Eponalia 2011

[Lee]

This year this festival is holding a lot more meaning. I am developing a shocking level of concern for the hens and the noticeable changes in daylight - i aim to get up as it is getting light to feed, water and let them out - are more apparent now than ever before. I am looking forward to what this festival hold and everything is centred about the shortening days, the return of the light and the promise of warmth again. It is quite a noticeable shift in how i look at things.

So, a toast on the 18th and libations to the Mare.

Toasting and feasting on the 21st. The days between the 21st and 25th to be marked by some sort of fasting and some kind of 'light' based observance all rounded off with more feasting, toasting and libations on the 25th.

[potia]

I'll be leading a group ritual in Glasgow on the 18th and as I've been able to write it too it's very much focussed on Eponalia.

For me the emphasis this year seems to be on accepting the darkness and trying not to rush beyond it. There is beauty in the darkness too after all.

But yes there will be toasts on the 18th. 21st is looking like being a family evening for me with (weather permitting) our traditional walk round the streets to look at all the lights followed by hot chocolate and opening presents when we get in (or at the kids least opening presents from me).

25th - not sure about yet but probably a quiet day and a busy evening.

[Blackbird]

Crikey, how do things come round so fast?!

I'm not half so busy work-wise this year, so I'll have time to mark the festival properly. We always have a big feast and then presents on the 21st (I do Eponalia on the 21st)

I love winter, it's by far my favourite season. I love frosty mornings, foggy afternoons and especially snow. Eponalia marks the height of the winter season, not to mention being the feast day of the Lady to whom I've been pledged for over 30 years.

[Deleted]

Is this something everyone does at the same time or is it everyone doing their own thing at about the same time?

[potia]

Dec 12, 2011 15:46:17 GMT -1 @hamadryad said:

Is this something everyone does at the same time or is it everyone doing their own thing at about the same time?

If you haven't already seen it then you might want to have a look at the article on festivals at: www.dunbrython.org/brython-festivals.html

There will always be some variation in the detail of our practices but I think it's fair to say that this time of year is an important one to all of us.

[Deleted]

Dec 13, 2011 9:04:51 GMT -1 potia said:

Dec 12, 2011 15:46:17 GMT -1 @hamadryad said:

Is this something everyone does at the same time or is it everyone doing their own thing at about the same time?

If you haven't already seen it then you might want to have a look at the article on festivals at: www.dunbrython.org/brython-festivals.html

There will always be some variation in the detail of our practices but I think it's fair to say that this time of year is an important one to all of us.

Thank you. I'm planning on doing something for the Solstice anyway, so I'll try to pick up on the other things around this.

[Heron]

'XV Kalendas Ianuarius Eponae'
Fifteen days [before] the beginning of January - Epona's Day
(a stone inscription from northern Italy)

Earthlight glistens
on the ivy leaf

Sunlight falls
on the holly bough

The red fire stirs
in the kindling

We count three days
to the longest night

Three more till the glimmer
of a longer day

Then seven to the eve
of New Year Calends

These days we count
from the feast of Epona

First festival
of the year's turning.

[nellie]

Thankyou for posting this Heron.

[potia]

Lovely Heron. May I share this with those I'll be celebrating Eponalia with on Sunday?

[Heron]

Dec 15, 2011 9:42:17 GMT -1 potia said:

Lovely Heron. May I share this with those I'll be celebrating Eponalia with on Sunday?

Yes of course. It was offered 'for the combroges'.

I'll be using it myself on Sunday and it will be good to know that others will do the same.

[Deleted]

Lovely words, and it helps make sense of the link with Solstice too.

I intend to incorporate them into what I have planned. Thank you.

[Heron]

I awoke on the morning of Epona's Day with the image of a beautiful white horse galloping through the landscape receding into dream as I became aware of the day. But it stayed with me throughout the day to the reading of the words in the evening.

And so to the Solstice and our toast. Here, as a reminder, are the words we have used before for the night of the 21st, morning of the 22nd as we traverse the longest night:

It is now the marker of time marks time
When light shifts in the dark
Upon itself and ebb turns back
To flow as the land lies stark.

With the Tylwyth now I gather
Hearts and minds across the Land
Brothers, sisters, now together
Share a toast with cup in hand.

Everyone on here is invited to join the toast either as part of other things they may be doing or separately as they find appropriate.