ALBAN EILER

This is the Feast of the Spring Equinox. The Light of the Sun in the Wheel of the Year stands in the East, at the high point of our Circle. This is a time of the Great Tides.

This Feast is known by many names to many people, for the Truth is reflected from many mirrors. Druids know it as Alban Eilir. It has been celebrated as the New Year and is sacred to Ceridwen Cariadwen and Eostre, the Goddess of Springtime. In all her forms, it honours the Lady who carries within her the mystery of our life, our sustenance and our salvation in the Light. It honours the Lord of Light who stands in his strength against the Darkness. Our ancestors called this Feast by names long forgotten, and our children will call it by names as yet unconceived.

At this time, our ancestors saw the Sun stand toe to toe with the Darkness in perfect balance. We understand two lessons in this time of reconciliation of opposites. Firstly that on this day, all things stand in equilibrium and harmony. On this day, from Pole to Pole and across all Lands and all Oceans, our mother Earth receives Light and Darkness in equal measure. No plot of earth, no plant, no creature receives more nor less than another. So are all things equal before the Face of the Creator. Secondly, we recognise the mystical union of Lord and Lady in the partnership of equals. As the Light falls into the Darkness, so the Darkness gives back the Light, both in the stars in the sky and the flowers in the field. The Darkness lives in the Light and the Darkness brings forth the Light of rebirth and renewal.

This is the divine promise that despite the turning of the wheel of fortune for seeming good or seeming ill, when time has run its course, all things will return in balance and harmony to their True Home. This is our knowledge and our affirmation.

This is the Holy Word that is written in no less than the Earth and the Sky and in all things that are made. This is a wonder and a marvel.

--Coifi         

GREETINGS TO THE SPRING EQUINOX

Glad Bringer of Brightness, hail!
Maiden of Grace, Lad of Laughter
Gifts of vigor are returning,
Spring's surpirse, rainbow's embrace
Quickened be the heqrt within us,
Opened be our souls to grace,
May the blessing be abiding,
Welcome sit in every face.
Caitlin Matthews, ‘Celtic Devotional'

 

For Eostar

who reigns from the Equinox of March
Sage Green and Hollyhock Blue,
Lobelia brings night into day.
And the Moon, the Moon...the Moon.
Standing Stones and Eldar Trees.
The Faery dance on the hilltops,
In our dreams.
Sweet tender Violets,
Lilac and Columbine.
The Sacred Moon Hare
Prances on the Land,
Under Vines.
Fertile Joy
Of New Birth.
Of Increasing Light.
Of Latent Mirth.
Evening, scents the Jasmine
Under the Dragon's Eye.
Moon Bright
Comet Born,
The Child of Light, nameless,
Comes through in memory,
Deep as the veins of the Land.
Hope, the White Lily,
Hawthorn of May.
She walks through the Inner Ways.
Into Gardens and Dreams and Delight.
Rose Avalon