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The Faery-Faith theology, cosmology, lore and practices all center around a seasonal division of the year, as well as a lunar tree - ogham cycle.The seasonal division is called The Celtic Division of the Year and it focuses on the balance of polarities. To everything there is a negative and a positive side. This fundamental duality can be expressed through the day and the night as being the times of light and dark, respectively. The lunar cycle is called the Ogham or Sacred Trees. Each ogham/sacred tree focuses on a specific monthly energy alignment and lesson and is presented in our Member's Only website ~ The Groves.
Dia has no beginning, nor ending. Dia created Heaven and Earth at the first. Dia made the immense formless mass, and the light of angels followed by the Firmament, then the earth and seas. Next, Dia made sun and moon and the stars of Heaven.
The Heavens and the earth and all their adornment came into being and were completed. Dia finished upon the sixth day all the work and rested on the seventh after blessing all that was created and hallowing the day of rest.
These are the generations of the Heavenly Realm and the Earth or Plains, when they were created together, in the day when Dia made Heaven and earth, before the earth was raising up all the plants of the field, and before the earth was producing the grass of the field; for Dia made not rainuonthe earth, and there was not there, at that time, a man who should till the earth. But from the earth would rise a spring to moisten and to soften all the face of the earth and this is why the wells of Ireland are most sacred.
From the clay of the common earth, homo-sapiens were created and the breath of Banba, the breath of life was breathed into face and the soul was quickened. Dia made man in this wise: the body of earth, the blood of water, the breath of the air, the heat of fire, the soul of the breath of Banba. Thus, it is that the four elements are in every body.
In truth Dia made man and woman under the image of the Divine. Dia created them and blessed them and said: Increase and let your multiplication be accomplished, and fill the earth.
No names were given to the first people until one day, Dia chose one male to name as the first man.
Dia said to four angels to go in search of a name for him. Michael went to the east and saw a star, Anatole its name, and he brought with him the first letter of that name. Raphael went southward and saw a star there, Dusis its name, and he brought its first letter. Gabriel went northward, and saw the star called Arctos and brought with him the first letter of the same. Uriel went westward, and saw a star in the sunset called Messembria, and brought with him the first letter. Dia said: Uriel, read these letters. Uriel said Adham. And Dia said: So be it.
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After
Roman rule, when Druidism was suppressed, residual elements of Druidism continued
to influence the development of the new religion, which
has become widely known as Celtic Christianity. Although
Druidism was eventually superseded by Christianity, it continued
for centuries as an underground movement and was even revived
once more in the 18th and 19th centuries. |
The
passage of time was a crucial aspect of ancient Celtic beliefs.
Indeed, measuring and marking it was a matter of survival,
because the Celts lived close to the land and seasonal activities
such as sowing and planting had to be carried out at the
right time. To the Celts, the cycles of the natural world
and the celestial bodies had spiritual significance, and
therefore exerted a powerful influence on humanity. The
Celtic year is split into two parts: the dark half and the
light half, reflecting the recurring cycle of birth, growth,
and death, followed by renewal and rebirth. All life, whether
plant or animal, begins in darkness, and all outer actions
begin with inner preparation, so Celtic cycles begin with
the dark segment. Thus, the Celtic year begins with the
first onset of winter.
The Celtic Division of the Year
The day - light - belongs to the physical world, the world made manifest. The night - dark - belongs to the Otherworld and those realms that cannot be seen in the stark light of day. Our Celtic ancestors believed that a person who was born during the night could see ghosts and phantoms, which were made invisible to those born during the day. They also felt that unless someone born during the daylight had Faery-blood in them that second-sight would elude them.
In our Faery-Faith spiritual practice, the two most important times of the twenty-four hour cycle are the times of dawn and dusk. Both are considered to be times of twilight or two-light: fading daylight and waxing night darkness. We consider these two times to be the most auspicious for contacting the Faery Realm, although our adepti know that entrance into or contact with members of the Faery Host can be accomplished, and successfully, at anytime of day or night. However, for anyone not trained in our practices, the times of twilight are easiest.
Let's take a look at these two-lights.
Dawn is the first light, the waxing light that dispells the darkness. We call it the "banisher of spirits to their abodes." Dawn is the Rose Door through which the mind moves into the lunar sphere or conscious-waking state. When we align with the frequency of the lunar sphere we access our inner power. Inner power initiates change or self-transforamtion.
Dusk is the last light, the waxing dark that dispells the lightness. We call it the "invoker of spirits from their abodes." Dusk is the Purple Door through which the mind moves into the solar sphere or subsconscious-dreaming state. When we align with the frequency of the solar sphere we access alternate realities, achieving a state of changed perception, or what we call the second attention.
The division of day and night, light and dark, is also applied to the year as mentioned above. The year is divided in two: the winter season and the summer season. Winter is the season of night, dark and cold, while summer, maintaining the alternation of opposites, is the season of day, light and warmth.
The seasonal wheel of the year is vitally important to our practices, and like any other tradition, the Celtic Division of the Year is composed of four seasons, as shown below.
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The
Celtic year had eight key dates as denoted in the text,
each of the eight solar festivals and their seasons were
associated with particular activities. Today, most people
live sheltered, urban lives, cut off from the earth and
its natural cycles. Celebrating the solar festivals will
add richness and color to modern life, and help you regain
a sense of connection to your natural roots. Many Celtic
rituals related to the seasonal rhythms of agriculture,
and the harvesting of crops was a high point in the yearly
cycle of the sun. |
The ancient wheel of the year is also based
on the agricultural year, and thus divides the months slightly different
than what has become commonly thought of as spring, summer, autumn
and winter months. Using the color coding of the seasons, the following
table presents the months in their respective season.
The first half of the year begins with winter,
for as was common in ancient times, day followed night. The beginning
of the next day was always the eve before the actual sunrise. So
it is witht he Celtic year. The beginning of the new cycle or wheel
of the year begins on the eve of winter at Samhain [SOW-an]. Thus
the day of 1 Novemeber starts the calends of winter. We call winter
the "Time of the Little Sun." Winter includes the months
of spring. |
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The second half of the year is summer, which begins
on the eve of La Baal Tine [la ball ch-NA] or Beltain. Thus, the
calends of summer begins on 1 May. We call summer the "Time
of the Big Sun." Summer includes the months of autumn.
The
Celtic day can be regarded as a model of the year in miniature.
In the same way that the year begins with the dark half,
so did the Celtic day, which began at dusk with the onset
of nightfall and continued until dusk the following day.
Twilight and dawn were miniature versions of the "betwixt
and between" times of Samhain and Beltaine, when spiritual
acitvity, divining, and magic are most potent.
Celtic festivals were therefore celebrated on what we would think
of as their "eve," often running through the night
and into the following day, which ended at twilight. The
darkness of night was regarded as a time of creativity,
so it is ideal for carrying out spiritually orientated ceremonies;
more worldly activities and festivities should be carried
out the next day.
The Months
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The wheel of the year is celebrated with eight
festivals, the four great festivals, known as the cross-quarter
days, which we consider to be the Fire Festivals, and the four minor
festivals, known as the seasonal or astrological days, which we
consider to be the Seasonal Festivals.
To
follow the rituals and celebrate the festivals of the ancient
Celts, it is best to plot the important dates on a calendar.
You can mark the dates on any calendar, or use a special
perpetual calendar that can be reused from year to year
(that is, one with just the dates of the months printed
on it, not the names of the days). The eight main solar
festivals can be printed permanently on the calendar, together
with the trees that govern each Celtic month.
The Fire Festivals are: Samhain, Imbolc, La Baal
Tine, and, Lughnasadh. Each of these festivals represent the beginning
of a season: Samhain - winter, Imbolc - spring, La Baal Tine - summer,
and, Lughnasadh - autumn.
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The Seasonal Festivals are: An Nollaig, La Fheile
Earrach, La Fheile Eoin, La Fheile Fomhar. Each of these festivals
represent the middles of each season, or the solstices and equinoxes:
An Nollaig - winter solstice, La Fheile Earrach - vernal equinox,
La Fheile Eoin - midsummer, and, La Fheile Fomhar - autumnal equinox.
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La Fheile Fomhar |
21-22 September |
Naturally, each of these eight festivals has it's
own emphasis and celebrational intent. Let us review each, as prepared
by one of our Muin Ollamhs, Sage Amergin of Seattle, Washington.
Samhain - The Time of the Little Sun begins.
This feast marks the first of the Celtic New Year. It is a time
of communing with the Ancestors, for divination, and consulting
the Faery for a new direction and focus. Samhain is a good time
for recycling, transforming or throwing away whatever is stale or
outworn. This festival has many of the same customs such as Mexico's
El dia de lus muestos, Lakshmi's Feast of Lights, and the Christian
All Saint's Day.
An Nollaig - winter solstice. This is the longest
night of the year, marking the death and rebirth of the Sun. The
Goddess or Divine Feminine Principal of Life, shows us Death-in-Life
at midsummer, and now she shows us her Life-in-Death aspect; for
although she is queen of the cold darkness, this is her moment for
giving birth to the child of promise, the Sun, her lover who will
bring back light and warmth to her kingdom.
Imbolg - Brigid's Day. The beginning of spring.
This festival marks the lessening of winter's grip and the coming
of new life and rebirth. It is the time of lambs being born and
ewes milk flowing heavily. It is the feast day of our Goddess Brigid,
who is the muse of inspiration, poetry and smith-craft. Imbolg is
the time for auguries concerning our destiny and direction during
the coming year.
La Fheile An Earrach - vernal equinox. The world in
the agricultural cycle is quickening. The sleeping lord is waking.
It is time to celebrate the equality of darkness and light. At Samhain we say goodby to the Big Sun before midnight. Now we bid the dark
farewell before the time of the time of the equinox, and greet the
time of the Big Sun's return just after it. Symbols of fertility,
such as eggs, flowering bulbs and blossoming fruit are auspicious
at this time. Now we secure our goals for the year, and plant the
seeds of manifestation.
La Baal Tine - The Time of the Big Sun begins.
This, like Samhain, is one of the major energy shifts forming gateways
between the worlds. Sacred Pilgrimages to Ireland happen on this
festival, marking and honoring the arrival of the Tuatha De Danann
on the Emerald Isle. May customs are in abundance throughout the
world. The gates of the Sidhe mounds stand open at this time and
it is considered auspicious to seek the gifts of the Faery Folk by
rising early in the morning and bathing (annointing) with dew. Beltaine is the time for coming into our strength and realizing our desires.
La Fheile Eoin - summer solstice. In the Faery-Faith
Tradition of our Grove we honor and carry a torch for the Faery
Princess Aine, the Patron of the Province of Munster (in Southern
Ireland), and the "best hearted woman that ever lived,"
by asking to be filled with her powers, which is that of Divine
Love, Blessings of actual Fertility, and Creativity. The Sun has
reached the peak of his strength and the first harvest of herbs
for culinary and healing occurs. This is the longest day of the
year, and we know that the sun will gradually loose heat and brightness
as the months pass. The great wheel turns onward, slowly does it
turn.
Lughnasadh - the Feast of Lugh Lamfadha. This marks
the time of harvest, of tribal gatherings, of horse racing, trial
marriage and commerce. We honor Lugh's foster mother, Taltiu, who
dies as a result of the effort she expends clearing the central
plain of Ireland for cultivation. Tailtiu is the Harvest Mother,
the Grain Queen. There is a sense of sacrifice at this time of the
year, as the crops are brought in. We also honor Lugh for is powers
of light and dark, fire and water, recognizing that this is the
day of his passing into the other country. In the wealth of mythology
dealing with Lugh we know that he is related to the land, the goddess,
and the Tribe. He is our Sun God, and is gradual waning is at this
time is recognized.
An Fheile Fomhar - autumnal equinox. This is a
time of balance between light and dark. We give thanks for the harvest,
which has been safely gathered home, and say good-bye to the strength
of the sun. At this point in the year the sun loses his power, and
the dark of the night begins to gain dominion over the day. An Fheile
Fomhar is a time of looking backward, recognizing all the goals
achieved and harvested during the passing wheel of the year. This
is also a good time to ready the garden for winter cover crops and
for overwintering that will be ready for harvest in the spring.
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For an indepth comprehensive
study on the Celtic Division of the Year and the eight festivals,
please refer to Kisma's books:
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The year consists of thirteen lunations, which,
in our traditional practices, are aligned to the ogham. Ogham is
an ancient criptic alphabet that is encoded with hidden meaning,
messages, lore and magic. Each ogham is represented by one of the
sacred trees. But before we look at the ogham, let us first consider
the lunar cycle, which, like the seasonal wheel of the year is also
divided into four major divisions. Each division represents a quarter
of the moon phase, and is given an ancient name.
The Lunar Venerations
Bo Orann -- The Dark Cow or
Dark Moon
Bo Ruad -- The Red Cow or Crescent
Moon
Bo Finn -- The White Cow or
Full Moon
Bo Donn -- The Brown Cow or
Old Crescent Moon
Each lunation begins with the dark phase, which
is today mislabeled as "new moon," although there is no
visible sign of the moon at this time. According to ancient astrology,
the Dark Moon is the first phase. The second phase is when the moon has grown into a half-crescent. The third phase is when the moon is full (CLICK
HERE for a table of full moon dates ), and the final phase is when the moon has waned into a
half-crescent. Each phase of the moon is associated with a spiritual
focus and intent.
Because the meaning behind each ogham is very lengthy
and something that our membership works with quite closely, only
basic information will be presented below. Please note that while
general dates have been provided for each lunation, the actual dates
are fixed on the Dark Moon occuring during that time period. Join FFN and become a member today!
Unlike the seasonal division of the year, the lunar
cycle does not begin at winter but rather the first dark moon occuring
after An Nollaig or the winter solstice.
| MONTH |
TREE / OGHAM |
GENERAL ATTRIBTUES |
1 |
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Supports
self-authority and self-discipline based on awakening sensitivity
and awareness. Facilitates integration of the self into
a unified whole. Invokes the sensitivity of all the trees. |
2 |
Rowan / Luis |
Increases
divination abilities; helps to expand breadth of view in
specific circumstances. Aids in understanding potentialities
of a situation as a seed relates to manifestation. For quickening
and aborting a venture. For protection, especially of the
feminine. Reconnects to the Universal Love Ground. |
3 |
Ash / Nion |
Soothes
impatience and restlessness. Helps to neutralize the venom
of other's emotional outbursts. Cultivates the quieting
of oneself in reaching the inner stillness of being. |
4 |
Alder / Fearn |
Reconnects
with the earth in reverence and reveals the harmony of things
and actions. Aids in controlling the manifesting energy
of a new venture by keeping it in accord with natural order.
Heals doubt by restoring the harmonic path. |
5 |
Willow /Saille |
Facilitates
transitions to enable rebirth: heals the psyche, and provides
the energy to move on. Restores after a heavy trial, enabling
forward movement to new ventures. Heals resentment. |
6 |
Hawthorn / Uath |
Helps
learning to enforce the boundaries of oneself emotionally,
physically, and psychically. Aides in attaining the balance
between individuality and connection with the Universe:
selfhood and Selfhood. |
7 |
Oak / Duir |
Teaches
one to know the strength of one's roots (as in groudedness
or in the unconscious) by experiencing the lightning flash.
Provides the necessary strength of required encounters.
The strength of the warrior that is based on foundation. |
8 |
Holly / Tinne |
Protects
against the negative emotions of hatred, envy, suspicion,
and greed by increasing love, positivity, and luck. Encourages
healing by the protection of love in community. |
9 |
Hazel / Coll |
Encourages
the vision and wisdom gained from the journey within. Discovery
from oneself: the buried treasure within. Facilitates the
completion of energies, drawing things to a close before
a new beginning. |
10 |
Vine / Muin |
Nurtures inspiration from past experiences (or lives). Aids
in revealing the life work of a soul --from Self-- understanding
and relating to the whole. Encourages anchoring in the Now. |
11 |
Ivy / Gort |
Inspires the ecstasy of true self-expression, clarity and
exhilaration. The journey of the soul in returning to the
Source. The sword of clarity or the strength of man and
woman in connecting to the natural. Antidote for inebriation. |
12 |
Reed / Ngetal |
Gives
the peace of abiding with endings. Encourages knowing the
inevitability of rise and fall; promotes moving through
the cycles in joy, not terror. Facilitates seeing the patterns
of ebb and flow, understanding the movement of things. |
13 |
Elder / Ruis |
Restores
the healing and protection of the family or community in
a real physical and emotional sense. (A more assertive protection
than Rowan.) Attends the needs we have for community; heals
isolation and terror of change by re-establishing the sense
of belonging to the Universe. Protects the center in times
of flux when nothing seems fixed. |
For an indepth study of the solar oghams, see Kisma's
new book entitled: Faery
Initiations , Stone, Sword, Spear & Cauldron.
For training enroll in the online Faery School ~ Druidic Solar Ogham class.
Like any "shamanic" or indigenous tradition
of an ancient people, our lunar calendar is also connected to an
animal. The following is the Celtic Animal Totem Calendar.
Oct/Nov Mute Swan moon
Nov/Dec Owl & Goose moon
Dec/Jan Pheasant & Rook moon
Jan/Feb Duck moon
Feb/Mar Snipe moon
Mar/Apr Crow & Gull moon
Apr/May Hawk moon
May/Jun Night Crow moon
Jun/Jul Wren moon
Jul/Aug Starling moon
Aug/Sep Crane moon
Sep/Oct Snake & Tit Mouse moon
Our calendar is based on the Coligny Calendar
(a Gaulish calendar engraved on a bronze tablet, which was unearthed
in France in 1897). This calendar confirms the Celtic belief that
darkness preceeded light, therefore the year begins at summer's
end, which is winter's beginning.
Oct/Nov Samon-mat --Seed
fall
Nov/Dec Dumann-anm -- Darkest
depths
Dec/Jan Riuros-mat --
Cold-time
Jan/Feb Anagantios-anm --
Stay-home time
Feb/Mar Ogron-mat --
Time of ice
Mar/Apr Cutios-mat --
Time of winds
Apr/May Giamon-anm --
Shoots-show
May/Jun Simiuisonn-mat --
Time of brightness
Jun/Jul Equos-anm --
Horse-time
Jul/Aug Elembiu-anm --
Claim-time
Aug/Sep Edrin-mat --
Arbitration-time
Sep/Oct Cantlos-anm --Song-time
For an indepth comprehensive study on the Lunar
Cycle of the Year, please refer to Kisma's books: Faery
Wicca, Book I and Book II.
Naturally, you are invited to become a Member of FFN or enroll in our On-line Faery
School, such as the Druidic Solar Ogham or the Bhairdic
College to receive additional information or extensive training
in our Faery-Faith Tradition spiritual practices.
Subscribe to our FREE FFN e-newsletter and receive monthly updates and other fairy stuff from us.
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