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On Saturday 20th June 2019 at 7pm there will be a celebration of the Summer Solstice at the Comet Stone, near to the Ring of Brodgar. Our ritual is inclusive and designed to be accessible for people of all religions / beliefs and none – it incorporates aspects of modern Paganism and refers to Orcadian traditions and folklore.

For 2020, our Summer Solstice ceremony takes place in the evening of the longest day of the year – we welcome the sun at its zenith, at the height of its powers. We also acknowledge the cycle of the sun’s descent to its nadir as the days will now start to become shorter. Before or after the ceremony, participants are welcome to spend the night at the site, perhaps meditating, ready to welcome the sun when it rises at about 4am in the morning (although we are not organising any such vigil events).

The focus is on our inner and the outer light; we acknowledge this status in the natural world around us and as it symbolises in our lives. Late evening at Brodgar is a wonderfully special time, very peaceful, but still plenty of wildlife awake and active.

We welcome everyone who wishes to attend. There is no charge and we ask only that you bring your open mind and warm heart. We meet at the Comet Stone which is a solitary stone about 50 ms / yds south-east of the Ring of Brodgar and we are quite obvious! We invite participants to join in, perhaps by taking a speaking part, or bringing a reading or piece of music to share. Join in as much as you are comfortable with – if you only wish to observe, please be equally welcomed. We usually conclude by sharing ale and honey-cake ... and then we regroup at a local hotel for a social meeting.

Please feel free to contact Helen or Mark Woodsford-Dean, for further information email us at info@spiritualorkney.co.uk

Our website is updated regularly: www.spiritualorkney.co.uk/open-ritualsor join / like “Spiritual Orkney” on FaceBook. We publish downloadable copies of our attendance guidelines on our website.

ATTENDANCE AT OUR OPEN RITUALS AND PARTICIPATION IN ANY ACTIVITIES OFFERED IS ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN CHOICE AND RISK. WE DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT WE CONSIDER TO BE DANGEROUS BUT WE ACCEPT NO LIABILITY IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHATSOEVER. WE OFFER THESE RITUALS PURELY ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS AS A SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO BRING A LARGE GROUP TO ONE OF OUR RITUALS PLEASE CONTACT US IN ADVANCE SO THAT WE BRING ENOUGH ALE AND HONEY CAKE (DONATIONS APPRECIATED).

THIS IS A SCOTTISH PAGAN FEDERATION EVENT.