Pagan Wiccan Interfaith calendar holydays festivals feastdays

Every day's a holiday when you're Pagan! Because of calendar corrections through the ages, variances among local communities in ancient times, and disagreements among scholars, the following dates represents an approximation. Alternative dates are welcomed. We are also interested in additional sources,  especially for Celtic, Heathen, Norse, Romuva, and Middle Eastern Pagan holidays.   Please send your suggestions here.

We've collected so much information for you that Sacred Times has been divided into 3 pages: Below you'll find:   Pagan Holy Days   Planetary Hours   Religious information related to the season -- more to come!   On our Astrology Page, you'll find: Naked eye astronomy resources Astronomical Events Ephemeris   We've moved the following to our new lunar information pages:   Perpetual Lunar Sacred Calendar                   New and Full Moons for 2007

 

Daily Deity:

Pagan  Holidays  Celebrated  in July , 2008 The month of July was named for Julius Caesar, who changed the Roman calendar from the lunar to a more accurate solar calendar, creating 12 artificial months.  While imperfect, the Julian calendar has needed only a few changes to correct for the fact that there are just over 365 days in a year.  Perhaps it is appropriate the Julius Caesar was assassinated by patriotic republicans just as he had the ultimate power of empire in his grasp.  After his death, 50 years of civil war ensued, until his adopted son, Octavian brought a long reign of peace in which he established the Empire which stood for centuries. Alas, after generations of warfare, Roman senators and ordinary citizens were all too willing to surrender their liberty for a private life. Still, the surviving writings of Roman republicans, especially Cicero, inspired the best political thought of the Enlightenment era and ultimately shaped the American Republic.  Too bad our latter day Empire hasn't learned from the mistakes of Roma. Worship today on the planet of your choice! This list of Pagan holy days was compiled by Christa Landon  from various sources, including the URLs below. (Note: In Celtic, Greek, Roman, Jewish, and Arabic traditions, the day starts at the prior sunset.)
July 1	On this day in 1975 endangered species became internationally protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. On this day do something to help the world's creatures by improving habitat or by supporting organizations which protect Nature.
July 2	Roman Feast of Expectant Mothers. On this day in 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson.] [Pub. L. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241, 7/2/1964: 42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.] It prohibited discrimination on the basis of ethnicity and gender in public accommodations and employment.
July 2	Norse: Dog day. Cherokee/Southeastern Tribes: Green Corn Dance -- Festival of thanksgiving for forthcoming maize harvest, honoring maize Goddess Selu.
July 3 - Aug. 15	Egyptian: Dog Days after the Dog Star Sirius,  identified with the Egyptian goddess Sothis and Isis-Hathor and called Loki's Brand in the Nordic tradition. When Sirius rises, the Nile floods, renewing the fields of Lower Egypt with silt and water.
July 4	Independence Day, celebrating the covenant of the 13 Colonies to secede from Britain in 1776.  On this day in 1826, Thomas Jefferson died.  Jefferson was a Deist, that is, he  didn't believe in the divinity of Jesus or any of the miracles in the Bible. As a Deist, Jefferson DID believe in a God who called us to discover Nature, expected us to be good citizens, and would judge us by our deeds, rather than our beliefs. An Enlightenment philosoph, Jefferson insisted that the Constitution protect basic human rights. (b. April 13, 1743). Roman: Feast of the Goddess of Peace, Concordia (also called Pax).  The Greek cognate Deity is the Goddess Harmonia. (Eirene is another Greek Goddess of Peace.)
July 5
July 6	Roman: Julian the Blessed, Roman Emperor Flavius Claudius Julianus (331-363 c.e.) Philosopher, Pagan theologian, and last Pagan emperor of Rome. He sought to restore Paganism in the Roman Empire and wrote the first Edict of Toleration. Three volumes of his writings are in print (Loeb Classical Library).  Spain: Running of the Bulls, probably a vestige of Minoan religion.
July 7	Rome: Consualia, in honor of Consus, God of harvests; Caprotina, an aspect of Juno, worshipped by feasting under fig trees and giving all female servants a day of liberty; mistresses gave their servants their own clothing.
July 8	Rome: Nonae Caprotinae, a feast of the Mother Goddess Juno which was the oldest women's festival.  Norse: Feast of St. Sunniva, a medieval appropriation of the goddess Sunna, the Norse solar maiden.
July 9	Greece: Every 4th year, for 6 days the Pananthenia is held in honor of Athena.
July 10	Anglo-Saxon and Norse: Day of White Holde and Black Hela (Hel), Goddesses of the Underworld. Britain: Day to honor Lady Godiva (Goddess) perhaps a vestige of worship of Celtic Horse Goddess Epona or Rhiannon. A procession in Her honor near Coventry included images of the two Goddesses, White Holde and Black Hela. Norse: Knut the Reaper: He is portrayed bearing a scythe, like the destroyer Goddess Skadi (another Goddess of the Underworld).
July  11	Anatolian/Greek: Feast of the Goddess Hekate, who guides all through transitions and crisis. (She is also Goddess of compost, which transforms the unwanted into the most creative.)
July 12	Greece: Noumenia--Old Greek festival honoring all the Gods and Goddesses.  Tibet: Old Dances dedicated to Yama, the Hindu God of Death and the Underworld.  On this day in 1817 Henry David Thoreau was born. Thoreau was a naturalist, a war protester, and a Transcendentalist.  Like the other Transcendentalists, he promoted individualism in his writing.  He is best known for Walden Pond, a diary focussed on living simply in harmony with Nature. [Died 5/6/1862]
July 13
July 14	Roman: Feast of the Three (Graces) -- Day to honor the Charities, old Greek Goddesses of beneficence.
July 15	Greece: Olympic New Year Feast of Old Greek Goddess Aphrodite--Day to honor beauty, peace and compassion. Finnish: Goddess of the Rowen Tree, Rauni (elsewhere called Rowana) is honored today; Rowen wood cut today is an especially protective amulet. China: Festival of the Dead
July 16	Rome: Goddess Carmen, healer and midwife, celebrated with lights.
July 17	Feast of Amaterasu-Omikami, the Japanese Sun Goddess.
July 18	Egyptian: Birthday of Nepthys, Goddess of Death and sister of Isis.  Greek: New Year Begins
July 19	Roman: Adonia, a re-enactment of the marriage feast of Venus and her tragic mortal lover, Adonis. Egyptian: Opet Festival celebrating the marriage of Isis and Osiris; also sacred to Sothis, the Dog Star.
July 19 -20	Anniversary of the day when women demanded recognition of their equality to men in the legal, political, economic, religious, and domestic spheres (Seneca Falls, New York 1848). [Declaration of Sentiments drafted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott & other Founding Mothers at the Women's Rights Convention 7/19-7/20/1848.]
July 20	Lithuania: Binding of the Wreaths, a festival of lovers.
July 21	7/21: Secular Humanism Day--Day to celebrate all life-affirming humanist, rationalist, and scientific belief systems. Mayan New Year Greek: Aphrodisia
July 22	Sun enters Leo.
July 23	Rome: Neptunalia and Salacia, a very ancient festival honoring the God and Goddess of Oceans and mineral springs
July 24	Day of Hatshepsut, healer queen.
July 25	Rome: Furrinalia: Furrina was the Goddess of springs in Italy long before the Romans emerged. Think about 1 more thing you can do to preserve our aquifers and springs.
July 26	Norse: Festival of Sleipnir, Odin's 8 legged steed, a shamanic creature which carries the rider to other worlds.
July 27	Greece: Synoikia--Old Greek festival celebrating the peaceful cooperation of states. Offerings were made to Aphrodite and Eirene, Goddesses of friendship and peace.  Egypt: Day of Hatshepsut, healer queen.
July 28	Scandinavia: Thor, God of thunder. Ireland: Domhnack Chrom Dubh Day the Constitution's 14th Amendment went into effect, guaranteeing due process and equal protection of the law to all (1868). [The 14th Amendment was approved by Congress on 6/13/1866 and, after ratification by the states, was proclaimed in effect on 7/28/1868.]
July 29	Norse: Festival of Thor (Anglo-Saxon "Thunor" German "Donner") Catholic feast of St. Olaf, who was slain near Lammas. Pagans called King Olaf "the Lawbreaker," for raising an army illegally and using it to force conversions to Christianity, committing mass murder to do it.  Greek: Kronia
July 30
July 31	Norse: Festival of Loki & his ever-faithful consort Sigyn
July 31 to Aug. 6	7/31 eve to 8/6 eve: Mid-Summer/First Harvest/Lammas--Festival of thanksgiving for the first of the grain harvest; celebrated by offering the first fruits of the grain harvest and prayers for sustenance for all.

Mid-Summer/First Harvest/Lammas--Festival of thanksgiving for the first of the grain harvest; celebrated by offering the first fruits of the grain harvest and prayers for sustenance for all.

Britain/Saxon: First Harvest/Lammas/Loaf Mass or Lamb Mass a Festival of thanksgiving for the first of the grain harvest which gives us bread and beer. It is celebrated by offering the first fruits of the grain harvest and prayers for the sustenance for all. 

Scotland: Loaf Mass; lambs are weaned at this time and one brought to church. 

Greek: Demeter (Roman Ceres} Goddess of the Grain Fields, lawgiver. A time to celebrate accomplishments and make thanksgiving.

Roman: Bona Spes (Good Hope). This very ancient Goddess is depicted holding an opening flower in one hand while lifting her skirt as if preparing to flee.

Costa Rican: Our Lady of the Angels, a Black Madonna, identified with Oshun and Erzulie.

1859 Unitarian Horace Mann, advocate for universal nonsectarian education, died. [B. 5/4/1796]

Brittany: Benediction of the Sea in honor of the Goddess Ys.

Egypt: Breaking of the Nile, dedicated to Hathor or Neith.

Gaia Consciousness Day--Day to meditate on Mother Earth as a living planet.

Persia: The Parikas (Apsaras), shooting star angels. (See note on meteor shower under "Visible Planets" section below.

Yoruban African Diaspora religions: Oddudua, mother of Gods and Goddesses.

Perseid Meteor Showers, a very swift, rich display, 50-100/hr

Etruscan and Roman: Vertumnus and Pomona, harvest deities who received the first fruits. Vertumnus is pictured as a young male bearing a basket of fruits and vegetables and wearing a crown of vine leaves and grapes. Pomona, his wife, is the Goddess of Fruit, and carries a basket of produce.

Greek: A feast for Hecate of the Moon for protection of crops.

Greek: Feast of Aphrodite and her son Eros -- a day to honor love and passion. Perseid Meteor Showers, a very swift, rich display, 50-100/hr.

Greek: Panathenaia

Greek: Feast of the Goddess Artemis (Roman Diana/Slavic Diwitsa) - as defender of rights and liberties, and punisher of rapists, despoilers of wilderness and oppressors.

Chinese: Chung-Ch'iu harvest festival in honor of the Moon Goddess.

Norse: First of nine days during which Odhinn hung on Yggdrasil as a sacrifice to Himself for Wisdom.

Yoruban African Diaspora: Chango.

Roman: Vinalia Rustica--very old festival of Venus seeking protection of the ripening grapes; and giving thanks for the coming grape harvest, celebrated by offering the first fruits of the grape harvest and prayers for sustenance for all.  Offerings included incense, myrtle, roses, and mint. Gardeners were given the day off.

Flute Ceremony in honor of Spider Woman. 

Roman: Consualia.  Consus is God of the Grain Bins and the stored grain. His altar was underground. On this day, horses and other draft animals were garlanded and rested.

Also the Feast of  the Eumenides ("The Kindly Ones"), who are called by the guilty the Erinyes (Furies). The Eumenides are among the most ancient Greek Goddesses; they are the ancient virginal daughters of the earth, who tirelessly pursue and punish murderers, abusers, and exploiters of others. They are especially concerned with avenging refugees and mothers victimized by their own children.

Greek: Moira. Genia of personal fate, depicted with scales and a wheel (See The Wheel in most Tarot decks). A good day for re-evaluation, setting priorities and making resolutions.

Roman: Mania, feast of the Manes (ancestors), Underworld Deities and Ceres. On this day the Mundus Cereris, a vaulted pit was opened for 3 days, when crops were stored underground for the winter and seed was preserved in urns underground until planting time. This pit was sacred to Ceres, Goddess of the Grain, identified with the Greek Demeter. The Mundus Cereris was identified as a womb, the mouth of the Underworld, and a passageway through which the spirits of the dead (the Manes) could return to roam the streets. While the Mundus Cereris was open, no public business could take place.

Norse: Final day of Odhinn's ordeal, in which he falls from the tree and discovers Runes. Odinic Festival of Runes.

New York State Native Americans: Canadanaigua, Festival of Lights, a ritual of harvest and thanksgiving.

UU: On this day in 1911, Kenneth Patton was born. He was a UU minister, poet and Nature Mystic, who redefined Humanism to include an emphasis on the arts and reverence for Nature.  His interest in Eastern Mysticism made it more accessible to Humanists. He was a prolific writer.
(D. 12/24/94)

Women's Equality Day: Anniversary of day in 1920 when the Constitution's 19th Amendment went into effect, recognizing women's right to vote. 

Women's Equality Day. On this day in 1920, women were granted the right to vote by 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Hindu: Festival of the God Krishna and the Mother Goddess Devaki.

Classical Greek: Birthday of Athena, daughter of Metis (Goddess of Wisdom) and Zeus, who swallowed the pregnant Metis in fear of her having a son who would overthrow him.  Thereafter, Zeus appropriated Metis' role as God of Wisdom. Athena was born fully adult and fully armored from Zeus' forehead and was identified with weaving and strategic thinking. Athena and Metis predated the Hellenic invasion of Greece and the classical story was used to mythologize religious changes. The earlier Athena was also a defender, but identified not as a virgin, but as a Mountain Mother, personification of the mountain on which the city of Athens was built.

On this day in 1811 Henry Bergh was born. He was non-violent advocate for animal rights and founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. [D. 3/12/1888]

On this day in 1963, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s  led a peaceful march for Civil Rights in Washington, D.C. King made his inspiring "I have a dream speech" at this event.

On this day in 1993 the Second World Parliament of Religions opened, attended by members of all the world's religions, including several Pagan groups. The Parliament adopted a Global Ethic  condemning hatred, aggression, oppression, and environmental abuses committed in the name of religion.

Egyptian: New Year's Day, and the birth of Hathor, for the Goddess-Mother of the Gods, the Earth, the Moon, and the Universe. The feast was celebrated by exposing her image to the rising sun and a subsequent carnival, with song and intoxication. People took the holiday crowned with flowers and wearing perfumed oils.

Brittany: Pardon of the Sea, for the Sea Goddess Ahes. To dispose of home toxics improperly is a sacrilege against the Sea Goddess. Take them to your hazardous waste recycling center and "shop" there for paint, cleaning supplies and other household chemicals. 

1811 Birthday of Unitarian Universalist Henry Bergh, non-violent advocate for animal rights and children's rights. Founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.  Day to work for a kinder world. [Death day 3/12/1888] 

Hindu: Anant Chaturdasi: a women's purification festival in honor of Shakti (Kundalini), women's serpent life force.