1st: Feast of the First Grains (sacred to Saturn) PUBLIC HOLIDAY

This day marks the official beginning of the harvest season, with a solemn cutting of the the first grains at each farm then ritually offered to the god Saturn by burying it in the ground. It is believed that this offering will protect the farm for another harvest. The land that was used to grow hay is now thrown open for grazing until spring. 

There are  numerous celebrations all over Lindensea, especially in country areas. Many towns and villages hold sports days or horse races, while summer fairs and fetes take place today. Dances, concerts, musical plays, story telling and poetry reading are popular entertainments. 

Many groups of people like to climb hills to greet the dawn, wreathed in garlands of yellow flowers; they say prayers and sing hymns to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Those who are ailing take the spring waters at Sunwater, as the strength of the sun gives the water greater healing powers.

It is a day for weddings, parties, and family reunions, to take strength and joy before the hard work of harvest. Light rain today is seen as a blessing from the god, but it is more common for the rain to be heavy around this time of year. The traditional feast today is beef and barley stew, bread rolls made from oats covered in butter, and bilberry pie and clotted cream. 

3rd: Grand Exhibition of Dogs and Hounds 

This annual dog show is held at the Royal Agricultural Hall in the town of Gislingdown, just north of Camden. Its patron is the Royal Canine Society, with hundreds of entries and dozens of prizes given for each category. All proceeds go to animal welfare charities.    

11th: Lady Days End

The hot muggy Lady Days officially come to an end today, with the weather gradually becoming more pleasant. Hopefully.   

12th: Festival of Isis

The Temple of Isis at Sudforth celebrates their annual festival with a worship service at night lit by a lantern for every day of the year. Afterwards they release the lanterns into the Tayo so that the river blazes with light through the darkness. This day is known as the Festival of Lights.  

15th: Festival of Diana

This night does the Temple  of Diana celebrate its festival at Long Lake in Royal Park. Devotees of the goddess ritually bathe and wear wreaths and garlands of flowers - even hunting dogs are decorated thus. A multitude of lanterns and candles light up among the groves of trees, and boats are taken out on the lake with lanterns to show the way. Many prayers are made, and tokens left tied to trees and shrubs as a sign of their faith the prayer will be answered.

This day is a holiday for all women and all servants. No hunting is permitted, and many people refuse to eat meat, or any animal product, out of respect for the goddess. The traditional foods this day are salads ripe with herbs, garlic bread, fresh fruit, and apple cakes shaped like the moon.  

17th: Day of Gates, Doors and Ports

This day are all gates into the city of Camden blessed, all doors to official buildings, and all ports on the River Tayo. The same is done in all other cities and towns. It is said that the first person or ship to enter through the newly-blessed door, gate, or port will be lucky. 

Most people choose this day to carefully ensure that their homes are properly secure, with fences maintained and all locks and bolts in order. A popular day to buy or renew household insurance.  

19th: Festival of Kitchen Gardens and Market Gardens (sacred to Venus)

This day are all gardens which produce fruit and vegetables dedicated to the goddess Venus, and blessed by her priestesses to ensure a good harvest. The markets are filled with fresh summer produce, and everyone takes this opportunity to avail themselves of the fruits of the season.  

21st: Royal Horse and Pony Show 

This annual horse show is sponsored by the Lindensea Equine Association and held at the Royal Exhibition Hall in the town of North End, to the west of Camden. The closing ceremony is a grand procession of all entrants garlanded with flowers, and thought very charming. All proceeds go towards riding clubs for poor and deprived children.      

23rd: Day of Precautions Against Fire

In this time of hot weather, everyone is encouraged to think of ways to avert a harmful fire. In the country this is of great importance lest the hay or harvest be burnt to nothing, and there are strict rules on farms in regard to smoking. County fire brigades and local volunteer fire patrols make educational presentations and ask for donations, and firebreaks are redone.  

It is forbidden to light a fire or a candle this day, and even sacred flames are extinguished. This is a popular day to have chimneys swept, and to buy or renew fire insurance. All those who must work with fire take holiday today, including blacksmiths, metalworkers, cooks, and bakers.  

25th: Bradfield Summer Fair 

This day is held one of the oldest and largest summer fairs in the town of Bradfield, just outside the north wall of Camden. Here is sold much cloth and many goods, and there are pleasures which draw people from all classes of society. There are sideshows, boxing matches, concerts, high-wire artists, acrobats, clowns, and puppet shows.    

Bradfield Summer Fair is always opened by the Lord Mayor of Camden, where he is given a glass of sherry by the Merchant Cloth and Tailors Guild. All proceeds go to fund Chiron Hospital in Bradfield. It is said to be a very loud and raucous event.

An old saying is that if the day of the Bradfield Summer Fair is fine and clear, it shall prove a prosperous autumn. If the summer has been a wet and miserable one, it is said that the rainy weather will come to an end by the 25th of August.  

27th: Festival of the River Tayo PUBLIC HOLIDAY

The close of the pleasure boating season is celebrated by a festival partaken of by all the towns and cities along Lindensea's great river. There are boat races, swimming races, river cruises, picnics, music, dancing, food and wine.   

This day is considered to be the end of summer, with cooler weather expected to arrive soon. The Summer Markets close now, and trading hours return to normal. 

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