The Pagan holidays calendar in 2023 is filled with many significant dates and celebrations for the Pagan community. These holidays are based on nature and the changing seasons, honoring the Earth and its cycles. Here is a quick overview of some of the notable Pagan holidays in the year 2023. The year begins with Imbolc on February 2nd, which marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is a day to celebrate the returning light and the first signs of spring. Next comes Ostara on March 21st, also known as the spring equinox.
It’s almost as though how well (or not) an infant sleeps is the gauge to measure the caliber or quality of the baby.
As childbirth parenting educators, postpartum doulas, and Newborn Care Specialists, we always strive to stay on top of the most up to date and relevant information pertaining to newborn sleep safety, developmentally appropriate sleep habits, and the latest sleep related gear and gadgets. A quick walk down the infant gadgets aisle at Target may also lead you to believe that it costs hundreds of dollars to get a baby to sleep- 400 variations of swaddles, white noise machines, cribs, bassinets, dozens of types of crib bassinet mattresses, projection machines, motion sensing video monitors, respiration and heart rate sensors, and intuitive bassinets.
Next comes Ostara on March 21st, also known as the spring equinox. It is a time to welcome the arrival of spring and celebrate the balance between day and night. Beltane follows on May 1st, marking the start of the summer season.
Safe Sleep: The 2022 Update
We, as a society, are obsessed with infants’ sleep. So many of the first questions people ask after you welcome a little one into your home are focused on sleep.
“So how is the baby sleeping?”
“Are you getting any sleep?”
And my personal favorite, “Are they sleeping through the night?”
It’s almost as though how well (or not) an infant sleeps is the gauge to measure the caliber or quality of the baby.
“She’s giving us 5 hour spans of sleep. She’s such a good baby.”
While your friends, family, colleagues and oftentimes perfect strangers, are all well-meaning, it can be difficult to filter through the opinions, misconceptions, and outdated information. As childbirth & parenting educators, postpartum doulas, and Newborn Care Specialists, we always strive to stay on top of the most up to date and relevant information pertaining to newborn sleep safety, developmentally appropriate sleep habits, and the latest sleep related gear and gadgets.
A quick walk down the infant gadgets aisle at Target may also lead you to believe that it costs hundreds of dollars to get a baby to sleep- 400 variations of swaddles, white noise machines, cribs, bassinets, dozens of types of crib/bassinet mattresses, projection machines, motion sensing video monitors, respiration and heart rate sensors, and intuitive bassinets.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released an updated version of their safe sleep guidelines earlier this summer. This information can be helpful to pass along to anyone who may play a part in your baby’s care. Much of this bulletin is clarification or reiteration of previously released information along with some updated recommendations. Here’s our recap.
1. The ABC’s of safe sleep: Alone , on their Back , in a Crib (or bassinet).
Babies should always sleep in their own dedicated sleep space (a crib or bassinet specifically), not bedsharing with any other family members (no shared couch or chair sleeping either). This applies to multiples sharing a sleep surface as well. Placing a baby to sleep on their back can help to maintain baby’s airway. Notice how your little one tends to turn their head to the side frequently – this is to ensure they can breathe properly, as dipping their chin to chest can close off their airway.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for testing and monitoring of infant sleep related products like cribs, bassinets, play yards and bedside sleepers. The CPSC also maintains an extensive recall listing, so you can check their website to ensure the baby gear you are using, particularly if it has been handed down to you by friends or family, is safe for your baby.
2. Avoid routine sleep on less safe surfaces.
Car seats, swings, loungers, etc are not recommended for routine sleep , and should never be utilized for unsupervised sleep. One of the guidelines that we teach in our Baby 101 workshop is that if your baby gadget has straps, USE them EVERY time. These straps help to hold baby’s bottom in the appropriate seating position so they don’t scoot and compromise their airway.
Another consideration is whether baby will be able to sufficiently turn their head to the side; swings, bouncer seats and pillow like devices like the Doc-a-tot or Boppy lounger can restrict head movement causing baby to rebreathe or inhibit the dissipation of CO2. If you are not able to keep an eye on your sleeping baby, it’s always best to move them to a safe sleep surface.
3. Sleep related items to use (and some to avoid).
Pacifier usage is shown to reduce SIDS risk. Swaddles should be used if desired, but only until your baby shows signs of rolling.
One of the most recent recommendations is to avoid the use of weighted swaddles (like the Nested Bean) or additional weighted objects (rice sock, etc).
Also updated in this summer’s recommendation is that for healthy, full-term babies, at-home cardiorespiratory monitors (like the Owlet, Snuza, Nanit Complete, etc) are not recommended . These products may actually increase new parents’ anxiety levels by alarming unnecessarily and creating a false sense of security.
If you’re attending our Baby 101: The 4th Trimester workshop or planning for in-home postpartum support or overnight newborn care, safe and developmentally appropriate newborn sleep is a topic we’ll prioritize.
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And my personal favorite, “Are they sleeping through the night?”
It is a joyful celebration of fertility, growth, and the awakening of nature. Litha arrives on June 21st, the summer solstice, when the sun is at its highest point. It is a time to honor the power of the sun and celebrate the abundance of the summer season. Lammas takes place on August 1st, marking the first harvest and the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time to give thanks for the bountiful gifts of nature. Mabon occurs on September 21st, the autumn equinox, when the day and night are in perfect balance once again. It is a time to reflect on the harvest, give thanks, and prepare for the coming winter. Samhain is celebrated on October 31st, also known as Halloween. It is considered the Pagan New Year and a time when the veil between the worlds is thinnest. It is a time to honor ancestors and connect with the spirit realm. Finally, Yule arrives on December 21st, the winter solstice, marking the longest night of the year. It is a time to celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the return of the light. These are just a few of the Pagan holidays in the calendar for 2023. Each holiday has its own unique traditions, rituals, and symbolism, but all share a deep reverence for nature and its cycles. Pagan holidays provide opportunities for reflection, celebration, and connection with the Earth and the spiritual world..
Reviews for "Living in Harmony with the Seasons: Pagan Holidays of 2023"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was very disappointed with the "Pagan holidays calendar 2023". The information provided was very limited and vague. I was hoping for a detailed guide to help me plan and celebrate the pagan holidays throughout the year, but it fell short. The dates and descriptions of the festivals were lacking, and there was no mention of associated traditions or rituals. Overall, it left me feeling confused and underwhelmed.
2. Mark - 1 star - The "Pagan holidays calendar 2023" was a complete waste of money. The content was repetitive and poorly organized. It seemed like the author just copied and pasted information from various sources without providing any original insights or interpretations. Additionally, the formatting was messy and made it difficult to navigate through the calendar. I regret purchasing this calendar and would not recommend it to anyone interested in pagan celebrations.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was expecting the "Pagan holidays calendar 2023" to be a comprehensive and well-researched guide to pagan festivals, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The descriptions of the holidays were brief and lacked depth. I was hoping for more historical and cultural context, as well as practical suggestions for celebrating each holiday. Overall, it felt like a rushed and superficial overview. I would recommend looking for alternative resources if you're truly interested in learning about pagan celebrations.