Walking along country lanes in late September is a joy, when wrapped up warm.
The sun shines bright, but there is a chill in the air.
Colours are brightening before the leaves finally shed their food onto the earth, replenishing the soil and adding fertility for the next growing season.
Cows muster around hedges, watching the road for signs of movement, for they are curious and social animals.
Autumn walks are precious.
The colours of autumn lead towards Samhain, pronounced, “Sow-een,” the end of summer proper and the start of winter.
Many know this festival today as Halloween.
The festival of Samhain is an ancient Celtic one.
Traditionally, there were many festivals celebrated to mark the passing of the seasons and indeed this celebratory feasting and dancing was noted by other, more formal civilizations.
The Celtic characteristics of spontaneity and passion were remarked upon by many in the Classical World…”I say…in everything they attempt, they are driven headlong by their passions and never submit to the laws of reason.” written by the Greek Historian, Polybius[200-118BCE]
Such characteristics form part of the driving force which propels me here at Bealtaine Cottage.
The matrilinear society I come from encourages connections with, and observations of, the natural world, that is, for me, the driving force behind Permaculture.
An aspect of the present day sickness of consumer driven materialism is the alienation of many in society, from the natural world and certainly, many of the so-called celebrations of today are corporation rackets and little more!
Roman society was predominantly patriarchal and much of western civilization is based upon the Roman model of governance and living.
Centralized forms of government are now the norm., in the developed world, leaving communities behind or confining them to the edges of importance.
Within the framework of my life, based solely on the approaches of Permaculture, I am driven by the influences of my Celtic predecessors with their more harmonious and indeed balanced approach to life.
It is a way of living outside of the dictates of consumerism.