Equinox springs with Nowruz, Naw-Ruz, New Year

March 20, 2013 by

Depiction of an Iranian family celebrating Nowruz around the Haftsin table. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia CommonsWEDNESDAY and THURSDAY, MARCH 20 and 21: Spring has sprung as the planet passes through the vernal equinox. For millions of families around the world, this also marks the New Year usually called Nowruz or Naw-Ruz. Spellings in English vary widely but the roots are the same—deep in the cultures of the region now known as Iran. More than 3,000 years ago in that part of the world, Zoroaster pointed his followers toward patterns of celestial movement.

Today, versions of this New Year’s tradition are celebrated by Zoroastrians, Sufis, Ismailis, Alawites, Baha’is—and others. In 2010, the United Nations recognized that these religious and cultural communities are minorities around the world, often persecuted or in the midst of other conflicts. So, the UN declared an International Day of Nowruz and called on all who observe the holiday to celebrate with a focus on peace and goodwill.

A GLOBAL ‘NEW DAY’: Though rooted in Iran and Persia, Norouz is now experienced throughout the Middle East and Central Asia and with festivals in North America, Europe and Asia. The Iran Heritage Foundation will host its annual Norouz Gala in London this year, while the House of Iran Nowruz Celebration will take place in San Diego; Chicago will host its own annual Nowruz Parade, and the Iranian Association of Boston will host a New Year’s bash. (Get an overview at Asia Society. Kids can get an age-appropriate breakdown of global Noruz at Asia Society Kids.)

HOW OLD IS NOWRUZ? Some texts point to Nowruz celebrations nearly 15,000 years ago, although the exact origins are impossible to confirm. (Wikipedia has details.) Nonetheless, the Shahnameh (a poem regarded as the national epic of Iranian culture) dates Nowruz back to the reign of Jamshid—a mythical Persian king who saved mankind from a winter so harsh that it was destined to kill every living creature. Legend has it that the king constructed himself a throne of gems and that, when the harsh winter had passed, he had demons raise him from the earth to the heavens. The world’s creatures gazed at King Jamshid in wonder, calling this the “New Day,” or Nowruz.

A portion of a Haftsin tableIRANIAN NOWRUZ: For families observing these ancient customs, preparations have been underway for weeks! Just days ago, the children of Iran wrapped up pre-Nowruz traditions by parading through the streets in burial shrouds (while begging for candy from neighbors), in imitation of the ancient Iranian ritual of mourning the end of life at the end of the year.

THE HAFTSIN TABLE: Once again, English spellings vary widely in describing the symbolic table setting for the Persian New Year: Haftsin and Haft-Seen are among the renderings you’ll find. Wikipedia has settled on Haft-Seen as its standardized spelling. These gorgeous table settings often feature eggs, fruit and cakes—and the seven “S’s.” The Haftsin table, which varies slightly by region, contains seven objects that begin with the Persian sound of “s”: senjed (dried fruit); sir (garlic); serkeh (vinegar); sonbol (hyacinth flower); sekkeh (coins); sazbeh (green wheat sprouts); and samanau (sweet pudding).

Following 12 days of visits to family and friends, the 13th day commences as a day to picnic in the country. Nicknamed “the lie of the thirteenth,” it’s popular to tell white lies on the 13th day of Norouz, similar to the Western April Fool’s Day.

WORLDWIDE BAHA’I CELEBRATION OF NAW-RUZ

Baha’is approach this holiday in a different way. Regular readers of this column will recall that Baha’is have been engaged in a 19-Day Fast. On the evening of March 20, Baha’is gather with family and friends for an elaborate Now-Ruz dinner. Learn more from Wikipedia or the Baha’i Library Online. (And Naw-Ruz is currently fixed on March 21 for Baha’is outside of the Middle East.)

Prayers are recited as the faithful enter the “spiritual springtime.” Baha’is who fasted adhered to the words of Baha’u’llah’s son, Abdu’l-Baha: “Fasting is the cause of awakening man.” Feeling refreshed, Baha’is follow the Now-Ruz dinner by suspending work and school to celebrate a day of Baha—that is, splendor, glory and the Day of God. While commemorating prophets and figures of the world’s major religions, Baha’is spend the additional 18 days of their first month of the year feasting, dancing and playing music. (Access Naw-Ruz prayers here.)

Zoroastrian mythology tells that at the spring equinox, the perpetually fighting bull (earth) and lion (sun) are equal. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia CommonsZOROASTRIAN NOWRUZ

Founded by an astronomer, the Zoroastrian religion began thousands of years ago and many credit it as the starting point of modern Nowruz celebrations. Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) pointed out the movement of the sun toward Aries—which thereby signaled the spring equinox and new season of regeneration—and followers across Western and Central Asia participated in Nowruz for centuries. (Learn more from the Heritage Institute.)

The ancients offered their god, Ahura Mazda, seven trays of symbolic objects that represented such virtues as truth and justice; the tradition continues today in elements of the Haft-Seen table. Of notable difference between the Zoroastrian Iranian Haft-Seen table and the Muslim/Iranian table is the presence of wine: “shin” was changed to “sin” with the Islamic disapproval of sharab, or wine. Zoroastrians today continue to place wine on the Nowruz table, along with a copy of the sacred book, a picture of Zarathustra, coins, fruits, sprouts, a mirror and a bowl of goldfish. The original, pre-Persian table also included milk, nectar and compote.

PAGAN / WICCAN OSTARA

As the northern hemisphere welcomes the onset of spring, modern Pagans and Wiccans celebrate Ostara. Themes of renewal and new beginnings are lifted up as adherents commemorate the sacred marriage of the Sun God and the young Maiden Goddess. (Wicca.com has more.) Stories tell that the Maiden Goddess conceives and that springtime symbols, such as the rabbit and egg, symbolize her fertility. Most Pagans and Wiccans partake in leafy greens, sprouts and dairy foods during this festival, participating in activities that emphasize the beauty and bounty of nature.

NOWRUZ ROUNDUP: NEWS AND RESOURCES

Traditional dishes on a Nowruz tableHungry for a taste of Persian cuisine? Try a recipe for Persian New Year’s Soup, courtesy of epicurious. The recipe’s author, esteemed food writer Louisa Shafia, will also be releasing The New Persian Kitchen next month: check out this interview for her firsthand take on Persian culture, the role of food in holidays like Norouz and the challenges of keeping tradition alive in the Diaspora.

In Los Angeles, the Persian community will kick off the New Year with a cause: the Midnight Mission homeless shelter. After handing out clothes and toys, the Persian community will underwrite Midnight Mission’s meal service for 13 days—the number of days the holiday lasts in Iran.

Across the world in Shiraz, Iran, volunteers have cooked 220 kg of samanoo for distribution to the needy. The sweet paste, used for the Haftsin table, is made of germinated wheat and traditionally cooked by women in an all-night gathering.

Pagan: Spring emerges on Brighid’s Imbolc (& Lughnassad)

February 1, 2013 by

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1: Wiccans and Pagans in the Northern Hemisphere usher in February with the centuries-old Gaelic festival of Imbolc, or Brighid’s Day, marking the beginning of spring and the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. (The Southern Hemisphere marks Lughnassadh.)

Legend has it that on this day, Brighid begins preparing for the renewal of spring; snakes and badgers emerge from the Earth, to test the weather (thus the beginning of modern Groundhog Day traditions. Wikipedia has details). As the first crocuses pop from the cold ground, young Pagans fashion Brighid corn dollies and older adults twist Brighid crosses (pictured at left), to exchange as symbols of protection and prosperity. (View a slideshow on how to make a Brighid Cross.) In the evening, candles are lit to welcome the rebirth of the sun, as was practiced centuries ago in Gaelic Ireland.

A FRESH TWIST ON SNAKES: The WeAreCaregivers team of writers is encouraging people to creatively re-draw the 2013 calendar with an emphasis on spiritual renewal. A Virginia writer contributed the idea of marking a Snake Day as a time for early spring walks.

ANCIENT TRADITIONS / EVOLVING CUSTOMS: The Irish imbolc translates from the Old Irish i mbolg, or “in the belly”—indicating the early spring pregnancy of ewes. In ancient Ireland, Imbolc celebrated the lactation of ewes who would soon give birth to spring lambs. In the home, many begin cleaning out “the old” to make room for “the new,” thus indicating the renewal of spring. Dairy foods are traditionally enjoyed, along with poppyseed cakes and muffins, complemented by herbal teas. (Learn more at Wicca.com.) In Wicca, Imbolc is regarded as a women’s festival in honor of Brighid.

IMBOLC STONE CIRCLES AND MONUMENTS—IN DANGER?

Newgrange UNESCO World Heritage may recognize the significance of Imbolc to the Irish Neolithic period, but some sites are in danger—such as the Sighthill Stone Circle in Glasgow, Scotland. Though built only 34 years ago, the Stone Circle was the first of its kind to have been erected in more than 3,000 years; groups such as The Friends of the Sighthill Stone Circle visit the site frequently for events such as Imbolc. (Read an article in the Evening Times.) The site is currently in danger, however, being pushed aside to make way for a path that would help the city to bid on hosting the 2018 Youth Olympic Games. To date, Friends has collected more than 2,000 signatures on a petition to save the Circle, and some have suggested renovating the Circle as opposed to leveling it.

Is December 21 the Mayan end of the world?

December 21, 2012 by

CLICK ON THIS COLLECTION OF MAYAN-RELATED IMAGES TO VISIT THE NASA PAGE EXPLAINING THE ERRORS THAT LED TO THIS ANXIETY.END OF WORLD NEWS FLASHES
FROM SPIRITUAL WANDERER,
GLEE, THE VATICAN, NASA
AND THE NEW YORK BAR SCENE
AS WE ALL COLLIDE WITH
SOLSTICE, YULE, SOYAL, YAIDA
SATURNALIA & PANCHA GANAPATI

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21: At 11:12 a.m., the Sun reaches its highest point relative to the Earth’s equator—a moment when the ancients said the Sun seemed to stand still. Thus, Sol (Latin for Sun) and sistere (to stand still).
But the big question in 2012 is:
Will the world end?

All we can say at ReadTheSpirit online magazine is: Thank goodness for friends like Spiritual Wanderer Rodney Curtis, who sent cheery family greetings to our magazine offices just in time to give us hope on the verge of the Mayan Apocalypse! Like millions of other Americans, we had watched the new Mayan-themed holiday episode of the TV series Glee—in which two worried teenagers decide to get married even though they are still in high school. If the world does end on December 21, these kids reason, at least they will have a few days of wedded bliss.

Every where you look, tongue-in-cheek anxiety is rising—including the trend-setting New York City bar scene where “Last Call” will take on a whole new meaning this week. At least that’s true according to a report in the New York Daily News.

VATICAN ‘RUBBISHES PREDICTIONS’

Things are getting so crazy that the head of the Vatican Observatory was forced to weigh in—via the Vatican-run newspaper L’Osservatore Romano. You can Google the original Rome-based report, but it’s much more colorful to read British newspaper reports on Father Jose Funes’ assurances. The Vatican astronomer rubbishses such reports!

NASA SAYS:
LOOK AT YOUR OWN CALENDAR!

Father Funes is not alone, among serious scientists. NASA has posted a page explaining away Mayan anxieties with a very practical way of pointing out the error that produced these fears: Simply look at your own calendar! NASA writes, “Just as the calendar you have on your kitchen wall does not cease to exist after December 31, the Mayan calendar does not cease to exist on December 21, 2012. This date is the end of the Mayan long-count period but then—just as your new calendar begins again on January 1—another long-count period begins for the Mayan calendar.”

AND, GO ASK THE MAYANS

That’s what HarperOne did—three years ago—in publishing The Book of Destiny: Unlocking the Secrets of the Ancient Mayans and the Prophecy of 2012. Talk about an ultimate Spoiler Alert! This comes from page 2 of the book, written by Guatemalan author and Mayan spokesman Carlos Barrios:

Just as the world did not end in the year 2000 at the start of the new millennium, it won’t end with the advent of Job Ajaw in 2012. An unfounded fear was created before based the new millennium by religious leaders who based their theories on misguided interpretations of ancient religious texts and predictions made by famous prophets. The same fear is rising again. The true guardians of our tradition have never been consulted about this date, but we are here to say: December 21, 2012, will not be the end of the world or the end of humanity. In fact, it will be the start of a period in which harmony, undersanding, peace and wisdom can reign.

Note that Job Ajaw is one of the Mayan cycles of time that, according to Barrios, last thousands of years. So, December 12, 2012, is an auspicious date in the Mayan cosmic calendar—but it actually carries optimistic predictions of a global movement toward a more “harmonious natural order” between “Earth and humanity,” Barrios writes. Our Recommendation: Click on the book cover and order a copy from Amazon now. If you do it today, you should get your book well before December 21. The 356 pages are packed with a fascinating introduction to Mayan culture—plus enough intriguing chapters on “Mayan Signs” to rival your favorite volume on Nostradamus.

SERIOUS CONCERNS AMID THE FUN

As Americans, we love to scare ourselves silly—and the world apparently loves to be scared by American movies and television shows. That’s what happened a few years ago when John Cusack and a wild-eyed Woody Harrelson starred in the special-effects-laden 2012: We Were Warned. If you’re planning a Solstice party, you might grab a copy of the film, turn down all the lights and enjoy screaming with your friends.

But seriously—the world’s population is not as media savvy as most Americans have become these days. News reports from some regions of China and Russia say that 2012-disaster hysteria has gripped entire towns and, in some cases, institutions. Apparently, in one example, the inmates of a Russian women’s prison became so crazed with end-of-the-world rumors that officials had to bring in counselors to dispel the myths. If you’ve got lots of time to explore the wide range of 2012 predictions, Wikipedia has a truly engrossing page about the many facets of this frenzy. Again, bottom line: Wikipedia says any claims of a Mayan end-of-world prediction are a complete misreading of Mayan culture.

DECEMBER 21: THE SOLSTICE

Humans have been in awe of the Solstice throughout our entire history on the planet. No one knows the exact origins of Stonehenge, but the arrangement of enormous stones dates back at least 4,000 years. While the official UK guardians of the site restrict where visitors can walk around the great stones, the Winter Solstice is one day when greater freedom usually is permitted. While December 21 does mark the return of ever-lengthening daylight—ancient peoples recognized that months of deep winter and often famine were arriving with the year’s shortest day. It’s the sort of annual milestone that naturally makes humans fall to their knees in awe and prayer.

DECEMBER 21 AND YULE OR JUL OR JOL? OR SOYAL?

Modern pagans across the U.S. and northern Europe often celebrate various Yule (or Jul or Jol) customs. Most of these new “traditions” have been re-created in recent decades to approximate festivals that pagan groups say were once popular from what is now America across the UK, Germany and Scandinavia. A host of individual pagan organizations promote festivities, rituals and invocations to nature’s ancient spirits. While the history and authenticity of pagan rites can be debated, the timeless roots of this response to the Solstice still can be seen in the Zuni and Hopi communities of the American Southwest. In those cultures, the ceremonies are known as Soyal.

THE REST OF THE WORLD: SATURNALIA, YALDA and PANCHA GANAPATI

An illusration from the Hinduism Today guide to Pancha Ganapati. Click this image to visit the magazine’s free download page.Most American churchgoers are aware from annual TV specials, news media and even occasional sermons that the date of Christmas is related to the Solstice—and ancient Christian efforts to replace the Roman midwinter festival of Saturnalia with something more appropriate to their faith. Catholic pilgrims to the Vatican, for example, also like to tour the ruins of the Roman Forum where the Temple of Saturn once stood—the ancient focus of Saturnalia in the imperial city. (Wikipedia has much more about Saturnalia.)

Solstice taps into the world’s deepest spiritual traditions—one of which continues to blossom from Persia, now dominated by Iranian Muslims. However, that branch of Persian culture still expressed in the Zoroastrian faith and the ancient Roman-era mystery religion known as Mythraism still marks the Solstice festival of Yalda. (Once again, Wikipedia has an entry.) The mythology revolving around Yalda focuses on the other-worldly power of light. Candles and sweet fruits are part of enduring Yalda customs.

Finally, Hindus in the U.S. have tried to promote their own Christmas alternative, known as Pancha Ganapati: That’s now a five-day festival from December 21 to 25, focused on the elephant deity Lord Ganesh—and on promoting harmonious time among Indian families who find themselves with time off work, school and other commitments. Wikipedia has a page on this, but the best source of information is a free, full-color PDF you can download and print from Hinduism Today Magazine.

The colorful Hinduism Today introduction to the festival begins with these words: Think of this as the Hindu Christmas, a modern winter holiday full of family-centered happenings, but with five days of gifts for the kids, not one. From December 21 to 25 Hindus worship Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed Lord of culture and new beginnings. Family members work to mend past mistakes and bring Ganesha’s blessings of joy and harmony into five realms of their life, a wider circle each day: family, friends, associates, culture and religion.

AND NOW—we have truly circled the globe, sketched the many-faceted traditions that will surface in hopeful displays of light at the Solstice. Aren’t you less worried, now?

Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion and cultural diversity.

Happy Halloween! (& Samhain) Ready for Guising?

October 28, 2012 by

Photo in public domainWEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31: Put the finishing touches on your costume and get ready for some—Guising! In Scotland and Ireland, that’s what families call their Trick or Treat custom.

Whether you picture a black-and-white Frankenstein, terrifying legends or just piles of candy, All Hallows’ Eve has arrived. Drawing from an ancient Celtic festival of the dead, Halloween was once regarded as a rare night of the year when spirits of the deceased could return to earth. Think that’s spooky? Imagine the chaos in a centuries-old village, when costumes were worn on Oct. 31 to “fool” the frightening spirits hanging around! Get more historic facts, plus extras like jack-o’-lantern patterns, at History.com.

The October 31 pagan festival, Samhain, bears several similarities to Halloween. While historians still disagree about which came first, modern Pagans and Wiccans now celebrate Samhain and describe it as an ancient feast of the dead.

Beyond Scotland, Ireland and the migration of Scots and Irish to other parts of the world, the tradition of Halloween is fairly new in the long sweep of global culture. Of course, Western influence is potent stuff and “our” images of witches, black cats and trick or treating now have circled the planet. Halloween slowly picked up speed and now is observed as far from the Celtic homeland as Asia and Africa. (Wikipedia has details.) Today, it’s common for children around the world to dress in costume, for adults to hold costume parties and for everyone to try a hand at carving jack-o’-lanterns. In some countries, bonfires and fireworks are common additions to nighttime trick-or-treating.

Decorating your home for Halloween? Get 10 creative ideas for less than $5 at DIY Network. For the more sophistocated crafter, Martha Stewart offers up ideas on homemade decorations. Kids can give it a try with ideas from FamilyFun.

Ancient pagan traditions regard October 31 as a night beyond all nights; the beginning of the dark half of the year; the final harvest, and a space in time when spiritual veils are lifted. Pagans took their beliefs so seriously, in fact, that they would leave food on their home altars and doorsteps for wandering spirits, while setting an extra place at the table for the spirit of a deceased love one. Young and old were strongly discouraged from traveling after dark. Several important events in Irish mythology begin on Samhain.

Photo in public domainHISTORY OF THE HALLOWEEN BOOM

In Celtic homelands, Halloween-like festivals are as much a part of the culture as rolling Irish hills; in America, however, Halloween is fairly new. The first record of pumpkin carving in America was penned in 1837. Many years later, the first reference to “guising” happened in Canada in 1911, and by the 1930s, so many Americans were trick-or-treating that mass-produced Halloween costumes were introduced in stores. Today, haunted attractions in the U.S. bring in $300-$500 million annually, and billions of pieces of candy are consumed.

HALLOWEEN: A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

Throughout history, some Christian groups have embraced Halloween and its related traditions—while others have rejected it. Many denominations emphasize the Christian traditions of remembering saints and departed souls. Thousands of churches across the United States now mark the holiday with family friendly parties for kids. Some stage “Trunk or Treat” parties in church parking lots in which parishoners park their cars and serve up treats from their trunks to local children in a safe and fun environment. Some churches even decorate their own haunted houses.

Traditional Christian-Halloween lines are evaporating, for the most part. Even the Vatican-appointed exorcist in Rome has also approved Halloween, saying: “If English and American children like to dress up as witches and devils on one night of the year, that is not a problem.” Still, the Vatican has warned Catholics not to become too involved in pagan traditions.

HALLOWEEN: INVITE A ZOMBIE TO YOUR CHURCH

No kidding! Despite some ongoing warnings from traditional Christians, the pop culture fascination with the undead has opened some exciting possibilities for new groups in your congregation. In August, ReadTheSpirit published a series of articles featuring Christian historian and author Clay Morgan. The stories are packed with creative ideas to draw a crowd and highlight important religious themes.

 

Thanksgiving at Autumnal Equinox, Mabon, Higan

September 22, 2012 by

Welcome fall—on the autumnal equinox. Photo in public domain courtesy of geograph.org.ukSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22: Leaves are turning crimson and orange, fragrant cider is pouring—it must be autumn! American Thanksgiving is still two months away, but there are ancient associations with thankfulness at this time of year—it’s also a major theme in the Jewish High Holy Days.

Today is the Autumnal Equinox, a day when the tilt of the Earth’ axis is parallel with the sun and day and night appear to be equal in length. Don’t be fooled by loose translations, though—the equinox is actually a moment in time when the subsolar point is on the Equator. In other words—the place on Earth where the center of the Sun can be seen directly overhead. (Wikipedia has details.) On the autumnal equinox, the subsolar point crosses the Equator while moving southward. For science enthusiasts: Ponder the enormous intensity and radiation that the sun emits on geostationary satellites during the days around an equinox. The emissions are so powerful that they degrade satellite circuits! Now that’s some major power.

MABON: BORROWING FROM WELSH MYTH & KING ARTHUR

Now here’s something rare in our holidays column—a holiday tradition that dates from the 1970s. That’s when modern Pagan writer and activist Aidan Kelly began promoting the name Mabon for the equinox festival. Mabon is a legendary character in Welsh culture. Supposedly, he was a cousin of the great King Arthor, who plays a role in saving Mabon’s life at one point. Kelly went on to found the influential Pagan organization Covenant of the Goddess, which promotes civil rights for modern Wiccans among other things. Here is the Covenant of the Goddess website, where you can also find a summary of the current understanding of Mabon among Pagans and Wiccans. The site says, in part:

This day sees light and dark in balance again, before the descent to the dark times. A harvest festival is held, thanking the Goddess for giving us enough sustenance to feed us through the winter. Harvest festivals of many types still occur today in farming country, and Thanksgiving is an echo of these.

Typical practices include expressing thankfulness, while reflecting on the past year, plus feasting on nuts, apples and root vegetables.

Japanese Buddhists reflect on crossing to the “shore of Enlightenment” during Higan. Photo in public domain courtesy of jasondunn.comHIGAN FOR JAPANESE BUDDHISTS

Japanese Buddhists honor ancestors on Higan, an autumnal equinox holiday. For the living, this also involves an assessment of one’s own life today—and efforts to freshly make amends. The etymology of higan means “the other shore of Sanzu River,” referring to the shore of Enlightenment and peace that all humans strive to reach.

AN EQUINOX CAR … AND A HIGAN TREE

It appears that Chevrolet took a cue from Mother Nature when creating the Chevrolet Equinox, and this hot new car is continuing to gain momentum among consumers. Through August, the Equinox came up No. 2 on the Chevy bestseller list, landing only behind the Chevrolet Cruze compact car. (Read an article in the Detroit News.)

If gratitude is the name of the game this time of year, admire the beauty of the Autumn Flowering Higan Cherry tree! Robust and tolerant to cold, the Higan Cherry flowers during autumn. (Order this tree from ArborDay.org.)

Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion and cultural diversity.

Pagan, Christian: You say Lughnasadh, I say Lammas

August 1, 2012 by

Lughnasadh/Lammas marks the beginning of the grain harvest. Photo in public domainClick the DVD cover to visit its Amazon page.WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1: We might even say Lughnasa and forget the “dh” at the end, as Meryl Streep’s movie producers did in 1998. Yes, we have to include our annual recommendation of Dancing At Lughnasa, because every year readers email us to say they appreciate the movie reference. Sometimes somber and sometimes funny, Dancing is about the only major feature film about this holiday.

Of course, most men and women who still mark Lughnasadh and Lammas aren’t focusing on films. They’re celebrating the bounty of nature and agriculture. They bake fresh loaves of bread, pick summer berries—and may invite friends for a festive tea party featuring such goodies along with the tea.

The Gaelic-Celtic festival originally marked the beginning of the wheat harvest; and Christians began celebrating what they termed “Lammas” with the presentation of wheat loaves to local churches. In a blend of Christianity and myth, Anglo-Saxon charms were placed upon the Lammas loaves. Bread then was broken up, placed into the four corners of a barn, and believed to protect the grain of the season. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle refers to Lammas as the feast of first fruits.

Look into the sky for the celestial markings of Lughnasadh: The sun is midway in Leo in the tropical zodiac. (Wikipedia has details.) Some modern Wiccan covens are precise in marking Lughnassadh, and select an alternative date of Aug. 5, when the sun reaches 15 degrees Leo. (Wicca.com has the Wiccan perspective.)

Looking to celebrate this joyful day of fresh foods, family and love? Pick local berries or check out a farmer’s market for ripe produce; organize a family reunion with a festive barbecue; or decorate your home, Lughnasadh-style, with leaf garlands, cornstalks and flowers. Grains should be front-and-center in your Lughnasadh party with fresh breads made of wheat, millet or even quinoa. Get back to the roots of this harvest festival by digging out a Celtic CD, renting the Meryl Streep film and cuddling up with a loved one by the light of a bonfire. (Get more ideas from Yahoo!.)

SO, WHAT’S THAT ROMEO AND JULIET LUGHNASADH BIT?

It’s a minor reference, but any holiday reference in the Bard’s plays tends to pop up as each particular festival rolls around—especially when the holiday has ethnic roots in what is today the UK. Lammas comes up in Act I, Scene III, in the Capulet household as Lady Capulet (Juliet’s Mom) contemplates the age of her daughter. She asks Juliet’s beloved Nurse to confirm the girl’s age.

Nurse: She is not 14. How long is it now to Lammas-tide?
Lady Capulet: A fortnight and odd days.
Nurse: Even or odd, of all days in the year, come Lammas-eve at night shall she be 14.

As the play has been interpreted in countless ways, one might imagine the many ideas suggesting that Juliet’s looming birthday is associated with a festival of fruitfulness and harvest.

Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion and cultural diversity.

Pagan, Wiccan: Light the fire for a Beltane 25th anniversary

May 1, 2012 by

Photo in public domainTUESDAY, MAY 1: Welcoming summer isn’t just for the ancients anymore! In what has been revived as one of the most popular events of the season, tens of thousands of celebrants in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man and elsewhere will welcome warm weather on Beltane/Beltaine. What began as an ancient Gaelic festival, observed widely by pagans, is once again picking up speed and being observed by modern Pagans—and non-Pagans—in several countries.

The Gaelic name for the month of May can be traced to the modern spelling of “Beltaine.” That’s natural as this festival occurs on the first of May and is also known as “May Day.” (Wikipedia has details; or check out the BBC.) Halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice, the ancient Beltaine was a time of fertility rituals, when enormous bonfires were constructed to purify both people and livestock. Traditionally, people would walk in a sunwise direction around the bonfires, and animals would be driven between two flaming pits. (To this day, in Gaelic lands, you might still hear the phrase “between two fires of Beltane” used to describe being caught in a difficult situation.) During the day, women would and will decorate their homes and hair with flowers and branches. (Learn more at Wicca.com.)

25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EDINBURGH BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL

Here’s what the Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival looks like in all its glory. Modern Pagans and Wiccans around the world love fire festivals. One of the biggest in the U.S. occurs at the annual Burning Man Festival at the close of each summer season.Modern Pagans and Wiccans observe Beltane as one of eight solar Sabbats, although more non-Pagans are now taking part in the customs of this day. This year, the Beltane Fire Festival of Edinburgh will see its 25th anniversary; the Fire Festival begins at 8 p.m. April 30 and runs through the wee hours of the morning May 1. (Read more at Scotsman.com.) This year, a record crowd of 12,000 is expected; 300 performers are scheduled in the lineup; and spectaculars will include a towering man made of wicker, into which spectators will hide their wishes for the coming year and then burn. The Telegraph reports that as modern music festivals have seen waning numbers, more traditional events—such as the Fire Festival—are seeing more attendees than ever.