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Tara Festival of Fire 2005 Photo Gallery 1
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Solstice dawn ritual begins.
Touchwood leads a salute to the Sun chant.
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Four Druid friends after dawn
ritual. L - R. Adge-Cornwall, Heidi-Denmark, Gemma Ireland, Touchwood-Australia.
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Druidess leads Earth ritual
at midday
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Janet Farrah & Gavin Bone
pose for photo shoot before the main ritual of fire. These two play
a vital role in this evening ritual.
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As druids gather for the usual summer solstice ritual
at Stonehenge UK. A newer event in Ireland is fast becoming a tradition.
The annual summer solstice 'ritual of fire' at Tara, Ireland is now in its
third year. It is no secret that within the Celtic tradition three is a significant
number. So there was no doubt in anyone's mind that this festival was going
to be very special and significant. In fact it was expressed by many, including
non pagans that they felt that the ancient gods of Tara were awakening again.
I had planed my Europe trip around being in Ireland at the time of the solstice so I had agreed to run a workshop there during the day. I had arranged to stay with my good friends Janet & Gavin in there traditional old stone Irish cottage. On arriving the day before I found it brimming with visitors from all over the world who were in full preparation mode for the big day. I was greeted by my old friend & druid brother from way back: Adge -the fluid druid. His first words were 'you're doing the dawn ritual!' This was the greeting of the sun at Tara, on the solstice dawn: I felt very privileged.
When the time came I decided to camp in a small tent
near Tara hoping to get a few hours sleep before dawn, but sleep would not
come. Laying on the earth of Tara I felt like I had plugged myself into an
electric socket - I was glowing: 'charged'. When the pre dawn light filtered
into my tent I was ready to go.
As a rule the Irish are not morning people. In rural Ireland for most people
the day doesn't begin till past 10.30 pm, so when the small group of druids
gather for the dawn ritual at 4.30 am I was expecting it to be a quiet and
lonely affaire. Imagine my surprise when we where greeted by a large crowd
of people including the press and several TV crews! Despite this we made a
most wonderful sun rise ritual, which was well received by the spectators.
The significance of Tara in ancient times is undeniable, but its glory came to an end & has remained dormant for hundreds of years. However recently is has once again become a battle ground of cultures on many levels: on the one hand that of the old style spiritual values & those of the new capitalist 'Celtic tiger'. And on the other hand supporters of Romanist church of St. Patrick and then those of the revivalist druids. Ireland is still considered to be a very catholic country - but it's changing.
Tara is not so much a single monument but more of an
ancient city of the kings spread over a wide plane. On the big day the longest
on the year, Druids, shaman and witches from all over the globe inc. Ireland,
England, America, Australia, Denman, Lithuania & Siberia had gathered
here. In fact there was reported to be over 2000 people attending this making
it the biggest pagan event in modern Ireland.
Ireland is the fastest developing country in the European Union, and fast becoming one. Of the richest. This phenomenal growth has been termed the 'Celtic tiger'. However Tara is now threatened by this same Celtic tiger. The proposed M3 modern road developments threaten to bisect this sacred site threatening its integrity. The development has brought a large scale reaction against this proposal from friends of Tara and pro heritage conversationalists but so far has fallen on deaf government ears.
The shear scale of this druid 'festival of fire' has
underlined the significance of Tara as a major site not only archeologically
but as a sacred spiritual site on a par with Stonehenge in England. The large
numbers attending and the Hugh media coverage has probably done more for the
activists cause than all the demonstrating put together.
It was extremely heart warming to see so many druids & witches coming
together to fight for a common cause, something I have seen previously in
the UK on many occasions on other development issues. Perhaps this is just
the thing we need to stop all the bitching and biting amongst Australian pagans.
This kind of pro active use of magic and ritual could be beneficially used
in Australia too.
Story by: Corin Thistlewood
Photos by: Ash Galewood
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The three Morrigan, carry sword,
water bowl & skull to the main ritual.
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Participants gather at St. Patrick
church for the main fire festival. The march begins to the ritual site
on Tara.
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Druids from all over the globe
partake in the ritual procession to Tara.
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The main ceremony begins lead
by Janet Farrah.
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