Noxsās Decan Grannī

Noxsās Decan Grannī– “The Ten Nights of Grannos” or Îuos Grannī

This festival begins on the second first-quarter moon before the autumn equinox, around 1 Riuros or 1 Anagantios, depending on the year. It honors the god Grannos, our radiant healer, whose warmth and waters purify, illuminate, and restore balance as the year descends toward the dark half.

Unlike our other holidays, this one is not found among the Îuos clusters on the Coligny calendar. Instead, it finds its roots in two inscriptions that mention the “Ten Nights of Grannos,” which took place in late summer. We link this holiday with healing springs and the radiant light of the god, celebrated with water rites and offerings of thanksgiving for renewal and vitality.

Historical Notes

Our understanding of this observance is drawn from several sources:

• A dedication of an altar in Alzey, Upper Germania, dated XV Kalends Septembres 175 CE, corresponding to August 17 (175 CE) in the Gregorian calendar.
  • Apollini Gran/no Martius / Senopatius / Novellus de/dicavit XV K(alendas) Sep(tembres) / Pisone et Iuliano / co(n)s(ulibus)
    Martius Senopatius Novellus dedicated this on the 17th of August to Apollo Grannus, during the consulship of Piso and Julian.
• A 1st-century Latin inscription from a public fountain in Limoges.
  • POSTVMVS DVM NORIGIS F(ilius) VERG(obretus) AQVAM MARTIAM DECAMNOCTIACIS GRANNI D(e) S(ua) P(ecunia) D(edit)
    The vergobretus Postumus, son of Dumnorix, gave from his own funds the Aqua Martia (‘Water of Mars’) for the Ten-Night Festival of Grannos.
• James Frazer’s The Golden Bough also mentions a folk survival in which people sang “Granno my friend, Granno my father, Granno my mother” while lighting fires and eating fritters or pancakes—perhaps a distant echo of this celebration’s spirit of healing and renewal.

Associated Deity: Grannos — God of healing waters, and renewal through light. Often related to solar brilliance and sacred springs, He bridges purification and illumination, embodying the harmony of Samos (light, order) and Giamos (darkness, transformation).

Symbolism: The festival reflects the cycle of healing and revelation. Water cleanses and prepares; fire illuminates and heals; and together they bring understanding and blessing. The ten nights mirror the passage from waning to waxing light — descent into renewal and return toward wholeness.

Activities: These are suggested activities and may be adapted to your own practice, so long as they remain within this spirit. If possible, visit a stream, spring, or waterway during these nights to deepen your connection to Grannos. Incorporate our Adaððus Aidoniâs and Molātocridiū at chosen points throughout the festival.

This holiday differs from others — it is personal and introspective, meaning each person’s observance will vary. The Ten Nights of Grannos call us to seek renewal through balance: the meeting of water and light, reflection and action, body and spirit. As the light wanes toward autumn, this festival rekindles our Galā, the inner flame, and purifies the soul in preparation for the turning of the year toward the dark.

Nights 1–3 – Preparation & Purification (Water):

• Cleanse your altar with water, inviting Grannos’ light to dwell within it.
• Take ritual baths, wash hands or face, and pour water as an offering for healing.
• Reflect and release mental burdens through journaling or meditation.

Nights 4–7 – Illumination & Healing (light):

• Light candles or sacred fires; offer herbs or oils to Grannos.
• Sing or chant to invoke the god’s healing light.
• Offer words or breath over water for those in need of healing.
• Cook a simple meal, share it with loved ones, or light a candle for the world.

Nights 8–10 – Blessing & Revelation (Water + Light):

• Welcome the dawn or sunset with yellow or gold flowers.
• Perform divination, dream incubation, or visionary work to receive Grannos’ insight.
• Celebrate the final night with bread, fritters, or cakes; sing and give thanks for renewal.

Offerings: Clean water from a spring, well, or stream. Herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or mint. Gold, yellow, or white candles. Bread, fritters, or honey cakes.

Note: As the year turns inward, Grannos helps us rekindle our own light and inner strength as Giamos approaches. This festival flows naturally into another that comes toward the end of Giamos — Uisonnalitus, also called Îuos Sironiâs. She helps us wash away the troubles gathered during the dark season, awakening the land and bringing forth the waters of renewal. Together, Grannos and Sirona form a sacred pair within Bessus Nouiogalation. Grannos guides us into the dark half of the year with healing light, while Sirona leads us out again, cleansing and renewing all as we move into the light half once more.