Celtic Festivals

Samhain, the most important of the four feasts, was celebrated on November 1. It marked the beginning of the dark half of the year. It is now associated with 'All Souls' Day' (All Hallows' Day), which today is mostly celebrated the night before, on Halloween (All Hallows' Eve). This would not be inappropriate because the Celts, and later relgious groups, including the Christians, reckoned a daily unit as running from sunset to sunset, so that the night before was counted with the date of the following day.

Beltane, celebrated on May 1, marked the beginning of the light half of the year. Beltane (also spelled Beltine, Beltain, Beal-tine, Beltan, Bel-tien, and Beltein) means "bright fire" and in the past two fires were lit by Druids in honour of Bel. Later it came to be associated with May Day (Calan Mai).

Imbolc was celebrated on February 1. It was associated with the goddess Brigit, a Mother-goddess and protectress of women in childbirth.

Lughnasadh (also known as Lammas), 'the feast of the god Lugh' (or Lug), was celebrated on August 1 in connection, it would appear, with the harvest.