Pagan holidays, also known as Sabbats or Wheel of the Year, are celebrated by various Pagan and Wiccan traditions. The number of holidays varies depending on the specific tradition or path followed by practitioners. However, the most commonly recognized pagan holidays are eight in number, reflecting the changing seasons and agricultural cycles. These holidays are evenly spaced throughout the year, with approximately six to seven weeks between each celebration. The first and most well-known pagan holiday is Samhain, which falls on October 31st or November 1st in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the beginning of the pagan new year and is associated with honoring ancestors and the thinning of the veil between the physical and spiritual realms.
It marks the beginning of the pagan new year and is associated with honoring ancestors and the thinning of the veil between the physical and spiritual realms. Yule, celebrated around December 21st, is the winter solstice and marks the longest night of the year. Pagans celebrate the return of the sun and the rebirth of light during this time.
The Wheel of the Year: the calendar of pagan festivals explained
Aside from the associations with Stonehenge and ‘New Age’ movements, most people would probably confess to knowing little about pagans, or even who they are - modern paganism may refer to several different groups such as Wiccans, heathens, and Celtic neopagans.
So, what are the most important days in the pagan calendar?
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Starting in December, eight annual festivals spaced roughly six to seven weeks apart are celebrated by pagans. This cycle is known as the Wheel of the Year.
There are such myriad historical and contemporary variations and semantic complexities when dealing with paganism that a book-length article would be needed to fully cover it. The wheel as described here is broadly what is observed today by modern pagans, chiefly of the UK and Ireland.
Yule
The first of the eight sections of the Wheel of the Year is Yule, (winter solstice, or Midwinter) one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’, or festivals.
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It is celebrated on the shortest day of the year, about 21st December.
For many pagans, Yule is a key part of the life cycle of the ‘Child of Promise’, conceived in Ostara and born in the winter solstice as the ‘Sun Child’ who will defeat the powers of darkness in the coming spring, ushering in nature’s triumphant return.
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One important site at Yule is Newgrange, Ireland’s grand megalithic monument and ancient resting place of kings. Here, at the solstice, the Sun Child’s birth is represented by the rising sun flooding the inner chamber of the monument with light.
Celtic peoples have celebrated the winter solstice in the British Isles since before the arrival of Christianity, though many Yule traditions flowed into Christmas and there are obvious parallels between the two traditions, such as the exchanging of gifts.
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Imbolc
The first day of February is Imbolc. Imbolc celebrates the coming of spring. It is one of the four cross-quarter days (or ‘fire festivals’), and one of the wheel’s four ‘greater sabbats’. The other cross-quarter days are Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain.
The etymology of the word ‘Imbolc’ remains undetermined, but it probably comes from the Old Irish word for ‘in the belly’ or ‘in the womb’, referring to pregnant ewes, a precursor to the lambing season.
At Imbolc, the Child of Promise gives light and energy to the nascent year. Signs of the coming spring are beginning to be seen and for pagans, this is a time for personal growth and renewed energy. Spring cleaning and handicrafts are customary around Imbolc.
With roots in the deep Celtic past, Imbolc was traditionally about ushering in a productive farming season and was dedicated to Brigid, the goddess of healing, smithing, and poetry.
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Ostara
Spring equinox (or Ostara, from the Saxon goddess) is one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’. It is celebrated around 21st March when the day has roughly an equal amount of sun and darkness. This solar festival is the opposite point on the wheel to Mabon or autumn equinox.
With Imbolc marking the first stirrings of spring, Ostara is about celebrating spring happening in earnest: flowers growing tall, trees blossoming, and crops being sown. As with the Christian Easter, eggs, typically painted, symbolise new life.
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Much of the symbolism and tradition here is related to the new life of spring – the mating season for many animals. The God and Goddess couple up and the Child of Promise is conceived. The equality of the day partly represents the duality of the nature of the God – his primaeval sexual instinct versus his conscious thought.
Some modern pagans celebrate the festival by choosing a man and a woman to play the roles of the God and Goddess, acting out the romance.
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Beltane
Beltane is one of the four ‘greater sabbats’ and is the traditional Celtic May Eve/May Day celebration and the opposite point on the cycle to Samhain.
Sources vary on its etymology, from belo-tanos (‘bright fire’) to a connection with the Celtic deity Bel. In Irish ‘mí na Bealtaine’ means ‘the month of May’.
Beltane marks the beginning of summer, the time of year when flora and fauna will flourish, celebrated by the decorating of houses and animals with May flowers such as primrose and gorse.
The fertility of the land represents the God’s mature devotion to the Goddess, his transition from animal lust to love and commitment. The maypole and the twirling of ribbons around it represent fertility and the spiral of life.
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Traditionally, on May Eve, hilltop herdsmen, driving their livestock out to summer pastures, would force the animals through two large bonfires, protecting the cattle from evil.
Beltane and Samhain are the points in the year where the veil between this world and the Otherworld was at its thinnest, enabling comingling and communication between the living and the dead.
Midsummer
The summer solstice, or Litha, is one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’ and the high point of the solar year. The God has reached the zenith of his power (the summer solstice being the longest day of the year) and the dawn of the 21st June (or thereabouts) is his crowning glory.
This taking on of power by the God as the Sun King and the end of his youthful days running in the greenwood represents the strength and power of the sun over the summer months, though pagans also remember that the God’s path is downhill now (the shortening of days until Yule).
For modern Druids and many other groups, Stonehenge is the focal point of the summer solstice celebration (which Druids call Alban Heruin, ‘light of the shore’). The entire Stonehenge site is laid out in relation to the winter and summer solstices.
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At dawn on the longest day, at Stonehenge, the two stones which are located outside of the main circle, called the Heel Stone and the Slaughter Stone (now prone), channel the sun in alignment and the first rays hit the centre of the circle.
Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh (‘gathering of Lugh’, in Irish), or Lammas, is one of the four ‘greater sabbats’ and the first of the year’s harvest festivals, along with Mabon and Samhain. Lammas comes from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘loaf-mass’. It occurs at the beginning of August.
Opposite on the wheel to Imbolc, at Lammas the God sacrifices himself before the Goddess, her sickle slaying him and his blood spilling onto the land to ensure its continuing fertility in the next Wheel of the Year. The God moves from being the Lord of Light, which he is until Lammas, to the Dark Lord of Death, which he will be throughout the darkening half of the year.
Celtic pagans mark the festival by making corn dollies and Wiccans bake bread in the shape of the God.
Mabon
The autumn equinox, or Mabon, is the second of the wheel’s three harvest festivals. It is the opposite point on the wheel to the spring equinox (Ostara) and is one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’. It is also known as Harvest Home, and to modern Druids as Alban Elued (‘light of the water’).
This falls sometime between 21st and 24th September.
It aligns broadly with traditional European harvest festivals which give thanksgiving and historically celebrate a successful cereal harvest and the filling of food stores for the winter.
During Ostara, pagans celebrate the themes of growth, rebirth, and balance. For a more comprehensive look at Ostara rituals, see my article : Ostara, Celebrating The Spring Equinox.
Imbolc, held on February 1st or 2nd, is associated with the first signs of spring and the awakening of the earth. It is often celebrated with rituals focusing on purification and the anticipation of new beginnings. Ostara, celebrated around March 21st, is the spring equinox and represents the balance between light and dark. Pagans honor the awakening of nature and the fertility of the earth during this time. Beltane, held on April 30th or May 1st, is a celebration of fertility, love, and the abundance of spring. It is often associated with the Maypole dance and other rituals celebrating the union of the masculine and feminine energies. Litha, also known as Midsummer or the summer solstice, occurs around June 21st. It is a time for honoring the peak of the sun's power and the abundance of summer. Lammas, celebrated on August 1st, is the first harvest festival and marks the transition from summer to autumn. It is a time for gratitude and giving thanks for the bounties of the earth. Mabon, the autumn equinox, occurs around September 21st and represents the balance between light and dark once again. Pagans give thanks for the harvest and prepare for the approaching winter. In addition to these eight main holidays, some pagan traditions also celebrate other lunar or astrological events, such as the full moon or specific planetary alignments. These additional celebrations vary widely and may be unique to specific traditions or personal preferences. Overall, the number of pagan holidays is not set in stone and can vary depending on the specific path followed by practitioners. However, the eight Sabbats serve as the cornerstone of many modern pagan and Wiccan practices, representing the cycle of the seasons and the connection with nature..
Reviews for "Connecting with Nature through Pagan Holidays"
1. John - 2 stars
While the concept of exploring pagan holidays may sound intriguing, I found "How many pagan holidays are there" to be quite disappointing. The book lacked depth and failed to provide any substantial information about the history or significance of these holidays. It felt more like a random compilation of facts without any coherent structure or analysis. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of pagan holidays.
2. Emily - 1 star
I was excited to learn more about pagan holidays, but "How many pagan holidays are there" did not meet my expectations at all. The writing style was dry and lacked any engaging storytelling. Furthermore, the author seemed more focused on listing the names of various pagan holidays rather than delving into their cultural context or symbolism. It felt like I was reading a boring encyclopedia entry instead of a book that was meant to spark curiosity and exploration. Save your money and look for a more thoughtful and well-researched book on pagan holidays.
3. Sarah - 3 stars
As someone with a strong interest in pagan traditions, I was disappointed by "How many pagan holidays are there". While the book does provide a comprehensive list of pagan holidays, it lacks depth in its exploration of their origins and customs. I was hoping for more cultural and historical context, but the book predominantly focuses on listing the holidays without providing much insight. It could have benefited from more analysis and storytelling to make it a truly compelling read. Overall, it's an average resource for those seeking a basic overview of pagan holidays, but it falls short for anyone looking for a deeper understanding.