2008-11-02
The past few days have felt really odd to me in a way I can't quite wrap words around. Good odd, I should add. I went to church this morning (for no reason, really, except that I always pass it when walking my dog, and this morning a lady smiled at me extra big, so I decided to go there. I haven't been in years, really). It was fun to sing hymns again. The sermon was about the traditions of October 31, All saints Day, and Samhain. The traditions of this last season, in Ireland and Scotland, involve lots of cool stuff like this:
"Bonfires played a large part in the festivities celebrated down through the last several centuries, and up through the present day in some rural areas of the Celtic nations and the diaspora. Villagers were said to have cast the bones of the slaughtered cattle upon the flames. In the pre-Christian Gaelic world, cattle were the primary unit of currency and the center of agricultural and pastoral life. Samhain was the traditional time for slaughter, for preparing stores of meat and grain to last through the coming winter. The word 'bonfire', or 'bonefire' is a direct translation of the Gaelic tine cnámh. With the bonfire ablaze, the villagers extinguished all other fires. Each family then solemnly lit its hearth from the common flame, thus bonding the families of the village together. Often two bonfires would be built side by side, and the people would walk between the fires as a ritual of purification. Sometimes the cattle and other livestock would be driven between the fires, as well." (Thanks to wikipedia)
I know there are some Druids in my family, when you climb back on the family tree, so I wanted to put a shout out of love and thanks to my people and let everyone know that if you too are feeling cosmic, or druidic, or just are feeling impressed by the wonder of the season and life on this planet, this might be why. Life on this little planet is wondrous and amazing. I am grateful for days of harvest and days of aututmn sun. May we choose wisely on Tuesday!
Beth