Spring Equinox

We have just celebrated the festival of Meán Earraigh (Myawn AR-ee) which marks the spring equinox; the time when night and day are of equal lengths. All of nature commences new life. Birds build nests and lay eggs, symblizing fertility, rebirth and immortality. The custom of painting eggs, with symbols, pictures and wishes to manifest the coming year and burying them in Mother Earth so she hears the cries and dreams of her children, is a part of the ritual. This ritual was adopted and brought forward by Christians to celebrate Easter; the rising of the new life of the Christ. However we wish to celebrate this period of new life, it is a special time of the year that enlivens and gives us all new vibrance to enter into the season of growth and new life.

In Drudic communities, eggs are given to "pace-eggers" who, dressed as mummers, go from house to house asking for eggs in return for a short performance. The eggs are wrapped in leaves, roots, flowers, and bark before boiling to impart color. Ashes from sacred fires, fistfuls of salt, or soil from forest beds and high mountain tops are scattered on fields. Offerings of milk and food are left for the fairies and other spirits who are responsible for the fertility of the land. Fruits from the previous years harvest are left for the nature spirits. Sacred sites are visited, rituals are held and picnics of fig cakes (the fig a symbol of fertility; the leaf the male and the fruit the female), cider and ale.

Aegus, Son of the Dawn and In Dagda are the deities associated with Bruig na Boinne (Brew na BO - IN - yeh) - Newgrange - the Great Solar Temple in the Boyne Valley of Ireland. The Dagda plays his harp of oak and Aengus plays his harp of gold which engenders amorous desires.

The female is Boand, equated with the River Boyne. Legend has it that when Goddess Boand was disrespectful of the magickal well of Segais, the well rose in anger, the Goddess Boand fled and the River Boyne was created.

The Goddess Boand is also referred to as "She of the White Cows". Blessed Brighid - Goddess of Tuatha dé Danann (Too-ha deh DON-awn) was fed from the milk of the white cow. Visiting the River Boyne you will find her to be maternal; flowing gently and giving of herself to the lands, like a placid cow. Sacred kine is heard emerging from the lakes; water is the entrance to the Otherworld.

Herbs of this Festival are: Acorn, Celandine, Cinquefoil, Dandelion, Dogwood, Honeysuckle, Iris, Jasmine, Rose, Tansy, Violet.

ACORN (Quercus SPP.) brings fertility and luck to all projects.

CELANDINE (Chelidonium majus) is a herb of joy and protection.

CINQUEFOIL (Potentilla Reptans, P. Canadensis) brings love, power, wisdom, health and abundance. An infusion used in ritual baths for purification rites, wards off evil influences.

DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale) increases psychic abilities. Cleanses and rejuvinates. On a moon lit night pick a puff ball call up sacred directions and blow your wishes to the winds. The yellow flower of the Dandelion is said to impart the body of the God.

DOGWOOD (Cornus florida) Leaves, flowers and wood are a protective charm. The four petals symbolize the sacred four directions and the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water.

HONEYSUCKLE (Lonicera caprifolium) flowers reputed to attract money. Will heighten psychic abilities when rubbed on the forehead.

IRIS - Bleu Flag - (Iris versicolor) A Goddess herb which brings purity, wisdom, courage and faith.

JASMINE (Jasminum officinale) Flowers help attract wealth; the scent brings on prophetic dreams and used in love spells to attract a spiritual love.

ROSE (Rosa spp) Rose buds are added to bath water to attract a lover. Placed in a red cloth bag and pinned to clothing. Rosehips dried and worn as beads attract love. Rose petals are used in healing formulas and spells. It is a Goddess herb of Venus and the Water element.

TANSY (Tanacetum vulgare) a herb of immortality and longevity.

VIOLET (Viola odorata) a herb of love and protection.

At this time we should bless the seeds we are planting in our garden and plant some spring flowers.

Give gratitude for all the blessings of the new season in the presence of land, sea and sky; respective of the Nature Spirits, our Ancestors and our Dieties.

May the Blessings of this Season bring you Health, Happiness, Protection and Abundance...................