Samhain(pronounced sow-en)
(Halloween; Shadowfest; Old Hallowmas)
Usually celebrated on October 31st.
This is the last of the Harvest holidays. (This is also my personal favorite!) The colors for the festival are black, orange, yellow or gold. This is the time to celebrate the dead. Speaking with those who have passed on and a great time for divination. This is also considered the Witch's New Year, representing one full turn of the seasonal year.
Yule
(Yuletide; Winter Solstice)
This is usually the 20th or 21st of December.
This is the time when the Holly King departs and the Oak King arrives. This is a solar festival and is celebrated with fire and the use of the Yule log. The colors are red and green, and bayberry is the scent of the holiday. A piece of the Yule log should be kept for the lighting of the Yule log next year. This piece is used throughout the year to protect the home.
Imbolc
(Candlemas; Disting)
This is usually celebrated around Fevruary 1st.
Imbolic is the first of the three spring holidays. This is the tmie to welcome in Spring. It is for celebrating fertility and things that are not yet born. This is the perfect time to do your spring cleaning, fixing up your home and checking your magical stock to see what needs replenishing.
Ostara
(Spring Equinox; Alban Eiler. Vernal equinox - circa March 21)
Celebrated mid-March when the night and day are equal length.
This is the celebration of balance, not Winter and not yet Spring. This is also a festival of fertility, seeds are blessed and aggs are colored. Colors are light green, yellow and pink. This is also the perfect time for a new broom for women and a new staff for men.
Beltaine
(Mayday; Festival of Tana)
The holiday is celebrated on May 1st or 5th.
Beltane is the last of the Spring holidays. This is a time for love, union and the Maypole. Usually bright spring colors are representitive of the holiday but traditional colors are red and white. This is the holiday that represents the union of the Lord and Lady.
Midsummer
(Summer Solstice; Alban Hefin, circa June 21)
Celebrated on the longest day of the year.
This is the time to celebrate the Sun King in all his glory, passion and success. This is the best time to do any magical workings that involve male energy. Colors of the holiday are gold and red. This is also the time to commune with forest spirits and faeries.
Lammas
(Lughnassadh; Cornucopia)
Celebrated on the 2nd of August.
This is the first of three Harvest holidays. This Sabbat represents the beginning of the harvest cycle and rests on the early harvest of fruits, vegetable, and grain. Bread is traditionally baked for the holiday. Colors are yellow and red.
Mabon
(Autumnal Equinox; Alban Elfed - circa September 21)
Celebrated on or about 23rd of September.
This is the second of the Harvest Festivals. This holiday is associated with the taking of corn and other foods that are to be harvested at this time. Colors of the day are brown, orange, gold, or red. This is the time also to harvest the last of your herbs for the winter.
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