Winter Solstice Spiral 2026

Timetable

Start your path with an unlit night light candle. Walk mindfully towards the centre of the spiral, reflecting on the past year. Light your candle in the middle and follow the path out into the light. This year for the first time, an alternative wider, straight path is available for wheelchair users or others with mobility concerns.

Monday 21st December

2pm - 5pm                 Family Spiral. Everyone welcome. Children under 12 to be accompanied by an adult. Quiet atmosphere with gentle live music.

5pm - 10pm                Adult Spiral. Quiet contemplative atmosphere with gentle live background music.  Please refrain from conversation.

9pm - 10pm                Silent Spiral

Last entry 9.30pm.

Tuesday 22nd December

8:00am - 9:30am             For early birds! Very quiet atmosphere.

9:30am - 2:00pm             Everyone welcome. Quiet contemplative atmosphere with gentle live background music. Please refrain from conversation.

Last entry 1:30pm.

Solstice Spiral 2026 Guidelines

Please supervise children under 12. Encouraging quietness may enhance the experience for children.

Please switch off mobile phones and refrain from conversation.

  • If the Spiral is full please wait awhile before entering. You may anyway like to sit around it for a time before you walk it.
  • Take an unlit night light candle and walk slowly into the Spiral with it. You may want to reflect on the passing year. Feel free to overtake if necessary, while respecting other people’s personal space. 
  • Light your night light in the centre of the Spiral.
  • Walk slowly out with it along the exit path. You may want to dream into the coming year.
  • Place your candle on the table with the other lit candles.
  • Choose an Angel card to look at, but please return it to the table.

Feel free to sit quietly in contemplation for as long as you would like to.

 

Music for Solstice Spiral 2026

Details to follow

Provisions for Wheelchair Users and Others with Mobility Challenges

As in 2025 we are making the Solstice Spiral easier to navigate for people with mobility challenges to navigate.

  • The Spiral itself will have wide pathways which we hope will make it accessible for wheelchair users and others with mobility challenges. We welcome your feedback.
  • For those who may not wish to enter the Spiral and would prefer an alternative, there will, again, be a straight pathway for wheelchair users, and anyone else,  in the South Aisle of the Church to the right of the Spiral. You will enter, with an unlit night light, via a willow arch.  You will then follow the path to another arch  where you will be invited, if you wish, to do a simple letting go ritual before lighting your night light.  You will then place it on a table near the Lady Chapel, where you can also choose an angel.

Any feedback would be very much appreciated.