March draws its name from Mars, the ancient Roman God of war, and is the second of the seven Gregorian months with 31 days. March's birthstone is aquamarine and its traditional flower is the jonquil. March always begins on the same day of the week as February in common years, and on the same day as November every year. In the Southern Hemisphere, March is the first month of autumn.
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March 1 In ancient Rome, the sacred fire in the Temple of Vesta was rekindled by the Vestal Virgins on this day that at one time marked the beginning of the Roman year.
March 2 In parts of Europe, women celebrate Mother March - the Mother-Goddess who presides over the third month of the year - annually on this date. A festive parade is also held to celebrate all mothers.
March 3 The number three is the most magickal of all numbers; therefore the third day of the third month is believed to be a auspicious time for Witches. This day is sacred to all Triple Goddesses and deities of the Moon (which shows itself in three aspects: waxing, full, and waning).
March 4 On this day in Ireland and Wales, the annual Feast of Thiannon is celebrated by many Wiccans in honour of Rhiannon, the Celtic/Welsh Mother-Goddess. On this date in ancient Greece, an annual 3-day long ritual called Anthesteria was begun to honour the souls of the dead.
March 5 In parts of North Africa, the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis is honoured today with an annual festival of music, dancing, and feasting.
March 13 The thirteenth day of the third month is considered to be the luckiest day of the year for all Witches (especially if it should happen to fall on a Friday), as thirteen is the number associated with the traditional Witches' coven and three is a powerful magickal number. In Luxemborg, a Pagan fire festival known as Burgsonndeg is celebrated annually on this day with the lighting of great bonfires to welcome Spring and the rebirth of the Sun.
March 20, 21 or 22 (Southern Hemisphere Autumn Equinox) Today is the Lesser Sabbat of Mabon in the Southern Hemisphere (the Lesser Sabbat of Ostara in the Northern Hemisphere).
March 26 Solitude Day. This is a time for Wiccans and Pagans to spend the day (or at least part of it) by themselves, meditate in solitude, and reconnect with their inner selves.
March 29 The annual Festival of Ishtar is celebrated by many Wiccans on this day in honour of the Assyrian/Babylonian goddess of love, fertility and battle.
March 30 A Pagan religious festival was held each year on this day in ancient Mesopotamia to celebrate the sacred union of the God and Goddess, and to give thanks for the existence of the human race.
March 31 On this date in ancient Rome, the annual Feast of Luna was celebrated at Moonrise in honour of the beautiful and powerful goddess of the Moon and lunar magick. |
