|
|
|
 |
|
You can actually buy this "wheel of the year" wall plack.
Just click on the picture!
|
|
|
The Wheel of the Year is based on
the seasons. Samhain is the
beginning of the new year. Maybe you
will notice that the ancient
holidays coincide with Christian
holidays. Not only the dates
but some of the traditions. I
will try to point that out with each
holiday. The reason this set
of holidays appeals so much to me is
because it feels important to
remember that we are still part of
Nature. Like all of the
animals and trees, humans, too,
react to the seasons. For
example; many people experience
S.A.D. in the winter months when the
sun shines the least. And it
would seem that the fertility
customs of Beltaine are alive and
well in the practices of "spring
break." I feel that
staying in touch with the natural
world keeps me more balanced and
closer to the Divine.
Samhain - October 31
Many people still celebrate this
holiday as Halloween or the Feast of
the Dead. It is said the
veil between the worlds is at its
thinnest. Our ancestors
are closest to us and this is a time
for honoring them. This
day is also used for ending things
in our lives. Maybe a time to
quit a bad habit or let go of a past
relationship. Tonight is
traditionally a powerful night and
good for tarot cards, scrying, runes
and other divination.
Yule - December 21
This is the winter solstice and longest night of the
year. Yule celebrate the end of the
darkness and the return of the sun.
Traditions include gatherings,
feast, and gifts. The Celts
started such traditions the Yule
log, holly, decorating a tree.
The colors red and green were long
used to celebrate Yule. An
interesting parallel: Yule
celebrates the birth of the Sun
child, the son of the Goddess and
returns light to the earth.
Christmas celebrate the birth of the
son of God, the Light of the World.
Their are a lot of similarities
between holidays, especially Yule,
in many religions and cultures.
Imbolc -
February 2
We celebrate the first signs of
Spring. (Like Groundhog Day.)
People light candles all through the
house to "bring back the sun." This
is a holiday for new beginings.
I usually try to do some Spring
cleaning now and get rid of all the
old in bring in the new. It's
nice to welcome the sun back with a
nice clean house.
Ostara - March 21
Celebrated on the Spring equinox.
Night and Day are equal this time of
year. We celebrate the return
of the sun. (Much like Easter
where the return of the Son is
celebrated.) Traditionally a time of
rebirth. Easter got its name from
the goddess Eostre. The colored eggs
and rabbits are all ancient
tradition, too.
Beltaine - May 1
Also celebrated as May Day. It's my
personal favorite. I tried to
coincide my honeymoon with it.
It's all about fertility, this one.
We celebrate the new life that has
returned with the sun. The
Ancient Celts used to have big bon
fires and celebrated the great
marriage between the Goddess and the
God.
Litha -
June 21
Celebrated on the summer solstice.
This is the longest day of the whole
year and is also called Midsummer.
People used to believe this was the
most powerful night for the faeries.
Ever read a Midsummer Nights' Dream
by Shakespeare? The animals
and their young, the flowers in
full bloom, the fruit ripe on the
trees... we
celebrate the prosperity of the
earth.
Lammas
- August 1
This holiday celebrates the harvest.
Particularly corn and grains from
what I have read. There are
dolls of corn and wheat made.
We appreciate Nature for the harvest
and all her gifts. Usually
celebrated with bonfires.
Mabon - September 21 This holiday has always held a bit
of sadness for me. We reflect
on the past year and give thanks for
the harvest. We finish our
preparations for the return of the
darkness as the sun once again will
shy away for the winter months.
|  |
|
Brief descriptions of Celtic holidays and
sabbats
The way the ancient Celts measured the year
Different outlines for meditations, crafts and
activities.
Briefly describes how I began walking my
path. Eventually, I would like to link to other sites
illustrating personal journeys pagan pathways.
|
|
|
Pagan/Celtic/Family
Links:
Ferret's Glen
This is a link to my
best friend, Dan's site.
His site is filled with
personal experience from
one who is experienced
in his path.
This is Dan's wife,
my cousin, Aimee's page.
She is new to her path,
but definitely has done
her homework. Her
resources are very
informative and worth
your time.
Celtic Paganism vs.
Wicca
This is an article I
stumbled across and
decided to post. I
don't think it
represents me entirely,
but it definitely clears
the confusion most
people have about Wicca
and Celtic Paganism.
WitchVox
One of THE BEST
resources on the web for
pagans, witches and what
nots... There
section on the military
is wonderful as well.
|

How
to contact me:
on AOL IM "AmandaAwbrey"
on Yahoo IM "Aithnefire"
on MSN "AmandaAwbrey"
or email me
|