Newgrange: Inside the chamber during the Winter Solstice

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.

Unlocking mysteries at Newgrange during Winter Solstice.

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.
Pen light sunrise simulation.
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

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:

Expanded quotes of mine.
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.

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon. 

Plus, my holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, Take It Upon Yourself to Live a Wholly Vibrant Life, is available now. Buy it here

Be the best version of who you want to be

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

Follow me on Twitter at: TakeOnYourself

About the Winter Solstice

Until recently, I didn’t know a whole lot about the Solstices.

Previously published on The Wellness Universe, December 20, 2019

Except that many years ago, I had been told by a particular religious group that the Christmas holiday was celebrated at about the same time that Pagans celebrated the Winter Solstice. I knew that astronomically-speaking, the Winter Solstice was the shortest day, (a day with the least daylight), that we experience during a year. So if this is your first dive into the topic, you’re not alone.

When is the Winter Solstice?

In the northern hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs from about December 18th to the 25th; depending upon the year. Most people acknowledge the Winter Solstice only on December 21st or December 22nd. At the prehistoric sacred site of Newgrange in Ireland, the sunrise Winter Solstice will be observed and celebrated between the dates of December 18th to the 23rd, 2019.

Since many people from around the world revere the Winter Solstice as a deeply spiritual time, that reason alone makes it an interesting topic to understand. We all know how fractional religious matters can be. Yet, Spirit seeks to unify the fragmented parts of the whole.

Different Views

Some think the Winter Solstice is a time of connection, quiet reflection, and profound joy. Others experience this time as busy, complicated, or even chaotic; and not just around planning celebrations or such. Sensitive or intuitive persons actually dream a lot or experience spiritual downloads of information!

Naturally, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season may make it difficult to find time for ourselves, but we can use the Winter Solstice as a way to excuse ourselves from some of the drama and overwhelm and take a pause. Yes, take some time and sit for awhile to reflect on your hopes, wishes and desires for the future.

It might also be a good time to contemplate about how your year went, and maybe set new intentions and realign your priorities.

Eastern beliefs offer an explanation of how the Solstices affect us. Not only symbolically, but in a very real sense; yin energy is the darkness before the Winter Solstice and then at sunrise, the dark opens to the lightness of the yang energy.

By seeking to first understand, we may actually give ourselves more space to live and let live, let go of the past and give ourselves a break from feeling the need to control.

Curiosity, Like Love, is Eternal

Like the spirals engraved on the neolithic and monolithic rocks at sites like, Knowth and Newgrange in Ireland and Stonehenge in England, humans have sought to leave their mark on the planet.

I listed Knowth first because some believe it to be the oldest of the astronomically-oriented structures built. Unfortunately, the caretakers of the Knowth site do not allow entrance into its chamber.

Exterior of the large mound at Knowth

Thankfully, near Knowth you can visit the larger site of Newgrange and go inside its tomb. However, to enter the burial chamber during the Winter Solstice sunrise, you must fill out a lottery application and be chosen to gain entry. The lucky few who win the opportunity to go inside the tomb at sunrise, get to see the rays of sunlight fill the chamber via a lightbox cut-out of the stones above the passageway entry. Those inside the chamber during sunrise will watch as sunlight fills the entire chamber, (weather permitting), for 17 precious minutes. Yes, it’s a very big deal and a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Entrance to the Newgrange neolithic chamber

Interestingly, Stonehenge may be the world’s most famous prehistoric monument and sacred site to host the Summer and Winter Solstices that is aligned to the Winter Solstice sunset; while Newgrange only aligns to the Winter Solstice sunrise. I find this dichotomy intriguing.

The opportunity exists for all of us to visit these sacred sites and stir our inner curiosity about who and why all of the etchings were made on these gigantic stones. And we can be grateful that we are alive during this time in history when it is possible to visit these sacred sites.

I have been forever changed by visiting the West Kennet Long Barrow, (an Avebury site), Knowth, Newgrange and Stonehenge. Where allowed, I stood, walked, sat near and touched, many of these incredible stones; marveling their presence.

Last July, while meditating at Stonehenge inside the stone circle, I came to know of our “rightness to BE,” in the world. The experience quickly put me into a meditative state; when I am home, it takes me many minutes to reach that state of meditation. At Stonehenge, I became aware of why certain sites are sacred, and why, if we have the opportunity, we should protect them.

As I take the next long and luscious deep breath, I reach for the grace to continue to live and travel to these highly energetic places for many years to come. I want to take my granddaughters to these sites when they are of age.

Marking the Time

Nature shows us the effects of time. The inner rings on the trees mark the passing of years. Very few things last forever and no one agrees on the age of the neolithic structures that still stand on the earth.

Astronomically-speaking, the Winter Solstice marks the beginning of longer days and shorter nights. This is why it makes sense that as we head into the dark time of year, with shorter days, we allow ourselves the luxury of some time to journey within.

The Winter Solstice is observed by various cultures; not only Pagans and Druids. Eastern and Western cultures give meaning to the Solstice, because it marks the transition from darkness to light, or cold to warm.

In Japan, the Winter Solstice is a celebration of all things pertaining to the fruit Yuzu; that typically includes taking hot bath soaks filled with different tart citrus fruits. This event ushers in an important change in season. Cleansing rituals like celebrating the Solstice are honoring, both to us and our ancestors, before the earth makes another journey around our golden and life-giving sun.

Balance and Synchronicity

For me, this will be the first holiday I’ve experienced without my dad and third without my mom; at least in the physical sense, and I am an only child. Perhaps that is why the Universe has gifted me with so much recently; I’m thrilled, no matter the why or how!

I am simply grateful that through the use of all the holistic tools I have put into my proverbial “wellness toolbox,” I finally feel centered and balanced; even when emotionally triggered. Yay!

As an aside, one of my blog articles, “Why Am I So Emotional-Tips for Grief” was scheduled to be published on January 6th, 2020; that is my parent’s wedding anniversary! When I read the email from the Wellness Universe with that publishing date, I immediately sensed it was because my mom and dad are still with me in spirit. Truly, you can’t make this stuff up!

Yes, I see the synchronicity more clearly and feel this statement that was given to me spiritually or psychically years ago, even stronger now; “We Are ALL Connected.”

I write this as an aside, and that it’s a big reason why I am personally going to spend dedicated and focused time before and during the Winter Solstice to unpack my thoughts and set a new course for adventure!

I hope this article has been interesting and informative and that sometime soon you can experience the joy that awaits for you on the Winter Solstice in whatever way you observe this time marker.

I won a place for myself and a guest, (out of 30,861 lottery applications drawn by children from three different schools), to go inside the Newgrange burial chamber for the Winter Solstice sunrise on Dec. 18th, 2019 in Ireland and we are going! Stay tuned for the next post to read all about what mysteries it unlocks for me.

Thank you. Amen. Awomen. Namaste. OM

❤️🦋🌀

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.

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon. 

Plus, my holistic health book that details how I naturally reversed asthma, Take It Upon Yourself to Live a Wholly Vibrant Life, is available now. Buy it here

Be the best version of who you want to be

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

Follow me on Twitter at: TakeOnYourself