ALBAN HEFFYN

This is midsummer, the Celtic feast of oaks which marks the evening before the longest day. It is not the real middle of the summer but the solstitial point of the sun. On this day the power and efficience of the sun and the oak have reached their highest point.
 

DATE
About June 21st, summer solstice
 

CORRESPONDING MODERN FEAST
Summer solsticy, Midsummer Day
 

CELTIC GODS
Ogmios, (Arianhod), Huon, Math
 

ASSIGNMENT
Sun event, male
 

CUSTOMS
Need fires, jumping over or through between two fires that burn on oak wood, searching for elves in the evening before, rituals of inspiration, gathering plants that are dedicated to the sun, reading aloud in circles
 

SYMBOLS
The oak (leaves, berries, rind), the sun face, upblazing fires, Pan
 

DEDICATED FOOD
Wine of oak, fresh spring vegetables, light bread, young cheese
 

SMOKE WORK
Mixture of oak and mistletoe, red dog-rose, fern
 

TRESHOLD TIME
Dusk