Hallantide by Gemma Gary

Upon this night of Hallantide,

The veil betwixt to rend and part,

We conjure forth the Midnight ride,

By Devil’s Horn and Witching Arte.

Spirits of old arise ye forth,

Let quick and dead conjoin this night,

By the way ‘twixt West and North,

Let begin the Elder Rite!

Spirits, beasts and ghostly rade,

Open now the Way of the Dead,

Wilde horde of Witch and shade,

Open the way that Huntsman’s-led.

Cavalcade of Fellows all,

Ride ye forth with Devil’s speed,

Ride ye forth at Midnight’s call,

By Night-Mare’s hoof and spirit-steed.

By flight of moth by bat and owl,

By spirit path and old Corpse Way,

By Hunter’s horn and black hound’s howl,

By haunted track and ancient Ley.

Go ye forth in the Old One’s Name,

Throughout and about, without and within,

By the light of the Devil’s flame,

Let the Wild Hunt begin!

Incantation taken from ‘The Devil’s Dozen: Thirteen Craft Rites of the Old One’ by Gemma Gary. Published by Troy Books UK 2014. Text used with permission.

http://www.troybooks.co.uk/the-devils-dozen.html

The Red Flag (Jim Connel 1889)

The people's flag is deepest red,

It shrouded oft our martyred dead,

And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold,

Their hearts' blood dyed its ev'ry fold.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.

Within its shade we'll live and die,

Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,

We'll keep the red flag flying here.

Look 'round, the Frenchman loves its blaze,

The sturdy German chants its praise,

In Moscow's vaults its hymns are sung

Chicago swells the surging throng.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.

Within its shade we'll live and die,

Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,

We'll keep the red flag flying here.

It waved above our infant might,

When all ahead seemed dark as night;

It witnessed many a deed and vow,

We must not change its colour now.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.

Within its shade we'll live and die,

Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,

We'll keep the red flag flying here.

It well recalls the triumphs past,

It gives the hope of peace at last;

The banner bright, the symbol plain,

Of human right and human gain.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.

Within its shade we'll live and die,

Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,

We'll keep the red flag flying here.

It suits today the weak and base,

Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place

To cringe before the rich man's frown,

And haul the sacred emblem down.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.

Within its shade we'll live and die,

Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,

We'll keep the red flag flying here.

With heads uncovered swear we all

To bear it onward till we fall;

Come dungeons dark or gallows grim,

This song shall be our parting hymn.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.

Within its shade we'll live and die,

Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,

We'll keep the red flag flying here.

https://www.marxists.org/subject/art/music/lyrics/en/red-flag.htm

NINE KNOTS IN A CORD

By tooth and claw,

By flesh, blood and bone.

Nine knots in a cord,

For you who cast the first stone.

A heart pierced by thorns,

Is cast to the west.

I turn to face a new dawn;

But you shall not rest.

Text © Daniel B. Griffith the Chattering Magpie 2016

The Charge of the Goddess by Doreen Valiente

Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who was of old also called Artemis; Astarte; Diana; Melusine; Aphrodite; Cerridwen; Dana; Arianrhod; Isis; Bride; and by many other names. Whenever ye have need of anything, once in a month, and better it be when the Moon be full, then ye shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of me, who am Queen of all Witcheries.

There shall ye assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet have not yet won its deepest secrets: to these will I teach things that are yet unknown. And ye shall be free from slavery; and as a sign that ye are really free, ye shall be naked in your rites; and ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love, all in my praise. For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and mine also is joy on earth; for my Law is Love unto all Beings.

Keep pure your highest ideal; strive ever toward it; let naught stop you or turn you aside. For mine is the secret door which opens upon the Land of Youth; and mine is the Cup of the Wine of Life, and the Cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of Immortality.

I am the Gracious Goddess, who gives the gift of joy unto the heart. Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; and beyond death, I give peace, and freedom, and reunion with those who have gone before. Nor do I demand sacrifice, for behold I am the Mother of All Living, and my love is poured out upon the earth.

Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess, she in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven; whose body encircleth the Universe; I, who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white Moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the heart’s desire, call unto thy soul. Arise and come unto me.

For I am the Soul of Nature, who giveth life to the universe; from me all things proceed, and unto me must all things return; and before my face, beloved of gods and mortals, thine inmost divine self shall be unfolded in the rapture of infinite joy.

Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth, for behold: all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you.

And thou who thinkest to seek for me, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not, unless thou know this mystery: that if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee, thou wilt never find it without thee. For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.

Text used with permission of the copyright holder.

Text © The Doreen Valiente Foundation.

http://www.doreenvaliente.com/doreen-valiente-poetry-11.php

http://www.doreenvaliente.org/

Black Annis by John Heyrick (1797)

On a Cave Called Black Annis's Bower being an answer to a very young lady's enquiries about the story of Black Annis.

Where down the plain the winding pathway falls,

From Glenn-field vill, to Lester's ancient walls,

Nature, or Art, with imitative power,

Far in the Glenn has plac'd Black Annis' Bower.

An oak, the pride of all the mossy dell,

Spreads his broad arms above the stony cell;

And many a bush, with hostile thorns array'd,

Forbids the secret cavern to invade;

Whilst delving vales each way meander round,

And violet banks with redolence abound.

Here, if the uncouth song of former days,

Soil not the page with Falsehood's artful lays,

Black Annis held her solitary reign,

The dread and wonder of the neighb'ring plain.

The Shepherd griev'd to view his waning flock,

And trac'd the firstlings to the gloomy rock.

No vagrant children cull'd the flowerets then,

For infant blood oft stain'd the gory den.

Not Sparta Mount* for infant tears renown'd,

Echo'd more frequently the piteous sound.

Oft the gaunt Maid the frantic Mother curs'd,

Whom Britan's wolf with savage nipple nurs'd;

Whilst Lester's sons beheld aghast the scene,

Nor dar'd to meet the Monster of the Green.

'Tis said the soul of mortal man recoil'd

To view Black Annis' eye, so fierce and wild;

Vast talons, foul with human flesh, there grew

In place of hands, and features livid blue

Glar'd in her visage; whilst her obscene waist,

Warm skins of human victims close embrac'd.

But Time, than Man more certain, tho' more slow,

At length 'gainst Annis drew his sable bow;

The great decree the pious Shepherds bless'd,

And general joy the general fear confess'd.

* Mount Taygetus, in a cavern near to which it was the Lacedoemonian custom to expose deformed and weakly children to perish.

From First Flights by John Heyrick junior.

Lieutenant in the Fifteenth (or King's) Regiment of Light Dragoons. Published London 1797

The Angel by William Blake

I dreamt a dream! What can it mean?

And that I was a maiden Queen

Guarded by an Angel mild:

Witless woe was ne'er beguiled!

And I wept both night and day,

And he wiped my tears away;

And I wept both day and night,

And hid from him my heart's delight.

So he took his wings, and fled;

Then the morn blushed rosy red.

I dried my tears, and armed my fears

With ten-thousand shields and spears.

Soon my Angel came again;

I was armed, he came in vain;

For the time of youth was fled,

And grey hairs were on my head.

THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE

THE WHITE HORSE

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come and see!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. (Revelation 6:1-2).

THE RED HORSE

When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come and see!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword. (Revelation 6:3-4).

THE BLACK HORSE

When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (Revelation 6:5-6).

THE PALE HORSE

When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come and see!” I looked and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine, and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:7-8).

The Horn Dance of Abbots Bromley 2016: a Personal Reflection by Suzanne Read - Breaca Aranwen the Maid of the Hearth of Albion

An early start and a long drive preceded an amazing day spent in companie with a friend while attending what can only be described as perhaps the premier Traditional Event of the British Calendar! Traffic unfortunately delayed our arrival until after the Horns had already been gathered from the Church, blessings given and the first dance of the day completed, but parking up we quickly joined the procession of about 60 folks at one for the first stops on the route. The weather was good, blue skies in the morning, warm temperature that quickly rose and was then mitigated with a light breeze, light cloud later in the day that kept the temperature comfortable rather than it getting too hot. We followed the procession for about 2 miles, then returned to the village itself for a look around and some lunch before heading off to Blithfield Hall – where we arrived too late to see the Dance for the Lady, courtesy of sat-nav and roadworks, then we returned to the village to see the Dance enter the village from the Rugeley Turn, meeting up with another friend along the way….

My first impressions were based upon the Dancers, the Horns, costume, the ‘characters,’ ‘Maid’ Marion, Robin, the Jester, the Oss, the minstrels and of course the two teams of Horn Dancers with their impressive Horns – which varied in weight up to 26lb – a fair weight to carry for a few miles, and certainly not an easy weight to hoist above head height when going ‘through’ during the dancing! Visually it is a spectacle in itself, their matching clothing, with britches of an oak embroidered fabric and shirts and waistcoats of opposing colours, the two ‘teams’ of Horn Dancers with their ‘light’ and ‘dark’ horns wore opposite colours on shirt and waistcoats, symbolism aplenty and all looked fantastic in their garb. Something ‘ancient’ in form, yet timeless, the uniform did not look anachronistic, it looked and felt right.

Looking next to the troupe itself, made up of locals whose families have been traditionally involved for many, many years, ages varied, some young and strong, some older and more experienced, one family had 3 generations present, and one person was celebrating 50 years of being involved! The dancers were well versed in their moves, they moved as one, the smaller ‘steps’ being woven into an ever evolving and changing pattern as the lead dancer called out instruction or led them into a wheel. It was obvious to those of us watching that the Horn Dance was something valued greatly by all involved, the troupe had an easy familiarity with one another, mutual respect, friendship and camaraderie were self-evident, an easy humour pervading the day. It felt akin to the brotherhood of absolute trust that is often felt in close knit units of the armed forces, kith and kin, that each would do anything for the others, including lay down their lives – which several did during the great war – overall it appeared that they were a true ‘companie’ in the traditional sense of the word.

Not only was the respect between the troupe itself, but also to those whose homes they visited to ‘beat out the bounds’ and to offer the blessing of their presence. The householders received the dancers with joy, providing refreshments, cakes, sausage rolls, and cups of tea, coffee, beer, juice, and the occasional tot of whisky to keep the dancers going until their next stop. A warm welcome and genuine friendship and a sense of community pervaded the atmosphere, those of us who were visiting were as welcomed as the dancers, each of us blessed by their hospitality.

Next the dance itself, the music provided by the 2 accordion players and their assistant with his triangle, who kept the music going all day long, tunes from modern to medieval contributed greatly to the feel of the whole, the music lifted the heart and when combined with the rest of the spectacle it put a huge grin on my face, from ear to ear. The moves of the Dance were of several types, with the light and dark teams challenging one another with mock ‘rutting’ moves before going ‘through’ with one tem raising their horns above the others as the teams moved between each other, plenty of potential for mistakes, but none were made, no horns set a clashing! Next would be the spiralling of the Horns as a whole, with either light or dark leading they would all process around a figure eight or circle, snaking this way and that, and then there were the opposed and synchronous double circle, where light would be encircled by dark, moving either in the same direction, or in opposite ways, a call from the leader or the fool would then change the form of the dance, onwards ever onwards.

To myself it appeared that there is much symbolism within the dancer’s movements and the Horn Dance itself, from the ‘beating of the bounds’ – which sets the village boundaries and brings together the outlying folks into the community as a whole, to the Dance for the Lady of the Manor, from the dancing of light and dark together to the opposition of the ‘through’, life and death in harmony, the Oss dying from an arrow and coming back to life again with a chop of his jaw! All in all it is challenging, living, loving, blessings given and received, kinship restated and accepted, brotherhood and companie, living Traditional and Culture alive, Fate acknowledged and position understood, there is much that can be seen, but ultimately the symbolism depends upon your own point of view, your own frame of reference and your own personal ‘truth’, if you share my viewpoint then I would hope you will see much beyond the spectacle of a unique Tradition that is kept alive by the Dancers and their families.

All in all the day brought joy to me, the celebration of the harvest, the festival atmosphere, the unassuming nature of keeping a tradition alive, a day that revealed much and yet has more to give, a day that I will treasure as long as I live. This to me is our culture, the British, it is alive, vibrant, visceral and to be treasured, it is not full of bureaucracy, rules and regulations, it is not pandering to political correctness, to do-gooders who don’t understand its history, it is what it is, and it is worthwhile, necessary and needed. Long may it continue and to grow, and long may I return yearly to enjoy and partake of a day of festivities that are what you make of them, perhaps next year we will be better prepared and will walk the full 10 miles of the ‘bounds’, if at all possible then this will be our intent!

As it was this year we stayed around until 4.30pm, when the dancers were well into the village and the number of spectators was getting larger, then with a convalescing friend to visit on the way home we said our goodbye to both the Horn Dance, the village and one of our companions for the day and headed off, to tea, laughter, love and friendship with one dear to us all.

Home was reached for 8pm, and then the three of us sat and talked of the day’s experiences for an hour or so, and agreed that we will all return next year. If you have yet to visit the Horn Dance, then I would urge you to do so, and go early in the morning, to get the full feel for the day, the atmosphere changes as more folks arrive, and become slightly less intimate, it may be a trek, and an early start, but to me it is something totally worthwhile.

Suzanne Read - Breaca Aranwen the Maid of the Hearth of Albion

https://sites.google.com/site/hearthofalbion/home

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