I Twitter!

Friday 5 November 2010

A Celebration...


Tonight is our famed Bonfire Night - Fireworks Night. This is when we celebrate the capture of Guy Fawkes who with Catholic associates plotted to blow up Parliament in 1605.

From the Goddess Wiki:

In January 1606 the Thanksgiving Act was passed, and commemorating the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot became an annual event. Coincidentally the celebrations for the pagan festival of Samhain, which included the burning of the "old guy" on a bonfire, were held about this time of the year, and so other traditions, such as ringing of church bells and lighting fireworks were added soon after the act was passed and the "guy" became a personification of Guy Fawkes. The act remained in place until 1859. Despite the repeal of the act taking place over 150 years ago, Guy Fawkes Night still remains a yearly custom throughout Britain.

These days I might offer to buy him a cigar!

Samhain Blessings, my friends...

6 comments:

Clippy Mat said...

I used to love bonfire night and the preceding weeks leading up to it where we went 'bona raiding' and stole the massed bonfire material from rival street gangs.
Happy Days.
;-)

Between Me and You said...

Want me to bring the matches?!

Molly Potter said...

I always marvel at Guy Fawkes night. Where else does the UK population collectively sustain a custom started off by the actions of someone more than 400 years ago?

I know there the whole Christmas thing but Jesus got a bit more PR than the Catholic chap! I don't do anti-treason, empathy or cheer the protestants on GFN - I just light a firework - what a phoney....again!

auntiegwen said...

just spent a while catching up with all yer news Fhina, total pants about the job but I hope you enjoy your retraining.

You won't be thinking about analysing yer bloggy pals TOO much, will you? xxx

gpc said...

What a magical picture!

Bee said...

My daughter's school does a wonderfully pagan Bonfire Night. All of the little children carry flaming torches and there is an enormous bonfire with a stuffed and dressed "guy." I used to dread Bonfire Night, mostly because of the filthy weather, but I've come to adore it.

Something I wrote earlier...

Blog Widget by LinkWithin