The High Days
 Nos Galon Gaeaf: Irish, Samhain.
Traditionally, the Celtic New Year, although Beltane is held more in regard in this capacity in Wales.
Translates roughly as "The Night of Winter's Heart",
signalling the beginning of the winter, which will be celebrated once more at the Winter Solstice (Yule).
Celebrated October 31st, November 1st--in modern tradition, Halloween.
Associated within our Grove with Cerridwen,
and the celebration of her cauldron, the source of inspiration (Awen).
Also a time when the veil between this and the Otherworld is very thin,
and therefore an appropriate time for paying homage to the Ancestors
and the Fae (Bendith Y Mamau; Gwragedd Annwn, etc.), ruled over by Gwynn ap Nudd.
| Gwyl Canol Gaeaf: Irish, Yule.
The Winter Solstice. The lunar holidays (Solstices and Equinoxes) were generally held in lower regard than the Fire Festivals (sun holidays) of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnassadh.
Generally, this is celebrated as the time of the birth of the God, rather as in Christian tradition.
Within the Grove, we celebrate this as the holiday marking the birth of Lleu Llaw Gyffes,
and therefore celebrate not only Lleu, but also his mother, Arianrhod,
and his uncles, Gwydion ap Don and Math ap Mathonwy.
Translates roughly as "Feast of Mid-Winter." | Nos Gwyl Fair: Irish, Imbolc.
In Irish Tradition, this is the feast-night of Brighid, triple-goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft.
Therefore, within our Grove, we not only celebrate Brighid on this night,
but Cerridwen as well.
Translates roughly to "Feast Night of Mary".
Celebrated February 1st. | Gwyl Arglwyddes: Otherwise Ostara.
The Spring Equinox.
In Wales, it is referred to as Lady Day.
Translates roughly to "Feast of the Lady".
In most areas, this holiday is celebrated as a return of the Goddess,
therefore in our Grove we mark this day with rituals honoring Bloedwedd,
born of spring flowers and trees, to be the bride of Lleu.
The beginning of the Light Half of the Year. | Nos Galon-Mai: Irish, Beltane.
Celebrated either May 1st or May 5th.
Traditionally, a celebration of fertility, sovereignty, and divine union.
Within our Grove, we honor the marriage of Lleu and Bloedwedd,
and the symbols of sovereignty represented within it.
Translates roughly as "Night of the Heart of May." | Gwyl Canol Haf: Otherwise Midsummer.
Traditionally celebrated as the time of the death of the God,
that he might be reborn at Lughnassadh.
Within our Grove, we concentrate on the story of Lleu's demise by Gronwr Pebyr.
Also a time, like Samhain and Beltane, when the veils are thin,
and therefore a particularly good time for communion with the Fae.
As such, Gwynn ap Nudd is also celebrated during this time.
Translates roughly as "Feast of Midsummer."
Beginning of the Dark Half of the Year. | Nos Gwyl Lleu: Irish, Lughnassadh.
Traditionally celebrated the first week of August.
One of the four fire festivals of the Celts,
this has long been held as a traditional time for honoring the rebirth of the God--
almost as a sacrificed savior, as in Christianity.
In ancient times, this was a time for feasting, festivals, and games,
including poetic competitions, such as the Eisteddfods of Wales.
Within our Grove, we choose to celebrate the three-fold resurrection of Lleu Llaw Gyffes.
We also hold a small bardic festival and other gaming.
Translates roughly as "Feast Night of Lleu." | Gwyl Canol Hydref: Otherwise, Mabon.
Autumn Equinox.
The traditional pagan name for this holiday, Mabon, is taken from the Mabinogion.
Mabon is the Divine Child for whom Arthur searches.
He is rather like a Cymric Christ figure.
In many pagan traditions, this has been celebrated as a sort of pagan or Celtic Thanksgiving.
Within our Grove, we choose to concentrate on the story of Mabon, and also on that of Gwion/Taliesin,
focusing on a theme of rebirth and subsequent inspiration,
and a necessity for gratitude regarding such rebirth.
Translates roughly as "Feast of Mid-Autumn". |
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