--- title: Celtic Holidays created: 2007-08-19 08:25 updated: 2007-08-19 08:25 revision: 1 author: Auriea summary: "[[Research]] ==Samhain== (sow-een or sow'-inn) Traditional date: October 31 to November 1 Actual astrological date: Nov 6 in 2006 and 2007 . . ." --- [[Research]] ## Samhain (sow-een or sow'-inn) Traditional date: October 31 to November 1 Actual astrological date: Nov 6 in 2006 and 2007 Midpoint between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice The largest and most important festival, great tribal gatherings The beginning of the dark half of the year, exact opposite day of Beltrane First Celtic fire festival (male) Gaelic "samhraidhreadh" means "summer's end" Irish "Samhain" means the month of November Celtic New Year's Eve Third and final harvest festival The day when day (light) does not exist Preparation to survive the winter, confront the possibility of death was paramount The "Fleadh nan Mairbh" Feast of the Dead to honour the past clan souls Celebrates the last harvest, the cycle of life and spirits passed Ceremonies involve fire, lights, setting out food and gifts for passing spirits All fires are extinquished and relit from the sacred bonfire Stories are told around the fires as there is not much to do outside The veil between the world (Shield of Skathach) is thin, allowing spirits to cross over Colours: Black, browns, reds, oranges Evolved to Halloween and All Saints Day Notes: Folklore has it that in the three days preceding Samhain, the Sun God Lugh, maimed at Lughnassadh, dies by the hand of his Tánaiste (counterpart or heir), the Lord of Misrule. Lugh crosses the boundaries of the worlds on the first day of Samhain. The heir is a miser, and while he shines brightly in the sky, he gives no warmth nor tempers the north wind. ## Yule (yew-elle) Traditional date: December 21 Actual astrological date: December 21 in 2006, and December 22 in 2007 Winter Solstice, first day of Winter, shortest day and longest night of the year Alban Arthuran, or "Yule", "Light of Arthur", Fire Festival Arcaic word "Yule" means Christmas? Celebrates the end of darkness, the return of light to the earth Gifts celebrated the sharing of the remaining harvest now that light would return Ceremonies involve Mistletoe, burning of the Yule log (Icelandic tradition) Wreath day is the first of four Sundays before Winter Solstice Colours: Green, red, white, silver, gold Evolved into a Christmas celebration Notes: The Druids felt the sun stood still for twelve days during this season and the Yule log was burnt to insure light for those days. ## Imbolc (ihm-olk) Imbolg or Oimelc Traditional date: Feb 1 or 2 Actual astrological date: Feb 4 in 2006 and 2007 Midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox Second Celtic fire festival (female) Gaelic or Welsh "Imbolg" means "spring" (have not confirmed) Festival of Lights, St Brigid's Day Celebrates the quickening of spring, the end of winter, time of abundance of milk Time of planning and hopes Ceremonies involve water, candles pledges and planting a hope or a seed, making candles Burn your Christmas tree and light candles Colours: Red, orange, white Evolved into Groundhog Day Notes: Candlemas was a Christian holiday, 40 days after the nativity of Christ, as the day Jesus's mother, Mary, would have attended her purification ceremony after the birth of her son. Observed Feb 2 by the Western churches. ## Ostara Traditional date: March 21 Actual astrological date: March 20 in 2006 and 2007 First day of Spring, actual Vernal or Spring Equinox, the night and day stand equal Alban Eiler, "Light of the Earth" Celebrates the the birth of spring, rebirth Time of planting Rare day of magic due to the rare balance of light and dark Colours: Red and green or red and yellow Evolved into Easter ## Beltaine or Beltane Traditional date: April 30 and/or May 1 Actual astrological date: May 6th in 2006 and 2007 Midpoint between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice The second largest and most important festival, great tribal gatherings The beginning of the light half of the year, exact opposite day of Samhain Third Celtic fire festival (male) Old Irish "Beletene" means "bright fire" Gaelic "Bealtaine" means the month of May Celtic word Beltaine mean fires of Bel "Light of the Earth" Time of rebirth House fires were extinquished and relit from hilltop bonfires Need-fires are built, walk between for purification Bonfires of sacred wood are lit in honor of the Celtic god Beli The veil between worlds (Shield of Skathach) is thin, allowing faeiries to cross over Colours: Blue, pink, yellow, green Evolved into May Day ## Litha Traditional date: June 21 Actual astrological date: June 21 in 2006 and 2007 Summer Solstice, first day of summer, longest day of the year Alban Heruin, "Light of the Shore" Mid Summer's Eve Celebrates the light and the sun without there would be no life Time of strengths and accomplishments Gather herbs as "Herb Night" is when they are most potent Colours: Blue, green, yellow ## Lughnasadh or Lammas (Luh guh' nahs eye or Loo nas saw) Traditional date: August 1 Actual astrological date: August 7 in 2006 and 2007 Midpoint between Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox Fourth Gaelic Fire Festival (female) Celtic Lughnasadh means "Lugh's assembly" Modern Gaelic Lughnasadh means "August" First harvest festival Celebrates the beginning of harvest season, the decline of summer to winter Time of dismiss regrets, farewells, perparation for winter Ceremonies involve breads, grains and harvest corn dolls Colours: Oranges, greens, browns ## Mabon Traditional date: September 21 Actual astrological date: September 23 in 2006 and 2007 Autumn Equinox, first day of Autumn, the night and day stand equal Alban Elved, "Light of the Water", Alban Elued Second harvest festival Celebrates harvest, death of the sun god A day of magic due to the rare balance of light and dark Time for thanks and learning, repairing all things Colours: Dark reds, yellows, browns