Equinox in Shetland
Well, despite all the odds of Shetland’s ‘four seasons in one day’ weather, we blagged a sunrise at Stanydale Temple, which was my initial motivator for dragging the family up to Shetland in the first place. I consider myself very lucky and have much gratitude for the great mystery for shining the sun so brightly into this Neolithic ‘temple’ today.
Shetland has absolutely stolen my heart. I love its remoteness, quietness, rawness, friendliness, kindness, wildness and total aliveness. It’s not a place that is trying to be anything other than itself; the land talks, allows, is - for the most part - left to be.
It seems that the locals love Shetland too, and are not wholly supportive of Viking Energy Farm plonking wind turbines on the moors, or setting up a space station on the most northerly tip of Unst. People care - they don’t seem to want to sell out on nature like so many other places in this world.
This is a place that heals and restores the soul, brings hope and a recognition that nature is ultimately in control. But also reminding us that we are nature, not separate from it and if we immerse in it, we might well find parts of ourselves that we have forgotten or discarded to try to fit into what everyone else wants of us, or society’s conditioning.
From the awe-inspiring northern cliffs to the southern Neolithic village, from the runway across the road, to the little marinas spread throughout the island, the many Neolithic stones, the heather, the peat, the wetness under food, otters, seals, space, undulating hills, rugged coastline, water, water everywhere, the brochs, the wind, of how it blows strongly here…
…from the geology, quartz, sheep, peace of mind, connection to body, the elements, Shetland ponies, little village shops stocking all you need, honesty boxes, fishing, amazingly clear and smooth roads, blissful driving, more space, friendly waves, cold sea, rainbows, sun, hail, rain, more blustery winds, tombola, islands, island life, silence, no planes overhead, islets, daffodils, smiles, Shetland offers all this and more.
With thanks to the great mystery and to this beautiful Island.
Happy Equinox!
