By Melwynn Danaëdrys and L.Mercurius Nigra (L.Lenoire)
Everything happens a June 18, 2016, three days before the Summer Solstice.
A small band of païens- "walkers" can be found on the parking Panoramic Domes, cogwheel train that takes visitors to the summit of the Puy de Dôme, in Orcines (Auvergne).
From the four corners of France (some have more than 800 km), there they were, in the Auvergne drizzle, to revive the ancient Gallo-Roman pilgrimage to Mount Dumias (Puy de Dome) in honor of the God Lugh /Mercury. The god, prankster, greeted us shyly hiding a fickle fog facetiously observing travelers down from his holy mountain.
At the bottom of the Puy de Dome, the first meeting moved, pending other arrivals: friendly picnic, each presentation, as is customary during a meeting between pagans, who have the habit to mingle with the Internet, and once everyone had arrived, we are soaring to Mount Dumias. A small group took the cog railway, while another went off to conquer the volcano, some wrapped in their k-way, others barefoot in ancient attire, climbing the "path mule" the traditional path of Gallo-Roman pilgrims who made the ascent to the temple of Mercury-Dumias, the second and third century of the Christian era.
With its user-friendliness and the joy of making this march, the small group of pilgrims joined shortly after departure by a few stragglers, some warriors of the association Lance Arverne (these Arvernes, always in a rush!).
The rise was accompanied by joyous exchanges, music, punctuated by pauses to listen piously the mythological tale of Luc Martel (President of the Association Pharia), blowing a shot and enjoy the scenery.
We find the other group at the top, happy and breathless. A small snack is needed, and we finish the climb all together, joining the Mercury temple in the clouds.
The esplanade of the Temple of Mercury - South East corner
The weather was a joker, unveiling a sudden the bottom of the valley to the Gergovie plateau, and another shot enveloping us with his fog. Long live the joys of time Auvergne in June!
The organizers of the pilgrimage advantage that everyone is at the top to hold an impromptu tribute to Hermes / Mercury, and on this occasion, Babette Petiot (News and Links Pagans) had brought pagan halo, inter-connection symbol and solidarity among pagans.
After a small group photo, we go down to protect us to feast like any good pagan knows how, sharing our specialties pagus.
By late afternoon, we go back to start the descent by the "chemin des muletiers", more quickly this time, and then we start installing the camp in a forest area at the foot of the volcano.
Some leave us, and others stay for the night near the bivouac.
The Celtic scholars gathered at this moment in the presence of romanisants, also celebrated in honor of the Celts and Gallic gods, honoring Lugh.
We meet the fire, and enhance the evening with regional specialties, discussions about our beliefs, good jokes, and songs ...
The next day, after a shared breakfast and a small cafe, everyone went back to his household, his head full of memories and certainty to perpetuate the pilgrimage to Mount Dumias.
Sure, next year, we will return.
On the road that day, the sun finally shone.
We were two days of the Summer Solstice.
Groupe Facebook du Projet Dumias : https://www.facebook.com/groups/153882831637027/
Page Facebook Temple de Mercure-Dumias : https://www.facebook.com/templemercuredumias/
