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The work contained on this page is the property and copyright of Eric Tunon. It has been formatted for viewing on the web by the Scribes of Candlekeep. The article is available for download in its original state.
Forgotten Realms Holy Days
By Eric Tunon
Alban Arthan (winter solstice)
The longest night of the year
Gods commonly watching over this holy day: Selune, Auril, and possibly some of
the silver elven deties (in W&R of the realms it does say that moon elven
magic is affected by the moon).
On this day many people burn bayberry candles (till they go out on thier own)
and hang wreathes of holly.
Colors red and green.
On this day powers affecting cold or darkness at thier most potent.
Imbolic (Alturiak 1st)
This is a celebration to banish the
winter season, celebrate the change of the old to the new, and a celebration of
fertilty and things yet to be born. Also considered to be the 1st of the 3
spring celebatrations.
Gods commonly watching over this holy day: Lathander, Chauntea, the Earthmother
(sorry another side note I do consider these 2 seperate beings)
It is common to see lavender or white candles burning, as well as old worn item
being thrown out in place of newer items.
Ostara (spring equinox)
A celebration of balance not winter but
not quite spring, a time for inviting energy to awaken the earth.
Gods commonly watching over this holy day: Tyr, Lathander, Chautea, the
Earthmother.
During this time seeds are blessed for future planting and baskets of flowers
are collected.
Colors light green, lemon yellow, and pale pink.
Beltane (Mirtul 5th)
This is a holy day, the last of the 3
spring festivals, in which people begin to prepare for the warmer monthes ahead.
This is a time of love and union.
Gods commonly watching over this holy day: Sune, Lathander, Chauntea, and
various nature and fey gods.
On this day trees are decorated with bows and ribbons, bowls filled with
floating flowers and/or candles, and fresh flowers picked before dawn are not
uncommon sights.
Common colors bright blue, lavender, warm pink, lemon yellow, as well as the
traditional white and red.
On this day powers affecting love and fertility are at thier most potent.
Midsummer Night's Celebration (summer solstice)
The longest night of the year, also a
time of the faerie folk (ala Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream)
Gods commonly watching over this holy day: A'tar, Mystra, Azuth, various faerie
gods and gold elven gods (again in W&R of the realms gold elven magic is
connected to the sun)
Wreathes of red and yellow feathers twined or braided with ivy are common. As
well as offering of sun flowers or any other flower of red, maize yellow or
gold.
On this day powers of the sun and light are at thier most potent. It is also
said that arcane magic is more potent on this day.
Lughnassabh (Eleasias 7th)
The begining of the harvest cycle, the
early grains, fruits, and vegetables to be harvested. The 1st of the 3 harvest
celebrations.
God commonly watching over this holy day: Chauntea.
Bread is traditionally baked, as well as altars adorned with the 1st fruits
of garden/field labor.
Mabon (Autumn equinox)
This holy day is associated with the
taking of foods that are to be harvested at this time.
Gods coomonly watching over this holy day: Chauntea, Tye and Mielikki.
Cornbread cakes and cider are often made for this festival.
Colors brown, orange, gold or red.
Samhain (Uktar 7th)
On this night the barrier between the
prime material plane and the various other planes is at it's weakest.
Gods commonly watching over this holy day: Kelevmor, the gods of necromancy and
of divination (sorry can not remember thier names off the top of my head)
Black candles are burned to ward off negativity.
On this day magic involving necromancy and divination are at thier most potent.
Harvest Moon (the full moon closest to Mabon)
This night is not so a celebration as it is a blessed night as it gives the farmers extra light to harvest thier crops by, blessing to Chauntea are often given on this night.
Full moon
Again this night is not so much as holy day as a blessed time. Some mages (those both following Azuth and Mystra) preform a ritual called "calling down the moon." This ritual provides no power but is a cleansing ritual done by some mages, also on this day it is believed that protective magic (abjuration) is more potent.