DASG Blog

Mìosachan nan Gàidheal: An Samhradh (Pàirt 2)

Welcome back! As we have been looking at fairs, days of saints and weather features – or the changes of weather – in the world of the Gael in the blogs before this (“Mìosachan nan Gàidheal: An Samhradh (Pàirt 1)”) we shall have a look at we can expect in the summer, looking at the second month of the summer: June.
 
An t-Ògmhios/ Mee-veanagh yn touree
03/06 - Fèill Corp Chrìosda [Corpus Christi] (this year).

08/06 – Oie’l Colum Killey/Oidhche Chaluim Cille [St Columba’s Eve].

09/06 – Là Fhèill Caluim Chille [St Columba’s Day].

11/06 – Laa Noo Barnabas [St Barnabas’ Day]. This day is celebrated in Man.

11/06 – Fèill Cridh’ Uile Naomh Iosa [Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus] (this year.)

22/06 – Sheann Laa Noo Barnabas [Old St Barnabas’ Day]. This day is celebrated in Man before the calendars were changed.

24/06 – Fèill Sheathain/Feaill Eoin (Midsummer’s Eve). This day was changed from 06/07 after the changing of the calendars.)
There are many sayings and proverbs in Scotland about this time of the year, in the book Nicolson’s Gaelic Proverbs this is the time of year were “the cuckoo goes to her winter home”:
“Latha Fhèill Eòin as t-samhradh, Thèid a’ chuthag gu ’taigh geamhraidh.”
[“St John’s Day in the Summer, The Cuckoo goes to her winter home.”]

On top of that a teine-aighir is burnt around this time. According to what I read in “The Gaelic Otherworld,” by John Campbell Gregorson, “Teine Fhèill Eathain” [“St John’s Day Fire”] was said by Reverend William Matheson’s mother for a tein’-aighir.
In Man canar “Lane croie cabbyl dy ushtey L’aal Eoin feeu mayl Vannin” [“A full horse-shoe of water (on) John’s Feast-day is worth the rent of Man”] is said for the desire of rain for the crops around this time, especially if there is a drought.
It is said that “teinntean Fhèill Eathain” [“St John’s Day Fires”] are lit close to the corn fields with the wind blowing smoke in the direction of the corn for blessing them throughout the year; it is said that the “Daoine matha” [“Good people”], or the “Mooinjer Veggey” [“Little folk”], are very dissentive and aplenty around this time of the year – as it will be on “Oidhche Naoimh Marcais,” “Oidhche Bhealltainn” and “Oidhche Shamhna” [“St Mark’s Eve,” “Beltane Eve” and “Halloween.”] As it is on St Mark’s Eve it is said that everyone shall see where they go when they die on this night, with their souls leaving their bodies, and people go to the churches to see the souls and to find the place of their rest. You can read more about it on our page about Oidhche Naoimh Marcais and their page at Culture Vannin about it.

25/06 – Midsummer’s Day/Feaill Eoin/GRIAN-STAD AN T-SAMHRAIDH [Summer Solstice] (this year.)
It is on this day that tha Manx hold “Laa Tinvaal” at “Bally Keeil Eoin” (“St John’s”) as well as “Trianaig Veg” (Little Trinity). Some say that the day is celebrated on “Laa’l Ean Bashtey” (“St John’s Day”).

29/06 – Laa’l Pheddyr/Là Fheill Peadair [St Peter’s Day.]
 
We shall continue with part 3 next week. I must have some holy days and festivals missing that I haven't mentioned but do you know that I haven't mentioned? Let us know on facebook, twitter and our own website!