We
of the Hearth of the Turning Wheel are from time to time, approached with deep
and searching enquiries, yet some of these enquiries are inappropriate, for we
are much misunderstood. People assume we are who we are not, that the Hearth is
what it is not and that we can provide that which we cannot. Naturally this
leads to a series of questions of who we are, what we are and what if anything,
can we provide the genuine seeker?
As
we have oft stated, the Hearth of the Turning Wheel is an independent and
progressive Pagan coterie, which is itself based within the English Midlands.
Our praxis and ethos are inspired by but not necessarily limited to; the
traditional custom and belief found within British and European Folklore.
Although we meet to celebrate the Eight High Holy Days of the modern Wheel of
the Year, we leave Moon observances to our member’s solitary practice and no
obligation is placed on our members to do such.
The
Hearth is or should be an extended family but this leads us to ask what lies at
the heart of that family? Hence the title of this piece. What is our Priceps
Virtus? Can we define our Esprit de Corps and is there an active or a sleeping
Egregore? Can we even discuss these matters publicly and how much remains Sub
Rosa?
Contrary
to that above paragraph however, I can assure the reader that the Hearth as a
group, are considerably less pretentious than the writer of this piece or as
the above wording may even suggest. Equally important is the need to recognise,
that we as a group do have our own particular traits and elements that define
what and who we are.
Any
working group is greater than the sum of its parts and each individual member
brings something unique to the Cauldron. The experience, the knowledge and the
ability of each individual are combined there, to create the alchemy that is
the Coterie.
We
do not operate a degree system for we are not a Wiccan coven, although membership
does require a rite of admission. We are a private group and membership is by
invitation only. However, guests are occasionally permitted to attend and
participate in ritual; again this is by invitation. We say of ourselves that we
are not elitist, even if some in error may consider us to be so but we are by
necessity, deliberately selective.
Like
other groups that may be of a traditionalist influence and even those that are
not, the Hearth of the Turning Wheel is divided into sections. In some groups
these are called the Inner and Outer Circles, Orders, Chapters or sometimes in
Traditional Cuveens, the Compasses. We in the Hearth of the Turning Wheel
designate our divisions as Courts. The Inner Court consists of admitted members
of the Hearth of the Turning Wheel and therefore constitutes the Hearth proper.
The Outer Court is a less official division, consisting of those guests who
have attended a ritual but have not been admitted to the Inner Court.
Our
numbers are small and if each member was asked what the core values of the
Hearth are or what the Hearth actually is? Then it is very likely that each
individual would give their own definition and opinion, which may differ
significantly from another member of the Inner Court.
Existing
separately and apart from the two courts is a third informal grouping,
consisting of our supporters, contacts within other groups and those with an
interest in our philosophy but who have not attended a ritual. This separate
group is the Friends of the Hearth of the Turning Wheel and there is a Facebook
group of that name.
The
Hearth takes its name from the declared aim of observing the Eight ‘Sabbats’ of
the Wheel of the Year. On our foundation and being aware that members came from
differing Traditions, that not every member was a Witch, a Druid or a Heathen,
we then chose to avoid the weighted terms of coven or grove. Admittedly as we
have developed and grown, we have taken on attributes often associated with the
word coven and we may at times, even describe ourselves as such. However, our
name should be enough to suggest where our focus lies. It is the celebration
and observance of the ‘Wheel’ and the associated esoteric meanings within, that
lie at the heart of this our family.
There
is a general perception that the Eight High Holy Days of contemporary Paganism,
are entirely Solar in their symbolism and their meaning. This is incorrect, the
Wheel of Eight Festivals as we perceive them, consists of four ‘Lights’ and
four ‘Darks’ that spin in perfect unity.
The
Four Lights are:
· The Spring Equinox
that will fall between the 21st and the 23rd of March and
marks the beginning of Aries.
· The Summer
Solstice that will fall between the 21st and the 23rd of
June and marks the beginning of Cancer.
· The Autumn
Equinox that will fall between the 21st and the 23rd of
September and marks the beginning of Libra.
· The Winter
Solstice that will fall between the 21st and the 23rd of
December and marks the beginning of Capricorn.
The Four Darks are:
· Lambtide or Imbolc
that will fall on or near the 1st of February or at 15 degrees
Aquarius and represents the New or Waxing Moon.
· Maytide or Beltaine
that will fall on or near the 1st of May or at 15 degrees Taurus and
represents the Full Moon.
· Lammastide or Lughnassadh
that will fall on or near the 1st of August or at 15 degrees Leo and
represents the Old or Waning Moon.
· Hallowtide or Samhain
that will fall on or near the 1st of November or at 15 degrees
Scorpio and represents the Dark Moon.
Our
calendar follows the progression of the four tides of the year, with Lambtide
or Candlemas as our starting point, it is the tide of Lustration or sowing.
Maytide or Roodmas is the tide of Activation or growth. Lammastide is the tide
of Consolidation or reaping and Hallowtide is the tide of Recession or death,
thus leading to new growth and the start of the cycle once more.
For
clarification:
1.
Lambtide:
the visible New or Waxing Moon.
2.
The
Spring Equinox: the Sunrise.
3.
Maytide:
the Full Moon.
4.
The
Summer Solstice: the Sun at Zenith.
5.
Lammastide:
the Old or Waning Moon.
6.
The
Autumn Equinox: the Sunset.
7.
Hallowtide:
the Dark Moon.
8.
The
Winter Solstice: the Sun at Nadir.
There
are symbols which we use that many whose practice is influenced by a more
generalised Pagan path, may not be familiar with. These include the Sixways,
some runic combinations and totemic symbols. Further explanation here is
perhaps unnecessary or even inappropriate. It is important to recognise that each
working group develops its own language over time.
The
concept of Sovereignty runs through British and Irish mythology like a thread
of precious virtue. In the Irish cycle it is the Morrígan who may represent the
sovereignty of the land. In the British Isles and the Arthurian Cycle, that
archetypal representation is Guinevere. In the English Midlands it is the Maid
Marion that other Queen of the May, who holds that same sacred position and by
whose marriage Robin Hood reigns as consort.
Marion
is a maid but not a maiden. Her relationship with Robin Hood and her activities
within the legends, transcend the social mores of the period. She is mistress
of her own fate. Her Maytide marriage to Robin Hood bestows upon him the right
to rule. Maid Marion is the Sovereignty of the Greenwood and Robin Hood as her
consort, reigns by right of the Sacred Union. The Merry Men, the word Merry is
derived from the Saxon meaning retinue or retainer, serve as their household.
The model presented in the Sherwood Cycle is therefore; comparable to Arthur, Guinevere
and the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian.
Our
interpretation of the Sacred Wheel is therefore influenced by a localised
folklore and practice, incorporating legends of the English Midlands, Greater Britain
and the cultures of the Brythonic, the Saxon and the Norse peoples. How each
individual perceives this model or concept at the deeper spiritual level; is so
personal and so unique that one can barely express in mere words the true
meaning of this our ways. We do not have a name for what we do, for our
tradition is without a name but it is our tradition and that is enough.
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