2024 - Crossroads - Connect
Words and Pictures to inspire Lughnasadh 2024
Connect from the 1st to 8th August being aware of the concept of crossroads in the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual realms.
We
have choices when we get at a crossroads... it / we could go any way we
want... I guess crossroads are where we all come together but then we
can all choose different routes out. Merge then split again. Nora J.
I was talking to a few people I would have known ... which are all
saying that they have not been able to get to a meddy or anything
spiritual. I feel that also I feel we are all at a crossroad in life.
I have an image of a cross in the sky like cardinal Cross. Bernadette.
Dancing at the Crossroads - RTE archive
Every Sunday and holiday evening a crowd of young boys and girls would gather at some crossroads. Some of them would have melodeon or a flute or a fiddle.
Then the boys would go and take their partners and and they would dance halfset. When they had the halfset danced they dance a polka. (A set is 4 couples dancing together).
Those crowd would sit down on the ditch and a new crowd got up and danced the same. More of them would get up and dance a four hand reel. They sat down and sang songs. Every boy and girl that was great sat together.
They would start they dancing about seven o'clock in the evening and stay there until ten. The dancing was only carried on during the summer evenings. Before they would leave they would all arrange to meet there the next Sunday evening again. Each boy would see his own girl home after the dancing was over. Duchas.ie - Schools Project Leitrim
Cygnus - Swan
In the Northern Hemisphere Cygnus, a distinctive cross-shaped
constellation, first appears in late May. It is best seen in August /
September swimming through the river of the Milky Way. Near midnight,
the Cross lies virtually overhead at mid-northern latitudes.
It dips below the horizon in December.
In the Southern Hemisphere Cygnus may be seen in winter and spring.
It incorporates the Northern Cross, an indicator of the seasons.
Swans mate and lay eggs at the beginning of summer, between late April
and early May, with the cygnets hatching about a month later. So their
mating season signals the beginning of summer.
Direction - Above
We look up to the sun, moon and stars and endless blue.
I am the home of those that fly, those that glide and soar, all beings of the air. I am the space of the floating clouds.
I am the direction of the Cosmos. I am the direction of the unknown, where the Universe is born, transforms and is reborn in an eternal cycle of life.
The mystery and complexity of creation inspires us. The Divine source, legendary gods, goddesses, angels and cherubs reside here.
This is the direction where we learn we are all connected. This is the direction of wisdom.
For other directions like here - Celebrating the Directions
Crossroads and Kisses
Vapour trails create crossroads in the sky... in 2D it looks as if they are at the same height but, of course, it is a case of "you take the high road and I'll take the low road" for the pilots of the unseen planes.
The first Crossroad drawing attention is at Clonmacnoise
In the 6th century Clonmacnoise was at the crossroads of Ireland
being located at a point where the Shannon River running north to south,
met the Eiscir Riada (a glacial gravel ridge) which crossed the country
east to west.
The location of Clonmacnoise had indeed a large part to
play in it's becoming a major ecclesiastical sacred site.
Many of the high kings of Tara (ardrí) and Connacht royals were buried here.
9th September - St Ciaran's Day NJ.
The second Crossroad drawing attention is at Hill of Tara
When I downloaded this photo from Tara I thought mmmm ... crossroad in life.
Yet one is looking back with a big smile on her face, which made me see and feel it is okay to glance back before we embark on a new path. Another is looking forward and the third slightly to the right. B.
At Tara five ancient roads meet. They are said to link the Provinces of Ireland.
The north-westerly Slige Asail ran from the royal site of Rathcroghan.
Slige Midluachra headed from the north coast of Antrim through Emain Macha, Armagh.
From Waterford the Slige Cualann.
Slige Dala, the south-western road, ran through Ossory in Co. Kilkenny.
Slige Mór came from Galway.
The third Crossroad drawing attention is in Donegal
When we arrive at the crossroad it can be confusing - so many possibilities... This one was photographed at Ardara in Donegal. Irish Post article - Is this the most confusing signpost in Ireland
Crossroads are places of no time and no place. There is confusion and danger. We are between the worlds.
There may be a clear directional signpost, an overload of information, no guidance at all or, maybe, a local prankster has turned the direction post and we are tricked into taking the wrong road for our destinations.
What we discover is that we have to trust ourselves, our instincts, our 'gut' feelings and decide which path to take. Finally we realise there is no 'wrong' route. We are where we are meant to be every moment of our lives.
Sweeping at Mellifont Abbey, Co. Louth
An old tradition - "on the Isle of Man, evil spirits and bad luck
could be swept away by sweeping a crossroads clean at midnight" - Silent Owl - a liminal setting.
"We should not suppose that ritual sweeping is just an Andean phenomenon - it occurs in ancient traditions of the Indo-European world, too. For instance, several survivals occur or are documented in folk ceremony in Britain. the annual Plough Stots at goathland, North Yorkshire, involves a man dressed as a woman, a 'Betty', who carries a broom and ritually sweeps the road behind the sword dancers". Paul Devereux - Shamanism and the Mystery Lines - Quantum, 1992
And at home, remember to sweep towards the fireplace and never towards and out of the door - you will sweep out all your good luck.
This brush was used at Mellifont Abbey at 2012 Samhain celebration -
the ground was cleared by symbolically sweeping away the old year and
sweeping in the new.
Interesting to note that "towers served as belfries, ringing out the hours of the Divine Offices, which called the religious community to the church. They were generally built over the crossing or intersection of the nave and chancel".
The crossing point was the place of the conduit to God as well as a physical marker in the landscape. Just as the crossroads are considered portals to other realms and dimensions. Mellifont - Cistercian Abbey Design
5th Concept - Laharan - An Leathfhearann - Crossroads Dance
Why dance at the crossroads? Well, practically they are usually the right shape to swing your partner in the four couple square dance.
Rev James Hall, Drumsna, Leitrim - The Fading Year. "Not willing to have their grass spoiled by the feet of a crowd of dancers, the farmers will sometimes not permit the young people, who meet for the purpose, to dance on their field on Sunday afternoon. Hence it is no uncommon thing to see groups dancing on the roads on Sundays and holy days, after prayers; no house being able to contain the numbers which, in fine weather, generally meet on those occasions."
"Situated in the heart of North Cork, Laharn Cross is where people gather each and every Sunday night throughout the summer months to enjoy live traditional Irish music. People, both young and old come to dance the evening away on the specially erected timber platform." (Laharn - said to mean 'half domain' - ie. not a complete townland)
Waltzes, quicksteps, foxtrots, not to mention polkas, Shoe the Donkey and the Siege of Ennis, will be the order of the evening for the hundreds of enthusiastic dancers who gather for two hours to dance the night at this historic crossroads which is known by many avid dancers throughout Munster and beyond. Laharn.ie Revival of the Crossroads Dance
And from the song 'A Dance at the Crossroads' we are reminded... This little thing called love, doing it half heartedly just ain't enough...
Crossroad numerology and language - 6th concept
| Destiny | Crossroad | 3 + 9 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 9 + 6 + 1 + 4 = 40 = 4 + 0 = 4 | Responsibility, organizational talent (keep the traffic flowing) |
| Heart's Desire | OOA | 6 + 6 + 1 = 13 = 1 + 3 = 4 | The desire for stability, order, responsibility and stable background. (Traffic in the correct lane for safety) |
| Personality | CRSSRD | 3 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 9 + 4 = 27 = 2 + 7 = 9 | Ideals, desire for self-fulfillment through working for others. |
But turn to an Irish word for crossroad, crosaire (Irish people tend to omit the word road when talking) and there is a different intention...
| Destiny | CROSAIRE | 3 + 9 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 9 + 9 + 5 = 43 = 4 + 3 = 7 | Intuition, desire to have secrets. (out of time place... there are many secrets buried at Irish cross roads) |
| Heart's Desire | OAIE | 6 + 1 + 9 + 5 = 21 = 2 + 1 = 3 | Desire for creativity, independence and connection with others. (community meets and dances) |
| Personality | CRSR | 3 + 9 + 1 + 9 = 22 - 22 | Ambition, great creative potential and abilities. |
The Irish language is poetic, descriptive and steeped in magical phrases. For example, there are no single direct translations of yes and no. They are never that specific and translating word for word from one language to another can be a recipe for disaster.
'Road' can be used to mean a journey and as a metaphor for your journey through life. go n-éirí an bóthar leat! May you succeed, have good luck, on your journey (physical or spiritual)!
Hikers at the junction of old trackways crossing the Blackstairs Mountains from County Carlow to County Wexford. History of roads in Ireland
Crossroad burials and crosses
Because this ground was unconsecrated and considered as separate from the everyday world those who could not have a Christian burial would be set, unmarked, here. It was thought that their spirits would be confused and stopped from returning to haunt the living, this confusion aided by the presence of otherworld fairies, daemons and suchlike who occupied the netherworld. They would not be forgotten within the family as many locals would remember their ancestors and their stories.
It was customary to light thirteen candles in a house in which the corpse was waked, burning till funeral would have passed by first Crossroad. Then they would blow out candles and give one each to neighbours, who would say a prayer for dead person when lit. Funeral Customs, Carna, Co. Wexford
In the parish of Kilmore, in the very south of Co. Wexford, persists a peculiar funerary custom that may have medieval origins. It involves members of the funeral cortege leaving a cross, traditionally fashioned from left-over coffin wood, at a specific tree. Overtime this custom has led to many crosses collecting around the ‘sacred’ tree, which is normally a hawthorn bush, located close to a crossroads. Irish Archaeology - Wayside Crosses
Slane, Co. Meath, Crossroads
Two roads meet, linking the four directions, south and north (Dublin to Derry), west and east (Drogheda to Navan). This place epitomises many of the concepts of crossroads.
Known as 'The Square'. But the layout is an octagon. Four Georgian houses lie in the north-west, north-east, south-west and south-east. There is a myth that they represented religion, medicine, law and order, but this is unproven although, coincidentally, in the late 1800s they were occupied by a priest, doctor, magistrate and Irish constabulary. They are called the 'four sister's houses' but this is a mis-nomer... these ladies did not exist.
Symbolism appears in the gates on the north west and south west corners which have finials and emblems of a shamrock, rose and thistle, and fleur-de-lys.
Just as there is mis-direction and confusion with the four houses there is also the question of how the town name arose. Maybe the early name was `Ferta Fear Fiac` meaning `the Graves of the Men of Fiac`. Sláinte means 'health, wholeness', and maybe refers to a holy well in the grounds of the castle. Or is it from the legendary Fir Bolg King Sláine, first High King of Ireland (ard ri) who is believed to be buried on the Hill of Slane? He reportedly came ashore at Wexford Harbour at the mouth of the River Slaney. Is the similar name a coincidence?
This is a very busy junction and there are on-going plans to re-configure the layout and develop the town. As always change is a priority for some. Visit Slane - history
847 Robhartach MacColgan Abbot of Slane died. The cross which was on the green of Slane was raised up into the air, it was broken and divided so that a part of it's top reached, ie. fell, at Teltown and Fennor.
About the year 433 St Patrick entered the mouth of the Boyne and having landed with his companions proceeded on foot to Ferta Ferfeig, the graves of the men of Feig, now called Slane where he caused a tent to be erected and the Paschal fire to be kindled it being Holy Saturday in accordance with the tradition and practice of the Church. It happened that at that very time a pagan festival was about to be celebrated at the royal palace of Tara and there was a standing law strictly forbidding any fire to be kindled for a considerable distance around until a great fire should be visible on the heights of Tara. The appearance of the Paschal fire kindled on the hill of Slane by St Patrick filled Laeghaire monarch of Ireland and his whole court with rage and astonishment and this led to St Patrick's interview with the king and his promulgation of the Gospel....
The Harbour Cross - Black Dog - or Black Pig?
At the bottom of Ciarán Hill, near Banagher, is a cross roads known as the Harbour Cross. It is on the main road from Banagher to Cloghan.
Some 25 or 30 years ago a farmer from Cloghan was returning from Banagher in an asses cart. He had sold his barley in Banagher and had gone in to receive payment and of course he celebrated afterwards. It was near midnight as he was returning home, lying in the car. He had a few drinks taken and was in good humour. His name was James McIntyre.
As he approached the Harbour Cross the ass suddenly stopped short on the road and refused to move. He tried to turn around and return to Banagher. McIntyre jumped out of the car and saw a huge black dog with fiery eyes and lolling tongue standing on the road. As he himself told me, the cold sweat ran down his back. He raised his hand and made the sign of the cross on his forehead. The dog then disappeared but even then he had to use all his influence to get the ass past the cross. The beast was trembling in every limb and covered with sweat with ears twitching.
He broke into a gallop and never ceased until he reached home. He nearly turned the car over in his haste to get around corners on the homeward road. Since then McIntyre never passes that cross late at night.
Others say that a black pig has been seen there in the night time also, but I have been unable to get confirmation of the statement. www.duchas.ie
