The Moon In Folklore: Harvest Moon in Wales

» Achroigeal - Harvest Moon in Wales

Thought you might be interested in an old Welsh tradition connected to The Harvest Moon. People climb to the summit of the Snowden range, Y Wydfa the eyrie of the eagles.( the highest point in Wales ) Both locals from the valleys and today climbers and walkers gather on the summit to welcome the harvest moon. I feel it must have its roots in some distant Druidic Ceremony celebrating the gathering in of the harvest and the beginning of winter. Today many actualy ride the mountain railway to the summit and spend time celebrating well if not wisely at the summit station. The committed and hardy ascend to the actual summit to greet the dawn
I have carried out this ritual some years ago, being fitter then climbed to the summit by the Crib Goch Ridge ( the Red Notched Ridge) a spectacular climb in the day and a truly hazardous one by moonlight. It was an experience I shall never forget, and somehow it gave me a feeling of being at one with my distant welsh ancestors.

-- posted by Achroigeal