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| The Cailleach (Wikipedia) |
Note: Many of our "fun" or "silly" traditions actually have their roots in something ancient and serious. So it is with Groundhog Day, celebrated in the U.S. on February 2.
Get Ready: Do you know what happens on Groundhog Day? Did you see the movie by that name?
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| Halloween decorations (Wikipedia) |
Note: Halloween has its roots in one of the dates on the Great Wheel of the Year, between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice--the beginning of the Season of the Dead.
Get Ready: Do you celebrate Halloween? If so, what do you do?
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| The Transfiguration of Jesus (Wikipedia) |
Note: There's not much happening in August--maybe due to the heat! Still, a major pagan holiday and a major Christian one will do.
Get Ready: Are you badly affected by hot weather, or can you tolerate it easily?
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| A Midsummer bonfire in 1893 (Wikipedia) |
Note: A pale counterpart to the better-known December solstice, the magic of this date was admirably captured by no less than William Shakespeare.
Get Ready: Most of us have holidays around the December solstice; do you recognize the June solstice in any particular way?
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| Maypole dancing in the U.K. (Wikipedia) |
Note: There seems to be some connection between May Day--the ancient beginning of the northern hemisphere's summer--and honoring the labor of workers.
Get Ready: When do you celebrate Labor Day? What do you do to recognize the importance of workers?
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| Capistrano Mission will ring these Bells when the first swallows appear. (Wikipedia) |
Note: Johnny Appleseed, π, Saint Joseph, and the announcement of Jesus's birth--March has a lot going on!
Get Ready: When do you celebrate Father's Day? Why that day, and not some other?
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| Earth at the equinoxes (Wikipedia) |
Note: The March equinox, called by some the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere, is the cue for several other observances as well.
Get Ready: Do you participate in Earth Hour or any other events around the March equinox?
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| The Groundhog Day ceremony in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania (Wikipedia) |
Note: A surprising number of universal celebrations cluster around February 1st, seen in ancient days as the start of spring.
Get Ready: Do you observe any celebrations around the start of February? When do you celebrate the start of spring?
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| Earth at the equinoxes (Wikipedia) |
Note: Each of the four great turning points--solstices and equinoxes--is widely celebrated across cultures. Let's look at some springtime celebrations.
Get Ready: Does your culture or region have a special celebration for Spring Equinox? If so, what do you do?
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