The Winter Solstice--And A Druid Romance Heroine

 

Happy winter solstice! Kylah McKinley, the heroine of my time travel romance thriller DARK BREW is a Druid. In the northern hemisphere, the Winter Solstice takes place today--Earth's northern hemisphere is tilted at its furthest point away from the Sun.

The Sun is at its lowest point in the sky, resulting in the shortest day and longest night.

According to Druid tradition, at the winter solstice, people in the village would bring a wooden log to the central fire, so everyone could take part in the celebrations. So the modern chocolate yule log might have its roots in more ancient traditions.

Who are the Druids?

Many people celebrate the Winter Solstice--the mid-winter sunrise and sunset-- coming to Stonehenge. Some people come from far away. However, it is the Druids, a group of Celtic pagans, who particularly celebrate the day when the Sun returns from its furthest point.

The Druids have celebrated the return of the Sun for centuries. Their celebrations bring awe and mystery to others who gather at Stonehenge for the Winter Solstice as well.  

English writer John Aubrey wrote in the 17th century about the probability that stone circles, such as Stonehenge, were Temples of the Druids. He called his text on stone circles the Templa Druidum. The first Druids were pre-Celtic inhabitants of Britain. 

Druids, who value peace, nature, and harmony, make a pilgrimage twice a year to gather at Stonehenge to celebrate the Summer and Winter Solstices. Druids are a group of Celtic pagans who have adopted the historical site as part of their history. 

The great prehistoric tomb at New Grange in Ireland and the great cairn at Maes Howe in Orkney are also orientated on the Winter Solstice and they, too, receive Druids for the mid-winter celebrations.

DARK BREW is in print, on Kindle, and on audio with the expressive Nina Price, who rocks an Irish brogue.

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