The minor or solar-based festival dates depend upon the following observations.   The Solstices are based on the  shortest and longest days, the Equinoxes when the hours of night and day are equal.
 
 
Alban Arthan

This is the Mid-Winter festival and the first and only minor festival to be held indoors.  The aged sun, on sinking in the west, is considered to have died.

Following the brief overture, there follows a lamentation in memory of the aged Sun God in which the departments of nature (except fire) are featured. Eventually the antiphonal deliveries of lament and reassurance end and silence is kept for a time in total darkness.

A new fire representing the rebirth of The Lord of Light is now kindled from a spark and torches from the new fire are distributed to the company until the entire area is ablaze with light.  (Material for the fire includes the remains of the previous year's Yule log.)

The young prince is crowned and a blessing is given to all present.  Evergreen, holly and mistletoe are in great profusion and, amid this setting, the ills of the past twelve months are turned to ashes as the old mistletoe from the previous year is burned.

New mistletoe is given to all as a tangible blessing and feasting brings the evening to a close with toasting of the Newborn Child of Light and His Mother, the Cosmic Mother, Who is also our origin.
 

Alban Eilir

Commonly known as the Vernal Equinox, this festival and its counterpart in September were also known as 'Llidiart y Seren' (The Stargate).

Held late in the day on which the hours of light and darkness are equal, this is essentially a planting festival - concentrating more on the sowing of spiritual endeavours which each must develop by harvest time.

The young Sun God is prepared for adulthood, as was the matriarchal custom, by his mother presenting him with arms and he sets forth to seek his fortune.  (This is consummated, of course, at Y Briodas Lan.)

New seeds are blessed and given out for planting and rearing within the coming six months, enabling each person to have a visual symbol and daily reminder of his/her good intention as they germinate and grow.

The religious content throughout the evening is well aspected and the festival closes with a small repast shared by all.
 

Alban Hefin

This is a commemoration of the sun's cycle and its parallels in human life, hailing the Lord of Light as His castle beacon burns brightest on the longest day of the year.   The beauties of His Lady, the earth Goddess, with the ripening fruit in Her womb, however, are not ignored.  The bipolar equilibration in Nature is remembered as a necessity - even at a solar festival.

The description is brief, but the time involved in presenting the complex symbolism relating to sun/season/human maturation is comprehensive.  The festival closes with a common meal for the people.
 

Alban Elfed

 Again the hours of light and darkness are equal in September and on this night is the harvest feast with thanksgiving for what we have reaped on outer and inner levels.  Have our efforts been sufficient?  Here is the time for self-analysis and judgement.

People, homes, animals and food are surrounded by a rampart of protection against the potential downturn in fortunes and health during the coming winter.  The main religious portion of the evening finds its place at this point in a ceremony which is heavy with an array of corn dollies, flowers and autumn decorations.

Chaff is blown from a handful of grain and the seeds distributed to each - a reminder that our accomplishments are but seeds of future endeavours which in turn require to be pruned and reappraised from time to time to ensure their validity in our lives and their continued vitality.

The legend of the Corn God which was partially enacted at Y Fedel Wenith is  continued here with His regeneration - yes, a sacrifice freely given that His people may live but, despite which, He Himself continues in manifested existence.

In the final thanksgiving we are reminded of His father, the Prince of Light, as He wanes towards the end of the year - a link with the next minor festival which will follow in three months,

The harvest feast concludes the festival, a celebration of the necessities for human life - earth, sun and the fruit of their union.