Winter Solstice/Alban Arthan
Schedule
Sun Dec 20 2026 at 07:00 am to 08:00 am
UTC-08:00Location
Gasworks Park | Seattle, WA
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Please join the Greenlake Grove outside at Gasworks Park to celebrate the full rite of Alban Arthan in the traditional druid manner during the sunrise on the Solstice. We will gather on top of Kite Hill overlooking Lake Union and the city. Join us as we mirror the movement of the sun with our ritual, and celebrate the dawn of the light. For the especially hardy amongst us—join us at 6am for an hour of Druidic vigil which will likely include soft drumming and rattling, humming, chanting and Tibetan singing bowls if anyone possesses one. After we will have breakfast at a nearby restaurant. All those of good intention are welcome regardless of experience or affiliation.
From the OBOD website:
Some Druid Orders believe this means the Light of the hero King Arthur Pendragon who is symbolically reborn as the Sun Child (The Mabon) at the time of the Solstice. Others see the Light belonging to the star constellation known as the Great Bear (or the Plough) – Arthur, or Art, being Gaelic for Bear.
This constellation shines out in the sky and can symbolise the rebirth of the Sun. At this point the Sun is at its southernmost point almost disappearing beyond the horizon, and the days are at their shortest. This was a time of dread for the ancient peoples as they saw the days getting shorter and shorter.
A great ritual was needed to revert the course of the sun. This was probably calculated by the great circles of stone and burial grounds which are aligned to this festival, such as Newgrange in Co. Meath, Eire. Sure enough, the next day the Sun began to move higher into the sky, showing that it had been reborn.
This time of year is very cold and bleak, which is why so many celebrations are needed to help people get through the Winter months. It is significant that many civilisations welcomed their Solar Gods at the time of greatest darkness – including Mithras (the bull-headed Warrior God), the Egyptian God Horus and, more recently, Jesus Christ.
Event Location: Gasworks Park 2101 N. Northlake Way. Top of Kite Hill.
To Bring (all optional): Flashlight; good shoes for walking up the hill in mud or snow; warm clothes; rain gear; something for the alter; and a rattle, bell or drum or other instrument for vigil.
Caution: Seattle has become a little dangerous and it will be dark so please travel in groups of 3 or more if possible.
Art by Wendy Andrew
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Please visit our good friends at Edge of the Circle Books in the heart of the University District -- Seattle's resource for Paganism & the Occult. Please check out the website for all things pagan including new and used books, jewelry, ritual items, clothes, and more. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057643021822
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Looking forward to seeing you there. With the blessings of the Oak, Yew, and Silver Birch!
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Where is it happening?
Gasworks Park, 1905 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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