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The article from BBC News NI, written by Naomi Holland, discusses the question of when autumn actually starts, highlighting that the answer depends on which calendar you follow. It explores three different calendars marking the start of autumn:
1. **Celtic Calendar**:
– According to the ancient Celtic calendar, autumn begins on **1 August**, marked by the festival Lúghnasadh.
– The article describes a ritual in County Kilkenny led by Eimear Burke, Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, celebrating the early harvest and symbolizing life, death, and rebirth.
– The Celtic calendar reflects a close relationship with nature and the agricultural cycle.
2. **Meteorological Calendar**:
– Many people recognize **1 September** as the official start of autumn based on the meteorological calendar, which divides the year into four seasons of three months each for weather forecasting and statistics.
– This calendar is practical and widely used, often associated with the start of the school year and changes in weather patterns.
3. **Astronomical Calendar**:
– The astronomical calendar marks the beginning of autumn with the **autumnal equinox**, when day and night are approximately equal in length. This usually occurs around **23 September**.
– This calendar follows Earth’s position in its orbit around the sun, and its seasons align with sun-related events (solstices and equinoxes).
The article also touches on the cultural importance of these calendars:
– Fiona Byrne, a history curator at the Ulster Folk Museum, emphasizes the significance of the Celtic calendar in understanding how ancient people related to the land and seasons.
– Traditional Celtic harvest customs, such as making harvest knots and lighting bonfires, continue in some form to the present day.
– The debate about when autumn starts ultimately depends on which traditions or practicalities individuals or communities prefer to follow.
In summary, autumn can start on 1 August (Celtic), 1 September (meteorological), or 23 September (astronomical), with each calendar serving different cultural, agricultural, or scientific purposes
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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