The Southern Seasons Celtic Fire Feasts

"Who spreads light in the gathering on the hills?" - Song of Amergin

Teine Samhradh Deas

The Fire Feast for Summer is held on the Eve of November

This is the South's 'lucky' fire, the feast at the head of the Southern seasons, and is often called 'Southern Beltaine' because it is the seasonal equivalent to Cétemain, the first movement of Summer, the Fire Feast of May in the Celtic homelands.

"And the name that was given him was Gwri Golden-hair"

The four fire feasts developed as a Celtic expression of the seasons superimposed onto the Roman calendar introduced into the Celtic world. The Southern Seasons Celtic Calendar introduces the Celtic months as they are met in the Southern Hemisphere.

Teine Grian Deas

The Fire Feast for High Summer is held on the Eve of February

This is the South's 'harvest heralding' fire, the feast for the second of the Southern seasons, and is often called 'Southern Lughnasa' because it is the seasonal equivalent to Lughnasadh, the games before the harvest, the Fire Feast of August in the Celtic homelands.

"He is the Ioldhanach!"

Australian Celtic folk, music and cultural festivals are held throughout the year, links to festival websites are found in CA's Australian Celtic Festival Sites links page.

Teine Geimhreadh Deas

The Fire Feast for Winter is held on the Eve of May

This is the South's 'soft' fire, the feast at the head of the Southern winter, and is often called 'Southern Samhain' because it is the seasonal equivalent to Shamhna, the time of prophesy, the Fire Feast of November in the Celtic homelands.

"And he made his way to Eas Ruaidh"

For other Celtic websites in Australia, visit CA's Australian Celtic Sites.

Teine Earrach Deas

The Fire Feast for Spring is held on the Eve of August

This is the South's 'inspirational' fire, the feast for the fourth of the Southern seasons, and is often called 'Southern Oimelc' because it is the seasonal equivalent to Imbolg and the Féil Brighde, the purification at Spring, the Fire Feast of February in the Celtic homelands.

"Four white trefoils sprang up wherever she went"

At the completion of Spring it is November again, and a new seasonal cycle begins.
Then is the time of the 'birth of the year' in the South, as expressed in the ancient myth of Mabon ap Modron the divine son of Rigantonia, the Great Queen, the Divine Mother.