An American P.I.E. Liturgical Calendar
I have been working a lot with the idea of an "American Paganism" via an ADF lens lately. In time I hope to expand this to include divination and other ideas I have floating around. I don't want anyone to mistake this for Nationalism though. I think it is perfectly acceptable to worship European (or other areas for that matter) Deities and honor those cultures while living in the US or Canada. I have just been experimenting with utilizing the American culture I live in. I feel kind of drawn to explore that. Throughout most of this exploration I have not used Gods contrived based on American "principles" like "Liberty" or "Columbia". Again, nothing wrong with that just not the direction I am taking. Instead I have been focusing on the Proto-Indo-European pantheon (if one can call it that) but using the English translations of their titles. Some people theorize that all (or most) of the names of the Gods and Goddesses are titles or derived from titles. And while it may be true that descendant cultures did not know that the God they were praying to, Jupiter for example, was a title, in this case meaning "Shining Sky Father", I find it really hard to believe that the P.I.E.'s did not. Or maybe that is just the way I have to justify it to myself. I will talk more about the Gods and Goddesses in a later post, much of it is gleaned from Ceiswr Serith's work.
Anywho, as part of this exploration I threw together a liturgical calendar that one might use when following an American Hearth Culture. It is pretty quick and dirty and a lot of elements were included because they meant something to me specifically not because I think they would be required of one seeking to explore American culture in this way.
New Years
Observed; January 1st (or soon after)
Purpose: To usher out the old year and herald in the new. "New Years" is a pretty arbitrary date. Different religions and cultures use different times. As an American Hearth Culture participant I will hold to the commonly accepted American calendar date.
Beings: None specific, may be a good time to work with one's Matrons and Patrons considering vows, oaths, plans, and expectations in the year to come.
Workings: Burning or some other way to symbolically remove the debris of the last year. Taking of vows, oaths, resolutions.
Feast of Human Rights
Observed: On or near Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
Purpose: To honor those of our ancestors who spoke up and made a difference in the lives of our country. Traditionally a day to honor civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. but expanded here to cover many different civil and societal rights leaders.
Beings: Any ancestor involved in human rights work. Some examples may be Martin Luther King Jr, Pedro Zamora, Peter Tatchell, Harry Hay, Tim Berners-Lee, Susan B. Anthony etc.
Workings: None specific
The Feast of Winter's Turning - High Day
Observed: On or near February 1st.
Purpose: Traditional. Honoring the Goddess of the hearth and the turning of the year towards winter's end.
Beings: The Burning One, any home spirits or protectors
Workings: Blessing cloth or talismans for a productive and empowered spring
Lovers' Day
Observed: On or near St. Valentines Day (February 14)
Purpose: Honoring Fertility and Love in all it's guises.
Beings: Goddesses of Marriage and/or Sex. Direct ancestors
Workings: Sex magic.
The Feast of Reading
Observed: On or near "Read Across America Day/Dr. Suess' Birthday" (March 2nd)
Purpose: To honor reading and writing and the power and freedom it has offered us
Beings: Ancestors who were writers or pushed for literacy, beings with close contact with humanity
Workings: none specific
Rites of Spring - High Day
Observed: On or near the Spring Equinox
Purpose: Traditional. Honoring the turning of the wheel and the welcoming of spring, cleaning of home and mind in preparation for the work ahead.
Beings: Nature Spirits, Beings associated with Spring. Goddess of the Dawn
Workings: Blessing tools for working with the land and seeds/plants about to be planted.
Fools Rite
Observed: On or near April Fools Day (March 32nd (April 1st))
Purpose: To celebrate foolishness, yeah, it was created by Chaucer but surely an American mainstay.
Beings: Specifically calling on beings which are normally asked to stay away from ritual space
Workings: The Great Frozen Underwear Blessing Rite (or whatever other workings are appropriate)
Feast to the Earth
Observed: On or near Earth Day to Arbor Day (April 22nd to 4th Friday in April)
Purpose: A rite specificly honoring the Earth
Beings: The Earth Mother, Nature Spirits
Workings: Land Healing
May Day - High Day
Observed: On or near May 1st.
Purpose: Traditional: Celebrating the turning of the wheel. Beginning of agricultural summer (planting begins, livestock can be taken to summer pastures etc.)
Beings: None specific, any beings who represent fertility and/or the spark of creation
Workings: Fertility rites
Mother's Day
Observed: On or near mother's day (2nd Sunday in May)
Purpose: To honor the mothers among us
Beings: The Earth Mother, Mother Ancestors
Workings: None specific
Rites of Remembrance
Observed: On or near Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
Purpose: Honors the nation's war dead
Beings: Ancestors who fought and died in battle
Workings: None specific
Freedom Day
Observed: On or near Juneteenth (June 19th)
Purpose: Celebrates the ending of slavery in 1865
Beings: Ancestors who may have been abolitionists and slaves
Workings: None specific
Midsummer - High Day
Observed: On or near the Summer Solstice
Purpose: Traditional. Celebrates the height of summer, the growing season, and the longest day
Beings: Shining Sky Father, any beings associated with the growing Green
Workings: Ritual bathing for purification
Father's Day
Observed: On or near Father's Day (third Sunday in June)
Purpose: Honors the fathers among us
Beings: Shining Sky Father, Father Ancestors
Workings: none specific
Independence Day
Observed: On or near 4th of July
Purpose: Celebrating the Deceleration of Independence and the formation of the USA
Beings: Forefathers and mothers
Workings: None specific
The First Harvest - High Day
Observed: On or near August 1st
Purpose: Traditional. Honors the first harvest of grains and fruit. Pray for abundant harvest. Gathering of people
Beings: Fertility Gods and Goddesses and Nature Spirits
Workings: Games
The Woman's Rite
Observed: On or near Woman's Equality Day (August 26th)
Purpose: Celebrates Woman's equality, honors all women specifically focusing on those women who may not be mothers or those parts of their lives which are not associated with motherhood.
Beings: Goddesses not known to be mothers
Workings: None specific
Labor Day
Observed: On or near the first Monday in September
Purpose: Celebrates the achievements of workers and the labor movement
Beings: Gods and Goddesses associated with the producers function
Workings: None specific
Harvest Home - High Day
Observed: On or near the Autumn Equinox
Purpose: Traditional. The 2nd Harvest rite. Celebrating the gifts of the Earth. A time to seek balance for the upcoming winter. Additionally in modern society marks the time when many of us return to work, school, clubs, and activities after the long days of summer.
Beings: Fertility Beings, in thanks
Workings: Offering of a portion of the harvest.
Rites of Discovery
Observed: On or near Columbus day / Leif Erikson Day (Second Monday in October / October 9th)
Purpose: To honor the discovery of the Americas and to celebrate discovery in our own lives.
Beings: Ancestors of Discovery
Workings: None specific
Rites if Wholeness
Observed: On or near National Coming Out Day (October 11th)
Purpose: Honoring GLBT people, coming out, and striving to live our lives in completeness
Beings: Ancestors
Workings: None specific
Summer's End - High Day
Observed: On or near November 1st
Purpose: Traditional. Feast of the dead. The final harvest. Beginning of the agricultural winter
Beings: Those associated with the dead and dieing, Ancestors
Workings: Charging of talismans or other items to help see us through the long dark
Veterans Day
Observed: on or near November 11th.
Purpose: Honors all veterans of the United States armed forces.
Beings: Ancestors
Workings: none specifically
Feast of Thanksgiving
Observed: On or near Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
Purpose: Celebrates the giving of thanks for the autumn harvest but also thankfulness in our whole lives
Beings: None Specific
Workings: None specific
The Neighbors Feast
Observed: Anytime in the beginning of December
Purpose: Celebrates the neighborhoods we live in and our Neighbors
Beings: Spirits associated with place
Workings: Offering to local land/yard spirits to protect one's property throughout the winter
Midwinter - High Day
Observed: On or near the Winter Solstice
Purpose: Traditional. Feast of winter, the longest night, spent in merriment and light to drive back the long dark
Beings: Matrons or Patrons
Workings: Empowering candles or lights to help make it through winter
Anywho, as part of this exploration I threw together a liturgical calendar that one might use when following an American Hearth Culture. It is pretty quick and dirty and a lot of elements were included because they meant something to me specifically not because I think they would be required of one seeking to explore American culture in this way.
New Years
Observed; January 1st (or soon after)
Purpose: To usher out the old year and herald in the new. "New Years" is a pretty arbitrary date. Different religions and cultures use different times. As an American Hearth Culture participant I will hold to the commonly accepted American calendar date.
Beings: None specific, may be a good time to work with one's Matrons and Patrons considering vows, oaths, plans, and expectations in the year to come.
Workings: Burning or some other way to symbolically remove the debris of the last year. Taking of vows, oaths, resolutions.
Feast of Human Rights
Observed: On or near Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
Purpose: To honor those of our ancestors who spoke up and made a difference in the lives of our country. Traditionally a day to honor civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. but expanded here to cover many different civil and societal rights leaders.
Beings: Any ancestor involved in human rights work. Some examples may be Martin Luther King Jr, Pedro Zamora, Peter Tatchell, Harry Hay, Tim Berners-Lee, Susan B. Anthony etc.
Workings: None specific
The Feast of Winter's Turning - High Day
Observed: On or near February 1st.
Purpose: Traditional. Honoring the Goddess of the hearth and the turning of the year towards winter's end.
Beings: The Burning One, any home spirits or protectors
Workings: Blessing cloth or talismans for a productive and empowered spring
Lovers' Day
Observed: On or near St. Valentines Day (February 14)
Purpose: Honoring Fertility and Love in all it's guises.
Beings: Goddesses of Marriage and/or Sex. Direct ancestors
Workings: Sex magic.
The Feast of Reading
Observed: On or near "Read Across America Day/Dr. Suess' Birthday" (March 2nd)
Purpose: To honor reading and writing and the power and freedom it has offered us
Beings: Ancestors who were writers or pushed for literacy, beings with close contact with humanity
Workings: none specific
Rites of Spring - High Day
Observed: On or near the Spring Equinox
Purpose: Traditional. Honoring the turning of the wheel and the welcoming of spring, cleaning of home and mind in preparation for the work ahead.
Beings: Nature Spirits, Beings associated with Spring. Goddess of the Dawn
Workings: Blessing tools for working with the land and seeds/plants about to be planted.
Fools Rite
Observed: On or near April Fools Day (March 32nd (April 1st))
Purpose: To celebrate foolishness, yeah, it was created by Chaucer but surely an American mainstay.
Beings: Specifically calling on beings which are normally asked to stay away from ritual space
Workings: The Great Frozen Underwear Blessing Rite (or whatever other workings are appropriate)
Feast to the Earth
Observed: On or near Earth Day to Arbor Day (April 22nd to 4th Friday in April)
Purpose: A rite specificly honoring the Earth
Beings: The Earth Mother, Nature Spirits
Workings: Land Healing
May Day - High Day
Observed: On or near May 1st.
Purpose: Traditional: Celebrating the turning of the wheel. Beginning of agricultural summer (planting begins, livestock can be taken to summer pastures etc.)
Beings: None specific, any beings who represent fertility and/or the spark of creation
Workings: Fertility rites
Mother's Day
Observed: On or near mother's day (2nd Sunday in May)
Purpose: To honor the mothers among us
Beings: The Earth Mother, Mother Ancestors
Workings: None specific
Rites of Remembrance
Observed: On or near Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
Purpose: Honors the nation's war dead
Beings: Ancestors who fought and died in battle
Workings: None specific
Freedom Day
Observed: On or near Juneteenth (June 19th)
Purpose: Celebrates the ending of slavery in 1865
Beings: Ancestors who may have been abolitionists and slaves
Workings: None specific
Midsummer - High Day
Observed: On or near the Summer Solstice
Purpose: Traditional. Celebrates the height of summer, the growing season, and the longest day
Beings: Shining Sky Father, any beings associated with the growing Green
Workings: Ritual bathing for purification
Father's Day
Observed: On or near Father's Day (third Sunday in June)
Purpose: Honors the fathers among us
Beings: Shining Sky Father, Father Ancestors
Workings: none specific
Independence Day
Observed: On or near 4th of July
Purpose: Celebrating the Deceleration of Independence and the formation of the USA
Beings: Forefathers and mothers
Workings: None specific
The First Harvest - High Day
Observed: On or near August 1st
Purpose: Traditional. Honors the first harvest of grains and fruit. Pray for abundant harvest. Gathering of people
Beings: Fertility Gods and Goddesses and Nature Spirits
Workings: Games
The Woman's Rite
Observed: On or near Woman's Equality Day (August 26th)
Purpose: Celebrates Woman's equality, honors all women specifically focusing on those women who may not be mothers or those parts of their lives which are not associated with motherhood.
Beings: Goddesses not known to be mothers
Workings: None specific
Labor Day
Observed: On or near the first Monday in September
Purpose: Celebrates the achievements of workers and the labor movement
Beings: Gods and Goddesses associated with the producers function
Workings: None specific
Harvest Home - High Day
Observed: On or near the Autumn Equinox
Purpose: Traditional. The 2nd Harvest rite. Celebrating the gifts of the Earth. A time to seek balance for the upcoming winter. Additionally in modern society marks the time when many of us return to work, school, clubs, and activities after the long days of summer.
Beings: Fertility Beings, in thanks
Workings: Offering of a portion of the harvest.
Rites of Discovery
Observed: On or near Columbus day / Leif Erikson Day (Second Monday in October / October 9th)
Purpose: To honor the discovery of the Americas and to celebrate discovery in our own lives.
Beings: Ancestors of Discovery
Workings: None specific
Rites if Wholeness
Observed: On or near National Coming Out Day (October 11th)
Purpose: Honoring GLBT people, coming out, and striving to live our lives in completeness
Beings: Ancestors
Workings: None specific
Summer's End - High Day
Observed: On or near November 1st
Purpose: Traditional. Feast of the dead. The final harvest. Beginning of the agricultural winter
Beings: Those associated with the dead and dieing, Ancestors
Workings: Charging of talismans or other items to help see us through the long dark
Veterans Day
Observed: on or near November 11th.
Purpose: Honors all veterans of the United States armed forces.
Beings: Ancestors
Workings: none specifically
Feast of Thanksgiving
Observed: On or near Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
Purpose: Celebrates the giving of thanks for the autumn harvest but also thankfulness in our whole lives
Beings: None Specific
Workings: None specific
The Neighbors Feast
Observed: Anytime in the beginning of December
Purpose: Celebrates the neighborhoods we live in and our Neighbors
Beings: Spirits associated with place
Workings: Offering to local land/yard spirits to protect one's property throughout the winter
Midwinter - High Day
Observed: On or near the Winter Solstice
Purpose: Traditional. Feast of winter, the longest night, spent in merriment and light to drive back the long dark
Beings: Matrons or Patrons
Workings: Empowering candles or lights to help make it through winter