The belief that Spring begins in February, Summer in May, Autumn in August, and Winter in November comes from ancient Celtic traditions and is rooted in the natural cycles of the earth. This way of marking the seasons is much older than the Roman-influenced calendar we use today. Let's explore why some cultures mark the seasons this way and how it reflects a deeper connection to nature.
The Celtic Seasonal Calendar
The idea that seasons begin earlier than we typically think comes from the Celtic Wheel of the Year, a calendar used by ancient Celtic peoples in Ireland, Scotland, and other parts of Europe. The Celts divided the year into eight key festivals based on the solar and agricultural cycles, which marked the changing of the seasons.
Here’s a breakdown of the main seasonal festivals and how they align with this belief:
Festival | Date | Marks the Start of |
Imbolc | February 1st | Spring |
Bealtaine | May 1st | Summer |
Lughnasadh | August 1st | Autumn |
Samhain | October 31st | Winter |
Each of these festivals marks a seasonal turning point tied to agriculture, light, and the natural world.
Imbolc (February 1st): The Start of Spring
The Celtic Spring begins at Imbolc, on February 1st, which marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This festival is associated with Brigid, the goddess of fertility, healing, and new life.
Why February?
Even though it’s still cold, signs of life begin to emerge- lambs are born, snowdrops bloom, and the days begin to noticeably lengthen. Imbolc celebrates the return of light and the earliest stirrings of new life.
Imbolc's Lesson for Us:
It's a time to plant seeds- literally and metaphorically.
It’s about hope and preparation, even if results aren’t immediately visible.
Bealtaine (May 1st): The Start of Summer
Bealtaine (Beltane) celebrates the full bloom of life. This marks the start of summer, when the earth is fertile, flowers are in full bloom, and the days are long.
Why May?
In ancient times, May 1st was considered the height of fertility. Livestock were driven out to pasture, crops were growing, and communities celebrated abundance and vitality.
Beltane's Lesson for Us:
Embrace action, passion, and joy.
Celebrate life and take bold steps toward your goals.
Lughnasadh (August 1st): The Start of Autumn
Lughnasadh (also called Lammas) marks the beginning of the harvest season. It’s a time to gather the first fruits of your labour and prepare for the coming darker months.
Why August?
In early August, crops begin to ripen. It’s a time of thanksgiving for what the earth has provided and preparation for the coming winter.
Lughnasadh's Lesson for Us:
Harvest the fruits of your labour.
Reflect on what you’ve accomplished and what still needs tending to.
Samhain (November 1st): The Start of Winter
Samhain is the Celtic New Year and marks the start of winter. It’s a time when the veil between worlds is thin, and people honour their ancestors. This festival evolved into what we know today as Halloween.
Why November?
By November, the days are shorter, harvests are complete, and nature begins to die back. It’s a time of rest, reflection, and introspection as we prepare for the darkest months of the year.
Samhain's Lesson for Us:
Rest and reflect.
Honour endings and prepare for new beginnings.
Why This Seasonal View Makes Sense
The Celtic view of the seasons reflects nature’s actual rhythms rather than the astronomical calendar. In this view:
Spring begins when life starts to return (February).
Summer begins with abundance and fertility (May).
Autumn begins when the harvest starts (August).
Winter begins with the dying back of nature (November).
This makes sense because seasonal changes don’t happen all at once. They begin gradually, and ancient people were deeply attuned to the subtle shifts in nature.
Modern life has disconnected us from nature’s cycles, but we can still learn from this ancient wisdom.
Read my blog post on ‘The REAL New Year! And Why January Can Be So Damn Depressing!’ to see how you can Embrace This Ancient Wisdom.
Final Thoughts: Living with the Seasons
The Celtic seasonal calendar offers a beautiful reminder that life moves in cycles. By paying attention to the subtle shifts in nature, we can align our personal growth with the natural rhythms of the earth.
So, instead of using January 1st to set resolutions, try embracing Imbolc in February as a time to plant new seeds. Let Bealtaine in May inspire you to take bold action. Celebrate your successes in Lughnasadh in August, and give yourself permission to rest and reflect in Samhain in November.
By tuning into these seasonal rhythms, you’ll find yourself more in tune with life’s natural flow, and more at peace with the ups and downs of your own journey.
SO... for those of you who have always seen March as the first month of Spring...
The answer lies in the different ways ancient cultures marked time and the practical rhythms of nature and agriculture.
Let’s break it down:
Spring Began in February for Practical Reasons
In ancient times, seasonal changes were based on nature's cycles, not fixed calendar dates. The Celts and other ancient peoples observed that signs of spring began appearing in early February:
Lambs were born (a key sign of spring in agricultural societies).
Snowdrops and early flowers bloomed.
Days grew noticeably longer, marking the return of light after the darkest months of winter.
To them, February 1st (Imbolc) was the start of spring because life began stirring beneath the surface, even if the weather was still cold.
But here's the key:
Spring was a transitional season, with March marking the full arrival of new life.
In this way, March 1st made more sense as the start of the new year, because by then, spring was in full swing. It was a time of visible change and rebirth, a perfect time to symbolise new beginnings.
Here’s a breakdown of all 12 months with their meanings and origins:
January:
Named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings. He is depicted with two faces, one looking to the past and one to the future.
February:
Named after Februa, a Roman festival of purification and cleansing.
March:
Named after Mars, the god of war. March marked the start of the new year and the military campaign season in ancient Rome.
April:
Possibly from Latin "aperire", meaning "to open", referring to the opening of flowers and trees in spring. Some also connect it to the goddess Aphrodite.
May:
Named after Maia, an earth goddess associated with growth, fertility, and spring.
June:
Named after Juno, the queen of the gods and goddess of marriage and childbirth.
July:
Originally called Quintilis (fifth month). It was renamed in honour of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE after his assassination.
August:
Originally called Sextilis (sixth month). It was renamed in honour of Emperor Augustus in 8 BCE.
September:
From Latin "septem", meaning seven. It was the seventh month in the original calendar.
October:
From Latin "octo", meaning eight. It was the eighth month.
November:
From Latin "novem", meaning nine. It was the ninth month.
December:
From Latin "decem", meaning ten. It was the tenth month.
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