The Pagan New Year, also known as Samhain, is a celebration recognized by many pagan and Wiccan traditions. It represents the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. The word "Samhain" is derived from Irish Gaelic and translates to "summer's end." The Pagan New Year is typically celebrated on October 31st or November 1st, marking the halfway point between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice. It is believed that during this time, the veil between the physical world and the spirit world is at its thinnest, allowing for greater communication and interaction with spirits, ancestors, and deities. One of the main aspects of the Pagan New Year is honoring and connecting with deceased loved ones.
Learn more about Japanese festivals and the Shinto religion here:
Early texts present Samhain as a mandatory celebration lasting three days and three nights where the community was required to show themselves to local kings or chieftains. The Celts believed that the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest on Samhain, making it the ideal opportunity to commune with passed loved ones.
One of the main aspects of the Pagan New Year is honoring and connecting with deceased loved ones. It is believed that the spirits of the departed come back to visit their living relatives during this time. Many pagans will set up an altar with photographs, mementos, and offerings to honor and remember their ancestors.
The Origins and Practices of Holidays: Imbolc, Setsubun, Lunar New Year
Imbolc is a Wiccan and pagan holiday, that is sometimes referred to as Candlemas or Oimelc. The celebration of Imbolc originates from the Celts. Imbolc symbolizes the halfway point between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara).
The word "imbolc" means "in the belly of the Mother," because the seeds of spring are beginning to stir in the belly of Mother Earth. The term "oimelc" means ewe's milk. Around this time of year, many herd animals give birth to their first offspring of the year, or are heavily pregnant. As a result, they are producing milk. This creation of life’s milk is a part of the symbolic hope for spring.
Image of a modern Brigid doll with a cloak. Photo courtesy of Flickr user St. Blaize
This holiday also celebrates Brigid, the Celtic fire and fertility goddess. Over the years, Brigid was adopted by Christianity as St. Brigid. Brigid (or Bridget) is the patron saint of Irish nuns, newborns, midwives, dairy maids and cattle. The stories of St. Brigid and the goddess Brigid are very similar. Both are associated with milk, fire, the home, and babies.
The Celts used to make a doll of the Goddess Brigid from oat or wheat straw. They would make a dress for the doll and put it in a basket with a white flower bedding. Young girls would carry the dolls door to door, and gifts are given from each household. In addition, on the day of Imbolc, people lit bonfires and held a feast to honor Brigid.
To celebrate Imbolc, some modern day pagans focus on celebrating Brigid. They do this by setting up an altar with the symbols of Brigid, like a corn husk doll, white flowers, a bowl of milk, and candles. If there is a group gathering, they might cast a circle, and recite a prayer to receive a blessing from Brigid.
Other pagans aim their rituals towards the cycles of the season. Some people do house cleaning rituals as a part of getting ready for spring. Other families find a pile of snow, gather some musical instruments, and chant to drive away the winter. An example of one such chant is:
Old man winter, it's time to go!
Take with you these piles of snow!
Spring will soon return!
A flame, a fire, all the warmth it brings,
melt the snow, cold be gone, welcome back the spring!
Learn more about Imbolc, Brigid, and pagan traditions with these books:
Another important tradition during the Pagan New Year is divination and fortune-telling. This is often done to gain insight into the coming year or to communicate with spirits and deities. Tarot cards, runes, scrying, and other forms of divination are commonly practiced during this time. Bonfires are also a common feature of Pagan New Year celebrations. These fires are believed to ward off evil spirits and provide warmth and protection during the colder months. It is also customary to leave out offerings of food and drink for wandering spirits and to light candles to guide them back to the spirit world. Costumes and masks are often worn during Pagan New Year celebrations to confuse and ward off any malevolent spirits that may be lurking. This tradition is believed to have influenced the modern-day custom of wearing costumes during Halloween. Overall, the Pagan New Year is a time for reflection, connection with the spiritual realm, and preparation for the coming winter months. It is an opportunity for pagans and Wiccans to honor their ancestors, seek guidance from the divine, and celebrate the cycle of life and death that is deeply ingrained in pagan traditions..
Reviews for "Celebrating the Pagan New Year: Festivities for the Whole Family"
1. Sarah - 1 star:
I found "What is pagan new year called" to be extremely boring and uninformative. The author failed to provide any substantial information about pagan new year celebrations, leaving me with more questions than answers. The writing style was also dull and lacked any engaging elements. Overall, I was very disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking to learn about pagan traditions.
2. John - 2 stars:
"What is pagan new year called" was a letdown for me. While I appreciate the attempt to introduce the concept of pagan new year, the book was poorly organized and lacked depth. The information provided was rather surface-level, without delving into the origins or significance of pagan new year celebrations. Additionally, the writing style could have been more engaging and less dry. I expected more from this book and felt like I didn't learn much from it.
3. Emily - 3 stars:
I had high hopes for "What is pagan new year called," but it fell short of my expectations. While the book touched on some interesting aspects of pagan new year celebrations, it lacked coherence and structure. The author seemed to jump from one topic to another without establishing proper connections. The information provided was not well-researched or comprehensive enough, leaving me wanting more. Overall, the book had its moments but failed to deliver a satisfying exploration of pagan new year customs.
4. David - 2 stars:
"What is pagan new year called" was a disappointment for me. The book lacked a clear focus and seemed to provide only a brief overview of pagan new year celebrations. I was expecting a more in-depth analysis of the different traditions and rituals associated with this holiday, but instead, I found myself reading a scattered collection of general information. The writing style was also lackluster and failed to hold my interest. I would not recommend this book to someone seeking a thorough understanding of pagan new year celebrations.
5. Jessica - 1 star:
I was highly dissatisfied with "What is pagan new year called." The book read more like a poorly written blog post rather than a comprehensive guide. It lacked any substantial information or insights into the pagan new year celebrations, leaving me feeling like I wasted my time reading it. The author's writing style was plain and unengaging, failing to capture my interest. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an informative and well-structured exploration of pagan new year traditions.