The ancient Celts celebrated the summer and winter solstices when the day lengths reached their longest and shortest.
The Australian Standing Stones Management Board hold ceremonies at the Australian Standing Stones on the solstice and equinox days marking the dawn sunrise and solar noon.
The solstice ceremonies are held within the Stone circle at the centre Stone, the Australis Stone.
The solstice ceremonies are held alongside one of the Stones, where the Stone's shadow crosses markers at solar noon that show the solstices, equinoxes and months in between.
The Summer Solstice occurs in December when the sun shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn.
It is the day that has the most daylight hours of any in the year. In Australia the summer solstice usually occurs on 21 or 22 December.
The Winter Solstice is the day of the year that has the least daylight hours of any in the year and usually occurs on 21 or 22 June.
On the Winter solstice, the sunrise enters the circle through an avenue of stones and lights the central Australis Stone, which is dedicated to all Celts.
At the solar noon markers during the summer solstice, the sun casts a shadow close to the stone; on the winter solstice, the shadow stretches far from the stone.
The Spring and Autumn equinox are acknowledged at the Australian Standing Stones.
The Australian Standing Stones Management Board organises ceremonies at the Solar Noon Shadow markers at solar noon on the relevant day where an explanation is given about the equinox.
The Australian Standing Stones Management Board organises ceremonies at the Solar Noon Shadow markers at solar noon on the relevant day where an explanation is given about the equinox.
The solar noon shadow markers are a unique set of ground-level plaque, installed at the Australian Standing Stones on the southest of the circle. The plaques mark the sun's shadow at solar noon.
The plaques mark the position of the shortest shadow of the day, cast by the sun at natural midday when it is highest in the sky. Together they mark a path pointing to the true south.
Solar noon is when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. The solar noon markers track the changing length of the shadow through out the year.
Acknowledgement of Country
Glen Innes Highlands acknowledges and pays respect to the Ngarabul people as the traditional custodians of this land, their elders past, present and emerging, and to Torres Strait Islander people and all First Nations people.
2025 © All Rights Reserved. Website designed by gocrossmedia and built by Cloud Concepts