The Filianic Festivals

Filianism has its own set of festivals, following along with the wheel of the year and its associated rhythms and patters of life.

There are two halves of the year, the Mother half and the Daughter half, and the festivals reflect the mystery of each. Below is a visual of the year, showing the seasons and their holy days. Moura, its own separate season, contains further marked days but this will give one a good overall visual. There are other holy days of the year, often marked for the Janyati, and will be listed under each seasonal section.

Spring

Eastre, 1 Culverine

The high holy festival of Eastre is the Resurrection of our Lady, when She is raised up by our Mother after Her death. One of the most holy days of the year, the altar colors are white and gold, and dying of eggs along with baking sweets is traditional.

Lady Day, 5 Culverine

The day celebrated as our Lady's return to full sovereignty over the earth, recalling when the Daughter returned Her presence to the world.

The Day of Sai Maia, 1 Maia

The first day of the month of Maia, it celebrates the first aspect of Sai Werdë known as Sai Maia, the spinner of life and fate, celebrating also the spinning of the year at springtime.

Rosary Day, 3 Maia

A celebration of the rosary, where one at minimum says the rosary, or recite the full fifteen decades of the rosary.

Exaltation, 14 Maia

The festival rejoicing in the ascent of our Lady to Heaven, returning as the Queen of Heaven. Altars are adorned with flowers, especially red and white ones.

Florimaia, 10 Hera

Also known as Sai Anthea's Day, celebrating the janya of flowers. Altars are decorated with flowers and trips to see and/or gather wildflowers are traditional.

Summer

The Day of all Helati, 9 Rosea

A day to honor past heras, one who has achieved enlightenment and connecting to the True Self, but can still return to help other souls progress to their true selves.

Rosa Mundi, the first new or full moon of Rosea after 9 Rosea

One of the moveable major festivals of the year, the high festival of the Mother celebrating Her fiery rose heart of the world. The lark as the soul ascending towards Dea is the major symbol, along with roses (especially golden roses). It celebrates the path of the soul towards the True Self within our Mother. Fires, bonfires, and fireworks are traditional celebrations, and fasting for twelve hours before hand along with meditation are also tradition.

Chelanya, 22 Kerea

The second festival of the Mother, this is also known as the Feast of Regeneration. The ear of corn is the chief symbol, and meditation on rebirth and the live giving of our Mother is the theme.

The Day of Sai Werdë, 16 Vaskaras

The festival in honor of the janya Sai Werdë, janya of werdë/fate. A day for reflecting on our own personal choices and the impact they have on our werdë.

Autumn

Cuivanya, 17 Abolan

The next great festival of our Mother, also known as the Feast of Divine Life. A reflection on Dea as Creatrix, ground of all being, and the outpouring of Her divine essence. Apples and other fruits of the harvest are symbols of the festival.

Tamala, 1-3 Werdë

The final festival of the Mother half of the year, it is the first three days of the month of Werdë. Also known as the Feast of the Dead, fire is the main symbol as the symbol of transformation of souls. Lighting candles, baking soul cakes, and praying for our departed loved ones are traditional.

The Festival of Artemis, 23 Werdë

A day to celebrate Artemis, seen as the protectress of Ekklesia, the body of all of those who are followers of Filianism and our Mother.

Winter

Advent, First new or full moon after 1 Astraea

Advent marks the start of preparations for the upcoming great festival of Navitity. Decorations are put up including candles, stars, and evergreens. Some mark each week of Advent with the lighting of a sunwheel, noting a candle for each week.

Lady Athene's Day, 7 Astraea

A day celebrating Lady Athene, seen as a janya of intelligence, reason, and knowledge. A day of reflection on working towards knowledge and away from ignorance.

Nativity Eve, held the night before Nativity

A candle is lit the night before Nativity at dusk and burned all through the night (if able to safely, but an electric candle is permissible). A small offering of food or drink can be left out for the Star Fairy, who may bring presents for the children.

Nativity, first new or full moon after 24 Astraea (unless this this falls after 28 Astraea, in which case it is the first Natural Rite date before month's end)

The great and holy feast of the birth of the Daughter. A great celebration of the birth of the gentle light, our Lady, celebrating with food and cheer. Three rites are traditionally held at midnight the night before, at dawn the day of, and at dusk.

The Day of All Janyati, 28 Astraea

A day to celebrate all of the Janyati, reflecting on the lessons they impart and the gifts they give.

The Day of Sai Herthe

A day honoring Sai Herthe, the janya of the hearth and home. As the hearth is the altar-soul of the home, we honor both her and the hearth-fire within our hearts.

Duodecima, the twelfth day from Nativity

Nativity should be celebrated for twelve days traditionally, to represent the twelve days when the star appeared in the sky over the earth after the birth of the Daughter. A final feast is held today.

Purple Monday, first Monday of Brighe

The start of the purification period leading up to Luciad, the Feast of Lights. All of the decorations from Nativity must be down before this day begins.

Luciad, 10 Brighe

The Feast of Lights, honoring the promise of our Lady to bring Her light to every part of creation. Altars are covered in white, and candles are lit in this remembrance. The traditional day for blessing candles.

Moura Eve, 28 Brighe

The last feast held before the Moura season, where one decides what things one will refrain from during Moura.

Moura

Moura Day, 1 Moura

The start of Moura marks the start of the purification period, where something is given up for this month. Traditionally a fast is observed on Mondays, where one fasts from dawn to dusk (but only as allowed and tolerated by one)

Med-Moura, 14 Moura

The halfway point of Moura, where the fasts and restrictions are suspended for a day. Small gifts are given to the mothers of our lives and cakes are baked.

Kala, 28 Moura

The day of our Lady's death. A day of prayer and fasting.

Hiatus

Intercalary day marking the lack of time when our Lady lie in death. Altars are shrouded, a day outside of time.