Sure, sure, you read in the media that Pagans and Pan-Theists are a scruffy New-Age lot shuffling about in a mish-mash of belief systems. While there is a decided lack of dogma involved in Paganism and I know that this lack really, really bothers some of your more structured religious folks, have you ever stopped to consider what would happen if Pagans weren't there? Or worse yet, what would happen if all of the pagans converted to Christianity or stopped being infidels and embraced Islam?
The sun would stop coming up, that's what would happen. Here's why:
Winter solstice has come and gone again. In the magical and dangerous time when the veil between night and day, darkness and light, becomes thin and tenuous, certain rituals must be performed to ensure the return of the light. The sun shines on the rest of you lot as well as the Pagans, so pay attention. Each year, with the coming of solstice eve, hardy bands of Pagans, Hippies and their Neo-hippie off-spring along with various Pan-Theist New-Agers, trek to the beaches, the forests, the mountains, or Stonehenge, to commemorate the passing of the world from darkness to light. Bonfires are lit and libations toasted, drunk and spilled to earth as the longest night gives way to the promise of longer days.
Once again, our stout band of Manly-Men and Womanly-Women donned skis and snowshoes to trek up the mountain to a tiny lake perched in the bowl of a mighty mountain cirque to mark the passing of the night. The traditional dura-log was packed to guarantee a roaring fire, even in the deepest snow. Many a libation were lovingly slossed into stainless sig bottles and treats nestled in zip-lock bags. Headlamps twinkled through the darkness of snow-bent trees and as we shoed and schussed our way up hill and avalanche chute to the tiny knoll above the frozen puddle of the lake that is the source for the Snoqualmie River.
Lightweight shovels made quick work of constructing the circle and snow benches, magical fire was lighted to bring warmth and the promise of a new dawn and the ring was joined with smiling faces. Then began the carefully scripted ritual to ward off the night. In a methodically choreographed sequence of drinking, laughing, eating and pyrotechnics, we ushered the longest night onwards and embraced the promise of longer daylight to come until the summer solstice. Without this yearly Pagan vigilance, this selfless determination of small bands all over the world, the night might very well remain in place, ending life on this planet as we know it. It would be dark times, dark times indeed my friends.
So the next sunny morning that you and the family are off to the church or synagogue or mosque, ponder the light of day for a moment. Think of the joys, the warmth and the wonder that comes from the jolly old sun. And while the rays of that star caress your face, keeping you alive, remember to say a small thank-you. Say thank you to the unknown ranks of pagans across the world who yearly sacrifice sleep and sensibility to keep the solstice vigil that brings the sun back from the night. Remember, without our scruffy lot doing their bit for everyone, one of these days Mr. Hume could be right and then we would really need those LED headlamps.
No comments:
Post a Comment