Welcome to the Lithe Days
Di Sathairne, 21 An t-Og-mhìos 2008
164.9.8.17 Siùfainn
1 Afterlithe 1564
It’s the longest day of year. In Aberdeen the sun will rise at 04:13 and set at 22:06. In Saxon times this was the “Lithe” festival, and it is still celebrated in Scandinavian countries in particular. From today though, the days will start getting shorter, but it will not be noticeable for a while. In my notional calendar, tomorrow will be the 1st Afterlithe and we will be halfway through the year.
Siùfainn (Mid-summer’s Moon)
Di Ardaoin, 5 An t-Og-mhìos 2008
164.9.8.1 Siùfainn
16 Forelithe 1564
Siùfainn is the mid-summer moon that usually includes the summer solstice. In Gaulish it was Semivisonna. This year, the full moon is on the 19th June, just two days before the solstice, so it will be very low in the sky in Scotland.
Siùfainn Calendar
Other Calendars
The new month in other lunar calendars will be as follows:
Gaulish: Semivisonna (Midsummer Brightness), NCC 8
Hebrew: Sivan (3), 5768
Islamic: Jumada’al-Akhira (6), 1429
Tree: Oak