An Irish Autumn Equinox and Midharvest
The info provided here comes from the book “Irish Customs and Rituals” by Marion McGarry! Whether or not the ancient Celts of Ireland celebrated or even acknowledged the autumn equinox is up for debate. Ancient monuments built before the celts arrived in Ireland however, such as the cairns of Loughcrew, catch the light of the sunrise on both the spring and autumn equinox to light up the back wall within the ancient tombs to reveal stone carvings, much like Newgrange. This indicates a significance for this time of year and is worth noting.
There are however, traditions associated with this time of year in Ireland but these celebrations lend themselves to the Catholic holiday Michaelmas, which falls on September 29th (Very close to the equinox, which falls on September 22nd). You could argue that there may be some connection between Michaelmas and the autumn equinox. Michaelmas is heavily associated with the harvest, much like the Autumn Equinox is and so I personally transfer these traditions into my own modern pagan Midharvest (Equinox) traditions. Before we discuss those though, I want to talk about some harvest superstitions!
The cutting of the last sheaf was an important ritual. Known as “The cutting of the Cailleach”, it was believed that the spirit of The Cailleach (An irish hag deity of winter and storms) resides in the last sheaf and it was important for the workers to slay her. A contest is held between them by flinging their hooks at the last standing sheaf until it was cut. The winner would wear it around the neck and bring it home to preserve for the year to come. The sheaf took various forms: an actual sheaf, a plait of straws or straws tied together. People believed that it was powerful and brought good health to livestock, safety to the people and luck to the household. It was also meant to prevent drowning. The sheaf was stored up in the roof rafters or above the fireplace. The “Harvest Home” or the “Reaping dance” was a feast given by farmers to their workers to celebrate the end of the harvest. The Cailleach was ceremonially presented to the women of the house and hung above the table for the duration of the meal. Bacon or beef and cabbage was often served. Drinking of whiskey, playing music, dancing and much merriment was also an important part! Harvest knots were also made and worn this time of year. They were made from straw plaits and twists usually worn in the hair of women and on the lapels of men.
It was said that harvesting had to be finished by Michaelmas. It was tradition for Goose to be roasted and eaten on that day and it was also given the name “Goose Harvest”. Killed and plucked geese were given as gifts to friends or distributed to the poor. Other foods were enjoyed too like Apples and blackberries though it was important not to pick and eat blackberries after Michaelmas, as the púca was said to spit on them and make them spoil. (The púca is an irish fairy that shapeshifts into various animals and was feared by the people. He is associated with Samhain and the end of the harvest) Mutton pies were also sold at fairs and markets around this time of year. I personally call the Irish autumn equinox celebration “Midharvest” as reference to the word for September in gaeilge “ Meán Fómhair “ which translates to “Middle of Harvest” (Similar to how May is Bealtaine, Samhain is November etc) and how the autumn equinox marks the very middle of autumn and the harvest season.
So how can we celebrate Midharvest? Host your own Harvest Home or Reaping dance! Have a feast and a party with music, dancing, drinking and eating! Serve up some goose, mutton pies, beef, bacon and cabbage and apple or blackberry desserts! Or anything from your own harvest if you have anything. Make some harvest knots with friends and family and do some final harvesting of blackberries before the púca gets them! If you’re harvesting anything you’ve grown this year, perhaps create a ceremony out of the last sheaf and bring it into the home for the feast.
Happy Midharvest!!
(This post can also be found on my tumblr, Pagans&Witches Amino and the Witches Circle Amino)