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.
Giblean
Giblean 6
Saint Pomerius' Fair
Saint Pomerius' Fair is a week-long market fair holy to Minos as a week to honor Saint Pomerius the Young. As with most of the Minoan Fairs, the Fair takes place in a designated Market Town where merchants from nearby countries gather to sell and trade. Traditionally, Saint Pomerius' Fair is also when new craftsman or merchant Apprentices are judged and, if they pass the tests placed on them by the Masters of their crafts, are chosen for Apprenticeship. It is also a time when many new contracts are initiated between merchants and craftsmen. Saint Pomerius' Fair ends on Beltain 7, with a morning service at the local temple to Minos where new Apprentices are presented to the congregation, followed by the Spring Summit among local guildmasters. Giblean 7
Disjunction
Disjunction is one of the two high holy days of Cthos and occurs on the 7th day of Giblean. It is during this day that Cthos relinquishes his hold on the spirits of the damned and permits them to walk the mortal world. Most spirits who elect to visit the mortal world do so to remind the sinful of the horrid afterlife that awaits them or relate some important piece of information they took to their grave, but some come to do harm. Mortals celebrate this holy day by attending Church and repenting of their sins during the day and decorating their houses with Yew branches at night, to ward off the angry dead. Giblean 21
The Zetian Games
The Zetian Games Giblean 28
Laurel Day
Laurel Day is the high holy day of Phemos, god of sport. On years where the Phemoan Games are held, it is on this day that winners are announced and rewarded for their victories. Even in years where the Games are not held (or in regions where it is not observed), Laurel Day is a day to recognize great heroes and athletes (though it would be sacrilege to recognize a gladiator on this day). Feasts and triumphal marches are held for those chosen to receive the Laurel Crown and songs about their deeds are sung. A foot race for young men or children is usually held on the day, if the day is not celebrating the conclusion of the Phemoan Games.
