Description
Grianstad an Gheimhridh – The Winter Solstice at Newgrange
I made this painting in honour of the Winter Solstice at Newgrange, inspired by the many amazing examples of Neolithic rock art that appear throughout this sacred site. In the Irish language the word for the Solstice is “An Grianstad” which translates to “the sun stop”. Each year I reflect on this evocative phrase, and every winter as I grow older it gives me some new wisdom or perspective, that seems more profound with every passing season.
The longest night passes us around the 21st of December each year, after which the days will start to get brighter, leading us by the hand all the way to the height of summer. Such a simple, ordinary thing, but one of the greatest sources of natural magic that we could ever imagine.
Our ancient ancestors marked the day in many ways, the most famous of which is at the great passage tomb of Newgrange, where the rising winter sun has flooded into the ancient passageway for millenia on Solstice morning.
This is an 8″ × 10″ giclée print, printed on Hahnemühle William Turner paper and signed by Shelly Mooney.
