CROSS QUARTERS - The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas.

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CROSS QUARTER DAYS: The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas.

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Dasara:

Dasara (Dhashara). Festival that celebrates the victory of forces of good over forces that resist man's progress toward light.

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Kaila:

Kaila: or plantain tree is considered sacred to a form of Kali. It is often used as decoration during festivals and marriages.

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Nithya Kalyanam. Paccha Thoranam:

Nithya Kalyanam. Paccha Thoranam: Perpetual Festivity, perpetually Green. (SSS-II)

(See also: Nithya Kalyanam. Paccha Thoranam, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Swayamvara:

Swayamvara: Festival for choice of Bridegroom. (BV-17) A ceremony in which a woman selects her own husband from a number of suitors.

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Depavali:

Depavali: The Festival of Lights, commemorating the victory of the uplifting faculties of man over his down dragging tendencies (SSS-II).

(See also: Depavali, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

dussehra:

hindu festival that celebrates the defeat of the demon king Ravan at the hands of lord ram (found in the epic ramayana ). It is also the worship of goddess durga.

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mehndi:

long-lasting pattern made with henna dye on the hands of a woman at her wedding and sometimes at festive occasions

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purnima:

full moon. guru purnima: The day reserved for homage to guru. a festival, related to the element of spirit. Occurs in late july or early august.

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rakhi:

a band symbolizing protection which is tied round the wrists of males by girls at the festival of raksha bandhan

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Liberalia (Latin) Festivals in honor of the Roman deities Liber and Libera -- connected with the Greek Bacchus and Persephone -- celebrated on March 17th of their calendar.

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Eisteddfod (Welsh) (from eistedd to sit)

A session; a festival of competitions in music and poetry, presided over and organized by the Gorsedd of the Bards.

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Delios (Greek) Delian; in Greek mythology, a title of Apollo, who was born on the island of Delos. Also ta Delia, the festival of Apollo at Delos.

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NOS GWYL AWST: the Welsh Festival of Lugh; beginning Sundown, July 31; this is the Feast of Lugh, the festival of the Great Sun God Llew. This is the God of the Grain Harvest, the God of Death and Rebirth suitable for the end of Summer.

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BELTANE - May Eve festival. One of the Ancient Celtic Fire Festivals. Bel, meaning the god Baal, and tane meaning fire, literally translates to Baal's Fire. On this night, the cattle were driven between two bonfires to protect them from disease. Couples wishing for fertility would jump the fires on Beltane night. This Festival also marks the transition point of the triple Goddess energies from those of Maiden to Mother.

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BELTANE: May Eve festival. One of the Ancient Celtic "Fire Festivals." on this night, the cattle were driven between two bonfires to protect them from disease. Couples wishing for fertility would " jump the fires" on Beltane night. Also the traditional Sabbath where the rule of the "Wheel of the Year" is returned to the Goddess. This Festival also marks the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Maiden to Mother.

(See also: BELTANE, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

CANDLEMAS - Festival held on Feb. 1. One of the four Celtic Fire Festivals. Commemorates the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden. Celebrates the first signs of Spring. Also called Imbolg or Imbloc "the old Celtic name". This is the seasonal change where the first signs of sring and the return of the sun are noted, i.e. the first sprouting of leaves, the sprouting of the Crocus flowers etc. In other words, it is the festival commemorating the successful passing of winter and the beginning of the agricultural year.This Festival also marks the transition point of the triple Goddess energies from those of Crone to Maiden.

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CANDLEMAS: Also called "Imbolc" (the old Celtic name) Festival held on Feb.02. One of the 4 Celtic "Fire Festivals. Commemorates the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden. Celebrates the first signs of Spring. This is the seasonal change where the first signs of spring and the return of the sun are noted, i.e. the first sprouting of leaves, the sprouting of the Crocus flowers etc. In other words, it is the festival commemorating the successful passing of winter and the beginning of the agricultural year. This Festival also marks the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Crone to Maiden.

(See also: CANDLEMAS, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

Pancha Ganapati Utsava: (Sanskrit) "Five-fold Ganapati festival." A modern five-day festival observed from the 21st through 25th of December. Pancha (five) denotes Ganesha's five faces, each representing a specific power (shakti). One face is worshiped each day, creating

1)   harmony in the home,

2)   concord among relatives, neighbors and friends,

3)   good business and public relations,

4)   cultural upliftment and

5)    heartfelt charity and religiousness.

The festival, a favorite among children, was conceived in 1985 by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami along with elders of various Hindu sects. It is a time of sharing gifts, renewing ties of family and friendship while focusing inwardly on this great God of abundance.

See: Ganesha.

(See also: Pancha Ganapati Utsava, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Dioscuri (Ancient Greek). The name of Castor and Pollux, the sons of Jupiter and Leda. Their festival, the Dioscuria, was celebrated with much rejoicing by the Lacedemonians.

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BRIGID: also see Candlemas, a Sabbat Festival customarily held on February 2 eve. Also see GWYL FAIR:

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