Halloween!

by Jacqueline Fallon Sun Sep 30, 2007 03:28

Samhain (the “Summer’s end”), a time when darkness triumphs over light. A time both for solemn observance and a time to celebrate by lighting sacred fires. It has been called by some ‘Ancestor Day’. A time to look back with respect and fondly remember those people who have gone before us to the saol eile and to acknowledge partings and endings. A time to reflect on our mortality and a chance for people to take stock of their lives, and to honour and celebrate the lives of those who have departed this life and to invoke their spirits. At this time of the year the veil between the living and the dead is lifted and the dead arise and return to mingle with the living and some may warm themselves around the bonfires and celebrate with the living (be respectful and kind to that quiet person standing next to you!). It is believed that because the spirits of the dead are present at this time and supernatural forces are at the height of their powers, that accurate predictions for the future can be made - hopefully, a good prediction for the future of Ancient Tara will be realised (the sounding of the death knell for the M3 would be a good one).

Ádh mór oraibh to all who will be gathering at the Hill of Tara for the Samhain Festival - bí cúramach with the fires though - lest ye upset the spirits inhabiting Tara’s environs, na daoine Sídhe, and those warriors of fire in the Navan Fire Brigade!

Beannacht Dé oraibh go leir.

by Michael Martin - TaraWatch Sat Sep 29, 2007 14:11

Lighting fires will alter the soil's structure under the fire scar permanently. Therefore do not light fires on/near sensitive archaeological sites, like the Hill of Tara for example.. If you want to light Halloween fires, do it on waste ground or in locations of no archaeological or botanical significance.
And do not use any flares which could be mistaken as emergency signals.

by Carmel Ni Dhuibheanaigh - Hibernian Order of Druids Sat Sep 29, 2007 14:07

It really is rather naieve to think that you can call for no fireworks on Halloween night!!! It's going to happen! But we Can do it responsibly of course.

For the last couple of years I have been attending the lighting of the beacon at Tlachtga (Hill of Ward) and let me tell ya , they really know how to put on Firework Displays in Athboy! They were seperate to the Beacon event and staged by locals . We cant control the world- they will do it anyway. Meath aint lacking in firepower :) And it really added a wonderful atmosphere to what we were doing.

I commend you Thomas on the fact that you will be taking loads of wood on your back to your nearest hill- several trips even :) That's a strong example of the spirit that will win the day. Good man, I hope many others will do the same.

Your idea about getting wrapped up in cotton wool and rolling down the hill as silently as possible is pure genius too! AND it gave me a great laugh :) But when you think about it, it symbolises the people who ARE prepared to roll over quietly, literally , and we can use this as a protest idea, I loved it so much that I went out and bought 5 large rolls of the stuff this morning! Thanks!

I am sure that something can be worked out with the relevant authorities in regard to rockets etc.

Blessings,
Carmel

by Laura Sat Sep 29, 2007 12:43

The lighting of the beacons is symbolic enough in itself without having to set off fireworks. Actually, the ban on the sale of fireworks is one of the (very) few good things that the government has done.
Thomas, I am very glad to hear that your pets do not suffer at Halloween. However, many do, and I reiterate my opposition to firework use.
To be concerned about animal welfare, is not overeacting. We can have a great Samhain celebration without using fireworks.
Just be considerate, ok

by A10 Sat Sep 29, 2007 11:35

Good move,you getting arrested for wasting mountain rescue time and /or SAR when no doubt some poor bastard IS actually in dire need of their services by actually drowning at sea.That kind of callous attitude you display in your previous post does your campaign no favours.Sure light fires,fire flares [white ones] up on your hill,dance naked around it as well for all I care.Just dont waste a pretty limited resource that we taxpayers pay for and provide a life saving service on being called out for a symbolic protest and misunderstanding.

by Thomas - none Sat Sep 29, 2007 00:42 none none

Talk about Willy Worry.

Why don’t we just wrap ourselves in cotton wool and roll down the Hill of Tara as quietly as possible so as not to disturb anyone.

I’m talking about a protest here, it has to be noisy and visual.

I think to be worrying about Class A terrorism, and terrified pets is overreacting.
My neighbour throws a party every year at Halloween with plenty of fireworks.
I have dogs and cats etc, when the fireworks start, I bring them into the house and stick them in front of the fire with the TV on loud. With the noise of the TV, and sound proof double glaze windows they usually just relax and doze of to sleep.

I live in a very remote area surrounded by mountains.
The beacon fire I wish to ignite will not be very big because I will have to carry the timber up the baron mountain on my back. It will take several trips up and down.
Hopeful, I’ll have a little help from my friends
When this fire is lit and viewed from down below, it will be scarcely noticed.
It might look like Elton John’s candle in the wind, flickering and barley visible.

My suggestion would be to publicise our intention previous to the night of Samhain, October the 31st.
E-Mail the letters pages in all the National and provincial papers. Get on the radio, word of mouth, leaflets etc, what ever it takes to let people know, so that when the time comes, and they see flares or fireworks, they will know and understand what it means.
If people are not aware of this protest action previous, then the whole act is pointless.

It is not environmentally friendly to have massive bonfires on the top of hills and mountains. The beacon fires should be just big enough so that they can be seen.
I think to only have the beacon fire on its own would be just carrying on the ancient tradition of celebration without any reference to the crises facing Tara Valley.
The flares and fireworks would add a element of protest to the occasion.

If the coarse of action intended is explained properly to the authorities so as not to upset the rescue services etc, I cant see there being any problem.
If anyone sees a white flare, followed by 4 rockets on October 31st , don’t panic it will not be a ship sinking on a mountain top, nor will it be a plane crash with the survivors having a fireworks display followed by a sing song at the camp fire.

Lighten up folks, letting of a few fireworks is pretty trivial compared to the illegal activities of the Irish Government and their heavies at Tara.

by Laura Fri Sep 28, 2007 20:22

Another point to remember with regard to fireworks/flares is that these cause a great deal of distress to people's pets. I have three dogs myself, and my family usually spends a good deal of time at Halloween having to comfort the poor creatures when the bangers start going off. Fireworks often lead pets to run away too, if they're not inside. For this reason, I would be very much opposed to the use of fireworks on Samhain.

by A10 Fri Sep 28, 2007 19:55

Your flares are WHITE
.Red flares are distress flares and if you are going to be firing them off hills near a fire ,sure as Hell somone will think it is a plane crash,people in distress etc,and phone the revelant rescue services.C'mon folks think of the Search and Rescue people who dont need this hassle of false call outs by the mis informed or,non hearers of the plannned Tara valley protest plan.Keep the flares white and not in the international distress group of three.

by Carmel - Campaign To Save Tara Fri Sep 28, 2007 17:57

Thank you Thomas,

We are actually looking into that idea right now! They are easy to get in Maritime shops but the info we have at present is that they can only be used at sea as distress signals only and are illegal on land , but leave it with us we are following it up :) We dont want to get done for Class A Terrorism - remember this is a peaceful campaign! :)

In Ancient times when the Beacons were lit the idea was to wait for the fire on the hill in the distance near you and when you saw it you lit your own. This would spread up to the coast and beyond in minutes with everyone being vigilant watching for the signal. Sounds exciting dosnt it!

Stay tuned :)

Carmel

by Thomas - none Fri Sep 28, 2007 08:44 none none

I have a suggestion that I hope would take off with a bang on Samhain 31st 0ctober.

In an act of synchronicity at a given time, say 8.00pm, a flare could be sent into the night sky from hills and mountains, followed by 4 large rockets.
When the last rocket has exploded, this should be the signal to light the beacon fires.
The reason I suggested a flare is because the flare is an international stress signal,
it means SOS or SAVE.
TARA has 4 letters which would be symbolised by 4 rockets, each rocket represents a letter.
SAVE TARA.

This could be a great noisy and visual protest that would draw attention to the destruction of Tara Valley.

It would also be a good way to revive the ancient customs of old.

Flares can be purchased in any maritime shops that cater for sea faring people.
You all know where to buy rockets.

Last year the Minister for Injustice, McDowell, attempted to stop the general public from using fireworks. What an insult to peoples intelligence.

His outright ban on fireworks backfired because it was one of the best years ever for sky art.
The people of Dublin defiantly gave McDowell the two fingers.

I think the use of flares and rockets in our protest on Samhain, 31st of October will be a double edge sword.

It will send a defiant message to people like McDowell who think they can trample all over us.
And it will highlight the sacrilege that is taking place in the beautiful Tara Valley.

by FirePower Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:01

This idea looks like it potentially has the makings of a great follow up the the first big "Aerial Event" of last Sunday.

I plan to start asking around soon in my local community, to see if there is any landowner (with a high hill) who would be happy to let me have a go with a modest beacon of some kind on the night.

Hopefully, in the process I might find a few other people interested in sharing the experience.

by Carmel Thu Sep 27, 2007 08:44

I would also like to add that these are Beacons on the Hills rather than huge bonfires.

Beacons of hope for the future.

Carmel

by Carmel - Campaign To Save Tara Thu Sep 27, 2007 08:00

Dear Martin,

To allay your fears re damage to the land, all those who care about Tara care about the Earth. Fires will be lit up off the ground in Fire Pits , you can even elevate a fire in a tin barrel too for example and we ask that all of you who are joining with us in Solidarity do the same and respect the Earth.

Carmel

by Michael Martin - TaraWatch Thu Sep 27, 2007 02:23

But what about to the lasting damage to the land these fires are doing? Any thoughts on this?

by Tara Tara Tara Wed Sep 26, 2007 21:49

I know of Fire Display Artists who are VERY interested in participating. Sounds great! This is an Ancient Celtic custom, I think it's fab that we have the opportunity to re unite all of the Celtic lands and beyond , who wish to join us. SOLIDARITY!

SAVE TARA!