Pagan Holidays

The following is a brief introduction to the eight holidays that are celebrated by Witches. These holidays mark the turning of the Wheel of the Year. Time is thought of as circular not linear, without beginning or end. Things are born, they grow, they die and they are born again.

Four Times a year we celebrate the changing of seasons, the Solstices and Equinoxes. These quarter days divide the year into four roughly equal parts and are often referred to as the Low Holidays or Lessar Sabbats.

The other four holidays are the cross-quarter days as they occur between, at the middle or peak of each season. These holidays reflect the cycle of nature, the planting, growing and reaping of the harvest. These four days are referred to as the  High Holidays or Greater Sabbats.

To receive more information about a specific holiday, click on the link associated with each.
 
 

YULE/WINTER SOLSTICE: (On or about December 22-23)
Yule is the time of greatest darkness and the longest night of the year. Darkness prevails and yet gives way and changes to bring the birth of the New Sun, and with it the hope and promise of the New Year.Since the Sun is considered to represent the Male Divinity in many Pagan Traditions, this time is celebrated as the "return of the Sun God" where He is reborn of the Goddess. It is the time to release that which does not serve and prepare to birth forth a new vision for the next future. Lighting of candles, the Yule log or bonfires symbolically give life and power to the Sun.
Colors are red and green. Altar Symbols include Yule log, or evergreens.

IMBOLC/CANDLEMAS/OIMELC: (February 2)
Dedicated to Brigid the Goddess of Fire and Inspiration. Goddess of Fertility, that which was born at solstice now begins to manifest. This is a time to plant the seeds of short term goals for the new cycle and new energy. The earliest whisperings of Springtide are heard now as the Goddess nurtures Her Young Son. As a time of the year associated with beginning growth, Imbolc is an initiatory period for many. Here we plant the "seeds" of our hopes and dreams for the coming summer months.
Colors is white. Altar Symbols include dish of snow, or evergreens (those preserved from Yule are recommended).
 

OSTARA/SPRING EQUINOX: (March 21-23)
The first true day of Springtide. We begin to  see shoots of new growth and swelling buds on the trees. Energy is building as the days become warmer with promise. The chains of winter are broken, spring has arrived, This is the time when all of life burst forth in joyous celebration. As at Imbolc this is the seed time but for long range goals. Day and night are equal bringing balance. Hair is adorned with flowers, Eggs are decorated as they are a symbol of rebirth.
Colors are pastels. Altar Symbols include potted plants, eggs,  balefire or cauldron.

BELTAINE/MAY EVE/RUDEMAS: (April 30-May 1)
The Land represented by the Goddess is now ripe and fertile and the Young God expresses His Love for Her. The earth is coming alive and beauty is everywhere.This is a time of wild delight and joyous reveling as the first flowers of Summer are gathered in Their Honor. This is a time of fertility, creativity is nurtured.  Jumping the bonfire brings purification and luck. this is a time of wild celebration and love.  The God and goddess marry and sow the seed for the coming harvests.The Maypole, a phallic fertility symbol symbolizing the God is joined with the Goddess as it is placed within the Earth. Ribbons hang from the top inviting all to join the dance of fertility weaving the magick of desire. This is a time of wild delight. Jumping the bonfire brings purification and luck. this is a time of wild celebration and love. The earth is coming alive and beauty is everywhere. The God and goddess marry and sow the seed for the coming harvests.
Colors are red and white. Altar Symbols include fresh flowers, mirrors.

MIDSUMMER/SUMMER SOLSTICE/LITHA: (June 21-23)
The days of the first harvesting of herbs as the Earth now begins to share her bounty. This is the longest day of the year, the power of the Sun is at its peak and at the same time this is the beginning point of the waning of the Suns energy and power. This time of the longest days is celebrated as a fire festival. The season between the planting and the harvest, June is also the "traditional" month for handfastings and weddings. We celebrate the strength and energy this day holds and ask that the powerful magick created today carry us through the dark half of the year.
Color is gold. Altar Symbols include mirrors to capture the sun, mugwort.

LUGHNASADH/LAMMAS/LUGH-MASS: (July 31/August 1)
This is the first harvest, the honoring of the grain and the corn. The young animals are now almost full grown and our plans-planted with high expectations in the spring- are beginning to come to fruition. In pagan times this was the time of games of skill and competition and Lugh was honored. The Sun (Son) still burns brightly, but already the passing of  the days begins to herald the coming of Autumn. Light diminishes the days grow shorter, we have worked hard to bring things to fruition, but the harvest is not yet clear, we know that to harvest we must sacrifice. This is the time to look within and see the sacrifice that needs to be made to transform.
Colors are orange and red. Altar Symbols include bread, grains, or corn dollies.

MABON/AUTUMN EQUINOX: (September 21-23)
This is the second or continuing harvest, the harvest of all crops grown and reaped. This sabbat is most closely related to the American Thanksgiving.  This is the time of the true thanksgiving, when the harvest is realized and thanks is given for the abundance received.  Now, as at Ostara, the days and nights are equal once again. Again we feel the  balance between light and dark, a reminder of both what has past and what is to come.  The darkness will soon overcome the light, as the night becomes longer than the day.  At the same time we prepare for the descent into the darkness, reflecting on the meaning of death, as nature begins to prepare for winter and the God will soon die. Now is the time to look into the mysteries through divination and scrying.
Colors are red and brown. Altar Symbols include dried leaves, wheat, pine cones or acorns.

SAMHAIN/HALLOWMAS/ALL SOULS DAY/HALLOWS EVE: (October 31)
Samhain is considered the third (the last) harvest, that of the livestock. Most witches consider this the witches New Year, it is the time of the Crone, of endings and beginnings, earth and life. The Earth nods a sad farewell to the God. We know that He will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will continue. This is the time of reflection, the time to honor the Ancients who have gone on before us and the time of 'Seeing"(divination). The veils between the worlds are the thinnest and we commune with our dead . As we contemplate the Wheel of the Year, we come to recognize our own part in the eternal cycle of Life.
Colors are black and orange. Altar Symbols include pumpkins, apples and pomegranates.