Holidays
Samhain - (Halloween) - Aprox. Oct 31 -
This is a time for reflection, to look back over the last year and come to terms with the events and changes. A time to reflect over death, that which we have no control over. The veil between reality and the spirit realm has become very thin.
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We all say farewell to the God. He is gone, but not forever. He will be reborn to the Goddess at Yule.
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Possible ways to celebrate -
Jack-O-Lantern, ciders, celebrations to honor the dead, along with heightened divination. Pentacle wreaths for altars and fall flowers.
Colors
Black, Orange, and Yellow.
Mabon - (Autumn Equinox) - Aprox. Sep 21 -
A balance has occurred yet again, day and night are equal yet again. Nature recedes and prepares for rest. This is the completion of the harvest started at Lammas.
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The God is now preparing to leave his physical form. He is ready to take his great journey.
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Possible ways to celebrate -
Collecting leaves to paraffin them and decorate them. Pumpkins, squash, etc make very festive decorations.
Colors
Brown, Orange, Gold, and Red
Lughnasadh - (Lammas) - Aprox. Aug 1 or 2 -
A time to remember that nothing in life is constant. The first harvest is taking place now, reaping the earliest benefits of generous fertility.
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The Goddess watches as the God loses His strength (the sun rises farther in the South, the nights grow longer). She watches as Her beloved dies and yet lives on within Her as Her child.
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Possible ways to celebrate -
Harvesting of herbs, stocking of magickal cabinets. You can prepare your home for the coming fall.
Colors
Reds, Yellows and Oranges
Midsummer - (Litha) - Aprox June 21 -
This is the longest day of the year. A height of the sun when some very powerful magick, a time for passion and success. A time to commune (on Midsummer's Night's Eve) with the field and forest fairies.
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The God is shining now in the prime of his life. Both the Goddess and God are in the prime of their passion.
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Possible ways to celebrate -
Flowers in gold and red, feathers and ivy for your door. Sex Magick can also be studied.
Colors
Red and Golden Yellow
Beltane - (May Day) - Aprox - April 30 / May 1 or 5 -
This is a true fertility festival. The height of Spring and the last of the three Spring holidays. Wiccans would collect flowers for their hair, their homes, and the maypole. The maypole representing the God and the flowers representing the Goddess.
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In this time the God and the Goddess have fallen in love, laid down among the flowers, and coupled. Now she is pregnant with the God's child.
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Possible ways to celebrate -
The maypole is one of the most traditional way to celebrate. You can also chose a particular tree and adorn it with ribbons and bows. Large bowls of floating flowers and candles, almost any fresh flowers, greens, etc.
Colors
Red and White
Ostara - (Spring Equinox) - Aprox March 20 or 21 -
Also known as Spring Rites or Eostra's Day. This is the first day of Spring, when night and day are of equal length. Ostara is a celebration of balance and fertility. Beginnings, action, planning spells for future gains can all be recognized at this time.
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The Goddess spreads fertility over the land in preparation for the warmer weather, the God has grown to maturity.
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Possible ways to celebrate -
Colors
Light Green, Lemon Yellow, or Pale Pink
Candlemas - (Imbolc) - Aprox. Feb. 2 -
Old to new, a welcome change from old to the very earliest starts of a blossoming Spring. Candlemas is seen as a festival of fertility, purification, dedication rituals and initiation.
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The longer periods of light are awakening the Goddess. The God is young and lusty. The Earth is fresh and preparing for growth.
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Possible ways to celebrate -
Three ears of dried corn of different colors (or anything in a set of three) representing The Maiden, The Mother, and The Crone. This charm can be hung outside the home for wealth / protection until the day after Fall Equinox, then bury it.
Colors
Lavender and White
Yule - (Winter Solstice) Aprox. Dec 20 - 22 12/29/2002
Death is rebirth, Yule is a constant reminder of this. Yule takes place on the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. This day marks the rebirth of the sun.
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The Goddess is taking time to rest now after the delivery of Her labour.
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Possible ways to celebrate -
Being a solar festival this can be celebrated by images and usage of fire, the Yule log, and candles. The Yule log is burned and a portion is saved to light the next years log. The left over piece is kept in the home for protection. You can decorate and light a Yule tree, much the same as a Christmas tree.
Colors
Red and Green
My Pagan Info
From the Dragon's Heart