Almanac Holidays

A year is punctuated by annual holidays, holy days,

festivals, and celebrations. Every year, beginning
with our 94/95 issue, The Witches’ Almanac has
featured a list of annual holidays, which may be
found among its front pages as well as within each
issue’s moon calendar pages. These dates were
compiled by Elizabeth Pepper, the founder of The
Witches’ Almanac.
Many of these dates, such as the Solstices and
Sabbats are widely familiar but others like the Night
of the Watchers, White Lotus Day, and the Feast of
Janus remain mysterious and elusive and so, every
year, The Witches’ Almanac receives mail from
readers seeking information about these holidays. In
response to these many requests, long-time Witches’
Almanac staff writer, Barbara Stacy compiled the
following introductions and explanations:

March 20, Vernal Equinox
Ostara, Gwyl Canol Gwenwynol
The first of the four great solar
festivals. Spring ushers in the New Year
when the moon enters Aries, the first
sign of the zodiac. At the equinox, night
and day are of equal twelve-hour length.
Ancients aware of the phenomenon
marked the astrological occasions with
a cluster of megalithic cairns world-
wide. The Saxon dawn goddess Eostre,
from whom we derive the term Easter,
is the divinity of the new day. Ancient
gods and goddesses, from Astarte to
Attis, from Isis to Demeter, symbolize
the Eternal Return of the seasons. It is
a time to renew aspirations and renew
relationships, as well as an auspicious
time to begin new projects. At the
Vernal Equinox, celebrants light can-
dles and delight in dancing, singing
and feasting. A sacramental bonfire is
lit and Witches leap over the embers
to encourage human and crop fertil-
ity. Eggs and seeds – symbols of new
animal life and new plant life – hold
traditional places in the
festival, and hares dwindle
into bunnies in baskets.
Holidays
The wheel of the year
goes ‘round and ‘round
Children share the fun of painting eggs.
City dwellers echo ancient farm ritu-
als by planting pots of seeds or bulbs,
blessing them, visualizing their growth
and the wisdom we want to grow in our
own lives.
April 1, All Fools’ Day
April Fool, ha ha ha. The lighthearted
holiday has been amusing people since
antiquity – the giddiness of spring fever
seems timeless. One basic game, of
course, is sending some trusting soul,
“a fish,” on a “fool’s errand.”  In France
the dupe is known as poisson d’avril; in
Italy, pesce d’aprile. The Scots observe
the date as “Gowk Day” and send
the “gowk,” or fool, off with a sealed
letter. The message reads,
“Dinna laugh, dinna
smile, send the gowk
another mile.” And they
do, they do. The Jews
enjoy traditional spring
playfulness at Purim. But
the oldest laughter tradi-
tion may be Sizdah Bedar,
celebrated by Persians as
far back as 536 B.C.E.
 water represents the astral world, and
the glorious floating blossom opening
to the sky represents spiritual beings.
 
May 9, 11, 13, Lemuria
A sunken Pacific continent some-
times designated as Mu. Dates for the
Lemurian timeline vary, but some put it
at millions of years ago, prior to Atlan-
April 30, Beltane Eve
tis. Others speculate that Lemuria and
Shining Fire, Nos Calan Mai
Atlantis co-existed for thousands of
Classic May Day consecrates love
years.   Legends also vary. The prime
and fertility with the ancient rites
belief advances a culture that mani-
of spring. On the eve of Beltane the
fested out of nowhere, and its down-
Druids built fires on hilltops across
fall resulted from a natural disaster
Britain as acts of magic, coaxing the
aroused by human imbalance. In The
sun back to summer splendor. To jump
Secret Doctrine, Blavatsky writes about
between two Beltane bonfires brought
powerful “dragon men” on Lemuria
good fortune in the form of prosperity
whose rampant black magic doomed
and health to livestock. Girls jumped
the culture and sank the continent.
over the embers to secure husbands and
Explorer James Churchward popu-
safe pregnancies, ashes to be flung on
larized the Lost Continent of Mu in a
crops. Maypoles were erected, survivors
notable five-book series.
of the oldest religious rites in the West.
 
Dancing and singing around maypoles,
May 29, Oak Apple Day
phallic symbols meant to impregnate
In 1660 following the Battle of
the earth, were enjoyed, followed by
Worcester, King Charles II was fleeing
nightlong feasting and lovemaking. A
for his life. Evading Cromwell’s sol-
Queen of May and King of May reigned
diers, he took refuge at Boscobel Castle
over the erotic festivities.
in a lofty oak, perfect for camouflage.
His hosts cut his fashionably long hair,
May 8, White Lotus Day
dressed him in rough clothes and pro-
Theosophists marked the passing
pelled him upward. There
of Madam Helena Blavatsky on May
he stayed for the day,
8 according to her will – by a reading
fortified by bread,
from the Bhagavad Gita. On that date
cheese and beer.
one year later, devotees observed that
The ruse saved
lotuses grew in unusual profusion. The
the king’s life,
Society venerates its founder annually
and to this day
on the memorial date with rites center-
a descendant
ing around the symbolic flower. The
of that tree is
root of the lotus sunk in mud represents
honored as the
material life, the stalk passing through
Royal Oak, the familiar name of many
an English pub. King Charles escaped
and Parliament declared May 29 Oak
Apple Day. The “apple” refers
to a reddish gall resembling
the fruit, formed by larvae
of hornets.
 
June 5, Night of the Watchers
The Book of Enoch recounts
that after Adam and Eve were
expelled from Eden, they and
their descendants fell into corrup-
tion. Their evil even spread to some
of the angels that had been assigned
to watch silently over mankind.
Being enticed by the beauty of
mortal women, two hundred of the
angelic Watchers came down from
the heavens – the Descent of the
Watchers. To win human wives,
the fallen angels taught secret-
magic arts and construction of
forbidden lethal weapons. From the
marriages a race of ferocious giants
evolved that began to devour mortals.
To remedy this, God sent four archan-
gels to bind the fallen Watchers and
slay their offspring. Of all these, only
Enoch was spared.
 
June *, Vesak Day
Buddha Celebration, Triple Gem
Falling on the full moon of the 5th or
6th lunar month, Vesak Day lauds
the birth, enlightenment and passing
away of Buddha. Followers world-
wide assemble at dawn in temples for
rituals, singing hymns in praise of the
Triple Gem – the Buddha, his dharma
(teaching) and his sangha (disciples).
Devotees bring traditional gifts to
* Date changes with lunar month.
teachers –  incense, flowers, candles.
Some countries mark the occasion for
two days, during which time celebrants
eat only vegetarian food. In Sri Lanka all
slaughterhouses and liquor shops close.
Birds and animals are ritually released
from captivity by the thousands in an
“act of liberation,” symbolic of giving
freedom to people suffering in captivity.
Often devout Buddhists wear white
and spend the whole day in temples,
renewing their resolve to abide by
the Ten Precepts. Some sanctuar-
ies provide an altar with a basin of
water and flowers holding an icon
of the baby Buddha. Celebrants
pour water over the statue, evoca-
tive of devas and spirits making
offerings at the birth fraught with
heavenly significance.
 
June 20, Midsummer’s Eve
Gwyl Canol Haf
Magic magnified. All that is
mystical has particular potency
during these hours, as for the other
two “spirit nights” – May Eve and
Samhain. In A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, Shakespeare evokes familiar
pagan enchantments – a plant arousing
love, fairies, transformations, magi-
cal flight. Puck can “put a girdle round
the world in forty minutes.” Above
all, impish spirits cause disorder, for
“bright dreams come to confusion.”
Throughout Europe, Britain and espe-
cially Scandinavia, drunkenness was
not discouraged nor was lovemaking,
March bringing little farm work and a
good time for birthing babies. Bonfires
flickered on hills – neglect to light one
at your peril, for your house might be
set afire by mischievous spirits. Herbs
gathered during this time are especially
effective for medicinal pur-
poses. Other plants are
treasured for their use in
charms and divination,
including elderberries,
yarrow and vervain. St.
John’s wort hangs above
doors to avert entrance of evil. During
the night hazel branches, cut between
midnight and one o’clock, were used
to find water, gold or gems. Fern seeds
were also considered invaluable on
Midsummer Eve for help in eluding
fairies “ill met by moonlight.” And then
“Night’s swift dragons cut the night
full fast/ And yonder shines Aurora’s
harbinger/ At whose approach ghosts,
wandering here and there/ Troop home
to churchyards.”
 
June 21, Summer Solstice
Midsummer Day, Litha,
Gwyl Canol Haf
A fertility festival to lift hearts! On
the longest day of the year bonfires are
lit on hillsides and celebrants leap over
them for luck. Parents carry their chil-
dren over the coals, the little ones blessed
and cleansed by the smoke. Cattle are
driven over the ashes to ensure their
health and the ashes are scattered over
crops for a rich harvest. Farmers light
torches from the fires and carry them
around the fields, reflecting the pagan
belief that fire symbolizes the sun’s
rays. In some areas of Britain “sun
wheels” made of hay were rolled
down hillsides to imitate the
sun. The solstice is ritually
marked at high noon, when
celebrants pause in a sunny place to
absorb the rays and establish a connec-
tion with solar energy. The rites convey
a time for purifying, for cutting through
barriers, for drawing upon one’s spiri-
tual powers. On this day ancient rituals
by Druid priests resonate at Stonehenge
and other megaliths scattered around
the world. Contemporary pagans gather
particularly at the Salisbury Plain to
watch the sun rise over the heelstone
and connect with their archaic ancestors.
The Celts believed that the Oak King,
a god of light, is at the height of his
powers and reigns over the longest day.
From the solstice he gives way to his
twin brother, the Holly King, a divinity
of darkness – “longer-nights darkness”
rather than evil. Traditional decorations
for Midsummer Day include fir boughs,
birch branches, fennel, and lilies. And
of course the most cheerful denizens of
the garden, sunflowers.
 
July 23, Ancient Egyptian New Year
Opet
Egyptian culture flows in harmony
with the Nile, reflected in the pageantry
of the most important ancient holiday.
Early astrologers adapted a series of
calendars, but always the New Year
coincided with achet, the flooding of
the Nile Delta. The annual date links to
bright Sirius, arising just before sunrise
at this season. Until waters receded,
farmers had respite from work and
time to celebrate. The festival chiefly
honored Amon, god of gods,
holiness incarnate. His icon
journeyed by boat from the
temple at Karnak to Luxor,
followed by the pharaonic
barge and the royal fam-
ily. Amon continued at
Luxor for twenty-four days
and then ceremonially
returned to his main
temple. Isis was also
lauded, for the ancients believed that her
tears for the murdered Osiris caused the
enriching flood. And since Sirius was
a shining manifestation of Mother
Goddesses, Hathor and others were
similarly honored. The light of this
day from feminine Sirius united with
the masculine Sun, and statues were
removed from temples to bathe out-
doors in the total sacred forces of light.
 
July 31, Lughnassad Eve
Celtic First Harvest, August Feast
The Mother Goddess gives birth to
grains as the Sun God’s strength wanes
and days become shorter. Bread is
baked, crumbled and thrown into sac-
rificial fire. The Celtic festival derives
its name from the Irish god Lugh. The
celebration was dedicated to his foster
mother, Queen Tailtiu, who died from
exhaustion after clearing a huge forest
for farmland. According to her death-
bed promise, if the men of Ireland
held annual games in her honor the
country would never be without song.
Lughnassad evolved into a huge rowdy
fair, tribal assembly, music and sport-
ing event in County Meath dominated
by the High King. “Handfasting” was
a feature, a system of random trial
marriages to last a year and a day. Cel-
ebrants danced giddy jigs and reels to
fiddles and flutes. Sometimes a female
effigy was placed on a throne strewn
with garlands. Riotous dancers whirled
around the figure, honoring the goddess
and pulling off flowers or ribbons for
good luck.
 
August 1, Lammas
Loaf Mass Day, Feast of First Fruits,
Nos Gwyl Awst
The Anglo-Saxon festi-
val celebrating the first wheat
crop of the year. Tenants in
medieval England brought
their lords an agreed share as
rental “first fruits.” On this day villagers
brought to church their own loaves of
bread to be blessed as the “new fruits.”
Lammas offers the opportunity for
some harmonious sacraments at home.
As you make wheat bread, remember
that the flour derives from something
live. If you have a garden add some-
thing of your own – onion, herb, seeds.
Traditionally the bread is formed into
male or female figures to be presented
to opposite genders. Or you may make
cornbread, gingerbread or popcorn. All
that matters in entering a sacred zone is
intention and awareness. Sharing bread
at a holiday feast, traditionally guests
feed each other chunks as they say,
“May you always be nourished.” And
there are many ways to be nourished.
August 13, Diana’s Day
All Rome turned out to
honor the beloved goddess
Diana. The most democratic
of deities, her temple
stood in the working-class
section of the city. In the countryside
any grove – pine, cedar, laurel, willow
– served as a place of worship for this
rustic goddess. Counterpart of the
Greek deity Artemis, Diana lingered in
any dappled place. The duo are divini-
ties of the moon and the hunt, celestial
and sublime, patronesses of women in
childbirth, guardians of youth, comfort-
ers of the oppressed, healers, protectors
of wildlife. On Diana’s Day pampered
patricians served themselves, for ser-
vants and slaves were allowed a carefree
celebration. To reflect the ancient occa-
sion, decorate your home with greenery
and hang a tree with symbols of the
goddess – crescent moons, bows and
arrows, silver masks, tiny animal fig-
ures. Traditional feasting fare includes
meat roasted on spits, apples still hang-
ing from boughs and bowls of cider.
August –September *, Ganesh Festival
Chaturthi
Known as the remover of obstacles,
the beloved elephant-headed god, son of
Shiva and Parvati, is the supreme deity
of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.
His bulging belly is said to contain the
essence of the cosmos. Ganesh is hon-
ored at Chaturthi for ten days featuring
feasts, dancing, singing, poetry and dra-
mas, finishing with a huge public fes-
tival on the eleventh day. Rites center
around icons of all kinds, from 3/4-inch
clay images to those over 25 feet tall for
procession floats. Red is the prevailing
color and in temples priests clad in red
silk invoke blessings
from the garlanded
idol, followed by
the  “sixteen ways of
paying tribute.” At the
mega-event Ganesh
is carried through
the streets to river
or sea. The immersion
of the god symbolizes
the washing away of
misfortunes. A variety of community
benefits also are traditionally offered
– free medical checkups, blood dona-
tions, charity. To honor the occasion at
home, set up a puja table with a Ganesh
image of any kind. Decorate it with red
flowers, sandalwood paste, camphor,
coconut sweets or what you will. Medi-
tate on the deity and invoke his aid for
spiritual strength in your undertakings.
You may conclude with the traditional
appeal, “O Father Ganesh, come again
early next year.”
* Date changes with lunar month.
September 22, Autumnal Equinox
Mabon, Harvest Home, Wine Harvest,
Gwyl Canol Hydref
Once again day and
night are the same length.
The name derives from a
myth about Mabon, son
of Modron, a pagan Earth
Mother. The second and most important
of the harvest festivals and the end of the
year’s farm labor, the “Witches’ Thanks-
giving.” The corn spirit hovers over the
celebration. The last stalks were ritually
cut, tied into human forms, sometimes
dressed and variously called corn dol-
lies, corn maidens, corn mothers, kern
babies. Celebrants sometimes honored
ripeness by considering the images
crones, Old Hags and Old Wives. The
veggie icons proceeded in procession
back to farmhouses, where they hung
above hearths to induce prosperity. A
few months later, at first plowing, the
corn dolly was buried in the first furrow
to encourage a rich summer harvest.
Ancient Celts sometimes manifested
the reigning spirit as male, Corn King
or Harvest Lord. In this guise they con-
ducted a fiery mock sacrifice of a large
wickerwork figure, inspiration for two
chilling films. Mabon is the occasion
for feasting; for drinking wine, ale, or
cider; for rejoicing in the fruits of the
earth; for sharing with the homeless.
For giving thanks to the divine forces
that nourish life on earth.
 
October 31, Samhain Eve
Hallows, Ancestor’s Night, Halloween,
Nos Calan Gaeaf
For some witches, Samhain (pro-
nounced SOW-en) marks the beginning
of the new yearly cycle as well as the
last day of the sabbat cycle. The holiday
ushers in the dark winter half of the year
and its third and final harvest. Bonfires
flickered throughout the pagan world at
Samhain, the time to prepare grain and
meat for winter survival. Farmers cast
the remains of slaughtered cattle on the
“bonefire” and ritually lit their hearths
with torches from the flames, bonding
families into a virtual village. Celts
celebrated in costumes, often of saints,
angels and devils. It is the remote precur-
sor of Halloween and the ultimate time
to honor loved ones who have passed on
– ancestors, mentors, friends, pets. It is
easiest to reach across the veil during
this interlude of Dark Mysteries. For
Witches it provides a potent interval for
communicating with the dead and pur-
suing magic – divination of any kind,
transformation spells, visions waiting
to be evoked. Food specialties of the
departed turn up at feasts and may be
accompanied by favorite songs, dances
and poetry of the deceased. Celebrants
place a candle in a western window or
leave it open to encourage visitations
from the “wander-
ing dead.”
 
November 1,
Hallowmas
All Saint’s Day
When the Romans
engulfed the Celts in
the first century, the con-
querors added two
festivals to Samhain
– honor to Pomona,
goddess of fruit and
trees, and Feralia,
 a day to honor the dead. If
you have ever bobbed for
apples at Halloween, you
have been paying tribute to
Pomona. But when Chris-
tianity had overtaken the
old pagan territories, the
Church issued its own
autumnal calendar. In
earlier days faithful
Christians were obligated by the clergy
to celebrate individual saintly anniver-
saries. But during Roman persecutions
the roster of martyrs grew to such length
that it was impossible to assign a cel-
ebration for each. In the eighth century
the Church established All Saints’ Day,
ensuring that each saint and martyr,
known and unknown, received venera-
tion in general ritual. The following day
was decreed All Souls’ Day, the time
to honor the dead. It was celebrated
similarly to Samhain with bonfires,
costumes, food set out for the dead and
graveside ceremonials.
 
November 16, Hecate Night
In ancient Greece Hecate is the
daughter of a Titan
and endowed with
dominion over sky,
sea and land “She
who works her
will” can bestow
blessings or evil
as she chooses. In
other times and places
Hecate morphed into
an attendant at child-
birth and deathbeds, a
moon goddess and a
huntress, “the Far
Shooting.” She strides underground to
guide Persephone in Hades. But in the
neoclassical era the deity emerges as
our familiar Queen of Ghosts, revered
patroness of witchcraft. She savors of
magic, with power to conjure up dreams,
fantasies and prophecies. Hecate is asso-
ciated with certain plants, poisons and
hallucinogens, including belladonna,
mandrake, aconite and hemlock. Some-
times Hecate is depicted as a single
figure in a black robe. But more often
she turns up as Trivia, the triple
goddess guarding crossroads
literal and allegorical. Facing
in three directions she sees the
past, present and future. In
some portrayals she has three
beautiful faces, in others
three fierce animal heads – snake, bear,
horse. Always the Queen of Ghosts is
associated with hounds, and howling
is the first sign of her approach. She
commonly travels with ghosts and
mortals who live on the edge. Some
adherents avoid such a shadowy entou-
rage by placing food on doorsteps to
placate spirits and perhaps feed the
outcasts. Triple masks and other offer-
ings are hung at the crossroads in Y-
intersections where three roads con-
verge, offered by seekers who wish
guidance for “the right direction.”
 
December 17, Saturnalia
Farmers have finished autumn plant-
ing and it is time to eat, drink and be
merry, if not hysterical. Little won-
der that the Saturnalia is the favorite
Roman holiday, later celebrated for one
whole week. Libanius, a fourth-century
writer, gives a glimpse of the urbane
celebration: “There is food everywhere,
heavy, rich food. And laughter. A posi-
tive urge to spend seizes everyone.
The streets are full of people stagger-
ing under the load of gifts.” Sound
familiar? Traditional gifts ranged from
cheap-and-cheerful to luxurious: small
earthenware cult figures, dice, combs,
perfume, axes, parrots, sausages,
masks. Saturn, the honoree, had a dual
nature. He was identified with the Titan
Cronos. His reign was considered a
Golden Age, and the Saturnalia was
meant to re-create the felicity. Battles
were forbidden, businesses closed, the
executioner hung up his axe. Slaves
could gamble, feast with their mas-
ters and wear their clothes. But long
after the time Cronos had evolved into
Saturn, the deity had lapsed into the
sardonic character of astrology. A
joyous holiday! A fearsome god!
History is rich in irony.
 
December 21, Winter Solstice
Yule, Yuletide, Midwinter’s Day,
Gwyl Canol Gaeaf
As early darkness closed in, early
pagans feared they would never again
see the golden face of the sun. The Sun
God, they believed, had vanished into
the Underworld to learn the secrets of
life and death. The Winter Solstice was
a time for magic, for plead-
ing with the Mother
Goddess to restore
the deity needed to
warm the Earth. The
same cherished
rituals have
been observed down the
ages, many derived from
the cold climates of north-
ern Europe. Mistletoe was honored
because it grew mysteriously on the
sacred oak. Other than mistletoe, too
associated with pagans, the Church
adapted many earlier elements into the
celebration of Christmas. The decorated
trees, Yule logs, holly, wreaths, ham on
the festive table, wassail – all resonate
significantly from a dim past. Tradi-
tionally the time favors divination and
prophecy. At the festive table ancient
Romans created Bowls of Fate with
family names on slips of paper. Names
were drawn in pairs and the two become
special friends. Scandinavians may
place all their shoes together to ensure
a year of family harmony. In Russia
a young woman sits with candles and
mirrors placed to reflect the image
of her future husband. Whatever
your observance, usher in the Winter
Solstice as a marvelous interval for
introspection and planning the future.
January 9, Feast of Janus
The first month of the
modern calendar receives
the protection of Janus,
god of beginnings, devel-
oped from his supervision of
entrances. On this date the high priest’s
residence in the Forum was the site of
the annual state sacrifice to Janus – an
offering of ram. Romans believed the
deity’s spirit hovered in all doorways,
gates and passageways. Since entrances
also serve as exits, and since good
beginnings imply good endings, Janis is
depicted bifrons – with two faces, hand-
some and bearded, for viewing forward
and backward simultaneously. Janus
worship first existed as an agrarian cult,
later introduced to Rome by the legend-
ary Romulus. The populace invoked
Janus before any other god at any new
undertaking. Romans especially sought
his patronage for peace after war, puri-
fication of youths on the threshold of
manhood, and good luck in sowing the
new crop.
 
February 1, Oimelc Eve
Imbolc, The Feast of Brighid
Deep Gaelic roots marked the fes-
tival improbably honoring ewe’s milk.
But it was the time of year when herd
animals bear their first offspring and
life flows in lactation. Ancient cer-
emonies honored growth and renewal;
seeds and farm tools were blessed. The
goddess Brighid, Exalted One, Light
Bringer, presided
over the holiday.
She taught early
mortals the mastery
of brewing, dying and
weaving, as well as poetry. Since
poetry resonates with the magic of
seers, Brighid inspired divination and
prophecy, a source for oracles. The
lovely goddess carried a white wand
and breathed new life into the deadness
of winter, awakening the smiles that
shine on warmer days. Brighid’s snake
emerged from the womb of the Earth
Mother to test the weather, forerunner
of modern Groundhog Day. Candles
and sometimes bonfires greeted the fes-
tival, as well as besoms, acorn-tipped
wands, corn dollies, irises, violets and
all white flowers. Traditional gems for
bracelets and other adornments include
turquoises, amethysts, garnets. As for
the food, it seems appropriate to set up
a fresh, simple farm meal. Dairy drinks
and dishes are traditional, as are spring-
garden vegetables and offerings with
seeds – poppyseed rolls, whole-grain
breads, pumpkin seeds and sunflower
seeds for munchies. Follow with spiced
wine, herbal tea.
 
February 2, Candlemas
Nos Gwyl Fair
Today’s ritual has remote
ancestry in Lupercales, a rowdy
Roman celebration of an ancient
pastoral deity, in which crowds
ran wild through the streets
waving flaming torches. In 472
Pope Gelasius I Christianized
and tamed the old pagan festi-
val, retaining the metaphor of
Light. He termed it the Presentation
of the Child Jesus in the Temple, com-
memorating the Virgin Mary’s pre-
sentation of her newborn Son to God,
formerly known as the Purification of
the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since Pope
Gelasius was notable in Rome for pro-
viding pancakes to weary pilgrims, pan-
cakes turn up at Candlemas festivals.
The delicious golden disks also remind
us of the sun and ideally these should
be made with wheat from the previous
year’s harvest. Family and friends can
eat their fill without fear of famine, for
soon the fields will turn golden with the
new crop. A gold coin will help Nature
along. According to tradition, hold a
gold coin in your left hand and
flip the first pancake in the skil-
let with your right. If the pancake
lands nicely on its return trip to
the pan, you will enjoy happi-
ness and money during
the year to come. In the
American tradition, early
Pennsylvania German settlers consider
the date Groundhog Day, using the
sleepy little animal to forecast weather.
 
February 15, Lupercalia
Lupercus is the god of shepherds,
later associated with the riotous Pan. A
priestly sect called the Luperci, “wolf
averters,” conduct the rites of this
ancient festival. The ceremony has its
roots in protecting shepherds and their
flocks from hungry wolves, although
the rituals seem oddly removed from
this purpose. The Lupercalia begins
with the sacrifice of a goat, the symbol
of fertility, and thongs are cut from the
hide. A communal feast of the sacrificial
flesh follows. As the last meat is picked
from bone, two Luperci at the altar
“ritually laugh hilariously.” The cer-
emonial hilarity remains maddeningly
obscure. Flourishing the thongs the
Luperci run twice
around the walls
of Rome, creating
a magic circle to
deflect wolves and purify the city. The
runners are joined by a rowdy band of
young celebrants from noble families,
many naked. Girls dance around the
priests inviting a lashing from the goat
hide, said to inspire pregnancy and ease
the pain of childbirth. The Romans
adored the Lupercalia. Pope Gelasius,
appalled by the annual event, struggled
mightily to get the messiness abolished
and the populace properly clothed on
February 15th.
 
March 1, Matronalia
Marriage and childbirth were on
the minds of celebrants. All honors
go to glorious Juno, wife of Jupiter
and Roman queen of the gods. At the
Matronalia men swore their undying
love for spouses and sweethearts. Cou-
ples celebrated at Juno’s great temple
in Rome with offerings of fruit and
flowery wreaths, praying for happiness
in their unions. Lambs and cattle lost
their lives at sacrificial altars. Feasting
and rejoicing followed, and on this day
mistresses served their female slaves.
At the Matronalia the deity was notable
in her role as Juno Lucina, goddess of
light. The “light” referred to childbirth,
when a baby is first “brought to light.”
On this holiday Roman wives, usually
the height of elegance, dressed down
for the occasion. They undid their belts,
loosened any knots in their robes, and
unbraided their usually intricate hair
styles. The calculated carelessness
encouraged Juno Lucina to loosen their
wombs and help babies emerge from
the darkness.
 
March 19, Minerva’s Day
Quinquatria
The deity’s talents are dizzying, and
the poet Ovid called
her “the goddess of
a thousand works.”
The holiday was par-
ticularly sacred to
artisans and students.
Begun as a one-day
celebration, the popu-
lace so revered the
holiday that they kept
it going until March
23. Children and teach-
ers particularly rejoiced,
free from school for the
interval. Overall Minerva
represented wisdom. In specific form
she guided artisans, particularly weav-
ers – shuttles, dyes and textiles were
among her attributes. She was the
patron goddess of trade, science, heal-
ing and the arts. Minerva was credited
with the invention of numbers, musical
instruments, engraving and sculpture. In
her guise as goddess of war, akin to the
Greek Athena, she wears a helmet and
chain mail, carries a spear. On the first
day of the Quinquatria sacrifices were
offered, although no blood was spilled.
Plenty flowed during the next three
days entertaining the violence-loving
Romans, with gladiators doing what
they do best. But away from the roars
of wild beasts the populace enjoyed
music, plays, orations, poetry and seri-
ous feasting. The holiday marked
the official opening of the Army
campaign season, and the weapons,
trumpets and horses were purified
for the next march. Women had
their own Quinquatria tasks –
consulting oracles for divina-
tion and prophecy. On the
final day the fizz subsided
as a solemn procession
wended its way through
city streets. Quinquatria
exits for another year.  
– Barbara Stacy