2002 African & Middle-Eastern Holidays

* 12/31 to 1/4: Zoroastrian celebration of Divine Spirit Vohu Manah (Good Intent), creator and protector of animals. Vohu Manah is one of seven male and female divine emanations of Deity Ahura Mazda. [a/k/a Maidhyairya, Mid-Winter]

* 1/1: Day to meditate for peace throughout the world. [World Peace Day; Universal Hour of Peace: 7:00-8:00 a.m. EST.]

* 1/1: Day the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect freeing the Confederate slaves (1863); day to mourn African victims of slavery and racism (past and present), make peace, and celebrate empowerment of African Americans. [President Abraham Lincoln made the Emancipation Proclamation on 9/22/1862.][Text of Emancipation Proclamation]

* 1/4: Day ethnic discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1969); day to mourn all manifestations of racism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: signed/adopted 3/7/1966; entered into force 1/4/1969.][Text of Convention] [For more information, see Anti Racism Information Service website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 1/15: Feast of the Black Christ. [Originated in Guatemala and celebrated by Catholics in Central America and the Caribbean and immigrants and African-Americans in the U.S. Pilgrims travel to the Church of the Black Christ of Esquipulas annually during the week leading up to the feast.] [a/k/a Feast of Christ of Esquipulas, Fiesta Del Senor de Esquipulas]

* 1/15 (Obs.1/21): Birthday of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929), Baptist preacher and non-violent advocate for the rights of African Americans. [Death day 4/4/1968]

* 1/17: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Ogun, Orisha of Strength, Endurance, and Perseverance.

* 1/20: World Religions Day--Day to contemplate all religions as different paths to the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.

* 1/24: Old Egyptian festival of Neteret Bastet, the Cat Goddess. Her image was transported on a bark on the Nile River from Karnak to Bubastis. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 12/14] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Shefbedet day 29]

* 1/25: Old Egyptian festival of Neteret Amenet-Rait-Mut, the primordial Great Mother. Her image was transported on a bark on Isheru Lake with other Lion Goddesses. [Egyptians perceived the many Gods and Goddesses (Neteru) to be aspects of the one God-Goddess Neter-Neteret.] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 12/15] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Shefbedet day 30]

* 1/26: Beginning of Old Egyptian Proyet/Emergence month of Rekehwer/Mekhir. [Priests and priestesses made offerings to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses) to ensure the continuation of order (maat) and life (ankh).] [The Negative Confessions reflect the ethics of the Egyptians.] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 12/16] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Rekehwer day 1]

* 2/1: Day President Abraham Lincoln approved the Constitution's 13th Amendment, outlawing all slavery (1865). [The 13th Amendment was approved by Congress on 1/31/1865 and, after ratification by the states, was proclaimed in effect on 12/18/1865.] [a/k/a National Freedom Day] [Text of amendment]

* 2/1 to 2/28: Ethnic Equality Month--Time to honor all peoples and their positive traditions; time to meditate on the equality of all peoples, on the respect due to them, and on God-Goddess manifesting as African, Asian, Oceanic, Middle Eastern, European, Hispanic, and Native American. [Expands idea of African-American History Month a/k/a Black History Month.]

* 2/2: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Oya, Orisha of Death and Rebirth. Yorubas/Santeros worship the One Deity Olodumare and the Orishas - Olodumare's emanations and messengers.

* 2/7: Birthday of Frederick Douglass (1817), non-violent advocate for the rights of African Americans. [Death day 2/20/1895]

* 2/15: Birthday of Susan B. Anthony (1820), non-violent advocate for the rights of women and African Americans. [a/k/a Susan B. Anthony Day] [Death day 3/13/1906]

* 2/24 to 2/26: Raising Heaven--Old Egyptian Festival honoring the hidden Neteru Amen and Amenet. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 1/14 to 1/16] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Rekehwer day 30 to Rekehnedjes day 2]

* 2/25: Beginning of Old Egyptian Proyet/Emergence month of Rekehnedjes/Phamenoth. [Priests and priestesses made offerings to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses) to ensure that there would be peace and harmony throughout the land.] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 1/15] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Rekehnedjes day 1]

* 2/25: Old Egyptian feast of Neter Ptah, God of Arts and Creativity. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 1/15] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Rekehnedjes day 1]

* 3/1 to 3/31: Gender Equality Month--Time to honor both genders; time to meditate on the equality of women and men, on the respect due to both women and men, and on Goddess-God manifesting as woman and man. [Expands idea of Women's History Month.]

* 3/9: Day slavery was outlawed world-wide (1927); day to mourn its continued existence. [Convention to Suppress the Slave Trade and Slavery: signed/adopted 9/25/1926; entered into force 3/9/1927.] [Text of Convention] See also the Protocol Amending the Slavery Convention. [Text of Protocol]

* 3/10: Death day of Harriet Tubman (1913), who risked her life to guide slaves to freedom. [Birthday unknown]

* 3/16 to 3/20: Zoroastrian celebration of Divine Spirit Spenta Mainyu (Holy Spirit), creator and protector of humans. [a/k/a Hamaspathmaedaya, All Souls, Parsi Muktad, Irani Farvadigan]

* 3/19: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Osanyin, Orisha of Deciduous Vegetation.

* 3/20 to 3/21: Old Sumerian & Canaanite-Hebrew festival celebrating the return of Dumuzi/Baal (God of Life and Death) from the Underworld to be with Inanna/Astarte (Goddess of Life) for the verdant part of the year.

* 3/21: Naw Ruz--Zoroastrian New Year and celebration of Divine Spirit Asha Vahishta (Righteousness), creator and protector of fire. [a/k/a No Ruz, Nawroz, Feast of Ahura Mazda, Spring Equinox]

* 3/25: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Oshun, Orisha of Passion and Fertility.

[* 3/26: Day commemorating the birth of Zoroastrian Prophet Zarathustra (628 BCE).] [628-551 BCE: exact dates unknown]

* 3/27: Beginning of Old Egyptian Proyet/Emergence month of Paenrenenutet/Pharmouthi, dedicated to Neteret Renenutet and Neter Nepri. [Priests and priestesses made offerings of food and drink to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses) to ensure that all people had abundant food and drink.] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 2/14] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Paenrenenutet day 1]

* 3/30: Day the Constitution's 15th Amendment went into effect, recognizing the right of all ethnic peoples to vote (1870). [The 15th Amendment was approved by Congress on 2/26/1869 and, after ratification by the states, was proclaimed in effect on 3/30/1870.] [Text of amendment]

* 3/30 to 3/31: Old Egyptian festival of Neteret Bastet, Goddess of Domestic Harmony. Her image was transported outside the temple on a bark. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 2/17 to 2/18] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Paenrenenutet days 4-5]

* 4/6: Day the Hutus began genocidal massacres of Tutsis in Rwanda (1994); vigil for true peace, justice, and respect for the human rights of all in Africa. [Over 800,000 were killed.] [For more information, see BBC report; Human Rights Watch report: Rwanda.]

* 4/7: World Health Day--Day to pray for healing of all those chronically and seriously ill; day to advocate for adequate health care for all. [Day the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) was founded in 1948.] [For information on World Health Day, see World Health Organization website; UN Dag Hammarskjold Library website.] [For information on the World Health Organization, see World Health Organization website.]

* 4/20 to 4/26: Old Egyptian festival of Neteret Renenutet (Goddess of the Harvest) and Neter Nepri (God of Grain). A harvest offering was made. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 3/10 to 3/16] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Paenrenenutet day 25 to Paenkhons day 1]

* 4/22: Earth Day--Day to honor the Earth and to meditate on Deity manifesting as Mother Earth. [a/k/a International Earth Day, National Earth Day] [For information about Earth Day activities, see Earthday Network website; Envirolink website; U.S. government website for Earth Day; U.S. E.P.A. website for Earth Day.]

* 4/22: Day the world's nations guaranteed asylum to those persecuted in their homelands on account of their ethnicity, religion, or political opinion (1954). [Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees: signed 7/28/1951; entered into force 4/22/1954.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 4/23: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Ogun, Orisha of Orisha of Self-reliance and Industrious Labor. Yorubas/Santeros celebrate with drumming, ecstatic dancing, and possession trance.

* 4/26: Beginning of Old Egyptian Shomu/Harvest month of Paenkhons/Pakhon. [Priests and priestesses made offerings to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses) to ensure that there would be good health and long life for all.] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 3/16] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Paenkhons day 1]

* 4/30 to 5/4: Zoroastrian celebration of Divine Spirit Khshathra Vairya (Power), creator and protector of the Sky. Zoroastrians worship the one transcendent and immanent Deity Ahura Mazda, who is symbolized by a sacred fire. [a/k/a Maidhyoizaremaya, Mid-Spring]

* 5/2: National Day of Prayer--Day to pray for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state throughout the world. [For an overview of U.S. Supreme Court cases on freedom of religion under the U.S. Constitution, see First Amendment Cyber-Tribune.] [For information on religious freedom in countries around the world, see U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report; Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief.] [For the text and more information on the Constitution's First Amendment, see Cornell University's Legal Information Institute website; First Amendment Online website and 1st Amendment.com website.] [For information on organizations that advocate for freedom of religion, see Americans United for Separation of Church and State website; American Civil Liberty Union website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 5/15: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Ochossi, Orisha of Animals.

* 5/17: Day the Supreme Court concluded that ethnic-based segregation of schools violates the U.S. Constitution (1954). [Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954)] [Text of case]

* 5/26: Beginning of Old Egyptian Shomu/Harvest month of Khentkhety/Paoni. [Priests and priestesses made offerings to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses) to ensure that there would be love and happiness for all.] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 4/15] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Khentkhety day 1]

* 6/21: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Orisha Babalu Aye, Guardian of the Disabled.

* 6/25: Beginning of Old Egyptian Shomu/Harvest month of Ipet-hemet/Epip.] [Priests and priestesses made offerings to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses) to ensure that there would be security and protection for all. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 5/15] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Ipet-hemet day 1]

* 6/29: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Orisha Eleggua, Intercessor and Ruler of Destinies. Yorubas/Santeros celebrate with divination and food offerings.

* 6/29 to 7/3: Zoroastrian celebration of Divine Spirit Haurvatat (Wholeness), creator and protector of water. [a/k/a Maidhyoishema, Mid-Summer]

* 6/30: Vigil for peace, democracy, religious freedom, ethnic equality, and the end of slavery in Sudan - now in the throes of civil war. [Since 1983, when Islamic law was adopted in Sudan, civil war has pitted Arab Muslims against African Christians and animists. As a result, over 2 million have died, most through forced starvation. Government troops have been accused of torture, rape, enslavement, and the murder of women and children. On 6/30/1989, a military coup by Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir brought authoritarian rule to Sudan. In 1991, Islamic law was imposed on non-Muslims in the areas within his control.] [For more information, see CNN website; Global Security website; Human Rights Watch report: Sudan.]

* 7/1: Day endangered species became internationally protected (1975); day to celebrate all the world's creatures. [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: signed/adopted 3/3/1973; entered into force 7/1/1975.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Environmental Programme CITES website; World Wildlife Fund website; EarthJustice website.]

* 7/2: Day discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, gender, and religion was prohibited in public accommodations and employment (1964). [The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson.] [Pub. L. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241, 42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.] [Text of statute] [Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in employment.] [Text of statute] [For more information on fighting discrimination in employment based on gender, see U.S. E.E.O.C. website.] [For more information on fighting discrimination in employment based on ethnicity, see U.S. E.E.O.C. website.] [For more information on fighting discrimination in employment based on religion, see the U.S. E.E.O.C. website.]

* 7/9: Old Egyptian festival of Neteru Amen (God of Transcendent Powers) and Hapi (God of the Nile River); offerings were made to ensure the needed flooding of the Nile River. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 5/29] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Ipet-hemet day 15]

* 7/18: Day South Africa's apartheid was internationally outlawed (1976); birthday of Nelson Mandela, non-violent anti-apartheid activist. [Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid: signed/adopted 11/30/1973; entered into force 7/18/1976.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see Human Rights Watch report: South Africa; African National Congress website.]

* 7/24: Old Egyptian feast of Neteret Hathor, Goddess of Love and Fertility. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 6/13] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Ipet-hemet day 30]

* 7/25: Beginning of Old Egyptian Shomu/Summer month of Mesut-Ra/Mesori, dedicated to Neteru Ra and Rait. [Priests and priestesses made offerings to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses) to ensure that there would be strength and freedom for all.] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 6/14] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Mesut-Ra day 1]

* 7/28: Day the Constitution's 14th Amendment went into effect, guaranteeing due process and equal protection of the law to all (1868). [The 14th Amendment was approved by Congress on 6/13/1866 and, after ratification by the states, was proclaimed in effect on 7/28/1868.] [Text of amendment]

* 8/2: Feast of the Black Madonna. [a/k/a Feast of the Virgin of the Angels]

* 8/6: Day the Voting Rights Act became law (1965) - register to vote! [The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson.] [Pub. L. 89-110, 79 Stat. 437, 42 U.S.C. 1973 et seq.] [Text of statute]

* 8/24: Feast of Old Egyptian God Osiris - partner and true love of Isis, and father of Horus; guide of all husbands, fathers, and judges. [Old Egyptian birthday feast of Neter Osiris.] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 7/14] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Epagomenal day 1]

* 8/25: Old Egyptian birthday feast of Neter Horus the Elder, lover of Neteret Hathor. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 7/15] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Epagomenal day 2]

* 8/26: Old Egyptian birthday feast of Neter Set, God of the Desert. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar7/16] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Epagomenal day 3]

* 8/27: Feast of Old Egyptian Goddess Isis - partner and true love of Osiris, and mother of Horus; guide of all wives, mothers, healers, advocates, and teachers. [Old Egyptian birthday feast of Neteret Isis.] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 7/17] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Epagomenal day 4]

* 8/28: Old Egyptian birthday feast of Neteret Nepthys, estranged wife of Neter Set. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 7/18] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Epagomenal day 5]

* 8/28: Day of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s peaceful march on Washington, D.C., for recognition of the rights of African Americans (1963). [Rev. King made his inspiring "I have a dream" speech at this rally.]

* 8/28: Opening of the Second World Parliament of Religions (1993), attended by members of all the world's religions. A Global Ethic was adopted that condemns hatred, aggression, oppression, and environmental abuses committed in the name of religion. [Text of Global Ethic]

* 8/29: Old Egyptian birthday feast of Neteru Ra and Rait, Deities of the Sun. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 7/19] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Tekh day 1]

* 8/29 to 9/11: Old Egyptian festival marking the return to Egypt of Goddess Isis (as the star of Septet/Sirius) and God Osiris (as the star of Sahu/Orion), and the rains that inundate the Nile River. [Old Egyptian New Year; beginning of Akhet/Inundation month of Tekh/Thout, dedicated to Neter Thoth (God of Time).] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 7/19 to 8/1] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Tekh days 1-14] [9/11 is also the Coptic New Year.]

* 9/3: Day gender discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1981); day to mourn all manifestations of sexism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women: adopted by U.N. General Assembly 12/18/1979; signed 3/1/1980; entered into force 9/3/1981.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see WomenWatch: United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women website; Feminist Majority Foundation website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 9/8: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Oshun, Orisha of Love and Compassion.

* 9/12: Old Egyptian festival of Neteru Amen (God of Transcendent Powers) and Hapi (God of the Nile River); offerings were made to ensure the needed flooding of the Nile River. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 8/2] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Tekh day 15]

* 9/12 to 9/16: Zoroastrian celebration of Divine Spirit Spenta Armaiti (Devotion), creator and protector of Earth. [a/k/a Paitishahya, Corn-Harvest]

* 9/15 to 9/16: Old Egyptian Wag Festival, honoring the dead and Neter Osiris (Lord of Amenta, realm of the dead). Food was brought to the tombs and shared with the dead. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 8/5 to 8/6] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Tekh days 18-19]

* 9/16 to 9/17: Old Egyptian festival of Neter Thoth, God of Knowledge and Wisdom. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 8/6 to 8/7] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Tekh days 19-20]

* 9/19: Old Egyptian Great Procession of Neter Osiris. The image of Osiris was transported on a bark to the tombs. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 8/9] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Tekh day 22]

* 9/21: International Day of Peace--Day to demonstrate for peace with justice throughout the world. [a/k/a U.N. International Day of Peace] [For more information on the International Day of Peace, see International Day of Peace website and International Day of Peace Vigil website.]

* 9/24: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Obatala, Orisha of Peace and Justice.

* 9/28: Beginning of Old Egyptian Akhet/Inundation month of Menkhet/Paopi, dedicated to Neteru Amen-Ra-Atem and Amenet-Rait-Mut. [Priests and priestesses read hymns of thanksgiving to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses).] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 8/18] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Menkhet day 1]

* 9/29: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Orisha Eleggua, Intercessor and Ruler of Destinies.

* 9/30: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Shango, Orisha of Passion and Virility.

* 10/4: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Orunmila, Orisha of Wise Counsel and Protection.

* 10/12 to 10/16: Zoroastrian celebration of Divine Spirit Ameretat (Immortality), creator and protector of vegetation. [a/k/a Ayathrima, Herds-Homecoming]

* 10/12 to 10/22: Old Egyptian Opet Festival, honoring Neteru Amen-Ra-Atem and Amenet-Rait-Mut. The pharaoh went to the Luxor Temple at Thebes in order to have his authority to rule recognized. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 9/1 to 9/11] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Menkhet days 15-25]

* 10/18: Day the Clean Water Act was enacted (1972); day to give thanks for the water we drink. [Pub. L. 92-500, 86 Stat. 896, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]

* 10/24: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Orisha Erinle, Healer of the Sick and Injured.

* 10/28: Beginning of Old Egyptian Akhet/Inundation month of Het-Hert/Athor, dedicated to Neteret Hathor. [Priests and priestesses danced and played sistra, tambourines, and menat in honor of the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses).] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 9/17] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Het-Hert day 1]

* 10/31 eve to 11/2 eve: Old Sumerian & Canaanite-Hebrew fast recalling the descent of Inanna/Astarte (Goddess of Life) to the Underworld. Ereshkigal/Sheol (Goddess of Death and Rebirth) detained Her until She agreed to have Dumuzi/Baal (God of Life and Death) remain there each Winter.

* 11/1: World Community Day--Day for celebrating the unity behind diversity and remembering we are all one people - all children of the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.

* 11/1 to 11/2: Fon/Vodou feast of Ghede, Loa of the Dead; time for honoring ancestral spirits. Fon/Vodouisants believe all Loas (Deities) originate from Co-Creators Goddess-God Mawu-Lisa.

* 11/3: Christian feast of St. Martin of Porres (d. 1639), healer and advocate of social equality and inter-ethnic harmony; guide of healers and human rights activists.

* 11/5: Old Egyptian festival of Neteru Amen-Ra-Atem and Amenet-Rait-Mut. Their images were transported on a bark from Karnak to Luxor. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 9/25] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Het-Hert day 9]

* 11/21: Fast for an Abundant World Harvest--Day to fast and commit to action to help prevent deaths from malnourishment world-wide. [a/k/a Fast for a World Harvest] [For more information, see the Oxfam America website.]

* 11/25: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Oya, Orisha of Death and Rebirth.

* 11/26: Death day of Sojourner Truth (1883), Christian preacher and non-violent advocate for the rights of women and African Americans. [Born 1797: exact date unknown]

* 11/27: Beginning of Old Egyptian Akhet/Inundation month of Nehebkau/Khoiak, dedicated to Neteru Isis and Osiris. [Priests and priestesses made offerings of incense, holy water, and perfumed oils to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses).] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 10/17] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Nehebkau day 1]

* 11/27: Old Egyptian feast of Neteret Hathor, Goddess of Fate. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 10/17] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Nehebkau day 1]

* 11/28: Thanksgiving Day--Day to give thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter, and health.

* 12/1: World AIDS Day--Day to pray for healing of all those suffering with AIDS and HIV. [For information on World AIDS Day, see World AIDS Day website. For information about the global fight against AIDS, see UNAIDS website.] [For information on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, see Human Rights Watch website.]

* 12/4: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Orisha Shango, Defender Against Evil.

* 12/8 to 12/26: Old Egyptian Sokar Festival/Khoiak Ceremonies. It commemorates Neteret Isis seeking out and finding the scattered remains of Neter Osiris. [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic 10/28 to 11/15] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Nehebkau days 12-30]

* 12/10: Day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, and fundamental rights were recognized world-wide (1948). [The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (U.D.H.R.) in Resolution 217 A(III).] [a/k/a International Human Rights Day] [Text of Declaration] [For more information on the history of the U.D.H.R., see Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute website.] [The U.D.H.R. is generally recognized as binding customary international law. In 1966, the concepts of the U.D.H.R. were expanded and drafted into two binding international treaties with enforcement mechanisms. The Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [text of Covenant] is enforced by the Human Rights Committee [see Human Rights Committee website; University of Minnesota Human Rights Library website] and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. [See Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights website; Human Rights Watch website.] The Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights [text of Covenant] is enforced by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. [See Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights website.]

* 12/15: Day the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights to all (1791). [a/k/a Bill of Rights Day] [Text of Bill of Rights] [For more information about the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, see U.S. National Archives & Records Administration website and the Bill of Rights Institute website] [For information on organizations that advocate for enforcement of rights and liberties in the Bill of Rights, see Center for Constitutional Rights website; American Civil Liberties Union website.]

* 12/17: Yoruba/Santeria feast of Orisha Babalu Aye, Healer of Deadly Diseases.

* 12/17: Day the Clean Air Act was enacted (1963); day to give thanks for the air we breathe. [Pub. L. 88-206, 77 Stat. 392, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]

* 12/18: Day the Constitution's 13th Amendment went into effect, outlawing all slavery (1865). [The 13th Amendment was approved by Congress on 1/31/1865 and, after ratification by the states, was proclaimed in effect on 12/18/1865.] [Text of amendment]

* 12/26: Day commemorating the death of Zoroastrian Prophet Zarathustra (551 BCE). Zoroastrians worship by making offerings to a sacred fire. [628-551 BCE: exact dates unknown]

* 12/26 to 1/1: Kwanzaa--Festival celebrating positive African traditions; emphasizes unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

* 12/27: Beginning of Old Egyptian Proyet/Emergence month of Shefbedet/Tobi. [Priests and priestesses read hymns of praise to the Neteru (Gods and Goddesses).] [Alexandrian calendar] [Kemetic calendar 11/16] [Ancient Egyptian calendar: Shefbedet day 1]

* 12/31: Yoruba/Santeria festival of Orisha Yemaya, Mother of the Sun and Moon.

[Santeria is a syncretism of the West African religion of the Yoruba (Nigerian) people (Yoruba religion) with Catholicism. Santeria, like other African Spirituality, is grounded in Nature and its rhythms. The Santeria Orishas reflect the powers of Nature and virtues. Santeria holidays are Yoruba holidays affixed to the feast days of the Catholic saints that the Santeria Orishas are identified with. Consequently, the Santeria calendar is based on the Catholic calendar. Similarly, Vodun (Voodoo) is a syncretism of the West African Fon (Dahoman) religion with Catholicism. They are practiced in the Caribbean, Brazil, and the United States, as well as in West Africa.]

[The Zoroastrian religion (Zoroastrianism) was founded by Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster) in 6th Century BCE Persia (now Iran). It is practiced primarily in Iran and India (where Zoroastrians are called Parsis). The holy scripture of the Zoroastrians is the Avesta. Zoroastrianism is grounded in Nature and its rhythms. Zoroastrians pray 5 times daily in the presence of fire, either at home or in a Fire Temple. There are three Zoroastrian calendars in use today, resulting from different reforms to reconcile the original 360-day Zoroastrian calendar with the solar year. The Zoroastrian Fasli calendar (on which the Zoroastrian holidays in this calendar are based) uses fixed dates for Zoroastrian holidays. The other two calendars use moveable dates. Thus, Zoroastrians following the other calendars will celebrate the holidays on different days than those listed here.]

[The ancient Egyptian religion was practiced throughout East Africa (in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, as well as Egypt). It is still being practiced today by some as Egyptian Spirituality, Egyptian Paganism, Kemetic religion, Kemetic Spirituality, Kemetic Paganism, Kemeticism, and Kemetic faith. Old Egyptian holidays (Kemetic holidays) in this calendar are based on the ancient Egyptian calendar. The ancient Egyptians used 3 calendars: a lunar calendar, a fixed calendar, and a lunisolar calendar. The Old Egyptian New Year is disputed. The Alexandrian calendar (a reform of the ancient Egyptian calendar by Roman Emperor Augustus in 25 BCE that added a 6th leap year day) sets the Old Egyptian New Year at 8/29 (except years encompassing the Gregorian leap year day, when the New Year is on 8/30). The Alexandrian calendar is the same as the Coptic calendar ( a Julian-type calendar), but the Alexandrian dates are adjusted to the Gregorian calendar. (The Coptic New Year is on 9/11, except years encompassing the Gregorian leap year day, when the New Year is on 9/12.) The New Year was celebrated in ancient times at the time of the annual life-giving inundation of the Nile River. The annual inundation occurs around 7/19 on the Gregorian calendar. Consequently, the Kemetic calendar sets the Old Egyptian New Year at 7/19. The Copts and the Arabs of Egypt celebrated "The Night of the Drop" on 7/17 into the 19th Century. This first drop presaged the coming inundation. It was believed that the drop was a tear drop that Goddess Isis cried in mourning over the death of God Osiris. Her tears were believed to cause the annual flooding of the Nile. Ancient Egyptian dates are calculated based on the Alexandrian calendar, with secondary reference to Kemetic calendar dates.]

[This is one of many versions of the Egyptian Negative Confession. The dead were required to recite this in order to be judged fit to enter Amenta, the realm of the dead: I have not harmed anyone; I have not wronged my kinfolk; I have not committed evil; I have not consorted with evil people; I have not committed acts of abomination; I have not done less than duty requires; I have not attempted to gain undeserved honors; I have not oppressed anyone; I have not treated any Deity with disrespect; I have not defrauded anyone; I have not done what the Deities detest; I have not caused anyone to oppress another; I have not caused anyone to suffer; I have not allowed anyone to go hungry; I have not caused anyone to weep; I have not killed anyone; I have not caused anyone to be killed; I have not caused pain to the multitude; I have not taken offerings intended for the temple; I have not taken food meant for the Deities; I have not taken food meant for the spirits; I have not consorted with pedophiles; I have not entered the temple in an impure state; I have not cheated in the measuring of grain; I have not encroached upon the fields of others; I have not taken the land of others; I have not added to the weight of the balance; I have not cheated with the pointer of the scales; I have not taken milk from babies; I have not driven animals from their pastures; I have not captured geese from the preserves of a Deity; I have not caught fish with fish bait; I have not obstructed water that should run; I have not broken a canal of running water; I have not neglected to make temple offerings; I have not taken cattle from the property of a Deity; I have not rejected the Deities in their manifestations. I am pure. I am pure. I am pure. I am pure.] [Egyptian Book of the Dead Chapter CXXVI]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Permission to use and distribute these excerpts is granted for non-commercial purposes, provided the following information is included:

Excerpted from
THE MYSTIC'S WHEEL OF THE YEAR 2002
A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality
© 2001 Page Two, Inc.
WheeloftheYear@BookArts.com
www.WheeloftheYear.com

All Gods and Goddesses
are aspects of
the One Deity

The One Deity
is reflected in
all Gods and Goddesses

The One Deity
is Deity of all

Deity is
male and female,
yet genderless

Deity is
all forms,
yet formless

Deity is
within all;
Deity is
beyond all

Deity is
all-embracing
love

With all that
is known by all
the world's sages,
with all that
is written in all
sacred books,
with all that
is experienced
in all
spiritual traditions,
we still cannot
know
the unknowable--

Deity is Mystery

The Mystic's Wheel of the Year... a Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality

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Year 2008 Calendar By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2007 Calendar By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

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Year 2008 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2008

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2008

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2008

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2008

Baha'i Holidays - 2008

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Hindu Holidays - 2008

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2008

Buddhist Holidays - 2008

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2008

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2008

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2008

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2008

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2008

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2008

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Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipse & Helions - 2008

Meteor Showers - 2008

Visible Planets - 2008

Astrological Periods - 2008

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Year 2007 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2007

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2007

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2007

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2007

Baha'i Holidays - 2007

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Hindu Holidays - 2007

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2007

Buddhist Holidays - 2007

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2007

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2007

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2007

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2007

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2007

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2007

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Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipses & Helions - 2007

Meteor Showers - 2007

Visible Planets - 2007

Astrological Periods - 2007

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Year 2006 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2006

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2006

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2006

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2006

Baha'i Holidays - 2006

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Hindu Holidays - 2006

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2006

Buddhist Holidays - 2006

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2006

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2006

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2006

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2006

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2006

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipses & Helions - 2006

Meteor Showers - 2006

Visible Planets - 2006

Astrological Periods - 2006

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The Mystic's Wheel of the Year...
a Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality

Year 2008
Calendar
By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2007
Calendar
By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2008
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2008

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2008

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2008

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2008

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2008

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2008

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2008

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2008

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2008

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2008

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipse & Helions - 2008

Year 2007
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2007

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2007

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2007

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2007

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2007

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2007

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2007

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2007

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2007

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2007

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2007

Year 2006
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2006

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2006

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2006

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2006

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2006

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2006

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2006

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2006

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2006

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2006

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2006

Year 2005
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2005

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2005

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2005

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2005

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2005

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2005

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2005

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2005

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2005

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2005

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2005

Year 2004
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2004

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2004

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2004

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2004

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2004

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2004

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2004

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2004

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2004

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2004

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2004