SEASONS AND festivals
Arthur Through the Year
The following are suggested themes arranged around the year that could become the focus for mediation or ritual. Most are derived from the texts of the Arthuriad, but others are the product of meditation and ritual.
A spring equinox ritual follows. Similar rituals for each of the seasons could be formulated along similar lines.
January
In the days before the coming of Arthur the ancient Mother of the Land looked into the pool of dreams and saw there the reflected stars that told her of the coming of a new and mighty king who would rule over the land and bring to birth many great marvels. Watching ever more carefully, she saw the life of this king laid out in all its glory and sadness. For he would not find love easily, and his son would become his greatest enemy, and his greatest friend would betray him. Yet around these shadows the Mother of the Land saw a greater glory: a fellowship whose renown would be beyond compare and a quest that would insure that the names of the king and of the knights who gathered about his banner would never be forgotten in all the long lifetime of the world. And when she saw this, the Mother of the Land was glad in her heart and blessed the coming of the new king and stirred the waters with her hand so that the shadows of the stars were scattered. And in the mirror of the pool she counted the days of the king’s rule and saw the deeds that he would accomplish and the bright memory of his passing into the shadows of Avalon.
February
Arthur was king. He had drawn the Sword from the Stone and with it had defeated those who stood against him. But the road before him was long—a mysterious unfolding pattern like a great maze. Within it lay the shape of his life—his love and loss, his conquests and failures, the founding of the greatest fellowship of knights the world has ever known: the Round Table. Only one person could guide his steps: Merlin, master of magic and dreams. Emerging from the misty depths of the great forest of Broceliande, where he had slept for a thousand years, he watched over the birth and rise of the young Arthur. Under the guidance of this most mysterious mentor, the untried king took his first steps upon the maze that would lead to Camelot, to the building of a great kingdom, and to the mystery of the Grail. For at the heart of the maze lay many mysteries—initiation, betrayal, dreams, and visions. All these Merlin would reveal as Arthur grew to manhood, walking the path laid down for him by the ancient guardians of the land, guiding him through the endless turning paths of the maze.
March
Nine priestesses ruled over the sacred isle of Avalon during the reign of King Arthur. Argante, the queen, who was known as the Lady of the Lake, was their leader, together with her sisters: Morgan (whom men called “le Fay”), Morgause (mother of Mordred the Slayer), Nimue (who was said to be Merlin’s nemesis), Ragnall (the lover of Gawain), Kundrie (the Hideous One), Ganeida (sister to Merlin, some say), Glitonae (whose beauty was beyond compare), and Brisen (oldest and some say wisest of all). In a castle of glass hidden within the sacred apple groves of the island these nine sacred women watched over the safety of the land of Britain and guided the steps of the king after Merlin withdrew from the affairs of men. From here they sent out many strange and wonderful beings to test Arthur’s knights. Again and again mysterious women or wild Green Knights arrived at the gates of Camelot, each one sent by the nine to discover the true courage of the Round Table fellowship. And in the end, when the dead lay piled on the earth at Camlan, three of the sisterhood came to claim the wounded king, to take him to Avalon where he could rest and sleep until the world had need of him again.
April
With the kingdom established, King Arthur knew that he must take a wife and beget an heir to rule when he was gone. His eye fell upon the Lady Guinevere, daughter of old Leodegrance, his staunchest ally in the days following his ascension to the throne. This lady was descended, through her mother, from an ancient line of kings and queens whose origins, it was said, stretched back to a time when gods walked the land, and it was said that whoever wed her was wedding the land itself, as kings had done in past times. And so it was that the king wooed and won this lady, and their wedding was celebrated at Camelot the Golden amid great rejoicing. Only Merlin, the king’s adviser, refused to join in the festivities, for he had looked into the well of the future and seen how the shadow of the great knight Lancelot fell between the king and queen, and how this would put the kingdom in great jeopardy. And in a day long after this he saw also the moment when the king would be forced to pass judgment on his queen and to condemn her, and how though this the kingdom would be split in twain. But those times were yet far off, and the king, being young and in love, wished not to hear Merlin’s predictions. And so the king and his new queen wore their crowns at a great feast, and the knights all swore fealty to Queen Guinevere.
May
The green energy of the land woke again and again during the reign of Arthur. The greatest challenge that ever confronted the Fellowship of the Round Table was when the Green Knight came to Camelot and offered to play the beheading game. Only the young Gawain, nephew to the king, possessed the courage to face this otherworldly opponent with his green skin, green hair, and red eyes. Taking up the knight’s great axe, Gawain struck the head from his shoulders, but the Green Knight caught up the head and its lips moved, challenging Gawain to receive a return blow one year hence. When the day came, the young knight faced his opponent with courage, and his life was spared. The Green Knight then revealed that he’d been sent by Morgan le Fay herself to test the courage of the fellowship—the first of many such trials that came from the priestesses of Avalon. But behind all of this lay a still more potent force—that of the Green Man himself, who represented the green strength of the earth. Present in stream and woodland and hill, and consort to the Mother of the Land, he watched over Arthur’s kingdom from its beginning to its end, and it was said that during the time of Arthur one could often see the Green Man walking in the woods, trailing a cloak of leaves and singing new life into the earth.
June
When Arthur had been king for only a short time, his own sword—which he had drawn from the stone to prove his right to be king—broke when he was fighting a great enemy. Then Merlin came to him and told Arthur that a king must have a special sword and that he knew of one that had been long since prepared for him. Then he took the young king to a certain lake, shrouded in mist, and which had long been known as a place of mystery. There Merlin called out in a tongue unknown to the king, and in answer there came a small boat out of the mist, which came to rest on the shore of the lake. Into this the king and the enchanter stepped, and it brought them to the middle of the lake. There they saw emerging from the water a white arm and hand that held in it a great shining sword in a sheath of scarlet leather. And the king stretched out his own hand and took the sword, and the arm and hand withdrew again beneath the waters. Thus Arthur came into the possession of the great and magical sword Excalibur, which was to be his until his passing. And so long as he held it he was invincible, and as long as he wore the sheath he could not be wounded. But the sheath was stolen from him by Morgan le Fay and lost forever.
July
Long before the coming of Arthur, Merlin the Wise had made a table that would be round “in the likeness of the world.” Great timbers were cut from the enchanted wood of Broceliande, and when it was finished the table was large enough to seat one hundred and fifty knights in a great circle. Then Merlin waited until the young Arthur had pulled the sword from the stone and proved himself by strength of arms to be the rightful king. Then one day Arthur came to him and said that he wished to found a fellowship of knights who would seek out wrongdoing and adventure wherever they were to be found in the land. Merlin told him of the Round Table, and at once the king requested that it should be placed in the Great Hall of Camelot the Golden. So it was done, and knights came from all over the land to sit at King Arthur’s table. When all one hundred and fifty seats were filled, Merlin made their names to appear on each one in letters of gold, and the king had each knight swear an oath to protect the weak, seek out evil, and test themselves through adventure wherever they could. Thus they swore, and ever after were known as the Fellowship of the Round Table.
August
The years went by, and in time Merlin withdrew from the affairs of men. In his place came a new adviser to the king—the bard Taliesin, whose every whit was versed in magic and wisdom as Merlin had been. As a young boy Taliesin had been set to watch over the great cauldron of the wise woman Ceridwen, and when three drops of hot liquid from the cauldron splashed onto his hand, he sucked it down and thus imbibed all the wisdom of the world—for Ceridwen had sought to brew a drink of inspiration for her ugly son Avagddu, but thus Taliesin came to drink it by chance. When she knew what had happened, Ceridwen pursued Taliesin angrily, and the two played a merry dance with each other, changing shape until finally Ceridwen ate a grain of wheat that was Taliesin in disguise, and nine moons later bore him as a child from her own womb. Unable to kill the beautiful child, she set him adrift on the sea in a leather bag, where he was found by Prince Elphin of Gwynedd and raised as a bard. In Arthur’s time he was summoned by Merlin to serve the king, which he did until the time of Arthur’s passing. And men said that his skill and cunning in wordcraft was only equaled by his wisdom, and he found high favor at Camelot the Golden.
September
The greatest test and trial of the Fellowship of the Round Table was the quest for the Grail. The story of this mysterious vessel stretched back to the dawn of time, when mankind first sought to communicate with the gods. Later it was said that the ancient Cup was used by Jesus to celebrate the Last Supper with his disciples, and that after the Crucifixion some drops of his sacred blood were caught in the vessel. In the dark days of persecution against all Christians throughout the Roman Empire, the uncle of Jesus, a man named Joseph of Arimathea, took the Cup and carried it to Britain, where it was hidden until the time of Arthur. In that time an angel guarded the sacred vessel, until the day would come when someone of great spiritual goodness would achieve the quest. Some said that this angel was none other than Lucifer, the Bringer of Light, who had fallen from Heaven when he led a rebellion against God. Others believed that the Grail itself was a great jewel from the crown of the angel—but none could say for certain, since they had not seen it. But in the time of Arthur the Grail appeared at Camelot the Golden, floating in a ray of sunlight, and all Fellowship of the Round Table, when they saw it, swore to seek it all the days of their lives.
October
During the reign of Arthur the Fellowship of the Round Table sought for the mysterious Grail throughout the length and breadth of the land. Many set forth from Camelot the Golden, but most perished along the way or were turned back when they failed to find their way to the ancient castle where descendants of the family of Joseph of Arimathea kept watch over the sacred vessel in service to the angel who guarded it. Only three of the knights who went in search of the Grail found their way there after many adventures. These were the simple knight Sir Perceval, whom men called “the Perfect Fool”; the strong and brave Sir Bors, who of all men then living was the most honorable; and the mighty Sir Galahad, son of Lancelot, who served God and the world in equal measure and desired but one thing: to look upon the Grail. These three came at last to the castle of Carbonek/Corbenic, where the Grail lay hidden, and were permitted to experience for themselves the mysteries of the sacred vessel. There they saw also three other mysterious hallows: the Spear, which was said to have pierced the side of Christ; the Sword of John the Baptist; and the magical Chessboard that represented the mysteries of the sacred earth.
November
Of all Arthur’s knights who pledged themselves to seek the Holy Grail, only three were permitted to come into the presence of the sacred vessel itself. There they witnessed a mass celebrated with the Cup itself, and many other marvels and miracles, and afterwards Sir Galahad, the purest of the three, died in ecstasy, having seen what he most desired to see. Sir Perceval, who was but a simple man, became one of the greatest guardians of the Grail, while Sir Bors alone returned to Camelot the Golden to tell of their adventures. Since that time it is said that no man has seen the Grail, though many have gone in search of it and some even claim to have found it. One tale tells of three young knights, who lived not long after the passing of King Arthur, who visited the ruins of the castle where the Grail was believed to have been kept, and when they returned many months later they were greatly changed by what they had seen. But when questioned about their experiences, they would say no more than this: “Go where we went, and you will see.” This many did, and continue to do so still to this day, but the mystery of the Grail remains as deeply hidden as ever.
December
In the dark days after the quest for the Grail, when many of Arthur’s knights perished or were seen no more, many new knights came to fill the places of those who had fallen. But they were not the equals of the older knights, and many failed to achieve the adventures upon which they set out from Camelot the Golden. In these days also came the king’s son, Mordred, whom men called the Slayer, and he strove always to turn men against his father until the kingdom was divided, as Merlin had foreseen years before. So in the end came the great battle between father and son that took place at the place called Camlan, and there all the remaining Fellowship of the Round Table fell and Arthur himself was wounded. But it was not Arthur’s destiny to die, for three of the nine priestesses of Avalon came and took him away to the magic isle to be healed of his wounds. And there he sleeps still, awaiting the call to return to the world and take up his sword for the good of the land. But men still speak of the High King Arthur, whose life and deeds, and the deeds of the knights who served him, live on forever in the memory of the great world.
A Spring Equinox Ritual at the Court of Arthur
(VC)
It is intended that this rite will take place in the open, in which case a fire may be set in the center and the circle set around it. If this is not done, a candle may be placed on a centrally placed altar in the Temple of the Arthurian Mysteries. The sacred circle is then opened and Merlin and Lady of the Lake are invoked (as presented in the ritual formulas included on page 221). All who do not have speaking roles will be asked to sit. The principle officers are arranged as follows:
It has been a long, cold winter for Arthur. His nephew, Sir Gawain, departed before Yule to search for the Green Knight, and there is little hope for his return. His queen, Guinevere, is due to return from the Summer Country with spring’s arrival, and Arthur feels the need for her more than he ever has. Merlin, Arthur’s advisor and perhaps closest to him, departed from Camelot in the fall, and there has been no word or whisper of the great Druid since. Yes, it has been a dark, cold, and empty winter.
ARTHUR
The mantle of winter lies firmly upon my shoulders even now as Spring awaits just outside my door. I fear that my nephew is dead. I have heard nothing from Merlin, and he feels so very, very far away. Guinevere should return to Camelot soon. My only hope is that her presence will bring warmth and life again to this dark, dreary place.
Ganeida steps forth from the east and approaches Arthur.
GANEIDA
Hail, Arthur, King of Camelot!
ARTHUR (startled)
Who calls me?
GANEIDA
One who knows your deepest fears.
ARTHUR (stands up to face Ganeida)
Who are you that claims such a thing?
GANEIDA
I am what I am.
ARTHUR
What sort of answer is that?
GANEIDA
The truth! Don’t you know it when you hear it? See it? Taste it?
ARTHUR
Are you mad?
GANEIDA
Some say so.
ARTHUR
Tell me who you are or leave me! I have no time for riddles.
GANEIDA
Time is all that you have in this moment.
ARTHUR
Perhaps I have the time, but I do not have the desire. (Arthur looks closely at Ganeida) Your eyes…I know those eyes…
GANEIDA
Indeed you do, Arthur.
ARTHUR
They are Merlin’s eyes! How…?
GANEIDA
I am Ganeida, sister of Merlin, Priestess of Far Seeing.
ARTHUR
Merlin! Have you seen him? Talked to him?
GANEIDA
I have seen him, but he talks to no one now, Arthur. He sleeps.
ARTHUR
Sleeps? I need him! He must awake!
GANEIDA
No, he must sleep. It is his time to do so. Surely he taught you that all things have their own place and time?
ARTHUR
I need him!
GANEIDA
The land needs him more. He dreams, Arthur; he dreams the land, just as you, too, will do someday.
ARTHUR
What? He sleeps for the land? Why?
GANEIDA
It was his path after he made you king. He is simply following that path, and you must let him.
ARTHUR
What shall I do without him?
GANEIDA
You shall grow. Mature. Change.
ARTHUR
It feels like he was taken from me too soon.
GANEIDA
Taken? Yes. Too soon? Hardly. Perhaps not soon enough.
ARTHUR
Who took him?
Nimue steps forth and approaches Arthur.
NIMUE
I took him.
ARTHUR
You! Who are you?
NIMUE
I am a Grail Maiden on this day. I am Nimue of Avalon. I am a Watcher of the Sleeper…Merlin’s consort, if you will, while he dreams.
ARTHUR (looking closely at Nimue)
I know you! He loved you! He told me how he ached for you!
NIMUE
He still does!
ARTHUR
Why did you take him?
NIMUE and GANEIDA (together)
It was his time to sleep.
ARTHUR
Sleep?
NIMUE and GANEIDA
It is your time to wake, King Arthur, consort of the land.
Gawain enters the circle.
GAWAIN
Uncle!
He embraces Arthur happily, looks warily at the two ladies, and then bows slowly.
ARTHUR
Gawain! (looks to Ganeida and Nimue) Do you know them?
GAWAIN
Perhaps not in their current guises, but I know the face of the Goddess when I see it. (Gawain looks back at Arthur) Where is Lady Guinevere?
ARTHUR
I expect her to return at any moment.
Argante steps forth from the west.
ARGANTE
Hail, Arthur!
ARTHUR
Now this one I know: the Lady of the Lake.
Arthur, Gawain, and Nimue bow to Argante.
ARGANTE
Winter is departing, Arthur. Your queen will soon return, yet a shadow lies upon you. What troubles you?
ARTHUR
I have been alone through the darkness.
ARGANTE
All who enter the darkness are alone. You know this.
ARTHUR
I was abandoned by those I love the most.
ARGANTE
Everyone has their own journey, Arthur. This is your time now. This is your journey. The winter was the time for rest and looking inward. Now the world blossoms again, and you must set your feet firmly upon the path.
ARTHUR
Must I do this alone?
GANEIDA, NIMUE, ARGANTE, and GAWAIN
You are not alone.
Guinevere steps forth from the south.
GUINEVERE
You are not alone, Arthur. Look around you. You have never been alone.
All gather around the fire in a circle. Everyone in the circle is encouraged to join them.
GUINEVERE
Take my hand!
All join hands.
GANEIDA
From the east I bring the foundation, the roots of the earth, the rich soil that encourages everything to grow. Within the branches, the leaves, the stones, everything sings the song of spring and is fulfilling the promise of warmth and light.
GUINEVERE
From the south I bring the fire and warmth, the light of the sun, the power of life.
ARGANTE
From the west I bring the waters that will join the earth and the fire and together;
we all bring renewal and, with that, hope.
NIMUE
From the north I bring the knowing, the promise, the gift that even while asleep,
the land is aware and joined with you.
GAWAIN
I am the promise of return. Even from the depths of winter, out of my own despair,
I stand before you alive and wiser and stronger from my journey to the Chapel in
the Green.
GANEIDA
I am the promise of the earth. You are her consort. Without you, the earth is incomplete.
GUINEVERE
I am the promise of summer. I am your consort. Without me, without you, the ages of partnership are no more, and the land will wither.
ARGANTE
I am the promise of feeling. I am the waters of life. With the earth, with the fires of passion, the land will flourish.
NIMUE
I am the promise of knowing. With the waters of life, with the earth, with the fires of passion, you and the land will be complete.
GAWAIN
I am the promise of return. All this has happened before and will happen again.
ARTHUR
I understand, and I am glad that you have shown me these things. Yet I will miss Merlin and his counsel.
ALL
He is no further away from you than your dreams. He, too, will return. All this has happened before and will happen again.
ARTHUR
Then let us welcome spring!
Pause to allow for mediation.
GANEIDA
Let us seek what the future may hold.
At this point members of the group may wish to scry by staring into the hot coals and speaking of what they see there.
After a time the circle is closed and the fire dowsed. Merlin and the Lady of the Lake are thanked (see pages 223–224 for formulae). The company parts in peace and love.