Druid and Pagan Holidays
There are four Major High Days (Samhain, Oimelc,
Beltane and Lughnasadh) and four Minor High Days (Midwinter, Spring Equinox,
Midsummer, and Fall Equinox) in the Neopagan Druid Year, most of which
are also celebrated by Wiccians and other Neopagans who hark back to traditions
of the Celtic (the Major Ones), Germanic (the Solstices), or Mediterranean
(the Equinoxes) cultures. While the Minor High Days are easy to obtain
from any good astrological ephermis or almanac, the methods for the calculation
of the Major High Days will vary from group to group and individual to
individual.
The most common practice for the calculation
of Samhain, Oimelc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh is to use the civil calendar
days or eves of november 1st, February 1st, May 1st, and August 1st, respectively.
Another way is to use the weekend closest to each of these dates.
Still others choose to use the sixth day after the new or full moon closest
to each of these dates (this is my personal favorite.) Astrologically
oriented Neopagans use the days upon which the sun enters the 15 degrees
of each of the "Fixed Signs" of the Zodiac, to wit : Eagle Point
= 15 degrees of Scorpio, Man or Angel Point = 15 degrees of Aquarius, Ox
Point = 15 degrees of Taurus and Lion Point= 15 degrees of Leo. Still
others use those days upon which the Sun hits 16 degrees and 18 minutes
declination North or South of the Celestial Equator. This also makes
them come halfway between the Solstices and Equinoxes, and usually gives
results within a few hours of those given by the Fixed Signs method.
I will be adding descriptions as soon as i can get them added.
thanks..
The Four Major Days:
Samhain
- October 31
Oimelc
- February 2
Beltane
- April 30
Lughnasadh
- July 31
The Four Minor Days:
Midwinter
- December 21
Spring
Equinox - March 21
Midsummer
- June 22
Fall
Equinox - September 21
September 29th, Festival of Michael