4 Years ~ Year of the Sun

March 20, 2004

How time seems to flow on by-  I am glad to see another anniversary here in Autumn Magick.  This year I decided to keep things simple and focused on the power of the number four represented in the times of the fire festivals, in the sweeping of solar changes and the influences of the Celtic cross.  I have also compiled a poetic page inspired on the Four Cities of the Tuatha de Dannan to carry along this theme.  However, if you wish to see all of this years works please feel free to contribute drop on by the AM Yahoo group.

The wheel crosses appearing on rock carvings from a much earlier period, can stand for the four directions and for the world tree.  With its four limbs, it holds the underworld, the earth, and the vault of heaven together to prevent chaos.  The spoked wheel of  equal length days can so reverently appear as the sun in many religions.  The circle as protection, (seen in the style of the fortress of Hillfort and earlier round houses or huts) and the arms supporting and reinforcing the circle.  The Celtic warriors such as CúChulainn used a technique for catching birds and salmon jumping involves moving in a circle.  The high cross later became affiliated with Christianity and the ideology of feudalism which penetrated into Celtic lands.  Yet through all it's transformations the number four still penetrates an underlying naturalistic concept of life and death within the mysteries.  It represents fire, both which can burn or provide light and healing energy.

So it is only appropriate that Autumn Magick has reached some maturity.  We have come through a dark time in which the moon seemed to rule over most of it.  2003 held great astrological significance with the approach of Mars and with the Harmonic Concordance in November.  It also held the great vales open between a set of Lunar eclipses.  What is ahead for us in the year of the sun?  Look for comets, and objects that burn brightly.  The solar activity itself buffeting our atmosphere, and maybe perhaps travel.  When you draw sun cards in the Druid Animal Oracle it usually brings you the chariot in one form or another and offers us travel both near and far.  So set your personal goals and sites on observation all along that ride.  Time keeps moving along and I look forward to another year ahead of us. 

~Autumn

W

Drum to the four beats

For each direction carries us along

Towards the seas where our ancestors belong

Our eyes can only see so far

But our hearts carry on stronger

With blood that flows from the timeless source

Like the sun and moon wheeling on

It answers within us with greater mysteries

Turning round spokes in the great wheel

Beat with me upon the drum

Ask the dancer to draw deep their footsteps

Calling in truth and light

With beauty and pride they glide

Some have the warrior's stance

While others sing along to the chant

Listen to the rhythm for it speaks to us all

Asking us to honor life and all the cycles

For they are intricate and interwoven always

With some of the steps hidden in meaning of the twists & turns

While others you can plainly see

Sense them there and call upon your name

Speak up for the charge to gain

And when all the darkest night seems to pass

Darker still it may become before the light

But in our hearts we carry the flame burning bright

Walking the straight path with inner sight

There are changes in these steps and shuffling of feet

Yet with hope and knowledge we dance on

Extending our arms and excepting the flow

Guided by the cosmic beat.