by Scott Cunningham
Yule, the Goddess gives birth to a son, the God. Darkness begins to receed.
Imbolc marks the recovery of the Goddess, and the lengthening periods of light awaken Her. The light also illuminates the power of the young God, the warmth fertilizing the Earth (Goddess) causing seeds to germinate and sprout. It is spring.
Ostara, marks the first day of true spring, and the Goddess blankets Earth with fertility, bursting forth from Her sleep, as the God stretches and grows to maturity. He walks in green fields and delights in the abundance of nature.
Beltane sees the God into manhood. Stirred by the energies at work in Nature, He desires the Goddess. They fall in love, lie among the grasses and blossoms, and unite. The Goddess becomes pregnant of the God.
Midsummer sees the powers of Nature at their highest point. The Earth is awash in the fertility of the Goddess and the God. Lammas the time of the first harvests, sees the God losing his strength as the Sun rises farther in the South and the nights grow longer. The Goddess watches in sorrow and joy as She realizes that the God is dying, and yet lives on inside Her as Her child.
Mabon day and night are equal, poised as the God prepares to leave His physical body and begin the great adventure of the unseen, towards renewal and rebirth of the Goddess.
Samhain we say farewell to the God. He dies, but readies Himself to be reborn of the Goddess at Yule.
Yule
Imbloc
Ostara
Beltaine
Litha (Midsummer)
Lughnasadh (Lammas)
Mabon
Samhain
