Mothers Night

Mothers Night (December 21) is the winter solstice celebration dedicated to the Druidic goddess Ano Mar. It is a dedicated to the Mother of the Druidic faith, and is celebrated with bonfires, dancing, singing, feasting and the drinking of mulled wine, warm ciders and cold beer. Events include riddling, story telling, offerings of thanksgiving and the giving of gifts to loved ones and family.

As it is a celebration of the longest night of the year and the beginning of longer days, the majority of activities are conducted at night, but many traditions have developed that are conducted during the day. One very popular tradition in Cobal is the Hunters Race, wherein the legendary First Hunt is reenacted with some participants donning antlers and deerskin cloaks to play the role of the prey and other participants carrying outrageously long poles (representing the hunter's spears). These two parties of revelers race over broken ground, usually uphill and preferably in the deep snow, to a mutual goal. The first member of either party to reach the goal wins the race and dictates the losing party's required service to the winners.