Ancient Starlight Dance

from Holy Days of Winter by Diane Patterson

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A deep bow to the way-back goddess, SheelaNaGig, the hag, the crone, who holds her lower opening open to remind us where we come from! No kidding. She hails from what is now the UK and Ireland, and she is carved on Neolithic stone sacred sites around those lovely green lands. Still there is an annual feast day for Her in which celebrants pass under her carving in the threshold to the ceremonial stone room and reaching up, touch her yoni. Blessings!!
This song imagines a long-ago Winter Solstice celebration in the neolithic goddess site, called New Grange in present-day Ireland. Truly, on the Winter Solstice morning in this place, the rising sun light shines through a special hole and lights up the long, vaginal canal-shaped passage. Or so they tell me it is true! I've yet to visit New Grange in the flesh, but I sure hope to one day!

lyrics

Ancient Starlight Dance

Cymbals ringing, rounds we’re singing
Circling, ancient starlight dance
Longest night of the year, we journey
Priestess drum beat, lovers entranced

Along the leylines of earth, we travel
Come to the ancient temple throne
Sacred hag carved over the doorway
Touch her yoni, touch the source

Move through the passageway of birth
Into our mother’s ritual womb
In to the shrine, to the mead, to the smoke
Creating healing the seasons invoke

Sunlight streams on solstice morn
Enters the chamber and lights up the orbs
Then through death is born new light
Peace on earth is born this night!

Cymbals ringing, rounds we’re singing
Circling, ancient starlight dance
Longest night of the year, we journey
Priestess drum beat, lovers entranced

credits

from Holy Days of Winter, track released November 11, 2010
lyrics and composition by Diane Patterson.
recorded in Maui by Carl Kaller.
remixed with layers added in Albion, CA by Peter Temple
vocals and acoustic guitar by Diane
dounbek and backing vocals by SaraTone
electric guitar by Carl Kaller
bells & triangle, I think Chris Kaller :)

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about

Diane Patterson Ashland, Oregon

Folkgoddess Diane Patterson sings the world awake with powerful voice and revolutionary lyrics. Her sincere spirit and roots storytelling plant seeds of respect and justice. She’s fueled by music-as-activism and love-as-revolution. Made in New Orleans, Diane’s new 2018 album features Mike Napolitano and Ani DiFranco. ... more

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