My only, and relatively minor gripe, was English Heritage. They need their knuckles gently rapping for playing pass the parcel with a few hundred of us on the afternoon leading up to the solstice. At about 3.30 p.m. the police asked us to move out of the main Stonehenge car park to a lay-by about three miles away up on the edge of the Larkhall military range. About thirty of us had a few hours gently partying and wondering whether we had been effectively separated and dumped in Army-land. A Centurian tank loomed ominously about 400 yards away and convoys of trucks and jeeps passed every few minutes. Having put us on the verge, the police were stuck with an increasing number of people and vehicles cluttering up the roadsides for miles around the Stones. Finally, the police told us the Stones car park was being opened up by English Heritage at 6.30 p.m. Not hearing anymore, our group of about ten vehicles nudged its way back towards the parking area. We were still excluded; road-blocked, and the police were stuck with the job of urging the Heritage to get their act together, while locals had to contend with hundreds of our clans blocking up the link roads. Eventually, and seemingly reluctantly, it was nearly 8 p.m. when the parking area was opened up. A big communal sigh of relief and joy. 11.30 p.m. for opening the actual Stones seems fair, but everyone, especially those with live-in vehicles, children, dogs etc. need to park-up sensibly, well before that time.

In the park-up field, I met with quite a lot of old time new Travellers, who shared many memories of Stonehenge festivals and the battles of the Beanfield and Stoney Cross; a few Romanies, some of whom travel with new Travellers; newer visitors who've never had the chance to be in Stones since the 1984 clamp-down; smiling and gentle, Scottish and Irish (I think) Travellers in a group of about 15 bow tops and hand drawn; and many Druids, Pagans, ravers and more. Drums started a drumming, small sound systems pumped out trance sounds and the Travellers rode their bare back horses around the fresh cut field as a tableau for a splendid sunset.

As the gates let the multitude in at just before 11.30 p.m., the Druid/Pagan alliance performed a really clever opening to the ceremonies. Stretching a good fifty yards from the gate as human finger pointing towards the Stones, they constructed a human pergola, with their staves interlinked in a triumphant arch. All people entering the site were invited, and obliged, to walk singly within the corridor of paired elders of the pagan persuasions. "You are one of us - you are a druid - you are anointed into our brethren" we were each told amidst the drumming, drones and chanting.

Fire twirlers, musicians, dancers, and many multifarious garbed-ones. Like all those present my mind raced and jumped wildly between hundreds of sound and vision spectacles. One moment a mystic chant, then rhythmic drumming and then Tibetan hand bells.

Towards the expected sunrise, the elements conspired a localised tempest of wind, mist and rain. Spirits weren't thwarted though. Indeed the tempo raised in series of cacophonies, wilder drums, waving wands of fire, various processions of cloaked Pagans and Druids performing their rites. No sign of the sun, but no dampening of spirits - if anything the reverse. The Stones once more belonged to the people. An icon of celebration. A fine piece of very British whimsy, and thankfully a million miles (or at least fifteen years) removed from the clashes of the eighties, or the English football supporters in Euro 2000.

Magick moments indeed.

Alan (Dearling)
Research Fellow, University of Luton, and
Enabler Publishing and Training Services
3 Russell House
Lym Close
Lyme Regis
Dorset DT7 3DE
UK
Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1297 445024

Web address: members.aol.com/adearling/enabler/

For years I have wanted to have the Tarbfeiss (Ancient Celtic; look it up), and last night it happened (but without the slaughtered bull). Very many apparently unconnected events (including 40 hours without sleep) added together to give me the fourth religious experience of my life, and the most profound.

"Synchronicity"

I had imagined that the druids performed the Tarbfeiss for the rush, the feeling of exhilration. I did not realise that it would hurt, or run so deep. I imagined that being a druid meant power. Now I know that it means powerlessness. I learned a lot.

Daibh had the most positive, joyous religious experience of his life. Our friendship has deepened.

Daibh was already charged when he arrived at the stones because he had performed the wedding of an old friend and his fiancee at Avebury that evening. I watched him walk amongst the stones radiating peace and control. I saw him talk drunken, shouting aggressive Brew-Crewers down off the smaller stones with total control and lack of anger. I watched him peacefully persuade monkey-boy to come down after he climbed the trilithons. I have never seen anything like it. He is one of the reasons there was no trouble that night.

Daibh has a history, and has for a long time been afraid of his own anger. At Stonehenge he conquered it utterly. His achievement was far greater than mine, or anything I can think of to compare it to.

If everyone had such powerful experiences, then travelled back home, radiating the power of the stones... imagine the magic we must have done.

I know change is coming.

It was stunning.

Thank you.
--
Karl Gallagher

[Karl and Daibh were some of the Peace Stewards]

As Peace Stewards we can only report back on the love and energy that was given to the three of us as we wandered in and around the site. People told us some great tales and some of the storytellers were still sober!

We thank Thomas for his training evening - there were some interesting techniques there which we had not experienced before.

Pity about the weather but you can't have everything. It didn't really matter anyway!

One thing for the future however. It would be good if the pagan and druid ceremonies could be given just a few minutes in the Stones. Perhaps we can work harder to achieve this next year and make the night even more special.

We will be back again next year if you can put up with us.

The Teacher, Lady H and Lady of the Lake.