In truth, however, only four of the festivals celebrated by today’s followers of the seasonal wheel can definitely be attributed to the Irish and Scottish Celts, these being the quarter festivals of Imbolc, Lughnasadh, Beltane and Samhain, with the latter two being of the greatest importance.
Carole CarltonTags: pagans paganism samhain beltane carole-carlton mrs-darley pagan-whispers moon-magic mrs-darley-s-pagan-whispers mrs-darley-series-of-books pagan-book pagan-festivals imbolc irish-celts lughnasadh scottish-celts seasonal-wheel
Pagan paths, of which there are many, more often than not, are based upon an acknowledgement of a Divine presence within nature, as acknowledged by the pre-Christian peoples of these Islands and Northern Europe more than 1500 years ago.
Carole CarltonTags: pagans paganism samhain beltane carole-carlton mrs-darley pagan-whispers moon-magic mrs-darley-s-pagan-whispers mrs-darley-series-of-books pagan-book pagan-festivals imbolc irish-celts lughnasadh divine-presence pagan-paths
So now, as the Maiden form of the Goddess whispers to us of hope and new beginnings at the festival of Imbolc, it is on a cold February morning that you are invited to step onto the ‘Wheel of the Year.
Carole CarltonTags: pagans paganism samhain beltane carole-carlton mrs-darley pagan-whispers moon-magic mrs-darley-s-pagan-whispers mrs-darley-series-of-books pagan-book pagan-festivals imbolc irish-celts lughnasadh festival-of-imbolc wheel-of-the-year
I have since learned that although the festival of Imbolc was far less romantic and far more practical to our Celtic ancestors than the initial image portrayed to me by Mrs Darley, it was no less magical, for it marked the beginning of the lambing season which to the Celts meant the difference between survival and extinction.
Carole CarltonTags: pagans paganism samhain beltane carole-carlton mrs-darley pagan-whispers moon-magic mrs-darley-s-pagan-whispers mrs-darley-series-of-books pagan-book pagan-festivals imbolc irish-celts lughnasadh
It is easy to see how the myths and legends which built up around the Goddess Bride became entwined with Christian doctrine, and there is one source which tells of St Brigid’s ale harvest being so abundant that enough ale was made to serve seventeen churches!
Carole CarltonTags: pagans paganism samhain beltane carole-carlton mrs-darley pagan-whispers moon-magic mrs-darley-s-pagan-whispers mrs-darley-series-of-books pagan-book pagan-festivals imbolc irish-celts lughnasadh goddess-bride
The Bronze and Iron Age peoples saw water as having supernatural powers whilst its dark mysterious depths were seen as the gateway to the underworld. People felt compelled to make offerings to the Deities, which they believed inhabited these magical places, as evidenced by many archaeological finds including jewellery, plaques, coins and both animal and human remains. No doubt these were the original ‘wishing wells’ that we throw our small change into today, in the hope that the spirit of the place will grant our heart’s desire!
Carole CarltonTags: pagans paganism samhain beltane supernatural-powers carole-carlton mrs-darley pagan-whispers moon-magic mrs-darley-s-pagan-whispers mrs-darley-series-of-books pagan-book pagan-festivals imbolc irish-celts lughnasadh wishing-well
Everyone looks for the first snowdrop as proof that our part of the earth is once more turning towards the sun, but folklore maintains that we should be wary of bringing them into the house before St Valentine’s Day, as any unmarried females could well remain spinsters!
Carole CarltonTags: pagans paganism samhain beltane carole-carlton mrs-darley pagan-whispers moon-magic mrs-darley-s-pagan-whispers mrs-darley-series-of-books pagan-book pagan-festivals imbolc irish-celts lughnasadh snowdrop st-valentines-day
Saturday morning brought an Imbolc gift of thick fog, as our select company of three set off onto the rain-sodden moor. ‘Here we are,’ said Mrs Darley, as the well appeared before us after a ten minute climb. She immediately began to unwrap a joint offering from Phyllis and herself of an ivy swag interwoven with white ribbons and laid it across the lintel of the well. I followed suit but with a far more modest bunch of pine branches and silver honesty.
‘Drinks, dear?’ Mrs Darley looked at Phyllis, who right on cue produced three paper cups from her bag and filled them with whiskey from a hip flask.
Tags: pagans paganism samhain beltane carole-carlton mrs-darley pagan-whispers moon-magic mrs-darley-s-pagan-whispers mrs-darley-series-of-books pagan-book pagan-festivals imbolc irish-celts lughnasadh
Tea was the order of the day, neat for the hardened drinker or containing a tot of whiskey for those who liked it watered down! Throughout the afternoon, the wonderful aroma of rosemary wafted throughout the cottage and I later discovered that Mrs Darley sprinkled the dried herb on her grill pan and, with the grill on a low heat, it scented the whole cottage, bringing a feeling of warmth and security to us all.
Carole CarltonTags: pagans paganism samhain beltane carole-carlton mrs-darley pagan-whispers moon-magic mrs-darley-s-pagan-whispers mrs-darley-series-of-books pagan-book pagan-festivals imbolc irish-celts lughnasadh
Cleansing and clearing are two words which suit the essence of Imbolc, as this is February, the Roman month of purification. This can be a cleansing of the self, in undertaking a good ‘detox’, or a clearing and cleansing of the home, in keeping with the tradition of spring-cleaning.
Carole CarltonTags: pagans paganism samhain beltane carole-carlton mrs-darley pagan-whispers moon-magic mrs-darley-s-pagan-whispers mrs-darley-series-of-books pagan-book pagan-festivals imbolc irish-celts lughnasadh
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