Selxtiweron and Bratunoxtion

A time to give thanks under the Hunter’s Moon for what has been received and ask for what is desired

Some of the Celts have a custom of annually sacrificing to Diana; while others institute a treasury for the goddess […] This Celtic custom I follow with my fellow-sportsmen, and declare no human undertaking to have a prosperous issue without the interposition of the Gods.

Following these examples, it is right in field-sports, as in everything else, to begin with adoration of the Gods; and, after having obtained success, to offer thanksgiving-sacrifices and libations, with auspicious words, and crowns, and hymns, and to dedicate the first-fruits of the captured game, as the conqueror does of the spoils of war.
Arrian of Nicomedia, the Kynēgetikos

Of the various aspects of Gaulish life, hunting is one of their few pastimes that someone took enough interest in to write down. Arrian, writing in the 2nd century CE, came to know the Galatians – hellenized Gauls – in what is now modern Turkey. There he learned about their hounds, strategies, and culture surrounding the hunt. The quote above gives us a sliver of insight into the priorities of the ancient Celts, namely a pious reverence for the gifts of the natural world.

We modernize these practices into a ritual of Selxtiweron (hunt promise) and a Bratunoxtion (night of thanks).

Giving for what has been given

To [Mars], when they have determined to engage in battle, they commonly vow those things which they shall take in war. When they have conquered […] you may see piles of these things heaped up in their consecrated spots
Julius Caesar, The Gallic Wars (Book 6 Chapter 17)

It’s clear from many sources that the ancient Celts valued a gifting cycle with their deities. From Gaul to Galatia, under 4 dynasties of Roman emperors, it was known that the Celts gave back for what they had received.

Although Diana’s birthday – Nemoralia – is an excellent time to give back, as Arrian did, so is the autumn season. It’s a time of small comforts and large meals, of a change in daily rituals for plant and animal (including human) alike: the former loosing their last seeds before dormancy, the latter foraging for those same tasty seeds. Warm spices reach new heights after breathing in cold air. Winter squash, swelling roots, and hardy brassicas are harvested. All incredible gifts born from an ancient rhythm between the soil and sun, before both scale back from sight for a while. What better time to give back to the Dēwoi?

Asking for what is desired

The Bards are singers and poets; the Vates, diviners and natural philosophers; while the Druids, in addition to natural philosophy, study also moral philosophy. The Druids are considered the most just of men […] Without the druids they never sacrifice.”
Strabo, Geograph

Divination was an integral part of Gaulish religion. Once again from the source materials we form a picture of a religion steeped in reading the will of the Dēwoi: some Druids would perform sacrifices and read the entrails at festivals, gauging the future for the community; for daily, more personal divination, most people would have consulted a Wātis (“seer”). To what degree individuals took it upon themselves to consult the Dēwoi is unknown, but in modern Gaulish Paganism we rarely have the opportunity to turn to trusted professional diviners on major holidays, so we turn to runoi, cards, and other techniques.

It’s important to note here that Sepānioi Rotī doesn’t promote a transactional relationship with the Dēwoi: we worship our deities as part of a gifting cycle (Cantos Ratī) without any expectation of each other. That being said, like any relationship, it’s worth being clear about our wants and needs with each other. This is a time to open up with our Dēwoi and invite their guidance, to clearly lay out our hopes and desires and what we’re willing to give back in return. Taking inspiration from the Romano-Celts, some modern offerings we can vow to exchange are:

Buying or making new idols
Donating to a relevant cause (like to forest conversation for Abnobā)
Donating a certain amount throughout the year
Holding a feast/party in their honour (like a Mother’s Day brunch in honour of the Dewās Matres)
Taking up a specific practice (like exercises in honour of Erkulē/Hercules)

Within the Overculture

A key part of all Sepānioi Rotī practice is incorporating our religion into everyday life, and our holidays are no exception. Autumn is a time of celebration in many cultures, certainly in Canada and the United States, so it can be a challenge to fit in additional holidays. Instead, we can give our own meanings to seasonal celebrations by celebrating each of our holidays over the course of several months:

The autumnal equinox is when the first rousings of the Wild Hunt begin (especially in regions where it coincides with first frost dates). Prepare your garden and home for winter with offerings to your Tegatis (house spirit)
Hunting season opens at various times depending on region, game, and weapon. Present your offerings to the Dēwoi of the Hunt on the Hunter’s Moon, or earlier if needed, with a Selxtiweron (hunt promise) ritual. Alternatively, make offerings to these deities for other goals: arts, a safe winter, good health.
Hallowe’en is already rooted in Celtic customs (from the modern Celtic nations) and includes a practice of giving gifts. Incorporate offerings to Nodons as he leads the Wild Hunt with the Cunes Dubnē into your celebrations.
Thanksgiving and other harvest festivals generally consist of being grateful for what we have before the dark winter. Make offerings during a Bratunoxtion (night of thanks) as part of your feasting with friends and family, give thanks to a goddess of the land (perhaps replacing the problematic American mythology) to the practice, and practice hospitality cultus as part of the celebrations. If part of a mixed Canadian/American circle you can spread the celebration out over 2 large meals.
Take a moment to extend your communication to your mortal relationships: check in with your partners and friends, get the drop on Christmas/solstice planning, look up salaries at competitors, or set some boundaries with family at Thanksgiving.

Dates

Gregorian / Luni-solar: The full “Hunter’s Moon” (follows the full moon closest to autumnal equinox); alternatively, 1 November (Northern hemisphere) / 1 May (Southern hemisphere).
Coligny (first quarter/spring start): 8th of Cutios (Orgronios in an intercalary year).
Coligny (new moon/autumnal start): 16 Cantlos; alternatively, 1 Samonios (1 Quimonios in an intercalary year).

Note: at time of writing, October 28th is the Hunter’s Moon, which happens to also be an eclipse. Since many consider eclipses an inauspicious time to ask for anything, it is best to wait until the eclipse finishes (including into the next day if needed).

Gnosis

Abnoba retreats from Bitus (earth) as Erecura the Sculptor rises from Dubnos (underworld) to fulfill her role as Mistress of Rot and Renewal.

Nodons the Hunter regains his Īsarnolāmā (Iron Hand) and his throne, going to war against the Anguipeds. He rides with his pack of Cunes Dubnī (hounds of the underworld) who he’s trained from the souls lost in Mori (sea) between Bitus and Dubnos.

Lugos the Rover gives up the throne willingly to his brother, wandering across all worlds – as a scout for the Wild Hunt, as a diplomat between the forces of Dubnos and Albios (heavens), and seeking the things only he can know to seek.

Celebration

Selxtiweron Hymn to Nodons

I sing now to the god, Nodons,
In praise of him and his work
With offerings at hand

Summer has ended
And the land nourished by you
With your life-giving rain

To the goddess Abnoba
Your time you also spent tending
Throughout those months

But now summer fades
And once more, winter descends
Upon the lands that you tend

And with the coming of frost
The beings of winter lay claim
To Abnoba and her bounties

Now with your hand, forged of iron
Your battle begins anew
Until the summer ascends again

With shield and blade in hand
Your hunt begins again
Until the summer ascends once more

O Nodons, I sing to you now
In praise, in thanks, and so that my words
May lead to your victory
Nico Solheim-Davidson, the North Sea Poet, 2023

Dēwoi of Honour

Abnoba

Hunting
Children/pregnancy/parenthood
Vulnerable people
Health
New challenges

Nodons

Hunting
Labour disputes
Health
Physical activity
Pursuing goals

Karnonon

Hunting
Wealth
Revelations
Boundaries

Borwanos

Athleticism
Health
Foresight
Family
Warmth in the cold

Land spirits

Hospitality
Safe passage through wilderness
A good harvest
A safe winter
A good spring