'Universal' calendar offers source for festive holidays
| • | Universal Festival Calendar (Adobe Acrobat required) |
By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer
"Honey, when's Tanabata?"
You won't find this Japanese festival day on your Longs Drug calendar.
Hawai'i, perhaps the most culturally and spiritually diverse state in America, could use some help. The state's Buddhists, Muslims and pagans haven't had a readily available master list of major holidays — until now.
Here in the Islands, we have the highest percentage of Buddhists, per capita, in the nation (second to Roman Catholics and followed closely by the growing number of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members). All variety of Protestants follow that, but don't forget the sprinkling of Taoists, Jews, Hindu, Muslims and yes, even pagans.
That's where Dan Furst, a drama and English lecturer at Leeward Community College, comes in.
Five years ago, Furst, who describes himself as a New Age type interested in "the transformation of the planet," began putting together a Universal Festivals Calendar including holidays of all major religions. Think of it as sort of master calendar for the faithful worldwide, who practice myriad religions and follow a kaleidoscope of belief systems.
"There isn't any I don't include, even those who don't want to be included," he said.
Here, you can find out more about Tana-bata, the Japanese festival of the lovers that takes place on the seventh day of the seventh month. It's a celebration of the mythical meeting between two stars, Altair and Vega, whose paths cross in the Milky Way. In Chinese mythology, the stars represent a couple who are forbidden to love each other; after pleading to the gods for compassion, the two are transformed into stars that meet just once a year. There are other versions of the tale across Asia, but only in Japan is the event celebrated with enthusiasm.
Furst created the calendar to help people find the best days to set their events. You can find his calendar on the Web at www.hermes3.net. Just keep clicking on "next page" the bottom of the month to see a day-by-day breakdown.
Happy holiday hunting!
