Letter: Pagans and other believers in step at Avebury
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: I would like to shed some light on your colourful article 'Go home to Mum for Christmas? No way]' (23 December) about pagans celebrating the winter solstice at the Avebury circles.
I'm in a group of morris dancing men, women and children (yes, women do morris dance) who celebrate the turning year with our native dances, songs and customs. Having been denied access to Stonehenge by English Heritage, we repaired to Avebury to dance up the dawn.
But our group contains many spiritual viewpoints, including committed Christians, atheists, agnostics, students of theology and followers of the Goddess. We celebrate the solstice and many of us also 'go home to mum' for Christmas (in my case to share vegetarian food and an organic goose).
We're not necessarily anti-meat/
men / Christmas / mums / church /
roads. Surely 'Pagan' means celebrating the mystery of humanity as part of nature. I am a practising Christian and a Pagan. I'll dance with atheists to celebrate the solstice. The important thing is to meet together, in a spirit of love and fun.
Have a cool Yule,
MARC VYVYAN-JONES
Bristol
The writer is part of Bristol's Rag Morris.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments