The information on these pages are a collection of both authentic Celtic holidays and their modern translation.
Tradition holds that each holiday is celebrated from sunset on the day before the actual holiday
to sunset on the day following the actual holiday, thusly three days centering around that holiday.

Click to see large version

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.

What we like to do:
Besides scare the local children dressed as silent hags with red apples and candies, we attend a Walk of the Dead in a local ghost town on Nov 2nd, walking from the center of town to the cemetery, praying for those who have gone before. I made a necklace with the names of those who are gone on alphabet beads. Sadly, there are nearly fifty names and it wraps around me thrice, dangling almost to my waist. The candies for trick or treating are in lieu of gifts to honour the dead, and to distract and appease those who would rise from the grave on this day of no barrier to make mischief. Candles are lit on each night with a prayer for all of those who have gone before.

Read more about Halloween history and traditions HERE.

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.

What we like to do:
It is difficult to remember the somber celebration of the end of winter amongst today's commercialized holiday glitz. This holiday more than any other serves to remind us of the cycle of life, all things in their season, just as this year, this winter, this life, is nearing it's end, only to be renewed with a new season, a new year and new life. Candles are lit on each night with a prayer for the return of light and life.

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.

What we like to do:
We have saved three (or more) pieces of the trunk from our Christmas tree / Yule log, and burn a piece on each of the three nights of Imbolc. Oft times, we try to burn one day past the actual astrological date as well. Candles are lit on each night with a prayer for reawakening and rebirth of all.

Ostara
Traditional date: March 21
Actual astrological date:  March 20 in 2021
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

What we like to do:
We celebrate Easter as the beginning of spring, decorate in spring colours, yet dark has as much weight as the light. Candles are lit on each night with a prayer for a prosperous Mother Earth.

"Easter is the Sunday following the paschal full moon. The paschal full moon is the ecclesiastical full moon following March 20th. The ecclesiastical full moon is formally the 14th moon in the lunar month calendar."
So, Easter is the Sunday following the first full moon after March 20th. A holiday based on astrology.

Beltaine or Beltane
Traditional date: May 1
Actual astrological date:  May 5 in 2021
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
Along with Witches' Night, Walpurgis, April 30, evolved into May Day

What we like to do:
We decorate with May Day ribbons, candles are lit on each night with a prayer for growth and love.

Litha
Traditional date: June 21
Actual astrological date:  June 20 in 2021
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

What we like to do:
We decorate with herb bundles, candles are lit on each night with a prayer for thanks for the sun and our plenty.

Lughnasadh or Lammas (Luh guh' nahs eye or Loo nas saw)
Traditional date: August 1
Actual astrological date: August 6 in 2021
Midpoint between Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox
Fourth Gaelic Fire Festival (female)
Celtic Lughnasadh means "Lugh's assembly", the god Lugh celebrated a funeral feast for his foster-mother, Tailtiu
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

What we like to do:
We bring out the first of the fall decorations, make bread that is shared with our family and friends, candles are lit on each night with a prayer for thanks for the first harvest.

Mabon
Traditional date: September 21
Actual astrological date: September 22 in 2021
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, burnt yellows, browns

What we like to do:
We simply try to appreciate the closing of the summer, candles are lit on each night with a prayer for the return of another large harvest and cycle of life.

Michaelmas
September 29 (Traditionally the 30th for just Michael, old legend says October 10 or 11)
Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel
Marked the beginning and end of the husbandman year in medieval England, harvest is over, the accounts are settled for the year.
Celebrated as the beginning of Autumn with Michaelmas daisies, a Michaelmas bread Struan is baked without using metal implements.
The last day blackberres can be picked, Michaelmas berry pies are made.