Like something out of a fantasy movie, the Stonehenge megaliths faded into view out of the early morning mist…
To set the scene; Mike and Lance took advantage of English Heritage Stones Experience to have an early morning visit to Stonehenge, an opportunity to step inside – but not touch! – the stone circle. It was an opportunity not to be missed. Staying overnight in Salisbury – close enough to travel early next morning but also cosmopolitan enough to get a nice meal the night before – a 6 o’clock start was needed to get to the site in plenty of time. It was a glorious morning, the sun rising over an increasingly misty terrain, offering perfect conditions for the experience and to capture some stunning photographs.
Lance: “The anticipation of the energies stepping into the stone circle was palpable from the outset, but the actual experience of it was so much more intense; the energy that was felt once inside the perimeter was almost overwhelming. But once settled, I felt the most amazing calm, like a protective, soothing shimmer was engulfing us. I was so entranced I almost forgot to take photos – that didn’t last long though! One forgets how massive these megaliths are and the size – and sheer wonder of how they were originally placed – is just awe inspiring”.
Mike: “During my previous visits, when you circle around with the stones at a distance, I have felt an inner calm and peace take hold after half an hour or so, but this experience was much more intense. I had thought that the circle of the stones, now very ruined, that going near them would be peaceful, but mainly a closer experience to learn about the structure of the stones from the inside. Yet this visit was extraordinary, walking through the outer circle stones was like walking into a spiritual bubble of some sort, a shift of consciousness.”
No touching of the stones was needed to get a sense of the reason why these stones have been brought together by Neolithic peoples from across Britain as it is now. Our guide pointed out the stone alignments in the landscape and from the inside of the circle we realised how significant the now covered geological feature is, which the later avenue is built over. This is not about chance, but a clearly determined development sustained over many years, by a people naturally connected to the landscape. The sun was rising, much as in many an internet photo, but the reality was was extraordinary in a way that could be only be experienced first hand. You could see that the landscape alignment and the celestial body movements were so in tune, and that the stones were placed in such a considered and expert way evolving over centuries that it just felt right and powerful and intended.
And then there are the huge eroded stones, the Sarsens, incredibly well engineered using wood, flint and antler tools, which are quite remarkable. Mike was able to take the last two measurements of the Sarsen stones that have been lacking in his extensive research so far; now the scale for the next installation about Stonehenge is complete and ready to go. This visit has certainly breathed even more life into our Stonehenge inspired work.