the day before the date given.These are the most traditional dates given with each holiday.
The dates on solstices and equinoxes vary within a few days from year to year.A good astrological {or Witches} calender will give you the correct dates {and times] for the current year.
We also used the most traditional colors for each holiday.
Samhain {Sow'-en}- ("Hallowe'en",All Hallows Eve, All Saints & All Souls, Day of the Dead and November Eve)
The Witches' New Year. Celebrations to honor the deadThe Goddess descends to the Underworld, and the Wheel once again begins the eternal Cycle of Life. It is on this day that the world of men and the Spirit realm are at their closest.
dates: October 31, early November
colors: black, orange, indigo
tools: votive candles, magic mirror, cauldron, pumpkins, divination tools
energy: death & transformation; Wiccan new year
goddesses: Crone, Hecate
gods: Horned Hunter, Anubis
rituals: honoring ancestors, releasing old, foreseeing future, understanding death and rebirth
customs: jack o'lanterns, ancestor altar, divination, costumes
Winter Solstice- (Midwinter,Yule Jul, Saturnalia and Christmas)
The longest night of the year; from this time on, the days start increasing in length. The Lord of Light is reborn of the Goddess, the Divine Birth.
dates: around December 21 colors: red, green, white
tools: mistletoe, evergreen wreath, holly, Yule log, Yule tree, lights, gifts
energy: regeneration & renewal
goddesses: Great Mother, Isis, Mary, Lucina, Bona Dea
gods: Sun Child, Horus, Mithras, Santa/Odin, Holly King
rituals: personal renewal, honoring family & friends , world peace
customs: wreaths, lights, gift-giving, singing, feasting, resolutions
Imbolic (Candlemas and Oimelc meaning "in the belly" Brigid's Day; merged with Lupercalia/Valentines Day)
The earth is awakening, the promise of Spring to come, for life once again.
The Goddess returns from the Underworld.
dates: February 2, early February
colors: white, red
tools: candles, seeds, milk
energy: conception, inspiration, initiation
goddesses: Brigid, Maiden
gods: Groundhog, other creatures emerging from hibernation; young Sun
rituals: creative inspiration, purification, initiation, candle work, house & temple blessings
customs: lighting candles, seeking omens of Spring, cleaning house, welcoming Brigid
Spring Equinox- (Eostar {A-yo-star} , Ostara, St. Patrick's Day and Easter)
The day and night are balanced. but day is increasing - the Light has conquered the darkness. The Young Lord growing becoming the Green God.
dates: around March 21
colors: green, yellow and pink
tools: eggs, basket, green clothes
energy: birthing, sprouting, greening
goddesses: Ostara, Maiden ,Kore
gods: Hare, Green Man
rituals: new growth, new projects
customs: egg games, new clothes, wearing green, egg baskets
Beltane (May Eve, May Day, Walspurgis Night)
the earth is awake and blossoming. Courtship of the God and Goddess.
{colors: rainbow spectrum, blue, green, all colors
tools: Maypole & ribbons, flower crowns, fires, bowers, fields
energy: youthful play, exhuberance, sensuality, pleasure
goddesses: May Queen, Flora
gods: May King, Jack in the Green
rituals: love, fertility, crop blessings, creativity endeavors
customs: dancing Maypole, jumping fire, flower baskets).
Summer Solstice- ( Midsummer, Litha, St. John's Day )
The longest day of the Year and from this time forward the days decrease in length. The Marriage of the God and Goddess. Lord of Light begins to wane in strength. A great time to commune with Faeries and Sprites.
dates: around June 21
colors: yellow, gold, rainbow colors
tools: bonfires, Sun wheel, Earth circles of stone energy: partnership
goddesses: Mother Earth, Mother Nature
gods: Father Sun/Sky, Oak King
rituals: community, career, relationships, Nature and Spirit communion
customs: bonfires, singing, celebrating with others, feasting
Lammas- (meaning "Loaf mass" also Lughnassad {LOO-na-sa}
The First-Fruits of the Harvest, and as such a day of giving thanks. The God-King becomes a willing sacrifice to ensure the success of the next planting season.
dates: August 2, early August
colors: orange, yellow, brown, green
tools: sacred loaf of bread, harvested herbs, bonfires
energy: fruitfulness, reaping prosperity
goddesses: Demeter, Ceres, Corn Mother
gods: Grain God, Lugh, John Barleycorn
rituals: prosperity, generosity, continued success
customs: offering of first fruits/grains, games, country fairs
Fall Equinox- (Mabon"MAH-bon")
Day and night are equal once more, with night increasing in length Second harvest to prepair for winter. Sun God has died and resurrected to become the Leader of the Wild Hunt once more.
dates: around September 21
colors: orange, red, brown, purple, blue
tools: cornucopia, corn, harvested crops
energy: appreciation & harvest
goddesses: Bona Dea, Land Mother
gods: Mabon, Sky Father
rituals: thanksgiving, introspection , last harvest
customs: offerings to land, preparing for cold weather
