Some August Interfaith Inspirations

Baha'i Kamál ~ July 31 
The beginning of the eighth month of the Bahá’í year, meaning “perfection.”

Native August
For Native Americans, August marks the season of Wilhoon, the season marking the salmon runs of late summer; the Hopi Snake Dances, marking a sixteen-day ritual of purification; the Stomp Dance, performed by Seminole and other Oklahoma tribes as a time of renewal and purification; the Sun Dance, observed by Plains peoples (Arapaho, Cheyenne, Shoshone, Arikara, Crow, Sioux, and others) as a time of penitence and sacrifice; and the Iroquois Green Corn Ceremony, a time of renewal involving dances, fasting, offerings, and readings from the code of Handsome Lake.

Goddess/Wicca/Pagan Lughnassadon/Lammas ~ August 2
Northern and southern hemispheres
Also known as First Harvest, celebrates the 1st grain harvest.
There is reflection on the power of the gods from which physical and spiritual harvest will come.
Wiccan practitioners see this time as a signal of the god Lugh’s decline of strength as the sun rises
farther south each day, while the Goddess witnesses this season with sorrow and joy.  
It is both a somber and celebratory feast day.

Judaism Tishah B'av ~ August 2nd Eve ~ August 3rd
A Jewish day of fasting in remembrance of the disasters in history with focus on the destruction
of the 2 Temples in Jerusalem in 586 b.c.e. and 70 c.e.

Christian Feast of the Transfiguration ~ August 6
Christian (Eastern and many Western churches) commemoration of the experience on Mt Tabor when Jesus' physical appearance became brilliant as his connection with traditional Jewish holy figures became evident to the disciples; Peter, James, and John.

Hindu Raksha Bandhan ~August 9
Raksha Bandhan is a cherished festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Shravana. During this festival, girls and women tie amulets on their brothers’ wrists for protection against evil.
 
Hindu Narali Purnima  ~August 9
Celebrating the end of monsoon season, marked by throwing coconuts to Varuna, the sea god. 'Narali' implies 'coconut' and 'Purnima' signifies the 'full moon day.' Coconut holds an important purpose on this day. During this festival, people offer coconuts to the sea.

Christian Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ August 15
Roman Catholic Christian observance commemorating the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary
was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life.

Dormition (falling asleep) of the Theotokos
Orthodox Christian commemoration of the death and burial of the Virgin Mary

Hindu Krishna Janmashtami ~ August 15

Hindu festival commemoration of the birth of Krishna -
the 8th incarnation of god Vishnu who took the form of Krishna to destroy the evil king Kansa
who was responsible for evil’s increase in the world.

Baha'i Asmā’ ~ August 19 
The beginning of the seventh month of the Bahá’í year, meaning “names.”

Jain Paryushana Parva ~ August 20 ~ 27
 Jain 8 day festival signifying human emergence into a new world of spiritual and moral refinement.
Marked by recitations from Jain sacred writing and family exchange of cards and letters.
Celebration of the natural qualities of the soul. The 8th day (Samvatsari) is most important and is focused on forgiveness; a solemn occasion for examining one’s thoughts and feelings, and for asking forgiveness for offenses committed against others through deeds, words, or thoughts.

Taoism Zhōngyuán Jié (Ghost Month) ~ August 23rd - September 21st
The Chinese formal name of the Ghost Festival is Chung-Yuan 中元. According to Chinese Taoist belief, Ghost Month is when deceased ancestors visit the homes of the living. Ghost Day Festival is August 15th. Families prepare feasts and set tables with empty chairs so that the living and the dead can share the meal together on Gkost Day and perhaps throughout the month.

The Ghost Month is the seventh lunar month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The 15th lunar day of the 7th lunar month is the Chinese Ghost Festival. The first lunar day of the 7th lunar month is on August 4, 2024. August 18, 2024, is the 15th lunar day, which is the Chinese Ghost Festival. The first lunar day of the 8th lunar month is on September 3, 2024. Therefore, in 2025, Ghost Month is from August 23rd to September 21st in the China time zone.

Christian Beheading of John The Baptist ~ August 29
Christian remembrance of the death of John who is known for preparing the people
so they would recognize Jesus as the Messiah.