A pagan spring holiday refers to a celebration that has its roots in ancient pagan traditions and is observed during the spring season. These holidays were, and continue to be, celebrated by various pagan and earth-based religious communities around the world. One notable example of a pagan spring holiday is Ostara, which takes its name from the Germanic goddess of spring. Ostara is celebrated during the vernal equinox, which typically falls around March 21st. This holiday marks the arrival of spring and the rebirth of the Earth after the cold winter months. During Ostara, pagans may engage in various rituals and practices to honor the changing of the seasons and the fertility of the land.
The Origins and Practices of Holidays: Beltane and The Last Day of Ridván
Beltane is a Pagan holiday, and one of the eight Sabbats. It falls about halfway between the spring equinox (Ostara) and the coming summer solstice, Litha. The holiday celebrates spring at its peak, and the coming summer. Beltane also sometimes goes by the name May Day. This holiday is associated very strongly with fertility for pagans.
Photo of a maypole at Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of wikipedia user Jengod at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maypole_in_Brentwood,_California.JPG.
This festival is often commemorated with bonfires, maypoles, dancing, and performing fertility rituals. Beltane is a Celtic word, meaning “the fires of Bel.” Bel, likely referred to the Celtic sun god, Belenus. The Celts used to light two bonfires because they believed it would purify themselves, as well as increase their fertility. They would pass cattle between the two fires, with the belief that it would purify the cattle, and ensure the fertility of the herd. Although this is not a ritual that is practiced now, modern pagans still light bonfires and practice fertility rituals on this day.
Modern-day pagans celebrate Beltane in a variety of ways. One way to celebrate is with a maypole. In this custom, a pole is placed in a field with ribbons attached. Each person (usually women and girls) will grab a hold of their own ribbon, and dance around the pole in a special way, so as to weave the ribbons into a specific pattern. This is one of the more common fertility rituals that might take place on this day. Celebrators also might weave flowers into their hair, or create a floral wreath to wear upon their head as a celebration of spring. Some pagans light a bonfire and dance around (or even over) it, which is another common fertility ritual for the day. Lastly, some people prepare “May baskets,” and fill them with flowers and goodwill. They give the baskets to someone in need of care, such as an elderly friend, or someone who is recovering from an illness.
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During Ostara, pagans may engage in various rituals and practices to honor the changing of the seasons and the fertility of the land. For example, they may participate in ceremonial dances, decorate eggs, plant seeds, and create altars adorned with flowers and other symbols of new life. Another pagan spring holiday is Beltane, which is observed on May 1st.
May 2, 2019 - The Last Day of Ridván
From the evening of May 1 to the evening of May 2 Baha'i's will celebrate the last and Twelfth Day of Ridván. Ridván, which translates to paradise, is a twelve day Baha'i festival that commemorates the historic events during which Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Baha'i faith, declared himself the messenger of God. The holiday is named for the Garden of Ridván in which he made the declaration. The first, ninth, and twelfth days are holy days of the festival. They mark Bahá'u'lláh's arrival, the arrival of his family, and their departure from the garden, respectively.
After his arrival in the garden, Bahá'u'lláh made his declaration for the first time to a small group of family and friends. For the next eleven days Bahá'u'lláh received many visitors. However, his family was not able to join him until April 30, the ninth day, because the Tigris river had risen and made travel to the garden difficult. On the twelfth day of their stay, Bahá'u'lláh and his family left the garden and started on their journey to Constantinople. He was banished by the government of the Ottoman Empire as a result of their fear of the Baha'i faith namely, how quickly it spread and how popular it was becoming.
Baha'i's carefully reflect on Bahá'u'lláh's exile when celebrating the Twelfth Day of Ridván. They observe this holiday by gathering in prayer and celebration. School and work are prohibited on the Twelfth Day of Ridván because it is a holy day.
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If there's a particular celebration you or someone you know participates in that we missed, let us know by leaving a comment on this post. Or, if you think we got something wrong, please also comment and let us know. We try to be as accurate as possible, but if there's a mistake, we want to correct it.
6 pagan celebrations to welcome spring
After a long cold winter, there's nothing quite like seeing the first flowers of spring to lift the spirits. The hardships of the months gone by fade away with the sound of birdsong and the promise of warmer times ahead.
If this is how springtime can make us feel today, imagine what it must have been like thousands of years ago before the invention of central heating or supermarkets. It’s easy to understand why ancient pagan civilisations worshipped gods associated with the seasons and held festivals to mark their departure or arrival.
Of course, our most famous spring celebration is Easter, a time when we fill our trolleys with chocolate bunnies and hot cross buns and partake in Easter egg hunts. Whilst Easter is a Christian festival, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion, many of the themes of Easter are rooted in pagan traditions.
So let’s wind the clocks back to pre-Christian times and discover how some of the ancient pagans celebrated spring.
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When is Easter? | When are the school holidays? | Easter history | Easter facts
by Jamie Dwelly
1. Imbolc
The prosperity of many ancient civilisations depended on a multitude of factors, but one of the most important was the success of the harvest every year. A bountiful crop was vital to sustaining the population, if the harvests failed then hard times would be faced by all.
On the first day of February, the ancient Celts of Ireland and Britain held a holiday called Imbolc. It lasted until sundown on 2nd February and celebrated the halfway mark between the winter solstice and the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere.
Imbolc represented the coming of spring and at the centre of the festivities was the goddess Brigid, one of the most powerful of all the Celtic gods. Associated with fertility, birth, fire, poetry and healing, the ancient Celts honoured her during Imbolc by feasting, lighting bonfires and all-around general merriment.
By honouring Brigid, the festival’s main aim was to usher in a productive farming season in the coming months.
Ostara 2023: The Beautiful Pagan Festival of the Spring Equinox
In 2023 Ostara and the Spring Equinox occur in March in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s a time of harmony because the day and night are now equal. Warmer days are coming, and new life is everywhere you look!
Many people around the world celebrate the beginning of the Spring season. It’s such a happy time as the birds sing and flowers bloom. This Pagan holiday is all about new beginnings, fertility, growth, and balance.
I wasn’t quite sure how to write this article because, typically, Wiccans celebrate the holiday Ostara, while other spiritual practitioners (myself included) celebrate the Spring Equinox (I’ll go more into detail on this below). Due to this, I’ll be using the names Ostara and The Spring Equinox interchangeably to ensure everyone feels included.
Many Pagans, Witches, and those interested in Nature Spirituality celebrate the seasonal cycles. Sometimes referred to as the Wheel of the Year, and consisting of eight celebrations. Four of these festivals (Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain) are rooted in Celtic history and origins.
The other four (Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox, and Winter Solstice) represent the sun’s location. I created a complete guide to each season, including history, traditions, symbols, correspondences, ritual ideas, and how you can celebrate.
Please note that I make every effort to ensure this information is correct and accurate through my own experiences and referencing sources throughout AND at the bottom of this article.
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Table of Contents
Beltane is associated with the Celtic god Belenus and is often celebrated as an occasion to welcome the arrival of summer and the peak of fertility in nature. Traditional Beltane festivities may include bonfires, dancing around maypoles, and the crowning of a May Queen and May King. These pagan spring holidays have their origins in the ancient agricultural practices of early human cultures. They served as a way to honor and connect with the cycles of nature, expressing gratitude for the abundance of the land and seeking blessings for a fruitful year ahead. In modern times, pagan spring holidays are still observed by contemporary pagan and Wiccan communities, as well as by individuals who are drawn to the earth-centered spirituality and the connection with nature that these celebrations offer. Many of these holidays have also influenced and been incorporated into mainstream cultural celebrations, such as Easter and May Day. Overall, pagan spring holidays reflect the timeless human desire to celebrate and honor the changing of the seasons, the fertility of the Earth, and the renewal of life that comes with the arrival of spring. They continue to be meaningful and cherished observances for those who embrace pagan and earth-based spiritual traditions..
Reviews for "Pagan Celebrations of Spring: An Exploration of Symbols and Themes"
1. Amy S. - 1-star rating
I was extremely disappointed with the "Pagan Spring Holiday" event. The whole concept felt outdated and out of touch with modern times. The organizers seemed to focus more on reenacting ancient rituals rather than creating an engaging experience for attendees. The event lacked any sense of organization and the activities were repetitive and uninteresting. Overall, it was a waste of time and money.
2. John D. - 2-star rating
I attended the "Pagan Spring Holiday" with high hopes but left feeling underwhelmed. The event had potential, but it was poorly executed. The activities were limited, and there was a lack of variety in the entertainment options. Additionally, the event did not provide enough information about the historical significance of the holiday, leaving attendees with a shallow understanding of the traditions they were partaking in. It was a missed opportunity to educate and engage participants.
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I regret attending the "Pagan Spring Holiday" event. The atmosphere was chaotic and disorganized, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. The event also lacked proper facilities, such as clean bathrooms and seating areas. The lack of attention to these basic necessities made the entire event feel unprofessional and poorly planned. I would not recommend attending this event as it was a complete disappointment.
4. Mark R. - 2-star rating
While I appreciate the effort to celebrate and honor Pagan traditions, the "Pagan Spring Holiday" event fell short of my expectations. The event felt disjointed and disconnected, with a lack of clear direction or purpose. The entertainment provided was mediocre at best, failing to capture the true essence of the holiday. Overall, the event felt like a missed opportunity to create a meaningful and engaging experience for attendees.