SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

From "boedromos", meaning "to run, to cry for aid, hasten to help". This is the month wherein the Greater Mysteries are performed.

Owing to the content of the "Homeric Hymn", it makes sense, doesn't it? And quite interesting, that the Mysteries were so vital to the Greeks that the year began with them.

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER

From "Pyanepsia", a festival to Apollo. The word comes from "pyanos", a type of bean that was cooked for the feast.

Since the Eleusinian festivals during this month were oriented toward planting, the return of fertility and feasting, this suits well.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER
 

From "maimasso", meaing "boisterous, stormy". Zeus had the title of "Maimaktes", and a festival in his honor was held during this month.

DECEMBER - JANUARY

From Poseidon obviously. Two months in a row named for Olympian brothers. Perhaps this month was also rather stormy, since he was known for causing sea storms? Only an hypothesis.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY
 

From "gameo", meaning "marriage". That month was very popular for weddings, unlike today when June seems to be the thing. Of course that time of year is totally different weather-wise in the Mediterranean, as compared to North America.

FEBRUARY - MARCH

From "antheion", meaning "flower, blossom". Athens and Eleusis celebrated the Festival of Flowers, which were devoted mostly to Dionysos, and which lasted three full days and nights. It's relation to Persephone should be clear.

MARCH - APRIL

From "elaphos", meaning "deer". I'm not sure what festivals if any were held then, perhaps something to Artemis? Or was hunting very good during this time? Breeding season, maybe? This one escapes me.

APRIL - MAY
 

From "Mounychia", which was a harbor port of Athens. Artemis held a title of this name, and there was a festival for her during this month.

MAY - JUNE
 

From "Thargelia", which I have found in reference books is supposed to be a festival honoring Apollo and Artemis. The word may derive from "tharsos", meaning "courage, boldness".

JUNE - JULY

From "Skirophoria", a festival of Eleusis, dealing with Persephone's descent to the Underworld. The name itself comes from "skiraphos", meaning "trickery, cheating". This is a blatant reference to what Demeter felt about Hades stealing her daughter. The word may also have roots in "skia", which means "shadow".

JULY - AUGUST
 

From "hekatombe", meaning "an offering of a hundred oxen" or generally speaking "a great public sacrifice".

I wonder what sort of festivals might have happened during this month...? Probably ones geared toward ending the current summer months of infertility. Spill enough blood and the gods take notice and pity sort of thing.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER
 

From "meta" ("change, altering") and "geiton" ("neighbor"), because during this time people moved a lot. No, I'm really not kidding.

Perhaps it wasn't so much the weather but the moving of people to get nearer to Eleusis for the next month's festival as they often came by the thousands from all over the world.