A `Ghrian

As we approach the Winter Solstice I am reminded that in the Celtic tradition both the Sun and the Moon are perceived as feminine. Each year, close to the Winter Solstice our group dance the sun up to a very ancient song from the Isle of Barra in the Hebrides. It is a beautiful Scots Gaelic song to the sun, "a `Ghrian".

Failte ort féin, a sharian nan tráth, 

`S tu siubhal ard nan speur,

Do cheumaibh treun air sgéith nan ard, 

`S tu máthair áigh nan reul.

Thu laighe sios an cuan na dith, 

Gun diobhail is gun sgath: 

Thu'g éirigh suas air stuagh na sith,
Mar rioghainn og for blaith.

Hail to you, sun of the seasons 

As you travel the skies aloft, 

Your steps are strong on the wing of the heavens,
You are the glorious mother of the stars.

You lie down in the destructive ocean
Without impairment and without fear;
You rise up on the peaceful wave
Like a queenly maiden in bloom.

This afternoon there was another perfect sunset at Maeshowe.



And for the first time this year the Winter Solstice sunrise will be live on the Internet from Newgrange, see www.newgrange.com/webcast.htm