Newgrange: Inside the chamber during the Winter Solstice

I won a place for myself and a guest, (out of 30,861 lottery applications drawn by the local children from three different schools), to go inside the Newgrange monument burial chamber, at Bru Na Boinne, County Meath Ireland for the Winter Solstice sunrise on Dec. 18th, 2019.

And though the sun’s rays did not shine at sunrise the morning we were there, it was still a magnificent and surreal time to be in the chamber with a select few for the experience.

It was also another string of events that were tied to the date of the 18th, which held significant meaning for me. (I call those happenings, winks from my dad.)

A little background

We had first visited Knowth and Newgrange in July 2019, while on our Sacred Celtic Journey with Patricia McGivern—and I had felt palpable energy at Knowth, and been utterly fascinated by Newgrange. See my previous articles regarding that amazing trip:

Unlocking mysteries

Going inside the Newgrange chamber was such an incredible experience. This was my second time inside during the same year—and at such a special time of the year. I really felt as though I was walking into the mystic.

The mysteries began to unfold for me, as soon as I got on the bus in the wee hours of December 18th, 2019.

I was so excited and thrilled to be back in Ireland, and to be one of the 10 Newgrange chamber Winter Solstice lottery winners who would go inside the chamber that morning!

Though our friends told me of the weather forecast (of clouds and rain), I didn’t want to believe it! I had sooo hoped to be mesmerized by the sunlight that was said could light the entire inner chamber at sunrise on the Winter Solstice!

As we drove from Dublin through the night, out to the sacred site (we had to arrive early in the morning predawn), there was a calm and peace overtaking me. I was there, along for the ride, and whatever the weather would do, was none of my business. Whatever happened, I trusted it would be for my conscious expansion.

Bundled up for the cold and wet weather outside the Newgrange chamber.

Our small group of 20 people (10 lottery winners plus a guest each), toured the brand new visitors center and rode a tram out to the monument. We walked through a light mist of rain from the tram stop to the chamber. All before dawn. All hopeful to witness something none of us had seen before—the Winter Solstice sunrise into a stone age chamber.

Since my husband did not care to go inside the neolithic chamber, we had invited friends to go with us. One of them went into the chamber with me, while the other waited outside. My hubby stayed back at the hotel and slept in that morning.

Our small group before heading in. Note the dark clouds in the upper right.

Inside the chamber

Heading into the chamber. Thank goodness for house lights, as it was narrow and I had to duck in sections of the passageway in.

While we all waited patiently for the sunrise, someone played crystal bowls and chanted lightly.

I caught a quick picture of the crystal bowls later, after the lights were on.

I think because the sun didn’t shine for us that morning, the stewards of the site, granted us a few more minutes, so after the 20 exited, our friends got to go back inside (along with myself and our driver, Edel). And we ALL felt sooo privileged!

Picture of a special recessed area in the chamber. Looking toward the back and top.

Picture of a special recessed area in the chamber. Looking towards the floor. The object on the floor is stone and shaped as a kind of slab.

Another view of that area looking straight ahead. The stones were gigantic and the etchings on each were fascinating!

I spent several minutes inside the chamber soaking up the feeling of just BEing there. Though my feet were cold, I remember thinking it wasn’t as cold overall as I had thought it might be. But without the little pen light flashlights on, or the house lights, it is really pitch dark in the chamber. I had put my hand out in front of my face at one point in the dark, as we all waited for sunrise, and I couldn’t even see my hand!

One of the stones were carved into a huge basin or bowl!

This is one of the professional marketing pictures the visitor center displays for how it looks inside the chamber during a Winter Solstice sunrise.

This is what it looked like when they turned on house lights to simulate a bright sunrise for us.

My favorite (and perhaps the most well known) of the carvings or etchings into the stone at the rear of the chamber. Note: It is the symbol on the pendant I bought there and have worn everyday since.

On the way out of the chamber the last time, I consciously chose to take my gloves off and touch the ancient stones and whisper, “Thank you” to them. I felt such a connection with those incredible stones.

Coming out of the chamber

The majority of our group had walked back to the tram that moves people from the visitors center to the chamber site, so only a few of us remained. It was so delicious that we had more time inside the chamber and were able to really engage with the park staff and ask questions, take pictures (normally not allowed), and sing, chant, or meditate. Afterwards, we caught another tram back to the visitors center, which gave us even more time to visit!

You can see how bundled most of us were and that the ground was wet. This was at the entrance/exit of the chamber. One way in and out. Everyone has to duck at the the entrance.

As for the sunrise, a cold weather front happened to be moving in just as the sun was about to rise. Go figure! We’d experienced beautiful weather all week in Dublin (cold but clear), but the day of our chamber visit, it chose to rain. It is what it is. And I gained insights.

Insights

Some of the inspiring messages that dropped into my mind were deeper “unlockings” (yes, my new word), of concepts that I’d been given previously, and others were new. See these examples:

A release mantra (prayer or meditation) that I was given. ❤️🦋🌀

I had questioned myself (when Bru na Boinne visitor center had contacted me that I’d won the entry), about spending the time and money to go, since the sunrise only lasts for 17 minutes and is weather dependent, but I chose to go. And we did have an excellent time with our friends.

We got to learn so much more about Dublin on this trip. As well as, I had gotten to meet Edel, and hear some timeless stories (such as the one about my namesake, Sheela na gig), that we otherwise would not have known.

Christmas in Dublin

Me by the Christmas tree at the Trinity City hotel, Dublin Ireland.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Christmas time in Dublin was a beautiful treat too! We visited several places during our week there, sites we had not had the time to see in July.

We spent half a day at the Guinness factory, went to a botanical park, shopped (I bought Claddagh rings for my granddaughters), visited the Whiskey Museum Experience, went to the oldest pub for a dinner and musical storytelling evening, as well as laughed ourselves silly on a haunted bus tour that ended up at a pub and cemetery!

Richard and me at Guinness, Dublin Ireland.

Coming home

I returned to the USA with energy, enthusiasm, and enlightenment from my time at this sacred site.

Visiting Ireland

https://www.wildirishtours.com

When you visit Ireland, arrange a multi-day tour with Tony Corcoran of Wild Irish Tours:

Or a fascinating ride with Edel, of Eriu Tours:

https://m.facebook.com/eriutours/

With Tony you will experience the authentic Ireland, with storytelling and singing to boot! Tony’s sense of humor will delight you. Tony’s bus was so comfortable and provided all the needed amenities to make riding all day in it a pleasure.

We booked our December ride from Dublin to Newgrange with Tony, but through a twist of fate, he was unavailable at that time. However, because Tony is incredibly caring, he arranged for another driver and guide, Edel, to take us out to Newgrange for the Winter Solstice sunrise event.

And right from the get go (as we left our hotel), I felt a strong sense of connection with Edel. Edel told me deeply meaningful stories, as we rode out to Newgrange in the early morning of December 18th, that brought a tear to my eye more than once! I felt so supported by my family (all Beyond The Veil) and by the Universe.

My time at Newgrange and our entire week in Dublin was ALL pure magic.

❤️🦋🌀☀️💦🌱🍀🌿🌳🙏

A bit about me, your Spiral Sister

I would love to speak at your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture / chiropractor office, or other holistic / natural fair or festival. I support healthy lifestyle businesses. For information on both of my books, visit my Amazon author’s page — Click here.

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