The Pagan Holidays

Wheel of the year l Sabbats

Solstice l Equinox l Cross-quarter day

WINTER SOLSTICE December 21st:
The celebration of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. It is the celebration rebirth of the Sun, which is the promise of spring and life even on this the darkest day. Therefore some consider this the new year. The burning of the log is to give the Sun strength. Mumming (plays) such as "St. George" is a Pagan survival , it represents the rebirth of the God. Wassailing or is also a Pagan custom. The Roman festival of the Solstice was Saturnalia, which lasted from December 17th to the 24th.

more on Yule l Wikipedia l Winter

IMBOLC - Cross-quarter day- February 2:
February is a purifactory month, bonfires are held now. In the Christian calendar this festival was converted to the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin (Mary). Candles for the following year were purified in the western church - therefore we get the name Candlemas.

more on Imbolc l Wikipedia

VERNAL EQUINOX March 20 / 21:
The celebration of the Vernal (Spring) Equinox. Day & Night are equal length. It is a time for planting and celebrating the first signs of fertility and rebirth. Symbols of Ostara like eggs, chicks, and rabbits have been adopted by Christians in their Easter holiday. The word, Easter is from the goddess Eostra, Ishtar or Astarte.

more on Ostara l Wikipedia l Spring

SUMMER SOLSTICE June 21:
The Summer Solstice a celebration in honor of the Sun-God . Traditional Pagan activities of Midsummer is to leap across bonfires to promote fertility of animals and crops.

more on Midsummer l Wikipedia l Summer

LUGHNASADH - Cross-quarter day - August 1:
Also known as Lammas, this is the first of the three Harvest festivals. The first fruits of the annual harvest are reaped, and the days grow shorter.

more lughnasadh l Wikipedia

AUTUMN EQUINOX September 21:
The Autumnal Equinox, is the second of the Harvest holidays. Mabon is a time to recognize what we have and to begin preparing for the coming winter.

more on Mabon l Wikipedial Autumn

SAMHAIN - Cross-quarter day - October 31/ November 1

Death, the third of the Harvest holidays, the ending of the cycle, death, but with the hope of rebirth and the New Year.The traditional time for the annual slaughter to ensure food throughout the winter months. Take this time to remember departed ones. In some traditions the end of the year . The separation between this physical world and the spiritworld is thin. Halloween customs are a part of this element of death, the thin line at this cycle and remembering the dead and the hopes of rebirth. On this night Magick is more powerful .

More on Samhain l Wikipedia

Pagan Holiday Books

Amazon.co. uk - Amazon.ca

USA The Pagan Book of Days: A Guide to the Festivals, Traditions, and Sacred Days of the Year , Nigel Pennick
UK:The Pagan Book of Days: A Guide to the...

(USA) The Sabbats : A Witch's Approach To Living The Old Ways, Edain McCoy
(UK):Sabbats: A Witch`s Approach To Living The Old Ways., Edain McCoy

Pagan Holiday Cook Books
USA:Pagan Cooking, Recipes For The Holidays
UK:Witch in the Kitchen : Magical Cooking Cait Johnson, Johanne Renbeck

Halloween / Samhain
USA The Pagan Book of Halloween Gerina Dunwich
UK: The Pagan Book of Halloween Gerina Dunwich

USA:The Pagan Mysteries of Halloween Jean Markale, Jon Graham
UK: The Pagan Mysteries of Halloween Jean Markale, Jon Graham

USA: Halloween Silver Ravenwolf
UK: Halloween Silver Ravenwolf

Beltaine
USA Beltane: Raven Grimassi
UK: Beltane Raven Grimassi

Yule
USA:Yule Dorothy Morrison
UK: Yule Dorothy Morrison

Lammas
USA:Lammas Anna Franklin
UK: Lammas Anna Franklin

Imbolc
USA:Candlemas Amber K, Azrael Arynn K
UK: Candlemas Amber K, Azrael Arynn K

Ostara
USA: Ostara Edain McCoy
UK: Ostara Edain McCoy

Midsummer
USA: Midsummer Anna Franklin
UK:Midsummer Anna Franklin

Mabon
USA:Mabon Kristin Madden
UK: Mabon Kristin Madden