The other four holidays of Celtic year celebrate spring and fall equinoxes and winter and summer solstices. Each name contains word "Alban" meaning "Light of".

Alban Arthuan (Light of Arthur), like winter solstice celebrations all over world, celebrates return of sun following shortest day in year. It's no wonder church adopted these holidays as birthdate of Son. From ancient Celtic and Norse mythology we enjoy such holiday traditions as holly and mistletoe, yule log, Santa Claus in his aspects of Father Christmas or Holly King. Supposedly, King Arthur was born on winter solstice (and he, too, will come again).

The spring (vernal) equinox is celebrated as Alban Eiler (Light of Earth). The equinoxes were considered a time of balance, not only between dark and light, but between worlds as well and, therefore, a time of high magical potential. More mundanely, this festival signified time for spring planting and fertility rituals.

Alban Heruin (Light of Shore) is celebrated as Midsummer's Day with games, picnics, and all manner of light-hearted fun. The antics of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Shakespeare well capture spirit of this festival, including interaction between our people and those of faery world.

Finally, Alban Elued (Light of Water) is observed at autumn equinox and, like spring equinox, is a very sacred time when line between worlds is thin and magical possibilities abound.

Much more seems to be known about four fire festivals (which are still celebrated in many traditional ways) than four solar festivals. Were solar festivals mainly druidic sacred times in which lay participation was minimal (it would seem that some of neo-druids have taken this view and make rather more of these dates than Irish and Gaels do)? Or could solar celebrations pre-date druidism, belonging to Stonehenge builders, and have fallen slowly into disuse? This seems a possibility since Celtic calendar is lunar based, rather than solar.

Moreover, radicalism spread to Bohemia. Bohemia is where Czech Republic is located. The writings of Wycliffe made their way to hands of John Huss. This is pretty amazing considering that there were no printing presses during Wycliffe’s day, and his few translations available were copied by hand. Huss was a scholar also. He had studied philosophy and theology at University of Prague. This university went on to become one of most famous institutions of higher learning in Europe. Huss came to share most of Wycliffe’s views about scripture. Huss finally drew wrath of Catholic Church and under guise of safe passage to Council of Constance, he was arrested and burned at stake. His last words were, ‘Lord, into Thy hand I commend my spirit.’ I might add that burning of John Huss did not accomplish its objectives. His followers, called Hussites, increased more and more. One of Hussite groups was Moravians. They were famous for their missionary activities and influence on John and Charles Wesley. In 1501 Hussites printed first non-Catholic hymnbook. I think it’s rather ironic that after Huss was executed they cast his ashes into Rhine River, flowing northward into Germany. A soon-to-be-famous German by name of Martin Luther would one-day write, ‘If John Huss was a heretic, then there is not a single Christian under sun.’

I could go on naming many more radicals of that time. There were men like Ulrich von Hutten (c.1488-1523) who took liberty of attacking papacy as it had never been attacked in Germany. Also there was John Reuchlin (c.1455-1522) who wrote a book that was friendly toward Jews, and pope condemned it. And then at apex of radical movement was, of course, Martin Luther. This former Catholic monk turned world upside down with his “revelation” of Paul’s writing to Romans—the just shall live by faith. That’s right. Martin Luther revealed teaching about salvation by faith alone to world at no small cost. Salvation by faith alone was a radical concept for 16th century.

And there you have it. Many of basic doctrines of Protestant Christianity were once radical ideas and didn’t set well with powerful Catholic Church. Today we wouldn’t call these men radicals. We’d call them reformers, visionaries, or forefathers of faith, but we certainly wouldn’t consider their beliefs radical. In like manner, one day when Jesus rules from Holy City of Jerusalem, we who were once considered “holy rollers” will be considered sedate compared to saints before throne. Brother and sister I think it’s time to get RADICAL.

Pastor Terry Dashner—Faith Fellowship Church—PO Box 1586, B.A. OK for other articles on church history—tdash0355@netzero.com