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Loughcrew Equinox

The Loughcrew cairns, Oldcastle, Co. Meath, Ireland, are approximately 5,400 years old (Older than the pyramids of Egypt). Each Spring and Autumn Equinox the rising sun lights the passage chamber of Cairn T, the rays hitting the highly decorated back stone.

Many stories are connected to this prehistoric site including that of the Cailleach or witch/goddess. According to the Legend, the Loughcrew cairns were formed by the Cailleach throwing rocks from her apron, jumping from hill to hill. It is said that she tripped and died and is buried on Patrickstown, one of the hills. The area, known today as Sliabh na Caillí or Mountain of the Witch, reflects this age-old story.

 

 

 

The Art of Irish Lore

Rowan (Caorthann) - card
  • Rowan (Caorthann) - card
  • Rowan (Caorthann) - card
SKU NT14
€3.00

22 January - 18 February

The period of January 22nd - February 18th is covered by the Rowan (Mountain Ash) and is known by Caorthann in Irish. The Rowan was very revered by the ancient Irish. It was believed that the first woman was created from a Rowan and it was said that fairies would dance around this tree on moonlit nights.
The ancient feast of Imbolc or Imbolg falls in this period. Imbolc comes from the old Irish, I mbolg which means “in the belly”. This referred to the impending birth of animals such as lambs. It was a festival which revolved around the family where fires or candles would be lit in homes to welcome the promise of the coming Spring and a time of renewal.
The feast fell on what’s now known as the Christian festival of St. Brigid’s day. St. Brigid has both pre-Christian and Christian relevance as Brigid or Brig, was a Goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann (an ancient mythical Irish race) but Brigid was also a powerful female figure in the early Christian and as we see in this illustration, the echo of a famous Irish tradition, the St. Brigid’s Cross, beneath the roots of the Rowan.
The Ogham, (ancient Irish writing), is two horizontal lines to the right side of a stone.

Illustration from an original by Margaret McKenna