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Post by Lee on Apr 11, 2016 20:03:52 GMT -1
@ Lee - The links between Eponalia and Consualia and Rhiannon and Manawydan can be found in Patrick Ford's translation of The Mabinogion. If you don't have a copy I can photograph the page and e-mail it to you. Let me know. I suggested this one as I tried doing a small ritual to Manawydan on 15th Dec last year. As he's offered rushes and sometimes flowers in summer I decided to create a wreath of holly and ivy and offer it to him where the tides meet the Ribble. It didn't all go to plan (he wreath landed on the river bank and the ducks laughed at me!) but since then he's come into my life in several ways and I've started keeping a devotional space for him beside the Mare Goddess' altar. I'm likely to repeat the rite this year but perhaps for now as a group we should stick with the established date for Manannan / Manawydan at midsummer? I will go dig out Ford's translation - got it here somewhere. That being the case - let's go for it. Though with a different name? Manwyddan's Feast? Feast of the Shore God?
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Post by Lee on Apr 11, 2016 20:04:55 GMT -1
As for the rest, there are a lot of changes and new suggestions in there and personally I'm likely to stick with what I currently celebrate for a while at least. I think most of us will to begin - I wont be celebrating everything in this, it would be a busy year otherwise
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Post by Heron on Apr 13, 2016 12:33:18 GMT -1
As for the rest, there are a lot of changes and new suggestions in there and personally I'm likely to stick with what I currently celebrate for a while at least. I think most of us will to begin - I wont be celebrating everything in this, it would be a busy year otherwise As Lee says, Potia, we are not proposing that people have to change what they do, just trying to define the range of Brythonic Polytheism for the web site and provide an outline structure for the ritual year.
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Post by Heron on Apr 13, 2016 12:39:51 GMT -1
[.....] I've only experienced Cailleach's presence once in Scotland so will leave it up to the judgement of those who know her to find out how she feels about having a March and / or November festival for her and how she'd feel about being part of the Brython calendar. Epona seems happy but that doesn't mean others from different traditions will be. I think this from your latest blog post: gets pretty close to the feel of her for me!
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Post by lorna on Apr 14, 2016 12:00:18 GMT -1
I don't think any of us will be celebrating everything! However it would be good to develop some group rituals from the calendar or at least drop in to say how doing individual rituals to a certain god or goddess has gone on a particular day. Unfortunately Gwyn's festivals clash with two of Rhiannon's festivals and as he's my patron I need to give these priority. I should be ok with most of the others. Lugus and Blodeuwedd I've never interacted with at all but that doesn't mean it won't happen. Heron - I'd personally identified 'the old woman' as Ceridwen, maybe there's some cross over between Ceridwen and Cailleach, at least in feel...
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Post by lorna on Apr 14, 2016 12:19:28 GMT -1
This how we're looking now...
Brython Calendar
Our calendar is based around two pivotal points in the year within Brythonic tradition: Calan Mai and Nos Galan Gaeaf, the four seasons, and festivals for individual deities. This page provides an outline of our celebrations.
Y Gwanwyn (Spring)
As the land awakens to life we acknowledge the first flowers, budding trees and new births of animals and birds. We mark the changes within our localities and honour deities associated with spring.
1st February: Brigantica Festival of Brigantia ‘High One’ based around hearth, home, forge, crafting and the sacred flame.
March: Blodeuwedd Festival of Blodeuwedd, a Welsh divinity created from flowers who was the beloved of Lleu and Gronw and later transformed into an owl by Gwydion.
20th - 22nd March: Spring Equinox Festival acknowledging the balance of equal days and nights heading toward summer and seasonal changes.
March - June: Nodens The Temple of Nodens at Lydney Park opens on the 27th of March and closes on the 8th of June. This is a good time to make a pilgrimage or visit to this sacred site to honour Nodens.
Calan Mai (1st of May)
Calan Mai marks the end of winter and beginning of summer. It is a time of deep magic pivoting around the defeat of otherworldly and wintry forces and the celebration of life, love and fertility.
Rhiannon and Pwyll Festival celebrating Rhiannon’s return from Annwn at Gorsedd Arberth into thisworld as a sovereignty goddess who takes Pwyll as her husband.
Gwyn, Gwythyr and Creiddylad Festival marking Gwyn’s battle with Gwythyr for Creiddylad. Gwythyr wins and enters a sacred marriage with Creiddylad. Gwyn is defeated and retreats to Annwn.
Yr Haf (Summer)
As crops and fruits ripen beneath the summer sun and the land is at its most fertile we honour the spirits of the land and deities of this season.
May/June: Bel and Belisama Festival honouring Bel as god of fire and sun and Belisama as shining goddess of High Summer.
Midsummer: Manannan / Manawydan On the Isle of Man, rent was paid in rushes to Manannan at midsummer. There is much cross over between Manannan and Manawydan. This is a good time to make an offering to the god of sea and shore.
Summer Solstice Festival celebrating the longest day and shortest night and the bounty of summer.
June: Maponos Festival for Maponos, god of youth, music and hunting.
August: Taranis Festival marking summer storms and honouring Taranis as god of thunder and of the wheel.
Yr Hydref (Autumn)
As fruits and crops are harvested and the meadows mown we give thanks to their spirits. Leaf fall and decay are acknowledged as signs of the approaching dead season. We listen for the breath of winter.
1st August: Lugus Festival for Lugus, god of crafts.
Autumn Equinox Festival acknowledging the balance of equal days and nights heading toward winter and seasonal changes.
29th September: Gwyn’s Feast Festival celebrating the end of harvest and honouring Gwyn, his horses, hounds and host as his hunt gathers.
End of September: Grey Mare Feast Festival celebrating the end of harvest drawing on the iconography of the Horse Sacrifice.
Nos Galan Gaeaf (Winter’s Eve)
Nos Galan Gaeaf is an ysbrydnos (spirit night) and the pivotal point when the powers of darkness and winter return to thisworld with the spirits of the dead. It is a time for honouring our ancestors, particularly those who have passed in the last year. This was traditionally a night when glimpses of the future could be seen hence some of us practice divination.
Rhiannon’s return to Annwn A festival acknowledging Rhiannon’s return from thisworld to Annwn honouring her as a psychopomp.
Gwyn ap Nudd and the Spirits of Annwn A festival honouring Gwyn as he rides out with the huntsmen and hounds and Annwn to gather the souls of the dead. On Calan Gaeaf the festivities continue as Creiddylad returns with Gwyn to Annwn in sacred marriage.
Y Gaeaf (Winter)
In Britain this is the darkest and coldest time of the year. Prior to electric lighting and heating our ancestors gathered to keep warm, feast, hold rites and tell stories. We keep these traditions alive and honour the deities of snow, ice, frost, darkness and death. Central is Epona's connection with the death and rebirth of the sun and the year.
2nd November: All Soul's Day A day for honouring all our ancestors.
Second Saturday in November: Alternative Armistice Day An alternative to Remembrance Sunday where we honour those who have died in war and contemplate ways of furthering peace.
November: Ceridwen Festival for Ceridwen, goddess of the cauldron.
November: Cailleach Festival honouring Cailleach as hag goddess, wise woman, witch, goddess of stone and mountain, winter and absence.
18th December: Eponalia Festival honouring the Horse Goddess Epona focusing on her role as psychopomp.
20th - 22nd December: Winter Solstice Festival celebrating the longest night and shortest day and the stillness and darkness of winter and the rebirth of the sun.
25th December: Modron Festival honouring Modron and the Mother Goddesses and our maternal ancestors shared with (stolen from!) Anglo-Saxon tradition.
1st January: Dydd Calan Festival celebrating the birth of the New Year. In Wales this is marked by the custom of the Mari Lwyd.
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Post by lorna on Apr 14, 2016 12:34:15 GMT -1
A few things outstanding -
Lee, please could you explain the Grey Mare Feast.
Heron / Potia, please could you confirm if November is ok for Cailleach and whether you want to add a March date.
I've left out the December Manawydan feast for now as I don't feel confident announcing it after one (slightly botched) attempt.
I've put Bel and Belisama together as that's how I see them interacting in May/June - in the dance of fire and sun on the waters of the Ribble. I held a ritual for them together at my local pagan society at Beltane a few years ago and it went well. If you don't agree, let me know. Also, I have no idea if the Bel I'm aware of is Belenos.
Any other comments? Would you like anything expanded?
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Post by Lee on Apr 14, 2016 13:00:05 GMT -1
The grey mare feast thing ties in with something I have been giving thought to as a form of harvest festival, though rather than the usual John barleycorn, using the grey mare as symbol of the landscape and its fruitfulness. it goes back to thinking about the horse sacrifice and sovereignty rituals and if or how we an apply them today. as the sovereign things doesn't really apply in a meaningful way, we do it on a smaller and more personal level. I didna bit on my blog about a while back: cylchriannon.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/SovereigntyAs it is still 'in development' in my head, it doesn't need to go up on here yet, definite future thing though.
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Post by potia on Apr 14, 2016 17:39:40 GMT -1
Up here in Glasgow the local group I attend honour the Cailleach at Samhain and Beltane. At Samhain we honour Her becoming the queen of winter, at Beltane Her as she lays down her rule for Her summer sleep. Traditionally in Scotland and among those who are drawn to the Scottish Gaelic traditions 25 March is Her day. I've yet to use this date myself. As to whether there is a time in the new Brython calendar for the Cailleach I leave that up to those of you more involved in it.
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Post by Heron on Apr 15, 2016 7:48:17 GMT -1
[...] Heron - I'd personally identified 'the old woman' as Ceridwen, maybe there's some cross over between Ceridwen and Cailleach, at least in feel... Yes there is certainly a feel of The Cailleach about Ceridwen in some of her aspects. Ceridwen is elusive and seems to embody different attributes. Many of our deity names are really descriptors (Rigantona- 'Great Queen'; Cailleach - Old Woman ...)and it has been suggested that the attachment of specific names only came with Romanisation. But Ceridwen's name is more difficult to pin down ('crooked woman' .. 'beloved fair one'?)and it might be an actual name (of a sorceress who could take on god-like attributes?. Who is she?
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Post by Heron on Apr 15, 2016 8:03:08 GMT -1
A few things outstanding - ... Heron / Potia, please could you confirm if November is ok for Cailleach and whether you want to add a March date. [....] Any other comments? Would you like anything expanded? I'd go for November. I looked at the Tairis article which gives the background for the March date and links it to the Spring Equinox when her reign is said to come to an end. It doesn't feel right to me. Perhaps its the name that is a problem and that using a name from another tradition is the problem here. I have personal history in using it, but in a much more fundamental sense she is nameless. Could we simply refer to her as 'The Dark One' for now and view this as work in progress?
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Post by potia on Apr 15, 2016 11:19:01 GMT -1
I'd go for November. I looked at the Tairis article which gives the background for the March date and links it to the Spring Equinox when her reign is said to come to an end. It doesn't feel right to me. Perhaps its the name that is a problem and that using a name from another tradition is the problem here. I have personal history in using it, but in a much more fundamental sense she is nameless. Could we simply refer to her as 'The Dark One' for now and view this as work in progress? Using The Dark One as a title makes sense to me.
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Post by lorna on Apr 16, 2016 10:34:07 GMT -1
Ok... let's go for a November festival named 'The Dark One' for Cailleach. Heron, as you're the instigator please could you supply a line about it. Let's leave the Grey Mare Feast off for now until we have a better idea of what we're doing. With these small amendments we should be there
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Post by Heron on Apr 16, 2016 15:39:19 GMT -1
Ok... let's go for a November festival named 'The Dark One' for Cailleach. Heron, as you're the instigator please could you supply a line about it. .... How about: The Dark One, the Lady of Shadows; a time for contemplating what is absent, what has gone, as we move into the darkness of the Year.
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Post by lorna on Apr 17, 2016 19:03:28 GMT -1
Thanks Heron, sounds good to me This should be the final draft.
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Post by lorna on Apr 17, 2016 19:03:48 GMT -1
Brython Calendar
Our calendar is based around two pivotal points in the year within Brythonic tradition: Calan Mai and Nos Galan Gaeaf, the four seasons, and festivals for individual deities. This page provides an outline of our celebrations.
Y Gwanwyn (Spring)
As the land awakens to life we acknowledge the first flowers, budding trees and new births of animals and birds. We mark the changes within our localities and honour deities associated with spring.
1st February: Brigantica Festival of Brigantia ‘High One’ based around hearth, home, forge, crafting and the sacred flame.
March: Blodeuwedd Festival of Blodeuwedd, a Welsh divinity created from flowers who was the beloved of Lleu and Gronw and later transformed into an owl by Gwydion.
20th - 22nd March: Spring Equinox Festival acknowledging the balance of equal days and nights heading toward summer and seasonal changes.
March - June: Nodens The Temple of Nodens at Lydney Park opens on the 27th of March and closes on the 8th of June. This is a good time to visit to this sacred site to honour Nodens, god of hunting, healing and dreams.
Calan Mai (1st of May)
Calan Mai marks the end of winter and beginning of summer. It is a time of deep magic pivoting around the defeat of otherworldly and wintry forces and the celebration of life, love and fertility.
Rhiannon and Pwyll Festival celebrating Rhiannon’s return from Annwn at Gorsedd Arberth into thisworld as a sovereignty goddess who takes Pwyll as her husband.
Gwyn, Gwythyr and Creiddylad Festival marking Gwyn’s battle with Gwythyr for Creiddylad, a goddess of sovereignty and love. Gwythyr wins and enters a sacred marriage with Creiddylad. Gwyn is defeated and retreats to Annwn.
Yr Haf (Summer)
As crops and fruits ripen beneath the summer sun and the land is at its most fertile we honour the spirits of the land and deities of this season.
May/June: Bel and Belisama Festival honouring Bel as god of fire and sun and Belisama as goddess of shining waters and high summer.
Midsummer: Manannan / Manawydan On the Isle of Man, rent was paid in rushes to Manannan at midsummer. There is much cross over between Manannan and Manawydan. This is a good time to make an offering to the god of shore and sea.
Summer Solstice Festival celebrating the longest day and shortest night and the bounty of summer.
June: Maponos Festival for Maponos, god of youth, music and hunting.
August: Taranis Festival marking summer storms and honouring Taranis as god of thunder and of the wheel.
Yr Hydref (Autumn)
As fruits and crops are harvested and the meadows mown we give thanks to their spirits. Leaf fall and decay are acknowledged as signs of the approaching dead season. We listen for the breath of winter.
1st August: Lugus Festival for Lugus, god of crafts.
Autumn Equinox Festival acknowledging the balance of equal days and nights heading toward winter and seasonal changes.
29th September: Gwyn’s Feast Festival celebrating the end of harvest and honouring Gwyn, his horses, hounds and host as his hunt gathers.
Nos Galan Gaeaf (Winter’s Eve)
Nos Galan Gaeaf is an ysbrydnos (spirit night) and the pivotal point when the powers of darkness and winter return to thisworld with the spirits of the dead. It is a time for honouring our ancestors, particularly those who have passed in the last year. This was traditionally a night when glimpses of the future could be seen hence some of us practice divination.
Rhiannon’s return to Annwn A festival acknowledging Rhiannon’s return from thisworld to Annwn honouring her as a psychopomp.
Gwyn ap Nudd and the Spirits of Annwn A festival honouring Gwyn as he rides out with the huntsmen and hounds and Annwn to gather the souls of the dead. On Calan Gaeaf, Creiddylad returns with Gwyn to Annwn in sacred marriage.
Y Gaeaf (Winter)
In Britain this is the darkest and coldest time of the year. Prior to electric lighting and heating our ancestors gathered to keep warm, feast, hold rites and tell stories. We keep these traditions alive and honour the deities of snow, ice, frost, darkness and death. Central is Epona's connection with the death and rebirth of the sun and the year.
2nd November: All Soul's Day A day for honouring all our ancestors.
Saturday closest to the 11th in November: Alternative Armistice Day An alternative to Remembrance Sunday where we honour those who have died in war and contemplate ways of furthering peace.
November: Ceridwen Festival for Ceridwen, goddess of the cauldron.
November: The Dark One Festival for the Lady of Shadows; a time for contemplating what is absent, what has gone, as we move into the darkness of the Year.
18th December: Eponalia Festival honouring the Horse Goddess Epona focusing on her role as psychopomp.
20th - 22nd December: Winter Solstice Festival celebrating the longest night and shortest day and the stillness and darkness of winter and the rebirth of the sun.
25th December: Modron Festival honouring Modron and the mother goddesses and our maternal ancestors shared with (stolen from!) Anglo-Saxon tradition.
1st January: Dydd Calan Festival celebrating the birth of the New Year. In Wales this is marked by the custom of the Mari Lwyd.
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Post by lorna on Apr 20, 2016 15:30:52 GMT -1
Hello, MAJOR APOLOGIES, I just got struck by a thought - I'm not sure if it's a bit presumptuous to be suggesting festivals that none of have tried out and had affirmation from the gods and ancestors they're happy with them. I think it may be safer to stick to festivals we've trialed and add others if they work so I suggest removing the ones we haven't tried with an addition to the opening saying the calendar is in development and we'd like to build on it. I'll post the revised version. Do let me know if it's ok.
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Post by lorna on Apr 20, 2016 15:58:43 GMT -1
Brython Calendar
Our calendar is based around two pivotal points in the year within Brythonic tradition: Calan Mai and Nos Galan Gaeaf, the four seasons, and festivals for individual deities. This page provides an outline.
The celebrations listed have been developed by Brython members with a relationship with the named deities over a number of years. We hope to build on this as we celebrate new ones and the membership grows.
Y Gwanwyn (Spring)
As the land awakens to life we acknowledge the first flowers, budding trees and new births of animals and birds. We mark the changes within our localities and honour deities associated with spring.
1st February: Brigantica Festival of Brigantia ‘High One’ based around hearth, home, forge, crafting and the sacred flame.
20th - 22nd March: Spring Equinox Festival acknowledging the balance of equal days and nights heading toward summer and seasonal changes.
Calan Mai (1st of May)
Calan Mai marks the end of winter and beginning of summer. It is a time of deep magic pivoting around the defeat of otherworldly and wintry forces and the celebration of life, love and fertility.
Rhiannon and Pwyll Festival celebrating Rhiannon’s return from Annwn* at Gorsedd Arberth into thisworld as a sovereignty goddess who takes Pwyll as her husband.
Gwyn, Gwythyr and Creiddylad Festival marking Gwyn’s battle with Gwythyr for Creiddylad, a goddess of sovereignty and love. Gwythyr wins and enters a sacred marriage with Creiddylad. Gwyn is defeated and retreats to Annwn.
Yr Haf (Summer)
As crops and fruits ripen beneath the summer sun and the land is at its most fertile we honour the spirits of the land and deities of this season.
May/June: Bel and Belisama Festival honouring Bel as god of fire and sun and Belisama as goddess of shining waters and high summer.
Summer Solstice Festival celebrating the longest day and shortest night and the bounty of summer.
June: Maponos Festival for Maponos, god of youth, music and hunting.
Yr Hydref (Autumn)
As fruits and crops are harvested and the meadows mown we give thanks to their spirits. Leaf fall and decay are acknowledged as signs of the approaching dead season. We listen for the breath of winter.
1st August: First Harvest Festival celebrating harvested crops, first fruits and the abundant land.
Autumn Equinox Festival acknowledging the balance of equal days and nights heading toward winter and seasonal changes.
29th September: Gwyn’s Feast Festival celebrating the end of harvest and honouring Gwyn, his horses, hounds and host as his hunt gathers.
Nos Galan Gaeaf (Winter's Eve)
Nos Galan Gaeaf is an ysbrydnos (spirit night) and the pivotal point when the powers of darkness and winter return to thisworld with the spirits of the dead. It is a time for honouring our ancestors, particularly those who have passed in the last year. This was traditionally a night when glimpses of the future could be seen hence some of us practice divination.
Rhiannon’s return to Annwn A festival acknowledging Rhiannon’s return from thisworld to Annwn honouring her as a psychopomp.
Gwyn ap Nudd and the Spirits of Annwn A festival honouring Gwyn as he rides out with the huntsmen and hounds and Annwn to gather the souls of the dead. On Calan Gaeaf, Creiddylad returns with Gwyn to Annwn in sacred marriage.
Y Gaeaf (Winter)
In Britain this is the darkest and coldest time of the year. Prior to electric lighting and heating our ancestors gathered to keep warm, feast, hold rites and tell stories. We keep these traditions alive and honour the deities of cold, darkness and death. Central is Epona's connection with the death and rebirth of the sun and the year.
November: The Dark One Festival for the Lady of Shadows; a time for contemplating what is absent, what has gone, as we move into the darkness of the Year.
18th December: Eponalia Festival honouring the horse goddess Epona focusing on her role as psychopomp.
20th - 22nd December: Winter Solstice Festival celebrating the longest night and shortest day and the stillness and darkness of winter and the rebirth of the sun.
1st January: Dydd Calan Festival celebrating the birth of the New Year. In Wales this is marked by the custom of the Mari Lwyd.
*The Brythonic Otherworld.
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Post by Lee on Apr 20, 2016 18:44:33 GMT -1
Looks good
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