CELTIC 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.