Celtic Autumn Equinox (Alban Elfed)
The Autumn Equinox festival is celebrated between September 20 and September 23, when the night is as long as the day. The festival is also known as Alban Elfed, Elfed meaning autumn. A corruption of the word Alban Elued is poetically referred to as “Light of the Water”.
Autumn Equinox (Alban Elfed) Light of Autumn
The balance is felt more at this time than in the spring. The harvest is in, and as we feast it’s a time of reflection on what we have achieved, and we reach out to understand the mysteries of balance. Gifts are often shared, as it is usual to share food and drink, often from a large found loaf of home baked bread and honey mead.
During the Autumn Equinox is a time when the day and night are of equal length, occurring between the twentieth and twenty-third of Septembers. It celebrates the end of the grain harvest. It is a festival of Harvest Home. It is a festival where people acknowledge what one has learned throughout the year and how one will use it.
The ideas of balance are observed at this time, allowing people the opportunity to see the world(s) around them, those of paradox and duality. Whims are held equal and balanced, even if only for moments at a time. This culture will seek to understand that those paradoxes and balances are reflected in each one’s own self.
Taking time to question one, as to what one has achieved during this cycle of growth and which is now coming to an end be a common practice. Looking at the actual harvest of the land is the beginning of this process, which is why it is common that at this time, people gather (festive) to eat food that is locally grown. It guides consciousness to better connect with the Awen flow through each individuals loyalty.
Looking into what one selves have harvested, allows the focus of the earth’s harvest to guide them and it’s the essence aspect of this ritual, allowing people to explore own sense of value and achievement ~ expressing the weave of life.
Only by sharing, can one be able to receive feedback that builds confidence and self-esteem.
Feasting on excesses in a rich dance of wonder, people slowly draw together, a focus’s upon the ritual itself.