fhionamacg@yahoo.com
belteine vs samhain
fhionamacg
fhionamacg@yahoo.com
Sun Apr 25 05:26:41 2004
Hi there everyone*br*I have been away for a long time! *br*I have a question that I thought perhaps I could field here, and obtain some assistance with finding a satisfactory answer.*p*The Scots-Irish literature indicates that the Banais Righ ( Sacred marriage) took place between the Ard Ri and the Goddess (Eriu, Tlachtga, and Medb) at the Feis of Tara, at the Hill of Tara, and seems to have been an act in sympathy with the ritual mating of the Dagda with the Morrighan, Boann and Indech's daughter. *p*If, in the Scots-Irish tradition, the Banais Righ occured at Samhain, why then is it that so many neo-pagan traditions associate the banais righ/ hierogamos with Belteine?*p*In my research on the topic, I found that the Irish banais righ was associated with a number of Goddesses, from a number of sacred sites and political centres as well- which seems to be a little confusing- unless the Ard Ri was perhaps a mirror of the Dagda, and the other righ mating in sympathy with him with thier own regional goddesses. (and also considering that the custom may have been cross-tribal/cross cultural among people of common IE origins. (pure speculation on my part- just trying to make sense of it all)*p*Any ideas on this? I appreciate any input.*p**br*Blessings*br*F/|\