Celtic holidays

Celtic Holidays

The Celtic year was divided in four seasons by eight holidays, four more and four less important. The celebration of those feasts, that could last several days, began often with a visit to the sweat lodge on the eve of the real feast.

The sweat lodge was meant to clean people both spiritually and physically. The lodge was made of wood, covered with hides and had four doorways, one in each direction of the wind. In front of the sweat lodge, a fire was built round some stones, that was lit after sacrifices and prayers were done. When the stones were hot enough, they were carried into the lodge and placed in a hole in the middle. Then, hot, fragrant steam filled the lodge, caused by water and herbs, and one could spend some time in meditation in there.

List of Celtic holidays

Samhain was the beginning of the Celtic year, it was the feast on which the dead men were honoured and problems were solved.

Yule was celebrated on the shortest day of the year. There was much eating, drinking and dancing to drive the cold winter away.

Imbolc was the first spring feast, dedicated to the goddess Brigid.

Ostara was the second spring feast. It was celebrated when the day was as long as the night and was connected to Cernunnos and the Green Man.

Beltane was the third and last spring feast, a feast of light and love.

Coamhain was celebrated on the longest day of the year. Great tribal meetings found place on this feast-day.

Lughnasadh, dedicated to Lugh and Macha, was a feast of horses and warriors. Many marriages were created on this feast.

Herfest was celebrated on the autumn day when the day was as long as the night. It was a harvest feast on which much eating and dancing found place.

Estimated date	Name	Pronunciation
1 November	Samhain	Sow-in
21 December	Yule	Yoe-woel
1 February	Imbolc	Im-bulk
20 March	Ostara	Oss-ta-ra
1 May	Beltane	Bel-ten-e
21 July	Coamhain	Coem-in
1 August	Lughnasadh	Loe-nass-ah
23 September	Herfest	Her-vest