The ancient Celts organized their lives according to the rhythms of nature. Time was measured on a circular solar calendar which followed the path of the sun as it moved through the year. The Celtic calendar represents a festival cycle of four quarter points: Samhain (winter), Beltaine (summer), Imbolc (spring), and Lughnasadh (autumn/fall). Within this cycle of festivals, there are four cross-quarter points - the dates of solar significance: two solstices (lit. sun standing still) and two equinoxes (when night and day are equal length).

The Celtic calendar is thought to have been passed down to the Celts by their Neolithic ancestors who held these events to be extremely important and who positioned their monuments and tombs to align with movements of the sun on these days.

The four primary seasonal celebrations – Samhain, Beltaine, Imbolc and Lughnasadh – were festivals of fire lasting from three to seven days. They involved ritual dance, feasting, songs, games, competitions, trading between tribes, settling debts and disputes, and offerings to the deities. Solstices and equinoxes were regarded as magical times with rituals performed by druids. In addition to their ritual significance, these dates were vital agricultural markers used to determine the times for ploughing, sowing, harvesting, birthing of livestock and other tasks necessary for survival.

Samhain (winter) - October 31
The Celtic new year began with the festival of Samhain, meaning ‘summer's end’. Samhain marked the beginning of winter, the dark half of the year. It was believed at this time that the veil between the worlds became thin and spirits could walk the earth; it was a time for magic. This celebration was the most important and is probably the oldest festival of the ancient Celts. It is closely related to our modern-day Halloween.

Winter solstice - December 20-23
The shortest days of the year, marking the rebirth of the sun.

 Alphonse Mucha, 'winter' and 'spring', 1896

Imbolc (spring) - February 2
Imbolc means 'the lactation of the ewes'. The birth of lambs meant that there was once again fresh milk available. The day symbolized new life and celebrated the promise of returning light. Imbolc was also celebration of Brighid, goddess of poetry, metalwork and healing. She is also associated with fertility.

Spring Equinox - March 20-23
Spring equinox celebrated the reawakening of life from the cold sleep of winter. This was a time for new beginnings and sowing seeds for the future.

Beltaine (summer) - May 1
Beltaine  means ‘brilliant fire’ and marked the beginning of summer and the season of growth. On this day, great fires would be lit; farmers moved their herds to rich pastures; new couples would proclaim their love for each other and go walking in the woods. Trial marriages which commonly began at Samhain, and which hadn’t worked out, would end at Beltaine.

 

Alphonse Mucha, 'summer' and 'autumn', 1896

Summer solstice - June 20-23
The longest days of the year, when the sun was at its highest peak, was a time for blessings and offerings to ensure a good harvest and healthy crops. It was also considered the ideal time to gather curative or protective herbs to be used throughout the year.

Lughnasadh (autumn/fall) - August 1
The festival of Lughnasadh was a time of thanksgiving to the gods for the completion of the harvest, which would ensure the tribes survival during the dark winter months ahead. It was celebration of the peak of the agricultural season. The festival was celebrated with competitions of skill including horse-racing.

Autumn Equinox - September 20-23
The autumn equinox marked the last harvesting of the grain before winter claimed the Earth.