Stonehenge is a famous English stone circle associated with things such as druids, ancient computers and even a gate system to other dimensions and worlds. It’s not the only stone circle in the world, however. Many other sites contain an astronomy henge stone or many in a formation similar to the circle at Stonehenge. As a matter of interest, the name Stonehenge comes from Henge, Old English for the structure it describes. Henge doesn’t mean circle or stone or earthwork, it means hang. To create Stonehenge special stones were hung on top of vertical pillars. The name eventually came to denote a variety of similar sites, generally populated by some sort of stone formation within an earthen circle. However the term henge necessitates an earthen circle. If there’s no earthen circle there’s no henge. It’s just a stone circle.
While they did serve as altars and cemeteries, all of these stone henges, including the well known Stonehenge, had some link to celestial objects and phenomenon. Even today scientists marvel at the precision contained within these structures. Astronomy aspects often have to do with seasonal shifts in the sun or moon, or phases of the sun during certain important times – spring harvest for example. This might include the sun being viewable through a tiny window at sunrise from a point at the center of a circle. Stonehenge includes a number of precise measurements. It really doesn’t matter if they were the purpose for the site or added later. They’re still signs that ancient man knew a lot more than we sometimes admit.
Less famous but no less amazing is Wiltshire’s Avebury Henge. Many small stone circles surround it, and the town of Avebury is inside it. It’s astronomical purposes are well known as many of the stones were placed according to exacting calculations. But it also had a relationship to ancestral and gender worship as the stones come in two main types – tall, slender stones and short, squat stones – that may have represented female and male archetypes. Some archaeologists dispute this, however, claiming the stones were chosen for no other reason than their beauty and size.
It may be a compelling idea to grab an authentic astronomy henge stone to set up in your living room. Aside from the fact that many of these weigh many tons, they completely lose their significance when removed from the earthen circle. Instead, set up your own stone henge at home.