Reactor - Martinmas Interviews

The Martinmas Interviews
Ongoing Project
Last updated – 11th November, 2009

“At first there are wanderings, and toilsome running about in circles and journeys through the dark over uncertain road and cul de sac; then, just before the end, there are all kinds of terrors, with shivering, trembling, sweating, and utter amazement. After this, a strange and wonderful light meets the wanderer; he is admitted into clean and verdant meadows, where he discerns gentle voices, and choric dances, and the majesty of holy sounds and sacred visions. Here the now fully initiated is free, and walks at liberty like a crowned and dedicated victim, joining in the revelry; he is the companion of pure and holy men, and looks down upon the uninitiated and unpurified crowd here below in the mud and fog...”

F. C. Grant, Hellenistic Religions (1953)

The joyous tradition of Martinmas is upon us once more. Again the candidates were required to journey north, this time to Newcastle upon Tyne, and to bring with them the appropriate sacrifice. After the meat was eaten off it, the breastbone was examined. Revealing a fair and clear bone, indicating that the winter is likely to be cold and full of hard frosts. Undeterred, the Reactor men went singing door to door with jam lanterns, and one of the troupe in clothing commonly associated with the other gender.

Exuberant though the festivities may have seemed, Reactor's Martinmas celebrations always contain an aspect of great and solemn seriousness.

In the 4th century AD, the Bishop St. Martin was walking to Rome on a pilgrimage. He encountered Satan and was mocked by him. As punishment St. Martin turned the devil into a donkey and rode the lazy beast for the remainder of his journey. The Donkey cursed him and spoke in palindromes.

Because of this significant encounter, Reactor chose this date as the most appropriate for the interviewing of potential new group members and for their initiation into the most honoured role of Secret Member – a role that is theirs for exactly one year, until the wheel turns once more to Martinmas.

Reactor can now reveal that, for the third year in a row, none of the applicants who presented themselves for initiation on November 11th 2008 were of sufficient quality, and so the chair of the Secret Member remained empty during 08/09. Now, this year's prospective initiates have stepped forward and decisions have been taken.

Reactor sincerely encourages those who feel ready to take on the role of Secret Member, to step forward and present themselves for the Martinmas Interviews. For there is an opening at the heart of the group that awaits the correct initiate.

“If the geese at Martin’s Day stand on ice, they will walk in mud at Christmas"