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Alban Eiler

Sunday at 11:33AM Eastern Daylight Time was the Spring Equinox. As less than 48 hours have passed since then, the energies of the Equinox are still active, so let's have a post on it!

The name Alban Eiler, commonly used for the Spring Equinox by modern Druids, comes from the work of Iolo Morganwg. In the Barddas, his collection of Ancient Celtic Lore which emerged largely from his own extraordinary mind, Iolo writes about the "free days" associated with the Sun:

There are two calculations of years: one is the year of the Sun, consisting of 365 days; the other is the year of the moon, having 354 days. The days which are over and above the number of the lunar year are called days of days, and they are thus distributed among the Albans, that is to say;--two days of days to Alban Arthan, three to Alban Eilir, three to Alban Hevin, and three to Alban Elved. They are free days, and let any one come from any place he may, he will be free, and exposed to no weapon or stroke, since there can be no court and law of country on those days.

Qi Nodes

In Chinese philosophy and traditional medical practice, the pattern of shifting energies through the seasons is called jia qi or "Calendar Energy." Moments when the energy shifts in a big way are called Qi Nodes. Traditional acupuncturists, qigong teachers, and the like, have an elaborate system of practices designed to attune the energy of the individual to that of the season. This includes particular foods which are especially beneficial, qigong and meditation exercises, and modes of conduct. In the West, a similar system existed, but it's in fragments now, and part of our work is to reconstruct it; we can look to the intact energetic systems to provide some clues as to how to do that, as well as to the fragments of our own holistic system.

The Ember Fast is one of the most survivals of the Western system of energetic medicine, as it relates to the jia qi. The purpose of the fast is to re-set our energetic system. The foods of Winter are purged from our bodies, and we experience a kind of stillness and freedom from movement, from which we can begin to move again, in harmony now with the Spring Energy, rather than the Winter Energy which is passed.

Additional associations of Spring include: The element of Air; the Zodiac sign of Aries; regeneration, renewal, and rebirth; the sin of Pride; joy, gaiety, lust, and starvation. Notice that some of the images associated with Spring are pleasant, some are joyful, some are painful. The nature of the element of Air, which dominates this season, is strongly dualistic; it has its positive and negative qualities, and both are often active at the same time. In the world of nature, the long cold of Winter is done and light is beginning to return, but Winter food stores are largely depleted, and new crops have not yet begun to grow. Historically, this is the time of starvation.

The dualistic nature of Spring is also reflected in the two sides of the Liturgical Year that share in it. Spring begins with Lent, in which we attune ourselves with the rhythm of the natural world by sharing in its time of hunger and restraint. Lent is followed by Easter, in which we participate in the rebirth of Christ and of the Sun by a long season of joyous celebration.

Suggestions for Practice

If you're reading this, there is a good chance that you already have a way of celebrating the Spring Equinox, and I'd like to encourage you to stick with it! For everyone else, as with the Winter Solstice, I'm just going to make a few suggestions for practices now. Eventually, we'll have a more elaborate ritual for each point on the calendar, but it's best not to rush these things; the energies moving at this time of year are powerful and shouldn't be treated lightly.

1. Continue the invocation of St. Raphael from the Spring Ember Days; we can even make the Equinox a kind of culmination of that practice, with the slog of Embertide as preparation. In meditation, you can imagine the Archangel extending a blessing which attunes you to the energy of the season.

2. A free day. As in the selection from the Barddas above, we can make this a kind of free day in our own homes. Children can be given lighter chores and freedom from other responsibilities. The idea of the "Free Day" can be tied in with the Ember Fast to create a kind of general Energetic Reset for Spring.

3. Spring Fires. If you saved your Christmas Tree, it's probably thoroughly dried out by this point. (Mine was! The Spring Equinox is a great time to burn it. The fire signifies the transformation of Earth to Air, as the incense of the needles rises into the sky. Let the kids roast marshmallows over the fire and make smores. Have fun.

Spring conduct in general should be light. Eat greens, herbs and sprouts; listen to music in the car, instead of lectures; read a novel. And you might even consider using the promo code PRIMAVERA to get 30% off any item at my Etsy shop over the next two weeks, if you were so inclined.

Happy Alban Eiler, everybody!