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The year of the Celts.
The Celtic calendar.
The Celts divided the year into four quarters, roughly corresponding to the modern seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter.
The Celts were a people of farmers, so they attached great importance to the definition of the seasons and greatly honored the great days that were considered their beginning.
In ancient Ireland, for example, the months did not have special names, but simply took their name from the four most important holidays.
The Celts had four main holidays in the year: Imbolc – Imbolc) - the time of childbirth/feeding – February 1.
Beltaine – Merry Bonfire – May 1 Lughnasadh (Lughnasadh) – wedding of the Meadow August 1 Samhain* - death of summer – November 1 In the Celtic tradition (which generally put night or darkness before day and light), it was believed that every holiday begins on the evening of the previous day.
Therefore, the dates of these holidays are often indicated as January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31.
Although all these holidays were celebrated approximately on the named days, the day of the celebration was determined not by the calendar, but by the corresponding manifestations of the seasons.
For example, Beltane was celebrated when the Hawthorn was blooming.
In addition, all the holidays were timed to coincide with the full moon, and they began in the evening.
The Celts counted the days from evening to evening, and not like us, from morning to morning.
Imbolc signaled the loosening of the grip of winter and the arrival of a new life in the spring.
At this time, lambs were born, and the udders of the sheep were filled with milk.
It was a celebration of all beginnings.
Since it was believed that it was not worth going on long trips at this time of the year, because the weather is not favorable for this.
Imbolk was often a family holiday.
On this day, young men and women dedicated hymns and vigils to the goddess Brigita, who, among other things, was the goddess of childbirth and upbringing.
Perhaps many children were born at this time, as a result of the Beltane celebration the previous summer.
It was also believed that Imbolk is the best time for divination – both about the fate of individual people and about general trends for the next year.
Beltane marked the beginning of summer.
This time was considered the most important gateway between the worlds.
The period from Beltane to Samhain was called an ghiran mor, "the big sun”, and the period from Samhain to Beltane was called an ghiran beg,”the small sun".
In Beltane, cattle were released from the stables so that they finally tasted fresh spring grass.
Herds and flocks were driven between two fires to purify them of any diseases that could develop during their long imprisonment.
Echoes of many May customs of the Celts are still widespread in Britain and Ireland, where in the villages they still elect a May queen and dance near the maypole**.
It was believed that at this time the doors to Another world were wide open, and those who get up early in the morning often get gifts from the sidhe (sidhe) – a people living in Another world.
People thought that most often these gifts are received by the young and beautiful.
Beltane is a time of gaining strength and fulfilling desires.
Lughnasa is a time of harvest, breeding meetings, horse fairs, arbitration courts, betrothals and major transactions.
At this time, ritual games, competitions in the martial art, horse races and, possibly, the election of a tribal tanaiste (tanaiste) – a deputy leader or monarch approved by the people were held.
It's time to make sacrifices, as the harvest is harvested.
It was believed that the quality of the harvest reflects the quality of the leader's rule, and if his rule is incompetent, the land will reflect all his shortcomings, which means that it will make you think about electing a new, more capable ruler.
On this holiday, we can assess our responsibility and commitment.
Samhain marks the Celtic New Year.
It may seem strange to celebrate the new year at this " dead” time, but in fact, growth begins with winter sowing, when new life takes over the dormant land.
It was the day of the meeting with the ancestors.
Among Christians in the Celtic lands, such a meeting takes place on All Saints ' Day, which is the direct heir of this Celtic holiday.
Long, dark winter evenings are the time of storytellers.
Many of their stories were devoted to the ghosts of Another world.
Its gates were wide open on this day, and the dead could enter our world.
On this night, people decided to leave the house only after changing clothes and disguising themselves, so that they would not be recognized by the spirits of the Other World.
This custom has come down to us, turning into the night of Halloween.
Samhain is a great time to redo something, recycle or throw away everything old and worn out.
Thus, the year is divided into four parts.
However, there is also a "hidden" division into two halves – dark and light.
The idea of these points of the year is reflected in many legends.
For example, there is a legend about the annual battle between winter and summer for the possession of the Virgin of Spring.
Reflecting this tradition, the custom existed among the peoples of Europe until the end of the century.
The year also shares the moments of the equinoxes and solstices: The spring equinox: March 21, Summer Solstice: June 21, Autumn Equinox: September 21, Winter Solstice: December 21, Celtic holidays can help in understanding the culture of the Celts and at least a little reveal their worldview.
Of course, the year of the Celts is largely connected with myth making, religion, but about this in some other article.
The Celtic calendar.
The Celts had a very complex calendar system based on the cycles of the sun and moon.
Its traces are reflected both in ancient literature and in archaeological artifacts.
In particular, a Gallic calendar carved on bronze sheets was found in Kolin, which allows us to make very important observations about the nature of the ancient calendar system that existed in this area.
The year was divided into four seasons, which, in turn, were divided into even smaller segments.
Each of these segments does not exactly coincide with modern months and reflects both the phase of the agricultural year and the solar and lunar cycles.
The following are the original names of the months and their translation, as well as an approximate relationship with the modern calendar, according to the calendar from Kolin: Samionos The fall of the grain October November Dumannios (Dumannios) The darkest depths November December Riouros (Riuris) The time of cold weather December January Anagantios (Anagantios) Stay at home time January February Ogronios (Ogronios) Ice time February March Cutios (Cutios) Wind time March April Giamonios (Giamonios) Germination April May Samivisionos (Samivisionos) Light time May June Equos (Equos) Horse Time June July Elembiuos (Elembiuos) Time of lawsuits July August Edrinios (Edrinios) Ship time August September Cantlos (Cantlos) Song time September October
Notes:
* The letter combination mh in the Irish language (from which these names are borrowed) is read as w, and the name of this holiday actually sounds like Souvin or Sovin (with emphasis on the last syllable).
However, the form of Samhain has taken root very firmly in Russian language literature.
** Maypole a pillar decorated with flowers and ribbons.
Lime, 07.12.2002.
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