Photos: Winter Solstice at Stonehenge 2012
December 21, 2012
People react as they see the sun starting to rise on the horizon before its light hits them by the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge, in southern England, as access to the site is given to druids, New Age followers and members of the public on the annual Winter Solstice, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Doomsday hour is here and so still are we. According to legend, the ancient Mayans' long-count calendar ends at midnight Thursday, ushering in the end of the world. Didn't happen. "This is not the end of the world. This is the beginning of the new world," Star Johnsen-Moser, an American seer, said at a gathering of hundreds of spiritualists at a convention center in the Yucatan city of Merida, an hour and a half from the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
People embrace by the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge, in southern England, as access to the site is given to druids, New Age followers and members of the public on the annual Winter Solstice, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Doomsday hour is here and so still are we. According to legend, the ancient Mayans' long-count calendar ends at midnight Thursday, ushering in the end of the world. Didn't happen. "This is not the end of the world. This is the beginning of the new world," Star Johnsen-Moser, an American seer, said at a gathering of hundreds of spiritualists at a convention center in the Yucatan city of Merida, an hour and a half from the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
People gather to watch the sunrise as druids, pagans and revellers celebrate the winter solstice at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
A woman stands in the stone circle as the sun rises, as druids, pagans and revellers take part in a winter solstice ceremony at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
A reveller meditates as the sun rises during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
People cheers as the sun rises as druids, pagans and revellers celebrate the winter solstice at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
A man takes a photograph of the sunrise as druids, pagans and revellers celebrate the winter solstice at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
People dance as the sun rises, as druids, pagans and revellers, celebrate the winter solstice at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
People are silhouetted as the sun rises above the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge, in southern England, as access to the site is given to druids, New Age followers and members of the public on the annual Winter Solstice, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Doomsday hour is here and so still are we. According to legend, the ancient Mayans' long-count calendar ends at midnight Thursday, ushering in the end of the world. Didn't happen. "This is not the end of the world. This is the beginning of the new world," Star Johnsen-Moser, an American seer, said at a gathering of hundreds of spiritualists at a convention center in the Yucatan city of Merida, an hour and a half from the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
A woman dressed as a unicorn watches the sun rise, as druids, pagans and revellers take part in a winter solstice ceremony at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
A person wears a unicorn mask after sunrise by the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge, in southern England, as access to the site is given to druids, New Age followers and members of the public on the annual Winter Solstice, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Doomsday hour is here and so still are we. According to legend, the ancient Mayans' long-count calendar ends at midnight Thursday, ushering in the end of the world. Didn't happen. "This is not the end of the world. This is the beginning of the new world," Star Johnsen-Moser, an American seer, said at a gathering of hundreds of spiritualists at a convention center in the Yucatan city of Merida, an hour and a half from the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Revellers gather as they enjoy the sunrise during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
Druids conduct a ceremony following the traditional winter solstice celebrations at Stonehenge to coincide with the supposed Mayan Apocalypse, on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
A reveller chants incantations as the sun rises during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
Revellers chant incantations during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
A reveller watches the sunrise during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
Revellers chant incantations as the sun rises during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
Revellers dance and chant incantations as the sun rises during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
Druids react as the sun rises, as druids, pagans and revellers take part in a winter solstice ceremony at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
A reveller dressed as a unicorn celebrates the sunrise during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
A reveller dressed as a unicorn celebrates the sunrise during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
A wreath is thrown on top of the stones during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
Druid Arthur Pendragon chants an incantation during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
Druid Arthur Pendragon hugs a reveller during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
A druid walks through the stones during the winter solstice at Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in southern England December 21, 2012. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
People cheers as the sun rises as druids, pagans and revellers celebrate the winter solstice at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
A woman dressed as a unicorn watches the sun rise, as druids, pagans and revellers take part in a winter solstice ceremony at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
A woman dressed as a unicorn watches the sun rise, as druids, pagans and revellers take part in a winter solstice ceremony at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Arthur Uther Pendragon (L) knights a woman as Druids conduct a ceremony following the traditional winter solstice celebrations at Stonehenge to coincide with the supposed Mayan Apocalypse, on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Revellers celebrate the pagan festival of 'Winter Solstice' at Stonehenge in Wiltshire in southern England on December 21, 2012. BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
Revellers celebrate the pagan festival of 'Winter Solstice' at Stonehenge in Wiltshire in southern England on December 21, 2012. BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
Revellers celebrate the pagan festival of 'Winter Solstice' at Stonehenge in Wiltshire in southern England on December 21, 2012. BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
Revellers celebrate the pagan festival of 'Winter Solstice' at Stonehenge in Wiltshire in southern England on December 21, 2012. BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
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