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| The 8 Sabbats |
| The Pagan Wheel of the Year |
| Yule (Dec. 19-22): Winter Solstice The shortest day and the longest night and the celebration of the rebirth of the Sun God. A light festival which honors not only the birth of the Sun God, but the hope of lengthening days. Imbolc (Feb. 1): A fire festival. Where nature stirs unseen from it's long slumber of winter sleep. The christians adopted this holiday and called it Candlemas, which was the time of purification of the virgin Mary. Ostara (Mar 19-22): Vernal Equinox Night and day are equal. The Goddess is honored in her aspect as the maiden, and the God as her consort. A day with the earth. Planting seed and working on your garden or picking flowers. Beltain (May 1): May Eve Was the traditional day of Marraige. during the ritual the May King is crowned with a wreath of green leaves, and his Queen, the Goddess, is honored in her aspect of Mother as the White Goddess of fertility. Midsummer (June 19-22): Summer Solstice This is the celebration of the glory of the sun and summer. It is said that herbs picked on this day are extremely powerful. Also, if you look carefully, and know where to look on Midsummers eve, you may see the stirrings of fairies. Lughnasadh (Aug. 1): Celebration of the first harvest. The Goddess is honored as the all powerful Earth Mother. Mabon (Sept. 19-22): Autumn Equinox Again the day and night are balanced. This is the second harvest festival. With the lengthening of night, preparations are made for the coming winter. Samhain (Oct. 31): Summers End The Celts believed it was the last day of the old year and the day after was New Years Day. The night was a time "between the years" and thought to be very magical. Because of this, it is said that the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead are weakest on this night and it is easier for the spirits to show them themselves. |
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