WHO WE ARE
We are local residents including - but not limited to;
Martin, Nora, John, Bernadette, Eileen, Anne and Tom, Anne and many others who join with us in body or in spirit.
We are inclusive and non-denominational drawing on all philosophies and traditions.
Within diversity there is unity and within unity there is diversity.
The vision and intention of the Tara Celebrations website is to provide a resource for all interested in celebrating the festivals of the year by telling the story and sharing our experiences of our gatherings in Ireland. It is maintained by Martin, Nora and Michael. We welcome any queries, insights or input. Please contact one of us at the links below.
Martin Dier
I’m currently working on a project called Living Democracy which is about getting citizen voices heard in major decisions that affect the community. I am writing a book on the Equinox line that runs from coast to coast across the country including Tara!. I’m a contributor to this TaraCelebrations thingy. I teach classes in dream interpretation and am also a healer working mainly with EFT ,bio-energy and various other modalities depending on the situation. An Organiser and author of the North East Natural Health Day '98 and Instigator and Organiser of the “Tara Solstice Festival” ’03. A campaigner for the re routing of the craziness that is the M3 with fingers in many pies including archaeology, education, science, environment and natural health. And on the weekends I'm a part time ghost buster and gardener.
I may be contacted through martin.dier@gmail.com
Nora Judge
The land has been the theme of my life: spirituality in action. Physically working with rocks in a quarry technical department; completing an Earth Sciences Degree; emotionally connecting with places as a tourist and when employed in travel/tourism in England and Ireland; spiritually by facilitating a 'Spriit of the Land' group in England and with TaraCelebrations in Ireland. I have also shared in creating the on-line Bakewell & Tara Tree Trails. Life is a joy! As my mentor Winnie the Pooh said “You can't help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn't spell it right; but spelling isn't everything. There are days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn't count.”
I may be contacted through email@TaraCelebrations.org
Martin and Nora also offer guided visits to Hill of Tara and other local heritage sites - www.NativeSpiritTours.com
We may be contacted through email@NativeSpiritTours.com
Clickopen
Michael Judge aka Clickopen.ca is the bestest of men and our inspired web designer without whom this website would not exist... THANK YOU, MICHAEL!
ILLUSTRATED TALK
Journey through the Wheel of the Year
We are pleased to offer illustrated talks on the Cycle of the Year
an overview of how it is expressed in nature, myth, local archaeological sites and in our own lives.
Previously presented to Dunshaughlin Historical Society and on Hill of Tara at Summer Solstice 2010.
If your club, society or group would be interested in hearing this please contact us.
Contact on-line or call us
Martin Dier - Martin.Dier@gmail.com 00 353 (0)86 3375837
Nora Judge - email@TaraCelebrations.org 00 353 (0)85 1261154
We welcome all those in the local, Irish and global community to join us either in person or in spirit at these seasonal ceremonies
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Web of Life |
Wheel of the Year
What are we celebrating?
It is certain that whatever else happened at ancient sites in Ireland they were and are still used for traditional customs and rituals at particular times of the year. There are many different cycles and calendars and these have been handed down since pre-history, changing as the needs of the individual and community changed. In our rituals and ceremonies we do not seek to do what they did, we seek what they sought. The cycle we use marks the four seasons of Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasadh with the four cardinal days of winter and summer solstice, spring and autumn equinox. The seasons are an expression of what is happening on the land and also in our own lives. The New Year starts on the night of November 8th, (now 31st October) - Samhain. This is the entry into the darkest days of the year and a time of death, for from death comes new life and rebirth. Many of our ancestors started their day as darkness came at dusk and night, not dawn as we do these days.
The Cycle of the Year as the earth moves around the sun, from Samhain back to Samhain
Started by our Bean Feasa, Dolores Whelan, in response to the threat of integrity to the Hill from the insensitively placed M3. The ritualised meditations always invoke the protection of the Hill and healing of the world.
We gather by the gate. It may be 3pm on a sunny summer afternoon or 7pm on a cold dark winter’s night. Some come regularly, others have seen the flyer. E-mail notices have gone out and people around the world light a candle and join us in spirit. Passing visitors attracted by the drum playing, or the happy group chatting, hang at the edge listening. Some decide to come in closer. All are welcome. Friends and strangers hear an explanation of why we are gathering and the intention of the group. A lantern candle is lit. The group tune in to the hill. Then we walk, following well trodden pathways or crossing grassland. The lantern flame judders as it sways over the gentle slopes. We may be visiting the cosy comfort of the Holy Well, the Fairy Tree, the higher ground of Tech Cormaic where awareness is of sky and land or unable to see our outer surroundings at Teach Miodhchuarta. There is such diversity of space on The Hill.
The rain miraculously stops, umbrellas are closed. The silent and spoken requests for a dry hour have been granted. As we move we renew acquaintance with one another or walk quietly in meditation. This ceremony is at Rath Grainne, where your eye is drawn to the Mourne Mountains and Loughcrew. We set down the lamp, still lit, and arrange the crystals, flowers and symbolic items that participants have brought into the centre. The convivial group slowly gather in a circle and one steps out to welcome all. Aware of the space around us, we acknowledge and welcome all aspects and beings of the directions east, south, west, north and centre. The elements of earth, symbolised by soil in a pot, air, an incense stick, fire, a candle, and water from a sacred well, are placed by willing volunteers.
A smudge stick passes around the circle, each gently balanced and cleansed by the wafting smoke. The lantern is held by all. We are now at the end of the Celtic year which begins anew at Samhain. During this time the Sun moves into Libra, the scales, and the underlying energy is about journeying within to re-establish balance and re-affirm stability. We consider the past and how we have dealt with it and consider the future and where we are headed but remain in the present, the point of power.
The energetic vibration on the Sunday is 5, throat chakra, and we work this into our activities. We are led through a meditation using our hands and the power of intent for healing with personal, community and global awareness. A spiral is drawn on the ground with flour and individually we walk this symbol of harmony and balance. We have spoken our truth, demonstrated the power of intention and sent the healing intention to self, others and planet. We focus on Tara. The cold reality of winter has to be faced and everyone makes a personal dream bag to take home and sleep on as we head into the darker winter.
Shared contributions of poetry, stories and song honour our presence and talents. We remember those that have distantly connected with us. Unfortunately they will not be able to enjoy the traditional seasonal foods. Damsons, blackberries and apple pie appear and a mother and child who arrived a few minutes earlier join in the feast of fruits. We gather our belongings and retrace the path over the grass covered hillside back to the gate, our lives rebalanced and refreshed.
Page last updated: 28th Dec 2011
