Spring Holidays
| Spring Holidays | |
| Folloch 15 | Spring Equinox
Marageddon (the Healing) (Abaris) |
| Folloch 21 | The Beckoning (Selene) |
| Folloch 28 | Saint Justinian's Day (the Walk) (Pavor) |
| Giblean 6 | Saint Pomerius' Fair (Minos) |
| Giblean 7 | Disjunction (Cthos) |
| Giblean 21 | Start of the Zetian Games (Phemos) |
| Giblean 28 | End of the Zetian Games |
| Beltain 7 | Day of the Patron (Thalia) |
| Beltain 22 | King William I's Birthday (K) |
| Betasha 1 | The Revelation (K, Vortumnus) |
| Betasha 7 | The Anunciation (K, Vortumnus) |
| Betasha 15 | Start of Fair Week (Minos) |
| Betasha 18 | Prelude to the Waters begins (Betshaba) |
Folloch
Folloch 15
Marageddon (the Healing)
The spring equinox is referred to by worshipers of Abaris as the Marageddon, the Healing, and is observed with a service at the Mysteriorum at dawn, followed by a day of contests of magical aptitude and scholarly intellect. During the Marageddon Symposium, potential Apprentices are tested and selected by their Masters. Those who cannot attend service are expected to pray to Abaris at dawn in thanks for their knowledge and for the strength to continue to expand their knowledge. Adherents typically wear a Hyacinth cluster on this day.
The Planting
The Planting is a festival on the Spring Equinox observed by farmers and is holy to worshipers of Podalirius. The day is marked with traditional cleaning of the residence in the morning, followed by dancing, drinking and general revelry in the afternoon. Many regions incorporate celebrations to other deities, particularly for Drames, Selene and Taygete, something encouraged by the clergy of Podalirius. Folloch 21
The Beckoning
The Beckoning is the high holy day to Selene, though it is observed in most human cultures. The day is filled with revelry, drinking and adult worshipers are expected to engage in the sexual act at least once in the day (whether wed or not). In many regions, young women are expected to wear sheer clothing and heavy makeup to beautify themselves, while young men are expected to be anointed by oil and run naked through their city or village. If such a runner is caught by a woman, they are expected to copulate. At a feast at the end of the day, a Rose Queen is selected as the most beautiful woman at the festival and a Green Man is chosen from among the ugliest of men (meant to symbolize Selene and her husband, Podalirius). These two are given the seat of honor at the feast table and, if they copulate that night, it is believed Selene will particularly honor the group in attendance for the following year. In more conservative areas, a kiss can suffice for the sex act. Folloch 28
Saint Justinian's Day (the Walk)
Saint Justinian's Day is observed by messengers, laypeople and worshipers of Pavor as a day to honor Saint Justinian the Wanderer. Celebrants participate in "The Walk," a parade that begins at dawn, stopping every three hours to tell a tale or, in more urban areas, watch a play about Pavor or one of his saints. The Walk ends in a feast at dusk, where there is singing, dancing and more tales are told. In many areas, it is considered particularly favorable to cross a river (in honor of Pavor's mother, Adrasteia) on a log (in honor of Pavor's father, Virtus) during the Walk.
