Autumn Equinox 2004

The effects of the equinox have had their usual amount of sadness, marriage, and partnership break ups, illness etc. I sometimes dread the psychic tides turning and waiting throughout the eddying for the ending of the old and beginnings of the new tide and its consequences. On driving through Croydon, which is a nightmare of one-way streets, I managed to bump into another car; surprisingly, the sound, as they crunched together, was amazingly satisfying. My car was a write-off, typical Equinox stuff! I was so pleased to be back in Snowdonia where driving means travelling long distances along narrow twisting roads but at speed with very few stops, unless road works are in progress. Wales has wonderful roads!

For many years, I have wanted to go to the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance and on the 6th of September, I witnessed the horn dancers perform what seems an obviously Pagan dance of Life and Death, fertility and recognition of the growing and harvested crops. The dancers travel a good distance throughout the day stopping to dance at least seventeen times, which is quite a feat as the horns weigh from 16,25 1bs to 23.251bs. Most of these stopping places are at farms, pubs and Blithfield Hall, a very grand house. The farmers are extremely generous bringing cakes, wine, and beer for all to partake.

The earliest reference to the dance was in Plots 1686; this does not mean the Horn Dance is the same age. Carbon dating tests gave the age of the horns as 1065. It is believed that the dance was performed at the three-day Berthelmy Fair, granted to the Abbots of Burton by Henry 111 in 1226 celebrating St Bartholomew’s Day, August 24th. The correction of the Julian calendar in 1752 moved the fair to the beginning of September and over the years, the three days have become one.

The dancers consist of twelve, and by tradition, always male. Six men carry the reindeer antlers accompanied by Maid Marian, the Jester or Fool, the Hobby Horse, a boy carrying a bow and arrow, another a triangle on which he beats time, and a musician, nowadays playing an accordion, it used to be a fiddle.

The day was fabulous although Bilbo did upset the Morris men by running amok and creating mayhem. Fortunately, Nigel and Madeline rescued Bilbo who was really trying to find Moira in the crowd, who he adores.

I was surprised there were only a couple of hundred people there as it really is a fabulous tradition. The date changes every year, which can be confusing, but I do know that in 2005 the Horn Dance will be on the 5th of September.

August: Thank you for your fabulous letters and those who reminded me to update this section of the site. Sometimes the magic really is far more important and absorbing; it is the centre of my life activities.

The talk in Cardiff seemed to go well although I still find it an ordeal. People assure me this will get better. I did manage to deeply offend some, but as I said at the start, I do not intend to be politically correct and diversity often makes for good conversation. The Polish say ‘it is only the under maid who is offended’!

It has been a tough time for the chickens; they suffered an infestation of red mite and scaly leg; Gemini went broody and died which was terribly sad. Taurus has been moping but suddenly turned his attention on me, accompanying me, Bilbo and Lady around the garden. Enough was enough and Topsy (a Light Sussex) and Turvy (a Well Summer) have come to stay. They are a little too young to let Taurus have his way, which is driving Taurus mad with desire as he is one side of the pen and they are flirting madly on the other. No more mites and chicken legs are a wonderful shade of yellow on Taurus and Turvy, and pale pink on Topsy. Another week and all should be well in the Bron Afon garden.