Essay--Meaning of Samhain Feast
Samhain comes during my time of year. It begins at Mabon. When the leaves are falling from the trees and you can smell the snow hiding in the air. This time of year begins getting cooler and the days darker earlier. There is the celebration of "Halloween", where Samhain has become a happy festival for children and families. Costumes, candy and fun parties, for example. There are lighted, cut-out pumpkins at every turn and weird-nose making monsters standing in yards. All Hallow's Eve, Samhain, has long traditions and none of them are modern "Halloween". The veil is the thinnest between the worlds of the living and the dead. For many this is the time to host or have a "Dumb Supper". This is the Celtic New Year. A time to reflect and talk with who has passed from my life. It's when I remember the Druid Mael and that he is the most Ancient of my Mullen Ancestors. *We* talk and laugh of by-gone days, eras, centuries. Living, harvesting and making sure all is well and set for the darkest part of the year. I remember the times I heard about their winters and look to my own impending winter ahead of me. I celebrate what I have because they lived...the knowledge I have been gifted. The knowledge to prepare, before Samhain, for the cold days to come. For without the flour, apples, late vegetables, wild game...their own stores...they would have been gone long before I was able to be here. I say good-bye to them, one more time. For one more year. Knowing that next Samhain, we will visit again. (278)
Essay--Meaning of Yule Feast
This is a most wondrous celebration. Yule. The Winter Solstice. The longest night of the year. In many traditions of Paganism and Neopagaism, there is a battle between the Holly King and the Oak King. At Yule, the Oak King wins, bringing us back into the light, the Sun, and remains until Litha, the Summer Solstice. Then there is another battle and the Holly King wins this one, to bring the dark, the changing seasons, and remains until Yule. This is the twice a year, Solstice battle, between the light and dark months. An electric fire place, but a fire place just the same. A mantle to decorate with greenery, red, silver and blue ornaments. Sparkle ice cicles hang off the long bow of green. OH, the Yule tree, dressed in red, silver, green, blue and gold. Old ornaments and new. Lights. More clear, sparkle ice cicles. Holly ribbon. A star on top. *sigh* How that makes this High Day just shine in the eyes of each child and adult. To see the glitter and sparkle.
This isn't all Yule is. I come from a huge family and have a large one myself. This is family time, being together as the cold gets colder. We talk and remember that we will go through all of this together. From the darkness to the light. We share foods; turkey; glazed-pineapple ham; mashed potatoes; sweet potato casserole; green beans and corn; gravy; hot rolls; desserts. The fruits of the last harvest around Samhain. This feast brings families together in the darkness, to celebrate the coming light. We, of course in this modern age, exchange gifts. We adults give hand crafted gifts to each other...a reminder that this is a time of love. We choose gifts for the children and teens, young adults, with love...knowing his or her likes and dislikes. This High Day is among the most memorable for many reasons. The feast we have shared, the warmth of the Yule log (real or candled), and the time we have together. The time of the Wheel, the cold and snow, the sparkle and decorations, feasting and the family time. Yule is a blessed time of new memories made and for me, remembering how far I have come over the centuries. And for knowing that I will be soon stepping from the darkness into the light. (396)
Essay--Meaning of Imbolc Feast
With Imbolc I found I look more forward to the natural world, away from the darkness and cold. As Brigid is one of my deities, I celebrated this as her festival, also. Since it was still cold outside, I made a fabulous pot of potato soup. I add onions, simple dumplings and cream of celery soup, plus milk, to make mine. Crackers and cheese on the side. With some nice, fresh bread for dunking. What a delicious meal it was. Celebrating this High Day with Brigid, is moving, as I am a mix of Celtic ancestry. Knowing, some of my ancestors actually knew her, humbles me to no end. This brings this High Day closer to me than any of the others. I was inside on this day, with it snowing and very cold. But, I was in the sun room, able to see the world around me and connect with the Kindreds. Spend time with my husband, knowing that The Wheel has turned towards the light. Each Imbolc will pull on my soul just as much as my first Imbolc celebration. (186)
With Imbolc I found I look more forward to the natural world, away from the darkness and cold. As Brigid is one of my deities, I celebrated this as her festival, also. Since it was still cold outside, I made a fabulous pot of potato soup. I add onions, simple dumplings and cream of celery soup, plus milk, to make mine. Crackers and cheese on the side. With some nice, fresh bread for dunking. What a delicious meal it was. Celebrating this High Day with Brigid, is moving, as I am a mix of Celtic ancestry. Knowing, some of my ancestors actually knew her, humbles me to no end. This brings this High Day closer to me than any of the others. I was inside on this day, with it snowing and very cold. But, I was in the sun room, able to see the world around me and connect with the Kindreds. Spend time with my husband, knowing that The Wheel has turned towards the light. Each Imbolc will pull on my soul just as much as my first Imbolc celebration. (186)
Essay--Meaning of Ostara Feast
According to Bede, Eostre was the Germanic goddess Ostara. Her feast day was held on the full moon following the Vernal Equinox...the Spring Equinox. This is the time of year to start your seeds for planting. Start the soil for your herbs for later planting. A time of the year where the balance of night and day are equal.
This is a time of renewal and rebirth. Our natural world as well as the animal kingdom begins to come alive with new growth and new borns. The ever increasing sun light warms the Earth as we begin to plant our gardens for future harvests. I love this time. The fun of children with egg hunts and family feasts of ham, salads, eggs...lots of eggs, vegetables, desserts. It all lets us know that our season of rebirth is upon us. Family outings will be more frequent due to the beautiful, warmer weather.
Ostara and fertility go hand in hand...the eggs, the Earth, the animals. A culmination of why winter was left behind to create the completely new for us. I will be outside more often, as I make the garden and flower beds ready for planting. I will sit outside, by the hour now, reading, crocheting, watching my dogs sleep and play, and enjoying the birds, bees and butterflies. (225)
According to Bede, Eostre was the Germanic goddess Ostara. Her feast day was held on the full moon following the Vernal Equinox...the Spring Equinox. This is the time of year to start your seeds for planting. Start the soil for your herbs for later planting. A time of the year where the balance of night and day are equal.
This is a time of renewal and rebirth. Our natural world as well as the animal kingdom begins to come alive with new growth and new borns. The ever increasing sun light warms the Earth as we begin to plant our gardens for future harvests. I love this time. The fun of children with egg hunts and family feasts of ham, salads, eggs...lots of eggs, vegetables, desserts. It all lets us know that our season of rebirth is upon us. Family outings will be more frequent due to the beautiful, warmer weather.
Ostara and fertility go hand in hand...the eggs, the Earth, the animals. A culmination of why winter was left behind to create the completely new for us. I will be outside more often, as I make the garden and flower beds ready for planting. I will sit outside, by the hour now, reading, crocheting, watching my dogs sleep and play, and enjoying the birds, bees and butterflies. (225)
Meaning of Beltane Feast
There are few celebrations surrounding fertility as Beltane. Beltane is a season of fertility and fire. Festivities typically begin the evening before, on the last night of April. The focus is nearly always on fertility. It's the time when Mother Earth opens up to the fertility god, and their union brings about healthy livestock, strong crops, and new life all around. Bonfires are lit at Beltane and is it traditional to take the livestock between two lit fires. People would jump over the fires, but for the most part, they now walk between them. And again, this is a focus on the Pagan beliefs in fertility and the rites at this time, associated with it. For Beltane, celebrate with foods that honor fertility of the earth. Like perhaps light spring soups, fertility bread loaves, and more. (140)
There are few celebrations surrounding fertility as Beltane. Beltane is a season of fertility and fire. Festivities typically begin the evening before, on the last night of April. The focus is nearly always on fertility. It's the time when Mother Earth opens up to the fertility god, and their union brings about healthy livestock, strong crops, and new life all around. Bonfires are lit at Beltane and is it traditional to take the livestock between two lit fires. People would jump over the fires, but for the most part, they now walk between them. And again, this is a focus on the Pagan beliefs in fertility and the rites at this time, associated with it. For Beltane, celebrate with foods that honor fertility of the earth. Like perhaps light spring soups, fertility bread loaves, and more. (140)
Essay--Meaning of Litha Feast
And ancient solar celebration, agricultural societies marked this high point of summer in some way. From some chronicles written by early Christian monks and with some remaining folklore, some practices of the ancient Celts survive. It appears Litha/Mid-Summer/Summer Solstice was celebrated on hill tops with bonfires. The battle between light and dark, summer and winter, the Oak King and the Holly King begins now. The Goddess Epona of fertility is celebrated. A wonderful feast of of summer foods, early harvests, are traditional. Fresh vegetables of all kinds, fresh fruit, summer squash, meats like chicken and pork, drinks such as ale, mead, fruit drinks, herb teas, breads, especially Pumpernickel. Modern NeoPagans have barbecues with friends, family, etc., to mark this event and the summer ahead. (130)
And ancient solar celebration, agricultural societies marked this high point of summer in some way. From some chronicles written by early Christian monks and with some remaining folklore, some practices of the ancient Celts survive. It appears Litha/Mid-Summer/Summer Solstice was celebrated on hill tops with bonfires. The battle between light and dark, summer and winter, the Oak King and the Holly King begins now. The Goddess Epona of fertility is celebrated. A wonderful feast of of summer foods, early harvests, are traditional. Fresh vegetables of all kinds, fresh fruit, summer squash, meats like chicken and pork, drinks such as ale, mead, fruit drinks, herb teas, breads, especially Pumpernickel. Modern NeoPagans have barbecues with friends, family, etc., to mark this event and the summer ahead. (130)
Essay--Meaning of Lughnasadh Feast
"When we, as a culture shifted our focus to city living, we lost a sense of the community oriented celebration that was with our forbearers in the old days and that still exists in smaller communities."
Lughsanadh
[by] Kathleen Dupree
www.keyline.org/cra/articles/lughnasadh.html
This is a feast around the traditions of the harvests. The lean times of the year have ended and the bountiful times of the year have begun. The Lughnasadh feast is normally held on August 1st or the Sunday just before. The modern Irish spelling, Lúnasa, is the name of the month of August in Irish Gaelic.
The Celts celebrated as did the Sun God Lugh, for whom this High Day is named. A festival of funeral games in honor of Lugh's foster mother, Taillte. The Celts also had marriages knows as "Tailltean Marriages" and the couples stayed together for a year and a day or until next Lughnasadh. These were trial marriages and at the end of the year and a day, the couples could choose to stay together if this pleased them both OR stand back to back and simply walk away. Often, in Ireland, the Lughnasadh celebrations are called the "Tailltean Games".
This feast shows me the community at and in the Farmer's Markets where I go to get my fresh produce at this time of year. The beauty and bounty of the harvest that was planted in the spring and that now will sustain us throughout the darkening of the months ahead, until next light. (260)
"When we, as a culture shifted our focus to city living, we lost a sense of the community oriented celebration that was with our forbearers in the old days and that still exists in smaller communities."
Lughsanadh
[by] Kathleen Dupree
www.keyline.org/cra/articles/lughnasadh.html
This is a feast around the traditions of the harvests. The lean times of the year have ended and the bountiful times of the year have begun. The Lughnasadh feast is normally held on August 1st or the Sunday just before. The modern Irish spelling, Lúnasa, is the name of the month of August in Irish Gaelic.
The Celts celebrated as did the Sun God Lugh, for whom this High Day is named. A festival of funeral games in honor of Lugh's foster mother, Taillte. The Celts also had marriages knows as "Tailltean Marriages" and the couples stayed together for a year and a day or until next Lughnasadh. These were trial marriages and at the end of the year and a day, the couples could choose to stay together if this pleased them both OR stand back to back and simply walk away. Often, in Ireland, the Lughnasadh celebrations are called the "Tailltean Games".
This feast shows me the community at and in the Farmer's Markets where I go to get my fresh produce at this time of year. The beauty and bounty of the harvest that was planted in the spring and that now will sustain us throughout the darkening of the months ahead, until next light. (260)
Essay--Meaning of Mabon Feast
Mabon is the Autumn Equinox and the harvest is almost over. Crops have been gathered and are being finished stored for winter. Since Mabon is a mid-harvest festival, this is the time that we will honor the changing seasons, celebrate the second harvest and give thanks for all we have. Whether crops or Blessings. The Mabon feast was and is one of hospitality. Cattle was brought down for the winter, grains made into bread, your drinks were made. Celebrating with and sharing of your harvest, preparing for winter was not only neighborly, there were and still are the very people you may have need of help from in the dark months ahead, should an emergency arise or you find you cannot make it to get groceries. (130)
Mabon is the Autumn Equinox and the harvest is almost over. Crops have been gathered and are being finished stored for winter. Since Mabon is a mid-harvest festival, this is the time that we will honor the changing seasons, celebrate the second harvest and give thanks for all we have. Whether crops or Blessings. The Mabon feast was and is one of hospitality. Cattle was brought down for the winter, grains made into bread, your drinks were made. Celebrating with and sharing of your harvest, preparing for winter was not only neighborly, there were and still are the very people you may have need of help from in the dark months ahead, should an emergency arise or you find you cannot make it to get groceries. (130)
Essay--Meaning of Lughnasadh Feast
"When we, as a culture shifted our focus to city living, we lost a sense of the community oriented celebration that was with our forbearers in the old days and that still exists in smaller communities."
Lughsanadh
[by] Kathleen Dupree
www.keyline.org/cra/articles/lughnasadh.html
This is a feast around the traditions of the harvests. The lean times of the year have ended and the bountiful times of the year have begun. The Lughnasadh feast is normally held on August 1st or the Sunday just before. The modern Irish spelling, Lúnasa, is the name of the month of August in Irish Gaelic.
The Celts celebrated as did the Sun God Lugh, for whom this High Day is named. A festival of funeral games in honor of Lugh's foster mother, Taillte. The Celts also had marriages knows as "Tailltean Marriages" and the couples stayed together for a year and a day or until next Lughnasadh. These were trial marriages and at the end of the year and a day, the couples could choose to stay together if this pleased them both OR stand back to back and simply walk away. Often, in Ireland, the Lughnasadh celebrations are called the "Tailltean Games".
This feast shows me the community at and in the Farmer's Markets where I go to get my fresh produce at this time of year. The beauty and bounty of the harvest that was planted in the spring and that now will sustain us throughout the darkening of the months ahead, until next light. (260)
"When we, as a culture shifted our focus to city living, we lost a sense of the community oriented celebration that was with our forbearers in the old days and that still exists in smaller communities."
Lughsanadh
[by] Kathleen Dupree
www.keyline.org/cra/articles/lughnasadh.html
This is a feast around the traditions of the harvests. The lean times of the year have ended and the bountiful times of the year have begun. The Lughnasadh feast is normally held on August 1st or the Sunday just before. The modern Irish spelling, Lúnasa, is the name of the month of August in Irish Gaelic.
The Celts celebrated as did the Sun God Lugh, for whom this High Day is named. A festival of funeral games in honor of Lugh's foster mother, Taillte. The Celts also had marriages knows as "Tailltean Marriages" and the couples stayed together for a year and a day or until next Lughnasadh. These were trial marriages and at the end of the year and a day, the couples could choose to stay together if this pleased them both OR stand back to back and simply walk away. Often, in Ireland, the Lughnasadh celebrations are called the "Tailltean Games".
This feast shows me the community at and in the Farmer's Markets where I go to get my fresh produce at this time of year. The beauty and bounty of the harvest that was planted in the spring and that now will sustain us throughout the darkening of the months ahead, until next light. (260)
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