Pagan holiday meaning Pagan holidays, also known as Wiccan holidays or Sabbats, are celebrations observed by individuals who follow the Pagan or Wiccan faith. These holidays are deeply rooted in nature and revolve around the cycles of the Earth and seasons. The Pagan holiday calendar consists of eight major holidays, which are divided into two categories: the fire festivals and the solar festivals. The fire festivals, also known as the cross-quarter days, mark the midpoint between the solstices and equinoxes. They include holidays such as Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain. The solar festivals, also known as the quarter days, coincide with the solstices and equinoxes.
Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?
Was Jesus born on December 25? Or was that date really a borrowed pagan holiday?
I have heard that Jesus wasn’t really born in December and that he wasn’t born on Christmas because Christmas is actually a pagan holiday. Is it true that Christians today worship a Pagan holiday thinking they are worshiping the actual birthday of Jesus Christ?
—E., US
Thank you for contacting Answers in Genesis. This is a common but good question—especially around this time of year—and the answer is much deeper than most realize. Up front, the Bible simply doesn’t give us the date of Christ’s entrance into the world, so any estimates would only be inferences. But first, let’s discuss this pagan holiday.
This celebration was the pagan holiday Saturnalia,1 which was the Roman festival for their god Saturn.2 It ran from about December 17–23. Saturn is the Roman god analogous to the Greek god “Cronus” or “Kronos.”
The solar festivals, also known as the quarter days, coincide with the solstices and equinoxes. They include holidays such as Yule, Ostara, Litha, and Mabon. Each Pagan holiday has its own unique meaning and significance.
Saturn/Cronus Goes Back to a Bible Person
The land of Greece was inhabited by the descendants of Noah’s grandson Javan. In fact, the Hebrew name for Greece is still Javan. Javan had four sons:
- Elishah
- Tarshish
- Kittim (Cethimus)
- Rodanim (Dodanim)
In Greece and the surrounding area, these names are still a reflection on the landscape. Many of Javan’s sons’ names and variants have cities, islands, and other geographical features named for them. Paul, the biblical author of two-thirds of the New Testament came from “Tarsus,” a variant of Tarshish. There were also the Taurus mountains in Turkey, and the Tanais is the old name for the Don River flowing into the Black Sea.
Eliseans was the old name of the ancient Greek tribe now called the Aeolians. Cethimus inhabited the island Cethima, from which the name of the island Cyprus was derived. (Josephus, a Jewish historian about 2,000 years ago, elaborated on these relationships in more detail.)
Many of the characters of Greek mythology are based on real historical figures who were raised up to godlike status. One example here is “Hellen,” the alleged mythological patriarch and god of the Aeolians (or Elisians). Hellen ( Ἕλλην ) is likely a variant of Elishah.3 Even in other cultures, ancestors were often deified; for example, in Germanic and Norse mythologies there is Tiras (Tyras, Tiwaz, Tyr), who was the king of the gods and also happens to be one of Noah’s grandsons ( Genesis 10:2 ).
This pagan festival was likely born as a result of a suppressed view of a biblical character.
So it makes sense that Cronus/Kronos ( Κρόνος ), a variant of Cethimas/Kittem, could have been raised up to godlike status. Considering that Noah and his early descendants were living such long lives, it should be obvious why many of these ancestors were raised up to be “ god -like.”
Not only did they live long lives, but they were obviously the oldest people around and would seem to be the people (gods, demigods) that started civilization. Noah would have been roughly 500 years older than anyone else and his sons approximately 100 years older. We know this was because of the Flood, but the true message would quickly be changed to fit the pagan ideas. Thus, it is interesting that this pagan festival was likely born as a result of a suppressed view of a biblical character.
Imbolc, celebrated on February 1st, is a time of purification and new beginnings. Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, is a festival of fertility and the coming of summer. Lughnasadh, celebrated on August 1st, is a celebration of the first harvest. Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, is a time to honor the ancestors and the cycle of death and rebirth. Yule, celebrated on the winter solstice, is a time of darkness turning into light and celebrating the rebirth of the sun. Ostara, celebrated on the spring equinox, is a time of balance and celebrating the return of life to the Earth. Litha, celebrated on the summer solstice, is a time to celebrate the peak of the sun and the abundance of nature. Mabon, celebrated on the autumn equinox, is a time of gratitude for the harvest and a balance between light and dark. In addition to these specific meanings, Pagan holidays are also seen as an opportunity to connect with nature, honor the Earth, and align oneself with the natural rhythms of the Earth. They often involve rituals, ceremonies, and gatherings that promote a sense of community and spiritual connection. Many Pagans and Wiccans view these holidays as a time to express gratitude, set intentions, and deepen their spiritual practices. Overall, the meaning of Pagan holidays is deeply rooted in nature, the cycles of the Earth, and the celebration of life. They serve as a way for individuals to connect with the natural world, honor the changing seasons, and cultivate a sense of spirituality and connection with the Earth and its cycles..
Reviews for "The Spiritual and Magical Significance of Pagan Holiday Practices"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "Pagan holiday meaning" to be incredibly misleading. I was expecting a book that would explain the historical and cultural significance of pagan holidays, but instead, it was filled with biased opinions and baseless claims. The author seemed more interested in pushing their own agenda rather than providing factual information. I was deeply disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone seeking genuine knowledge on pagan holidays.
2. John - 2/5 stars - I was really intrigued by the title of "Pagan holiday meaning" and was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the origins and symbolism behind pagan holidays. However, the book lacked depth and thorough research. It felt more like a collection of random information rather than a comprehensive study. There was also a lot of repetitive content, which made it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of pagan holiday traditions.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I thought "Pagan holiday meaning" would shed some light on the spiritual and cultural significance of pagan holidays. Unfortunately, the book was poorly organized and lacked coherence. It seemed to jump from one topic to another without any clear structure, making it hard to follow. Additionally, the author's writing style was rather dry and uninspiring. I struggled to maintain interest throughout the book and ultimately felt unsatisfied with the lack of in-depth analysis and meaningful insights.
4. Mike - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish reading "Pagan holiday meaning" because it was filled with unsubstantiated claims and biased opinions. The author's lack of credible sources and disregard for evidence made it difficult to take anything they said seriously. If you're looking for a thoughtful and well-researched exploration of pagan holidays, I would recommend looking elsewhere. This book was a disappointment and a waste of time.