The third Litha Monath (Drilithi)

 Third Litha Monath

Introduction

The Anglo-Saxon calendar was made up of lunar months so only loosely corresponds to ours. Instead of a leap day they needed a leap month about every 3 years, this was added to the summer and became the third month of Litha.

This poem focuses on a sorcerer and a popular method of finding cures for aliments where

knowledge was lacking, The sorcerer would go into a trance like state and commune with

the spirit world in order to find the cure using Scinn-craeft (magical skill).

The penultimate verse draws from ‘The Good Reeve’ an 11^th century farming hand book.

The third Litha Monath (Drilithi)

The long lazy litha, daylight blessing,

Summer’ extra moon, is now progressing.

Triple Litha monath, brings much delight,

Three months about the, solstice brightest light.

The sorcerer with, flowing gown and broach,

Raises long sleeved arms, as we now approach.

Drawing on the gentle, spindle power,

Signing to us this, be not the right hour.

By the power of, earth fast standing stone,

Scinn-craeftic magic, spell be spun alone.

Conjures nature’s spirits, with sacred chant,

Singing to the stone gods, their aid to grant.

Calling quarters, magic galdor intone,

An offering placed, at his sacred stone.

The Scinn-craeftic spell, nine times to recite,

A libation made, for spirit insight.

Holly oaken rod, runes in air to write,

Ese of Albion, he doth invite.

Whisper of the covert, to listen too,

Wodan magic lord, make the spell come true.

Common weapon men, fetch timber, cut wood,

Old shippons and sheep pens, for making good.

Mowing meads cutting reeds, for roof to thatch,

Cleaning of oxfold and, the roof to patch.

Extra month of Litha, wilt bring good cheer,

Drink hail me lads, raise thine beaker of beer.

Three Litha months, more time on the mead bench,

Bearers of the mead cup, their thirst to quench.

Copyright Andrew Rea 2010