June 13
Feast of Epona
This was an ancient Celtic festival that celebrated the sacredness of the horse and the Goddess Epona-the spirit of movement, fertility, and war. So popular was Epona that she was the only known Celtic Goddess to have been honored in Rome, where she was often called Epona Augusta or Regina and invoked on behalf of the Emperor. Images and bas-reliefs of Epona show her riding a horse sidesaddle and occasionally lying half-naked along the back of one. She is usually carrying a cornucopia and goblet, representations of her fertility aspect.
In all probability, her festival would have been a “Horse Fair” and attracted hundreds of participants. There would have been horse races, games, and horse auctions. Most assuredly there would have been no shortage of stout ale and hearty edibles. These types of festivals flourished all over Britain before the Victorian era, at which time they became business auctions and less times of spiritual celebration. Even today, from June 13 through September 30, horse fairs dot the English countryside, providing people with a time of celebration and relaxation.
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