Many thanks to all who worked so hard to contribute to this delightful Festival which we celebrated together as ever with so much enjoyment. Particular thanks to Maire Doyle who has recently joined us in the Circle of Brigid for coordinating everything on this occasion.
BELTAINE FESTIVAL 3rd May, 2014 AT
FOUNDATION CENTRE
Presented by Members of the Priesthood
& the Circle of Brigid
The Star of the Day
at Clonegal was undoubtedly Nature
Herself, bursting forth in absolutely glory and astonishing growth since
our last gathering for the Vernal Equinox this year, and it was impossible not
to experience the raising of our spirits at this wonderful time of year. After
meeting and greeting in the Castle
Tea Rooms we gathered in the Theatre which adjoins them. This has been freshly decorated and provides
a wonderful and unusual venue for year-round events at the Castle, which we
very much appreciate being able to use for Festivals.
Marian then commenced
proceedings with a beautiful energy raising exercise based on Ra and His connection to the Land, so
that we might go forth in Procession chanting
and remembering the Egyptian Traditional understanding that all of Nature, together
with all Beings expresses the innate presence of both God and Goddess within All its manifestations. This provided a lovely introduction to our Procession to the Grove of the Druid Clan
of Dana, led by Eimear and David
down through the Orchard and on to the Yew Walk and paths through the Wilderness
where on every side tall fresh green growth and flowers crowded alongside us as
we walked!
David opened the
Portal to the Grove between two of the great Redwoods which form the magnificent
Grove of these incredibly tall trees, which were planted only in the early 1900’s,
but create a cathedral-like energy within which to invoke the Goddess Dana. We are blessed to have access to it. We then made our way onwards for Invocations first
at the Abbey, home of the Noble Order of
Tara, and then at Persephone’s
Gateway to the Temple of Isis, and
then beside Brigid’s Well of Truth followed
by individual Blessings to all given by the Priesthood. Maìre presided over the
Ceremonies at the High Altar and, we had a wise and deep Oracle from the Goddess Danu
through her Priestess, Eimear.
Luke took us on
a Journey through the Land & the Sacred Fires traditional
at this time, and we heard a fine Beltaine
poem created by Sarah. Then came one of our popular Mystery Plays! This time it celebrated the Festival of
the Sacred Marriage, the mystery of the fertile land being brought to life
again by the return of the potency of the Sun.
The fiery interchange between the
God & Goddess was ably represented by Deirdre and David and sparks flew as it became clear that not only
was there was much wisdom in what they both had to say, but no quarter was
given on the important matter of equality
and respect, to be both given and received!
All this was received with great delight as ever
in the Temple where Olivia always made us laugh!
After thanks were given to Deity for their undoubted
presence throughout, short healings were given to those who requested them, and
everyone repaired to Osborne’s in the Village for a well deserved home-made
tea, and plenty of enjoyable conversation with new and old friends. I will conclude with a short poem of my own
which I also gave at the end of the ceremony in honour of the incredible
abundance of so many spring flowers this year after the terrible earlier rains
and floods.
Daffodils
“Daffodils, their
crumpled petticoats though faded
Still suffuse my senses
with their silken perfume.
Those fragrant
edges of the stems
Evoke an ancient
friendship
Firm and upright,
loyal, true,
A knowing that has
been for ever Spring!”
