The Temple of Cybele

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Days of Celebration

By Priestess Jean

Today, as we work to revive ancient traditions, or in some cases create new modern versions of them, one of the challenges that we face is to define and adopt specific celebration days, which we can share with others. This month I thought I'd write about that, and hopefully propose a few ideas which might prove interesting.

The solstices and equinoxes have always been some of the most well-known and universally recognized occasions for celebration. The solstices mark the shortest or longest days of the year, and the equinoxes mark the mid-points, when the length of the days and nights are exactly equal. In modern times, these events correspond with the beginning of a season, although in some ancient cultures they marked their mid-points.

The Spring equinox has historically been regarded as a time of rebirth, when plants and animals emerge from the hibernation imposed upon them by the coldness of winter. Summer solstice has usually been associated with a period of growth and abundance, when the warm weather allows people to celebrate throughout the night, usually by the light of a bonfire.

Fall equinox has historically corresponded with the time of harvest, when fresh foods are plentyful, and many fruits and vegetables are at their best. Winter solstice has usually been considered to be the most spiritual occasion... a time of contemplation and rest, when the cold weather generally limits most other activity.

To these four basic festivals, our Wiccan friends have added what they refer to as "cross-quarter" days. These were drawn from pre-Christian Celtic traditions. They are also observed by some Druid groups, although they may refer to them by slightly different names.

Imbolc is usually celebrated on the first day of February. It is associated with early signs of spring, the pregnancy of ewes, and the goddess Brigid.

Beltane is usually celebrated on the first day of May. It is associated with fertility rites, driving livestock into summer pastures, bonfires, and the god Belenus.

Lughnassadh is usually celebrated on the first day of August. It is associated with handfastings, the start of harvesting, and the god Lugh.

Samhain was originally celebrated on the first day of November, although it is now usually celebrated on October 31st. Unlike the other cross-quarter days, it is not associated with any specific deity. It marked the final harvest and the ending of the Celtic year, and was also considered to be a time at which spirits of the dead might commune with the living. For this reason it is a somewhat serious occasion, dedicated in part to honoring those who have gone before.

In addition, some ancient cultures held celebrations on new or full moons, which occur about every 30 days. Many of them used a lunar calendar , which was based on moon cycles... however since this did not align precisely with the length of the year, some "intercalary days" were always required.

There were many lunar deities in the ancient world. Exactly what role they played is somewhat unclear, however in Egypt the deity Khonsu was associated with fertility, and marking the passage of time. In the case of the Sumerian deity Namma (later called Sin in Babylon) the association was with the bull and the crescent moon, whose horns it resembles. The bull is one of the oldest animals considered to be sacred, as we have seen at Neolithic sites such as Catal Hoyuk.

Well, so much for ancient history... but what about the modern neo-pagan revival ?

In today's world, we find ourselves detached from many of the natural events which once provided the motivation for these celebrations. Very few of us plant and harvest our own crops, nor do we tend any livestock. Our groceries come from a store, our drinking water comes from a tap, and the temperature inside our homes is maintained within a narrow range throughout the year. We live our lives by a clock, rising to report for work each day at a certain time, regardless of whether it's light or dark out.

If our heritage and the ancient ways are not to be lost to us, then we must become keepers of history... not simply in a dry academic sense, but as a proud and vibrant tradition. And yet, in addition to that, if our celebration days are to be more than mere anachronisms, we must also find new meaning for them, which fits our modern lives and the faith that we now practice.

One idea that occured to me is to name the solstices and equinoxes after various classical deities that we recognize as incarnations of the Goddess. For example, when we talk to friends or arrange for a day off from work, if we were to say it was for the "Festival of Cybele", rather than merely the Spring equinox, it might create some curiosity among them. If they were to ask us about the meaning of that holiday, it would then give us a perfect chance to explain some of the beliefs of our religion.

Bright Blessings,

Priestess Jean

"Touch the Earth" by Teri McLuhan

A Book Review

This book was originally published in 1971, and continues to be re-printed and sold year after year. It is essentially a collection of speeches and writings by various 19th century Native Americans, plus a little history. The author arranged the material chronologically, to present an account of the Native American experience from their own perspective, as Europeans arrived and gradually destroyed their way of life.

There will be many surprises in store for the casual reader. For one thing, the book quickly reveals that Native Americans were neither savages nor fools. The eloquence and deeply thoughtful nature of their words quickly demonstrates a wisdom and intelligence which is both impressive and admirable.

Native American people possesed a highly evolved and sophisticated culture, which Europeans failed to recognize or to appreciate. Much of the Native American philosophy and spirituality becomes apparent throughout this book, and it is obviously very practical and natural. There was tremendous respect for the Earth, and indeed, a clear intent on living in harmony with it, and maintaining the environment for future generations.

As events progress, we find it is the European people who are the ones lacking in spirituality... whose only interest is to conquer and exploit the new continent which they had invaded, without regard for the indigenous people or concern for a sustainable future. Short-sighted greed and complete lack of morality were the order of the day.

Over a period of several centuries, Europeans murdered literally millions of innocent Native Americans. Part of this process involved slandering and dehumanizing them, so that their murder would be more palatable. The words found in this book will reverse those slanders, and establish proper awareness of the humanity of the victims of this holocaust.

Although we may be mostly Europeans ourselves, as followers of the Goddess it is the Native American people with whom we will quickly identify. The parallel with the Kurgan invasion is simply too strong to ignore, for here we see yet another spiritual Earth-centered culture subjugated and destroyed by barbaric invaders who possesed superior weapons but lacked any sort of genuine morality.

Although this book may sometimes bring a tear to your eye, it is essential reading for those who wish to transcend common misconceptions and attain a more accurate picture of Native American history. More than that, if words have the power to move us, then this book must stand as a somber monument to the fundamental conflict of values between sustainable Earth-centered cultures, and those that prosper by conquest and exploitation.