Iuoi (Holidays)

Below are the main holidays I wildcrafted for myself in AODA (Ancient Order of Druids in America), so I thought I would share them.
Within this, there is much Soitos (Magic) happening, meaning I use Gaulish Cosmic principles, Alchemy, and philosophical ideas for the holidays to help one to connect to the earth, self, and the cosmos. The four-spoked wheel takes on a new meaning that in itself becomes a talisman for great Soitos (Magic). These Holidays are evolving as I create Great Work. Meaning the Alchemy process is just a fraction of a form of Gaulish Alchemy that I’m slowly building. I call it Uerton for the time being, meaning change of state from one thing to another. So as I slowly build that, the below will evolve with it.

I know most holidays use metaphorical elements of Myth to tell a story. Personally, Im not much of a myth person; I instead look at the metaphorical elements of the land itself and hear what I see as teachings from the land to create a narrative of thoughts that can be used in unison with the land.

Below are the scientific days of the celestial points meaning the Solistic and Equinox days; now, of course, these days will not mark what the land is doing, only the motions of Sonnos (Sun) with Litiua (Earth). That being said, these are not historical, as we have no idea if the Senogalatis (Ancient Gauls) utilized these days. The Senodruides (Ancient Druids) most likely knew of this and used it for timekeeping. But many cultures worldwide were in tune with these days and times of the year, as we call the Agricultural calendar.

You will notice during two points in the write-up below that I mention the Pleiades. At the moment, I just call these the Time of Samos and the Time of Gaimos. I will get into that in a later article.

I will use the Alchemy concept called Magnum opus (Great Work) within each holiday or time of year. Meaning each stage of the Magnum opus is assigned to one of the Iuos (Holiday) below.
By assigning each stage of the Magnum opus to a specific holiday or season, one can create a cyclical and transformative journey through the year, helping to bring greater understanding and connection to oneself and the wider world.

• Dubion/Blackness (breaking down and purifying): Dubion is assigned to Condergā, the Vernal Equinox, which marks a time of renewal and letting go of old patterns and beliefs. Use this holiday to face shadow aspects of oneself and release attachments to outdated ideas and behaviors using the magical waters of Giamos to let go so you can sit with the energies of Samos.
• Argiion/Whiteness (purification and refinement): Argiion is assigned to Cenodiios, the Summer Solstice, a time of rest and nourishment. Use this holiday to purify and cleanse oneself, using the warm waters of Samos to release stagnant energy and prepare for transformation.
• Melinion/Yellowness (enlightenment and illumination): Melinion is assigned to Conleuceton, the Autumnal Equinox, which marks the time of harvest and reaping what has been sown. Use this holiday to focus on spiritual growth and insight, working with the element of fire and the concept of Samos to spark creative inspiration and spiritual illumination as Giamos sets its way in.
• Roudion/Redness (completion and integration): Roudion is assigned to Cenonox, the Winter Solstice, a time of stillness and reflection. Use this holiday to integrate the transformative energies of the previous stages into one’s being and connect with the wider world, working with the flowing waters of Giamos that bring insight and manifest its transformed energy.

The changing of the seasons affects our lives more than we know. It is not just the land around us that is going into a transition of changes from one state to another but ourselves. Since we are reflections of the cosmos, becoming more aware of this helps illuminate our state of being. It allows us to align our being to that which is more significant than us. It symbolizes the cosmic cycles of death and rebirth, decay and growth, which are always happening even within ourselves. This is the place the womb and the grave become the same. For us to experience that which we do not know will lead us to the greater wisdom of what is around us. These transition points of the land open more extraordinary doors of illumination for us. These are sacred times for the greater mysteries of life itself for us to journey on the same path of the cosmos around us. In these transitions, we are not alone, as our great mother, Litauia (The Earth), and her children are here to help guide us.

These transition points are below.

Do the AODA Solitary Grove Opening and Closing for each below, which you can find HERE.

The Holidays

• Condergā – “equal darkness” – spring equinox
• Cenodiios – “long day” – summer solstice
• Conleuceton – “equal light” – autumn equinox
• Cenonox – “long night” – winter solstice

Condergā – “equal darkness” – spring equinox

The Condergā is a time of birth and returning energies to yourself and the lands around you. Leave the past troubles in the melting of the winter ice and let them flow off, never to return as the same. Use Condergā this time to help you focus on planting your seeds so that they can manifest and blossom into greatness. Giamos and Samos are equal, and the more Samos starts to show itself, the more it is to be used for great Soito (Magic). Focus on what you manifest within the self as they will come to be and hatch forth from the egg of mysteries. Leave behind the darkness and embrace the light that has come. Focused on Sowing.

Pleiades Setting in the evening sky May 2nd marks the start of spring. (Coming Soon)

The Rite

Standing in the Medios (the middle) facing east, say.
I take this time as the darkness of Giamos begins to leave, and we see the return of the light of Samos to manifest my thought into being. I break this ground (Take a shovel and stick it in the ground) and any remaining parts of Giamos. So that I can make way for my seeds to grow. May this dirt be blessed by you great Litauinadoi (Land Spirits) (Take some of the dirt and place it in a bowl). May it comfort me and renew me. May you, Litauia (The Earth) with your healing embrace, heal my wounds from the harshness of Giamos so that I may be strong moving forwards.
(Give Offering)

Stand facing East with your hands cupped, resting at your mid-region, and slowly raise them towards the sky. As you do this, slowly turn your hands so your palms face outwards and your hands reach forward and raised above you. 

Focus on your breathing and do this as many times as you need. 

Visualize that your intentions are inside your cupped hands. As you raise your hands, you are releasing your intentions into the cosmos.

Saying “I sow these seeds (Speak out loud what each seed is) at this time in my empty vessel may I nurture them to grow within”.

Focus on different things for the various transition points making sure they all aid in the greater cycle.

Cenodiios – “long day” – summer solstice

This Cenodiios time is a transition point from the actions from the work we did while planting, and now we turn to tend to our thoughts and what things we want to accomplish. Now is a time of nourishment; use the Cenodiios of this time to rest from the doing part and begin to celebrate the self by bathing in the warm waters of Samos. Heal in its light, knowing hope is here and can resonate with others and spread like wildfire.

But remember, the long days of summer are here, and you need to have faith. Significant shifts in ourselves can lead us to uncertainty which can create anxiety. To do so leads us to move backward and swim into the past cold waters of winter, which will lead us to get close to our old troubles because, at times, we let those things trick us into comfort. After all, we know them better. But remember, this is a time of nourishment, and that can be challenging. Still, we must maintain for our first harvest to provide us with what we want since this first harvest will show us what will be. Bathe in the light here and wash in its warm water. Say to the self, “I will be open to nourishment and growth, just like the land around me”. Focused on Nourishment.

The Rite

Standing in the Medios (the middle) facing east, say.
I take this time as the full light of Samos embraces me to nurture my manifestations and myself. I take this water and my breath (fill a bowl with water) to nurture the seeds I sowed during Cenodiios which now are blooming in the warm winds of Samos. May these waters of Litauia (The Earth) moisten the soil so that it can flow into the valleys and quench the thirst of life.
(Give Offering)

Stand facing East with your hands cupped, resting at your mid-region, and slowly raise them towards the sky. As you do this, slowly turn your hands so your palms face outwards and your hands reach forward and raised above you. 

Focus on your breathing and do this as many times as you need. 

Visualize that your intentions are inside your cupped hands. As you raise your hands, you are releasing your intentions into the cosmos.

Saying “I nurture these seeds that have sprouted into growth (Speak out loud what each seed is). This moment in my vessel may I nurture them within to provide a bountiful harvest”.

Focus on different things for the various transition points making sure they all aid in the greater cycle.

Conleuceton – “equal light” – autumn equinox

Conleuceton means that now it is time to reap our harvest. Remember your goals and intentions moving forward. Use the Conleuceton of this time to focus on the same purposes you had when you planted the seeds as you harvest. Ensure you are cautious of what you are reaping and bringing into your life. What you gather now will sit with you during Giamos. Samos and Giamos are equal with one another, as we start to move into Giamos. Honor that which you have cultivated to understand it better. Store the harvest well, and begin to make room for these new things that will be with you as we head into the hibernation of the self. Clear your grounds so nothing gets lost moving forward. Focused on Reaping

Pleiades rising in the Night sky October 15th marks the start of fall.
(Coming Soon)

The Rite

Standing in the Medios (the middle) facing east say.
I take this time as the light of Samos begins to leave us and we see the return of the darkness of Giamos to reap my manifestations. I cautiously cut this harvest from the ground from which it came. (take a knife and a basket and lay them on your altar to symbolize your plenty) May the abundance of Litauia (The Earth) aid and be fruitful.
(Give Offering)

Stand facing East with your hands cupped, resting at your mid-region, and slowly raise them towards the cosmos. As you do this, slowly turn your hands so your palms face outwards and your hands reach forward and raised above you. 

Focus on your breathing and do this as many times as you need. 

Visualize that your intentions are inside your cupped hands. As you raise your hands, you are releasing your intentions into the cosmos.

Saying ” I carefully harvest these seeds that have grown into mighty plants that have given its fruits to me. (Speak out loud what each seed is) this moment in my vessel, may I understand them and properly reap them”.

Focus on different things for the various transition points making sure they all aid in the greater cycle.

Cenonox – “long night” – winter solstice

Now that we have harvested the season before now, at Conleuceton, we sit with the stillness of the land. This stillness can become scary and challenging, but Giamos is here, and the coolness forces us deeper into the self. Use the Cenonox of this time to understand your hibernation and learn to focus on the self. Use the warmth of the fire to listen to what you want to plant in the coming time. Become quiet and rest from your work while the previous harvest nourishes you. The cold winds of winter help settle the land into rebirth. This is the sacred time of reflection and, rest is needed but, don’t rest too long as you might not hear what is around you. Do not fear the dark, as it is very much a part of our cycles. If we focus on this fear, we cut ourselves from our power. Don’t let it overwhelm your being. Try not to let the negative emotion take hold, as they may sprout up and inconvenience you and dictate your state of mind. This is one of the most potent transitional points as Giamos can be a driving force for our growth for, transformation, and enlightenment. This is the great stillness before strength can build us up to move into the next.
Focused on Dormant.

The Rite

Standing in the Medios (the middle) facing east say.
I take this time as the full darkness of Giamos embraces me to reflect on my abundance from the seeds I planted that now nourish me in the cold winds of Giamos. (Take a glass jar to symbolize the preservation of your abundance) As I go dormant and go inwards like the land around me, may The Regentiâ (ancestors) help to keep me focused and the warm of the winter fires illuminate me for the coming of Samos so that I have a clear mind to know when and how to plant and cultivate my next seeds. Thank you, Deuoi (Gods), for helping me to see myself and to cultivate myself living in union with the cycles around me.
(Give Offering)

Stand facing East with your hands cupped, resting at your mid-region, and slowly raise them towards the cosmos. As you do this, slowly turn your hands so your palms face outwards and your hands reach forward and raised above you. 

Focus on your breathing and do this as many times as you need. 

Visualize that your intentions are inside your cupped hands. As you raise your hands, you are releasing your intentions into the cosmos.

Saying ” I take that which I have tended to and now sit with them (Speak out loud what each seed is) this moment in my filled vessel may I sit with the wisdom and illumination they give”.

Focus on different things for the various transition points making sure they all aid in the greater cycle.