Written by Ciaran Vipond on Sep 19, 2023 | 6 Comments
Mea'n Fo'mhair is the gaelic for September - roughly translated it means Middle - Harvest. And close to mid-way through September, the autumn equinox marks the halfway point between the longest and shortest days of the year - a time of balanced equal day and night.
Read on to find out more about the Autumn Equinox in Ireland - how it has been marked for thousands of years and how it is marked today.
We Irish are obsessed with daylight and specifically, the sun! And this obsession is certainly not new. The Autumn Equinox, or Cónocht an fhómhair in Gaelic has held a special place in Ireland for thousands of years. Cairn T at Loughcrew in Co. Meath was built over 5000 years ago in precise alignment with the rising sun on the equinox.
A "cairn" is a mound of rough stones, typically found on hilltops, and thought to be built as a monument. Known as Sliabh na Caillí, the Hill of the Crone in Gaelic, Cairn T is also known as the "Hag's Cairn" for a local legend. It is the most impressive monument in a large complex that dots the hills in this part of Ireland.
People have gathered here for thousands of years to mark the equinox, when the rising sun illuminates the intricately carved stones inside Cairn T. This enigmatic monument works a bit like an ancient astronomic clock, marking the point when the day and night are in balance each year.
It is easy to imagine ancient people being reassured to see the reliable turning of the seasons and all that it entails. The Autumn equinox, being mid-harvest was a time of bounty and thanks. But it was also important time to take stock with winter on the horizon!
We've been inspired by Irish megalithic treasures like Loghcrew in our jewelry design. Merging abstract neolithic art, such as the triskele spiral, with Celtic and modern contemporary designs, our jewelry provides a wonderful connection to ancient Ireland and it's reverence of the light and the unbroken cycle of the seasons.
Irish folklore marks the start of autumn at Lúnasa, making the Equinox mid-autumn and a time for grounding, thanks and celebration. After the heady days of summer and the hectic first few weeks of September, to this day many find themselves looking to take stock around the euinox with winter approaching.
These days we might instinctively mark this special time of year by getting out into nature and enjoying the colors of turning leaves. Our ancestors would have spent time in nature too, gathering, preserving and storing the autumn bounty for the winter ahead.
Many would have made offerings and celebrated trees and the forest. And there is still this connection today, with National Tree day a few weeks after the equinox. Like many ancient rites in Ireland, traditions seem to have a way of evolving to fit changing times.
If you would like to ground yourself this equinox with a piece of our jewelery, our own modern interpretation of ancient Ireland, please do get in touch.
Have a question or something you're not entirely sure about when browsing our pieces? Please reach out. You can send us a note or give us a call—the Dublin workshop is here to make sure that you have a perfect experience from start to finish with My Irish Jeweler.
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Ciaran Vipond
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!
I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!
Hi Anne, How wonderful that you'd like to find something for your nieces. And how brave and brilliant of them to pursue frontline work! I've passed your query on to our Customer Service team and they'll be in touch with some recommendations. All the best, LIz
I too love reading the stories you send out. I read every single one of them. So thank you!
I have several pieces of your jewelry also and I wear it with pride!
Hi Lori, Thanks so much for such a lovely note! We're delighted that you are enjoying your pieces from My Irish Jeweler and continue to wear them with our warmest wishes. Cheers, Liz
I, too, love the history I have with Ireland. My mom’s father was born in Edenderry. He was born in the house connected to the only castle that survived Cromwells March to destroy Dublin. My father was born in Greystones, below Dublin. I could go on but this is not a history lesson (although I used to talk about the history with my grade school kids in the 33 years I taught 1st through 4th grades.
I love reading the stories that you post on the web site, ThankYou!
Hi Colleen, Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely note! We're delighted that you're enjoying our stories. This has just made our week here in Dublin. You're very kind!
Ask Gemma
Hello! I have 2 nieces who graduated from nursing school during this pandemic. Both working now through this mess. I found a symbol on google that says it is a celtic know for health / balance but cannot find any other information. My question is: Is there a celtic know foe life/ health balance that may apply to the nursing progession? & if so - any jewelry / pendant with it?