Brief Summary… 

• Recycled wee 1986 half penny coin 
• Meticulously hand cut, carved and engraved
• Made using only traditional hand tools and techniques
• Option of Summer Solstice or Winter Solstice or “best of both worlds”
• Optional free engraved initial on reverse
• Optional Chain: Sterling Silver. Recommend : Finesse / Flourish / Omnia
• Hairy Growler Shepherd’s Crook Necklace Catch: Sterling Silver
• Size : 17mm diameter
• Symbolism: cycles of nature, ancestors, hope and joy
• Handcrafted & Recycled in Cambridge

 A little more detail…

Summer & Winter Solstice  – Stonehenge solstice coin necklace – handmade and recycled little halfpenny coin

The Hairy Growler solstice at Stonehenge is profoundly rooted in the idea of ancient alignment of the megaliths with the sun’s annual cycle. It embodies feelings of time, renewal, the triumph of light, and a deep, enduring connection between humanity and the cosmos.

The builders of Stonehenge inscribed their understanding of time into the landscape. The alignment of the stones with both the summer solstice sunrise and the winter solstice sunset shows a sophisticated understanding of celestial movements. This represents a powerful connection to the rhythm of the seasons.

The Latin root of the word solstice means “sun standing still”. The monument marks this cosmic pause—the moment of both maximum light (summer) and minimum light (winter). This represents a pivotal turning point, the peak of one force giving way to the other, creating a perpetual poetic balance between opposing energies.

The solstice alignment, and the procession routes leading to Stonehenge and nearby sites like Durrington Walls, symbolize the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The journey of the sun mirrors the life cycle of humans, with summer representing vitality and growth, and winter symbolizing death and rest before new life emerges again.

The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. This is a time of longing for the sun’s return. The specific alignment of Stonehenge with the winter sunset suggests it was an important celebration of the sun’s “rebirth” and the promise of longer days.

At the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone and its first rays enter the heart of the stone circle. This shows the apex of power, warmth, and life. It feels like the height of the natural world’s abundance and vitality. The celebrations at midsummer represent a joyous embracing of light and the fullness of being.

The precise engineering that allows the sun’s light to penetrate the monument creates a stunning visual spectacle. This effect is like a sacred portal, a moment where the divine energy of the sun is brought down to earth and into the sacred space of the stone circle.

The solstice at Stonehenge has always been a time for people to gather and connect. Ancient feasts at nearby settlements suggest people traveled great distances to participate in these ceremonial gatherings. The modern-day pilgrimage of Druids, Pagans, and spiritual seekers continues this tradition of communal connection and celebration.

Stonehenge’s ancient purpose may have been related to the dead, with cremated human remains found buried at the site. The alignment with the solstices could symbolize honoring the ancestors at these sacred moments in the cosmic cycle, uniting the past and present.

For centuries, Stonehenge has inspired awe and speculation. The enduring mystery of its construction and original purpose adds a poetic layer to its symbolism. It stands as a testament to the persistent human desire to understand our place in the cosmos and to find meaning in the cycles of the world around us.

Size : diameter 17 mm