A Blessed Solstice if somewhat belated, as this post is
written in retrospect and we are now very likely turning our minds to the
Lammastide. Here I review my activities over the month of June and early July.
My adventures have been varied, enjoyable and tiring, as I have filled three
weeks annual leave almost without a pause. Much of what I will very briefly
touch upon will I hope, be covered in later and separate blog posts. The
highlight without any doubt and the primary content of this post however, was a
post Summer Solstice betrothal ceremony and celebratory picnic.
Indeed my first important action of my leave was to spend
Sunday the 19th of June visiting the betrothal site, with the couple
and other members of the betrothal party. This was for a viewing, a general orientation
and an informal rehearsal. This very much helped to settle my mind, as I wanted to get a ‘feel’ of the place.
My first jolly trip in the lead up to the solstice however, was
a visit to the city of Sheffield on Monday 18th June. I went to
attend a lecture in what is now Sheffield, at the wonderful Bishop’s House
Museum by Professor John Moreland. His presentation was titled ‘the impact of
the Reformation in the Peak District’ and focused in particular on the
Derbyshire village of Bradbourne.
Before the lecture I had time for an enjoyable walk around
the city and considering the content of the later lecture, it was apt that I
should find myself in the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of St Marie. This beautiful building dates from the early to middle Victorian period and is part of the great Catholic Emancipation of that time. The building is charming, tasteful
and has an atmosphere of tranquillity. It is a building not much more than a
century old, yet it feels older. The heritage of the Catholic tradition seems almost
tangible in expression.
These feelings were reinforced later at the riveting lecture
presented by Professor Moreland and this was to prove the theme of my
experience over the summer. So much esoteric symbolism is evident in the older
Catholic buildings when compared with emptiness of the Anglican Church. I am
left with the uneasy feeling that the Puritans in their zeal to purge the post
Reformation English Church of the last vestiges of Catholicism, effectively and
tragically, threw out the baby with the bathwater. Leaving a spiritual void, a
church lacking mystery and passion.
Tuesday 19th of June was our usual and now
regular Hearth of the Turning Wheel Moot in Derby. A time for a small number of
us with connections to the Hearth, that is to say members of the Inner Court,
Outer Court and Friends of the Hearth, to socialise. A drink and dinner with
friends, complemented by good conversation is always a good way to spend the
evening. It was also a convenient time to discuss almost at the last minute,
our plans for the betrothal on the approaching Saturday.
On Wednesday the 20th of June I decided to take
another journey, travelling to the Derbyshire village of Breaston to view St
Michael's Church. This is a Norman church, quite charming and still retains
some rather interesting features. Outside carved into the arch of the blocked
up south door are signs of the zodiac. Today they are heavily eroded and barely
readable. These carvings date from early in the church’s history and pose many
questions, regarding the now lost symbolism of church architecture.
Inside is what is officially described as a grotesque. A
large, near life size carving of a chubby faced boy. The origin is unknown,
although there are many theories. How this grotesque survived the destruction
of the Reformation is unknown. Perhaps being regarded as secular, it was felt
unnecessary to remove it. The church today faces yet more change, modifications
that some churches have declined.
In an effort to make churches more community based, the
powers of the Anglican Church have issued policy guidelines suggesting that
pews should be removed. A common practice in other Protestant churches, in
particular those of an Evangelical leaning. As an outsider and as something of
a traditionalist, I find myself asking; is a church a place of worship or an
ornate village hall?
The Summer Solstice was Thursday the 21st of June
2018 and I was up bright and early. By half four in the morning I was on a hill
overlooking the neighbouring village. This was not my usual spot and although
picturesque, it proved to be unsuitable. I was required to move my spot to get
a better view of the sunrise and it was from this alternative viewing location,
that I toasted the golden orb with mead from my drinking horn. Unfortunately my
photographic skills were lacking on the day and I remain rather unhappy with
the results of my attempt to capture a sunrise.
The major social occasion of the week was on Saturday the 23rd
of June, the Eve of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist and therefore joining
with the solstice itself, the birthing period of the Holly King. In a park
within the bounds of the city of Derby, a goodly number of us gathered to
celebrate the engagement of Dominic the Defender of the Hearth of the Turning
Wheel, to his lady Adele with a formal betrothal ceremony.
I had the honour of officiating and the ceremony was open to
many connected with the HTW, not exclusive beyond family and friends of the
couple. This was a decision made by the Defender, as the ritual would include a
Hearth solstice observance.
We gathered on a rise above the main area of the park and
away from the river. The working area, the picnic area and the changing area,
each having clear demarcations. All those attending were encouraged to dress
for the occasion. I was in full Saxon to early Norman attire with more than a
few historical anomalies. Experts would have noted the errors and it is
unlikely I could have passed the ‘ten foot rule’ never mind any closer
examination. The working area was set up along the lines of the compass, with
painted shields used to designate the compass points themselves.
Arrangements for the betrothal had been ongoing for some
time and had necessitated not only the granting of permission by the rangers of
the park authority but importantly, informing the police formally. Many of
those attending including myself, would be bearing arms and a sword was to be an
integral element of the ritual.
Also present were two professional photographers from Peacock
Obscura Photography and two animal handlers with assorted birds from Talonted Feathers.
The links to both are below. The latter would provide an avian escort at the
beginning of the ceremony and a blessing near the closing.
We eventually gathered to the south of the ritual area and leaving
my shield and horn on the boundary, I entered bearing a broadsword. Saluting
the altar I began a banishing, loudly and dramatical. So loud and dramatic,
that I spooked the nearby raven on the arm of one of the handlers and one of
the younger owls.
The guests present then walked around the ritual space to
form a circle, with the elemental callers taking station at each of their
designated points. The Defender’s son Alex followed me to perform the Hammer
Working, an adjunct to my own banishing before the quarter callers began their
own actions. Since the Defender of the Hearth is a Heathen, it is natural that
elements of the Northern traditions should be incorporated throughout.
The entrance of the betrothal party consisting of Adele, Dominic
and their seconds, was the final part of the jigsaw and heralded the start of
the proceedings proper. After my formal welcome to the attendees gathered
around us, the couple made public their formal intent and exchanged gifts. This
part of the ceremony being deeply personal, was also a deeply emotional one for
several persons present.
Then followed the binding of hands and if this is done
correctly; should result on removal, in a knotted cord forming a figure of
eight. When stretched between the fingers of both hands, the X rune Gifu or
Gebo should be the visible. I had been practising my knot tying for some time.
The closing of the ritual now began, with mead and cake
being blessed by the couple themselves and a final, unique blessing provided by
the handler of the raven. This involved after a parable, the raven taking
station upon the joined wrists of our couple.
I provided one final blessing; “My Lords and Ladies of Aesir and
Vanir, we thank you for your attendance upon us in our rite. Ere the circle is
finally opened I ask your blessings on all here as we go from this place.
Aegir calm the waves of your
journey,
Thor give you a fair wind to fill
your sails,
Tyr give you the victory you
deserve,
And Frey lead your hunt.
May Skadi guide your arrows,
May Frigga keep your hearth always
warm,
May Freya bring you Valkyries to
aid you,
And may Saga tell tales of your
great deeds.”
Dominic adding, “And may Loki
never tie your shoe laces together as you are coming down the stairs.” This is
an ending that really fails to raise a smile.
I had one final closing remark, “Let
the circle be open, any spirits, elves, dwarves or unicorns trapped by it be
released, and all here be free to go with no bonds except those of troth and
friendship.”
My dislike of airy fairy unicorns is well known and had
become a running joke during preparations for the betrothal. Even reaching a
point when a unicorn headdress and tabard was suggested for ritual wear. I had
missed the unicorn banishing during rehearsal however and my shocked reaction
caused some mirth.
Finally and I do mean finally, the happy couple jumped the
besom and guests were invited to follow. I then removed the handfasting cord,
slipping it off the wrists still knotted. Not an easy task as I had tied it
rather tight and I was delighted to see the rune, letting out magic word
‘yippee’ as I did so.
There followed an enjoyable and relaxing picnic, all present
basking in the beautiful weather before our diaspora at the end of the
afternoon. Many of us returning home to refresh ourselves before reconvening
the celebrations at the Old Bell Hotel in Derby for a betrothal reception. We
all wish the couple a blessed future and look forward to the more formal
handfasting next year.
On the Sunday I was truly worn out. Indeed my annual leave
was beginning to run with a discernible theme. One day of high activity being followed
by a near total collapse. On Monday the 25th of June however, I
decided on another trip. This time travelling to Wollaton Park in Nottingham,
meeting a friend and exploring the grounds.
Wollaton Hall is an Elizabethan mansion that formally
belonged to the Willoughby family, the Barons Middleton. Today it is a
municipal park and museum owned by Nottingham City Council. The manor itself is
ornate and has many wondrous carvings places as decoration. The building was
designed by Robert Smythson, the architect responsible for Longleat and
Hardwick. His designs influenced later architects and their work, including the
creation of Locko Hall near Derby, built over hundred years later.
The park is famous for the deer, red and fallow. It was my
intention to capture them on camera but the heat meant that most where hiding
away in the shade, away from the public areas. My only snap of the deer is so
poor that I have not published it and although I disturbed a fawn while walking
through some ferns, I was unable to get a picture.
Although my hopes of seeing the deer were thwarted, I did
enjoy exploring the park. It is truly remarkable to think, that only a couple
of miles away is the bustle of the city centre. Here at Wollaton one can enjoy
a cocoon of peace, detached from the stress of a town life and admire the
woodland beauty.
On the way home I explored the canal route in the town of
Sandiacre. Here I took pictures of swans that are amongst the best taken that
day. I spent all afternoon at Wollaton Park and did not get a single good
picture of the deer. I spent half an hour walking the Sandiacre canal and got
some stunning shots of swans. That’s life. I came away however, with a swan’s
flight feather. A bonus.
The Nottingham Pagan Network Moot takes place on the last
Wednesday of the month at the Lincolnshire Poacher in the city. I was invited
to speak at the moot taking place on the 27th of June and I spent
several weeks in preparation. This obviously necessitated writing the
presentation but as is my usual procedure, also included several timed
rehearsals. My instruction being to keep within a thirty minute slot.
I met one of the hosts of the moot, a pleasant and
supportive gentleman called Howard, well before I was due to perform. A man of
kindness and generosity, he took me for dinner at the Round House and firmly
refused to go Dutch. I delivered my presentation in what is usually a cosy
backroom of the pub, the heat of the day however, made the gathering a little
less comfortable than usual. With a very acceptable attendance of over twenty
persons, it was rather close.
The title of my presentation was ‘My Journey – my Crooked
Path’ and the premise was to give some idea of where I began my journey, the
changes of direction I have experienced and where I am now. Not an easy task at
any time and within a twenty five minute delivery, challenging.
I attempted to explain a move from atheism to witchcraft,
without ever truly experiencing Christianity. A journey that although it has
left me lacking in the actual involvement, has had the unforeseen benefit; that
I outgrew the anti-church phase experienced by many new to Paganism very early.
This has thirty years later, left me with an appreciation of the esoteric
within Christianity and a growing interest in the English Reformation.
No one chooses their path and no one chooses their Gods.
These things come about by other means, which we as mere mortals subject to
fate, are unlikely to ever fully understand. This premise and my own meandering
path from atheism to polytheism, I may have delivered with greater intensity
than necessary. I am pleased to report however, that my presentation has been
well received and may yet be reprised in an extended form.
Although I did cover briefly the philosophy of the Hearth of
the Turning Wheel, with regard to the Solstices not being the time of change.
We perceive the equinoxes to be the points when the crown is passed from one
king to another. I was unable to go further and introduce the esoteric concept
of Christ and the Baptist, as Oak and Holly Kings. This may be a subject I
shall return to at a later time.
The next evening (Thursday the 28th) I was in
Longeaton, a Derbyshire town close to the county border, to watch an energetic
performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. The production
was by the Erewash Musical Society Youth Group and I estimated the age range to
vary from ten to sixteen.
The sheer exuberance of the young cast carried this
production and proved to be delightful entertainment. Perhaps because I do not
have the anti-church baggage that some carry, I can appreciate a musical such
as this and Jesus Christ Superstar, without bias.
During that last week of June Nottingham City Council waved
the usual admission fee to the Castle. This is because the Castle and grounds
are being closed whilst restoration and remodelling takes place. This is a
major project that is expected to last two years. Like many others I chose to
take advantage of this free entry and say a fond if temporary farewell to the
attraction.
The castle site sits high on a cliff but it is no longer a
castle. That building was unfortunately destroyed by the Puritans after the
Civil War. A military form of iconoclasm almost comparable to their vandalism
of our churches. Today the building is a ducal palace housing the city museum.
Besides the great mythological significance of the Castle to
the legend that is Robin Hood, the Castle has considerable historical
significance. Somewhere in the hidden caves is the famous Mortimer’s Hole (see
Marlowe’s Edward II), used by the youthful Edward III to enter the castle in
secret and arrest his mother and her lover. The same Edward III later kept King
Duncan II of Scotland prisoner in the castle
My second theatre visit was on Tuesday the 3rd of
July and that was to see the musical Oliver in Derby. Presented by the Creatio
Youth this production had 90% of the cast under the age of eighteen. It was an enjoyable,
entertaining and competent presentation.
My last real activity of my long summer break, was a return almost
to my starting point. I travelled to Nottingham on Wednesday the 4th
of July, to attend the Empyrean lecture at the Theosophical Hall on Maid Marion
Way. This was an important trip, made to hear and support Dominic the Defender
of the Hearth of the Turning Wheel, deliver a presentation on Runelore; historical
and contemporary. This was his first public appearance after the betrothal and
his first engagement at Empyrean.
Prior to our arrival at the hall I met with a group of
friends at the delightful Trip to Jerusalem for dinner. We sat hidden away in
one of the cave snugs, positively absorbing the historical atmosphere of this
building, claimed to be the oldest pub in England.
Since our Defender’s presentation will eventually be the
subject of a separate review, I do not wish to say too much regards the
content. Suffice to state that his presentation was professional and displayed
deep insight. His observations on the development of the runic script, its
earliest documentation and how history can inform us on their use today, whilst
avoiding more fanciful interpretations, was replete with meaning.
So ended three weeks of activity, trips, rehearsals and performances.
I find that I now need a holiday, to recover from my holiday. May those that
are wise understand what is written and may Loki never tie your shoelaces
together, while you are coming down the stairs.
Peacock Obscura Photography
Talonted Feathers
Nottingham Pagan Network
Nottingham Empyrean Pagan Interest Group
