The Saxon calendar, as described by Bede in De Temporum Ratione, offers a profound insight into how pre-Christian Anglo-Saxons measured time, deeply in tune with the cycles of the moon and sun. It not only guided agricultural and festive activities but also reflected their sacred connection with nature’s rhythms.
Origins and Structure of the Saxon Calendar
The Saxon calendar was composed of 12 lunar months (called monath by the God Mona that is the name of The Moon), each beginning with the full moon. However, since a lunar year contains only 354 days, an extra month, Þri-Līða (third Litha), was added every two or three years to realign the calendar with the solar year. Important seasonal markers, such as Yule (winter solstice) and Litha (summer solstice), were celebrated with variations of Ærra (before the solstice) and Æfterra (after the solstice), symbolizing the turning points of the year.
Yule, the solstice, often marked the beginning of the Saxon year, and each month bore names tied to the natural world or specific deities. For example, Solmonath (February) likely referred to the muddy conditions of winter, while Eosturmonath (April) honored the goddess Eostre, symbolizing rebirth and fertility, etc.
Modern Adaptations
In Seax-Wica, a modern pagan tradition inspired by the Saxon past, the lunar calendar has been revived. The traditional names for the months are still used, yet they have been adapted to a contemporary context. In the southern hemisphere, the calendar adjusts to match the inverted seasons, showing how ancient practices continue to evolve to suit modern realities.
Ritual Significance
The Saxon calendar, closely tied to nature’s cycles, played a crucial role in daily life. Festivals, such as the solstices and equinoxes, were not just times of celebration but also moments to honor the gods, the Earth, and its gifts. This connection to nature remains essential in modern pagan practices, like Wicca, as practitioners seek to align themselves with the natural world.
In Seax-Wica, covens meet at least 13 times a year, typically during the full moon. The Tree, written by Raymond Buckland, provides a full moon ritual. However, the Meomerswiell Seax Coven has introduced its own new moon ritual for the Esbats, demonstrating how traditions continue to adapt while remaining true to their ancient roots.
The Saxon calendar is more than a tool for tracking time; it embodies a worldview where the natural cycles of the moon and sun are intertwined with sacred rituals and everyday life. Its adaptation in Seax-Wica and other modern traditions shows how ancient practices remain a source of spiritual inspiration, allowing practitioners to stay connected to the Earth and its timeless rhythms.
EXTRACT WITH PERMISSION- ©The Forest – A further guide for the Experienced Seax-Wica Practitioner: Insights After a Decade of Practice(2019) by Juan Manuel Espinoza Guzmán.
Thank you for being here!
We hope this post has sparked some inspiration and uplifted your spirit. Every step on this journey brings us closer to growth and understanding. If you felt a connection, we’d love for you to help us share the magic!
Give us a LIKE, share this post with your friends, and leave a comment with your thoughts. Your support means the world and helps keep the energy flowing! Let’s keep growing together. Blessed be!
The Modern Saxon Calendar are the following:
Ærra Gēola (First Yule)
- Meaning: “First Yule” or “Before Yule.” It refers to the period preceding the great Yule festival (winter solstice). It marks the end of the year and the beginning of preparations for Yule.
Æfterra Gēola (After Yule)
- Meaning: “After Yule.” This refers to the time following the Yule celebration. This month marks the true start of the year in some Saxon calendars, after the winter solstice.
Solmōnaþ (Mud Month)
- Meaning: “Month of mud.” This is associated with the muddy conditions in February when winter starts to withdraw, leaving behind wet, muddy ground.
Hreðmōnaþ (Month of Hreða)
- Meaning: “Month of Hreða.” Dedicated to the Saxon goddess Hreða, who represents victory and glory. This month coincides with March, the transition from winter to spring.
Ēosturmōnaþ (Month of Ēostre)
- Meaning: “Month of Ēostre.” Dedicated to the goddess Ēostre, a deity of spring, dawn, and renewal. It is the origin of the English word “Easter.”
Þrimilci-mōnaþ (Three Milkings Month)
- Meaning: “Month of three milkings.” In May, cows could be milked three times a day due to the abundance of fresh grass.
Ærra Līða (First Litha)
- Meaning: “First Litha.” Refers to the time before the summer solstice. It is a month of preparation for the solstice and is associated with the increasing daylight.
Æfterra Līða (After Litha)
- Meaning: “After Litha.” This marks the time after the summer solstice, the height of heat and light in the year.
Þri-Līða (Third Litha)
- Meaning: “The third month of summer.” This month adjusts the lunar calendar every three to four years.
Weodmōnaþ (Weed Month)
- Meaning: “Month of weeds.” August is the month when herbs and weeds grow in abundance, especially towards the end of summer.
Hāligmōnaþ (Holy Month)
- Meaning: “Holy Month.” September is dedicated to religious festivals and harvests. The “holy month” may be linked to celebrations of harvest and giving thanks to the gods.
Winterfylleth (Winter Full Moon)
- Meaning: “Winter full moon.” October marks the beginning of winter, and this month takes its name from the full moon that precedes the arrival of the colder months.
Blōtmōnaþ (Sacrifice Month)
- Meaning: “Month of sacrifice.” November is the month when sacrifices were made to the gods, likely in thanks for the harvest and in preparation for winter. This month is associated with rituals of sacrifice to ensure survival during the harsh winter months.
