SPRING EQUINOX FESTIVAL REPORT
FOUNDATION CENTRE - IRELAND
April 5, 2021
By: Cáit Branigan
On Saturday 20th March 2021, we at the Foundation Centre held our Spring Equinox festival. As has become customary for many throughout the world, in these strange times, we gathered together online for our celebration. Though it has been difficult for us all not to be able to gather in person, we have the blessing of Fellowship members joining us in our ceremonies from countries such as France, UK, Canada and the US. This has been a genuine delight as we feel the true nature of our diversity and our unity in the Fellowship of Isis.
We began our ceremony with a visionary procession through the grounds, from the Rose Garden to the Grove, the Abbey to the statue of Persephone and into the Temple itself. On the journey we sang the chants we often sing together when in person. Thus we brought ourselves into harmony with the Spirit of Place, the Spirit of the Land and the Temple to which we are dedicated. At each point on the procession our Priesthood invoked the Gods and Goddesses in recognition of the Rosa Mundi, The Druid Clan of Dana and the Noble Order of Tara.
Upon entering the Temple in our vision, we proceeded to the Well. Here, we gave welcome to our Spring Equinox ceremony and Cressida shared her experiences of Julian of Norwich and themes of Hope and Endurance. We then invoked the Deities, drawing on their power, love and sustenance as we opened into the vibrancy of Spring, while still finding our way through these times of deep change and evolution. Raising the chalice of blessed water, we invoked the Age of Aquarius and its deep changing powers. All participants had brought their own water to the ceremony and so a Hymn to the Goddess of Spring was sung as we individually blessed ourselves whilst feeling the blessing of Olivia with us also.
From here we moved to the High Altar in our vision, seeing the lighted candles and the gold statue of Isis before us. Isis was invoked through an Egyptian prayer and we all recited the prayer to Isis. Then, deepening into our hearts, we received an Oracle from the Goddess Tara, from the mouth of Olivia herself . All of us were moved to have Olivia's voice and presence in our ceremony, her spirit amongst us once again. After some beautiful harp music, to allow time for reflection and absorption of the Oracle, a participant shared a beautiful, poetic, retelling of the story of Persephone through the words of Demeter. A wonder evocation of the Mother's experience of her Divine Daughter.
Entering a wonderful inner journey, guided by one of our Priestesses, we were led to Sli na Cailligh - Lough Crew - to meet with the Spring Maiden, led by the beautiful White Mare. Here we encountered the Cailleach who in her wisdom, reminded us that She and the Spring Maiden are one being and, through both manifestations, wisdom and understanding of the true nature of our own being may be found. From the height of the Cairns to the liminal shore we were then led, to bathe, cleanse and purify our beings in the sea in preparation for our own re-emergence into Spring and our vital spirit. This journey was followed by a song to allow us to integrate the wonder and beauty of the journey into our hearts and souls.
We then had a mystery play - The Mystery Play of Pallas Athene and Arachne - from the Athenaea rite. The presider narrated while two priestesses took on the roles of Pallas Athene and Arachne. This was both poignant and joyful with another reminder that the dark Goddess of the Matrix births all into Life. The play was followed by a wonderful poetic offering and then our healing circle. Here we recalled people from all lands and cultures, as well as those near and dear to us in need of support and prayer. To finish, we placed our hope and our sense of the promise of the coming season into eggs, allowing those hopes to burgeon with the strengthening light.
We concluded and thanked the Goddesses and Gods and all present for our celebration. Through this time of lockdown, we have somehow managed to draw closer from our different shores, our different lands, and this is a true gift. For we are all One under the Heavens and upon the Earth - one people, one world in Love, Truth and Beauty. May it ever be so. Beannachtai o mo chroi go do chroi - blessings from my heart to yours.
Cáit Branigan
