Pagan holidays are seasonal celebrations that were practiced by ancient cultures and are still observed by modern Pagans today. These holidays are deeply rooted in nature and mark significant moments in the annual cycle of the Earth. Here are the dates for some of the major pagan holidays in 2023: 1. Imbolc - February 1st: Imbolc is a Celtic festival that signifies the beginning of spring and the return of light. It is a time to celebrate the growing power of the sun and the awakening of the Earth. 2.
Interfaith Calendar
Religious observances allow the university to reflect on and practice the values that we as a campus community openly espouse, including sensitivity and respect for all cultures and religions. We are a community that embraces our diversity and encourages the celebration of multicultural traditions.
This resource includes dates, descriptions and information about some of the many religious holy days celebrated by faculty, staff and students at St. Cloud State. Also included with many are recommended accommodations to assist with planning classroom activities and other academic and co-curricular events.
2. Ostara - March 21st: Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox, marks the official start of spring. It is a time to celebrate the balance between light and dark, and to honor the fertility and abundance of the Earth.
March 2023
Holi (Hindu) - March 6-7, 2023
Description: Also known as the “Festival of Colors,” this holiday can be traced to Hindu scriptures commemorating good over evil. This date is also a celebration of the colorful spring and a farewell to the dull winter.
General Practices: Hindus often sprinkle colored water and powder on others and celebrate with bonfires and lights, signifying victory of good over evil.
Date Details: Celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar moon in late February or early March.
Future Dates:
March 25-26, 2024
March 13-14, 2025
Magha Puja Day (Buddhist) - March 6, 2023
Description: Magha Puja Day commemorates an important event in the life of the Buddha, in which the four disciples traveled to join the Buddha.
Future Dates:
February 24 (Thailand)/February 26, 2024
February 13, 2025
Purim - (Jewish) - March 6-8, 2023
Description: Purim commemorates the time when the Jews were living in Persia and were saved by the courage of a young Jewish woman called Esther.
General Practices: Many Jews hold carnival-like celebrations on Purim, dressing in costumes, and read the Book of Esther. Triangular, fruit-filled pastries are eaten in opposition to the villain Haman, who wore a three-cornered hat.
Recommended Accommodations: Purim is not subject to the restrictions on work that affect some other holidays; however, some sources indicate that Jews should not go about their ordinary business at Purim out of respect for the festival.
Future Dates:
March 23-25, 2024
March 13-15, 2025
Ostara / Alban Eilir / Spring Equinox (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid) - March 20, 2023
Description: Also known as Eostre. Regarded as a time of fertility and conception. In some Wiccan traditions, it is marked as the time when the Goddess conceives the God's child, which will be born at the winter solstice. One of eight major annual sabbats or festivals.
General Practices: Lighting fires to commemorate the return of light in the spring and to honor the God and Goddess. Coloring eggs as a way of honoring fertility is also practiced.
Future Dates:
March 20 (annually)
Naw Ruz- (Baha’i) - March 20-21, 2023
Description: This is the Baha’i New Year, a traditional celebration in Iran adopted as a holy day associated with Baha’i. It is a celebration of spring and new life.
General Practices: Festive music dancing, prayers, meetings and meals
Future Dates:
March 20-21 (annually)
Ramadan - (Muslim) - March 22-April 20, 2023
Description: Ramadan is an occasion to focus on faith through fasting and prayer, and is one of the most important Muslim holidays. Ramadan is notable because the Qur’an was first revealed during this month, and Muslims see the Qur’an as the ultimate form of guidance for mankind.
General Practices: Fasting is required during the entire month of Ramadan. Muslims refrain from food and beverages during the daylight hours, and smoking and sexual relations are forbidden. Worshipers break the fasting each night with prayer, reading of the Qu’ran, and a meal called the iftar.
Date Details: Dates are determined by the lunar calendar. Lunar calendars can vary based on region and practice. The observed date marks the beginning of a 30 day observation.
Recommended Accommodations: If possible, avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time. Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result.
Future Dates:
March 10-April 8, 2024
February 28-March 29, 2025
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Pagan Calendar 2023: List of Holidays for Wiccans and Neopagans
Pagans and Wiccans have plenty to celebrate in 2023! Here is a list of holidays observed in the Northern Hemisphere by Neopagans (including some Norse, Druid, and Heathen occasions) and of course the Wiccan Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year.
Here’s a printable page with a calendar and list of the Pagan Holidays of 2023.
It’s also good to have a Lunar Calendar in your Book of Shadows so you can follow along and work with the Moon phases.
Find more printable pages to download here: Grimoire PDF
Lunar Calendar 2023This Free Printable will help you keep track of the Moon phases! Enter your email to download this 2-page PDF
3. Beltane - May 1st: Beltane is a Gaelic festival that celebrates the beginning of summer. It is a time of great joy and merriment, with bonfires, feasting, and dancing to symbolize the fertility and vitality of the land. 4. Litha - June 21st: Litha, also known as the Summer Solstice, is the longest day of the year. It is a time to celebrate the power of the sun and the abundance of nature. Bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits and to bring blessings for the coming year. 5. Lammas - August 1st: Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is a harvest festival that marks the halfway point between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox. It is a time to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and to prepare for the coming winter months. 6. Mabon - September 23rd: Mabon, also known as the Autumn Equinox, is a time to celebrate the second harvest and to give thanks for the abundance of the Earth. It is a time of balance and reflection as the days become shorter and the nights become longer. 7. Samhain - October 31st: Samhain, also known as Halloween, is the most widely recognized pagan holiday. It is a time when the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be thinnest, and when ancestors are honored and remembered. These pagan holidays provide an opportunity for Pagans and others to connect with nature, celebrate the changing seasons, and honor the ancient traditions of our ancestors. By observing these holidays, Pagans seek to establish a deeper connection with the natural world and to find spiritual meaning in the cycles of life and the changing seasons..
Reviews for "Explore the Pagan Calendar: Key Dates for 2023"
- Sarah - 1 star - I was really disappointed with this book. As someone who is interested in paganism and wanted to learn more about the holidays in 2023, I was expecting a comprehensive guide with detailed information and explanations. However, this book's dates were incorrect and there was barely any content about the holidays themselves. It felt like a rushed and incomplete compilation of dates that could easily be found online. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking to genuinely learn about pagan holidays in 2023.
- Michael - 2 stars - I purchased this book with the hope of finding a useful resource to plan my pagan celebrations for 2023. Unfortunately, I found it to be quite lacking in quality and substance. The dates provided were inaccurate, causing confusion and frustration. Moreover, the limited information about each holiday left me wanting more. While the book has potential, it requires significant improvements in accuracy and content to be considered a valuable resource for anyone interested in observing pagan holidays.
- Lisa - 1 star - I regret purchasing this book. The information provided was minimal and inaccurate. The dates for the pagan holidays in 2023 were completely wrong, making it useless for planning any celebrations or rituals. I expected a comprehensive guide that would assist me in understanding the significance and customs associated with each holiday, but this book failed to deliver. I would advise against wasting your time and money on this book if you're looking for accurate and informative content about pagan holidays in 2023.
- John - 2 stars - I was excited to find a book that claimed to provide the dates for pagan holidays in 2023. However, upon reading it, I was left disappointed. The information provided was minimal and the dates were incorrect. It lacked the depth I was hoping for, leaving me feeling like I had wasted my money. I believe there are better resources available for those interested in learning about pagan holidays in 2023.