The Celtic Calendar

No-one can be sure exactly what calendar was used by the ancient Celts. Most people though think that the Celtic year was based on a system of twelve months and four seasons.

The year started with the season of

• Samhain, which we would call Winter. The Celts believed that during this season nature was resting in the Earth's womb. This season lasted from the start of November until the start of February when
• Imbolc began. This season was dedicated to the goddess Brigit who lit the fires of the Earth again allowing nature to be reborn. Three months later the Summer started with the season of
• Beltane. This was the light part of the year when the Celts celebrated the escape of the Summer god and his maiden from captivity underground. When Beltane was over the year drew to a close with the fourth season called
• Lughnasadh. At the start of this season the sun god Lugh persuades the spirits of the Earth to give up the harvest to humans. The year ends at the end of October, when Samhain starts again.

Each of these seasons started with a festival where feasting and bonfires were common. All the celebrations would have been in honour of the gods who would decide whether or not the Earth and the weather would be kind to people in the new season.