The document discusses 8 Celtic holidays celebrated throughout the year and their equivalents in the modern United States. Imbolc on February 1st/2nd marks the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox, similar to Groundhog's Day. Ostara on March 21st celebrates the spring equinox and the equal day and night. Beltaine on April 30th/May 1st is the midpoint between equinoxes and relates to May Day. Litha on June 21st marks the summer solstice. Lughnasadh on August 1st is the midpoint to autumn equinox. Mabon on September 21st celebrates the autumn equinox. Samhain on

1. Celtic Holidays in the USA By Sarah Wilson Background image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zooboing/3682835105/

2. Imbolc The first Celtic holiday of the year is Imbolc. Imbolc falls on the first or second day of February. In the Celtic world Imbolc marks the day that is half way between Winter Equinox and Spring Solstice. In the United States February 1st is known as “Ground Hog’s Day”. Image Source (1): http://www.flickr.com/photos/legrisak/2174820630/ Image Source (2): http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronaldo_f_cabuhat/3500381262/ Image Source (3): http://www.flickr.com/photos/hikerboy45/2445376946/

3. Ostara The holiday Ostara falls on the 21st of March. In the Celtic world Ostara marks the first day of Spring Equinox. On this day rebirth of Spring Equinox is celebrated, and the night and day stand equal. In the United States March 21st is the day that ends winter and starts spring. Image Source (1): http://www.flickr.com/photos/vainsang/4257247024/ Image Source (2): http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayveeare/2905432901/

4. Beltaine The holiday Beltaine falls on either the 30th of April or the 1st of May. In the Celtic world Beltaine is a holiday that celebrates the midpoint between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. In the United States May Day is celebrated on one of these two dates. Image Source(1): http://www.flickr.com/photos/casualclicks/3581800997/ Image Source (2): http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonjazz/2496550195/

5. Litha The holiday Litha falls on the 21st day of June. Litha is a holiday that marks the ending of Spring Equinox and the beginning of Summer Solstice. In the United States the season Summer begins on June 21st as well. Background Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98714509@N00/3428775856/ Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/neloqua/52135736/

6. Lughnasadh Lughnasadh is a Celtic holiday that falls on the 1st of August. This Celtic Holiday celebrates the midpoint between Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox. In the United States there is not a common known holiday like Lughnasadh is in the Celtic World.

7. Mabon Mabon is a holiday that falls on the 21st day of September. In the Celtic world Mabon celebrates the end of Summer Solstice and the beginning of Autumn Equinox and the second harvest festival. In the United States September 21st is a holiday that also celebrates the end of the season Summer and the beginning of Autumn. Background Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeoc/539744399/

8. Samhain Samhain is a Celtic holiday that is celebrated on the 31st of October. Samhain is a holiday that marks the start of “the dark period” of the year. Samhain holds the largest and most important festival of the year. In the United States Halloween is celebrated on October 31st.as we Background Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blaidd0905/1796219010/

9. Yule Yule is celebrated on the 21st of December. In the Celtic World Yule celebrates the first day of Winter Solstice and the end of Autumn Equinox. December 21st is known as the shortest day of the year. In the United States December 21st is also the day that a new season starts, Winter. Background Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8276960@N06/2983848525/

10. Celtic Calendar Yule Dec 20 - 23 Imbolc Feb 2 Samhain Oct 31 Ostara Mar 20 - 23 Mabon Sep 20 - 23 Beltaine May 1 Lughnasadh Aug 1 Litha Jun 20 -23

11. Works Cited Celtic Holidays:http://www.packrat-pro.com/celts/celtholidays.htm Celtic Calendar: http://www.newworldcelts.org/Celtic%20calendar.htm