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Tara Festival of Fire 2005 Photo Gallery 2
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 main ceremony. Two of
the leading characters the Sun: god Lugh & priestess of the
moon by Janet Farrah..
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Druids raise their staffs
calling in the four winds. Touchwood on left foreground.
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A crowd of over 2000 gathered
to witness the festival of fire. The hill of hostages absolutely
covered creating a ready made stadium.
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Uniting Ireland. Representatives
from the four corners of Ireland come together to light the central
fire.
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TV crews jostle to capture
a significant moment: a high priestess calls for the protection
of the Morigan upon Tara.
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Hugh crowds gather to watch
Druid representatives from all over the globe bless the central
fire: the arch druid of HOOD at the fire.
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Touchwood, representing
ACOD and the Druids of Australia, presents his blessing upon the
main fire.
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Gavin Bone representing
his own coven blesses the central fire.
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Procession of the main characters
returning after the ceremony priestess of the Moon, Sun god, the
three Morigans bearing skull, bowl & sword.
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Touchwood in yellow black
& red tartan along side the arch Druid of HOOD
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Three druid friends after
main ritual. L -R. Touchwood-Australia, Heidi-Denmark, Adge-Cornwall.
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