Alban Eiler/Ostara 2009
Mar 22nd, 2009 by celticshaman
When the Sun passes into Aries, around the 20th or 21st of March each year, we celebrate Alban Eiler or Ostara. From this night the forces of light wax and the forces of darkness wane, but on this night they are equally balanced, poised on the razor’s edge. Alban Eiler is a between time, one of the eight portals of the seasons, during which we may more easily move from this world into the realms of Faerie. The surviving pre-Christian traditions associated with this festival are those now collected about the celebration of Easter.
Alban Eiler means Light of the Earth. The Earth does appear to glow with the burgeoning of new life. The tender green of new leaves in the sunlight creates a dazzlement like no other.
This podcast opens with The Song of Wandering Aengus by W.B.Yeats
Next we played The Sands of Aberdeen (2008), from the Jed Marum album of that name. Connect to Jed Marum at http://www.jedmarum.com
Following the Sands of Aberdeen, Dillon read Legends of the Saints: St. Patrick, from Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland by Lady Francesca Speranza Wilde. He also brings us The Baptism of Aongus, by Patrick Kennedy and found in Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts.
From On The Salt Sea by Henry Martin we have the tune Mrs. McGrath.
Dillon and I read two selections from the Carmina Gadelica in English and Scots Gaelic. Our Celtic speaking ancestors depended on the herbs of heath and grove for their health and healing. They respected the wild plants and blessed them. Here are two charms for gathering herbs: The Fairy Wort and The Yarrow.
We end with the song Planxty Glenstal by Tonnta (2008) from the charity album Sanctuary. All profits from the album go to charities supporting victims of domestic violence in Ireland. The artists have all given of their work and time at no cost and have raised the money to pay for the production of this album so that the charities will benefit from the sale of the very first CD. Three charities will benefit: Adapt House, AMEN and the ISPCC. Adapt House is a women’s refuge and support service that provides safe, emergency shelter and support to women and their children who are subjected to domestic abuse in Limerick. Amen is a voluntary group, founded by Mary Cleary in December 1997, which provides a confidential helpline, a support service and information for male victims of domestic abuse. The ISPCC exists to advocate on behalf of all children in Ireland, and to provide a range of independent and unique services which are preventative and empowering. This very worthwhile project deserves our support. Buy the CD. Tell your friends.
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