Celtic Festivals
The Celts did not use a sophisticated calendar. The annual rhythms of nature
was their calendar.
They had four major festivals marking important agricultural events of the
year. Even though they did not necessarily occur on the exact same day
every year, the customs became associated with later holidays on the
Gregorian calendar, and these are the dates provided below.
Later the Celts observed solstice and equinox celebrations as they came
in contact with the Romans and Scandinavians who considered these times
important.
 Samhain, October 31. "Summer's End".
The customs are now associated with Halloween.
Ancient Celtic Festivals by Clare Walker Leslie and Frank E. Gerace
describes the festival of Samhain:
The Coligny Calendar referred to this festival as the "Three Nights
of Summer's End." There was the last night of the old year, the first
night of the new year and the night in between that belonged to no
time. Samhain came at an important time in the Celtic year, as people
made the transition from summer to winter. They prepared to spend
the winter indoors, with stores fo grain, dried meats and fruits, and
winter vegetables for themselves, and with grains and hay for their
animals. It was a time to decide which animals would be used for next
year's breeding and to evaluate the health of the rest of the animals.
Only the healthiest animals would be kept alive through the winter.
In addition, the warriors had returned from battle so men and women
were together again. This was the time for prearranged marriages to
begin in earnest as the long winter set in.
Imbolc, February 2. "In the Womb."
This day was also called Oimelc which means "ewe's milk."
The new sheep were born at this time.
See also Groundhog Day and Candlemas.
Imbolc is described in
The Celtic Druids' Year by John King.
It was dedicated to the goddess Brigit, who was later transmogrified into the Christian
St Brigid or Bridget. The feast took place at the time of the first
lambing, and was closely associated with the ewes' coming into milk.
In practical terms, it would have marked a vital turning-point in the
winter, since the first sheep's milk and cheese would have been of
enormous importance with no other fresh foodstuff available and
stored meat and grains perhaps beginning to run low. Brigit was an
archetype of the great mother-goddess and was the protectress of
women in labour and childbirth. Birthwort, the plant analgesic
collected and dried in summer, may have been administered by
priestesses in her name. This element of worship of the mother-godess
and her son survives in the Christian tradition of Candlemas,
which is held on 2 February and commemorates the Purification of
Our Lady, that is the Virgin Mary, and the Presentation of Christ to
the Temple.
Beltane, May 1. "The Fires of Bel."
This celebration marks the beginning of the warm half of the year, and the
time to plant crops and send sheep and cattle to the pastures.
To celebrate they would dance around a tree while weaving ribbons around it.
This is still the best known ceremony of May Day.
Lughnasa, August 1.
This was a celebration of the Irish sun god Lugh and also marked the
beginning of the harvest season.
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