Join us outdoors for our celebration of Alban Elfed, the Autumn Equinox!
To register to attend and receive a copy of the ritual 'script' (when finalised) and details of what to prepare and bring on the day, please email us by Thursday 23rd September.
Location: Meet outside the Cambridge Museum of Technology (see details below) to travel into Stourbridge Common.
We usually wait for around 10-15 minutes at the first location before heading into Stourbridge Common. To join us if you are running late, please continue walking straight into the Common along the road and paths from the riverside and as you enter the open fields, look to your left for a group of trees. Hopefully, you can't miss us!
To confirm attendance: Please email us by Thursday 23rd September to let us know who will be coming and what access arrangements you may have, which we hope to accommodate as far as possible.
About Alban Elfed
"The Wheel turns and the time of balance returns. Alban Elfed marks the balance of day and night before the darkness overtakes the light. It is also the time of the second harvest, usually of the fruit which has stayed on the trees and plants that have ripened under the summer sun. It is this final harvest which can take the central theme of the Alban Elfed ceremony – thanking the Earth, in her full abundance as Mother and Giver, for the great harvest, as Autumn begins". (OBOD)
The months turn towards the element of water as the salmon spawn and rainfall nourishes the succulent fruit of this second harvest of the year: the festival of Alban Elfed, 'the Light on the Water'. Also known as 'Mabon' or the Autumn Equinox.
At this time of the Autumn Equinox, days and nights are once again in balance as we contemplate our approach towards the colder half of the year and the reflective promptings of time spent indoors, preparing for the winter.
Apples remind us of Arthur, the 'Great Bear', and of the blessed isle of Avalon with its offering of the healing of the soul after the nurturing of the body that the previous festival of Lughnasadh brought, with its golden grain harvest.
General Information
How to find us (in-person ceremonies):
Meet outside the Cambridge Museum of Technology. We wait for around ten minutes before heading into Stourbridge Common. Join us there if you're running late (follow the path into the common, keep straight ahead as you enter and look for a grove of trees, to the left of the path, in the open field).
If you have never attended or taken part in a pagan/druidic/OBOD ceremony, worry not! Our ceremonies are flexible, open to whatever you would like to contribute and inclusive of all identities. There are simple roles to have a go at, with pre-prepared lines to read out if so desired but there is no obligation whatsoever to do so. If you'd like to have an idea of what's involved, please get in touch with us.
For in-person ceremonies, you won't need to prepare as much but will be given notice of a few things to prepare/bring if needed via an email to all attendees who have emailed their attendance. We usually set up the space on the day with everyone who wishes to add items, decoration and ritual tools.
Such ceremonies will be conducted with social distancing and other measures will be in place to protect against the spread of covid-19.
Food and drink (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) is usually brought (though currently not shared) after an outdoor ceremony but there is no need to bring such contributions for our online meetings unless you'd like to make it a part of the rite. Gifts of music, poetry and readings for a small Eisteddfod afterwards are always most welcome. There has usually been the option of visiting a nearby cafe or pub after the ceremony (provided such a gathering can be appropriately socially-distanced and safe), when we have previously met outdoors.
We are mindful of the weather and dress appropriately, when getting together in the open, bringing water, a hat, suntan cream, coat and waterproofs, etc.
Please get in touch with us if you have questions about access requirements or other queries at Cambridge druidry at gmail.com.
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