Eponalia : 18 December
'XV Kalendas Ianuarius Eponae'
Fifteen days [before] the beginning of January - Epona's Day
(a stone inscription from northern Italy)
Earthlight glistens
on the ivy leaf
Sunlight falls
on the holly bough
The red fire stirs
in the kindling
We count three days
to the longest night
Three more till the glimmer
of a longer day
Then seven to the eve
of New Year Calends
These days we count
from the feast of Epona
First festival
of the year's turning.
Fifteen days [before] the beginning of January - Epona's Day
(a stone inscription from northern Italy)
Earthlight glistens
on the ivy leaf
Sunlight falls
on the holly bough
The red fire stirs
in the kindling
We count three days
to the longest night
Three more till the glimmer
of a longer day
Then seven to the eve
of New Year Calends
These days we count
from the feast of Epona
First festival
of the year's turning.
