This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Spring Equinox Sunrise Ceremony Tuesday at 6:45 am

Connecting "art, science, love and the mysteries of the universe through the words of a sculptor, an astronomer, and gongmaster Orne"

Some of my favorite things about living on this “Blessed Coast” are the quarterly Sunrise Ceremonies celebrating the equinox and the solstice at Beach Bluff Park (just above Preston Beach on the Swampscott-Marblehead line). If you haven’t tried it before you owe it to yourself to join the ‘Fabulous Judy’ (FJ) and me as well as the increasing band of loyal devotees who will be assembling on Tuesday morning to watch the sun rise and celebrate the Vernal Equinox. The word of this event is spreading far and wide. Why we have friends coming in from a variety of Boston suburbs – and it’s not just for the FJ’s deliciously diet breaking ‘Grand Marnier marinated fruit-stuffed French toast with crème fraiche.’

Sponsored by the Clifton Improvement Association the ceremony is held in the park’s inspiring Sun Circle. The Sun Circle is a ‘henge’ or ring created by local sculptor Bruce Greenwald to point out the position of the sun rise throughout the year - particularly the position of the sun at the solstices and equinoxes. Observers will gather with poems and songs, visitors and neighbors, to experience the semi-annual sight of the sun rising between the pair of columns which mark due east. 

“Gongmaster” Don Orne will lead the ceremony, assisted by Astronomer Jim Keating, Sculptor Bruce Greenwald and CIA President Lynn Nadeau, each adding brief comments and explanations which will connect the observance of the equinox with science, art, love and the mysteries of the universe. The equinox is particularly striking in this location as the sun will rise in the east through the paired columns of basalt. 

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This ceremony connects art, science, love and the mysteries of the universe through the words of a sculptor, an astronomer, and ‘gongmaster’ Orne”, said Nadeau.

Rain date for this spectacle is Wednesday March 21.

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?