| Calendar of Festivals and Notable Days |
|
Calendar (western only) Candelakana - 2nd Feb (Candlemas) This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In pre-Christian times, this day was known as the 'Feast of Lights' and celebrated the increased strength of the life-giving sun as winter gave way to spring. Mortuorum - (or 'Festus Mortuorum') (or Fravardigan) - Probably a day or period leading up to Novalux - But November 1st previously suggested date - "Feast of the Dead" - "All Souls Day" - celebrate the spirits of the departed - invite them to feast with you Novalux - 21st March (also Nowruz) - Novalux='New Light' - spring equinox - beginning of spring - celebration of new life Zartinatus - 26 March (Natus Zarti) - birthday of Zarathustra - celebrate wisdom and enlightenment (western only) Saint Jesus - Good Friday (western only) Saint George - 23rd April Maiakana - may 1st (Maidyozarem (mid-spring)) - fertility, prosperity, burgeoning new life - celebration of youth/young adulthood - Spring 'King & Queen' - Robinus : a lusty and lawless male figure - Maia (or Maiana) : a goddess of growth Tirikana - 21st June (Tishtrya Kana, Tirgan) - water festival - celebration of defeat of drought by life-giving rain - ?celebrate physical strength and prowess - ?celebrate Anahita as goddess of the waters? Paitishahem - 22nd September - Harvest Festival - Thanksgiving - End of summer - Autumn Equinox Mitrakana - 2nd October (Mithrakana, Mehregan, Michaelmas) - Festival of Mithra - Celebrate Mithra and the Good Powers - Consider how can support Mithra - Make 'Mitrakana resolution' (secular celebration) Cyrus Day - 29th October Atarkana - November 5th - Fire Festival - celebration of the life energy - celebration of freedom - story of the blacksmith Kavey, the good prince Freydon and the white wizard Albomagus in overcoming the evil tyrant Azidak (western only) St.Nicholas - 6th December - rewards the good and chastises the bad - children especially Yalda - 25th December - or twelve days: 21st dec to 1st jan after nightfall on 21st dec - death of Mithra followed by three days of fasting until after nightfall on 24th dec - 'Mithraic Breakfast' (makes sense in English language at least) expectation of rebirth celebration 25th december (after sunrise) - birth of Mithra - called ZAYESH MEHR or ZAYSHMIR by Iranians This page last updated October 4018 |