These sacred festival days were a time to celebrate significant seasonal events and fell almost exactly between two of the four solar events.These turning points of the year were the winter solstice (around December 21), the spring equinox (around March 21), the summer solstice (around June 21) and the autumnal equinox (around 21 September).While less is known about how these events were celebrated by our ancestors compared to the major cross quarter festivals, there is evidence that these were also important and sacred Celtic holidays of the year.The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, when day light hours were at their fewest and spring feels like another world away. The first day of spring, or the spring (Vernal) equinox was celebrated March 21. The Spring Equinox is a powerful seasonal day, celebrated by ancient peoples all throughout human history. Evidence of this can be found in cairn temples at Knowth and Loughcrew.
The Druids called the first day of spring Alban Eiler, which means, “Light of the Earth. In the north of Ireland a family member, representing Brigid, would circle the home three times carrying rushes. Candles are lit on each night with a prayer for a prosperous Mother Earth. This was time of gratitude and a day to honour the Celtic God Lugh.Similarly to the spring equinox, the mysterious site of Loughcrew was built to correspond with this time.
The spring equinox, usually falling sometime between the 20 th and 23 rd of March annually, is a time of perfect balance. However, from this day onwards, the daylight hours will slowly increase, making way for a return of life on the land.The mysterious Neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange remains a potent reminder that this time held great significance to ancient Before the popular Christian feast day of St. Brigid’s Day, the first of February was a day to honour the pagan goddess of spring, also named Brigid.It seems as though the love the Celtic people had for this goddess could not be eradicated by Christianity, so their beloved deity was transformed into a Christian saint. Neolithic sites such as Stonehenge act as gigantic solar calendars which marked the solstices and equinoxes and show that solar festivals have been significant dates for hundreds of thousands of years. I really encourage you to find some time around the Equinox to pause & celebrate this meaningful seasonal shift. Although many of its customs died out in the 20th century, it is still observed and in some places it has been revived as a cultural event. In the area of Lanark, Scotland, the spring season is welcomed with Whuppity Scoorie, held on March 1. The spring equinox (otherwise known as the “first day of spring”) is a turning point in the seasons when the sun reaches its zenith over the celestial equator. Celebrations often involved hearthfires, special foods, divination or watching for omens, candles or a bonfire if the weather permitted.On Imbolc Eve, Brigid was said to visit virtuous households and bless the inhabitants.Families would have a special meal or supper on Imbolc Eve. St Brigid's Day - Imbolc 8 Brigid's Cross. The year's first sacred holiday, the feast day of Saint Brigid, … It's been celebrated and observed for a long time in many places around the world. The Festival of Isis was held in ancient Egypt as a celebration of spring and rebirth. Egypt . Jennifer brings a Celtic inspired ceremony to Rising Tide in celebration of the Spring Equinox. But from this day onwards, the dark will win out against the light, and whispers of winter become evident in nature.It’s worth noting that Celtic people marked thus day as beginning at one sundown and ending at the next. The equinoxes and solstices were seen, to the Celts, as a time of transition. Spring or Vernal Equinox, also known as Ostara, Easter, and St. Patrick’s Day, occurs in the middle of March in the Northern Hemisphere. Samhain was seen as a time when spirits could cross the veil between the living and the dead, and a time when communing with them was possible.The beliefs and customs of our ancestors remain both a source of intrigue and mystery. The second festa is the spring Equinox, Alban Eilir. Some Pagan traditions only celebrate the solstices and equinoxes. Autumnal equinox (around September 21) – a time of balance Tomorrow the light and dark are equal; from tomorrow forward, the days grow longer than the nights. Jennifer Sault, Order of Druids Bards & Ovates leads the meditation. The Spring Equinox is a solar festival celebrating the time when the day and night are of equal length. Raucous parties, feasts and While less is known about Celtic celebrations of the summer solstice, given the significance granted to its winter cousin, it seems safe to assume it would also have been considered a sacred time.This event marks the longest day of the year and the peak of summer. It is not known whether there was a name for this festival within Celtic culture but it is believed to be related to the northern goddess Ēostre or Ostara which, in turn, inspired the Christian festival of Easter. They would then knock the door three times, asking to be let in. Alban Eiler, which means, "Light of the Earth," was the day that night and day stood equal. As there are many kinds of Neopaganism, their Imbolc celebrations can be very different despite the shared name. Knowth is one of the largest Neolithic cairne temples with a 100ft passage that lets in the sun to fully light up its chambers on the mornings of the spring and autumn equinox, when day and night are equal.Irish genealogy-Catholic parish registers available onlineIrish warned of blood condition known as the ‘Celtic Curse’Ed Sheeran sings his global hit Thinking Out Loud in IrishEvery Irish Wedding Ever – hilarious video from RTÉThe History of Ireland in just Six Minutes – great video from Irish teacherIf Irish weather forecasters were a bit more honestTwo Irishmen meet by chance and play most amazing piano duet you’ve ever heard
This important and sacred Celtic holiday was one of thanksgiving and celebration. The Spring Equinox is a solar festival celebrating the time when the day and night are of equal length.
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