Trethevy Quoit, known locally as The Giants House can be found in the parish of St Cleer in Cornwall. It is one of the best preserved examples of a portal dolmen in Cornwall, made of granite and standing at just under three metres tall. It was built around 3500BC during the Neolithic period and would have been covered by a cairn when constructed. Although it has been theorised that the capstone may have been left visible. Remnants of the cairn can still be seen today. The back stone has also fallen in, leaving the capstone at a jaunted angle. The earliest drawing of Trethevy Quiot is from 1600s, which shows that the back stone had fallen prior to this date.
There is a rectangular shape that has been carved into the front stone, which may have been used as an entry to the tomb or a place to leave offerings to the ancestors. A small hole in the cap stone has also been carved, but it is not known if these are original features or were added some time later.
There is a rectangular shape that has been carved into the front stone, which may have been used as an entry to the tomb or a place to leave offerings to the ancestors. A small hole in the cap stone has also been carved, but it is not known if these are original features or were added some time later.
One theory is that the hole in the cap stone was carved prior to the tombs construction, so that rope could be tied through it to make manoeuvring the cap stone to its final place easier. Another theory is that the hole was carved into the cap stone to be used as an aid for stargazing. On the other hand, they may have actually been natural features of these stones and that is why they were chosen for the construction of the monument.
Trethevy (Cornish, Tredhewi) means "place of the graves". It is said that a group of giants gathered in the area to hurl stones, dance and perform rituals for their ancestors, which led to it being known locally as "The Giants House". Another name for the dolmen is King Arthur's Quoit. Legend says that King Arthur and his men moved the stones from a nearby field and lifted them into postition.
Trethevy (Cornish, Tredhewi) means "place of the graves". It is said that a group of giants gathered in the area to hurl stones, dance and perform rituals for their ancestors, which led to it being known locally as "The Giants House". Another name for the dolmen is King Arthur's Quoit. Legend says that King Arthur and his men moved the stones from a nearby field and lifted them into postition.
Forwarded from Æhtemen
For us English heathens ‘Mothers’ night’ will soon be here. Bede made the claim that the English celebrated gēol (yule) on the solstice but claimed Mothers’ Night was celebrated on christmas day (25th Dec). This was something that the church would often do, equate our holidays with theirs in an attempt to convert the pagans. However, once England was thoroughly christianised the opposite applied and the church did all it could to separate christian holidays from their heathen origins. In around 1010AD the christian priest Byrhtferð sets the record straight and in his writings puts the heathen celebrations back on the solstice, making a clear distinction between the old ways and the teachings of the church.
Forwarded from : Elurka :
ᚹ
: This Yule, remember all those who've passed, those of importance today & who'll carry the fervent flame into the future :
ᛚ
: This Yule, remember all those who've passed, those of importance today & who'll carry the fervent flame into the future :
ᛚ
https://inews.co.uk/news/duke-northumberland-loses-appeal
Fantastic news. Common sense prevails over money for once. Allotments are such a vital space for those of us who simply cannot afford to buy land to grow food. A loss of such a space, especially in a place like London would be an absolute travesty.
Fantastic news. Common sense prevails over money for once. Allotments are such a vital space for those of us who simply cannot afford to buy land to grow food. A loss of such a space, especially in a place like London would be an absolute travesty.
inews.co.uk
Duke of Northumberland loses appeal to build flats on allotments
Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland and a friend of King Charles, wanted to build 80 homes on the three-acre Park Road Allotment site in Isleworth, west London
Forwarded from The Fyrgen • ᚫᛚᚢ:ᚢᛚᚫ
Dating the Yuletide
I've noticed over the last year or two, many more Heathens have begun to mark their rituals and holytides by the lunar cycle, synchronising them with the approximately thirteen full moons that we have each year. This is legitimate and traditional practice, I think, mainly because the full moon is an obvious and universal (relatively speaking) common marker to keep Heathendom in lockstep. There is also an undeniable energy to the full moon.
But when it comes to Yule, I dispute and differ from that practice, as I believe our ancestors would have. Some modern Heathens will wait for the January full moon to hold their Yule rites, but I believe it to be firmly tied to the solar cycle and thus the Winter Sunstead (Solstice).
I believe it's actually quite simple: Christians co-opted Yule for Christmas. As I understand it, during Medieval times the Solstice sometimes fell upon the 25th December, and it was during those times that 'Christmas Day' on the 25th was cemented. In more recent centuries, the actual Solstice usually occurs on the 21st, and sometimes the 22nd (as it does this year in Europe). So if we are to speak of 'Yule' as a singular day, it is on the 22nd December this year.
Bede wrote of the English Heathen Mōdraniht (Mother's Night) in his eighth-century work De temporum ratione as being either the night before or the night of Yule/Solstice (scholars seem uncertain about which). But given that the Anglo-Saxons mark the start of a day at dusk of the night before, and given the post-Christian importance of Christmas Eve, it seems likely to me that Mōdraniht is the eve of Yule and the Solstice.
So, this year, in Europe...
21st December - Mōdraniht / Mother's Night
22nd December - Yule / Solstice
I will add though that I tend to see Yule more as a period of time rather than a specific day. Hence 'the Yuletide'. Ærra Geola (Before Yule) corresponds roughly with the modern month of December and Æftera Geola (After Yule) corresponds roughly with January.
We also have the traditional 'Twelve Nights of Yule' which I believe begins with Mother's Night and ends twelve nights later. Interestingly, and perhaps significantly (because in pre-Christian times there were not separate holy-days for Yule and New Year; Yule/Solstice was itself the start of the new year), the last of these twelve nights usually lands on the 31st - New Year's Eve. It could also be that, because the sun seems to remain still at its lowest point for several days (hence 'Sunstead'), this is why we have the Twelve Nights, and it may even be (speculating here) that 'Christmas Day' on the 25th deliberately marks the midway point of this period of stillness.
So as always, I'll be honouring Mōdraniht on the evening of the 21st, celebrating Yule with my family on the 22nd, but also celebrating during the following days and including the 25th, all as part of the Yuletide.
I've noticed over the last year or two, many more Heathens have begun to mark their rituals and holytides by the lunar cycle, synchronising them with the approximately thirteen full moons that we have each year. This is legitimate and traditional practice, I think, mainly because the full moon is an obvious and universal (relatively speaking) common marker to keep Heathendom in lockstep. There is also an undeniable energy to the full moon.
But when it comes to Yule, I dispute and differ from that practice, as I believe our ancestors would have. Some modern Heathens will wait for the January full moon to hold their Yule rites, but I believe it to be firmly tied to the solar cycle and thus the Winter Sunstead (Solstice).
I believe it's actually quite simple: Christians co-opted Yule for Christmas. As I understand it, during Medieval times the Solstice sometimes fell upon the 25th December, and it was during those times that 'Christmas Day' on the 25th was cemented. In more recent centuries, the actual Solstice usually occurs on the 21st, and sometimes the 22nd (as it does this year in Europe). So if we are to speak of 'Yule' as a singular day, it is on the 22nd December this year.
Bede wrote of the English Heathen Mōdraniht (Mother's Night) in his eighth-century work De temporum ratione as being either the night before or the night of Yule/Solstice (scholars seem uncertain about which). But given that the Anglo-Saxons mark the start of a day at dusk of the night before, and given the post-Christian importance of Christmas Eve, it seems likely to me that Mōdraniht is the eve of Yule and the Solstice.
So, this year, in Europe...
21st December - Mōdraniht / Mother's Night
22nd December - Yule / Solstice
I will add though that I tend to see Yule more as a period of time rather than a specific day. Hence 'the Yuletide'. Ærra Geola (Before Yule) corresponds roughly with the modern month of December and Æftera Geola (After Yule) corresponds roughly with January.
We also have the traditional 'Twelve Nights of Yule' which I believe begins with Mother's Night and ends twelve nights later. Interestingly, and perhaps significantly (because in pre-Christian times there were not separate holy-days for Yule and New Year; Yule/Solstice was itself the start of the new year), the last of these twelve nights usually lands on the 31st - New Year's Eve. It could also be that, because the sun seems to remain still at its lowest point for several days (hence 'Sunstead'), this is why we have the Twelve Nights, and it may even be (speculating here) that 'Christmas Day' on the 25th deliberately marks the midway point of this period of stillness.
So as always, I'll be honouring Mōdraniht on the evening of the 21st, celebrating Yule with my family on the 22nd, but also celebrating during the following days and including the 25th, all as part of the Yuletide.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72yn4de2n0o
This just gives people the message that you can destroy our history, heritage, landmarks and environment and face absolutely no consequences.
Disappointing, but no surprise.
This just gives people the message that you can destroy our history, heritage, landmarks and environment and face absolutely no consequences.
Disappointing, but no surprise.
BBC News
Sycamore Gap: Man arrested to face no further action, say police
Two men aged in their 30s remain on bail, as the investigation into the tree felling continues.
Forwarded from The Fyrgen • ᚫᛚᚢ:ᚢᛚᚫ
Back in my late teens I went to the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge a couple of times. For those who don't know, it's one of, if not the only time you can walk amidst the stones. That part was very cool, but the place is descended upon by thousands of neo-liberal crusty universalists who call themselves 'Pagan' but really just want an excuse to party in a prestigious sacred place, without treating it like one. And they really do leave it in this state, every year.
https://teleg.eu/TheFrithstead/1547
https://teleg.eu/TheFrithstead/1547
Telegram
The Frithstead
Strive to be steadfast before the gods, godly in actions, & respectful to that which is holy
~ Folcweard
~ Folcweard
This is why we need to grow our own food. This was on the shelf in a supermarket last week. Sad and rotting tomatoes, grown in Morocco.
Whilst it may have been an oversight from staff, this could be a reality in the not too distant future if (or, when) the supply chain collapses.
Tomatoes are one of the easiest things to grow. I grow 10+ varieties a year.
My final harvest of the year was back in November. The majority were green, as to be expected at that time of year. I made chutney with some of them and left three punnets worth to ripen in my kitchen. I left them in my wicker basket under the kitchen table, so they weren't even particularly exposed to sunlight.
The majority of these did ripen over the next few weeks. Obviously, they're not quite as sweet as your summer tomatoes but they're still nice. I froze the last of these tomatoes a few days ago.
English grown tomatoes in Winter are absolutely possible.
Even if you can't be self sufficient in everything, try to be self sufficient in something.
Whilst it may have been an oversight from staff, this could be a reality in the not too distant future if (or, when) the supply chain collapses.
Tomatoes are one of the easiest things to grow. I grow 10+ varieties a year.
My final harvest of the year was back in November. The majority were green, as to be expected at that time of year. I made chutney with some of them and left three punnets worth to ripen in my kitchen. I left them in my wicker basket under the kitchen table, so they weren't even particularly exposed to sunlight.
The majority of these did ripen over the next few weeks. Obviously, they're not quite as sweet as your summer tomatoes but they're still nice. I froze the last of these tomatoes a few days ago.
English grown tomatoes in Winter are absolutely possible.
Even if you can't be self sufficient in everything, try to be self sufficient in something.
Forwarded from Survive the Jive: All-feed
The STJ "is this Xmas thing pagan" TLDR
Reindeer ❌
Santa ❌
Xmas tree ❌
Mistletoe ❌
Black Pete ❓
Yule log ❓
Wassailing ✅
Julbok❓
Mari Lwyd ❓
Krampus ❓
Hog roast ✅
Getting drunk ✅
Electing a lord of misrule ✅
Horse sacrifice ✅
Reindeer ❌
Santa ❌
Xmas tree ❌
Mistletoe ❌
Black Pete ❓
Yule log ❓
Wassailing ✅
Julbok❓
Mari Lwyd ❓
Krampus ❓
Hog roast ✅
Getting drunk ✅
Electing a lord of misrule ✅
Horse sacrifice ✅
Forwarded from Æhtemen
The start of the Germanic day was at sunset, the words eve and evening originally meaning the same. And this makes sense in view of our mythology – Nótt (the goddess of night OE *Niht) is older than the Earth, Sun and Moon as is herself the mother of Day. This means that the solstice day will start at sunset tonight as the solstice is the 22nd this year.
Wise mother's of years past
We honour your death and remember you
We bless you for your gift of creation
Without you, we would not be
We honour our mother's of blood
Those who branch into our family tree
We honour the mother's of spirit
Those who inspire us through connection of the heart
We honour our mother's of bones
Our ancestors who walked this land before us
We ask for your guidance
The mother's we have known, and will never know
Help us to remember your lessons
Tell us when to fight, or to walk away
May we do justice in remembering you, tonight and always
🕯
We honour your death and remember you
We bless you for your gift of creation
Without you, we would not be
We honour our mother's of blood
Those who branch into our family tree
We honour the mother's of spirit
Those who inspire us through connection of the heart
We honour our mother's of bones
Our ancestors who walked this land before us
We ask for your guidance
The mother's we have known, and will never know
Help us to remember your lessons
Tell us when to fight, or to walk away
May we do justice in remembering you, tonight and always
🕯
Forwarded from The Rose of Mercia 🌹
The wheel turns once more and we welcome the return of the sun. Solstice blessings all. 🌕