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Alban Hefin
By Nokomis Dream

Mention the word "Druid", and people often conjure up some picture of a bearded, shrouded figure, more mysterious than can be described. I confess that all of my life, that's almost exactly what I pictured. A group of little people wearing hooded cloaks, dancing around a bonfire. Somewhat like Rumplestiltskin meets the Hobbit. Now, I don't say this to be cruel or funny- not at all. It is a serious description from an uninformed person. And we at The Pagan Heart are working towards acceptance and inclusion for peoples of all faiths and practices, right? So I bring you this month some of the Midsummer rituals of the Druids. Two of my very dear friends are practicing Druids, and I count myself blessed to know them.

And just for the record, they are nothing like my over-active imagination expected them to be! I was very curious to find out how the Druids of old, as well as modern ones celebrated Summer Solstice, or Midsummer.

In the group of people known as the Celts the Druids were the educated class. These scholars, healers, teachers, prophets and judges were the link between the various tribes. They were what you might call, a "common thread" that helped to keep the tribes united, and gave the group the strength to resist the invading armies of Romans. This was one of the main reasons the Romans sought out and destroyed many - maybe all - of the Druids in the year 61 CE. In the Roman mindset, if the educated, organised Druids could be annihilated, then the Celts would lose cohesion and become an easier group to control. In a concerted, well orchestrated attack, most of the Druids and their immediate kin - men, women and children - were murdered and all of their sacred groves destroyed. Some may have survived, lingering over the centuries. But as time passed they were assimilated into the increasingly Christian world. At last, only legends and songs remained under the modern recreation movement in the eighteenth century.

What the Druids celebrated and how is open to debate. Some of the modern festivals, such as the Summer Solstice, are mentioned in songs, poetry, and other literature and thus we can reasonably say they did celebrate them. Modern Druids refer to Midsummer as "Alban Hefin", which means "Light of the Shore". Alban Hefin is a reference to the reverence the Druids hold for the sea shore - the place where Earth, Sky and Sea met, and thus "a place inbetween worlds" and a location of great power.

No matter what you call it, it is the mid point of summer. Scientifically, it is an astronomical point of reference for the longest day and shortest night of the year. For many following the Druidic path, this is the celebration of the Summer King in all his glory reigning over land and people. It is also the time when the Winter King is born - son of the sun. Over the next three months he will grow to manhood and power, battle his father and marry the Earth Goddess - his mother-lover. In six months time he will be at the peak of his strength, reigning over “Alban Arthan” - the winter solstice - and the roles of Summer King and Winter King will have fully reversed.

For other Druids this is the day the Holly King defeats the Oak King, and Winter begins his six months reign. The two are brothers, father and son, and mirror images - they compete endlessly in the cycle of birth and death and rebirth. The Earth Goddess is the lover and mother of them both.

To the Druids, this cycle between Summer and Winter King signifies the turning of the seasons, the cycle of life - otherwise known as the Wheel of the year. Cycles and balance are very important elements in the beliefs and life of the Druid.

In researching for this article, I was unable to find much concrete evidence as to how the ancient Druids celebrated the summer solstice. The best example comes from a Common Era document, the Vita of Eligius. In discussing the habits of the people of Flanders and the Low Countries (still defiantly Pagan until the late seventh century) he admonishes the people for following the instructions of the Druids - whom he refers to as magicians, diviners, sorcerers, and incantors - and instructs them not to follow the rites of the solestitia (summer solstice) in dancing and leaping about and chanting. The Vita contains great detail as to the habits and customs of the Pagan believers, and makes a wonderful source text. It supports evidence from the Greeks and Romans, and other peoples, as to the Druidic reverence for nature and the cycles of life.

Much of the other evidence for Druidic tradition during the solstice is more recent, and possibly influenced by Christian attitudes. But it meshes well with Eligius's observations, leading me to believe it's fairly accurate.

The Druid Ba'al fires were lit and people led their livestock through the smoke, as a purification for the coming year. Modern Druids call Alban Hefir one of the four Great Fire Festivals of the year. The lighting of fires to ward, heal, and grant fertility for the coming year has long been integral to the celebrations. It is commonplace to jump through, protecting oneself for the next year. Hanging a velvet cushion full of pins, in your right stocking is still done, albeit not by many folks anymore. There are still fertility rites performed, like throwing an oak handle into the fire, and dropping melted lead into water.

Solstice Fire from PD Photo

The ash from the fires would be scattered in the fields to guard against crop disease and bring fresh fertility for the last plantings of the season. Many believed in spirits and fairie folk, and thought that hanging a garland of fresh St. John's Wort on their door granted protection to their household. Women washed their faces in dew - a tradition still enacted for Beltaine in these more modern days. Gathering flowers to decorate hearth and hall, disappearing with someone into the woods, feasting and making merry - all elements of this fire festival. There is some debate on whether or not the ancient Druids created the various henges - such as Stonehenge - research indicates that in all likelihood the Druids were direct descendants of the creators, and continued the use of these vast calendars. Traces of ancient solstice celebrations linger. What an incredible experience - to see the sun in such a magnificent setting, rising through the stone columns.

At dawn on June 21st, modern day Druids came together to celebrate Alban Hefir. Many revelers joined them, converging on Stonehenge and other places. The midsummer revelry will continue for a few weeks yet as people continue to honor the changing season. How do you celebrate?

Why not have a picnic out in your very own sacred grove, complete with singing, and the sharing of stories and poems that bless this special time of year? If you are able, why don't you take a trip to Stonehenge, where, even though modern scholars debate the presence of the Druids in ancient days, the more modern ones flock to celebrate, wearing robes, and having their festivities with many people in attendence. Aside from Britain's Stonehenge, there are ancient henges around the world - built of stone or wood - and even a few modern recreations. You never know when you'll find bonfires, magicians, fire eaters, potlucks, fun and games. Enjoy your celebrations, and remember what we are celebrating - the sun's longest day.

A couple of newly constructed versions of Stonehenge:
New Zealand's Stonehenge
Odessa Stonehenge

New archaeological evidence - Stonehenge devoted originally to Winter Solstice?
Stonehenge druids 'mark wrong solstice'

Stonehenge Fact File

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