- Yule also known as Winter Solstice
December 21
In the cycle of the seasons, Yule represents the rebirth of light.
The longest night of the year, this is the time when the Goddess
gives birth to the Sun child, and hope for new light is born, in joy and celebration.
- Imbolc also known as Candlemas
February 2
At the time of this seasonal holiday, the newborn Sun God is seen as a small child,
nursing at the breast of the Mother.
- Ostara also known as Spring Equinox
March 21
At this time of the year, day and night are of equal length. It is the point just
before light bursts forth, breaking the chains of winter, and light will
reign as the days grow longer. The Goddess and God are youths at play.
- Beltane also known as May Eve
May 1
This is the time of the sacred marriage, which honors the fertility of the blossoming Earth.
The maiden Goddess comes of age and is pursued by the God in courtship.
- Midsummer also known as Summer Solstice
June 21
On the longest day of the year, light triumphs, and at the same time, begins its decline towards dark.
This is the symbolic sacrifice of the Sun King, as in his maturity he realizes that his energy must
go into the form of the harvest grain, which will die in order to feed new life.
- Lughnasad also known as Lammas
August 1
The first harvest, Lammas celebrates the first fruits of the fertile harvest that assures life's survival.
The Sun King gives his energy to the corn and grain,
and the body of the Earth Mother is full with the harvest.
- Mabon also known as Autumnal Equinox
September 21
In the solar cycle at Autumn Equinox, day and night are again equal. At this balance point, however,
it is light that gives way to increased darkness.
It is the second harvest, as the Goddess mourns her fallen consort, but the festival also emphasizes the
message of rebirth in the harvest seeds and plenty.
- Samhain also known as Halloween
October 31
The last harvest, this is said to be a time when the veils between the physical and spirit worlds are thin,
when souls who are leaving the physical plane pass out and souls reincarnating pass in.
With darkness increasing, the Goddess reigns as the Elder Wise Woman, or Crone, and the
God has passed into the underworld to become the seed of his own rebirth. It is understood
that death is a necessary part of the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
