The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911)
Chapter 18: Festivals
by
J. A. MacCulloch
The Celtic year was not at first regulated by the solstices and equinoxes, but by some method connected with agriculture or with the seasons.
Names Used in this Section
oidhche Samhain
Geimredh
Earrach
Oimelc
Samradh
Beltane
Cét-soman or Cét-samain
Samono-s
Cyntefyn
Foghamar
Lugnasadh
Brontroghain
Tille
Keating
samhanach
Mongfind
Mag-tured
Tuatha Dé Danann
Fomorians
Belenos
M. D'Arbois
belo-te[p]niâ
Belisama
te[p]nos
Beltane carline
cailleach
Professor Pearson
Mannhardt and Dr. Frazer
Cæsar, Strabo, and Diodorus
Irish as Lugnasad, in Gaelic as Lunasdal or Lunasduinn, and in Manx as Laa Luanys
Lugudunum
Goel-aoust, Gul-austus, and Gwyl Awst
Lugh mac Ethlenn
Rennes Dindsenchas
Demeter and Kore
Namnite women
Dionysius Periegetes
S. Gregory of Tours
Berecynthia
Augustodunum
Professor Anwyl to be the goddess Brigindu
Teutonic cult of Nerthus, the Phrygian of Cybele, the Hindu of Bhavani, and the Roman ritual of the Bona Dea.
Religion of the Ancient Celts can be found on Sacred Texts.
You can find out more about J. A. McCulloch on Wikipedia.
Try the Celtic Myth Podshow for a dramatic re-telling of the Tales and Stories of the Ancient Celts at http://celticmythpodshow.com or in Apple Podcasts.
Our theme music is "Gander at the Pratie Hole" by Sláinte. You can find their music on the Free Music Archive.
