hellenismo:Νουμηνία, I day. From today’s sunset: beginning
hellenismo:Νουμηνία, I day. From today’s sunset: beginning of the new month of Anthesterion, sacred to Dionysos! “It is the eighth month amongst the Athenians, sacred to Dionysus. It is so called because most things bloom (anthein) from the earth at that time.” (Suda and Harp. s.v. from Istros FGrH 334 F13) Happy Noumenia to you all, best wishes!!! Noumenia is a day sacred to all the Gods- in particular to Apollo Noumenios, Zeus, Helios, Hecate, Artemis Noumenia, Hera, Hermes, and to all the Household Gods. Sacrifices, purifications, libations, banquets and singing of hymns are some among the distinctive features of the first day of the lunar month. Banquet of Noumeniastai; Epimenia. Principal Celebrations of the Month: - From the sunset of February 10, II day, Δευτέρα Ἱσταμένου Sacrifice to Dionysus (Erchia) - From the sunset of February 11, III day, Τρίτη Ἱσταμένου Meeting of Thiasotai of Bendis at Salamis - From the sunset of February 19, XI day, Ἑνδεκάτη Anthesteria- Pithoigia, ‘opening of the barrels’ (pithoi), libations to Dionysos, tasting of the new wine and public symposium. - From the sunset of February 20, XII day, Δωδεκάτη Anthesteria- Khoes, ‘Pitchers’, drinking contest, private and public. Miarà hemera- all the Temples are closed. Apotropaic rituals. Procession - Sacred Marriage of Dionysos and the Queen. Sacrifice to Dionysus (Thoricus) - From the sunset of February 21, XIII day, Τρίτη Μεσοῦντος Anthesteria- Khytroi, 'pots’; sacrifice to Dionysus and Hermes Chthonios. [Hydrophoria]. 'Khytrinoi agones’. Aiora / Aletis Hydrophoria - From the XX day, Εἰκὰς, to the XXVI day, Πέμπτη Φθίνοντος From the sunset of February 28 to the sunset of March 5 En Agrais Mysteria - Lesser Mysteries of Agrai - From the sunset of March 2, XXIII day, Ὀγδόη Φθίνοντος Diasia, sacrifices to Zeus Meilichios - Around the end of the month, when there are the Springtime blooms: Chloeia, in honor of Demeter Chloe, “the Goddess who protect the tender plants”, “during Springtime, with fun and merriment”, “with much happiness and joy” - From the sunset of March 6, XXVII day, Τετρὰς Φθίνοντος Sacrifice and celebrations to Artemis Amarysia (Erchia) - From the sunset of March 9, XXX Ἔνε καὶ νέα/ Τριακάς Ἑκάτης δεῖπνον (Terracotta jug in the form of Dionysos; from Hellas, 1st century BCE, now in the Metropolitan Museum…) -- source link