A wooden henge in Huntingdonshire has held its first-ever baby naming ceremony, for a little boy just a few weeks old.
Moonhenge, in Woodwalton, welcomed Louie Vincent Luxford to the world on July 2, in a ceremony that can trace its origins back to before the emergence of the major religions.
The new arrival, from Godmanchester, was born on June 20 at Hinchingbrooke Hospital to Hannah Feetham, 29, and Chris Luxford, 37.
“We attended the opening ceremony of Moonhenge, and also the summer solstice last year. As Louie was born on the summer solstice this year it seemed very fitting to celebrate at Moonhenge,” Hannah said.
“We decided on a naming ceremony as neither of us are religious but wanted to celebrate the birth of our son with our close friends and family.
“The henge has a very calm and relaxed atmosphere unlike a formal building.”
Accessible by appointment only, the site is dedicated to the spirit of the Sacred Feminine – for some, a goddess represented by a deity, and for others, the Virgin Mary or even Mother Earth.
Built in just seven days, the site is made from 29 ancient bog oaks and makes up two circles.
The plot is particularly close to the family’s heart though, because Hannah’s grandmother is ‘mother’ of the henge – the same person who led the ceremony.
Both Hannah and her mother helped with the opening of the site.
“The ceremony is based around an ancient naming ceremony that was celebrated before religion and was to celebrate the birth of a child and to honour the elements of the earth,” Hannah said.
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