CELTIC NEW YEAR

The 5 days after Samhain are a time of formlessness. It is the time between the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. Chaos magick is at its height during this time. These days are used as a time of meditation and self-contemplation. Use this time to put the old year to rest and set sights ahead to the new year. After the five days have ended, Celtic New Year begins. Celtic New Year lasts for 3-7 days. It is a large celebration and general party. The new year is welcomed with as much festivity as possible. A Druid's only duties other than joining the festivities is to give blessings for the coming year to all. Celtic New Year is often a time for naming children born in the past year, for the new year is when patterns are most strongly set. The feast must contain as much food in as many varieties as possible. Games are also a large part of the new year. Riddle games, weaving contests, wrestling, and sex games are common and continuous through the days of the new year festival. It is also a favorable time for Bardic contests, especially those involving new compositions.