Equinoxes, Solstices and Cross-quarter Days

Equinoxes, Solstices and Cross Quarter Days mark the seasonal years of the sun and moon.

The cross quarter Days are days from the ancient Celtic calendar. They mark the start or end of a season according to the Celtics. The equinoxes and solstices were the mid-point, moving toward the ending of a season.

The summer solstice marks the longest day and the days grow shorter after that. Why think of this day as the beginning of summer when it actual is the mid-point and moving toward the end? For the Celts Beltane (early May - about the 5th) is thebeginning of summer. This makes tremendous sense if you are a naturalist.

I like to follow the solstices, equinoxes and cross quarter days. I also like using the Algonquin names of the full moons. Why not keep a phenology calendar based on these days?

Ifyou want to learn more about Celtic Quarter Days there are many books and websites which have information.  This page at Archeoastronomy.com has good information. http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/seasons.html

For current dates of solstices, equinoxes and cross quarter days see http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/2009.shtml at Archeoastronomy.com.

Here are the dates for 2009. Dates for other years can be found at http://www.archaeoastronomy.com /2009.shtml.



February 3, 2009
Imbolc - Cross Quarter Day - Spring starts

Since the Celtic year was based on both lunar and solar cycles, it is most likely that the holiday would be celebrated on the full moon nearest the midpoint between the winter solstice and vernal equinox, or when the primroses, dandelions, or other spring flowers rise up through the snow.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc


March 20, 2009
Vernal equinox - Spring equinox - mid-point


May 05, 2009
Beltane - Cross Quarter Day - Summer begins

Sincethe Celtic year was based on both lunar and solar cycles, it is possible that the holiday was celebrated on the full moon nearest the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. The astronomical date for this midpoint is closer to May 5 or May 7, but this can vary from year to year. http://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Beltane



June 21, 2009
Summer Solstice - Summer mid-point - days grow shorter after today


August 7, 2009
Lughnasadh - Cross quarter Day - Autumn begins

Lughnasadhmarked the beginning of the harvest season, the ripening of firstfruits, and was traditionally a time of community gatherings, market festivals, horse races and reunions with distant family and friends. Among the Irish it was a favored time for handfastings - trial marriages that would generally last a year and a day, with the option of ending the contract before the new year, or later formalizing it as a more permanent marriage. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lughnasadh


September 22, 2009
Autumnal Equinox - Autumn mid-point


November 07, 2009
Samhain - Cross QuarterDay - festival marking the end of the harvest - beginning of winter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain


December 21, 2009
Winter Solstice - Winter midpoint - days grow longer after today

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