#hollantide

Hollantide/ Old Samhain

Hollantide stock image. Source: Alamy Stock Photos

April 30th is a very special day for my tradition, as it is for many others. Though, I think I approach it a little differently than most.

In the Wending Way, the Cardinal Sabbath of Amplemas is celebrated upon the Astronomic Cross-Quarter midpoint between the Equinox and Solstice—which is May 5th, this year. When I discuss "astronomic" versus "traditional," I am referring to the long-held belief that the Cross-Quarter days hold power because they represent liminal midway points between the Solstices and Equinoxes; these celestially based windows of time change year to year and are what I refer to as "Astronomic." In the past, though, these seasonal points became more standardized and syncretized within the framework of the Gregorian calendar, resulting in the static dates that are generally regarded today; these are the dates I refer to as "traditional." Using our Sabbath of Amplemas as an example, it is related to the folk-celebrations of Beltane, May Day, and the like, and as such, the traditional date of celebration would seemingly be on May 1st. However, since we observe the Astronomic date of celebration, the actual date depends on the given year.

Even with the Wending Way celebrating the Celestial Sabbath days, though, the traditional Spirit Nights—which we generally call Maedoc's Feast (late night of January 31 & early morning of February 1,) Walpurgis (late night of April 30 & early morning of May 1,) Neot's Night (late night of July 31 & early morning of August 1,) and Hollantide (late night of October 31 & early morning of November 1)—are still enthusiastically observed.

One of my very oldest familial traditions, which I've decided to share about some here, is the creation of Hallowed Lanterns called 'Neeps' on the Spirit Night of Hollantide/Hallowe'en. These Lanterns are made from hollowed root vegetables—with the Turnip serving as the most propitious—which are then carved with phantasmic faces and Illuminated from within using candles. They are meant to honor the dead, and most especially, the Forgotten Dead, who build the framework of our existence, but whose stories have been lost to the ages. What's more, they serve to connect us to our Beloved Dead, and helps guide those recently gone.. Additionally, the Neep is a powerful ward, which protects the home and household from the sway of the Restless Dead, and any wights of the Secret Commonwealth who may be up to mischief during this time betwixt.

They are constructed at Twilight, prayed over and/or sung to, and then fumigated, before being arrayed about the home as seen fit by the Neep-maker. Generally, they are arranged around the outer thresholds of the home, facing the comimg shadows of night, and are lit come nightfall.

If these sound suspiciously familiar to the more culturally familiar Jack-o-Lantern, that's because they were once essentially synonymous. The tradition is traced back to pagan festivals of the insular Celtic Isles, and it was only when the jack-o-lantern was gradually commercialized in the modern day that these pagan uses were forgotten by many. Though, of course, not all.

While I wasn't able to share pictures of the main "troops" of Neeps from this year, I have been given leave to share the above pictures of a particular Neep we constructed for our Quietus Altar, which was made using a Mangelwurzel, or Fodder Beet, from our Garden. Additionally, I can share one more picture of another beet Neep we made, from before its kindling, which was hung above the front step.