 | Samhain - (pronounced sow-en) October 31 - and called
Halloween today, is actually the Celtic New Year. This day has also
been called Ancestor Night or Feast of the Dead. Because the veil
between the worlds is thinnest on this night, it was and is considered an
excellent time for divinations. Feasts are made in remembrance of dead
ancestors and as an affirmation of continuing life. |
| Winter Solstice - Yule December 21. This is time of death and
rebirth of the Sun God. The days are shortest, the Sun at its lowest
point. This ritual is a light festival, with many gold/yellow
candles burning to welcome the Sun God. |
| Imbolc - February 1 - This day is a time of cleansing and conception when
the icy bitterness of winter first begins to lift and plans are made for the
planting of seeds and the growing of crops. |
| Spring Equinox - March 21 - is when light and darkness are in balance but
the light, the Sun God, is growing stronger and stronger. |
| Beltane - May 1 - This day is a fertility festival celebrating the birth
of summer and the time pf plenty. A time of great magic, it is good
for all divinations and for establishing a woodland or garden. |
| Summer Solstice or Midsummer - June 21 is when the hours of daylight are
longest. The Sun is at the highest before beginning to slide into
darkness. The Sun God is triumphant, horned, and crowned with the
Sun. Traditionally, herb gathered on this day are extremely powerful. |
| Lammas or Lughnassadh - August 1 - This day is a preharvest festival
giving thanks for the fruits of the summer those things which were requested
at Candlemas. It is also a celebration in honor of the God Lugh. |
| Autumn Equinox or Mabon - September 21 - This day is a time of rest after
labor, completion of the harvest. Again the hours of day and night are
in balance, with the darkness increasing. All preparations for the
dark of the year and the year's ending are made, thus bringing us back to
Samhain. |
