Holidays
Holidays are very important for every religion. Most people who think of witchcraft holidays, go right to Holloween. Holloween is derived from the ancient holiday called Hallows Eve. It was thought that on this day, spirits could cross over from the spirit world to the living.
But these are the real holidays that witches celebrate. They are summed up as the Wheel of The Year. Or a cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
- Winter Solstice or Yule: (Around December 22) Yule is the time of greatest darkness and the longest night of the year. The Winter Solstice had been associated with the birth of a
- Imbolc: (February 2) 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
- Spring Equinox or Ostara: (Around March 21) The first true day of Springtide. The days and nights are now equal in length as the Young God continues to mature and grow. We begin to see shoots of new growth and swelling buds on the trees. Energy is building as the days become warmer with promise.
- Beltaine: (April 30-May 1) The Land represented by the Goddess is now ripe and fertile and the Young God expresses His Love for Her. Thisis a time of joyous reveling as the first flowers of Summer are gathered in Their Honour.
- Summer Solstice or Midsummer: (Around June 21) The days of the first harvesting of herbs as the Earth now begins to share her bounty. This time of the longest days is celebrated as a fire festival. The season between the planting and the harvest, June is also the
- Lungnasadh: (Ausgust 1) The First Harvest. Plants are
- Autumn Equinox or Mabon: (Around September 21) The Second or Continuing Harvest. Now, as at Ostara, the days and nights are equal once again. Gardens are in full bloom and heavy with nature's bounty. There is a slight nip in the air already and preparations begin to prepae for te long cold months which are to come.
- Samhain: (October 31-November 1) The Last Harvest. 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 honour the Anceints who have gone on before us and the time of