This Solstice hike, which I share annually with Northwest Adventure Tours, never fails to amaze me. Each year, I wonder if it can truly feel as special as the previous times, and yet, it always surpasses my expectations.
We began our journey in Castlebaldwin at 6 pm on a Friday evening. Despite the rain, there was a sense of cautious optimism in the air. Secretly hoping it would be the last shower of the evening, I tried to bolster everyone else’s spirits. As we carpooled to the hike’s starting point—a brief seven-minute drive—the rain eased, and we were greeted by a rainbow over Lough Arrow to the north. The sky began to clear to the west, and with shared smiles and renewed hope, we set off, feeling blessed on our Solstice hike.
The hike began with the most challenging part: a 25-minute climb on a road. The excitement often sets a pace faster than necessary, and Barry, our trusted guide, repeatedly reminded us to slow down, catch our breath, and stop as needed. Barry, a professional guide, shared his knowledge of the geography, plants, and ancient movements of the land, transporting us back in time with his evidence-based storytelling.
Throughout the Solstice hike, we made multiple stops for simple movements and meditative awareness. Often, during a walk or hike, it’s easy to be lost in thought and only appreciate the surroundings in the final minutes. Our first stop involved joint rotations to enhance blood flow, circulation, and energy throughout the body. I briefly explained the benefits of breathwork and distant gazing on the nervous system and the vagus nerve.
As we made our way to Cairn G, we detoured past the sunken village, believed to have been settled by early farmers around 3500 BCE, the same time the cairns were dated to. I pointed out that while radiocarbon dating can indicate how long ago there was human activity, it doesn’t tell us exactly when the cairns were built, suggesting they could be even older.
During our stops, I shared some scientific and non-evidence-based hypotheses about the site’s age. The Carrowkeel cairns predate Newgrange and Stonehenge, and there is a theory of a ley line connecting these sites and extending to the Pyramids. The structures along this line get newer and more complex as you travel southeast. We encouraged the group to share their knowledge and create stories together, acknowledging that the exact origins and purposes of these sites remain a mystery.
My approach to understanding these ancient structures is based on the belief that natural and cosmic systems parallel our own bodies and physiology. This perspective allows for fascinating hypotheses, such as the cairns mapping certain constellations or being located on energetically significant points in the land, similar to acupressure points on the body. These theories can coexist, suggesting that the stars and planets’ movements energetically impact the earth and ourselves.
I guided two specific meditations during this Solstice hike. The first was designed to ground and protect, avoiding disruptive energies that could cause minor mishaps. The second meditation safely connected us to the land’s energy, inspired by the book “Earth Light,” which explains how the energy from the earth’s core is as significant as the light from above. Depending on the planet’s location, topography, and surface layers, the energy’s quality is unique, explaining the diverse ancient cultures and ways of being. This meditation aimed to tune in and receive the landscape’s unique message.
When we reached the Cairn, the magic was palpable. The group’s smiles and excitement reflected a shared sense of wonder and gratitude to our ancestors for leaving these permanent traces of their existence and intelligence. As the clouds parted before sunset, we stood beside Cairn G, allowing the sun’s light to connect with the cairn’s back stone, signaling the year’s turning point. It was a moment to honor all we have, release unnecessary burdens, and trust that everything is as it should be. Each year, we piece together more of our theoretical puzzle, reminded that while everything oscillates and nothing is fixed, our quest for understanding is eternal, with answers already within us.
