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AS SCOTLAND is the wellspring of Freemasonry, a natural expression of that foundation has recently manifested in a unique 'specialty Lodge' – Alba Lodge No. 315. Drawing its members together from throughout the region, Alba Lodge is a Masonic lodge formed to focus on brethren of Scottish and Celtic ancestry, or those with interest in the celebration of the Seven Celtic Nations (Scotland, Eire (Ireland), Wales, Cornwall, Galicia (Spain), Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man) and Brittany) and their ancient and vibrant cultural heritages.

The word Alba (pron. 'Al-pa') is an ancient name for Scotland following the unification of the Kingdom of Dal Riada and the two Pictish Kingdoms in what is now Scotland in the 9th C.

Entwining the gold, blue, purple and green threads of Celtic panache and Scottish style within the beautiful fabric of Pacific Northwest Freemasonry, the Brethren of “Lodge Alba” (as it is called in the Scottish Masonic style) meet at the Quarter Days of the Celtic Calendar. Throughout the year, Alba Lodge No. 315 will also be operating Masonic information booths at Scottish events, hold Celtic holiday and cultural events and generally represent Scots and Masons within these two great communities in the region.

Still celebrated and observed today, the background and context of these ancient holidays go back nearly three thousand years…

Samhain was the beginning of the dark half of the year, with its counterpart Beltaine beginning the light half.. Between these ‘two doors’ or portals fell Imbolc on February 1 and Lughnasadh, or Lammas on August 1. During both Druidic and Christian times in Celtic Gaul and the British Isles, these important Quarter-day feasts were also festivals of celebration, gathering and renewal. They were also expressed in fire:

Samhain (November 1) : As the last pale vestiges of Summer faded as if a dream, the land and the year symbolically died in dark and cold. Kin and clan gathered to both celebrate and to give thanks for the rich harvest and fruits of the land. At the newly born year, they also came together around the fire to plan and debate courses of action for the upcoming seasons, and to tell stories of their ancestors heroic deeds in raid and battle. The Celts also believed that at this pivotal time, veil between the natural world and the supernatural world of Faerie was open. During this day, what the Roman Catholic Church later proclaimed as ‘All Souls Day’, both holy saints and beloved family members long gone were also honored and remembered with candles, feast and bonfires.

Imbolc (February 1) : Winter’s icy grip slowly started to slip away with the first quiet stirrings of the newly pregnant land and the lactating animals upon it. Like a flame in the snow withered land, the bright crocus was a herald of awakening spring and an encouraging sign of the fertility Goddess Bride. With flame, white candles and libations of milk poured into the soil, Bride’s Christian reflection, Saint Brigid was celebrated at Candlemass. In Eire and Alba, Brigid herself was believed to be Mary’s midwife – magically brought by angels or the faeries all the way from Eire to Mary in her time of need at the manger.

Beltaine (May 1) : Encouraged by bonfires on hilltops, the fiery sun showed his face and stirred hearts in ‘the merry month of May’. Joyously alive after a tough winter, our earthy ancestors echoed the jubilant rhythms of life and fertility amidst a burgeoning explosion of spreading leaf and swelling bud as they circled around the maypole to a fiddler or pipers tune. Wearing vibrant colours and floral garlands, the woman of the clan joyously danced and leapt over bonfires - to be blessed and cleansed by the sacred smoke. Cattle, the main symbol of wealth and prestige, were also driven through the smoke. Newly plowed earth was laid bare and seed was sown in anticipation and hope for the future. Babies sown at Lughnasadh were born in the sweet month of May. In the Celtic lands, the blessed Mother Mary was honoured in her three forms: as young Virgin, as blessed Mother and as an aged Woman, wise with sorrow….one who never left her son’s side - even at the cross.

Lughnasadh (August 1) : Again expressed in bonfires on the hill tops, Lughnasadh was a celebration of the clans first harvests of corn, grain and herb and ripening fruit and berry. It was also a time of gathering not just the first bounties of the earth but where family, kin, clan, tribe and kingdom gathered together to strengthen bonds, allegiances and friendships. The warriors of the clan also flexed their muscle and practiced feats of strength and speed, expressed in cattle raid and battle. Resplendent in checks, tartan, gleaming weapons and jewelry, they strutted their stuff and raced shaggy ponies under the summer sun. Despite of or because of the noise, bagpipes and clatter, the more vital business of passion, love and life started at Beltaine was expressed in hand-fasting, engagements and marriages - all sealed with blessings and summer’s golden kiss.

We at Alba Lodge invite you to share in the good fellowship of Freemasonry and in the unique Celtic nature of our gatherings and initiatives.

 

Lodge Alba No. 315