TARA CEREMONIES

We welcome all those in the local, Irish and global community to join us either in person or in spirit at these seasonal ceremonies on Tara

centrepiece
This is the fifth year of these celebrations, held on the ancient sacred landscape of Tara

directions

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.

Autumn Equinox
It is the end of the Celtic year. We are now half way through Lughnasadh at the celebration that marks our days and nights in balance. The underlying energy is one of balance; retreating within and building resources, planning ahead and thanks for what has been, actively harvesting in the outer world whilst slowing down to dream a new world on the inner. Harvest thanks giving.

Samhain
Samhain is the death of the old. Nature begins her hibernation and withdraws life force from the trees so that they can survive through the tough conditions of winter. We brace for winter with the security of Lughnasadh harvests and release our baggage to the Cailleach and the bone fires. We remember at this time our ancestral dead and honour their presence in our lives. See the Sacred Art of Tara revealed at Samhain 2007 here

Winter Solstice
At Winter Solstice we are in the midst of Dark Samhain and we are aware of the surrounding darkness. The year seems at its most oppressive. But into this darkness the light is reborn. We gather to welcome the light into our hearts and to grow with it towards the fullness of Summer Solstice. This year saw the gathering of about 20 people who took part in our non denominational ceremony of light. Pilgrims were welcomed into the candle infused holy well with a short poem. Each one entered through smudge and light beyond a magical doorway into the sacred space. Meditations were alternated with movement to keep the temprature up and even the hokey cokey found its way in there too, to lighten the mood with fun and laughter. Reflections on "Ether", a group poem for the new year, a narative of the suns winter journey through Irish Mythology and a short meditation on birthing our own light found the time ag rith ar nós na gaoithe on us. And as is now tradition there was food! Hot home made soup (from...

Imbolc
Imbolc Imbolc is often referred to in Irish as the stirring in the belly. It is a way of describing the fertility process of pregnancy. Imbolc is a fire festival that recognises that after the darkness and void that is Samhain comes the dynamism of Yin and Yang, female and male. The polarisation of these two opposites creates a third dynamic, that of the child. Imbolc is thus associated within the human as the first invisible trimester of pregnancy or in the greater world as fecundity in general. On a personal or spiritual level it reminds us to link in with our inspiration and ideas as these have the potential to grow to maturity and change our world for ever. The Irish deity associated with this is the Shela na gig who emphasises the dark opening of the womb from which all life comes. This has been sanitised somewhat and St. Brigid is our modern day Christian counterpart of the yin energy of Imbolc, whilst St. Patrick represents the Yang at the other end of...

Spring Equinox
Spring Equinox Friday 21st MARCH at 2pm Sacred Centre for the Spring Equinox ritual meditation Flowers remind us of this season of renewed hope. Eggs and rabbits remind us that energetically the earth is waking up the creative generative potential within each of us, calling us to be more than we are. The black and white crystals and the Scales symbol remind us that this is a mystic time of balance and intergration leading to a time of growth. The seed for instance must crack its shell and expose itself to the dark but yielding soil to ever hope of seeing the light. March 17th, St Patricks Day, starts an amazing week. We are all probably aware by now, 21st March is Good Friday and a Full Moon day, and we have also arrived at the mid-point of Imbolc, Equinox. And yes, we lose an hour in bed as clocks 'spring' forward on 30th March when Summer time begins. So many special events. An auspicious time to join together for a celebration of the season on Tara. You...

Bealtaine
BEALTAINE FIRE FESTIVAL Hill of Tara May 4th at 3pm Cattle were protected by passing them through the magical twin fires of Bealtaine This years ritual meditation will include: a light bearer carrying the light from the direction of Uisneach where the sacred fire was first kindled each member of the group holding the light, placing their intent and passing the flame lighting of our Bealtaine fire planting seeds and imbuing them with life force Meditation on Mary as this is her month and on mothering the earth purification by fire creation of a magic elixir vitae contributions from those gathered Below a detail of a Bealtaine Posie with herbs and flowers of the season. Below: Our special elixer vitae healing potion/ healing vibration that we created and energised on the hill of Tara. Below: Our Bealtaine threshold Bealtaine is the time of year when nature suddenly seems to...

Summer Solstice
SATURDAY 21st JUNE 2008 Summer Solstice At Summer Solstice the sun pauses on its yearly route through the heavens giving us the shortest night and longest day. This is a turning point, a time for celebration and abundance. Like the sun we also pause for thought to reflect on abundance and the impact of its shadow in our world. This year we are creating a symbolic Mandala of the Heart with flowers to connect with our spiritual selves All Welcome Photo Diary of Summer Solstice on Tara 2008 Starting the night before (June 20th) we observed the moon rise, which is in the same position as the winter solstice sunrise this year. This picture is looking out over the Gabhra Valley. Then we lit a candle for Adge who loved this place with all his heart. Sunrise behind the Church, Lia Fáil in foreground. Some of the Crowd gathered to drum up the sun. Part of our Tara...

Lughnasadh
Sunday 10 August at 3pm Gate Keeper on Tara: “Who are you?...for none without an art may enter Tara.” Lugh: “I am Lugh, master of story telling I am Lugh, master of healing I am Lugh, master of knowledge I am Lugh, master of sailing I am Lugh, master of magic I am Lugh, master of smithing I am Lugh, master of carpentry I am Lugh, master of the Harp I am Lugh, master of champions I am Lugh, master of poetry I am Lugh, master of the battle." So the story of the arrival of Lugh goes. Lugh was part Tuath de Danann , part Fomorian, the ildánach , master of all arts. Orator, Harper, Healer, Historian, Poet, Cup bearer, Carpenter, Champion, Smith, Magician. The coming of Lugh is a well known Irish story in which Lugh “ Samildáanach ”(Master of all the arts) presents himself at the gates of Tara, capital of Ireland, and demonstrates his ability to lead. So skilled was...

Last Updated: 29th May 2008 16:15