|
My life has always been heavily influenced by my celtic heritage and to have
found someone to share it with is wonderful. In fact the day we met he was in
a kilt. So it only seems logical that our kennel honors our celtic heritage.
Celtic myth and lore encompasses several core themes including the belief that evertyhing is connected
and the cycle of moving from darkness to light and back to darkness again.
Dusk symbolizes the beginning and end of each new day [darkness] and the Celtic calendar reflects
the seasons by solar and lunar events separated into the light half and dark half of the year.
There is a fundamental belief in Celtic wisdom to celebrate all that life gives, the ups and downs, the good and bad,
life and death, it is all a part of the wheel of life and it all needs honoring. There is always a
kernal of wisdom, a thought, a little grain of knowledge learned from everything in life, both the good
and bad. Light and dark, good and bad, it's balance.
Sabbat derives from the Greek "sabatu" which translates into "rest." In Celtic mythology
Sabbats mark various points or events in the circle of the year, a time for celebration, rest and reflection. Sabbats generally fall at a time
of solar and/or lunar balance, such as on the equinoxes and solstices. Most modern celtic belief is based
both in historical and modern interpretation.
The Celtic year spirals through four festivals and four equinoxes. The photos on our homepage
are the eight Celtic Sabbats, with a look at our boys in nature at that time of year.
Samhain means "End of Summer" and marks the first day of winter. However, the darkening of the year at Samhain in early November marks the begining
of the Celtic year, the imminent long darkness of the season represents beginning.
The long winter nights afford a time to go within and reflect on what we have accomplished, and what
we are ready to let go of.
Yule also known as Solstice Night, is the winter solstice or the longest night of the year.
It represents the beginning of a rebirth as the peak winter darkness is behind us and sunlight in the days
grows longer. The Yule log was a Norse incorporation into Celtic myth which was a precursor
to the modern day Christmas tree.
Imbolc arrives as the land emerges from its long winter sleep
in early February where it was thought the sun was born anew. It is a time of purification and
to focus on plans and hopes for the coming months.
Ostara marks a sabbat of balance, the spring equinox representing
a balance of light and dark and the slow re-awakening of the earth form it's winter rest, a renewal of life.
At the beginning of May, the festival of Beltane heralds
the season of light and growth and the blossoming of the earth. Beltane celebrates
fertility and the promise of new blessings.
Midsummer or Litha is celebrated on the summer solstice and
celebrates the peak of life, where the earth is green, healthy. The sun is at it's
highest point in the sky, hence the solstics, and the days are long.
Summer ripens into Lughnasadh, later called Lammas, the August
festival of the first fruits or first harvest and the abundance of nature. Lughnasadh is thought to be named after
the Irish sun god, Lugh. It celebrates, abundance and prosperity.
Mabon is the second harvest, usually the wine and fruit harvest. Mabon is thought to
be named for a Welsh god. Mabon is often a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them.
|
