18 December 2004
On Saturday 18 December, the Albion Conclave and the
Druid Network, co-founders of the Mistletoe Foundation, presented an event
which it hoped would have a profound influence upon the modern Druidic
tradition.
Saturday 18 December fell on the sixth day of the new moon: the sixth
day within the growing phase of the lunar cycle was believed to be a time
of powerful magic within the philosophy of ancient Druidry. When this
lunar phase was close to the solar polarity of the Winter Solstice, one
of the most important events in the ancient Druidic calendar took place,
the great rite of harvesting mistletoe.
The event was held in the heart of the Forest of Dean, one of the last
great strongholds of mistletoe in the UK, with some participants gathering
on the Friday evening, the rest of the group arriving by noon on Saturday.
An Overview of The Weekend
After lunch, a rite of welcome was made, facilitated by Stephan Seniuk
and Emma Restall Orr, followed by an afternoon of discussion about the
purpose and hopes for the ritual that was to be made in the evening.
The rite itself took place around dusk, beginning at the fire circle
where the spirits of place and the ancestors were honoured. Everyone there
was given some of last year's 'golden bough', mistletoe cut the previous
winter, and each person given the opportunity to give it into the fire,
releasing the last of the previous cycle, setting the stories into spirit.
The gathering then processed to the small lake, where offerings were made,
a bronze ram-headed torc thrown into the water.
The procession then continued to the lime tree, prayers made by some
of the group before the gathering found its place beneath the bare canopy.
The sacrifice was then made, red wine poured over the sickle, with prayers
spoken to the gods and the ancestors, and the tree was climbed for the
mistletoe to be cut. The bough severed was caught in a cloth, woven for
the purpose, held by four guardians.
Back at the fire circle, the ritual was ended with thanks given to the
gods, the spirits and the community.
A brew was made with the first that was cut of the mistletoe, and this
was shared amongst all who attended, and then the feasting began.
On Sunday morning, we were blessed to have with us mistletoe expert,
Jonathon Briggs, who gave a talk on the herb. We then spoke of what was
to be done with the mistletoe that had been cut, ideas shared and inspired,
and the mistletoe was then distributed amongst the weekend's participants.
