The summer and winter solstices, along with the vernal (where 'vernal' comes from the Latin  word 'vernalis' or 'vernus', meaning 'of Spring') and autumn equinoxes are connected with the seasons. To some they are considered to be the start of, or that they separate the seasons; to others they are seen as the centre points (e.g. in the Northern hemisphere the period around the June solstice is known as midsummer, with Midsummer's Day being 24 June and about three days after the solstice itself as mentioned above). Similarly 25 December is the start of the Christmas celebration, which was originally a Pagan festival in pre-Christian times marking the 'Rebirth of the Sun' (where the giving of sprigs of yew and holly, and other evergreens was to ensure the 'fertility' of the coming year), and is the day the sun begins to return back to the northern hemisphere.  There were many 'fire festivals' practised in the late part of the year - the 'darkest part - and with these lights and fires it was hoped that this would encourage the Sun to return.

On the other hand is the reason we are so drawn to these sites due to some deeply embedded genetic or ancestral memory as a result of something rather more sinister..?  What made our ancestors build such sites in these areas and why did they gather at them so regularly? Could they even be marker beacons placed there by our ancestors to warn us of cursed places, Alien visits and intent from thousands of years ago??? Who can tell..?   oh, and just one more thing.. as we still gather at these sites, are we still driven by the same forces as thousands of years ago, and are we in greater danger now than ever before???

Click on the pik for one answer...  (moo-ha! ha! ha!)