Watching the Summer Solstice from Home

Image by Howard Walsh from Pixabay

All my life, I've wanted to go to England and watch the sunrise on the Summer Solstice through the stones at Stonehenge. I'd read about it as a teenager and have spent years reading all I can about the alignment of this site. I just wanted to witness that for myself just once. Well, today I sort of got to have that dream come true.

I would like to personally thank those with English Heritage for doing a live feed on Facebook. I didn't get to watch the live feed of the sun setting at Stonehenge, but as I was sitting here getting ready to write this post, it dawned on me that I could still catch the sunrise. 

Though sunrise is still several minutes away (as I write this), watching the feed has given me some sense of what it was like to witness this event throughout the ages. Not just during the time of those that built the monument, but all those who came afterward and had no explanations for those stones.

As I watch, I feel the eerie silence as you wait for that moment when the sun is in its peak position. The skies are cloudy, casting an ominous vibe. You can see a chilled mist in the air, blurring the horizon beyond the stones.

There are only a few people scattered about as officials try to keep the world safe while still allowing the magic of this morning to spread throughout the entire world. It's an amazing feeling. 

I have to admit that I thought there would be a little more excitement to it, but I can't complain. I know that this is the only way someone like me could ever see an event such as this. I also can't say that even if I did manage to see this in person someday, that I wouldn't be standing in the wrong place anyway. 

Thank you again, English Heritage, for allowing people such as myself, to witness the beauty of this ancient rite. 

Celebrating the Summer Solstice

Photo by Hello I'm Nik 🎞 on Unsplash

It is believed by most that ancient civilizations celebrated the Summer Solstice as a way to mark the longest day of the year. Not because they knew it would start getting hotter as the days went on, but because the days would begin to grow shorter and the annual death of the land was on its way.

When our ancestors began farming the land, they quickly learned that they only had a small window of time in which to plant, grow, and harvest enough food to get the clan through the harsh winter months. The more accurate they were, then more food they could accumulate. 

Most modern scholars believe that Stonehenge in England was an enormous observatory that framed the sun on the longest day of the year. It was their sign that they were on the decline of time to tend to their fields. 

Many cultures, such as the ancient Chinese and ancient Romans, celebrated the sacred feminine around this time of year. Goddesses were worshiped in hopes of blessed marriages or to help maintain a girl's virginity. 

The idea of getting married around the summer solstice was due to the fact that many ancient people viewed this time of year as one of great fertility. German couples would jump over bonfires in hopes of securing a successful future, while young women of some Slavic tribes would make wreaths of flowers to float down the river, hoping to be retrieved by a suitable mate.

Image from Witchgarden from Pixabay

There are a few who now think that one of the reasons our ancient ancestors celebrated the solstice was due to the fact that the sun made us feel better. Our bodies gained nutrients from the sun, as well as the soil. We were more active, food was easier to find, and it took less effort to maintain family structures.

Today, most of us celebrate the summer solstice with picnics and family gatherings. We still celebrate the power of the sun on its longest day of the year, knowing that from there, the days will get progressively shorter. We still light bonfires, gather with friends and family and enjoy the warmth of the sun that lingers on into the night. 

Even in our technologically advanced age, we are still the people of the sun.

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© Christine Graves 2020

The Paranormal and the Mythic

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

It's been nearly 10 years since the last time I posted on this site. I think it's high time I get back after it and put this thing back together.

For those who don't know me, and that would be pretty much all of you, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Christine Graves and I am an ancient history/mystery/mythology fanatic. I've spent nearly 40 years learning all I can about all the strange things about the ancient world.

When I originally created this site, it was to be a place to showcase all the oddities of the ancient world. I also wanted to show off some of my writer friends who write in the paranormal/fantasy genre. But I got sidetracked and this little site just sat unloved for the next 8+ years. 

I have gone through on occasion and spruced up the place, but I haven't created a new post here in a very long time. I want to change that.

I love a good mystery, especially if there's some aspect of mythology and truth mixed in. It makes it a lot more fun. I also love the idea of cryptozoology, monsters that haunt our dreams, that have some basis in creatures that once really existed.

A few of the things I'm hoping to add to the site are:
Myths and Legends from around the world
Paranormal Books and Websites from around the Internet
Paranormal mysteries that still can't be explained
Unsolved mysteries that need some fresh eyes
Archaeological finds that prove something once thought myth, is in fact, truth.

I'd love to see this site get back up and running over the next few months. I'd also like to see readers come in and enjoy my work. If you have any suggestions or questions, please feel free to leave me something in the comments section. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. 

Here's to the Para-Mythic future. I hope to make this a place where anyone who loves a good mystery and the ancient world can come and have some fun.

Until Next Time,

Miss Chris

© Christine Graves 2020