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2021 - Back to Reality - Tara

Inspired by the famous tri-circle symbol used by our ancestors at Newgrange, our Summer Solstice Celebration for 2021 will be in three parts on the Hill of Tara on Sunday 20thJune – at Sunrise, Midday and Sunset.

We will celebrate the eternal universal cycle of Re-birth, Life and Death.

The theme of the day is “Back to Reality” and in these Pandemic- afflicted times we hope to get back to some degree of normality by meeting in person for the first time in several months.

Part 1: “Re-Birth”

Waiting for Sunrise @ 4.45am

The sun is "Re-born" at Tara

More than 30 people were early birds as we assembled before sunrise at the Lia Fáil Stone and after opening our Celebration circle we faced East and began drumming in anticipation of the sun returning once again to share its life-giving heat and light.

Sure enough, at the designated time, it appeared and our celebration of Re-Birth began in earnest.

A short meditation focussed on ...

(Re)Birth – Stars, Planets, Continents, Oceans, Forests, Trees, Animals, People… Individual re-birth, Renewal after Pandemic Times, the re-birthing of individuals & societies. New beginnings. New Reality.

We then did a short Healing session for each individual present, the Earth and the Universe.

This was followed by contributions from several people present – what we like to call our “Open Heart” session.

The contributions included a wonderful rendition of “Brian Borus March” on tin-whistle, a John O’Donoghue poem, reflections on the morning and post-pandemic life and the morning's tune was played, which was “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles.

Part 2: “Life”

"Tara! Help me!"

Due to huge crowds descending on the Hill around midday, an unattended car rolling down the hill and blocking the main road for a couple of hours, various groups holding Solstice events at the same time and our host's knee giving up on him, it looked as if there would be no Celebration at 12 o’clock to Celebrate “Life”.

(On reflection, all the above episodes are a perfect example of Life as we know it).

However, Tara Celebrations always finds a way and as our Hero rested in a field of buttercups nursing both his bruised knee and ego, a pair of angels appeared and the day was saved.

“...a pair of angels appeared and the day was saved”.

The 3 of us found a lovely secluded spot in a meadow on the Hill (somehow always possible on Tara despite the throngs) and we did indeed celebrate Life in all it's teeming, wonderful glory.

We opened our sacred space and did a meditation which explored:

Life – Move out from life in self, to immediate surroundings, beyond to life teeming on Land, Sea and Sky. Inter-dependent, over-lapping life, connected by mysterious forces to each other and the entire Universe.

In Stressful Pandemic times of illness and death, we celebrate Life as we strive to return to a new reality.

Nobody felt like standing up, so we didn’t and we continued our session either sitting or lying down feeling a close connection to the Hill of Tara which we’ve missed over the last year or so.

The tune of the session was “Live is Life” by Opus and although there was only 3 of us the energy felt was as significant as earlier in the morning.

We had our Healing and Open Heart sessions which were also wonderful.

Having closed the space and rested awhile we adjourned to the local café to share the lovely soup and bread on offer.

Part 3: "Death"

Awaiting Sunset

9.30pm found 10 of us on the far side of the Hill, in the woods past Gráinnes Enclosure, facing West to Celebrate the setting sun.

Once again there was a different dynamic and energy to the group which was as a result of different personnel and a different location. Drumming was performed for the five minutes before sunset while we reflected on the day, Solstice and our hopes for New Beginnings.

While celebrating death, it was not done in a morbid way and the meditation reflected on:

Death – No Light without Darkness, No Life without Death. Seed incubating in the darkness, underground before new life begins. Mighty oak from a tiny acorn. Death of bad habits, of old self to enable new beginnings. Death of old ways, old beliefs to welcome new reality.

A powerful Healing ensued before the customary Open Heart session which included the playing of the song “I won’t let the sun go down on me” by Nik Kershaw, and several brilliant contributions from various people discussing Life, Death, Re-Birth and the effects of the Pandemic on the human psyche and how it had made so many of us re-assess our lives.

The moon made an appearance – which added to the magic of the night and we realised that the centre of our circle was actually a beautiful example of Nature: growing, flowering, producing seeds, dying, incubating and new life…


"The moon made an appearance - which added to the magic of the night".


"...werealised that the centre of our circle was actually a beautiful example of Nature:"

So ended a wonderful day and it is hoped all present went home with plenty of food for thought.

At the end of each session we were reminded to celebrate the continuation of the cycle on Monday the 21st June, the actual date of Summer Solstice as the sun would be re-born once again.

Thank you to all who turned up in person and to those who energetically tuned in from afar – your presence was felt and appreciated.

Until the next celebration, to which you are all welcome, farewell my friends.


The Sun returns on the morning of 21st June,

our celebration is complete...
Thanks to Molly for sharing this....
Bernadette Mac was at the River Boyne...
John A shared these from 21st June 2021

The Original Intention

In these unprecedented Pandemic times, it has not been possible to meet for our usual Celebrations for quite some time – over a year in fact. During that time, we’ve celebrated the various festivals of the year alone in our houses/gardens or together (but still alone) via Zoom. To say we’ve missed the company of others is a huge understatement because, after all, part of the joy of these events is gathering with like-minded people to celebrate something greater than ourselves, something magical which needs to be experienced as a group to enhance the experience of communing with Nature, the Universe, the Divine.

That said, it gives us enormous pleasure to be hosting the Tara Celebrations Summer Solstice 2021 event because, after the recent relaxation of restrictions in Ireland, it is now possible to meet at an organised event – (which this is).

Of course, there’s only one place on the entire planet that this Tara Celebrations Reunion event can take place and that’s on The Hill of Tara itself and so that is where we will meet on:

Sunday 20th June 2021 at 04.56am (Sunrise)

….and / or 12.00 (midday)….

AND / OR 22.00pm (sunset)!

The idea of the three meetings is not just excitement on our host, Pats’ behalf at the thought of meeting old and new friends at last (although that is a factor for sure), but also to facilitate as many people as possible taking part in our first Celebration after a prolonged absence.

There will be three different, unique, Celebrations at each event, but all will be joined by the theme of the day which is “Back to Reality”, which refers not just to the world getting back to some degree of normal reality but also the acknowledgement that it is indeed a different normal reality. Many individuals and possibly societies have realised that the lives many of us were leading were not really that fulfilling, not…. real.

How many times have you heard someone comment that what they missed most during the lockdowns and the isolation were the simple things?

Things like hugs and chats with family & friends, a walk on the beach, a stroll in the local town or city – things that don’t cost anything.

How many people who, after months of not running here and there shopping, meeting, doing, doing, doing but not really missing it all asked,

“WHAT WERE WE DOING?”

At this Liminal point in the Human story, we will meet in person on the Sacred ground of the Hill of Tara and Celebrate Midsummer's Day as our Ancestors have for Millennia.

We will welcome the sun with drumming, bid it farewell with drumming and in between there will be meditation, food & drink, laughter, poetry, music, and Celebration of Life!

Do join us and we look forward to seeing you there.

The Basic Celebration ...

Part 1: Sunrise: 04:56 Hrs. Celebrating Re-Birth

** Open the Celebration Space (Smudging, Calling in Directions, Elements & Ancestors) …

** Commence Drumming, welcome the return of the Sun (Approx. 4.51am)

** Meditation(Re)Birth – Stars, Planets, Continents, Oceans, Forests, Trees, Animals, People…Individual re-birth, Renewal…After Pandemic Times, the re-birthing of individuals & societies. New beginnings. New Reality.

** Healing – Universe, Earth, Self.

** Open Heart – Contributions? Music, poem etc…

** Close Space – Eat, drink & be merry!!

Part 2: Mid-day: 12:00 Hrs. Celebrating Life

** Open the Celebration Space (Smudging, Calling in Directions, Elements & Ancestors) …

** Meditation – Life – Move out from life in self, to immediate surroundings, beyond to life teeming on Land, Sea and Sky. Inter-dependent, over-lapping life Connected by mysterious forces to each other and the entire Universe. In Stressful Pandemic times of illness and death, we celebrate Life as we strive to return to a new reality.

** Healing – Universe, Earth, Self.

** Open Heart – Contributions? Music, poem etc…

** Close Space – Eat, drink & be merry!!

Part 3: Sunset: 22:00 Hrs. Celebrating Death

** Open the Celebration Space (Smudging, Calling in Directions, Elements & Ancestors) …

** Commence Drumming- Drumming farewell to the sun as it sets (Approx. 21:55 Hrs)

** MeditationDeath – No Light without Darkness, No Life without Death. Seed incubating in the darkness, underground before new life begins. Mighty oak from a tiny acorn. Death of bad habits, of old self to enable new beginnings. Death of old ways, old beliefs to welcome new reality.

** Healing – Universe, Earth, Self.

** Open Heart – Contributions? Music, poem etc…

** Close Space – Eat, drink & be merry!!

Important to remind ourselves to conclude celebration in the morning (if possible, at sunrise) 21st June, actual Summer Solstice, with a Celebration of Re-Birth once more as the sun rises again to bring our Celebration to a natural conclusion.