This holiday is considered the Witches' New Year, representing one full turn of the seasonal year. A time of reflection, of looking back over the last year. Remembering our ancestors and all those who have gone before. Lighting a new orange-colored candle at midnight on Samhain and allowing it to burn until sunrise will bring one good luck; however, bad luck will befall those who bake bread on this day or journey after sunset. Black candles are used to ward off negativity.

Wiccan traditions: rune-casting; making Jack-o-lanterns; standing before a mirror and making a secret wish.

Candle colors:Black; red; orange.

Plants: Indian corn; pumpkins; gourds; apples; corn stalks.

Foods: Apples; pumpkin pie; hazelnuts; corn; cranberry muffins and breads; ale; cider; herbal teas.

Incense: Apple; heliotrope; mint; nutmeg; sage.

Gemstones: Jet; obsidian; onyx.

Suggested Reading

Pagan Book of Halloween: A Complete Guide to the Magick, Incantations, Recipes, Spells and Lore Gerina Dunwich Retail Price: $12.00 In-Stock: Ships within 24 hours

Halloween: Customs, Recipes and Spells Raven Silverwolf Retail Price: $12.95 Your Price: $11.65 You Save 10% In-Stock: Ships within 24 hours

Yule
December 20 - 23--winter solstice
This is the festival of the return of Sun, when the Great Mother brings him forth new-born. The days get longer. Love, family, togetherness and accomplishments of the past year are also celebrated. An "oak" yule log is burned to empower the Sun. It is lit with a portion of last year's log which was saved for luck, prosperity, and protection.

Wiccan traditions: A candle (or other flame) is left burning all night, on this longest of nights, to teach the new Sun how to shine; hang mistletoe over doorways; decorate Yule tree; exchange gifts; Bayberry candles ensure wealth and happiness.

Candle colors: Gold; white; red; green.

Plants: Yule Log; mistletoe; holly; pine and pine cones; nuts.

Foods: Roasted turkey; nuts; eggnog; mulled wine.

Incense: bayberry; cedar; pine; rosemary.

Gemstones: Cat's eye; ruby.

Suggested Reading:

Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth Dorothy Morrison Retail Price: $14.95 Your Price: $10.36 You Save 30% In-Stock: Ships within 24 hours

Imbolc or Candlemas
February 2--Bridget's Day
This is the "feast of the torches", as we bid our Lady return from the darkness. We light the flames so She may see the way. Time to welcome spring with a festival of light and of fertility. Represents new beginnings and spiritual growth, and the "sweeping out of the old." This is also a good time to look over your magickal cabinet.

Wiccan traditions: Time for self-dedication rituals (performed or renewed).

Candle colors: Red; white.

Plants: Roses; cherries; apples.

Foods: sunflower seeds; poppyseed breads; cakes herbal teas.

Incense: Basil; myrrh; wisteria.

Gemstones: Amethyst; garnet; onyx; turquoise.

Suggested Reading:

Candlemas: Feast of Flames Amber L, Azrael Arynn K Retail Price: $14.95 Your Price: $13.45 You Save 10% In-Stock: Ships within 24 hours

Eostar/Ostara
March 20-23--spring equinox
We welcome the Goddess back from her place of rest and ask Her blessings for new growth in the coming year. The God stretches and grows to maturity. This is a time of beginnings, of action, of planting spells for future gains, and of tending ritual gardens. Eggs are colored and placed on the altar as magickal talismans.

Pagan traditions: Colored eggs are exchanged; Easter Bunny; baskets of flowers.

Candle colors: green; white; silver; pastels.

Plants:All spring flowers and seeds.

Foods: Hard boiled eggs; honey cakes; 1st fruits of the season.

Incense: African violet; jasmine; rose; sage; and strawberry.

Gemstones: Amethyst; aquamarine; bloodstone; red jasper.

Suggested Reading:

Ostara: Customs, Spells and Rituals for the Rites of Spring Edain McCoy Retail Price: $14.95 Your Price: $13.45 You Save 10% In-Stock: Ships within 24 hours

Beltane
May 1--May Day
The festival of fertility, when invocations and dances are performed to ensure bountiful crops and the continued fertility of all nature (including humans!). This is the time when the God and the Goddess meet as lovers, and thus is also a fertility festival. He gives the governing of the year to Her until Samhain.

Pagan traditions: Maypole

Candle colors:The entire rainbow

Plants: all flowers; garlands; trees; fresh leaves.

Foods: Red fruits; herbal salads; red or pink wine punch; round oatmeal-barley cakes.

Incense: Frankincense; lilac; rose.

Gemstones:Emerald; orange carnelian; sapphire; rose quartz.

Suggested Reading:

Beltane: Springtime Rituals, Lore and Celebration Edain McCoy Retail Price: $14.95 Your Price: $13.45 You Save 10% In-Stock: Ships within 24 hours

Litha
June 20-23--summer solstice
This is when we dance and make merry magick in thanks for the crops growing, and the abundance of nature. The festival of summer, when light is at it's peak, and when the day is longest. Midsummer is a classic time for magick of all kinds. Believed that whatever is dreamt of on this night will come true for the dreamer. A celebration of passion and success.

Color: Green.

Plants: Roses; vines; leaves.

Foods: Fresh vegetables; summer fruits; pumpernickel bread; ale; mead.

Incense: Frankincense lemon; myrrh; pine; rose; wisteria.

Gemstones: Emerald; jade.

Suggested Reading:

Midsummer: Magical Celebrations of the Summer Solstice Anna Franklin Retail Price: $14.95 Your Price: $13.45 You Save 10% In-Stock: Ships within 24 hours

Lughnassad
August 1--Lammas
This is the festival of the corn, when the first fruits of the harvest are brought in, and the grain in the fields is ripe but not harvested. We give thanks for the gifts of the Great Mother. The God losses His strength as the Sun rises farther in the South each day and the nights grow longer. The God is dying, and yet lives on inside the Goddess as Her child. We are reminded that nothing in the universe is constant.

Colors: Green; yellow; and red.

Plants: Corn; grains; tomatoes; berries; and flowers.

Foods: Homemade breads (wheat, oat and corn bread); nuts; wild berries; apples; rice; berry pies; elderberry wine; ale; meadowsweet tea.

Incense: Aloes; rose; sandlewood.

Gemstones: Aventurine; citrine; peridot; sardonyx.

Suggested Reading:

Lammas: Celebrating Fruits of the First Harvest Anna Franklin, Paul Mason Retail Price: $17.95

Mabon
September 20-23--Fall Equinox
Day and Night are equal. The crops have been gathered. We give thanks for the Lady's abundance, and feast on the plentiful food.

Colors: Orange; brown; yellow; red.

Plants: All crops; fall leaves.

Foods: Corn bread cakes; wheat products; breads; nuts; vegetables; apples; cider; carrots; onions; potatoes; pomegranates.

Incense: Benzoin; myrrh; sage; cinnamon.

Gemstones: carnelian; lapis lazuli; sapphire; yellow agate.

Suggested Reading:

Mabon: Celebrating the Autumn Equinox Kristen Madden Retail Price: $14.95 In-Stock: Ships within 24 hours