I picked up on this event a couple of months ago and suddenly I find that it is almost upon us. A large
pagan gathering near Weymouth in the UK, to celebrate the festival of Beltane, is being organised by Dorset druids and witches. Several hundred people are expected to attend the festival, running from May 2 to May 4, 2008, which will culminate in the ritual burning of a wicker man.
Weymouth is the town that will host the sailing events for the 2012 Olympic Games.
More informatiion about the Dorset Beltane festival.
Labels: 2008, Dorset, England, festival, Pagan, Weymouth, Wicca
The start of autumn in the northern hemisphere, is marked by night and day being of nearly the same length; this occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator. This year, 2007, the
Autumn Equinox occurs on September 23; of course, the Southern hemisphere welcomes spring and lengthening hours of daylight.
It is not surprising that such a significant astronomical event should be celebrated by pagan religions such as Wicca. The year's crops are harvested, tribute is paid to the sun and mother earth, and preparation is made for the impending days of darkness. The Wicca name for the Autumn Equinox is Mabon, it is called Mea'n Fo'mhair by the Druids who pay homage to the Green Man.
Harvest festivals and celebrations are commonplace throughout the northern hemisphere and ancient harvest customs are still widely practiced throughout Europe. Central to many of these is the Corn Dolly or John Barleycorn, which is said to contain the spirit of the grain; notoriously portrayed in the Wicca Man. There is a modern day Wicca Man festival in Scotland but this has little to do with religion or the Autumn Equinox and will form the subject of a future post.
Labels: 2007, Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Druids, festival, Green Man, harvest, Mabon, Wicca
