WHAT DID THE CELTS CELEBRATE, AND HOW?
The Celts had thirteen months in their year - twelve months that roughly matched our modern calendar and one that lasted three days, leading up to Samhaine.

Their year was divided into one half of light, the other of dark. Samhaine marked the beginning of the dark half. Beltaine marked the beginning of the light. These two were fire festivals and between them came the other fire festivals, Imbolc and Lughnasadh, dividing the year into four quarters.

All four festivals were each celebrated over three days. The time between festivals was divided again by the solstices and equinoxes making an eightfold year. The fire festivals were solar (male) and the other four were lunar (female), creating an equal number of each for the year.

They also measured time by nights, rather than days.

• Samhaine
• Alban Arthuan
• Imbolc
• Alban Eiler
• Beltaine
• Alban Heruin
• Lughnasadh
• Alban Elued