Mitravian Festivals

Mitravian Festivals

Novalux - 21st March (or precise time of spring equinox)
- Novalux means 'New Light'
- the Mithraic 'Easter'
- marks beginning of spring
- Persian: Nowruz

Zartonatus - 26 March (5 days after Novalux)
- birthday of Zarathustra
- celebrate wisdom and enlightenment
- Persian: Khordad Sal

Maiakana - may 1st
- fertility, prosperity, burgeoning new life
- Robinus - a lusty and lawless male figure
- Maia - a goddess of growth
- Persian: Maidyozarem (mid-spring)

Tirikana - 21st June (Tishtrya Kana)
- water festival
- celebration of defeat of drought by life-giving rain
- ?celebrate physical strength and prowess
- Persian: Tirgan

Mitrakana - 21st September (or Autumn Equinox)
- Festival of Mithra
- End of summer
- Harvest Festival & Thanksgiving
- Celebrate friendship and community
- Persian: Mehregan
- Western: Michaelmas (St.Michael is form of Mithra)

Mortuorum - November 1st (or 'Festus Mortuorum')
- Feast of the Dead
- "All Souls Day"
- celebrate the spirits of the departed
- invite them to feast with you

Atarkana - November 5th
- Fire Festival
- celebration of freedom
- story of the blacksmith Kavey, the good prince Freydon and the white wizard Albomagus in overcoming the evil tyrant Azidak

Yalda - 21st dec to 1st jan (12 days)
after nightfall on 21st dec - death of Mithra
followed by three days of fasting until
after nightfall on 24th dec - 'Mithraic Breakfast' (in English language at least) expectation of rebirth celebration
25th december (after sunrise) - birth of Mithra
- called ZAYESH MEHR or ZAYSHMIR by Iranians

Not officially part of the religion but we may also celebrate:
Cyrus Day - 29th October

MEHREGAN: (Mitrakana)
"The day is dedicated to the angel Mithra and all the Mithraic qualities: friendship, the word as bond, loyalty, and kindness."

This version September 4016 updated April 4017

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