The Australian Standing Stones Winter Solstice 2015

Celebrating Winter Solstice at the Australian Standing Stones 2015. Images taken at approximately 0648hrs with a light frost on the ground. The Australian Standing Stones are a National Monument. The remarkable Standing Stones are a testament to the importance of the Celtic people in Australian life and history. In the Celtic lands of north west Europe standing stones are a feature of the landscape. Of huge significance to the ancient ancestors of the peoples of Brittany (Breizh), Cornwall (Kernow), Isle of Man (Mannin), Ireland (Éire), Wales (Cymru) and Scotland (Alba) they were an essential part of ceremonial and spiritual life. They were aligned to reflect significant features of the landscape, the stars and the winter and summer solstices.

The creation of the Australian Standing Stones at Glen Innes came some 3,500 years after the originals. They were erected as a monument to Australia’s Celtic Pioneers. The three central stones are:

The creation of the Australian Standing Stones at Glen Innes came some 3,500 years after the originals. They were erected as a monument to Australia’s Celtic Pioneers. The three central stones are:

The Australia Stone representing Australia and the link between the new and old worlds.

The Gaelic Stone represents Scotland, Ireland and Isle of Man.

The Brythonic Stone represents Wales, Cornwall and Brittany.

The general outline of the stones was inspired by the Ring of Brodgar in Scotland's Orkney Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Arcaibh). The Australian Stones comprise 40 granite monoliths. The standing stones have a circle of 24 stones representing the hours of the day, four cardinal stones marking true north, east, south and west and seven stones marking the longest and shortest days of the year at the winter and summer solstices.When looked at from above, the four cardinal stones and Melling family stone in the circle form the Southern Cross; the constellation of stars that can be clearly seen from the southern hemisphere. A Celtic Cross can also be seen when looking down at the four cardinal stones within the 24 stone circle. There are stones representing the Celtic nations of Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Ireland, Isle of Man and Scotland.

The Australian Standing Stones are the site for the Australian Celtic Festival.

The images below were taken by Glen Innes resident Steve Toms.