WELCOME
CELTIC FESTIVALS AT ANAM CARA
The Anam Cara family is committed to coming back into harmony with the cycles and seasons. One of the ways that we seek to do this is through celebrating the different seasonal milestones throughout the Wheel of the Year.
Those of us with Celtic ancestry have been exploring the Gaelic festivals of the solstices, equinoxes and cross-quarter sabbaths for some years. However, we acknowledge that here in on different Country, the elements and timings of these festivals may need to change and grow into something that fits this great southern land. Perhaps in collaboration with other traditions. There is much weaving that needs to happen to take us into a New World, and creating new festivals that align with the cycles and seasons of this particular place is a core part of the bridging time we find ourselves in.
We invite co-creation with others to explore and host these festivals here at Anam Cara. As these rituals and celebrations take form over the years, we envisage that there will eventually be a retreat associated with each festival, so we may journey the lessons and rites of passage that each seasonal portal offers to us.
The 8 seasonal vortices are:
Meet The Team
Imbolc
Falls on a southern hemisphere August date. Was associated with the Celtic Goddess Brigid. The shift from deep winter into growth and new life just beginning to peak through the earth. The birds begin a different call in the days around Imbolc as they prepare to mate and nest.
In the past we have conducted a 'Blessing of the Seeds' ceremony for all the seeds that we will now sow into the seed house in preparation for next year's summer garden.
Recent years have seen Imbolc energy arriving well before the usual date, with blossoms and signs of full spring in full flow by August. The changing weather also presents conundrums to the honouring of these festivals, that we invite exploration and conversation around. For example, how can we still be in the beauty and appreciation of nature's cycles when we have worry and fear at their current imbalance?
Ostara
Spring equinox in the northern hemisphere is the original Easter-tide - a spring celebration of fertility, eggs, baby animals, the emerging sun and glorious blossom-filled days.
In the southern hemisphere this lands in September. We watch the seeds planted at Imbolc growing and thriving.
Beltaine
Traditionally this was the time of singing and dancing around the Maypole on May Day (1st May).
Passion, sexuality and creativity are celebrated.
Falls in October in the southern hemisphere. Summer is around the corner and the energy is high!
Litha
This is the summer solstice and falls close to Christmas. in the southern hemisphere.
The longest day of the year with the sun at its most powerful.
In past years we have decorated Christmas trees with crafted sunflowers and shared a summer feast with friends.
Lughnasadh
The first of the harvest festivals. Usually coincides with hay making in February.
In past celebrations we have made plaited harvest loaves in honour of the grains.
Mabon
The autumn equinox falls in late March and is the second of the harvest festivals.
This one is a biggie with a huge celebration for the incredible abundance being harvested from the garden at this time of year and preserved for the winter time.
Samhain
This cross-quarter sabbath eventually became what we now call Halloween in the northern hemisphere.
It is the time of year to begin to travel inwards as we head towards winter. It is a time to connect with the ancestors and seek their guidance and healing.
It's a wonderful festival that allows us to visit death with sensitivity, respect, but also humour. '
The third and final harvest festival for the growing year, with pumpkins and root crops taking centre stage.
Early May in the southern hemisphere.
Yule
The original Christmas-tide was a celebration of the light in the darkness, and falls in southern hemisphere late June.
This is a time to cosy down by the fire with loved ones, tell stories, and feast on the produce put by during the harvest.
This is a great time of year to walk spirals and labyrinths with lanterns in the dark of night.