A pagan new year begins with the rebirth of the Golden Sun/Son in the depths of Winter. Fearing the light will never return, our ancestors across the world joined together in rekindling the first spark of new life, amidst the height of darkness, soon to return once more.
Sunday 11th December 2022, 10:30 - 12:30
Location: Newgrange, Ireland
Copyright: (c) The New York Times
About Alban Arthan
This time of year is very cold and bleak, which is why so many celebrations are needed to help people get through the Winter months. It is significant that many civilisations welcomed their Solar Gods at the time of greatest darkness – including Mithras (the bull-headed Warrior God), the Egyptian God Horus and, more recently, Jesus Christ. (from the OBOD website)
The cold evenings stretch on before us and almost all living creatures have disappeared into a world of slumber and dream as the calendar’s new year appears on the shrouded horizon.
Within the still heart of the frost-covered earth a single, gentle golden note resounds: a promise of the rebirth of the Sun King, the shining light of Arthur ‘the Bear’, with his powers of rejuvenation and resurrection. The Holly King’s winter sovereignty triumphs over the Oak King’s summer reign and we search within ourselves to call forth our strength of survival in the darkest hours of enduring night.
But on the hillsides can be heard wassailing: smoky breaths singing out to the trees to beckon them into bloom and fruition as the wheel of the year turns once more.
Meeting place
We will meet outside the Cambridge Museum of Technology, facing the river, between 10:15 and 10:45.
Location for gathering itself
We usually wait for around 10-12 minutes at the location above before heading into Stourbridge Common. To join us if you are running late, walk straight into the Common, keep straight as you pass a children's playground to your right and as you enter the open fields down a wide dirt track, look to your left for a group of trees. Hopefully, you won't miss us! After we finish our ceremony, we will head over to a local pub to continue the libations and conversations.
First time with us?
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 are proudly inclusive of all identities. There are simple ceremony roles to have a go at, with pre-prepared lines to read out, 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.
Preparation for the day
All registered attendees will be sent a link to the ritual script booklet online as well as a preparation coversheet containing details of what to prepare/bring a week before the event. Key ritual items will be brought for the ceremony, though all are welcome to lay any personal items in the altar space we create.
Please do print your own booklet for the day, especially if you have a speaking role in the ceremony or if you would like to read along with us. This is not essential as you are welcome to come and simply soak up the words and actions performed by others. A 'herald' at each ceremony will lead the ceremony and ensure everything runs smoothly.
We are mindful of the weather and dress appropriately, bringing water, a hat, suntan cream, coat and waterproofs, etc. Come rain or shine, hail or snow, we will meet!
Eisteddfod
In keeping with the practices of Welsh Druidry, we host a small eisteddfod after each ceremony, perhaps with some mead! This is a relaxing way to ground ourselves after working up energies in the rite and it gives us an opportunity to simply share social space with everyone.
'Eisteddfod' simply means 'to sit' in Welsh, or more accurately in this context, 'sitting and sharing together', to enjoy a festival of creativity. Those that wish to perform, talk or play for those gathered are warmly encouraged to do so and as bardistry forms such an integral part of practising Druidry, this is a great way to share your latest creative musings, on whatever journey you might be taking, with a very appreciative audience.
After the ceremony
After the ceremony has finished, we usually head over to the Green Dragon pub for a drink, a possible bite to eat and to warm up a bit! You'd be most welcome to come with us or join us later:
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/U2LAsxYC4eUVkPEFA
To register to attend this event and receive an online copy of the ritual 'script' booklet (when finalised) with details of what to prepare and bring on the day, please email us by Wednesday 7th December.
Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with this and future events and please do get in contact if you have any questions.
We look forward to seeing you for our third and final harvest celebration of the year,
Corr réisc Grove.
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