Sunrise Wood Circle
by Shaun Kirwan

Stone circles don't have to be stone! Astronomical alignments were initially marked out using wooden posts. Only when the alignments had been verified were the posts replaced with more permanent stone markers. In 2006, Shaun Kirwan had the chance to build such a 'woodhenge' for the Sunrise Celebration Festival at Bearley Farm.

Our ancestors, who built many of the sacred sites and stone circles around Britain, most likely did not start their projects with stone. Let’s face it, you don't want to build a huge stone circle with solar and lunar calendars and built in eclipse predictor only to find out that is out by a week or so!
So firstly, wooden posts were used with much observation, then later (50 years or so) when it was working and observations could be predicted, they replaced the wood with stone for a more permanent solution.

From archaeological evidence we know that our ancestors started building in wood between 5000 to 7000 years ago, but no precise date can be obtained (as wood rots away - but fortunately the holes don't!).
In many major sites there is still the evidence of post holes. A prime example of this is in the Stonehenge car park. Yes the Car Park! There are three white circles in the tarmac at the far end of the car park, these are thought to be part of the first constructions which later became Stone Henge.
Woodhenge can be found just off the A345 north of Amesbury, now the wooden posts are represented by concrete ones, and near Avebury is the Sanctuary another Woodhenge, also with concrete posts.

In this new festival it is only fitting that we start with a wood circle, and see if we can inspire some of the more sceptical among us that sacred sites are very much needed these days.

Here is a thought, how many earth quakes do we have in Britain? And do you think this has anything to do with the number of stone and wood circles?
Well not only are these circles calendars, but also they harmonize energy and release geopathic stress from the earth (much like an acupuncturist will release chi from a meridian). With the creation and use of sacred sites we can alter the environment (including the weather), for the better.

The main alignments for this circle are for the Summer Solstice sunrise and sunset, as well as some local places such as Glastonbury and Stonehenge (see plan below).

Remember that Sacred Sites can only be that way if they are treated as Sacred.
Please do not litter or abuse the Wood Circle, and it will be a magical space for all!
Enjoy!

Many blessings,
Shaun Kirwan (Geomancer & Avalon Rising Co-ordinator)

FYI: There will be many workshops regarding the creation of stones circles and Earth Mysteries in Avalon Rising Area - Even some workshops in the Circle itself.

click on the image for a larger view

(This section is under development)

Other Stone Circle articles:

Brithdir Mawr: Construction Diary

Big Green Gathering Circle 2005

Shaun also worked on the Big Green Gathering stone ring with Jon Martineau in 2005. He has recently discovered (March 2007), using Google Earth, that these two sites are aligned and nearly perfectly centred on St. Michael's tower on Glastonbury Tor. The Big Green Gathering circle is 10.82 miles from the Tor, and the Sunrise Wood Circle 10.25 miles. Often the Universe works with you even when you are not expecting it!

What are the chances of that?
Alignment from Sunrise Wood Circle to Glastonbury Tor to The Big Green Stone Circle.

The chance of 2 new sacred sites in different parts of Somerset on two unique festival sites connecting through the middle of Glastonbury TOR are quite astronomical. Even if it was planned it would be almost impossible to create, and yet this is exactly what has occurred. Far out!

Google Earth has a lot going for it. especially when it can be used to find alignments like the one opposite (click for larger picture).

It doesn't end there either; beyond the Sunrise wood circle built in 2006 is St Michael's Hill a very poky place and old hill fort. From sunrise to Glastonbury there is also Nap Hill. On the other side between the Tor and the Big Green Site there is Ebba Gorge and Priddy. The line unfortunately misses the Priddy Henges by 1/4 of a mile, but does go through a couple of burial mounds before reaching the BGG stone circle built in 2005.

This whole coincidence suggests that Gaia consciousness and/or the ancestors are influencing us in the creation of sacred space. And throws up the idea that the ancients were literally following their intuition and the spirit of the land as to where to place their monuments.

We can't really project back into the minds of the megalith builders, but if we are tapping in to the same consciousness of the land, then we can continue their work and create more special places to heal the land and raise human consciousness on the planet.

If something is guiding those who build these sacred sites then it certainly is not conscious or planned in any way. This Coincidence (if there is such a thing) is like a message from the universe that is giving us the green light for what we are about. I find it uncanny that this line is linking two festivals with many of the same ideals and aims.

For us who live in community in fields for a few days each year it is a real boost to know that on some profound level we are being supported energetically in what we are doing - i.e. bringing about change for the future.

And maybe sacred is just sacred and the how it gets there by coincidence or design matters little to the planet, as long as it happens.

It has certainly given me the confidence that more sacred sites need to be created to replace the ones that have been lost, and also Wow factor that will last for quite a while. :)

Many Blessings,
Shaun Kirwan, Geomancer, Stone Circle Builder & Avalon Rising Coordinator.