"And Findbair used to lay her hand on every goblet and
every cup for Ferdiad, because he was her beloved and
chosen wooer."
___'Tain Bo Cuailgne', early Irish text
The ancient Celtic and Germanic worlds shared the custom of pledging the cup of hospitality to guests. The woman of the house would greet the leader of a company with the guest cup. In certain circumstances, eligible women took the opportunity presented by this hospitable action to check out the guests. Findabair (FIN'a-ba), the daughter of Queen Maeve of Connacht, who was besotted with the hero Ferdiad, evidently took every opportunity to be close to him, using the old custom of hospitality to welcome him home from combat. It is clear that the offering of the guest cup could be an erotic invitation that might, or might not, lead to marriage.
Over the pledged cup, alcohol and sexual desire created their own ferment of intoxication, overflowing mundane barriers of reserve and opening up the gateway to intimate encounter. In similar fashion, it is common today for future partners to meet each other over the holiday season at parties and gatherings.
The love that is pledged at this time is whirlwind and generally physical and nonverbal. There is a kind of ritual alchemy of attraction at work that is intensified within the ceremonial cup of the season. And though this may not be the rational and considered love of other seasons, its passion carried a forceful truth that fixes the unspoken pledge at a deep level of promise.
The pledging of passion is not the preserve of the young alone; passion can arise at any age, in any circumstance, when we least expect it. No one is immune to the kindling sparks of passion that burn at certain meetings.
"Pledge your passion to your beloved and welcome ecstasy back into your relationship."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]
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