Catus Alisiâs “Battle of Alesia” – This was thought to take place on the 3rd of October, 52 BCE. That means on the applicable version of the Coligny Calendar, it took place on 17 Ogronios. The holiday was originally developed by one Deuognatos. BNG observes by the Coligny Calendar and not the Gregorian. As such, like any other holiday, the Gregorian date will differ year to year.
The Siege of Alesia resulted in the end of a Free Gaul, and the deaths of thousands, including noncombatants. This is, as one may imagine, a holiday of mourning for the great loss that shaped history ever after. It’s not to say that we personally suffer from that loss in a tangible way. As does sadly happen to many peoples still the world over.
The focus here is placed on those who died at Alesia, and/or our Gaulish ancestors in a general sense. The next and very important focus is on She who carries away the dead in battle, Catuboduâ.
Associated Dêuos: Catuboduâ. As she that carries away the chosen dead, it is of little of any doubt she was present after such a monumental battle.
Activities: This is of course a day of mourning. One activity if and only if one’s body can handle it would be to hold a fast from sundown to sundown on this day. This is to remind us of the hunger Gaulish civilians felt being trapped between the lines of the battle. Between Gauls who could not feed their own, and Romans who refused to let them go. Such a fast can take many forms: either the abstaining from food, a fast on bread and water, or a modified form allowing just enough to eat to get by. Again such participation should only be considered if your body can handle it. Check with your doctor before considering to do so if you are at all unsure.
Some foods revolving around the fast are breads made with barm (or beer bread) before the fasting, and boar or a loaf shaped like one for after. The reasoning for this is because the boar held a special place in the iconography of the Senogalatîs. Thus, in consuming it we acknowledge the death of Ancient Gaul, but draw sustenance and strength from it. Also, this is a good time to read up and learn about the history of the ancient Gauls so that they are not forgotten.
Finally, and what could easily be considered even more pious than a fast would be to donate food or money to your local food bank so that no one else knows the perilous hunger that those unfortunate souls felt.
Uediâ Catû Alisiâs
Comberomos Catû Alisiâs
(We gather for Catus Alisiâs)
Aglâmos
(We mourn)
Amarâmos
(We grieve)
Commeniomos
(We remember)
Rodâmos senomaruon Alisiî etic Ollogaliâ
(We give to the ancient dead of Alessia and all of Gaul)
[Addatus — Offering]
Aglâmos
(We mourn)
Amarâmos
(We grieve)
Commeniomos
(We remember)
Uediomos Catuboduan
(We invoke Catuboduâ)
Riganâ Gaisi
(Queen of the Spear)
Catumatîr
(Battle Mother)
Gousuaunâ Orxti
(Chooser of the slain)
Ueretrû iton, areuedestû argos ialon uellin
(Upon your wings, you carry the worthy to a better place)
Rodâmos addatus etic bratûn tê
(We give offering and thanks to you)
[Addatus — Offering]
Slanon tê
(Cheers to you)
Bratûn tê
(Thanks to you)
Molâmos Catuboduan
(We praise Catuboduâ)
Bessus Nouiogalation 