There are several holidays that have pagan origins. One of the most well-known is Halloween, which has Celtic roots and was originally called Samhain. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter and was believed to be a time when the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest. It involved costumes and bonfires to ward off evil spirits. Another holiday with pagan origins is Easter, which is derived from the pagan festival of Ostara. Ostara was a celebration of the spring equinox and the fertility of the earth.
8 Major Ancient Pagan Holidays With Modern Adaptations
Our modern world is more diverse than ever. Yet, monotheistic religions seem to have the upper hand when it comes to spirituality and beliefs, leaving paganism stranded in the ancient history pages. With that being said, the definition of paganism has evolved throughout the years. Thus, instead of describing the worship of multiple gods and goddesses, it somehow represents those with no interest in God or divine figures.
But, who were the pagans really? There are several facades to this once-powerful belief system, with each culture worshipping its own deities. With the arrival of Christianity in Europe and Islam in Arabia, the pagan belief system started waning, wiping out their common rituals and godless pagan holidays, or so we believed.
It may come as a surprise to many, but several of the holidays and festivals we celebrate today are linked to ancient rituals of pagan holidays. Celebrations have always been part of the lives of humankind; be they the change of seasons, tidal change, or commemoration of a significant figure, there was always something to drink a toast to.
Let’s take the time to delve deeper into the pagan holidays celebrated by different cultures and unknowingly continuing to our modern days:
Ostara was a celebration of the spring equinox and the fertility of the earth. It involved rituals and symbols like eggs and rabbits, which represented new life and fertility. Christmas is another holiday that has pagan influences.
1. Bealtaine – May Day
8 Major Ancient Pagan Holidays With Modern Adaptations 1The Celtic culture is one of the world’s most ancient cultures, spreading in several parts of Western Europe. However, this culture is mainly associated with Ireland, Scotland, and parts of Great Britain, where traces of the ancient Celtic or Gaelic languages remain today. Paganism was at its peak among the Celtic nations before Christianity arrived in Europe and took over. Interestingly, remnants of these rituals still appear in today’s modern celebrations.
Bealtaine was a major Celtic pagan holiday that celebrated the end of winter and welcomed the gentle breeze of spring. That holiday was held on the first of May, where dancing and games took place along with the popular decorated Maypole. It rings a bell, doesn’t it? Well, the modern version of this pagan holiday is May Day. While people today hold the same rituals for the sake of celebrations, in ancient times, they believed that they brought fortune and good harvests.
It was originally celebrated as the winter solstice festival of Yule by Norse and Germanic pagans. Yule marked the longest night of the year and the return of the sun. Many Christmas traditions such as decorating trees, giving gifts, and lighting candles have their roots in pagan customs. May Day, also known as Beltane, is a holiday with pagan origins that celebrates the arrival of spring and fertility. It involves dancing around the Maypole and other festivities related to growth and renewal. These are just a few examples of holidays that have pagan origins. While these holidays have been adapted and incorporated into various religious and cultural traditions over time, their pagan roots still exist in some form or another..
Reviews for "The Pagan Origins of Christmas Carols: Winter Solstice Chants and Folk Songs"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Which holidays are pagan". The book claims to provide insight into the pagan origins of holidays, but it fails to present any compelling evidence. Instead, it offers vague historical references without any credible sources. I was looking for a well-researched and balanced examination, but this book fell short.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "Which holidays are pagan" is a complete waste of time. The information provided is shallow and lacks depth. It feels like the author rushed through the research and failed to provide any meaningful analysis. The book is filled with generalizations and unsupported claims. I was hoping to gain a better understanding of the pagan origins of holidays, but this book only left me more confused.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - I found "Which holidays are pagan" to be somewhat misleading. The title suggests an in-depth exploration of the topic, but the book only scratches the surface. The explanations provided for the pagan origins of holidays are generic and lack specific examples or detailed analysis. I was left wanting more substantial content and a more thorough examination of the subject matter. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of depth in this book.