This is a fascinating process indeed. There have been many insightful
comments about the seasonal festivals and their relation to various
events (herding, agriculture, fruit picking, viticulture all spring to
mind). There is still the 'global' aspect to consider more fully, an
aspect which can hardly help but engage astronomical factors.
This is where I feel it may be time for the so called 'Eight Spoked
Wheel of the Year' to adopt a different character. After all, it has
already moved beyond its Wiccan origins, while providing a universal
context within that sphere.
Clearly the Equinoxes and Solstices are already astronomical, their
local Seasonal names notwithstanding. The 'cross quarter days' whether
part of ancient custom or not cannot really be tied to the Seasons
outside herding communities in the Celtic heartlands (real or
romantic). As parts of a set now, so to speak, with the astronomical
quarters, they would benefit from focusing on their astronomical
character, which is constant wherever in the world you happen to be.
For many not used to astrological symbolism the signs in which they
fall will nevertheless be a familiar group:
May - Taurus - the Bull;
August - Leo - the Lion;
November (Eve) - Scorpio (Eagle among other symbols);
February - Aquarius - 'Angel' (or anthropomorphic equivalent)
This list pretty much speaks for itself in terms of widely distributed
occult symbols. Interestingly enough it leads back to the conversation
this discussion split off from, the quarters represented in the Golden
Dawn Pentagram ritual (as well as the Circle Opening in Wicca) etc.
Neither of those traditions happens to be my centre of attention,
which in itself is illustrative of the unifying links this schema can
provide.
So there we go, local customs on the ground providing variety and a
wealth of research potential. Global significance in the stars
unifying the diverse communities who share traditions. With a wealth
of commonalities and differences to enjoy.
ALWays
Jake
On 26 August 2010 19:58, Magliocco, Sabina <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> This is an interesting process to study, and I don't know offhand of much work that has been done on it: how does migration affect calendrical systems and celebrations that were in their original location tied to subsistence, economy and the year cycle?
>
> Speaking strictly impressionistically, from my knowledge of Italian immigrant customs in the North American diaspora, what tended to persist were celebrations associated with the patron saints of communities from which there were numerous immigrants -- e.g. see Bob Orsi's _Madonna of 115th Street_, or the more recent work on Boston's Italian festivals by Augusto Ferraiuolo (SUNY Press, 2009 -- don't recall the title offhand).
>
> But patron saints' festivals were but a small part of the festive cycle of Italian towns and villages; the other observances, which were inevitably tied to subsistence and economy, did not fare as well in the urban environments of the East Coast.
>
> There are two things I want to emphasize here:
> 1) Even within the general scope of a Northern European calendrical cycle, festivals and celebrations were everywhere *local,* and thus tied to local subsistence and economic patterns. This was just as true in pre-Christian times as it is today.
>
> 2) Although I have been critical of Pagan appropriation in other contexts, I'm with Sam when he says that modern Pagans need to attune to the cycles of the lands which they inhabit. This doesn't mean appropriating indigenous ceremonies or passing one's own ceremonies off as indigenous, but noting, observing and incorporating into one's celebrations the significant seasonal markers in the places where we live. It seems the least we can do if we want to call ourselves nature religions (rather than living room carpet religions).
>
> Best,
>
> Sabina Magliocco
> Professor
> Department of Anthropology
> California State University - Northridge
> [log in to unmask]
> ________________________________________
> From: Society for The Academic Study of Magic [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pitch [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 9:47 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC] Directional Symbolism in the Antipodes
>
> Aloha,
>
> On 8/25/2010 4:37 PM, Caroline Tully wrote:
>
> However, the ‘Wheel of the Year’ does not “fit” at all in northern Australia which has a Wet season and a Dry season, mainly – from a settler perspective. It does fit better in southern Australia which has a semblance of four seasons. It depends on what one considers a “seasonal marker” though.
>
> It occurs to me that we are talking about a meta-cultural
> quandary here. Calendrical systems originating in any
> culture or spiritual tradition will not be suitable at any
> time or in any place across the planet. Holidays and
> special occasions will express local or regional markers
> that will be absent or out of synch at other locations.
>
> For instance, the Pagan wheel of the year will be off
> rhythm in the southern Hemisphere. But so will other
> ritual calendars that come from the Northern Hemisphere.
>
> Any info on how overseas Chinese or Indian communities
> have adapted their calendars to Southern circumstances?
> Do they miss the home seasonal markers? Do they create
> imitation markers?
>
> (When I have used these calendars, I've mostly considered
> them as quite abstract technical reckoning systems.)
>
> Musing Xmas In July Would Sure Feel Funny Here In Cascadia! Rose,
>
> Pitch
>
--
Jake
http://www.underworld-apothecary.com/
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