11-26-2010, 08:02 AM
Hummmm I guess I see the Christmas and Celtic pagan thing rolled into one.
The time were in now (starting at Samhain) the time of darkness and inner seeking... the cold dark nights, roots under the earth are strengthening. A time of reflection on the year gone… and to integrate what we have learnt.
I see Christmas as celebration or rebirth of light in all senses I guess
Perhaps it helps when your somewhere cold and dark. I see the year as having phases, just like the moon dose, most of the Christian celebrations were tagged onto the old Celtic ones to help get the people to accept it, so I find the celebrations complement each other nicely.
Everything is quiet and dormant waiting the return of the light again for the cycle to start over.
I see it as a time of stillness and quiet, and giving thanks for the cycle of life our friends and family.
At this time of year I find it easy to connect with the ancients of this land, and how it must have felt in the cold dark winter, a time of dreams and darkness and inner seeking – then the celebration of the rebirth of the year… the coming together in what can be a cold isolating time for many and giving thanks for the cycle of life and the strengthening light that will bring the new season.
There is a lovely book called Sacred Celebrations., Glennie Kindred
It has the history of all the Celtic celebrations from shamanic/pagan/druidic roots - with Suggestions for connecting with the season in individual/family or big group ways, ideas for things to make, ways to involve kids, mediations and history.
When I lived in Brighton we had a big shared allotment and would celebrate all the festivals up there outside.... cooking seasonal food in the open, planting seeds or waiting the sun depending on the season.
It was a lovely way to connect with the earth, spirit and each other... and have a party
The time were in now (starting at Samhain) the time of darkness and inner seeking... the cold dark nights, roots under the earth are strengthening. A time of reflection on the year gone… and to integrate what we have learnt.
I see Christmas as celebration or rebirth of light in all senses I guess
Perhaps it helps when your somewhere cold and dark. I see the year as having phases, just like the moon dose, most of the Christian celebrations were tagged onto the old Celtic ones to help get the people to accept it, so I find the celebrations complement each other nicely.
Everything is quiet and dormant waiting the return of the light again for the cycle to start over.
I see it as a time of stillness and quiet, and giving thanks for the cycle of life our friends and family.
At this time of year I find it easy to connect with the ancients of this land, and how it must have felt in the cold dark winter, a time of dreams and darkness and inner seeking – then the celebration of the rebirth of the year… the coming together in what can be a cold isolating time for many and giving thanks for the cycle of life and the strengthening light that will bring the new season.
There is a lovely book called Sacred Celebrations., Glennie Kindred
It has the history of all the Celtic celebrations from shamanic/pagan/druidic roots - with Suggestions for connecting with the season in individual/family or big group ways, ideas for things to make, ways to involve kids, mediations and history.
When I lived in Brighton we had a big shared allotment and would celebrate all the festivals up there outside.... cooking seasonal food in the open, planting seeds or waiting the sun depending on the season.
It was a lovely way to connect with the earth, spirit and each other... and have a party