Alban Arthan
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In Neo-druidism, Alban Arthan is a seasonal festival at the Winter solstice. The name derives from the writings of Iolo Morganwg.
On the Solstice, druids would gather by the oldest Mistletoe clad Oak. The Chief Druid would make his way to the mistletoe to be cut whilst below, other Druids would hold open a sheet to catch it, making sure none of it touched the ground. With his Golden Sickle, and in one chop, the Chief Druid would remove the mistletoe, to be caught below. [1] The early Christian church banned the use of mistletoe because of it's association with Druids.
The holiday is observed in a manner that commemorates the death of the Holly King identified with the wren bird (symbolizing the old year and the shortened sun) at the hands of his son and successor, the robin redbreast Oak King (the new year and the new sun that begins to grow).[2] The Battle of the Holly King and Oak King is re-enacted at rituals, both open and closed. The battle is usually in the form of words but it has been known for there to be sword battles. The scene to the left depicts The Oak Kings final strike against his brother, The Holly King and to ultimate victory, at least for the next six months. The battle shown took place at the Anderida Gorsedds open ritual for the Winter Solstice or Mean Geimrech in 2005 at The Long Man of Wilmington.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Philip Carr-Gomm - The Rebirth of Druidry: Ancient Earth Wisdom for Today
- ^ Farrar, Janet and Stewart ([1989] 1998). The Witch's God, "IX Oak King and Holly King". 35-38. Phoenix Publishing, Inc. Blaine, Washington. ISBN 0-919345-47-6 pp 35-38
