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Treibh na Tintean, where Costa is one of several elders, is a modern pagan group, already established when Costa moved from Springfield to Joliet in 1997. Its “home” is the Universalist Unitarian Church in Joliet, and its sacred space is Covenant Woods – 1.8 acres of woods, which the church “gave” the group for its rituals, Costa said. “We are an open circle,” Costa said of Treibh na Tintean. “We do not require official membership.” Attendance at events varies, Costa said, from as little as seven to as many as 50. About 25 people attended this last Sabbath, she added, “which was actually rather nice.” Some regular participants had work conflicts, and others had family obligations. “A few friends have autoimmune conditions and could not come out because of the heat,” Costa said. “I don’t blame them at all.” Preceding the ritual was a communal dinner. (Photo provided)
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The autumnal equinox is the second of three harvest feast Treibh na Tintean celebrates, a type of Thanksgiving, Costa said. The first harvest celebration occurs in early August and stresses nuts, fruits and vines. This second celebration has an emphasis on foods such as squash and “things like that, very sustaining and lasting a long time,” Costa said. So it was natural to gather about 6 p.m. for a “nice big potluck inside the church building” before the ritual started, Costa said. “People brought the most wonderful food,” she said. “And we saved some for people who showed up later, too.” A potluck before the ritual is a great time to meet new participants, reconnect with others and answer questions, Costa said. Afterward, everyone heads outside in the dark and gathers in a circle, she added. (Photo provided)
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“We first create a circle where we’ll be safe and not distracted, where everyone can be together. It’s a very spiritual place,” Costa said. “We have a circle to spiritually create one place where we stay and do the spiritual work of this holiday. And then we call to the elemental directions to come and help us with the work we’re going to do.” In pagan tradition, Costa said, every direction represents a different concept. First, everyone turns east to honor air, which symbolizes innovation and cleansing. “You blow away the old ideas in your mind and make room for new things,” Costa said. Next comes south – and fire. “It’s warmth, passion, big ideas that get you motivated,” Costa said. “And the kind of love that helps you take care of yourself and the community.” West is “water.” “Water is wisdom and healing and movement – the casting away of what is necessary,” Costa said. “It’s always about transformation, changing and caring.” Finally, they turn north and honor earth. “Earth is where we find strength and stability and growth,” Costa said. “Then we invite the goddess and god to be with us and witness the work we’re doing, and to help us remember what we said – the promises we made – so we will carry out our promises, to bless us and keep us honest.” (Photo provided)
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At the center of the celebration for Treibh na Tintean is Mabon, a Welsh god. “He’s kind of an obscure god who represents the great hunter,” Costa said. “He’s also a god of light and youth and strength. And although there is no real evidence the holiday was meant to be named after him, he’s a very good symbol of it.” Why is that? “When you get ready for winter, what do you need? In terms of old traditions, you need sustenance, so you need someone to help you get through the cold when you can’t grow anything,” Costa said. “And Mabon, son of a triple goddess, is known as the best huntsman in the world.” Because these stories of gods and goddesses are based on oral traditions, each retelling brings variations, Costa said. But at their core, they also hold spiritual truths applicable to modern times. “I don’t live in an agrarian society,” Costa said. “If I didn’t store enough grain or meat, I’m going to survive. I can still work, make money and go to the grocery store.” But now that the first harvest has passed and people have “a little food in their stores,” one’s attention turns to people who aren’t as fortunate, Costa said. “A lot of times pagan communities will make big donations to food banks or collect for food banks,” Costa said. “If we have individual members of our group in need, we help them out.” (Photo provided)
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Treibh na Tintean concluded this recent harvest ritual by giving each person a bowlful of white clover seeds to distribute along the paths. “We usually do a little chanting and drumming to help keep us together when we separate like that,” Costa said. “We need to stick together in the dark.” White clover, Costa said is a low-maintenance plant, but “it has nice little flowers that bees and butterflies like.” “We try to take care of our pollinators, to take care of our environment, our small contribution to make our world better,” Costa said. “But it’s not too late to plants things. We still have time to grow things and help further the natural world.” ---------------------- KNOW MORE For information about Treibh na Tintean, visit treibh-na-tintean.org. (Photo provided)