Pagan holidays, also known as ancient or traditional holidays, have been celebrated for centuries and continue to be observed by modern pagans. In the year 2024, pagans will continue to celebrate various holidays that are deeply rooted in nature and spirituality. These holidays often revolve around the cycles of the Earth, the changing seasons, and the connection between humans and the natural world. One significant pagan holiday in 2024 is Imbolc, which falls on February 1st. Imbolc is a celebration of the first signs of spring, when the earth begins to awaken after the long winter months. It is a time to honor the goddess Brigid and seek her blessings for the upcoming seasons.
9 things you likely didn't know about Jehovah's Witnesses
Along with our main investigation into Jehovah's Witnesses, W5 has also prepared an interactive with exclusive footage and below, some facts about the religion that you might not know.
1. They are one of Canada's wealthiest and least transparent charities
The Jehovah’s Witnesses organization is a registered charity, which means they pay no income tax. Of the 86,000 registered charities in Canada, they rank 18th with more than $80 million in donations in 2016.
Charity Intelligence, an agency that monitors charities for Canadian donors, gives the group a D-grade because they do not provide details on how donations are spent.
“Jehovah’s Witnesses have a one star rating out of five stars. That should be a red flag to donors. That should be red flag to government.”
2. They don't believe in military service, national anthems or voting
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not stand for national anthems, salute flags, vote or serve in the military.
Followers believe their allegiance belongs to God alone, who runs an actual government in heaven.
3. They don't celebrate holidays
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate most holidays or events that honour people who aren’t Jesus. That includes birthdays, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Hallowe’en.
They also don’t celebrate religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter in the belief that these customs have pagan origins.
The organization says “Christmas is not approved by God” because there is no proof that Jesus was born on December 25th and that the symbols of Christmas, including the lights and the tree, have pagan roots.”
4. They don't accept blood transfusions
Jehovah’s Witnesses cite the Old and New Testaments as the Biblical basis for refusing transfusions. They believe it is God’s will to “abstain from blood” (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10; Deuteronomy 12:23; Acts 15:28,29).
The organization says: “We avoid taking blood not only in obedience to God but also out of respect for him as the Giver of life.”
5. They shun those who go astray
Those who leave the religion or are kicked out are subjected to an extreme form of shunning. Parents, siblings, friends are instructed to cut all ties.
The organization defends shunning with this biblical passage: “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”
6. They limit contact with non-Jehovah's Witnesses
Followers are discouraged from having close relationships with those who are not part of the faith. People who are “worldly” are seen as bad influences or “bad associations.”
JWs are advised not to join groups or teams outside the faith and are also discouraged from higher education.
7. They believe Satan is real and he's here on Earth
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan controls the world. He uses religions, governments, commercial organizations and the media to mislead and corrupt people.
Concordia University Theological Studies’ professor, André Gagné says: “Since the governments of this world are not under God’s authority, Jehovah’s Witnesses see no reason to adhere or submit themselves to the authorities of the world, including government, the courts and police, especially when laws go against their beliefs.”
8. They believe sins require two witnesses
The subject of intense international criticism, lawsuits and a Royal Commission, the Two Witness Rule is the Jehovah Witnesses’ interpretation of scripture that, in the absence of a confession, there must be two material witnesses to a sin for them to be acted upon.
Critics say the policy protects accused pedophiles, because there are rarely witnesses to sexual abuse.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses Governing Body insist they “abhor sexual abuse,” do not protect pedophiles and educate followers on protecting children.
9. They believe the end is near. Very near
Jehovah's Witnesses believe Armageddon is imminent. The religion has previously provided a number of dates for the end the world as we know it, but now tell followers it will happen any day now.
They point to global conflicts, ISIS and natural disasters as signs that we are on the verge of the Apocalypse.
They believe Armageddon will be a brutal and bloody battle between God and human government and wicked humanity will ultimately be wiped out. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in Hell.
Related:
- W5 investigation: Sex abuse survivors allege coverup by Jehovah's Witnesses for failing to report assaults
- Interactive with candid video of abuse survivors on their experience, and a lawyer specializing in child sexual abuse lawsuits
Holidays and Observances
This guide provides information about diverse cultural celebrations and religious holidays. It includes calendars and brief descriptions of the events. This resource can assist in event planning and classroom activities.
It is a time to honor the goddess Brigid and seek her blessings for the upcoming seasons. Traditional customs for Imbolc include lighting candles, making offerings to Brigid, and performing rituals to cleanse and purify. Another notable pagan holiday in 2024 is Beltane, celebrated on May 1st.
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Holidays and Accommodations
As a worldwide institution, Webster University emphasizes diversity and global citizenship. When planning activities faculty, staff and students can access this LibGuide for dates of religious holidays and cultural events, as well as to learn about dietary restrictions and recommended accommodations.
The main calendar is arranged by the academic calendar year for the current and next school year. Some holidays are based on the lunar calendar--which can vary based on region and practice--and, therefor, vary from year to year.
Kosher restrictions apply : Jewish dietary guidelines which apply daily throughout the year. These restrictions include pork, shellfish (fish is allowed) and mixing meat with dairy.
Halal restrictions apply: Islamic dietary laws which apply throughout the year. These restrictions include alcohol and pork.
Occasional dietary restrictions for other religions are listed with the specific event to which they apply.
Great care has been given to assure accuracy of the dates. However, sources often differ on dates and on the spelling of the holiday. Please let us know if there are any obvious errors. Also, please let us know if there are any other dates that we should consider including.
Religious Holidays
Followers of different faiths will be marking their calendars with their respective holy days for the academic year. The University’s 15 chaplaincies and numerous student groups are among the most vibrant centers of faith on campus with faiths represented by Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Unitarian Universalism et al.
Beltane is a celebration of fertility and the peak of spring, marking the transition from the barrenness of winter to the abundance of summer. It is a time to honor the union of the god and goddess, and many pagans celebrate with bonfires, dancing, and rituals to ensure a bountiful harvest and continued fertility. Litha, also known as Midsummer or the summer solstice, is another important pagan holiday in 2024. Falling on June 20th, Litha celebrates the longest day of the year and the power of the sun. Pagans gather to honor the sun god and goddess, engage in outdoor rituals, and celebrate the abundance of the summer season. Fire is often a central element of Litha celebrations, symbolizing the sun's strength and energy. One of the most widely recognized pagan holidays, Samhain, will also be observed in 2024 on October 31st. Samhain is a celebration of the harvest's end and the beginning of the dark half of the year. It is a time to honor ancestors, commune with spirits, and reflect on the cyclical nature of life and death. Many pagans create altars, hold feasts, and perform divination rituals on Samhain. These are just a few examples of the pagan holidays that will be observed in 2024. These ancient traditions offer pagans a way to connect with their spirituality, honor the natural world, and celebrate the cycles of life. As paganism continues to grow and evolve, these holidays will remain a vital part of the pagan calendar, providing opportunities for connection, reflection, and celebration..
Reviews for "Pagan Festivals: Celebrating Nature and Spirituality in 2024"
- Sarah - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Pagan holidays 2024". The plot was confusing and disjointed, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The writing felt rushed and there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book. Overall, it was a frustrating reading experience and I would not recommend it.
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