Menu Calendar of Festivals and Notable Days 4020.07
Calendar

(possible) Candelakana - 2nd Feb (Candlemas)
This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In pre-Christian times, this day was known as the 'Feast of Lights' and celebrated the increased strength of the life-giving sun as winter gave way to spring.

(possible) Mortuorum - Mid-March
- Probably a day or period leading up to Ostara
- But could also be November 1st
- 'Festus Mortuorum' - "Feast of the Dead"
- "All Souls Day"
- celebrate the spirits of the departed
- invite them to feast with you
- Persian: Fravardigan
- also Hamaspathmaidyem (feast of 'all souls', lit. 'coming of the whole group') Mar 16->20

Ostara - 21st March
- spring equinox
- beginning of spring
- celebration of new life
- Persian: Nowruz

Zartikana - 26 March
- Celebrating Zartus Rectus Sapiens Chrestus (Zoroaster the righteous, wise & good)
- day that Zoroaster was inspired to create his new religion
- annual celebration-day (like birthday) of Zarathustra
- celebrate wisdom and enlightenment

(possible) Saint Jesus - Good Friday

Saint George - 23rd April
- Celebrating Georgius Fortis - George the Brave

(possible) Maiakana - may 1st
- fertility, prosperity, burgeoning new life
- celebration of youth/young adulthood
- Spring 'King & Queen'
- Robinus : a lusty and lawless male figure
- Maia (or Maiana) : a goddess of growth
- Persian: Maidyozarem (mid-spring)


Litha - 21st June
- summer solstice
- water festival
- celebration of defeat of drought by life-giving rain
- ?celebrate physical strength and prowess (or Maiakana)
- ?celebrate Anahita as goddess of the waters?
- Persian Maidyoshahem (mid-summer)
- Also Persian Tishtrya Kana, Tirikana, Tirgan


Mabon - 22nd September
- Autumn Equinox
- Harvest Festival
- Thanksgiving
- End of summer
- Persian Paitishahem (feast of 'bringing in the harvest'), Sep 12->16


Mithrakana - 29th September
- Festival of Mithras
- Celebrate Mithras and the Good Powers
- Consider how can support Mithras
- Make 'Mithrakana resolution'
- Persian: Mithrakana, Mehregan
- Christian: Michaelmas

(possible) St.Francis - 4th October
- Celebrating Franciscus Pauper - Francis the Poor
- could be seen as an heir to the Cathars


(secular celebration) Cyrus Day - 29th October

Atarkana - November 5th
- Fire Festival
- celebration of the life energy
- celebration of freedom
- story of the blacksmith Kavey, the good prince Freydon and the white wizard Albomagus in overcoming the evil tyrant Azidak
- Persian Adargan


(possible) St.Nicholas - 6th December
- rewards the good and chastises the bad
- children especially


YALDA (around winter solstice) - Festival of Re-Birth:
- Light championing the Darkness

Chrestimors (death of Christ) - 17th December (evening before 18th)
- death of Zartus (or Sun/Mithras for pagans)
- Persian Zartosht No-Diso

Bruma (winter solstice week) - 18th Dec-> 24th Dec
- a week when days are at their shortest in the year
- a time of fasting but also of expectation

Yalda night (typically 21st dec)
- longest night of the year
- birth of Zartus (or Sun/Mithras for pagans)
- a time to 'stay awake all night in watchfulness' but not to feast
- Persian: Yalda, Daygan, Zayesh Mehr, Zayshmir (birth of Mithras)

Bruma breakfast - after nightfall on 24th
- celebratory meal at end of Bruma week

Chrestikana (25th December and for week Dec 25th->31st)
- Announcement by the Magi that 'Christ is born' or that 'the saviour is born'
(or on evening of 24th before Bruma Breakfast)
- 'Epiphany of Christ'
- Showing of the Christ-child, or baby Zartus to the world
- Christian: Christmas


This page last updated July 4020 HE