Celtic Druid Temple Blog

Catholick / Wiccan Helloween or Celtic Samhain?

12/10/2020

Helloween has a confused dating history from various Popes, Abbots, Martin Luther (Reformation Day) and commercialization in America! The date for celebrating catholick helloween was originally set when Pope Boniface IV reconsecrated the Pantheon in Rome on May 13th, 609ad, renaming it the “Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs,”. Pope Boniface IV established May 13th as a day of remembrance for all the Church’s martyrs. Pope Gregory III (died 28th November 741) later changed the date of remembrance to November 1 when he dedicated a chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica to “all saints.” This became All Saints Day, also called ‘All Hallow’s Day’. The night before became All Hallow’s Eve or Halloween. While Halloween began as a localized celebration, Pope Gregory IV extended its observance to all of Christendom in the 9th Century AD. In Ireland, All Saints Day in 998ad was set as Nov 1 by the Abbot ‘Odilo of Cluny’. By the 13th century, even though the Celtic Samhain rituals persisted because of the 3rd harvest tradition, November 1st had also become an established catholick festival.

In 1517ad on October 31 we get ‘Reformation Day’ because Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the Catholic church in Wittenberg, Germany. This started the Protestant Reformation. Bear in mind that calendar they all used was chaotic and was only secured as the current (fake time) version long after all the dating events given above. Pope Gregory XIII introduced the prevailing current commercial calendar in October 1582. This is the ‘calendar’ that has one extra day every four years... Gregory XIII’s biggest mistake was that he did not start his calendar with year zero as that concept did not exist - he started it at year 1 so every one using the current commercial calendar (fake time) is off by one year... plus one day every four years... plus no one can prove exactly when Jesus was born... lol.

On catholick helloween in American every year people spend billions of dollars on costumes, decorations, sweets, and other items. For example - in 2017, Halloween spending reached $9.1 billion compared to the $8.4 billion spent in 2016. This makes it second when compared to xmas revenue... It emerged as a tradition in America following mass emigration of Irish people in response to An Gorta Mor (the great hunger) of the 1850’s in Ireland but it has these days lost all connection to the pope’s efforts to displace Samhain as the current celebrations are ‘trick or treat’ witches, pumpkins and skeletons...

Chaos is celebrated at helloween in Ireland these days because tyres are burned, fireworks are used as attack weapons and in many places in the cities it is unsafe to wander... The ‘wiccan burning cult’ attacked and displaced the 17 year tradition of a native pilgrimage on helloween in 2018, most of the wiccans wore masks - “fools dressed as she-devils and he-devils” to quote one observer – see pic below.

They also burned a 14 foot high Eight Spoke Sun Wheel on the ground inside a national monument using paraffin. See the pdf / doc on the home page of this website for full report

So we know what the fires of helloween were and are about, we know too that they were always celebrated by the catholick church and we know what the exact timing for their ceremonial fires are. We also know that the ability of the church to regulate their event has long gone into chaos. We know that the ‘wiccan burning cult’ seeks to stand in where the priests of the church used to be i.e. between you and the Source.

A choice - The Celtic New Year is honoured at dusk on the Dark Moon of Samhain - 15 Nov 2020 while Helloween is a profitable event on the commercial calendar 31st October 2020 shrouded in fear and celebrated by the “wiccan burning cult” disconnected from the ways of our ancestors. Which do you honour?

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Celtic Druid Temple, Indigenous Religion of Éire Policy Statement

24/8/2020

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Introduction
We, the members of Celtic Druid Temple, being indigenous people of the Land known as Éire, proclaim and exercise our rights to self determination and self government, to practice, revitalize and evolve our cultural traditions and customs, to celebrate our ceremonies on ancestral sacred ground and to be secure in the enjoyment of our own means of subsistence and development, to engage freely in all our traditional and other economic activities, to preserve, honour and share our wisdom traditions, to maintain our right to choose traditional medicines and the natural holistic health practices of our Celtic Forest Nation of Éire.

We are Celtic Gaelic people of Ireland. We remain living on our ancestral homelands and seek to develop and continue our living cultural traditions and customs. We honour the Celtic Calendar with celebrations at our ancestral sacred temples and burial grounds. We live as people under the guiding principals of Meas, Meitheal and Mead. Meas encapsulates the concept of respect for self, others and Nature. Meitheal is the mechanism for working together through sharing the responsibilities of producing food, fuel and shelter. Mead is a celebratory drink made from honey and water and is our symbol of celebratory abundance. We live by these principles of self help, co operation and co creation with Nature to provide food, water, medicine, shelter and fuel for our families and community. We promote the use and learning of our native language Gaeilge. Our livelihoods depend on healthy natural woodlands, springs, waterways, sea and sky. Our sacred ancestral lands are of fundamental importance to our collective spiritual, physical and cultural survival as an indigenous people.

We are determined to preserve, develop and share with future generations the abundance of Nature from the Land, Sea and Sky. This includes access to our sacred herbs and vital medicinal plants, animals, birds, fish and minerals. We are preserving, developing and will share with future generations our Celtic Gaelic identity in accordance with our own cultural patterns, social institutions and body of Living Laws without external interference or discrimination.
Principles

1. Indigenous Status of Celtic Druid Temple
2. Self identifying as an Indigenous Celtic Gael
3. UN Permanent Forum definition of “indigenous peoples”
4. International Human Rights Law
5. Overall Intention to proclaim define and exercise our rights as members of Celtic Druid Temple

1. Indigenous Status of Celtic Druid Temple
The Celtic Druid Temple is an organised group of Celtic Gaelic People and Druí (Spiritual guide, teacher and ceremonial leader) honouring Nature as Supreme Being and are determined to practice, revitalize and evolve our cultural traditions and customs by celebrating our ceremonies on ancestral sacred ground in accordance with our Celtic calendar.

Structure and chronology

1993 Originally formed as the Heritage Awareness Group identifying indigenous sacred sites and providing educational seminars to the general public supported by local county councils and public libraries.
22nd of November 2012 Incorporated as Celtic Druid Temple Company no. 520451
30th of August 2017 Changed form to an unincorporated association named Celtic Druid Temple governed by a constitution.

Recognition

BUNREACHT NA hÉIREANN (Constitution of Ireland)

Article 44 Secures our freedom to practice our religion.
2 1° Freedom of conscience and the free profession and practice of religion are, subject to public order and morality, guaranteed to every citizen.

Department of Health

The Department recognises Druidry as an indigenous religion https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/socialinclusion/interculturalguide/traditional/

Department of Finance

On the 19th of May 2015 the Department recognised Celtic Druid Temple as an organisation established to promote the indigenous religion of Ireland with Nature as the Supreme Being and granted Celtic Druid Temple the following charity no. CHY20684

Dept of Social Protection

On the 3rd of February 2016 Solemniser Status was granted by the Department to Celtic Druid Temple. The legally binding marriage registration certificate states that the marriage ceremony is performed "according to the Rites of Passage of the Indigenous Wisdom Tradition of Celtic Druid Temple”

Department of Justice

On the 13th of June 2018 the Department recognised Celtic Druid Temple as an organisation established to promote the indigenous religion of Ireland and granted Celtic Druid Temple the following registered charity number RCN 20106003
The Druí of Celtic Druid Temple have jury service exemption status and have exercised this exemption.
An Garda Siochana have on four occasions provided protection for our public ceremonies

European Convention on Human Rights

Article 9(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights guarantees the rights of adherents to this policy document to full enjoyment of rights to thought, conscience and religion, including the ancient traditions of the Celtic Druid faith, and, more specifically, to our right of pilgrimage.
All comments and questions welcomed – celticdruidtemple@gmail.com

2. Self identifying as an Indigenous Celtic Gael

If just one of the following determinants is a 'yes' for you – then you can self identify as an Indigenous Celtic Man or Woman and become a member of our Celtic Forest Nation of Éire. This is a true identity even if you do not currently live in Ireland but wish to live here and to have your descendants live here as your ancestors did.

1 Do you have Gaelic Celtic ancestors?
2 Do you live on or wish to live on the land of your ancestors?
3 Do you seek to live by the Celtic Calendar?
4 Do you want to learn / speak Gaeilge?
5 Do you wish to provide food for your family directly from the Land, Sea and Sky of Éire?
6 Do you wish to preserve, develop and transmit our connection to our Land, Sea and Sky of Éire?
7 Do you wish to restore our Celtic identity, cultural patterns, social institutions and lawful ways?
8 Do you wish to restore Ireland as a Celtic Forest Nation?

3. UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 'working' definition of “indigenous peoples”

* Self-identification as indigenous peoples at the individual level and acceptance by the community as their member;
* Historical continuity with pre-colonial and/or pre-settler societies;
* Strong link to territories and surrounding natural resources;
* Distinct social, economic or political systems;
* Distinct language, culture and beliefs;
* Form non-dominant groups of society; and
* Resolve to maintain and reproduce their ancestral environments and systems as distinctive peoples and communities.

Excerpt of a legal opinion by an international law expert who addresses indigenous issues. “Members of the Celtic Druid Temple have the right to self-identification as indigenous; there is historical continuity of indigenous-ness from prior to British invasions; the Temple’s members are tied to territory and resources; indigenous Irish do possess distinct social, economic and political systems and distinct language, culture and beliefs; and it is clear that the Temple and its members are resolved to “maintain and reproduce ... ancestral environments and systems as distinct peoples and communities” (in a modern setting). At end, according to the Permanent Forum document, “the most fruitful approach is to identify, rather than define indigenous peoples.” The Temple is clearly asserting distinct rights.”

4. International Human Rights Law
The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations as General Assembly Resolution No. 61/295 (13 September 2007). Courts can apply the declaration in decisions and legislatures and other bodies can cite it to support positions to uphold and enforce specific provisions in the Declaration.

“The Declaration addresses both individual and collective rights; cultural rights and identity; rights to education, health, employment, language, and others. It outlaws discrimination against indigenous peoples and promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them. It also ensures their right to remain distinct and to pursue their own priorities in economic, social and cultural development. The Declaration explicitly encourages harmonious and cooperative relations between States and indigenous peoples.”

Article 24 of the Declaration provides (in full):

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices, including the conservation of their vital medicinal plants, animals and minerals. Indigenous individuals also have the right to access, without any discrimination, to all social and health services.
2. Indigenous individuals have an equal right to the enjoyment of the highest standard of physical and mental heath. States shall take necessary steps with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of this right.

Article 1 of the Declaration states the right of indigenous peoples, both individually and collectively, to enjoy all human rights as stated by the U.N. or otherwise.
Article 3 secures the right of self-determination, meaning the right to “freely determine” their political status and “freely” pursue and secure their own economic, social and cultural development.

Article 24 addresses the human right to health with this language:

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices, including the conservation of their vital medicinal plants, animals and minerals. Indigenous individuals also have the right to access, without any discrimination, to all social and health services.
2. Indigenous individuals have an equal right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. States shall take the necessary steps with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of the right.
Excerpt of a legal opinion by an international law expert who addresses indigenous issues. “There is no specific language in the Declaration that addresses the right to refuse specific health measures or procedures, including vaccination. However the language about “their” health practices assumes a right to define what those might be, and the language “highest standard of physical and mental health” assumes that any given “standard” is the “highest” or most appropriate. Inappropriate standards include procedures or practices that are harmful or repulsive to a given indigenous group. I note that the Celtic Druid Temple is in fact engaging in an ongoing debate over the appropriateness of vaccination, and the right to reject it, and there is a right to speak to that — and be acknowledged in positions. I think that one of the most important points for the Celtic Druid Temple’s word is that the obligation is on the state (i.e. government) to deal with complaints of violations of human rights without requiring any person or group to “prove” their right. It is a matter of asserting a given right, e.g. the right to refuse vaccination, and compelling the state to engage. The right to refuse vaccination is a difficult subject, however, there is a right to articulate that right in general terms and compel the state to address it.”

5. Overall Intention to proclaim define and exercise our rights as members of Celtic Druid Temple

Celtic Druid Temple is officially recognised as the indigenous religion of Éire. Celtic Druid Temple presents a modern expression of the indigenous spiritual tradition of this island. Every man woman and child can choose to openly practice the indigenous spiritual traditions of this island. We can now openly show reverence to Nature as the Supreme Being and acknowledge the Spirit of our Celtic Ancestors without fear of censure. The dignity and inherent divinity of every man woman and child can be honoured and nurtured to its fullest expression.

We are in contact with indigenous peoples / groups in Europe, Russia, Australia, North America, South America and throughout the island of Ireland. It is our intention to share this statement with these groups seeking a declaration of acknowledgement and support from them with a view to developing relationships with and acknowledgement from other indigenous groups around the world that respect Nature. The first paragraph from the top of this page is on the back of the new CDT membership identity card. This replaces the Celtic Gaelic Oath that was shown on the back of the CDT identity card. The Oath will continue to be used and will appear on our Almanac, CDT website and in our social media as graphics/script.

Celtic Gaelic Oath
Respecting Nature as Supreme Being -

We honour the idea of
Gods and Goddesses
as the Source of all creation,

We celebrate the
Gaelic Pagan Festivals on
the cycles of the Sun and Moon,

We acknowledge the inherent
lifeforce in all things.

This proposed change is considered as very important. Our membership identity card has photographic ID and declares our status as a state recognised religion when we show - “RCN 20106003” this means ‘Registered Charity Number’ – a charity for the advancement of religion – but this is not immediately clear to first time readers. A modification to the front of the ID card includes - “Indigenous Religion of Éire”. To obtain an ID card, a real address is required with a recent photo of head and shoulders.
See https://www.celticdruidtemple.com/membershipcards.html
Members that choose to carry and use this card will have the ability to refer to a complete description / information page (i.e. this document) on our website of their rights as members of an indigenous religious group. This includes the “right to choose traditional medicines and natural holistic health practices” and can be used to politely and respectfully decline any vaccination or drug containing human foetal tissue, mercury or any other known or unidentified toxin/s. Members have the right to ask for a full list of ingredients in any medications / vaccinations. Because we hold Nature as Supreme Being we reject all unnatural or abnormal medications and we choose a healthy lifestyle with fresh air, living water and organic food as the means to creating and supporting a healthy immune system in tune with the natural order. The Celtic Druid Temple reaffirms is position that Nature is the Supreme Being and our members may decline all or any unnatural medications on religious grounds.

This policy statement of the mission and intent of the Celtic Druid Temple sets out some of the rights that are inherent in the beliefs of an ancient discipline that is the way of life for the Celtic Druid tradition.

Non-members of the Celtic Druid Temple who hold Nature as Supreme Being may also choose to decline all or any unnatural medications on religious grounds as explained here but without a Celtic Druid Temple Identity Card.

24th August 2020

The above policy statment can be downloaded as a doc or pdf here

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The Unashamed Shaman

12/8/2020

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In his bare feet, he trods on the ground
he feels Her, and Mother Earth feels him
with eyes closed he see's the stars
in a blink, he was gone beyond Mars
breathing through his eyes
he was his own physician
living life a transcendant magician

He was now looking for his fears
so that he could shed them
he became fearless of his flaws
he was unique in his bare feet
dancing upon the wet grass
Mother Earth feels him
he feels Her, transcendant, in a trance
he upped the dance whilst crying.

In a blink, he disappeared, then re-appeared
dancing with manna food for his soul
he's a lovely magician, he was me in his spell.
As he tries to focus and draw near
Feck, its his Light I really fear.

Kenny, 18/8/16

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Celtic Druid Temple - Indigenous Spiritual Tradition of Éire

10/8/2020

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Celtic Druid Temple is an organised group of Celtic Pagans and Druí honouring Nature as Supreme Being and are determined to practice, revitalize and evolve our cultural traditions and customs by celebrating our ceremonies on ancestral sacred ground in accordance with our indigenous calendar.

Structure
1993 Originally formed as the Heritage Awareness Group identifying indigenous sacred sites and providing educational seminars to the general public supported by local county councils and public libraries.
22.11.2012 Incorporated as Celtic Druid Temple Company no. 520451
30.08.2017 Changed form to an unincorporated association named Celtic Druid Temple governed by a constitution.
Recognition
BUNREACHT NA hÉIREANN (Constitution of Ireland)
Secures our freedom to practice our religion.
Department of Health
The HSE recognises Druidry as an indigenous religion https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/socialinclusion/interculturalguide/traditional/
Department of Finance
On the 19.5.2015 the Revenue Commissioners recognised Celtic Druid Temple as an organisation established to promote the indigenous religion of Ireland with Nature as the Supreme Being and granted Celtic Druid Temple the following charity no. CHY20684
Dept of Social Protection
On the 3/2/2016 Solemniser Status was granted by the Office of the Registrar General of the Dept. of Social Protection to Celtic Druid Temple. The legally binding marriage registration form states that the marriage ceremony is performed "according to the Rites of Passage of the Indigenous Wisdom Tradition of Celtic Druid Temple”
Department of Justice
On the 13/6/18 the Charities Regulatory Authority recognised Celtic Druid Temple as an organisation established to promote the indigenous religion of Ireland and granted Celtic Druid Temple the following registered charity number RCN 20106003
The Druí of Celtic Druid Temple have jury service exemption status and have exercised this exemption.
An Garda Siochana have on four occasions provided protection for our public ceremonies
European Convention on Human Rights
Article 9, European Convention on Human Rights recognises Druidism as an older faith and specifically protects the right of Druids to pilgrimage.

Celtic Druid Temple is a member of the Celtic Druid Alliance - see https://celticdruidallianc.wixsite.com/celtic-alliance

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Meitheal And Mead Indigenous Solutions

23/4/2020

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During March 2020, we had planned to extend our opening times and facilities to the local community, we had planned a series of articles in the newspaper encouraging people to visit and explore the concept of community woodlands with us. So much of this plan relied on physical human interaction, but this element of course had to be postponed.

But then a Sleeping Giant woke up and gave us a gift!

Some of you might be aware of a project in Leitrim initiated by a lady called Lyn Brookes, she set up a go fund me called Sleeping Giant with the aim of buying land in Leitrim and planting a community woodland. The project couldn't go ahead and in January Lyn let everyone know that she was closing the go fund me and that donators could have a refund or their donations would be passed on to our Candlefield Community Woodland. Last week The Sleeping Giant project transferred €2,958 to Celtic Druid Temple. Thank you Sleeping Giant! Previous to this one of our wonderful members took up the call (pre lockdown) and collected over 2000 trees from a cancelled planting project and delivered them to the woodland here, he would have stayed to plant them as well only the lock down measures were announced. Thank you Dave!

We decided to share a large portion of the 2000 trees with our neighbours and realised that the community woodland truly has spread its roots. This month we have also received a number of new membership subscriptions and some very welcome donations from long standing members and contributors. Thank you all so much!

These gestures have raised our spirits and given us renewed energy. At a time when big industry supported by the State is treating trees as another resource to extract profit from, the actions of Sleeping Giant and our members are essential to restoring our relationship with the trees and the woodlands. Its very difficult to do this without financial inputs and since 2005 we have given all our own personal financial resources into this project. It can be very difficult to ask other people for donations but when we do we are met with such heart warming support and enthusiasm. To receive such unexpected support at this time is wonderful!

Our Temple now sits within a changed landscape with increased birdsong and animal visitors. The young trees we planted in 2005 are now firmly established and the hedgerows we preserved are buzzing with life. We are now focusing on establishing and maintaining paths for our human visitors, creating safe places to stop, rest and breath in the knowledge and realisation that we are part of this growing woodland. This is Meitheal in action, together we can create community resilience and sufficiency. The Woodlands of Ireland are the fertility, health and wealth of this Land and the Spirit of the Celtic Gael is reawakening. We are co creating abundance together as people. Living with this abundance teaches us that we are part of the solution, the solution that brings fertility to the Land and its People.

I, Niamh, am personally celebrating by putting as much of my physical energy into co creation with our gardens and woodland as I can. Con is celebrating by re engineering and designing a complete set of Gaelic shoes and boots that have been found in archaeological contexts throughout Ireland. We have of course put 10 litres of mead on and it will be ready in time for our Lughnasa celebrations......Meitheal and Mead – community effort and community celebration of fertility and abundance. If you can we encourage you to put on some mead and plan a celebratory visit to us in the future!

You can read about our community woodland on our website at this link
Our Go fund me page is here at this link
And membership subscription options can be found at this link.

Grá
Niamh agus Con

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An Geimhreadh and Dagda's return

30/11/2019

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The longest night and shortest day approaches, the 4 images are based on looking and seeing from An Forradh (the seat of judgement) on Tara Éire. In our indigenous language this time of the Eightfold Year is called An Geimhreadh, meaning winter.

An Geimhreadh, the Sun will rise at 08:41 on Sunday the 22nd of December at 131*SE to give us the shortest day of the Sun's passage. High Noon at 12:25 and Sunset is at 16:08. The day length is 7h:26m:25s.

Dagda at 00:25 on the 23/12/19 is due south. He dominates An Geimhreadh, the longest night. This image shows Dagda (aka Orion) in the middle of the night on the longest night based on looking and seeing from An Forradh (the seat of judgement) on Tara Éire.

Image below - From my current lecture - "Dagda's Return to the Realm of Land". A composite image showing Dagda rising in the east with his shield first (a special shield he was given by Manannan and later loans to Fionn), the middle section shows Dagda's Harp "Daur da Bláo" (described as '4 cornered, three stringed') and Dagda setting in the whest dipping the dead into "An Coire Ansic" his cauldron of reincarnation.

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Biodiversity Survey at Candlefield Community Forest

11/11/2019

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"Due to previous farming practices and land use techniques the majority of the land suffers from poor soil regeneration......original hedgerows remain relatively intact and without testing indicate more balanced soil PH. These hedgerows are the largest source of biodiversity and possess the most beneficial eco tone on the land. Improvement of soil conditions, water drainage and take up are visible from the efforts of the recent years. With proper management practices and the succession of time the land would eventually regenerate into a unique woodland and thriving ecosystem"..............this is an excerpt from our first biodiversity survey you can read the full PDF here

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Celtic Samhain or Catholick Helloween?

27/10/2019

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Two very different events for two very different traditions.

Celtic Samhain

Celtic Samhain simply means the ‘end of summer for the Celts in Ireland’. It was not and could not be celebrated on a catholick calendar because Samhain existed thousands of years before the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great created the catholick (universal) church to instill spiritual fear into his subjects in 325ad.

Samhain is the third of three cattle harvest festivals when breeding stock were selected for next the year and gifts of prime quality bulls were given to kings from their sub-kings and the final slaughter of cattle happened. Everyone was involved because everyone had input into ‘growing the herd’ and so they were all entitled to a share of the harvest too. Hides were harvested for tanning into leather, horns and hooves were separated for glue, meat was selected for smoking, salting and for feasting and specialty meats such as hearts, livers and kidneys were were most likely given to the free hospitals for the old and sick.

What was left over during the processing of this harvest, i.e. that which had no use, was burned. This is where the term BONE FIRE comes from. This fire of bones may have been called “Tine Cnámh” in Celtic Ireland. Ashes from these bone fires were put back on the land to guarantee the fruitfulness of the land. Think it through - open air slaughter of 1000’s of beasts, huge gatherings of people involved in many aspects of processing the bounty of the land, billions of flies, thousands of crows, vultures, eagles, wolves etc etc - of course they had big bone fires! They would have been foolish not to have multiple fires for waste control... These bone fires would probably have been ritually started and supervised by the Druí and tended by their daltaí (students) but everyone would find safety from the flies etc simply by being near these fires. It is my guess that the first fire for the third harvest at Samhain was the most symbolic or ritualistic and may have even been made with wood specially brought from each area that was to supply beasts for slaughter. Bear in mind that cows were used to pull carts back in the day and they could not arrive empty because they expected to go home full...

The timing for this first of the Samhain fires was on the Dark Moon of Samhain. This happens during an alignment of the Earth, the Moon and the Sun with the star Antares. Antares is one of the four royal stars in the zodiac and we call this star Tlachtga after the Earth Goddess in Meath whose sacred temple is on the Hill of Ward near Athboy. This temple was desecrated by the ‘wiccan burning cult’ on catholick helloween 2018. (see https://www.celticdruidtemple.com/ home page for details). When the Earth, Dark Moon, Sun and Star alignment happens it is on the south western horizon and the star appears as a bright light for only a few seconds after the Sun and Moon have set together. You check this out on the website Stellarium or keep watching until we get a year without clouds on the horizon... https://stellarium-web.org/

The week long bone fires had strong odor and were kept going day and night to reduce waste and defend the clans from flies etc, different and separate fires were made for cooking, there were beacon fires too because the cattle herders would not be allowed to arrive all at once. A lot of fires with different purposes all of which were probably lit from the first fire and tended or overseen by the Druí and their attendants. So we know what the sacred fires of Samhain were and are about, we know they were celebrated regionally and we know the exact timing for these ceremonial fire is too. The Celtic New Year is honoured at dusk on the Dark Moon of Samhain.

Catholick Helloween

Catholick Helloween has a confused dating history from various Popes, Abbots, Martin Luther (Reformation Day) and commercialization in America! The date for celebrating catholick helloween was originally set when Pope Boniface IV reconsecrated the Pantheon in Rome on May 13th, 609ad, renaming it the “Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs,”. Pope Boniface IV established May 13th as a day of remembrance for all the Church’s martyrs. Pope Gregory III (died 28th November 741) later changed the date of remembrance to November 1 when he dedicated a chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica to “all saints.” This became All Saints Day, also called ‘All Hallow’s Day’. The night before became All Hallow’s Eve or Halloween. While Halloween began as a localized celebration, Pope Gregory IV extended its observance to all of Christendom in the 9th Century AD. In Ireland, All Saints Day in 998ad was set as Nov 1 by the Abbot ‘Odilo of Cluny’. By the 13th century, even though the Celtic Samhain rituals persisted because of the 3rd harvest tradition, November 1st had also become an established catholick festival.

In 1517ad on October 31 we get ‘Reformation Day’ because Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the Catholic church in Wittenberg, Germany. This started the Protestant Reformation. Bear in mind that calendar they all used was chaotic and was only secured as the current (fake time) version long after all the dating events given above. Pope Gregory XIII introduced the prevailing current commercial calendar in October 1582. This is the ‘calendar’ that has one extra day every four years... Gregory XIII’s biggest mistake was that he did not start his calendar with year zero as that concept did not exist - he started it at year 1 so every one using the current commercial calendar (fake time) is off by one year... plus one day every four years... plus no one can prove exactly when Jesus was born... lol.

On catholick helloween in American every year people spend billions of dollars on costumes, decorations, sweets, and other items. For example - in 2017, Halloween spending reached $9.1 billion compared to the $8.4 billion spent in 2016. This makes it second when compared to xmas revenue... It emerged as a tradition in America following mass emigration of Irish people in response to An Gorta Mor (the great hunger) of the 1850’s in Ireland but it has these days lost all connection to the pope’s efforts to displace Samhain as the current celebrations are ‘trick or treat’ witches, pumpkins and skeletons...

Chaos is celebrated at helloween in Ireland these days because tyres are burned, fireworks are used as attack weapons and in many places in the cities it is unsafe to wander... The ‘wiccan burning cult’ attacked and displaced the 17 year tradition of a native pilgrimage on helloween last year in 2018, most of the wiccans wore masks - “fools dressed as she-devils and he-devils” to quote one observer. They also burned a 14 foot high Eight Spoke Sun Wheel on the ground inside a national monument using paraffin – see pic above.

So we know what the fires of helloween were and are about, we know too that they were always celebrated by the catholick church and we know what the exact timing for their ceremonial fires are. We also know that the ability of the church to regulate their event has long gone into chaos. We know that the ‘wiccan burning cult’ seeks to stand in where the priests of the church used to be.

A choice

The Celtic New Year is honoured at dusk on the Dark Moon of Samhain while Helloween is a profitable event on the commercial calendar shrouded in fear disconnected from the ways of our ancestors. Which do you honour?

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Exposing the Michaelmas fake history.

1/10/2019

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In the many well known paintings of the young knight stabbing a downward spear or sword thrust in to a Dragon there are anomalies to be considered. Archaeologists, anthropologists, historians and almost all academics will tell you that 'no Dragons existed in the medieval era'. Ok, so no Dragons existed for the painter to paint – yet there are many paintings of dragons, often attacking a young scantily clad maiden. Why?

Bear in mind the absolute power the church had in the medieval era and that they commissioned many incredible works of art, senior wealthy lay persons would follow this trend and as usual most craftspersons will follow the money. The client would specify the contents of each image including details and the painter then hand made paint, painted and framed a canvas and held an opening day event for the client. Often, big money was involved and follow up commissions.

Below = Marduk - the vatican seal

The vatican is a treasure trove of dragon images on public display. Marduk is their male dragon from the Sumerian era who killed his mother and took control over all other dragons – some say this was the start of monotheism. The papal crest has a dragon, the chair, the wall, the floor and many sarcophagi .... all have dragons. So it is clear that the church believed and still believes in Dragons. Keep in mind that their dragon Marduk is the supreme commander of dragons and to perpetuate their absolute control they must erase all other dragons to prove their might. Even and idea of dragons that was not in line with church teaching had to be destroyed.

Below = Marduk on the floor of the vatican museum

But there are two main Dragons for the northern hemisphere and both live in the stars – Draco and Hydra. The church could not and cannot hide the stars from us – they can hide the stories but not the actual stars. Draco is the northern fire breathing dragon that gets closer to us in winter as the earth tilts away from the Sun.

Hydra is the southern flying water dragon that appears above the horizon during Summer.

Draco has a star called Thuban and it was the pole star approx 7000 yeas ago – these days this pole star duty has shifted to Polaris in Ursa Minor / the smaller bear. In thousands of years Thuban will once more be the north pole star. In Summer it is high in the sky over Ireland almost directly overhead. In Winter as the earth tilts away from the Sun Draco grows in size because earth tilts towards Draco. This meant that the Fire Dragon was visiting... He is a fire dragon because of the Meteor showers that come from his region in Winter. Draco has two fire effects...

In early October, just after Sunset we get the Draconids – a meteor shower of shooting stars issuing from the head of Draco = this makes Draco a fire breathing dragon. To best see this get to a place of low light pollution on a night without clouds or a bright Moon. This year 2019 – Draco breathes fire between October 6 and 10... before midnight, peaking on the 8th. The waxing gibbous moon will hide some of the fire show but Draco produced thousands of meteors per hour in 1933 and 1946, and in Europe we saw over 600 meteors per hour in 2011. The Scandinavians and the ancient cultures from northern Europe all honour the Fire dragon of the north.

In the morning of December 22 or 23 2019 the Ursid meteor shower of shooting stars issues from the crotch of Draco – this makes Draco a male parent. The 2019 Ursid meteor shower is not spectacular when compared to the Draconids. In 1945 and 1986 approx 50 shooting stars per hour were seen but usually there are approx 10/hr. The waning crescent moon may hide some but stay aware that the blessings are given...

On the 3–4 Jan 2020, the Quadrantids meteor shower will peak during pre-dawn hours – with up to 100 per hour but only for 1 to 2 hours. These shooting stars come off the back of Draco. As you get used to watching Draco you'll notice that he rotates through the night (it is the earth that rotates but it looks like Draco moves in circles). In time you may connect up many of the legends of the Fire Dragon (not hollywood) and gain personal access to the ways of the ancestors.

Hydra, which means water dragon, spends winter out of our sight as the earth has tilted north and Hydra only ever rises fully above the horizon in summer. Hydra has a minor meteor shower in mid-December - only producing low activity rates over its two-week activity period. Peak rates occur around December 11th.

Only the head of Hydra is visible in winter and it is from the head that the fire spews... after midnight, when the radiant is climbing higher in the sky.
The Full Moon is on December 12th in 2019 and although this will hide the fires from Hydra – know that they are there...

We attended a DruidCon in Scotland many years ago – very bizarre really – there were two tall men selling wands with crystals glued to painted sticks... it was all a bit harry potterish... I presented a talk and slide show on the Eightfold year of the Tuatha Dé Danann and afterwards I was asked to be a part of the closing ceremony. I did not know the man who had asked me so I declined. Turns out he was a monotheistic priest member of obod serving as interfaith minister. In his ceremony he called on Saints Michael, George, Andrew and Patrick to protect the 'druid gathering'! These 4 characters were Dragon Slayers! Nobody knew enough real history to call a halt to his religious fraud and they all partook and clapped afterwards. No true druid would call on 4 notorious dragon slayers to protect a druid circle...

Across the room sat Emma Restall Orr who just like us also had her feet crossed and her arms crossed...

The 4 dragon slayers from the medieval era that were called to protect the 'druid gathering' all do downward thrusts by spear or sword into a dragon with feet and small wings – this is Hydra. The ordinary people of greater Europe would know that with this star groups appearance it was getting close to spring and that at the autumn equinox Hydra goes back into the sea from whence he came.

Here at the Celtic Druid Temple we call this star group Crom. It is the longest of all the star groups but is composed mostly of faint stars. Crom brings Arrach, our spring equinox and when he dives in the great ocean is is Fomhar, the autumn equinox. Crom is the ancient Irish male God of Fertility and his appearance in the sky brings abundance to the forest dwellers.

As the long standing churches displacement strategy for pagan celebrations locations and dates demanded – they installed Michaelmas (dragon slayer) on the 28th of September. This is one full week after the equatorial equinox or 3 to 4 days after the autumnal equal day and night in Ireland. Go back to spring and see St Patrick chasing Crom into the sea or Patrick chasing Crom down the middle of Ireland creating the Shannon floods...

So these days their Michaelmas has gone from fear of the almighty church to celebrations with kids playing kill the dragon... it has become fun... across the world hand made Dragons appear in parades... I'd like to think that in just one more generation we will see celebrations for the arrival and departure of Crom in our night skies.

Their fake history dissolves when you see the truth.

Crom Abú (Crom for ever)

Ard Druí Con 01/10/2019

Catholick / Wiccan Helloween or Celtic Samhain?

Celtic Druid Temple, Indigenous Religion of Éire Policy Statement

The Unashamed Shaman

Celtic Druid Temple - Indigenous Spiritual Tradition of Éire

Meitheal And Mead Indigenous Solutions

An Geimhreadh and Dagda's return

Biodiversity Survey at Candlefield Community Forest

Celtic Samhain or Catholick Helloween?

Exposing the Michaelmas fake history.

Guidance for Seekers on the Celtic Path to the Primordial Tradition

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