America's Stonehenge

Summer Solstice Ceremony 2025

"Through our Greatness we Triumph"

Saturday, June 21st, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Facilitated by Katja Esser.

Gathering time for the ritual is 1:45 pm. Please leave ample time to get yourself to the ritual site. We will be in The Gathering Space, which is just outisde of the main complex. Staff in the visitor center can give directions to the space.

There is some preparation involved that takes some introspection that you will want to be aware of and work with in the days leading up to this ceremony. Please see the instructions below on what to prepare and bring and take some time with it. The preparations are part of the feeding of the spirit world and deepen the work we do so we can reap the most benefits from it as well. It also shows a commitment to walking a different path as it takes some effort, which is noticed in the other world.

Our active dazzling sun sweating his solar flares and panting his solar winds on his cyclical journey slows down his grandiose dance until he comes to a pause at the solstice. Catching his breath, he casts his blinding rays in all directions lighting up all that cross his path. Nowhere to run as his hungry rays devour his own image while he feasts upon the dew. In an enlightened state water ascends.

We are all aware that this is a monumental year of challenges and rapid changes as we are in the last 5 years of the shift which pivotal moment was in in 2012. These next few years will determine where we go as humanity. Are we going to be complacent, give into the fear mongering, and let ourselves be controlled by outward authority that never has our highest good in mind or are we remembering our divinity, the creative Source within, and follow God's plan. Are we willing to give up our humanness, our capacity to love, to forgive, to have compassion and gratitude for convenience, safety, and group loyalty? Are we willing to take risks, be courageous, speak up, speak truth, and support causes that work for our freedom? How would your respond if you knew for sure you would come back to earth after this life time? What kind of world on earth do you want to come back to? And what world would you want your children to grow up in? And how would you contribute to make this world on our beloved earth a tangible reality? I am sure as a parent you have thought about this and have made choices that inspired you to action. For that same reason what would you want to create in yourself as you evolve and do not want to go through the same hurts again in the next life time? All of this is a personal choice, there is no right or wrong. We are loved by the creative Source no matter what we choose. Sometimes a next life time may feel easier as we may not have the capacity to make the changes now. These questions carry huge responsibilities and we can only do our tiny little piece in this and choose wisely. All our choices matter, the little and the big ones. We become more aware as we have more understanding in how the universe operates, where all is electric as we send it out and magnetic as we pull it back in. We expand what we focus on.

At the solstice we celebrate the fullness of the light, and the light shines brightly on all that is hidden and brings it into the light. Speaking truth, exposing lies, honesty, changing opinions, being clear, and transparent are the energies being activated at this time. This is also the time of the fullness of outward expression that support our greatness and magnificence. We get to look within ourselves, notice where there is an inner conflict and be radically honest with ourselves. We get to look at our unconscious thoughts and feelings that have been running the show and expose the truth about ourselves how we have been operating and behaving coming from our survival mode. To be free people means we are in control of our own patterns, unconscious reactions, thoughts, and feelings. To be unshakable means we remember who we are as divine beings, present, loving, compassionate, at peace within, connected to our breath, focused on the light no matter what. As the thumb screws are tightened around us, our inner light will set us free. This is the battle between light and dark, good and evil, but we battle it by remembering who we are. When you shine the light on darkness it has no place to hide and the light wins.

This is an Earth year according to the Dagara people of West Africa. Mother Earth is going through her ascension process and all is being shaken up, as you noticed there are a lot of Earth changes, extreme weather patterns, more floods and droughts predicted, massive tornadoes, seismic and volcanic activity. There are also massive disruptions in our power grid for various reasons. At the same time Earth is about nurturing, self-care, healing our bodies, nourishment, and a sense of belonging. At the solstice the rapid growth begins to slow down and the focus is on inner strength, maturing. It is a time we can relax a bit and tend to ourselves. More food becomes available and the sweet fruits begin to ripen, bringing sweetness and gentleness to our being. All this while we stay vigilant, track our thoughts and feelings, take action where it is needed as things keep heating up around us, but we come from a centered place and listen to our inner voice. We take back our power and say "no" to the things that track and control us. Freedom and compassion is our focus.

The intention:
I always do an inquiry through the spreading of shells. What supports our journey of awakening? As things are heating up, we feel agitation at the core and things may be uprooted but love is underneath it all. Where are the contradictions and what needs our focus? When we see the need for peace within ourselves but then resist the flow as we come from our survival self, while our higher self stands in readiness and support for us to dive into the deep water, the subconsciousness, to connect with the deeper story. When we see the potential for coming into a full manifestation of our greatness and wisdom but not activate the relationship with our helpers and guides to get us there. And when we communicate, are we transparent, clear, do we come from integrity, and speak truth? Are we free to speak, do we need to soften and realize that with more information our opinions are changing. The moment is now; change is in effect. The intensity is expanding, the transformation comes through self-inquiry, by means of dreams, visions, and meditations. Our spirit guides are holding us creating tremendous opportunity to heal and to be whole.

Preparation and what to bring:

Cost:
In addition to the general admission at America's Stonehenge, there is a suggested $8.00 donation at the ritual to support the continuation of this sacred work.

Filming and photography:
We ask you not to film or photograph during the ceremony. You can take pictures before or after the ceremony. Some things belong to the spirit world. Thank you for understanding.

Who to call:
Kindly respond if you plan to attend. Please contact Katja Esser on Facebook or through e-mail at katjacreates@ritualexpressions.com. She needs to have a sense of the number of people coming so as to adjust the ceremony for the number of people that are present, and it also allows her to notify guests if there are last minute unexpected changes. You can find more info on Katja by visiting her website.

Katja Esser smiling joyfully at the camera. Katja Esser creates a container of a particular energy frequency that allows people to awaken and express their ancient sacred connection to the infinite universe. As a multi-disciplinary artist, ceremonialist, teacher, performer, film maker, and healer who inspires through self-expression, she assists people that are ready to come into a participatory relationship with themselves, the living Earth, and the unseen world around them to live a sacred eco-centered, magical, and connected life.

Katja has been running annual seasonal rituals since 1992, of which Summer Solstice at America’s Stonehenge is most well-known. Her singing and her extraordinary elaborate masks and costumes bring forth beings from another world. Katja has facilitated drumming circles, workshops in sound, continuum-based movement, ritual, and maskmaking. She studied with Emily Conrad, Malidoma Somé, Alisa Starkweather, Eric Bornstein, Martin Prechtel, Saruah Benson, Tim Kelley, and various healing modalities to facilitate a shift in consciousness. She performs with the Theater Behind The Mask in schools through Young Audiences and has appeared at First Night Boston for a number of years. Katja facilitates grief rituals, sacred sound circles, ancestral rituals, and performances. Katja focused for 10 years on water through video, combining her music, poetry, and images of water in praise of the living world around us, to bring awareness to water's teachings and our participation to keep the earth alive. She also focuses on wildcrafting, sacred geometry, and no-till gardening, contributing to eating local and having a relationship with the living beings that feed us. Katja has an extensive website at which her work can be viewed.

Testimonials

"Thank you Katja for a beautiful, powerful, and healing Equinox ritual at America's Stonehenge! Your "work as path" is a soulful, rich, and beautiful gift, from which we deeply benefit and which we greatly appreciate. Thank you!"
~ Margaret, David, and Abigail

"Dearest Katja,
We thank you deeply for the ceremony today. It was wonderful. The words you speak are like water to a dry mouth. You are truly a blessing for sharing this with us all…… Your coyote was fantastic!!"

~ Ann, Eric, Ezekiel, Obadiah and Gary

"Thank-you, Katja Esser, for the beauty and vision you bring to the world. It was so lovely to be together and to remember that a new old way is possible here now. So grateful."
~ Nicole, winter solstice 2022

"Once again, thank you for hosting the ceremony. After the ceremony, I immediately felt more positive with a sense of joy that I haven't felt for a long time. Thank you."
~ Ka

"I simply want to thank you sincerely for the awesome rituals and ceremony for Summer Solstice on Sunday. I loved every minute of it, and I listened closely to your words. I was also honored to be able to participate in the ancestors part of the ceremony, placing the two pronged branch into the earth. I know I speak with gratitude for my two friends, as well.
Again, you provided a wonderful experience which as my friends and discussed on our way home, will certainly have unseen but real effects for each participant, our Mother, and all people we come into contact with.
Thank you so much for your valuable and deep work…so needed at this time."

~ Pam