Adonia -Adonia was a movable festival that took place in ancient Athens (and possibly Rome) in what is now July or August, traditionally nine days after the 7th new moon of the year, or the 9th of the month of Hekatombion and lasting till the full moon. The fixed date of July 19th is used today by some traditions

Agonalia -The word Agonalia may derive from agonia meaning victim or agonium meaning festival.

Alban Elfed -Alban Elfed is the Autumnal Equinox festival celebrated by members of the European Druidic tradition of the Order of the Bards, Ovates and Druids. It is celebrated as a harvest and Thanksgiving festival.

Amburbium -Amburbium was a city-wide ritual that took place in ancient Rome during times of great distress. During this time everything in the city was cleansed and purified. There was a great procession three times around the city led by priests after which a hog, a ram and a bull were sacrificed. Some sources say that this ritual was traditionally performed in the middle of February.

Anna Perenna -Anna Perenna fell on the Ides of March (March 15) which would have been the first full moon of the year according to the old calendar. It honored the Goddess of the returning year.

Beltane -When the sun is at 15 degrees Taurus or April 30 - May 1

Brumalia -Brumalia is an ancient Roman winter festival incorporating many smaller festivals celebrating Saturn, Ops and Bacchus. The word Brumalia comes from the Latin bruma meaning "shortest day".

Caristia -Caristia, or Cara cognatio, was a Roman feast day that fell on the 22nd of February, between the Feralia and the Terminalia. On this day the family gathered in the home for a big feast of thanksgiving for one another. Fathers were expected to be particularly attentive to their families during this time. Household and hearth deities were honored, but there were no major obligations as far as the state religion was concerned.

Carmentalia -This festival honored Carmenta, Roman Goddess of childbirth, healing and the future on January 11 and January 15. It was primarily a woman's festival.

Cerealia -Cerealia was a 7-day festival celebrated in ancient Rome in honor of the goddess Ceres. The exact dates of the April festival are uncertain: but it may have started started on the Ides of April. The festival involved women in white robes carrying torches in solidarity with the Goddess Ceres/Demeter's search for her lost daughter Proserphina/Persephone and was accompanied by the Ludi Ceriales or "Games of Ceres" in the Circus Maximus.

Christmas -Christmas, which falls on December 25th, is a popular holiday in the Western world and its symbolism dominates shopping centers, radio stations and entertainment venues throughout the autumn and early winter.

Compitalia -The Compitalia or Ludi Compitalicii was a festival celebrated once a year in honor of the Lares Compitales, household deities of the crossroads, to whom sacrifices were offered at the places where two or more ways meet. The word comes from the Latin compitum, a cross-way.

El Dia De Los Muertos -El Dia De Los Muertos, translated the Day of the Dead, is celebrated in Mexico and Latin America. It is a three-day holiday, beginning on October 31st and running through November 2nd. On these days, it is believed that the dead return to the family home. The family goes through a great deal of preparation to prepare for these honored guests, preparing an altar with flowers, candy, photographs and their ancestor’s favorite food and drink. Relatives also visit and tend gravesites and decorate them with streamers and flowers. Picnics are held right there in the graveyard where the families get together to reminisce and tell stories. These aren’t melancholy gatherings. These are joyful family reunions with dancing, feasting and (sometimes) drinking.

Equirria -Horse races were held on this day in honor of the God Mars on February 17th and March 14th.

Feast Of Epicurus -Epicurus was a philosopher in the third century B.C.E. who established a community he called "The Garden". The group accepted women, including courtesans, and slaves and was looked down upon by many of the pillars of society. After his death in 270 B.C.E., his followers celebrated a monthly feast in his honor.

Februa -The ancient Romans called the tools used for purification Februa and the purification rituals performed during the festival of Lupercalia (Also called dies Februatus, the day of purification or purging, February 15th.) were named for these tools, though februa of other sorts were used in other rites as well. The name for these tools was given also to the month in which it takes place, February (On the 15th). The Luperci priests would offer a goat in sacrifice and cut thongs from its flesh, these thongs were the februa. Then they circumambulated Palatine hill striking those that they met along the way with the thongs, which purified them. According to Plutarch1, women of childbearing age especially sought out this purification in hopes of increased fertility and easy childbirth.

First Harvest -Date Varies, anywhere from July 31 to August 7th. Or the first full moon in Leo, the end of the first harvest and the start of the cool-weather planting season.

Freyfaxi -Freyfaxi, also known as Hlæfmæsse, Hlæfæst or Loaf Feast, Freyfaxi is a Heathen feast day that takes place in August, usually on the first of the month to coincide with Lammas though some kindreds will select a different date based on lunar, solar or other considerations. The holiday is dedicated to the God Freyr

Halloween -Halloween, Hallowe'en or All Hallows Eve is celebrated on October 31st and is the Eve of the Christian celebration All Saint's Day or All Hallow's Day.

Hecate's Deipnon -Hecate's Deipnon1, or Hecate's Supper is a meal served to Hecate and her retinue of spirits on the dark of the moon or the last night of the lunar month. It is traditionally left at the crossroads, or in front of the home at the "crossroad" between public and private space.

page 1 of 3123next »

How can we improve this section?

Add a New Comment