[NR] a challenge of peace & a little history...

[Craig Henson]

Thank you Aunt Dwen!

Gerard
Northkeep


>From: "Aunt Dwen" <auntdwen at us.inter.net>
>Reply-To: northern at ansteorra.org
>To: <northern at ansteorra.org>
>Subject: Re: [NR] a challenge of peace & a little history...
>Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2001 17:09:36 -0500
>
>Greetings, Ceridwen Here:
>
>     I am intrigued about the idea of an Arch.  I think Samhain is a
>wonderful time of year for such a project, if there is support for it.
>Samhain is often called the Celtic New Year.  The year in many Celtic
>cultures ended and began at Samhain. As celebrated by many of the pagan
>folk
>out there, Samhain is a ritual where the lives of the departed are
>remembered and celebrated.  Typically there is special mention of those who
>have passed since last Samhain, but it is also a time when many feel the
>veil between this world and the afterlife is thin.  It is a time when the
>spirits of our ancestors are closer to us.  Many of these same themes can
>be
>found in the Roman Catholic Feast of All Saints, held on November 1st
>(hence
>All Hallows Eve, or the more familiar Hallowe'en).  Kathryn Morse describes
>the Roman Catholic All Saints Day thus:
>
>     "The Feast of All Saints is the celebration of our relationship with
>those in the triumphant church - those who have preceded us in entry to
>heaven. It began with local festivals in the early church. Ever since there
>were Christian martyrs, local churches have honored their martyrs. Lists
>were kept locally and feast days were held locally. Of course there were
>martyrs who were not recorded for various reasons.
>     In the sixth century, Pope Boniface IV proclaimed May 13, 610, Feast
>of
>All Holy Martyrs held in Rome to honor all martyrs not listed in local
>records. In 835, Pope Gregory IV changed the date and name to November 1
>and
>Feast of All Saints. A theory for the change in date is that since the
>feast
>was large and popular, it was easier to have a fall date to take advantage
>of the fall harvest for the food supply."
>
>     Now, before folks get their breeches in a wad because I'm talking
>about
>religion and the SCA in the same breath, just remember that there are a
>number of the events we hold every year that are religious holidays to
>someone--Yule & Beltane, for example--and religious overtones will
>inevitably enter in to the event--Yule trees, frolicsome behavior 'round
>the
>Maypole at Beltane, etc. Also, I am not advocating doing a pagan or
>Christian ceremony with the Arch per se, but supporting the notion that
>Samhain is a good time for remembering the dead AND for making a new
>beginning.
>
>     HE Katrin did mention using the Arch at times in the future, as well.
>I
>just wouldn't want to do anything at Northkeep's Anniversary and
>Investiture
>event that draws attention away from that Barony, it's birthday or the
>investiture of her newest Baron and Baroness without Northkeep's
>invitation.
>Their plates are pretty full already...
>
>     Just my thoughts on the matter.
>
>Bright Blessings,
>
>Auntie Dwen
>House Wizard's Keep
>
>_______________________________________________
>Northern mailing list
>Northern at ansteorra.org
>http://www.ansteorra.org/mailman/listinfo/northern


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