Avebury is one of the largest ceremonial sites in Britain, and was built over many centuries from 2850 BC until around 2200 BC. The monument itself is made up of a bank and a ditch, known as a henge, with a large outer stone circle and two separate smaller stone circles in the centre of the monument. Archaeologists have not been able to determine it's exact purpose, but they believe it was most likely used for some form of ritual or ceremony.
Many followers of contemporary Pagan religions such as Wicca and Druidry have adopted Avebury as a sacred site. Pagan rites at the site are performed publicly, and attract crowds of curious visitors to witness the event, particularly on major celebrations such as the summer solstice.
The ancient festival of 'Samhain' (pronounced saah-win) means Summer's End, and marks the end of the harvest season. It is the time of year when the veils between this world and the Otherworld were believed to be at their thinnest: when the spirits of the dead can cross back to join the land of the living. Non-Pagans might call it Halloween...
In Avebury one of the most popular Samhain ceremonies is the walking of the labyrinth. The labyrinth ritual builds on generic afterlife symbolism, and the people who take part walk a physical sacred pattern marked out by candles or markings in the grass itself. Samhain is seen by many as the start of a new year, so it's a perfect chance to reflect, unwind and let go of things while they walk the labyrinth.
As well as the labyrinth there are lots of fun activities happening this weekend as well as on 31st, including Tarot reading, ghost tours, craft workshops and book signings.
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