|
|
|
Avebury Seasons by
Cycle of eight paintings by Ric Kemp based on Avebury in
Wiltshire. Images of six of the eight paintings are displayed below, Samain and the Vernal Equinox
are yet to be realised.
 |
Winter Solstice shows the dawning sun
on a dark midwinter horizon, through a view of Avebury Stone 98 - one of two
colossal, south-eastern portal stones, from the causewayed enclosure Great
Circle at Avebury.
The winter solstice was a very important time to Megalithic people,
they went to enormous effort to align the passage of Newgrange
to the rising sun at the winter solstice. |
Imbolc shows standing stones from the
north-west quadrant of the Avebury stone circle, with a faint suggestion of the local Swallowhead
Springs (above centre left) adding their numinous flow to the sacred
circle – a reference to the probable riverine interaction at Avebury’s
megalithic complex.
The Celts held important ceremonies
at key points in the farming year. These included Imbolc
(Feb. 1st.), Beltaine
(May 1st.), Lughnasad
(August 1st.), Samhain
(October 31st). These however would be in line with similar ceremonies
based around the early megalithic structures. They also inherited the
traditions of their megalithic forbears in their fascination with the
moon and its relationship in its movements with those of the sun.
|
|
|
Beltaine shows girls dancing around a
maypole near to the site of Avebury’s ‘Obelisk’ which was
destroyed by the village in the 18th century –
traces of actual maypoles have been detected here. Avebury Stone
depicted – 106, contains apparent image of embrace.
The Celts celebrated Beltaine
on the 1st of May, a tradition carried over from earlier times.
|
| Summer Solstice shows the zenith sun
over the North Cove which faces the summer sunrise –
a lark from the surrounding downsland ascends, as if to mark the hour;
featured Stone number 32, from the north-west arc of the Avebury Great Circle. |
|
|
Lughnasad shows the ‘first fruits’ of
harvest in front of Silbury Hill, with a locally regional white horse
chalk figure, ‘horse head’ standing stone: number 37b from the
West Kennet megalithic avenue, and related archaeological finds -
prehistoric artefacts.
The Celts held important ceremonies at key points in the farming
year. These included Imbolc
(Feb. 1st.), Beltaine
(May 1st.), Lughnasad
(August 1st.), Samhain
(October 31st). These however would be in line with similar ceremonies
based around the early megalithic structures. They also inherited the
traditions of their megalithic forbears in their fascination with the
moon and its relationship in its movements with those of the sun. |
|
|
|
|
|
