Why do people visit standing stone sites around the sabbats? Surely all the crowds would really put a cramp on your personal workings or devotions? Not to mention if there were a police presence, as may well be the case at bigger sites such as Stonehenge or Avebury.

I've never really been drawn to standing stone or sacred sites, although as a kid I was fascinated by Stonehenge until I actually saw it in real life (back in the 80's, when you couldn't get that close), so I've never had the urge to visit one around a sabbat. I would much rather sit out in my back garden (weather permitting) and meditate, and raise a glass to nature.

I love visiting ancient sacred sites but I always try to avoid the tourist seasons anyway regardless of when Sabbats fall.

You can't beat a cold grey rainy day in the off season for getting the place to yourself.

I have visited a circle at a sabbat, seemed a good idea at the time. Mind you I'm talking a little one up round here, just me on my ownio, it was nice.

I generally prefer lone special-place-to-me stuff on sabbats, however this is the first year I have seriously contemplated going to Stonehenge for summer solstice. Partly because this seems to be the first year that sensible public transport has been laid on, which means I don't have to try and find a lift but can make my own way independently. Also I did see the place up close and personal ( well as up close as you can ) for the first time this year and it made quite an impact on me, which gives me more of a personal investment. And this is the first year I have really started planning time off around times and dates specific to my beliefs. A lot of firsts there!

There is part of me that goes *rollseyes, ohnooes* at the thought of being crammed together with so many strangers, and another part of me that thinks well, despite the drawbacks this actually could be quite a special occasion. And at the very least it will be an interesting experience.

I went to Stonehenge many years ago, long before it became a tourist site, long before the fencing and the heavy traffic. You could wander at will around the stones, very awesome and very atmospheric and I remembered that feeling well.
We went back some years ago, and how it has changed, the comparison to me was similar to Altzheimers attacking a person, nothing was the same.
Think our Gods have deserted the place. Just Mammon there now.

Well .... it has been a tourist site for at least a couple of centuries now

Yes I have a friend who went there when you literally used to be able to picnic amongst the stones. And while it would have been nice when I visited if there werent about 10000 really annoying [other] tourists there clicking away with their cameras the place still made an impact on me. but then I didnt go there looking for gods, I didnt even go there looking for Stonehenge because we happened to take a wrong turn at Devizes and just sort of ended up there, but what I found was a great sense of perspective and survival over time, and admiration for those who had transported and erected it.

It must have been in the late 50's when I first went, tourists then were pretty infrequent, but the mass invasion started in the mid 60's onwards with the Hippies and the American tourists and it just got worse and worse.
But at least everyone is still pretty amazed by the stones and how they got there!!

It would be good if they would hold the Glastonbury Festival at the Solstice, or have a Pagan kneesup in St Paul's......

Glastonbury Festival pretty much always coincides with the weekend nearest the solstice though, doesn't it? I've noticed that it coincides with my birthday every year (the fest that is) and my birthday is the 23rd. I was almost a solstice baby - I think that's why I love the summer solstice so much.

I think we might trek up our local hill to watch the sunrise. We did this one year for the Winter Solstice and were surprised that some non-pagans also turned up, just for the experience.

I agree about Stonehenge being a party piss up - hate it.

bb
Rhiannon

I can understand the need to go but once you've been and had the dubious pleasure of being around people who are not there for a spiritual experience but for a party you do sort of vow to yourself never again.



Diana

I'm usually very aware of the sun rising in the summer time as our bedroom catches all the early morning light and our curtains are really thin and crappy

I have not yet been put off visiting any standing stones/similar monuments. I have not yet been to stone henge but I would,t go on a sabbat as it would be to much of a party for my liking. Don't get me wrong I love parties but my reason for going would not be a party!!!! Thats why I don't go on the sabbats but for alot of people I guess the collective energies and the whole day would make it great for them!
Just to mention some standing stones not many visit anymore the Rollright stones are amazing seriosly driving up don't be surprised to get headaches we took a compass on our drive up and it went nuts!!!!
This is a lovely place to go to its a shame some of the stones are fenced off.

Rollrights is my favourite too, not been for a while, before the yellow paint incident.