celebration and abundance. Like the sun we also pause for thought to reflect on abundance and the impact of its shadow in our world.
This year we are creating a symbolic Mandala of the Heart with flowers to connect with our spiritual selves
All Welcome
Photo Diary of Summer Solstice on Tara 2008
Starting the night before (June 20th) we observed the moon rise, which is in the same position as the winter solstice sunrise this year. This picture is looking out over the Gabhra Valley.
Then we lit a candle for Adge who loved this place with all his heart.
Sunrise behind the Church, Lia Fáil in foreground.
Some of the Crowd gathered to drum up the sun.
Part of our Tara Celebration this year was to decorate the church with donated flowers.
Some of the detail on our Tara Summer Solstice Floral display
And some more beautiful flowers in our Tara Summer Solstice Display
 
Now beautiful as the church was we had to conduct our blessing of water ceremony in the spills of rain. Its always a bad sign when even the cattle are taking shelter!!!
Our ceremony at 3.00pm was themed "Abundance and Shadow". Here we considered how we have a shadow side. Often when chasing after our spiritual truths we focus on the light which can blind us to our own imperfections. We considered what impacts our shadow has on our world at this time. The summer doesn't last forever and it is the first hint to see what we are creating in our winter reserves. We created a healing heart mandala of flower pettals.
After the creation of the mandala came its ritual destruction.
The destruction of the mandala releases the healing intent it was infused with in our ceremony.
Some of the petals were poured into the stream to bring the healing into the valley...
Here some of the petals are seen in the water. Note the HEART shape white petal...
Mandala petals were spread skyward...
Focus for the evening switched to the church where the crowd was delighted by the music of Coscán supported by the Shane and Ciara Taffe on harps.
Shane Taffe
David Nevin, Coscán
Coscán: David Nevin, John Shankey, Harry Long and (Gerry Doggett )
Finally Tara and the weather relent and reward the evening visitors with a bright white sun set on the shortest night of the year
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Many come just to enjoy the views, to stroll or have a picnic. Others join with friends to celebrate the longest day of the year in their own way. Some prefer to be private, whilst others share the special experience that is the Hill of Tara, making new friends along the way.
The following gives an idea of the wide-range of folk you may come across and join in with.
It all starts at Sunset on Solstice Eve, 20th June, when the sun sets at about 9.50pm. The optimists go up to stand around the Lia Fail at this time, looking westwards towards the legendary underworld lands of Mag Mell and Tir na nOg hoping for the beautiful colours of sundown.
At Sunrise on the 21st we return to greet the new day.
Drumming the sun around the Hill - 4am following the ceremonial entrance onto Tara at the Banqueting Hall up to the Lia Fail to watch sunrise. Then every 4 hours during the day.
7.30am Water ceremony at Holy Well
At 3pm the group, who meet at the eight festival times of the year, join with those who are out celebrating the day.
The church will be decorated with flowers around the outside and maybe inside.
Weather permitting someone will outline a Labryrinth in flour, near the Banqueting Hall.
In the evening there will be music by Coscan and friends in the church.
Whatever you decide to do,
and however you spend the day,
we wish everyone a wonderful
! Happy Solstice !
Previous Years Summer Solstice Events on Tara
Gathering on Solstice Eve at the Banqueting Hall
Above: A damp and misty start to the summer solstice on Tara 2005
Above: Summer Solstice Sunrise at St. Patricks well Tara, 2005
Above: The coming of Lugh: Annette Yamann, AnneMarie, Martin, Adge Summer Solstice 2005
Above : Detail from the Mandala of the Harp, Tara Summer Solstice 2005
Above: The Magnificant healing mandala set in the Church on Tara, Summer Solstice 2005
Seeds shared at Imbolc on Tara flower across the 'Big Pond' at Summer Solstice 2007
Vests at sunrise on Solstice dawn in 2006 - did someone say 'Summer'?
Last Updated: 5th July 2008 00:45
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