04/14/2026
MARCH 25: THE NAME’S DAY OF MĀRA
Did you know that besides the traditional Name’s Day of Māra (a name’s day is the calendar day on which all those with a specific first name are honored), March 25 is also one of the four days in the old calendar set aside to honor the Goddess Māra, She who Holds the Material World.
The quarter days are:
WINTER MĀRA or Candle Day (Ziemas Māra jeb Sveču diena) – February 2: This day marks the midpoint of winter, and is associated with purification, fire, and light.
SPRING MĀRA or Cabbage Māra (Pavasara Māra jeb Kāpostu Māra) – March 25: This day is associated with the arrival of spring. It is traditionally observed with special rituals to ensure the protection and bounty of animals as well as spring crops, eating of a dairy-based meal, and weather foretelling.
SUMMER MĀRA or Great Māra (Vasaras Māra jeb Lielā Māra) – August 15: Known as the main day for celebrating Māra the Goddess, it marks the end of first harvest (often rye and barley) and is a day of traditional animal and bread markets. With bread rituals abundant.
AUTUMN MĀRA or Little Māra (Rudens Māra jeb Mazā Māra) – September 8: This day marks the end of the second harvest season and the beginning of harvest home and preparation for winter. Weather foretelling.
Remember, if you tease a sister or a friend on March 25th by calling them “Cabbage Māra,” you’re actually offering them a wonderful honorific about their solid dependability and life-giving nature. A fact that, often, they don’t know.
PICTURED: The Goddess Māra, a section of a painting of Latvian deities by J. Bīne, Latvia.
Baltic Imports. For more on Baltic Folk Traditions and Amber, please visit
facebook.com/balticimports pinterest.com/balticimports
Text by Sean McLaughlin
