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June 1
Festival of the Oak Nymph: In the Celtic cultures, the festival of the
Oak Nymph was celebrated annually on this date to honor all hamadryads
(female nature sprits who inhabit the Oak Tree). Pagans may choose to
decorate their altar with acorn and wear Oak leaves in their hair. Kiss
an oak tree or place a small offering of some kind before it, and the
tree nymphs who dwell within it will bestow a blessing upon you.
June 4
Whitsunday: The old observance of Whitsunday took place on this day. Whitsunday
is a Pagan festival to celebrate fertility, marking the time when winter
dies and spring is born.
June 5
Domna's Day: This day honors Domna, which the Catholics used as the archetype
for their Saint Gobnatt. Domna is the guardian of sacred stones and cairns,
especially megaliths like Stonehenge and Newgrange.
June 8
Lindisfarne Day: In the year 793, three Norwegian dragon ships raided
the monetary at Lindisfarne, an island off the coast of England near the
border of Scotland. This officially started the Viking Age. Toast your
forefathers with your favorite beverage and leaf through a good book about
out sea-wolf ancestors.
June 9
Sigurdsblot,
Day of Remembrance for Sigurd the Volsung: In the Nordic path, Sigurd
is one of the most important figures in the mythos. He is the hero in
the Sagas who slayed the Dragon Fafnir to win back the treasure of the
Rhine. His courage and nobility won him fame shining through the centuries.
Recall his glory by listening to Wagner's Ring operas, or by doing something
generous, in imitation of Sigurd's goodness of heart. He is commonly known
as a Dragon Slayer. It is the central myth from which the Christians concocted
the figure of St. George. It teaches us we must be prepared to stand against
that which is harmful, and conquer also our own faults.
Ending of Huath: Celtic tree month of Huath ends.
Ragnar Lodbrok ( Commemoration of the Vikings)
This festival celebrates actions and the indomitable spirit which inspires
actions and keeps us going despite obstacles, physical tiredness and danger.
This spirit is epitomized in the example of the Viking people. It is named
after Ragnar Lodbrok, one of the greatest of the Viking leaders, a man
whose audacity combined with contempt for danger and death has made his
name immortal. The Festival is a commemoration of the Viking age and a
call for us today to emulate Viking courage and enterprise.
June 10
Celtic Tree month of Duir: Today marks the beginning of the Celtic tree
month of Duir honoring the Oak tree, which the Druids revere above all
other. Duir runs from June 10 to July 7. Use this month to seek out an
Oak tree near you.
June 13
Ending of Dagaz: Runic half month of Dagaz ends.
June14
Othala begins: Runic half month of Othala begins, honoring the concept
of home and possessions. Othala runs from June 14 to June 28. These half-month
is the last of the Runic year and as you close it out, think about your
folk and your role within it.
Festival of Vidar: Vidar is one of the son of Odin- known as the God of
Silence and Revenge. He is one of the Aesir and legends say that he finally
destroys the chaos, wolf Fenrir at Ragnarok to avenge his father's death.
June 20
Festival of Cerridwen: The Celtic Goddess Ceridwen is honored on this
day by Celtic Pagans. Cerridwen of Wales was well known for her cauldron
of knowledge called AMEN, as well as playing a part of the maiden, mother
and crone triple Goddess concept. Her sacred herb Vervain is burned is
small cauldrons as an offering to the Goddess. Green ribbons are tied
to the trees, and green candles are lit on altars dedicated to her.
Summer Solstice/ Midsummer's Eve: This is the eve of the Summer Solstice.
In Irish traditions, it marks the celebration for the goddess Aine, of
Cnoc (County Kerry). Torchlight processions are held in her honor and
torches are often waved over Midsummer's fields in her name to ensure
a good crop.
June 21
Summer/ Solstice Midsummer: Summer Solstice is the longest day of the
year and Midsummer is considered the high point of the Summer season.
Midsummer celebrates the very height of the powers of the Sun and of Life.
But it also acknowledges that after this date the Sun will begin to weaken
and the days to grow shorter. Summer Solstice is practiced by nearly all
Celtic and Nordic Traditions, but each honor different deities. The concept
is the same over all for each tradition,,, honoring the longest day of
the year. A Solar Celebration, Midsummer is sacred to the Sun God, as
Lord of Life. This God has many names, including Balder and Lugh.
Baldur's Day: In Asatru, the God Balder is honored. Balder fell to rise
again, to stand by his wife Nanna. This shows us that we can fall in the
darkness and rise again into the light,,, the repeating cycle of life.
Baldur is said to have been sacrificed at this time, but is reborn at
Yule. The hero Sigurd was also said to have been slain by treachery at
Midsummer by his blood brother Hagan and Gunthur (Gundahar).
Decorate your house with sun wheels and honor the sun. Burn a sun wheel
as an remembrance and as inspiration.
Litha / Alban Hefin: In Celtic traditions, and its many paths, the summer
solstice is known by many names, such as Midsummer, Litha (pronounced
Lee-thuth) and Alban
Hefin (Druidic). Celtic traditions often ascribe major solar celebrations
with the Holy
King and the Oak King. This day marks the end of the reign of the Oak
King and the commencement of the reign of the Holly King, who rules the
world for the new six months. The celebrations of Midsummer stress the
powers of light and life, and rejoice in the good things the Universe
has to offer. Within the Druidic Alban Hefin, the day is passed by honoring
the Oak Tree, a tree of major importance to this tradition.
Sleipnir (Festival of Life)
This festival is called by the name of Odin's eight legged horse. We call
it the festival of life because it reminds us of our link to all creation
and that we are part of nature- not separate. We remember how we must
return to this earlier wisdom. Our ancestors recognized this link and
interdependence. Today we see how ignorance of this destroys our very
Mother Earth and ultimately ourselves.
June 23
Festival of Cu Chulainn: Pagans (especially in Ireland and Great Britain)
celebrate and annual festival on this date called the day Cu Chulainn
(pronounced CH- HUU-LAINEE). It is dedicated to the legendary Irish hero
of the same name and to the fertility God known as the Green Man. Cu Chulainn
as also thought to be the figure King Arthur was fashioned after, to bring
the pagan mythos into a "Christian" light and thus provide favorability
in the interim.
June 24
Old Midsummer: Today was Midsummer in many old calendars. Tradition has
it that one should light bonfires on hilltops today, to celebrate the
apex of the year. The magical properties of plants are at their most potent
this day, and in some traditions, today is the day to gather plants for
healing potion and remedies for use throughout the year.
June 26
Shadow of Scartaris: On this day in Icelandic tradition, the tip of the
shadow of Mount Scartaris rests upon the secret entrance the center. Monsters
are said to dwell
there.
June 28
Runic year ends: Runic year comes to a close on this day. Think of your
past , and remember things you have done to help your folk, and plan things
to do in the coming year to continue on your path of Folk consciousness.
June 29
Runic New Year / Runic Half month of Fehu: Today is the first day in the
Runic Year starting with the Runic half month of Fehu. Fehu is the rune
for wealth, both earthly and spiritually. Begin your year with thoughts
on how to maintain both but with the focus on folkish reasons and not
personal.
Petosiris: In East Anglia (old name for England), today is considered
the proper day for gathering herbs for healing use.
Bamming the Thorn: An observance called "Bamming the Thorn"
take place today in the English village of Appleton. The branches of a
particularly ancient Hawthorn tree are adorned with flowers and garlands.
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