Post by Laurasia on Jun 12, 2005 17:06:56 GMT -5
Here is an example of a Hellenic Calander...
"The year begins with January, a time to honor those commitments we bring forward into the New Year and to renew our vows with our lovers.
The month is dedicated to Hera who is honored with libations and processions.
February follows and is a time of purification as well as celebration of those same relationships. It is dedicated to Aphrodite who in Ancient times was associated with springs and the sea as well as love and relationships.
In March the year waxes and emphasis is placed upon creativity, ideas and inspiration. It is the time of kindling the New Fire amidst a festival of candles. It is dedicated to Hephaistos and the New Fire ceremonies are reminiscent of his worship on the Isle of Lemnos.
April sees the green wood emerging from what is left of winter's skeletal remains and we celebrate new life and growth. The month is dedicated to Artemis in whose honor many spring rites were dedicated. We tie strips of cloths to trees recalling the days when trees were draped with animal hides in her honor.
In May we reconnect with friends and extended family, strengthening the bonds of our community. The god honored here is Apollo and the Ancient traditions of the pansperma and thargelos become a community potluck shared between neighbors.
In June the days are long and the old oaks and the afternoon thundershowers are our only respites from the summer heat. We celebrate life itself before the year begins it's downward march and we give thanks to Zeus as father of Gods and men.
July is the time to reflect upon our efforts thus far, to take
inventory of how far we have came and how far we've yet to go. Again we gather about the bonfire and pour libations of olive oil to Athena.
In August, as the shadows grow noticeably longer, we remember our beloved Dead, those who wait for us in the Otherwhere. Eggs are buried in the ground as Hermes is honored.
September is dedicated to Demeter and Persephone. We keep all night vigil and reflect upon the Deep Powers of Transformation of which birth and death are part.
In October offerings are made at the waters edge and we drink in silence. Dedicated to Poseidon, we pause to think upon the metaphorical journey that is our lives, the waters which we cross and the price which must be paid, even as in ancient Greece people drank in silence to honor the lives lost at sea during the homecoming from the Trojan War.
November comes and we give thanks to Ares for both our victories and our failures for both offers us a chance for insight into ourselves. In late November or early December an extra observance is inserted; the cold winds drive us indoors and there about the hearth we celebrate Hestia and family. Later in December the New Year
approaches and we discover a little mystery.
In Ancient Greece the New Year might be in midsummer as at Athens or in the fall of the year, or even in midwinter where it was reckoned at Beotia. In truth the New Year is not one fixed point in the year at all, but that moment when we are willing to let go of those things which no longer serve us and to allow ourselves to be pulled forward by that same tide which moves the world. In that intimate embrace we celebrate Dionysos until the cycle begins anew."
Sincerely,
Laurasia
"The year begins with January, a time to honor those commitments we bring forward into the New Year and to renew our vows with our lovers.
The month is dedicated to Hera who is honored with libations and processions.
February follows and is a time of purification as well as celebration of those same relationships. It is dedicated to Aphrodite who in Ancient times was associated with springs and the sea as well as love and relationships.
In March the year waxes and emphasis is placed upon creativity, ideas and inspiration. It is the time of kindling the New Fire amidst a festival of candles. It is dedicated to Hephaistos and the New Fire ceremonies are reminiscent of his worship on the Isle of Lemnos.
April sees the green wood emerging from what is left of winter's skeletal remains and we celebrate new life and growth. The month is dedicated to Artemis in whose honor many spring rites were dedicated. We tie strips of cloths to trees recalling the days when trees were draped with animal hides in her honor.
In May we reconnect with friends and extended family, strengthening the bonds of our community. The god honored here is Apollo and the Ancient traditions of the pansperma and thargelos become a community potluck shared between neighbors.
In June the days are long and the old oaks and the afternoon thundershowers are our only respites from the summer heat. We celebrate life itself before the year begins it's downward march and we give thanks to Zeus as father of Gods and men.
July is the time to reflect upon our efforts thus far, to take
inventory of how far we have came and how far we've yet to go. Again we gather about the bonfire and pour libations of olive oil to Athena.
In August, as the shadows grow noticeably longer, we remember our beloved Dead, those who wait for us in the Otherwhere. Eggs are buried in the ground as Hermes is honored.
September is dedicated to Demeter and Persephone. We keep all night vigil and reflect upon the Deep Powers of Transformation of which birth and death are part.
In October offerings are made at the waters edge and we drink in silence. Dedicated to Poseidon, we pause to think upon the metaphorical journey that is our lives, the waters which we cross and the price which must be paid, even as in ancient Greece people drank in silence to honor the lives lost at sea during the homecoming from the Trojan War.
November comes and we give thanks to Ares for both our victories and our failures for both offers us a chance for insight into ourselves. In late November or early December an extra observance is inserted; the cold winds drive us indoors and there about the hearth we celebrate Hestia and family. Later in December the New Year
approaches and we discover a little mystery.
In Ancient Greece the New Year might be in midsummer as at Athens or in the fall of the year, or even in midwinter where it was reckoned at Beotia. In truth the New Year is not one fixed point in the year at all, but that moment when we are willing to let go of those things which no longer serve us and to allow ourselves to be pulled forward by that same tide which moves the world. In that intimate embrace we celebrate Dionysos until the cycle begins anew."
Sincerely,
Laurasia