6th to 8th: Greek Observances - Worship of all Chthonian deities

• The Greeks chthonic deities are 'of the earth' - whether Underworld or fertility/nature orientated (as some were traditionally - such as Plouton, Kore and Dememter) or in the chthonic form - Zeus Meilikhios (the Kindly) takes the form of a giant serpent. These three days are set aside to devote to all chthonic deities.

07th
Egyptian Observances - Maae't (Ma'at) appears before Re in Heliopolis

• Re/Ra is the Egyptian god of the sun, and the preeminent deity of the Egyptian pantheon. Maae't (Ma'at) is the Egyptian goddess of the Truth, Balance, Justice and Order. She is also the daughter of Re (later times equated her to his heart) and the force that moves through all the gods. By her is everything judged.

• Jupiter is the Roman god of the skies, master of rain, thunder and lightning, as well as the Protector of Rome. The Ides are dedicated to Jupiter and were originally set on the day of the full , but when the calendar month lengths became fixed, the ides were assigned a set day in the month.

Greek Observances - Day of Aphrodite, Eros, Hermes and Herakles

• This day is dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. She is in all likelihood one of the oldest of the Greek gods. It is also holy to Eros, the Greek god of love and passion, and to Hermes, Greek god of light and truth - otherwise known as the messenger. Herakles, the demi-god famous for his miraculous achievements, is also honoured on this day.

Mesopotamian Observances - Unaam

• Unaam is the day the New Moon becomes visible. One of the three days of the monthly Essesu festival, it is described in the Atrahasis myth: "On the first, seventh, and fifteenth of the month, I shall make a purification by washing." Later accounts reiterate the importance of observing these three days. t this time a ritual cleansing in water is the minimal requirement - immersion within the sacred waters of life. The full observance should include tending the cult statues, sacrifice and offerings of incense and food, ritual, prayer, and song. The meal served to the deity is thus blessed by the god and may later be consumed by the worshipper. To obtain sacred water for blessings, wash the cult statue's fingers in water after the ritual meal.

12th Apr to 22nd Apr: Mesopotamian Observances - New Year: Akitu of the Harvesting Season

• Dumuzi, the Mesopotamian vegetation god and husband to Inanna, has overcome death and returns to us. This eleven day festival is quite complex - for a good description, please see Gateways to Babylon.

12th Apr to 10th May: Mesopotamian Observances - Month of Nissannu, sacred to the God Sin

• Determining the exact time of the equinox is not an easy matter. As a result many ancient societies often celebrated their equinoxes a few days after the actual astronomical occurance when it was clear it had happened. The Mesopotamians delayed theirs further - celebrating on the first new moon following the actual vernal equinox. They also calculated the new moon as being the night they actually saw a faint sliver returning. This year, the equinox is on the 20th March and the next new moon begins on the 10th April, becoming visible around the 12th - so Nissannu 1 falls on 12th April.



13th
Egyptian Observances - Feast of the children of Nut

• Nut had five children - Osiris, Horus (her grandson), Set, Isis, and Nephthys. This feast day honours them all, as well as Thoth who helped Nut to find a way to conceive them despite Re's Curse.



14th
Greek Observances - Delphinia

• Apollo is the Greek god of animal husbandry and crops, archery, music and healing, among other things. This festival honours Apollo in his guise as the god of the dolphins and of prophecy. He has returned to Delphi and the oracle is once more offering prophecies. This is an opportune time to request Apollo�s protection for travel.

14th Apr - 13th May: Northern Trad/Teutonic Observances - Month of Summer Finding

• This is the first month of summer. A blot-feast, the Summer Finding or Sigrblot, is held early in the month to welcome summer.



15th
Roman Observances - The Fordicidia

• The Roman festival of the Fordicidia is sacred to Tellus, the earth-goddess. On this day thirty-one pregnant cows were herded about the city and sacreficed in the various temple grounds.

Romuva Observances - Tipsa Diena

• Tipsa Diena is the plowing festival of the Latvian Romuva. On this day plowing for the year begins after winter.

Greek Observances - Feast Day of Apollo

• Apollo is the Greek god of animal husbandry and crops, archery, music and healing, among other things. This festival celebrates the returning sunlight.

April 15 - May 12: Celtic Observances - Month of the Willow Tree (Saille)

• "I am a hawk on a cliff" ~ The Song of Amergin
• The Modern Celtic Calender month of Saille is symbolised by the sea serpent, the hare, doves, and mist. Within it falls Beltaine, and thus fire is also an important symbol of the month. This month brings springtime and lunar-magics as they marry with the heat of the sun. This is an ideal time for beginnings - journies, work, families - and for creation works such as personal fertility, art, and relationships. Since the willow is a tree of protection, using it in magical work adds a certain element of safety to otherwise dangerous territory.
• Willow is a wood of protection - plant it in your garden, or use it to make charms of guardianship for your home. It is also a medicinal tree.



16th
First Quarter Moon at 12:37pm EST

• During this time, the physical effects of the sun, moon and earth's gravity upon us is such that our blood begins to surge and we become "twitchy", filled with the burgeoning urge to create and engage in activities. We are also more inclined to make errors based upon our impatience with waiting, taking time to follow all the steps. From a magical viewpoint, this is a time to work with the scales - not of justice, but of something much more basic.

Greek Observances - Day of Poseideon

• This day is set aside to honour Poseidon, Greek god of the oceans and husband of Mother Earth.

Mesopotamian Observances - First Quarter Moon Rites

• The second of the three days of the monthly Essesu festival, it is described in the Atrahasis myth: "On the first, seventh, and fifteenth of the month, I shall make a purification by washing." Later accounts reiterate the importance of observing these three days. t this time a ritual cleansing in water is the minimal requirement - immersion within the sacred waters of life. The full observance should include tending the cult statues, sacrifice and offerings of incense and food, ritual, prayer, and song. The meal served to the deity is thus blessed by the god and may later be consumed by the worshipper. To obtain sacred water for blessings, wash the cult statue's fingers in water after the ritual meal.



17th
Asatruar Observances - Sommarsblot

• Sommarsblot (or Sigrblot/Sumarsdag) is the Asatruar celebration of the first day of summer. It is an agricultural festival with particular honour given to Odinn.

Egyptian Observances - Holy Day of Re

• Re/Ra is the Egyptian god of the sun, and the preeminent deity of the Egyptian pantheon.



18th
Observances - Procession of Neith

• Neith is the Egyptian god of war, funerals, and impartiality. She was often invoked to bless the weapons of the hunter and the soldier.



19th
Roman Observances - The Cerialia

• The final day of the Roman Festival of Ceres, goddess of agriculture. Milk, wine, and honey should be offered to her.



20th
Egyptian Observances - Festival of Mutt (Mut), Feast of the gods

• Mutt (Mut) is the Eye of Re, and the mother of Khonsu, the moon.



21st
Egyptian Observances - Ceremony of Heru the Beloved (Horus-Of-The-Winged-Disk)

• Mutt (Mut) is the Eye of Re, and the mother of Khonsu, the moon.



Nordic Observances - Sumarmal

• Summer officially begins on the "Thor's Day" that falls between the 20th and 26th of April. A week of feasting, drinking, and religious ceremony ensues, followed by the sallying forth towards summer activity.

Roman Observances - The Palilia or Parilia

• The Roman festival held in honour of Pales, the pastoral god, and Roma the city deity. On this day the city was founded by Romulus upon the Palatine Hill (named for Pales - an aspect of Mars). The celebrations include a fire festival in the evening with leaping over the flames a central element. Animals were also herded between the fires to purify them. Millet cakes and fresh milk are the foods of the feast.

Mesopotamian Observances - Sacred Marriage of Inanna and Dumuzi

• A significant part of the Akitu rites is the Sacred Marriage of Inanna, Queen of Heaven, and Dumuzi, Lord of Life and Shepherd of the People. This occurs after the land has been sanctified once more and everything is balanced and pure. Those rituals, including the humiliation of the king and his ritual humbling, take up the majority of the first 9 days. Then the high priestess and the king take on the roles of Inanna and Dumuzi - the human raised to godhood through his marriage to Inanna - and the Sacred Marriage is enacted within the public arena so that all may partake of the blessings it brings.

21st Apr to 21st May: Taurus Takes the Throne

• Taurus is the fixed earth sign, the elemental nature of the desire of material things. Taurus represents the role played by our senses, the validity of both need and desire within life. Taurus also represents the security obtained through the aquisition of solid material wealth.

21st Apr - 21st May: Modern Druidic Observances - Taruos the Bull
This is the zodiac time of the Bull. Giamoni Prinnios, the zodiacal cusp, is 'budtime'. The tree sign is Squiats/Spetes, the Hawthorn. (Based upon Joseph Monard's study of the Coligny Calendar).

22nd May to 20th Jun: Egyptian Observances - Mesore, the forth month of Shomu (Harvest)

• Shomu is the season of Re, the sun god. Offerings on the first day of the month should be made to both Re and one's patron deity. Beer and breads were the most common offerings, however, honey, raw grain, and cooked meat were also usual. Avoid pig-meat as it was considered unclean, and if you venerate Osiris, no fish. Fresh fruits, scented flowers, oils, pastries, and incense are also acceptable.

22nd
Egyptian Observances - Feast of Re

• Re/Ra is the Egyptian god of the sun, and the preeminent deity of the Egyptian pantheon.

23rd
Egyptian Observances - Maae't (Ma'at) Rises

• Sacred to Maae't (Ma'at), on this day she unites as one with all the sky gods. Maae't (Ma'at) is the Egyptian goddess of the Truth, Balance, Justice and Order. She is also the daughter of Re (later times equated her to his heart) and the force that moves through all the gods. By her is everything judged.

Roman Observances - Vinalia Prioria

• This festival, sacred to the Roman god Jupiter and goddess Venus, is the first of two wine festivals - the second is in August. The first jars of the previous year's batch are offered to Jupiter along with a lamb. After that, the wine can be consumed. At the same time, Venus Erycina (a Phoenician cross-over of Astarte) was also honoured. She protects the dancing girls and prostitutes, so on this day they sacrifice to her, offering myrtle, mint, rushes, and roses.

Romuva Observances - Jurgi

• The first summer celebration of Latvian Romuva, Jurgi is sacred to Usins, god of horses, bees, and light. The festival is one of agricultural importance, with rites designed to protect the livestock and increase production. The evening feast involves chicken, eggs, and beer. An offering to Usins of soil, bread, and bacon is appropriate.

Asatruar Observances - Yggdrasil Day

• A day the Asatruar set aside to honour the World Tree and its role within our culture and spirituality. The World Tree is the source of life, the shelter of today and the refuge after Ragnarok.

Apr 23 - May 22: Egyptian Observances - The month of Epipy, third month of Shomu

• Shomu is the Harvest season, or the Season of Re, the Egyptian god of the sun, and the preeminent deity of the Egyptian pantheon.

24th
Egyptian Observances - Feast of Het-Hert (Hathor) as Sopdet

• Goddess of the Underworld, Ruler of the Sky and Patron of Bodily Pleasure are some of the titles by which the Egyptian goddess Het-Heru (Hathor) is known. This is the festival Day of Het-Heru (Hathor) in her incarnation as Sopdet - an earlier sky-goddess identified with Sirius. Sopdet is a fertility deity shown as a cow with a plant between her horns, or a woman with the five-pointed star between her horns. Het-Hert (Hathor)-Sopdet's festivals are traditionally days of intoxication.

Full Moon at 10:06am EST

• We are confronted by the full face of the moon, revealed in all her glory as we stand between the moon and the sun. This creates opposing pulls upon our natures as the masculine and feminine within us are both stimulated and drawn in opposite directions. Magically, the Full Moon is a time of great energy - it is the counterpart to the New Moon. Decisions made are powerful, and should be made with the understanding that they probably cannot be deflected or reversed once set in motion.

Greek Observances - Mounukhia

• This is the lunar festival of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon and of animals. It honours Artemis Soteira, the Saviour. She-goat and round cakes with candles are appropriate offerings, and decorations of fresh leafy boughs.

Mesopotamian Observances - Full Moon Rites, Feast of Inanna

• This first full moon after the vernal equinox is especially sacred to Inanna - she is revelling in her glory as Queen of Heaven and Dumuzi's bride. She bestows her joy upon the world. Although the real first full moon after the equinox occurs in March, based upon the way the Mesopotamians calculated the equinox (the first visible sliver of moon after the spring equinox was believed to mark the equinox, this is the first full moon of their calendar). Also known as Ishtar, Astarte, Asherah, and a host of other names from the region of the Fertile Crescent, Inanna is a goddess of war, fertility and love, and the most important god of the pantheon.
• The last of the three days of the monthly Essesu festival, it is described in the Atrahasis myth: "On the first, seventh, and fifteenth of the month, I shall make a purification by washing." Later accounts reiterate the importance of observing these three days. t this time a ritual cleansing in water is the minimal requirement - immersion within the sacred waters of life. The full observance should include tending the cult statues, sacrifice and offerings of incense and food, ritual, prayer, and song. The meal served to the deity is thus blessed by the god and may later be consumed by the worshipper. To obtain sacred water for blessings, wash the cult statue's fingers in water after the ritual meal.

Apr 24 - May 22: Wiccan Observances - Seed Moon/Sprouting Grass Moon/Wind Moon

• Seed Moon recognises beginnings - the sacred nature of birth, whether it is of plants, animals, or dreams. This moon also celebrates the magical relationship of garden and gardener.

25th
Egyptian Observances - Processional Day of Sopdu

• Sopdu is the son of Sopdet and Sah, and a warrior god who guarded the boundaries of the kingdom - a falcon-god, he is associated with the early Heru (Horus).

Roman Observances - Day of the Robigalia

• The Roman festival of the Robigalia is dedicated to Robigus, the wheat rust spirit, in the hopes of averting him from the crops. A fox would be set loose in the Circus Maximus with wheat stalks tied to its tail and set alight. The ashes of the fox were then collected and used in rites of protection for the grain crops.

26th
Egyptian Observances - the Appearance of Menu (Min)

• Min is one of the oldest Egyptian gods. He is a god of fertility, of power and of the desert.

27th
Greek Observances - Olympieia

• The Greek festival honouring Olympian Zeus. A bull was sacrificed and burnt in his name.

Egyptian Observances - the Feast of the "Beautiful Reunion."

• On this day Het-Heru (Hathor), the Egyptian Goddess of the Underworld, Ruler of the Sky and Patron of Bodily Pleasure, sets sail for Punt. In the process she meets with Horus, God of Wisdom, and there is a ritual ceremony enshrining the two gods.

26th
Egyptian Observances - Anpu (Anubis) travels to the Necropolis

• npu (Anubis) is the Egyptian god of the dead and the 'conductor of souls'.

29th
Egyptian Observances - Uadjet's Summer Solstice

• npu (Anubis) is the Egyptian god of the dead and the 'conductor of souls'.

29th - 3rd May: Roman Observances - The Floralia

• The Roman goddess Flora, patron of spring, flowers and youthful pleasure, is honoured with the Floralia. This festival is one of sexual feedom and theatre. Flowers, milk, and honey are offered to the goddess as the people celebrate her with revelry and joy.

30th
Asatruar Observances - Walburg

• The Asatruar goddess Walburg is formed from the union of Freya, Hel, and Frigga. She is honoured not only with traditional fertility rites, but also through the honouring of dead heroes - pour mead, wine, or beer on the earth. Walpurgisnacht, or May Eve, is the name of the festival.

Ecclectic Pagan/Druidic Observances - Beltaine

• One of the cross-quarter festivals of the year, and the final spring festival, Beltaine is one of the great Celtic fire festivals. Bonfires are lit and much dancing, revelry, and private celebration remind us of the reasons for this festival. Honouring the Great Marriage and Union of the Earth (already fecund with the new king) and Sun (the old king), this festival is held to celebrate life. In Welsh myth Blodeuwedd, the goddess of flowers, marries Llew, the Oak King.

Germanic/Celtic Observances - May Day/Walpurgisnacht

• This generic spring celebration focuses upon fertility and sexuality. The god honoured is the Horned Man, Kernunnos, who embodies the vitality of flesh. Gathering the beauty of the earth, engaging in flirtation, and maypole dancing all honour him. The Goddess is the green earth, she who takes Kernunnos and makes him king.

Streghe Observances - La Giornata di Tana

• For the Streghe this day is celebrated as the Great Goddess takes up her role as Queen of the earth, fully return from the shadowrealm. She unites with the Horned God and summer begins.