Seasonal Celebrations
Whilst in modern times Pagans and Druids alike celebrate the festivals known as the Wheel of the Year, ancient Welsh Folk and Druids did follow this wheel per se, they did celebrate times of the year that closely align to the seasonal changes. Come and Join me in Cardiff to celebrate those seasons...
Join me in celebrating Seasonal changes @ St Lythan Burial Chamber, near Cardiff - South Wales, UK
Follow the events page on FB and Website, dates are:
Calan Mai - Sat 3 May, 12pm (midday) Alban Hefin - Sat 21 Jun, 6pm
Gŵyl Awst - Sun 3 Aug, 12pm (midday) Nos Galan Gaeaf - Fri 31 Oct, 4pm
Alban Arthan - Sun 21st Dec, 12pm (midday)
Astronomic Festivals
These astronomical or solar festivals are known as the four quarters, commonly known as Equinoxes and Solstices of which the Welsh Druids name the Solstice - heuldro and the Equinox - cyhydnos. In modern-day they are known as The Albans.
Cyhydnos is when the day and night are of equal length, whilst the Heuldro is either the shortest or longest day as the sun changes it’s rising position.
Fire Festivals
A further four festivals are known as fire festivals (cross-quarters) or the agriculture cycle and align with seasonal changes.
The agricultural cycle for the Welsh Druids are named Nos Galan Gaeaf or Samhain (meaning Night of the New Year of Winter i.e. New Year Eve ), Gŵyl Forwyn or Imbolc (literal translation is virgin/maid festival), Calan Haf/Mai or Beltane (Haf taken from Hafod meaning summer dwelling and Mai is May) and Gŵyl Awst (Festival of August) or Lughnasadh.
Modern Welsh Druids celebrate Welsh Traditional Festivals in addition to the Seasonal Celebrations/Wheel of the Year.
Learn about them on the Online Welsh Druidry & Origins of Welsh Spirituality Course
