| The Celtic Tree Calendar Beth (Birch) December 24 to January 20 Luis (Rowan) January 21 to February 17 Nion (Ash) February 18 to March 17 Fearn (Alder) March 18 to April 14 Saille (Willow) April 15 to May 12 Uath (Hawthorn) May 13 to June 9 Duir (Oak) June 10 to July 7 Tinne (Holly) July 8 to August 4 Coll (Hazel) August 5 to September 1 Muin (Vine) September 2 to September 29 Gort (Ivy) September 30 to October 27 Ngetal (Reed) October 28 to November 24 Ruis (Elder) November 25 to December 22 December 23 is not ruled by any tree for it is the traditional day of the proverbial "Year and a Day" in the earliest courts of law. |
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| Festivals | |||||
| BELTANE May Eve festival. One of the ancient Celtic Fire Festivals. On this night, the cattle were driven between two bonfires to protect them from disease. Couples wishing for fertility would "jump the fires" on Beltane night. Embers were taken home and used to light fires which would never be extinguished till next Beltane. Also the traditional Sabbat where the rule of the "Wheel of the Year" is returned to the Goddess. This Festival also marks the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Maiden to Mother. FIRE FESTIVALS The cross quarter Sabbats of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas. IMBOLIC On the first day of Febuary. Coincided with the start of the lambing season. Easter is actually a copy of this festival. In fact nearly all Christian festivals were stolen from the Celtic ways. LAMMAS August 1st. The Old Celtic name for this festival is Lughnassadh. It is the Festival of the First Fruits, and is the first of the 3 harvests. This festival also marks the change of the Threefold Goddess energies from that of Mother to Crone. OSTARA The second Spring Festival. Imbolc being the first and Beltane being the third. It is celebrated on the Spring Equinox. On this day, the night and day are in balance. SAMHAIN Celtic New Year Festival. The festival of remembrance for the dead, held on the eve of Nov. 1st. It is the last of the three harvests. Bonfires were lit to remember the sun and encourage it`s return. All Hallows and Halloween actually come from this Celtic Festival. YULE The shortest day of the year and is considered a Quarter. It is celebrated on the Winter Solstice. An old Celtic tradition holds that the Oak King (rebirth) overcomes the Holly King (death), because the Sun will wax after the Winter Solstice. DAY OF BELENUS The last Sunday in June is associated with the sun god Belenus and all other deities of Sun. In the morning the worshippers give thanks and praise and sacrifice to the gods, and in the evening they run and hunt the Dwellers of Darkness, foul spirits and ghosts of Hibernia's shadows. |
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