How the blog works

The poems on this blog are mostly written on the basis of my historical reading and are intended to be both educational and entertaining.
Recently I have also begun posting some of my work with Anglo-Saxon charms. This work is somewhat speculative and is conducted as an amateur researcher and keen Pagan historian.

Please feel free to use anything on this site as a resource if you think that it may be relevant to your needs.

Sunday 26 August 2012

September (Halig-monath)


September (Halig-monath)

Introduction
September was referred to as the holy month and was the ninth month of the year except in a leap year when the addition of an extra month (third Month of Litha) moved it to 10th place. Nine was a very magical number for the Saxons; eg ‘the lay of the nine herbs of Woden’. The gathering of the harvest was now in full swing with hopefully much cause for rejoicing.

In early Saxon times Nerthus as mentioned by Saint Bede in his: ‘On the computation of time’ was the Goddess of the harvest until she was eventually replaced as a fertility Goddess by Frig.

Wuldorfadur or ‘Sky Father’, again from Saint Bede, represented the solar logos and worked in conjunction with Nerthus in the fields.


September (Halig-monath)

Halig-monath, the month so holy,
The darkness now, returning slowly.
Gather the crop, for winter living.
Month of offering, of thanksgiving,

Festival to, rejoice the harvest.
Among the rigs, we do now invest.
Earth Mother Nerthus, has sent her best
Thanks be given, to her for this fest.

Blessing us with, a good gathering,
Autumn libations, to usher in.
Sky Father Wuldorfadur, shon down,
And now the meadows, are turning brown.

Offer in the meads, this harvestide,
Among the rigs, and by the wayside.
Give thanks for the corn, to make the bread,
Let us raise a toast, a whole hogshead.

Copyright Andrew Rea 2008

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