Tiocobrextio: An Autumnal Equinox Feast

The spirit of the north wind.

This is my first high-day ritual incorporating the Gaul hearth culture. One of the great challenges was to find the Gaulish equivalent for Mabon.

There is no clear evidence as to whether the Gauls celebrate the Automnal Equinox. In fact, it isn't very clear either whether there's a Gaulish word for "autumn". Scholars suggest the words uogiamos ("before winter"), or messus ("harvest"), but being in the Pacific tropics I wanted a less season-related word. I may be worshiping Gaulish gods but I'd like to keep my rituals relevant to the spirit of the land.

In the ADF dedicant manual, the Gaulish fall equinox festival is called Diocomrextios. I could hardly find any resources as to the origin of this word though, and it seems that the more correct, or at least the more popular reconstruction of the word is Tiocobrextio. However, far from what the manual says, this is not a festival specific to the fall equinox. In the Coligny calendar, an ancient artifact that has preserved the time keeping method of the Gauls, Tiocobrextio appears a few times throughout the Gaulish year, notably in the months of Simiuissonā (around May) and Ēdrini (around August). The word can either mean a "day of justice" (rextu, "law", "justice") or a "day of magic" (brixto, "magic", "incantation"). It works for me either way. A day for doing magic and for making things right.

It might be preposterous to make associations from Western astrology, but this being the time when the Sun enters Libra (the scales of Justice) makes it even easier for me to accept Tiocobrextio. The narrative may have changed but the theme remains largely the same with Mabon: transition, equlibrium, moderation.

Wheel and lightning. Votive offerings to the thunder god.

The Wheel of Taranis

Taranis is the Gaulish god of the skies and lord of storms. His most popular symbol is the wheel, which is associated with thunder. It is said that in the olden days, the sound of thunder was thought to be made by Taranis' chariot passing through the heavens. In this age of weather satellites, I see Taranis' wheels in tropical cyclones and in the shifting currents of the monsoon winds.

In the Philippines, the weeks following the fall equinox is a period of transition from wet to dry season. The cool, northern winds begin to prevail over the rainy, southwesterly winds. This also signals the peak of the migration of birds coming from the cold north going to the warmer south. The Philippine islands, sitting smack in the middle of the Asian and Australian continents, serves as a stop-over for the migratory birds, hence earning its title, "the avian archipelago".

I think it's a wonderful synchronicity that, in the old Filipino myth about the creation of man, the north wind, Amihan, is represented by a giant bird.

The boon of the tropics (clockwise starting from the big, spiky one): 

durian, rambutan, marang, lanzones and atis.

A Tropical Harvest

I usually just have wine and bread (and the occasional chocolate bar) for the celebratory feast, but from now on I am resolved to buy local seasonal produce. It's healthy; it's a good way to attune with the land; and it's quite cheap. For just a litte more than 200 pesos, I got enough food to share with family. Therefore, it's also one way to get the rest of the non-pagan household to join in with the celebration.

We may not have the corn-and-grain type, pre-winter harvest of the temperate lands, but we still do have seasonal crops. And it just happens that the fruits in season this time of the year are the really weird-looking and funky-smelling ones. Here's what I had in the shopping list:

• Durián - Banned in malls, hotels and train stations because of its infamous, foul odor; and occasionally bludgeoning innocent people to death passing by under it's tree, this so-called "king of fruits" in the tropics is actually more like the super-villain of fruits.
• Rambután - Very cheap and very nutritious. Soft, furry, and sturdy. I think they would make great stress balls too.
• Márang - Exudes a strong smell even unopen, but the scent is more pleasant than Durian's. It's one of the most delicious and addicting fruit I've ever tasted.
• Lanzónes - The grapes of the tropics. Sour and sweet and tastes a bit like lychee. I actually find more joy popping them open than eating them. 
• Átis - A friend told me they look like dinosaur balls - as if he'd actually seen a pair. I like the taste, but the seeds get in the way from fully enjoying it.

My dedicant shrine. The sacred fire, a lamp with a triple flame. The sacred well, a pot filled with rain water. The sacred tree, represented by the goddess Danu with a symbolic tree design on her dress and standing on a triple spiral, a symbol of the convergence of the three worlds. 

Offerings and libations. I had Korean soju for ritual drink.

The dedicant shrine, post-ritual. 

Perth-Sowilo-Dagaz denotes a bright new beginning. 

Votive offerings to Taranis by a storm drain.

Basbasan Nawa!

Update - Oct 15, 2012: I think I'm changing the name to Cantlos - the name by which the Three Cranes Grove, an ADF grove which adopts the Gaulish hearth culture, calls this High Day. Cantlos is the last month of the Gaulish year, corresponding roughly to September, and literally means "the month of songs". This, being the month of my birth day, makes better sense for me. It's also a lot less mouthful (and sounds less pretentious) than Tiocobrextio. Why haven't I discovered this sooner? 

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10 Things About Wicca That Wiccans Should Know

1. Gerald Gardner, known as the father of Wicca, never actually used the word "Wicca" nor "Wiccan". He referred to his religion as "witchcraft" or "the Old Religion", and its followers, "the Wica". Ironically it was from his adversary, Charles Cardell,  where the word "Wicca" actually came from.

G.B.Gardner and an unfortunate chap. 

2. "Wicca" is an Old English word simply meaning "witch". In the middle ages this word is pronounced as "witcha". Whether it also denotes the meaning of "wise" is still largely debatable in the field of etymology.

3. While a sabbat is a gathering of witches for the purpose of religious celebration of the seasons, an esbat is a gathering of witches for any other occasion. It does not necessarily have to fall on a full moon, nor does it even have to be religious at all.

"Wiccans" of the "Alexandrian" tradition - words in quotes were not yet 'invented' at the time of this photograph. Here a coven of witches dance around a magic circle lead by self-proclaimed "King of the Witches", Alex Sanders. 

4. Gardner was initiated into the New Forest coven - not the Black Forest coven. The Black Forest tradition would be established many years later by the American witch Silver Ravenwolf.

5. Only four of the sabbats are based on ancient Celtic festivals: Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh. The Celtic names given to the sabbats are a fairly new addition, in the older books they are simply called Halloween, Candlemas, May Eve, and Lammas. Yule and Ostara are based on Germanic celebrations.  Mabon and Litha didn't get their names until the 1970's. Gardner's coven originally celebrated only the four 'Celtic' feasts. Celebration of the solstices and equinoxes were added later thanks to the influence of the modern druidic movement.

American witches who made Wiccan history (clockwise from top left): Margot Adler, Aidan Kelly, Z Budapest, Selena Fox, Ed Fitch, Starhawk.

6. Hecate, a popular patron deity among Wiccans, while known as a triple-goddess, was never viewed by the ancient Greeks nor modern Hellenic reconstructionists as maiden-mother-and-crone. The same is true with the Celtic triple goddesses Brighid and the Morrighan. The concept of the maiden-mother-crone triplicity is a modern and Wiccan concept and was introduced to the world by the poet Robert Graves in his pseudo-anthropological book "The White Goddess".

7. The athame is used for casting a circle, calling the quarters, and drawing the pentagram on the air - but not for invoking the God and the Goddess. The wand, which is a symbol of the spirit and the connection with the higher world, is much better suited for this purpose.  Pointing a sharp weapon to someone isn't particularly a respectful gesture. (See photo of Gardner above.)

The magician - raising the wand and connecting with the divine source.

8. "All gods are one god, and all goddesses are one goddess" is the general theistic philosophy of Wicca, popularized by occultist and psychiatrist Dion Fortune. Some Wiccans believe that this is the widespread belief among all Pagan religions. But this is actually closer to the theistic belief of the Hindus (monistic), than that of classical Paganism (polytheistic). While this Jungian concept of gods remains popular today, many other pagans are polytheists (all gods are not one, but separate identities), pantheists (all is god), panentheists (all is in god), non-theists (no gods, just spirits), and even atheists (no gods at all).

A note from a reader:  "...The diamond theory, although usually taught in many covens, especially during Outer Court training, is not Wiccan theology. That's propagated by most authors. In actuality, Wicca (that is, the Traditional side aka "original" Wicca) is an orthopraxic system. In other words, practice is more important than belief...they are not taught how to interpret the Gods or even their experiences in the Mysteries; rather, they are told that experiencing those things and practicing in the same, effective manner as the rest of the coven, is enough. It doesn't matter whether they are agnostics, polytheists, monotheists or even atheists..." - Alorer

9. Whether you like it or not, Aleister Crowley - also known as the Great Beast, Frater Perdurabo, 666 - did play a huge part in the formation of ideas and rituals of what was to be known as Wicca.

Image from www.cafepress.com/sekhetmaat

10. Gardner spent much years of his life living in India, South-East Asia and Ghana, both to earn a living and to study the indigenous religions of these lands, some of which he may have adapted into Wicca. The concept of 'skyclad', for example, came from the digambara practice of the Jains of  India - 'digambara' literally meaning 'sky-clad'. It might be possible that he has studied the  beliefs as well of our local tribes, as he wrote in his historic book:

"Pygmies now live in the same way in Central Africa, Malaya, New Guinea, the Deccan, Ceylon and the Philippines. I have known many of them and they all use poisoned arrows, and are thought to possess magical powers" -- Witchcraft Today

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I have been around with our local Wiccan community for many years now, and at times I've been called to teach or lead a smaller group. I listed above some informational tidbits which I find that many among our local Wiccan-folk might not be aware of. While these may be dismissed as trivial I hope that it would encourage beginning Wiccans to learn more about the facts and history of their faith. Although I am no longer Wiccan it doesn't mean I no longer have to put my energy into learning about it. My path today has actually taken me even closer to its origins and beliefs.

Blessed Be!

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The Tetrasomia Pentacle and Finding Balance Among the Four Elements

I call this little creation of mine the "Tetrasomia" pentacle, named after the title of Empedocles’ venerable  treatise on the four elements. I designed it in a way to illustrate the relationship among the elements according to classical Western wisdom: The red part on the right side represents the masculine element of Fire, while the blue part on the left is the feminine element of Water. Above and in the middle of them is the neutral element of Air (yellow), which unites and harmonizes the energies of the two opposing elements of Water and Fire. And finally at the center of them all is the pentagram, the symbol of Earth, which represents materialization brought forth from the balanced interaction of Fire, Water and Air.

The colors representing three of the elements are the traditional primary colors, and the assignment is based on the Golden Dawn system of correspondences. Incidentally, they are also the colors of the Philippine flag, and with the same positions too as on the pentacle.

Elemental tools on my Samhuinn altar

The elemental tools are also depicted on the pentacle and can be found on their corresponding elements: the feminine cup on Water, the masculine wand on Fire, and the double-edged sword on Air. The fourth tool is of course the pentacle itself, again echoing the concept of Earth being the embodiment and the material form of those elements.

I created this as a logo for a local organization called the Philippine Wiccan Society, whose initials “P.W .S.” are written in Theban script around the pentagram. The letters also stand for the three Platonic virtues alternatively named as: Patience (Temperance), Wisdom (Prudence), and Strength (Fortitude), with the central pentagram symbolizing the fourth virtue, Justice (which may be also considered as Balance).

A depiction of the four Platonic virtues at the Strasbourg cathedral, France.

More than just an altar tool, this has also been a sort of a personal mandala reminding me of the human quest for evolution, which for me is basically an unending series of dialectic: something new and better arising from the harmony of two conflicting elements.

Over the years I have come to derive more meanings from this symbol, but the most important one so far is one which I discovered when I entered the Druid path. The letters P V S, coincidentally, corresponds to the First Triad of the Druidic teachings of Árn nDraíocht Féin, namely Piety, Virtue and Study. (Note that W and V is written using the same character in Theban.)

Virtue is the duty of every person who wishes to live well within society. We consider the many things that the old lore has to teach about virtue, and do our best to apply our insights to our own lives.

Piety is the duty we owe to the Gods and Spirits, for which They bless us in turn. When we choose to learn ritual, when we make our home shrines and altars, when we keep the customs and rites of the High Days, we bring piety to our work.

Study is the duty we owe to ourselves to grow by effort in strength, wisdom and love. To be more then we are when we begin, we must absorb new ideas, new methods and new goals we seek these in both scholarship and the work of inspiration.

– Árn nDraíocht Féin

It's easy to see why balance among the elements of this triad is necessary: Focusing on Piety alone can make one a self-absorbed hypocrite, focusing on Study alone can make one a dry intellectual, and focusing on Virtue alone can make one a nice person - but dangerously naive.

I assume that Piety can also apply to magical practice or any spiritual work for self-transformation, so I think spiritual non-Theists can relate to this triad as well. What I like about it is that it teaches the balance of spiritual practice, scholarly learning, and applying the wisdom you gained to your actions in the everyday world. And of all of these points out to the development of the four elements in us - spirit (fire), emotions (water), mind (air) and body (earth).

Basbasan Nawa!

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