Alban Eilir
Spring is officially here; today is the vernal equinox.
Many of the neo-pagan religions — and some of the ancient ones, as well — recognize holidays at these important points of the calendar. The equinoxes (equinoxii? Firefox spellcheck says “no.”) and solstices mark four of those and are frequently called “quarters.” Then there are four more placed roughly in between the quarters — Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh.
One of the reasons the pagan religions appeal to me so strongly is this sensitivity to rhythm and natural processes. Each of these holidays recognize stages of cycles we all live with and experience: birth, vitality, decline, and death. I don’t think you have to be pagan or even particularly religious to think about the seasons in these terms and use the holidays as a guide and emotional ground.
But while many religions — particularly the religions of the Book, but also some of the mystery traditions — seek to remove us from our natural world and focus our attention elsewhere, the various paganisms teach us that we are deeply, wholly vested in the natural world. Children of the Earth, if I can be so flighty.
Fairies and gods and magic(k) are one thing. But for my money the heart of religious practice is here, in the wheel of the year, and pausing to reflect on how that wheel is reflected in our own lives.
The Elf’s second trimester is nearly over. Not long after the Summer solstice and the celebration of vitality that day represents, our own son will be born.