An Equinox of Days Long Past

After seeing how the equinox light at sunrise moves along the passage way at Hougue Bie, I wanted to capture something of the mystery of ages past, when our ancestors were using the Dolmen at this time of year. Hence this sonnet which uses a trochaic tetrameter.

The autumn equinox represents the exact tipping point where the nights become longer than the days. The "dying god" often represents a solar deity or a god of light whose power is fading.  By speaking of these deities through "bardic songs," the ancestors remind themselves that winter is not permanent. The god must descend into the underworld (winter) so that the earth can be regenerated and reborn in the spring. It transforms death from an act of destruction into an act of necessary creation.

An Equinox of Days Long Past

Light along the pagan path
Seasons come, seasons go
Coming of the stormy wrath
The Equinox in sunrise glow

Ancestors will bless our land
Shaman enters passage way
Praying now for healing hand
Hope arising this new day

Autumn lands are growing old
Dying gods are told in tale
Of heroes and a quest so bold
Bardic songs as sun grows pale

Harvest tide brings bounty still
Winter waits beyond the hill