The Latvians recognized eight different seasons to the year. The end of one season and the beginning of the next was marked by a festival.
Modern Season/Latvian Equivalents/Boundary Festivals
| Winter |
Winter Time (Ziemas Laiks) |
ZiemassvetkiIn ancient Latvia, Ziemassvetki was a festival, celebrated on December 23, which was one of the two most important holidays, the other being Jani. Ziemassvetki celebrated the birth of Dievs, the highest god of Latvian mythology. The two weeks before Ziema - MeteniIn ancient Latvia, Meteni was a festival celebrated on February 23. The primary attracton was feast which included all the parts of a pig, bread, barley and beer. The people also went sledding. The degree to which one celebrated Meteni was believed to be |
| Winter |
Frost Time (Sersnu Laiks) |
MeteniIn ancient Latvia, Meteni was a festival celebrated on February 23. The primary attracton was feast which included all the parts of a pig, bread, barley and beer. The people also went sledding. The degree to which one celebrated Meteni was believed to be - LieldienasIn ancient Latvia, Lieldienas ("long days") was the celebration of Vernal Equinox on March 23. The celebration usually lasted three or four days; each day was devoted to a specific deity, though no source gives the names of the respective deity. At least |
| Spring |
Spring Time (Pavasara Laiks) |
LieldienasIn ancient Latvia, Lieldienas ("long days") was the celebration of Vernal Equinox on March 23. The celebration usually lasted three or four days; each day was devoted to a specific deity, though no source gives the names of the respective deity. At least - JurgiIn ancient Latvia, Jurgi was festival held on April 23. It was the beginning of summer, and the first day of outdoor farmwork and shepherding. It was sacred to the god Usins. Livestock are allowed to graze outside after this year. In the morning, their st |
| Spring |
Planting Time (Sejas Laiks) |
JurgiIn ancient Latvia, Jurgi was festival held on April 23. It was the beginning of summer, and the first day of outdoor farmwork and shepherding. It was sacred to the god Usins. Livestock are allowed to graze outside after this year. In the morning, their st - JaniIn ancient Latvia, Jni was the most important festival. It was held on June 23 and celebrated the Summer Solstice (after Christianization, it was associated with the eve of Saint John the Baptist's feast day, which falls on June 24). In preparation, every |
| Summer |
Threshing Time (Siena Laiks) |
Jani - Maras |
| Summer |
Autumn time (Rudens Laiks) |
Maras - Mikeli |
| Fall |
Spirits Time (Velu Laiks) |
Mikeli - Martini |
| Fall |
Ice Time (Ledus Laiks) |
Martini - Ziemassvetki |
