Pagan Calendar
Though the witches in my stories
have varying religious beliefs, many of them observe sacred days based
on the journey of the sun and the moon. Some may sound familiar—such
as Halloween (Samhain), the solstices (Yule and Litha) and equinoxes (Ostara
and Mabon), or May Day (Beltane)—and others may be new to you.
In earth based religions, the festivals, celebrations, and rituals are
determined by the movements of the sun and the moon,
and the seasons of the year. Esbats,
which are celebrated on the 12-13 full moon nights each year, are popular times
for rituals and magic, as well as for spiritual reflection. Sabbats are solar festivals, based on the
movements of the sun as well as ancient harvest traditions. Many of them feature fire in some form (candles,
bonfires, torches) to symbolize the life-giving light of the sun.
The pagan calendar is viewed as a circle, “the wheel of the year,” to show
the continuity of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth through the seasons. The
dates of the solstices and equinoxes vary slightly due to the fluctuations of
the solar calendar. Traditionally, these celebrations start on the eve of
the event.
Yule, circa December 21. The winter solstice, the shortest day of the
year, marks the point when darkness will soon give way to the return of the
light. Yule is
traditionally celebrated with candles, Yule logs, or bonfires.
Imbolc, February 2. This festival celebrates the first hints of
spring, returning light, and fertility. It was celebrated in ancient Europe with bonfires, torches, and candles.
Today, early flowers or budding branches are often used to mark the first hints
of spring. Imbolc is Brighid's day, and the Celtic goddess is
honored during festivities.
Ostara, circa March 21. The spring equinox is a celebration of renewed life and the end of
winter. It is a time of balance, when
light and dark are equal. Traditional symbols include eggs, flowers, baby
animals, and the pastel colors associated with spring.
Beltane, May 1. The old English May pole ritual is a familiar
Beltane tradition, as are the flowers that are given out in May baskets. Feasts and bonfires also mark this day.
Beltane celebrates the greening of the earth, and the fertility that comes with
the warmer months.
Litha (also Midsummer), circa June 21. The summer solstice, the
longest day of the year, was traditionally celebrated with bonfires (to
encourage fertility and purification). The tone of the celebrations is often
playful and magical.
Lughnasadh (also Lammas), August 1. An ancient agricultural harvest
festival, this day is marked by feasts and the
baking of bread.
Mabon, circa September 21. The autumn equinox balances light and dark,
and celebrations focus on the fall harvest.
Samhain, October 31. This is
a day to honor ancestors, often marked with feasts in their memory. It is a time of introspection and reflection,
when the boundaries between the physical and spiritual world are thinnest. |
