Exploring the Ancient Origins of Yule: The Pagan Winter Solstice

Pagan holidays, also known as pagan festivals or sabbats, refer to the religious and cultural celebrations observed by various pagan traditions. These holidays are based on the ancient agricultural and astronomical cycles, honoring the changing seasons and celestial events. While there are numerous pagan traditions, this note will provide a brief overview of some of the most commonly celebrated pagan holidays. One of the most well-known pagan holidays is the Winter Solstice, which usually falls around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. This festival celebrates the longest night of the year and marks the beginning of winter. Many pagans celebrate this occasion by lighting bonfires, exchanging gifts, and participating in rituals that honor the rebirth of the sun.

god I never thought of that 😬 I'll be a right little anxious annie in those early days!!🙈

TILTABLE The crib can be tilted up to 10 , with a maximum of 4 positions between one leg and the other, to improve comfort in cases of nasal congestion. The Chicco Next2Me range is popular and it does tend to sell well second-hand, so you could get back more than half of what you paid even after using it for any future children.

Many pagans celebrate this occasion by lighting bonfires, exchanging gifts, and participating in rituals that honor the rebirth of the sun. Imbolc is another significant pagan holiday, typically celebrated on February 2nd. It represents the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and is associated with the goddess Brigid.

chicco next to me?

Hi girls, Im looking at the Chicco next to me co sleeper. Just wondering if anyone has one, would they recommend? If you do, do you have the dream/elegance or magic? Only diff I can really see in the two are the magics side goes down with a button & push as opposed to zips and it rocks. not sure that justifies the extra 110euro!!

I don’t have this one, have the snuzpod but I advise to measure your bed first. The only one I could go with was the snuzpod due to the height of my bed

great thanks must get the other half to do some measuring before buying one thanks!

we have a v tall bed I measured and it's 75cm. what's yours if you don't mind me asking please. is the co sleeper level with your bed ? thanks

oh I can’t remember but the snuz pod was the only one to fit it. Have you googled the snuzpod?

I have the babylo co sleeper adjust to 3 heights never actually used it on the bed but my lb loves it we got it instead of a Moses basket he’s 5.5 months and still plenty of room

yeh I think it would last a lot longer than moses basket. Thanks

we got the magic one and the extra was so worth it! I didn’t actually attach it to the bed but had it rugby next to it, but with a small gap that my legs could fit. I ended up having an emergency section and without that gap I could have never got in and out of bed �� and the side going up and down so easily. Much better than the zips.

ok great! so did you just keep the side up without it attached to the bed? more like a cot?

I used to pull the side down to get him in and out so I didn’t have to get out of bed just sit on the side. I know it sounds kinda lazy but it was a life saver after surgery.

I personally wouldn’t bother. I borrowed one a few weeks ago and I much prefer my wooden crib. Plus you can’t use baby movement monitors with them.

I didn't realise you wouldnt be able to use baby monitor with it. thanks

it's just the movement monitors that might not work. We got the tutti bambini cozee one. it has a harder base than some and we thought it was more sturdy

also they are very handy to fold down and use as a travel cot also. something you cant do with a wooden crib!

We have it and have used it with both and will with new baby . It was a lifesaver for us with two reflux babies as we could let one side up to keep baby at an incline to keep them comfortable . Good size as well so lasts longer than the Moses basket etc . And folds down easy if going overnight anywhere :)

which one do you have?

we have the one that zips down, but I stopped using it attached to the bed quite quickly as I couldn’t fit the crib right up beside my head so baby was at about my chest and I was terrified that I would pull the quilt over the baby in my sleep . Very unlikely I know but those early days anxieties are powerful! Also I just found it easier to sit up and lift baby to me instead of kind of dragging baby over!

god I never thought of that 😬 I'll be a right little anxious annie in those early days!!🙈

my first never really took to it, was fine in Moses basket and better in cot but he never slept great in the next to me. think it was because the mattress was quite hard but who knows! having my second at beginning of Feb will try it again and see how it goes. I rarely attached it to the bed weirdly enough I just wanted my own space if that makes any sense. might be different with second!

I had the dream (so the side pops down with a button type thing); wouldn’t have been able to attach it to the bed as needed to be able to roll out due to some complications BUT I wouldn’t have been able to anyway. When you’re measure check the legs will fit under your bed - my bed has a very small space between the bed & floor and I couldn’t scoot it in close enough to the bed �� total dope not to check that. LO loved it though and the ability to incline was fab too! Also, the ability to move it easily, the rocker and it lasted longer than a Moses basket - all my positives! The only negative was the price.. if it was again I’d prob go with a cheaper option..

I also have breathing monitor (snuza hero) that works with a co sleeper crib. It’s the angel care mat that isn’t compatible with co sleepers as I was told by the shop that if you attach the crib to the bed, the monitor can pick up your movements instead of the baby so they advised me to go with the snuza hero

we also have next to me co sleeper, it's great. the position up and down is useful, never missed the rocking part. LO is almost 5 months and still sleeps in it. we had a Moses basket borrowed but used it probably 2x, no need for it, baby can sleep in a pram during the day

thanks a mill for all the responses. just wondering did any of you use a sleeping pod thing in the next to me? one of two people told me they were great because the co sleeper is quite big and it made them more cosy and comfy. but then looking online today it seemed to say was safer baby lying on flat mattress??

sleeping pods are not recommended for overnight sleep because of SIDS risk. They are only for daytime naps while your supervising sleep. There have been cases of infant deaths with these as babies can overheat in them. They are new enough to the market so proceed with caution when using them. I had a cleva wedge back in the day when they first came out and thought it was great until my son rolled off it one night and it nearly killed him I wrote to the company and they removed it from the market and made adjustments with adding the harness strap. He was only 12 weeks at the time so well within the up to 6 months for the product. Still gives me chills how lucky I was that o woke up and saw him.

I didn't realise you wouldnt be able to use baby monitor with it. thanks

Imbolc is often observed by cleaning and purifying one's home, making offerings to Brigid, and engaging in divination practices. The Spring Equinox, known as Ostara, is a pagan holiday that occurs around March 20th. It celebrates the arrival of spring and the balance of day and night. During this time, pagans may create altars with symbols of growth and fertility, decorate eggs, and take part in community rituals that embrace the themes of rebirth and renewal. Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, is a pagan holiday that marks the beginning of summer. It is associated with fertility and the union of the god and goddess. On Beltane, many pagans participate in outdoor rituals, dancing around a maypole, and lighting bonfires to symbolize the growing power of the sun. Summer Solstice, or Litha, takes place around June 21st and is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Pagans often gather in nature to honor the sun's peak strength and harness its energy for various magical practices. They may engage in bonfires, singing, drumming, and other rituals to celebrate the height of summer. Lughnasadh, celebrated on August 1st, is a pagan holiday that marks the beginning of the harvest season. It honors the god Lugh and highlights the agricultural abundance of the earth. Pagans may engage in feasting, crafting corn dolls, and participating in games and competitions as a way to pay tribute to Lugh and give thanks for the harvest. The Autumn Equinox, known as Mabon, occurs around September 21st and signifies the arrival of fall. Pagans celebrate this holiday by reflecting on the balance between light and dark, expressing gratitude for the harvest, and preparing for the coming winter months. Mabon rituals often involve meditation, apple picking, and creating altars with symbols of abundance. Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, is the pagan holiday that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It is a time to honor ancestors, communicate with spirits, and reflect on the cycle of life and death. Many pagans engage in divination, set up ancestor altars, and participate in communal rituals that celebrate the thinning veil between the living and the dead. In conclusion, pagan holidays provide an opportunity for practitioners to reconnect with nature, celebrate the cycles of life, and honor ancient traditions. Each holiday carries its own unique significance and practices, allowing pagans to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of their religious and cultural heritage..

Reviews for "Pagan Holidays: A Guide to Celebrating the Wheel of the Year"

1. Sarah - 2/5

All Pawn Holidays was a huge disappointment for me. I found the storyline to be very weak and predictable. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. Additionally, the pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on for too long while others felt rushed. The writing style was also not my cup of tea, with overly descriptive passages that took away from the overall flow of the story. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unengaged throughout the entire book.

2. John - 1/5

I cannot express my disappointment enough with All Pawn Holidays. The plot was convoluted and confusing, with no clear direction. The characters were poorly developed and unlikeable, which made it hard for me to care about their fates. The dialogue was also painful to read, filled with cliches and unnatural exchanges. The numerous grammatical errors and typos further added to my frustration. I had high hopes for this book, but it fell incredibly short of my expectations. I would not recommend wasting your time on this one.

3. Emily - 2.5/5

All Pawn Holidays had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on many levels. The pacing was inconsistent, with certain parts dragging on while others felt rushed and underdeveloped. The plot twists were forced and lacked a cohesive explanation, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. The writing style was decent, but the overall execution left much to be desired. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to the hype for me.

The Significance of Ostara: The Pagan Celebration of the Vernal Equinox