One solstice, One World, As Above, So Below
By Nina Dean* - 26th June 2010
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Nina Dean, __________ Stonehenge, summer solstice ritual June 21st 2010 |
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With the turning of the solstice we celebrate rebirth, renewal and the continuity of the sacred cycle of life, nature, spirit and harmony. Whilst in the southern hemisphere the Mapuche celebrate Wiñoy Xipantu, the minority pagans of the North celebrate the summer solstice and in doing so hold consciousness of the passing seasons of our world, reminded that we share awareness, union and sacred synchronicity with nature and our indigenous brothers and sisters across the globe.
In the UK the traditional summer solstice has been celebrated by pagans for 3,000 years at 'Stonehenge' sacred stone circle, as it has on this date by the Mapuche and the myriad of indigenous peoples of the world for thousands of years. Whilst simultaneously the insatiable appetite of the modern western world, driven by capitalism and a lust for more evolves in ever decreasing circles, in pursuit of its own tail like a bewildered dog, entirely unaware of the sacred, fragile and infinite dimensions of the spiritual world within which it co-exists, and which it destroys, remaining oblivious to its relevance.
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Wiñoy Xipantu - 2010 Members and sympathisers of Mapuche International Link, gather every year in Bristol, UK to celebrate the Mapuche New Year. |
Along with 20,000 pilgrims I celebrated in pagan tradition, in solidarity with Mapuche spirituality at Stonehenge summer solstice this year. As I climbed the centre stone, I asked a member of the gathering to hold a corner of the Mapuche flag to commemorate the moment, the youth in his early twenties asked, who are the people represented by the flag? I explained that they are the indigenous Mapuche nation who share a similar pagan spirituality; the young man replied that, he was unaware that pagan spirituality existed outside of the UK. I climbed down from the rock leaving a enthusiastic debate on the issue behind me. Whilst the struggle for indigenous self determination continues for the Mapuche and may other indigenous peoples throughout the world, against the capitalist agendas of nation states, complicit with those of multinational corporations in pursuit of the natural resources that lie within the ancestral territorial boundaries of indigenous nations, a lack of awareness such as that of a young English pagan is of great concern. It represents a litmus test which exposes a clear lack of awareness of the critical issues facing indigenous people, and the wider world, where the preservation of peoples and environment though at impending risk of eradication have few witnesses, particularly of western persuasion. Therefore my fear is great that further indigenous lands and cultures may be lost as a result. Without a witness there is in effect no call to alert, no error to be traced.
With the continued lack of mainstream media interest in indigenous affairs and concerns, resulting in few reports on the urgent crisis that the indigenous peoples and by proxy the western world face, there is an urgent emphasis on the importance of raising awareness of this ongoing crisis.
Whilst the Mapuche and other indigenous peoples cry out for justice, equality, freedom, self determination in pursuit of the preservation of culture, identity, spirituality, environment and ancestral land rights it is imperative that their message reaches every corner of the globe, from the highest echelons' of the wealthy and elite to the grass roots of society.
Yet the solstices of the north and south continue to be celebrated by those who value the earth, the cosmos and its peoples as they have for thousands of years, the wheel turns slowly but steadily and eternally and we will continue to bear witness to the universe in all its rich diversity, as did our ancestors and those before them, in doing so we sustain the vital link to the generations of the future thus ensuring the preservation of peoples, diversity, freedom, environment, all that is truly precious.
Vice Secretary, Mapuche International Link*