Home of TAC. We are a networking organization designed to bring together heathens from around the world.
I’m not sure if the link will display properly. If it doesn’t; its supposed to be to TACs web page on “Winter Finding,” Unless you’re in the Southern Hemisphere (where Heathens there should be beginning their Ostara celebrations); the Fall Equinox is what many Heathens refer to as Winter Finding, and its coming up quick! This years Autumn Equinox falls on Thur 22 Sept. 2016. What plans have YOU made to mark this next turn of the wheel? ;)
Notes from my personal calendar: The Fall Equinox - also known as Mabon/Modron (Brythonic-Gaulish/Proto-Celtic), Meán Fómhair (Irish), Alban Elfed (Welsh), Vetur Finna or Haust blót (Icelandic), Winter Finding or Harvest Home (Anglo-Saxon) - is the second of three Norse-Gael festivals marking the harvest season. Many branches of Asatru celebrate the Fall Equinox as a kind of "Thanksgiving". Historically, this date marks the official beginning of winter in the northern lands, when light and dark are once again in balance; however, this time of year the dark wins the struggle. Our ancestors depended heavily on a successful harvest season to make it through the dark half of the year, so they took this time to give thanks to the gods for a fruitful harvest, healthy and plentiful herds, and to recognize the need to share the harvest with those less prepared due to circumstance often outside their control for the coming winter months.
AVG. DATE: 22-23 September
COLORS OF THE SEASON: Red/Maroon, Orange/Russet, Gold, Brown, Violet/Indigo
GOD/DESS': Freyr and/or Freya (Norse - Vanic fertility deities); Nerthus and/or Jord (Norse - earth deities); Mabon and/or Modron (Welsh - divine mother & son pair)
ALTAR SYMBOLS: Grapes, Wine, Grains/Wheat Stalks, Corn/Indian Corn, Apples, Nuts, Burial Cairns, Sun Wheel
CRYSTALS (if you’re into that sort of thing, and I am): Yellow Shades of Topaz, Jasper, Fluorite and Agates, Amber, Citrine, Lapis, Sapphire, Peridot, Herkimer Diamonds, River Rocks (that have been submerged throughout the Summer)
HERBS, ETC (to burn for cleansing or in tribute): Benzoin, Myrrh, Sage, Oak Moss/Leaves, Pine, Cedar, Frankincense, Apple Seed/Blossom, Tobacco, Wood Aloes, Roses, Rose Hips, Marigold, Mums, Jasmine, Balm of Gilead
FOCUS OF THE SEASON: Balance/Harmony, Change/Transition, Protection/Security, Wealth/Prosperity, Self Confidence
RITUAL ACTS: Autumn cleaning and smudging in preparation for winter - air out your home and declutter. Clean out your closets and donate items to reputable charities that assist those that may need that which you no longer do. (Some of our favourites include abused women’s shelters, the Salvation Army, and area food pantries.) Donate to food drives and/or volunteer for related charity work. Make a day of visiting an orchard, farmer’s market and/or working farm with your family. Bring in your harvest (whether you grew it yourself or purchased it!) and preserve the bounty. Build a scarecrow for your garden. Visit the graves of your loved ones and leave golden apples in memory. (We sometimes choose this time of year to organize a cemetery scavenger hunt. Many lie forgotten in a cold grave. Its our way of letting those souls know that they matter still.) Invite over family and/or friends for a feast - use it as an opportunity to clean out your pantry of what remains that’s dated and make way for new stores of food for the coming winter. Reflect upon the labours of the past year and count your blessings. Give honour to the gods and ask them to inspire you through the lean times ahead.