The Significance of the Cross Quarters
Many traditional holidays, both modern and ancient, are celebrated at one of the four cross-quarter points of the annual calendar, also known as the “Wheel of the Year.”
Each of these power points is located at the mid-point between Solstice and Equinox. At the precise midpoint of 15º there is a significant release of energy or chi, signifying the birth of a new season or cycle of time.
These four cross quarter points are located in the zodiac at: 15º Aquarius, 15º Taurus, 15º Leo, and 15º Scorpio.
By ritualizing the cross-quarter days and creating ceremony and celebration, ancient and modern peoples capture the chi of the new season of birth. The ceremonies are sometimes celebrated at the first of the month, sometimes at Full Moon, and sometimes at New Moon.
The four cross-quarter holidays were celebrated throughout many cultures world wide. Of these traditions, the Gaelic ceremonies are ones to have survived into modern times. In the western world we know these holidays as Candlemas, and Groundhog Day (Imbolc, St Brigid’s Day); May Day (Beltane); First Harvest, Weddings, Family Reunions (Lughnasa); and Halloween, All Soul’s Day, Day of the Dead (Samhain).
These holidays were traditionally celebrated as the threshold of the new season. For example, the first day of Spring was celebrated with the fire of Imbolc when the goddess Brigid gave new life to the world.
Solar and Lunar Holidays
Sacred festivals timed to the cross-quarter days can be determined by the either the Sun’s or the Moon’s location. Many traditional holidays throughout the world are celebrated with the Moon, following one of the eight Solar points (Cross-quarters, Solstices, and Equinoxes).
Chinese New Year is an example of a holiday that it marked twice, at both the solar and lunar dates. The “Solar date,” marked when the Sun enters 15º Aquarius, occurs sometime from Feb 3 to 5. This date is used for astrological calculations.
The public and cultural celebration of Chinese New Year is determined by the Lunar calendar. Chinese New Year is always celebrated at the second New Moon following Winter Solstice.
In another instance, the Christian holiday of Easter always falls on the first Full Moon following Spring Equinox. In pre-Christian times, this was the holiday of Eostre, Germanic goddess of fertility.
Most religious and cultural holidays tend to fall on or near one of these eight power points of the year. In much the same way that temples are built on top of more ancient sacred sites, sacred ceremonies and celebrations have ancient roots. This adds to their power.