WHEEL OF THE YEAR

EIGHT SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS

                   

          October 31, Samhain:  The New Year, the third and final harvest.  Celebration of the great Mystery; that every ending is but a new beginning.  The veil between the worlds is thin.  An excellent time for scrying and magick.  Spirits of all kinds are believed to be traveling abroad.  Also known as All Hallow's Eve, All Saint's Night, Mischief Night, Pomona.

         

          December 20-23, Yule: Winter Solstice.  The sun's birthday.  This is the longest night of the year, after which the days grow longer.  A time of rebirth.  Celebrated with a Yule tree or log, festivities, gift giving, and in some groups the celebration of Saturnalia, a time for jokes and pranks, from the old Roman Solstice Festival. Also called Natilis Solis Invicti, Nolagh, Noel.  Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus at this time.

 

          February 2, Imbolc. (In the belly).  The first stirrings of life in the darkness of the womb of the earth.  Harbinger of spring, the feast of waxing light.  The lady of the hearth is honored.  Battle between oak and holly king.  The maiden of flowers is renewed.  Flower bulbs poke out of the earth.  Also known as Candlemas, St. Brigit's Day, Brigid's Day, Groundhog Day.

 

          March 20-23, Spring Equinox.  Celebration of the first day of Spring.  Day and night are equal.  A time of breaking free.  The maiden returns.  The hare brings fertility.  Arbor day may be celebrated.  Also known as Ostarr, or Oester, (Goddess of Spring) from which the Christian word Easter comes. 

 

          May 1, Beltaine.  Celebration of the flowering and fertility of the Goddess and God.  The marriage of the earth and the sun.  The time of planting certain crops.  The flowering of the sacred hawthorn tree.  The may pole is danced and the Bel Fire leaped.  Also known as May Day, May Eve, Walpurgis night, Febralia.

 

          June 20-23.  Summer Solstice.  The longest day of the year, after which the nights will grow longer.  The Sun Lord reaches his peak of power, yet begins to sail away.  Also known as Litha, St. John's Day.

 

          August 1, Lammas/Lughnasadh.  The first harvest.  The corn is cut.  The battle between the Oak King (Lugh) and the Holly King (Gronw) for dominion.  The Oak King is received by the Harvest Mother.  Thanks are offered.

 

          September 20-23 Autumn Equinox  (Mabon)  The second harvest.  Night and day are equal again. Celebration for balance.  Give thanks and name goals for the final harvest.  The time of the weaver and the reaper.  Also known as Michaelmas.