Ceremonies of the Seasons

A glorious, richly informative celebration of the traditional rituals that lie behind the calendar as we know it, including Celtic feast-days, Christian holy days, Indian festivals, and much more. Traces the eight divisions in the year's natural cycle, from the Winter Solstice (the shortest day) through to All Souls' Night - with fascinating coverage of folklore and legend. Explores the meanings of festivals and calendar traditions from around the globe -including ancient Persia, Egypt, Rome, and Greece; Pagan and Christian Europe; the Americas; the Far East; and modern secular occasions such as Mother's Day. The perfect book for all lovers of nature, the countryside, and rural traditions - as well as anyone intrigued by myth, symbolism, and ceremony.