Gaulish Holidays

Audio version of this page read by Caromâros Caitogabros, Ambactos of Galatîs Litauiâs

First, let us talk about the Coligny Calendar.

The Coligny Calendar, found in Coligny, Ain, France in 1897, is a great treasure. Much debate is spent on when the calendar starts its months and years. It is one of the few things we have found that the Gauls left behind. When the month’s fall is somewhat constant. Twelve months appear every year, and out of every five years, the first and third year have a thirteenth, intercalary month.

The typical twelve months are as follows:

  • Samonios (May-June)
  • Dumanios (June-July)
  • Riuros (July-August)
  • Anagantios (August-September)
  • Ogronios (September-October)
  • Cutios (October-November)
  • Giamonios (November-December)
  • Simiuisonna (December-January)
  • Equos (January-February)
  • Elembiuos (February-March)
  • Aedrinios (March-April)
  • Cantlos (April-May)

(Some start the year with Samonios in November-December.)
The intercalary months are:
Quimonios (before Samonios in the first year of a five-year cycle)
Rantaranos (before Giamonios in the third year of a five-year cycle)

The months are divided into halves. The first half is 15 days, the second either 15 or 14. This is because months alternate between 30 and 29 days. The months start in the first quarter moon, centering the full and new moons in each half. (Some say it starts at the new moon.) The years repeat in a cycle every five years. Again, much debate surrounds the calendar. A workable synopsis is all that can reasonably be provided in such an introduction.

Here is an excellent read on the Coligny Calendar over at Tegos Skrībbātous

Holidays/Îuoi 

Holidays are very important as they have the potential to bring folks of many disparate customs together. They allow us to show our devotion to the cosmic shift of the natural cycle, honor those of the past, celebrate the Deuoi, and share a deep cultural connection with one another. There is no universal set of holidays people observe. Different Traditions have holidays separate from one another. Some of these Holidays are based on the clusters on the Coligny Calendar “IVOS” which is assumed to mean feasts, festivals. Some are based on dates from major points in Gaulish History, and some are based on agricultural understanding. All these holidays are new as we don’t know what holidays were called or what the Senogalatis viewed. We know the name of only one Trinoxtion Samoni.

Bessus Nouiogalation

  • Nouiobledanî “New Year”
    This will be the first quarter moon, usually in the Gregorian month of May. Sometimes it will be in June
  • Trinoxtion Samoni (“Three Nights of Summer”)
    It always starts on 17 Samonios. Usually, the third-quarter moon closest to the summer solstice. If the closest third quarter moon is more than a week after the summer solstice, go with the third quarter moon before it.
  • Cerdâlitus (“Crafter Feast”)
    The third-quarter moon before the first quarter moon is two first quarters after the summer solstice. Always the third quarter before the next holiday, Centumetâs.
  • Centumethâs “First Harvest”
    Two first quarters after the Summer Solstice.
  • Catu Alessiâs “Battle of Alessia”
    Third-quarter moon closest to the autumn equinox. Always 17 Ogronios.
  • Centugiamos “Start of Winter”
    Two first-quarter moons before the winter solstice
  • Giamolitus “Winter Feast”
    The full moon closest to the winter solstice.
  • Biuiacolanos “Quickening”
    Two first-quarter moons after the winter solstice.
  • Uisonnalitus “Spring Feast”
    Just after the new moon closest to the spring equinox.
  • Centusamos “Start of Summer”
    Centusamos two first-quarter moons before the summer solstice.
  • Samolitus “Summer Festival”
    Samolitus first quarter moon before the summer solstice

Find out more about these Îuoi, Bessus Nouiogalation. 

Coligny Calendar app

Segomaros Widugeni

  • Trinouxs Samoni “Three Nights of Samonios”
    • The new moon nearest November 1, or the night after the full moon nearest November 1.
    • Associated Deities: Sucellus, Nantosuelta, the Ancestors, Cernunnos, and Maponus.
  • Iwos Dumanni “The Festival Of Dummanios”
    • The new moon nearest December 1, or else the full moon nearest the Winter Solstice.
    • Associated Deities: Epona, Cernunnos, Maponus, the Anderoi (to be propitiated, not worshipped, the Dusioi (ditto).
  • Iwos Brigantias “The Festival Of Brigantia”
    • The new moon nearest Febuary 1.
    • Associated Deities: Brigantia.
  • Iwos Giamoni “The Festival Of Giamonios”
    • New moon near May 1
    • Asscociated Deities: Maponus, The Talamonodonica
  • Iwos Lugous “Festival Of Lugus”
    • The new moon nearest August 1.
    • Associated Deities: Lugus, Rosemerta.

 Find out more about these Îuoi in his book Ancient Fire on pages 96-108.

Senobessus Bolgon

  • Îuos Altrauonon
    • Veneration to gods connected to vegetation and harvests are given. Gregorian Calendar: July 2nd-3rd
  • Îuos Borui Arduinnasc/Îuos Grannui Sironasc
    • This holiday honors the gods associated with the sun/light, stars/moon, and youth. Gregorian Calendar: July 16th-18th
  • Îuos Maguseni
    • This last festival is dedicated to Magusenos/Magusanus. During this time, we continue to honor Him with athletic contests, music, and dance. Gregorian Calendar: August 1st-3rd
  • Giamounox (Winter Night)
    • A time when the dead and the wild hunt or sacred company roam and expect to be propitiated. Henceforth the holiday will be known as Winter Night or Giamounoxtion – Winter Nights. 30th of October – 1st of November
  • Giamouretîmâ (Winter Releasing)
    • On the day of the Equinox or full moon after the Equinox, an effigy of Nehalennia is burnt and sent to a body of water to release Her so she may bring spring and summer.

Find out more about these Îuoi, Senobessus Bolgon.

Carnutian Nemeton

  • Ducospiâ Carnutonon (Rebellion of the Carnutians)

    This minor Îuoi is about the uprising and standing for what you believe in and remembering the Carntus for their great sacrifice in the face of the coming Empire. This is celebrated on Elembi 9.

Find out more about these Îuoi, The Carnutian Nemeton.

AODA Gaulish Holidays

  • Uasantosonnos – Spring Sun – Vernal Equinox
  • Lanosonnos – Full Sun – Summer Solstice
  • Metasonnos – Harvest Sun – Autumnal Equinox
  • Letosonnos – Half Sun – Winter Solstice

Find more out about the AODA Holidays, The Carnutian Nemeton

Bonâ Bannobrogi

Bonâ Bannobrogi Îuoi are separated into two halves one being Îuoi Amman Messous (Holidays of the Time of Reaping) and the other Îuoi Amman Tancî (Holidays of the Time of Rest).

Îuoi Amman Messous

  • Ounogenion – 1 Edrinios – “Lamb Birthing”
  • Subiuiton – May 1st- “Good Life”
  • Uindoecus – Full Moon Samonios (9 Samonios) – “Blessed Herd”
  • Sonnouolcion – Summer Solstice – “Sun Cleansing”
  • Rêssos – During Riuros – “Journeying”
  • Cnustos – New Moon Anagantios (22 or 23 Anagantios) – “Gathering”
  • Orgenâ Succî – 15 Ogronios – “The Slaughter of the Swine”:

Îuoi Amman Tancî

  • Meronoxs – October 31st – “Frenzied Night”
  • Adboutegiâ – 1 Giamonios – “Towards the Stables”
  • Marussos Baragon – December 31st and January 1st – “Dead Bread”
  • Uatumîlon – January 12th – “Divination of the Small Animal”
  • Hartzaren Suraton – February 2nd – “The Bears Luck”

Find out more about these Îuoi, Bonâ Bannobrogi

Bessus Berôs etic Drôs

  • Cintugiamos
  • Giamolitus
  • Uisonnâ anatiâredo
  • Dessumibiioni
  • The Feast of the Three Gauls/Kalends of August

Find out more about these Îuoi, Bessus Berôs etic Drôs