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Pagan Holidays Celebrated in August
was named for Caesar Augustus, born Octavian. 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 at the bottom of this page. (Note: In Celtic, Greek, Roman, Jewish, and Arabic traditions, |
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July 31 - August 2 |
Celtic: Lughnassadh (pronounced Lu NA sa) or Assembly of Lugh -- Old Celtic Feast of Earth Mother Goddess Tailte or Tailltiu and her foster son, the God of Light Lugh/Llew / Lug/ Luighaidh Lamhfhada or the long-handed. Llew was the God of All Skills, sacrificed each year as the grain is slain to become bread and beer. Celts celebrated the grain harvest with Harvest Games. Lugh was wed to Bloddeuedd, a beautiful Earth-Goddess. Marriages took place in a hollow during the festival. | ||
July 31 - |
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. |
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August 1 |
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. |
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August 2 |
Macedonia: Day of the
Dryads, maiden spirits of the woods and water.
1859 Unitarian Horace Mann, advocate for universal nonsectarian education, died. [B. 5/4/1796] |
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August 3-10 |
Greek: Panathenaea -- Festival of Goddess Athena - as daughter of Wisdom (Goddess Metis) and font of practical reason and strategic thought. Athena is also patroness of weavers. Owls and serpents are sacred to her. | ||
August 4-7 |
Zuni/Pueblo Tribes'
Corn Dance - in thanksgiving to Mother Earth,the Corn Maidens and the Kokos (Nature Spirits), for the maize harvest. When the harvest is complete, the Zuni bid farewell to the Corn Maidens and the Kokos. |
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August 5 |
Roman: Salus, Goddess
of safety, health, and welfare, but originally a harvest Goddess. She is
depicted bearing sheaves of grain or holding a scepter in one hand while
feeding a sacred snake from a ritual plate with the other hand.
Brittany: Benediction of the Sea in honor of the Goddess Ys. |
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August 6 |
Cherokee: Green Corn Dance honoring the sisters Elihino (Earth Goddess) and Igaehindvo (Sun Goddess), | ||
August 7 |
Egypt: Breaking of the Nile, dedicated to Hathor or Neith. Gaia Consciousness Day--Day to meditate on Mother Earth as a living planet. |
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August 9 |
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August 10 |
Greek: Metageitnion
Noumenia -- festival honoring all the Gods and Goddesses.
Persia: The Parikas (Apsaras), shooting star angels. (See note on meteor shower under "Visible Planets" section below. |
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August 11 |
Yoruban African Diaspora
religions: Oddudua, mother of Gods and Goddesses. |
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August 12 |
Egyptian: Lychnapsia or Festival of Lights reenacts the myth of Isis seeking her spouse
in the darkness by torch light. Celebrated with lamplight or torchlight
processions at night. Perseid Meteor Showers, a very swift, rich display, 50-100/hr |
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August 13 |
Roman: Diana. Women of all
classes washed their hair and wore wreaths of flowers. At night, women
whose prayers had been answered marched in procession with torches to
the sacred grove, where they ringed the lake with their lamps, conducted
rituals, and left votive offerings and petitions on tablets. Slaves were
given the day off and could attend.
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. |
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August 14 |
Greek: Panathenaia |
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August 15 |
Syrian: Atargatis (called
by Romans Dea Syria).
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. |
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August 16 |
Chinese: Chung-Ch'iu harvest festival in honor of the Moon Goddess. |
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August 17 |
Norse: First of nine days during which Odhinn hung on Yggdrasil as a sacrifice to Himself for Wisdom. |
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August 18 |
Tantric Buddhism: Dakas'
Day-- A day to make offerings to Father Tantra, to unite will and power
to manifest positive social change and environmental healing.
Yoruban African Diaspora: Chango. |
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August 19 |
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. |
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August 20 |
Hopi: in alternate years Snake/Antelope
ceremony honoring the divine marriage on the Snake Maiden and Antelope
Youth to ripen the crops.
Flute Ceremony in honor of Spider Woman. |
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August 21 |
Greek: Athena Polias and
Zeus Polios , protectors of city and state.
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. |
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August 22 |
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August 23 |
Greek: Nemesia, a
festival in memory of deceased persons, as the goddess Nemesis was
Goddess of Fate, believed to defend the relics and memory of the dead
from all insult.
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. |
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August 24 |
Egyptian: Feast of
vegetation God Osiris - husband of Isis, and father of Horus; guide of
all husbands, fathers, and judges. Osiris is also identified with the
annual Nile flood, which occurs when the star Sothis rises in Sirius.
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. |
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August 25 |
Roman: Opiconsiva, the
feast of the Goddess Ops, in her aspect as Goddess of Sowing and
Reaping. She is Lady of the Cornucopia, Bounty of the Harvest, and
Sustainer of Life, sometimes identified with Terra (Earth). She is
depicted enthroned, holding a scepter, globe and sheaves of grain. Her
worshippers invoked her while seated and touching the ground.
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. |
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August 25 |
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August 26 |
Finnish: Ilmater: Water
Mother, creator of the world.
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. |
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August 27 |
Egyptian: Birth of the
Goddess Isis - wife of Osiris, and mother of Horus; guide of all wives,
mothers, healers, advocates, and teachers. Patroness of women who have
lost their husbands. She is identified with the Star Sothis in Sirius
which rises to signal the Nile flood.
Hindu: Festival of the God Krishna and the Mother Goddess Devaki. |
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August 28 |
Eqyptian: Birth of
Nephthys, "to whom they gave the name of Finality (Teleute)." (Plutarch)
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. |
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August 29 |
Norse: Urda (That Which
Was), Oldest of the three Norns (Fates). A time to reflect on the past
for the wisdom you might glean from it.
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] |
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Aug 29-Sept 11 |
Egyptian: Festival marking the return to Egypt of Goddess Isis (as the star of Sept/Sirius) and God Osiris (as the rising Nile River). | ||
August 30 |
Greek: Charisteria. Thanksgiving in honor of Charis, Goddess of mercy. | ||
August 31 |
Hindu: Anant Chaturdasi: a women's purification festival in honor of Shakti (Kundalini), women's serpent life force. |
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Greek dates above are estimated, and based on the Macedonian calendar. Each city state created its own. Some holidays varied according to the date of the harvest, etc. Many ancient holidays were based on lunar phases, which make perpetual calendars problematic.
http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/2005.htm
calculation methods: http://www.kelsung.com/calendar.htm
http://www.calendarzone.com
The Wheel of the Year Calendar:
WHEEL OF THE YEAR dates for these
holidays are based on the Macedonian (Lunar) calendar
http://www.WheeloftheYear.com
Today in the Roman
calendar
http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/aegsa/rome/jun26.htm
http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/aegsa/rome/romec.html
Nova Roma
http://www.novaroma.org/calendar/index.html
http://www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/BA/SF/MidWinter.html
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Calendars
http://www.12x30.net/all.html
Athenian calendar
reconstruction:
http://www.hellenio
http://www.numachi.com/~ccount/hmepa/calendars/695.3.Gamelion.html
http://www.winterscapes.com/dionysus/calendar.htm
http://www.numachi.com/~ccount/hmepa/calendars/695.html
http://www.winterscapes.com/dionysus/calendar.htm
Seasonal Festivals of
the Greeks and Romans by Apollonius Sophistes
http://www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/BA/SF/SF.html
Frances
Bernstein, Ph.D., Classical Living: Myths, Gods, Goddesses,
Celebrations, and Rites
for Every Month of the Year. (San
Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2000).
Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, Juno Covella (Eire: Cesara Publications, 1982).
http://www.fellowshipofisis.com/
Llewellyn's Astrological Calendar
Ovid, Fasti.
Minnesota Weatherguide, published by the Freshwater Society.
Nigel Pennick, The Pagan Book of Days (Rochester, VT.:
Destiny Books, 1992).
Diane Stein, The Goddess Book of Days (St. Paul: Llewellyn,
1988).
A Base for Calendar Exploration
http://www.greenheart.com/billh/linked.html
"Holidays by religion" including Pagan
holidays.
http://www.earthcalendar.net/
http://www.12x30.net/hourly.html
Today in the Roman
calendar
http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/aegsa/rome/jun26.htm
http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/aegsa/rome/romec.html
Nova Roma
http://www.novaroma.org/calendar/index.html
http://www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/BA/SF/MidWinter.html
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Calendars
http://www.12x30.net/all.html
Athenian calendar
reconstruction:
http://www.numachi.com/~ccount/hmepa/calendars/695.3.Gamelion.html
http://www.winterscapes.com/dionysus/calendar.htm
http://www.numachi.com/~ccount/hmepa/calendars/695.html
http://www.winterscapes.com/dionysus/calendar.htm
Seasonal Festivals of
the Greeks and Romans by Apollonius Sophistes
http://www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/BA/SF/SF.html
Frances
Bernstein, Ph.D., Classical Living: Myths, Gods, Goddesses,
Celebrations, and Rites for Every Month of the Year. (San
Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2000).
Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, Juno Covella (Eire: Cesara Publications, 1982).
http://www.fellowshipofisis.com/
A Base for Calendar Exploration
http://www.greenheart.com/billh/linked.html
"Holidays by religion" including Pagan
holidays.
http://www.earthcalendar.net/