I was stunned and uttered a few well-chosen words. Carolyn reminded me that we could now see the top of the hill and if we travelled on just that far, maybe we would see Stonehenge. Some twenty minutes later we were at the summit and still could not see our destination. The good news was that it was all downhill from here!
Eventually, we did find Stonehenge and although it was across the highway, managed to cross in relative safety and arrived at the parking lot gates where a security guard wished to see our special passes to enter Stonehenge and join in the proceedings.
We managed with just enough documentation to convince him to allow us to enter the facilities. We then joined the gathering in the parking lot. It was well past 10:30 when we completed the registration process and explained how we got there, that we were from Canada and that my editor and friend, Robert Morningstar, had arranged our introductions to attend this event.
We were provided a schedule of times and events and made aware of a walk planned for midnight that would lead us to a mound situated in a field and it was here where we would meditate for an hour before returning to the parking lot.
The meditation practice included relaxation, clearing the mind, imagining a third eye in the center of your forehead and imagining this third eye as the end of a Shepherd's crook travelling through your neck and down your spine.
"You are to hold this image in your mind and see it as a long neon tube and feel the energy emitted from this tube. You are now to hold hands with those on either side of you and feel the energy pass from you to the group and hold in your mind this image of a radiating circle."
Kindling The Sacred Fire
This exercise prepares the Druid and the observer to enter the stones and partake of the Summer Solstice.
According to the Druid "Companion" booklet, "The relationship of your body to your brain to the Sun is the same as the relationship between the Earth, Moon and Sun, The body, subconscious and consciousness. These are all triads or trinities. The Druid meditation exercises are also based on the Triad. In short these ceremonies just represent 1 2 3 and completion which enables us to go forth (fourth). All events follow the same pattern. The circle of light is the journey and represents the path through the Stars… the spine illuminated represents the adult Human, a shining Sun.
Upon returning to the parking lot a little after two a.m., we were informed that as observers, we would not be participating in any ceremonies until the second procession of Druids to the monoliths, which was scheduled for 4:30 am. At this point, Druids and observers returned to their cars, caravans and campers to get some sleep and equally important: get warm!
Carolyn and I looked at each other and realized how hopelessly unprepared we were for this odyssey. We had no sleeping bag, or sweaters or blankets. We had only non-insulated rain jackets. We did have a few food stuffs, a flask of fine Canadian rye whisky and the attitude that we would survive and experience one of mankind's true celebrations of life. It would truly be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
We had noticed a few park benches when we entered the grounds and noting no other options decided to spend our time there.
While sitting on the bench, I noticed several incidents that caused security people to challenge and in at least one incident escort stranger(s) off the property. After a few of these incidents, the most senior guard approached our bench and asked if we were supposed to be there? After telling our tale to our "Jason," the head of security, he serendipitously asked Carolyn to produce a copy of the official Druid schedule. As she searched her backpack I noticed that nimble fingers of an experienced security expert manoeuvre his spotlight of the tiny flashlight (torch) as it darted from object to object as he mentally made a list of its contents.
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