Stars and Stones Explored

November Stars & Stones Explored

Celebrate the return of the dark half of the year with November’s Stars & Stones Explored on the feast day, Samhain: Celtic New Year.

In the Celtic tradition, fires in the home would be extinguished on the evening before and then relit with new, cleansed fire after dark on Samhain. This was believed to allow the dark to flow in and wake the dead, who would provide protection only after lighting the new fire for the New Year. We’ll visit the Davagh Stones here in the forest, before returning back to OM to observe The Pleiades also known as the Seven Sisters. Which returns to the night sky around Halloween and has an important ancient link to the Otherworld. If skies are clear we will also observe this beautiful star cluster using our telescopes and binoculars as it rises, a celestial marker of the beginning of the dark half of the year.

The event starts with a delicious picnic and refreshments, before following forest trails out to the Davagh Stones, as darkness falls. Returning to the Observatory we’ll look for the rising of the Pleiades star cluster, the sign of the beginning of the dark half of the year. The total walk will be just under 3 miles.

Please wear suitable footwear and clothing. Dress weather appropriate as this event is outdoors and in darkness. Please bring a torch with you, preferably with red light.

Please advise when booking if you have any special dietary requirements or allergies.