Celebrating an ancient Celtic feast in rural France
Enduring legacies that foster community and meaning
Moving to rural France has been such a blessing. Not just the quality of the food, the stillness, the undulating hills and sleepy pretty villages and farms, I also found myself smack in the middle of an ancient Gallic Celtic Feast for midsummer. I was dumbstruck how over thousands of years, tradition still reigns.
I joined the village party on June 22, midsummer. And what did I see? Almost all of the ingredients of the ancient feast. As you might know, Midsummer, or Litha, on June 21st and the days before and after were a great feast in the old days. This festival marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and is a time to honor the sun at the peak of its power.
The Feast
The feast is a communal event, held outdoors. Long tables are set up, and everyone in the village joins in. A committee led by the local mayor organizes the food and drink. Just like thousands of years ago the feast included:
- Roasted Meats: There was a roasted pig that I didn’t want to look at.
- Breads and Grains: There was bread and a salad made from barley.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Desert was made from seasonal fruits.
- Cheese and Dairy: There was a piece of camembert cheese.
- Mead and Ale: And there was plenty of wine and beer.
Entertainment and Activities
- Music and Dance: Local musicians played and the villagers danced in circles around the bonfire, celebrating life and the sun’s energy.
Ok, I did miss some of the ritual, we did lose that part of the equation along the way. And I am a big fan of ritual, also in the work I do. So for next time, if you do consider more of a ritual around the event, here are some ideas:
The Ritual
Sunrise Ceremony:
- At dawn, gather on a hill or by a sacred oak tree to greet the rising sun. Have a spiritual leader lead the ceremony, chanting and offering prayers to the sun god, Belenos.
- Light a bonfire using oak wood, symbolizing the sun’s energy. This fire is believed to have protective and purifying powers.
Blessing of the Waters:
- After the sun is honored, proceed to a nearby stream or river. Bless the waters, invoke the spirits to purify and energize you. Then bathe in or anoint yourselves with the water for health and protection.
Herb Gathering:
- Special herbs like St. John’s Wort, vervain, and mugwort are gathered. It’s believed they have heightened magical properties on this day. These herbs are used for healing, protection, and divination throughout the year.
As I was watching the villagers dance around the fire together, I got a very strong feeling of recognition, belonging and peace. As the night falls, the bonfire remains burning. I missed it, but I heard that people lept over the flames for luck and to ward off evil spirits.
As in ages gone by, still today, this Midsummer celebration not only strengthens our connection with the natural world but also fosters unity and joy within the village. It really gave me hope. Such a simple feast with so much meaning and tradition. A time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future with hope and vigor.
https://medium.com/@reneeschnitzler/celebrating-an-ancient-celtic-feast-in-rural-france-efbfd06beb52
