“On Raglan Road on an autumn day I met her first and knew… That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue…”
Patrick Kavanagh, Irish poet and novelist
Cover art by William Stott
September 21 – September 23
The Autumn Equinox is called Cónocht an Fhómhair in Gaeilge and Co-fhad-thràth an Fhoghair in Scots Gaelic as well as Alban Elfed in Welsh which means ‘light of the water’.
At the autumn equinox, light and darkness weigh evenly, as if the sky itself has paused to measure balance. The sun lowers with a softened brilliance, casting long golden strokes across fields that are heavy with harvest. Leaves begin their slow alchemy, turning fire-bright before surrendering to the earth and giving needed sustenance back into the life giving soil. All the signs begin to appear… nature is heading back into rest again. The day marks a moment of exchange: day hands the world gently to night, warmth yields to coolness, growth ripens into release. The energy is one of quiet abundance and a graceful letting go, a rhythm that whispers of both gratitude and impermanence.
In the stillness, you can feel the pulse of the earth shift, outward expansion drawing inward, the wild rush of summer gathering into contemplation. The equinox is not an end, but like the spring equinox, it is another sacred threshold. Animals and insects are beginning to prepare for winter and plants are slowly withdrawing to preserve their energy. As humans and an agricultural people, we would likely have been doing the same thing. We would have harvested the last crops, preserved meats and put things away in storage for protection against the impending harshness of winter. As the marking of this event has evolved over the millennia, it has become representative of the gratitude for the harvest; for the bounty we have in our lives and good food, family and friends.
Although, there isn’t much, if any reference to celebratory events that took place on the equinoxes directly, we know people had knowledge of it and recognized it’s occurrence by the alignment of sacred stone structures. There are quite a few alignments in Ireland such as the Gossan Stones, Loughcrew, Knowth, Drombeg and the Grianan of Aileach. In Britain, Castlerigg stone circle may align with the equinox. There’s also possible alignments at the Callanish stones in Scotland and it’s speculated that the Men-an-tol stone hole formation in Cornwall is aligned or had something to do with the equinoxes. There are likely many others that are simply not as well known and rightly so.
“This Men-an-tol may be an old dial, erected originally to fix the proper time for the celebration of the autumnal equinox, and, though it may have been applied to other purposes likewise, such as the curing of children by dragging them several times through the hole, still its original intention may have been astronomical.” – William Bottrell, Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, Vol. 2, 1873
In an effort to reinvigorate the bardic tradition in Wales the first modern official annual meeting of an organized Bardic tradition took place during the Autumn Equinox of 1792. The group was formed by Iolo Morganwg called ‘Gorsedd of the Bards’. A circle of stones was formed on Primrose Hill, in the middle of which was the Maen Gorsedd, where a naked sword was placed. All of the Bards assisted in sheathing it representing their intentions to be heralds of peace, lawfulness and justness.1 St. Matthews Feast Day occurs on September 21st and is somewhat thought to be a Christian supplantation of the Autumn Equinox. Essentially, more harvesting, feasting, trading as well as honoring and preparing for the changes taking place. Additionally, the feast of St. Michael occurs on September 29th. If you look into both of these feast days, there are other interesting folkloric traditions that feel like they have older roots such as a processions and pilgrimages, although that is of course, speculation. Many scholars believe that the celebrations that took place at this time were likely very similar to the ones on Lughnasa.
There were naturally quite a few folk traditions and practices that took place around this time related to life in general. In Ireland these included taking new potatoes out of the ground2, gathering berries such as blackberries and various nuts3,4 (often done by the children) and people noted and marveled at the migration of birds and enjoyed watching them on their journey. Oyster dredging took place in spring and autumn.5 It was considered bad luck to get married in autumn (you’d die young)6 and thatching was often done7. As already mentioned, it was common for people to travel around to sell their goods at townships they did not live at year round…
“The travelling folk often visit this district especially in the Summer and Autumn months. The same people have been doing so for many years. They generally have a good many things selling, such as rugs, lace, tincans, cups, saucers, beads, and glasses. The people generally buy from them. They also buy horse hair from the people. There are a good many families in it. The people who visit this vicinity most are, Caseys, McCarthys, Doyles, and McSweeneys’. They usually come during Summer or Autumn… Some of them are great for curing animals such as sick horses and cows. The young boys go to hear them singing and telling stories. They give them information about things. They have some food with them. They take alms with them such as bread, milk, potatoes, flour, meat, sugar, tea, and old clothes and boots. They travel in cars and more of the riches folk travel in caravans. The most of them have families. They tell stories of former times.”8
“They usually come in Autumn. At that time they are gathering into Ballinasloe for the October Fair Week. During that time they tell people’s fortunes.“9
These are just a few out of genuinely, hundreds of references to the ebb and flow of life during the autumn season in Ireland. There are countless similar practices and traditions that vary depending on the locale in the entirety of the isles. The Autumn Equinox is overall a beautiful time of year marked with poignant feelings of nostalgia, yearning and gratitude as well as heart breaking and inspiring beauty in equal measure.
“As I wander by Shannon’s side. At the close of an Autumn day; Fond thoughts of my lover bide, As thy trees in the soft wind play, Whispering leaves on an Autumn eve, What can your message be? Whisper as you’re gently falling, Is my true love calling, Whisper that I may see. Oh, what says your gentle voice; What does your fancy see? Is my love, my dear love, coming back to me? Whispering me? When the red sun sinks in the west and the stars twinkle in the sky all nature is lulled to rest, And my thoughts to my loved ones fly, Whispering leaves on an Autumn eve, What can your message be? Whisper as you’re gently falling, Is my true love calling, Whisper that I may see. Oh what says your gentle voice; What does your fancy see? Is my love, my dear love, Coming back to me. Whispering me?” – P. A. Conmel, 1920’s
References
- Wright, Dudley, Druidism – The Ancient Faith of Britain, 1924, pg. 171.
- The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0500, Page 628
- The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0369D, Page 07_026
- The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0410C, Page 01_028
- The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0924, Page 28
- The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0379, Page 21
- The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0410, Page 371
- The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0592, Page 246
- The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0056, Page 0387
Isla Skye
Isla is an American Irish mother of 3, teacher, author and herbalist that splits her time between the states and Ireland. She has been studying folklore as well as the druids and related practices for over 20 years. Her hobbies are family time, reading, camping, hiking, spending time with her many animals as well as writing and research.