Mithrandic Holidays
by Dave

Almanac | T'Klendathu

Nadzi

6Birthday of Sagron

Kagali

6Presentation of Epimetreus to Sagron
9Imbolc
Conception, initiation, inspiration, clean house, light candles, welcome strangers
18New Year for Trees
30Bean Scattering Day

Anuyi

3Lantern Festival
Lantern processions, small cakes with stars
10-20Festival of Sacrifice
Fasting, nocturnal meals
21Ostara (Sow Equinox)
Wear green, new games, egg games

Kawani

4Festival of Pure Brightness
13Sacrifice of the Three Fords
(Commemoration of the battle)
29Festival of Birds
Lunar holiday local to Taunton, dedicated to Elihu. Doves, songbirds and other caged fowls are released at noon, each with a small prayer scroll wrapped about its legs. No birds are harmed on this day.
30Beltane
Sacred to Elihu, love, romances, crop blessings, jumping fire, mating, flower baskets

Anagvti

15Shavrot (Festival of Wheels)
The Gathering of Words, commemorates the Hiding of the Scrolls.

(During the searches in the lowlands for the remnants of Epimetreus' people, those who stayed behind had hidden his inspirational writings inside of the wagon wheels of tinkers and merchants; so spreading the gospels of the Word amongst the unshriven while the Exiles lived amongst the mountains.)

On the night before Shavrot, all fires are extinguished. At dusk on the day of the Festival, the sacred flame is rekindled in the local church, which is then used to re-light the fires. This is symbolic of the renewal of the Light over the land. Small decorated wagons and carts are drawn through the streets by children leading goats. There are sacred scripts from the Teachings adorning them. Each cart is hung with lanterns lit from the nearest sacred flame.

27The Declaration of Sacraments
One of the last Sermons made by Epimetreus before his Ascension to the Mountain Hidden. On this date Epimetreus laid down the Rites and Rituals of the Faith, the Daily, Weekly and Monthly rituals of life, and promised of his return should darkness fall again.

Foods are set out for wildlife, and life is held to be sacred this day -- nothing should be harmed or damaged in any way. A reading of the Sermon is usually held in the larger towns, with actors and actresses portraying the principal figures.

Dehalyi

7Martyrdom of Ribat
18Dragon Festival
21-22Litha/Lethe (Tend Solstice, celebrated from noon to noon)
The circle is the symbol of midtend. Circle dances upon earthen circles, hoops and garlands of flowers, herbs or grasses, and the ever popular wheelcake are the signs of this holiday of Elihu's. In villages and hamlets, towns and temples, long winding processions of folk are led by the Oak King and Queen. The Royal couple bear new light which is shed upon the confines of the ward they live in -- consecrating and nourishing the blessings of Elihu, ensuring the slow turn of seasons that will bring all to the next high solstice again. Offerings are borne to small altars placed at junctures of property and roadways. Fruits, grains, seeds, plants and flowers are borne into these makeshift bowers by the celebrants. In each hamlet, villa or town an open house is created out of temporary materials, a special boundary created to provide shelter and safety for any visitors. It is a unique refuge that transcends law, custom or tradition. A special midtend feast is prepared with seasonal and local dishes made especially for the day such as dandelion wine, blueberry or strawberry dishes, various meads and of course wheelcake. Wheelcake is a confection made from sweetdough and layers of other ingredients rolled into a log and bent into a circle. Everyone has a recipe, and everyone knows that theirs is the best. Some recipes have been handed down for generations. Dancing and processions, merriment and guesting last from the presentation of new babies to the shrine at noon, through the night to the midtend night's feast (often a time that banns are announced) and through morning to noon again.
29-30Holy Week
Assumption of Sagron and Elihu

Guyekoni

1-5Holy Week (continued)
17Festival of Hungry Ghosts
27Anniversary of First Teachings and Turnings

Galoni

2Lughnassad
Offering of first fruits/grains, games, country fairs
14Epiphany of the Transfiguration
27Birthday of Epimetreus

Dulisdi

20Day of Atonement
21Mabon
Harvest festival, cornucopia, tools, appreciation and harvest offerings to land, prepare for cold weather
23Reap Equinox

Nudakera

11Birthday of Albidar
27All Souls Day
Release ancestors, honor them

Duninvi

4The Journey to Agramoth
(Field of Agramoth)
30Birthday of Elihu

Visgiga

11Fell Solstice
Feasting, singing, resolutions, honor family and friends