Photo: MountAuburnSolstice.org
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Winter solstice is a few weeks away, but a timely tradition is back at Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Solstice was created five years ago to promote a time for reflection at the cemetery. Mount Auburn President Matthew Stephens said its a very transformative time of year.
"What is Solstice? It really is a self-guided tour that takes people through the landscape where they'll see light and sound installations. Each one is different. Each one sort of brings different emotions," Stephens said.
Known as Solstice: Reflections on Winter Light, the annual event allows attendees to set intentions for the new year or commemorate the memory of passed on loved ones.
"It is a self-guided tour that's about a mile long loop into our landmark landscape and it's both indoor and outdoor.
So you'll start in one of our chapels where you can see members of the community really talk about what the solstice means to them. That really intends to set the tone for the experience," Stephens stated.
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Attendees will also see colorful lights and high-tech art installations throughout the cemetery and arboretum. Some of the art highlights the trees, while others make use of the landmarks inside the cemetery.
"The front of the gothic Chapel becomes a canvas for projection mapped arts," Stephens remarked.
Mount Auburn has opened its doors to thousands for people for the past thirty years allowing them to reflect on what they call the dualities of life — sorrow and joy, loss and renewal, darkness and light and endings and beginnings.
"And really, we introduce solstice as a way to be the anti-everything else going on in the world, right? And that's really what Mount Auburn has been and always will be, is this place to come to reflect and be inspired."
Tickets are available now, but selling fast according to Stephens. The final chance to take the self guided tour will be on Dec. 21.
WBZ NewsRadio's Jared Brosnan (@JaredBrosnanWBZ) reports.