I suggest that you discover what tradition you may want to follow and in doing so, look up archeological and historical information stating what holidays are followed and their significance.
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| Wheel of the year | ||||||||||||
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| Traditionally, their are 8 holidays celebrated in the Wiccan year. Some traditions teach that the 4 set holidays are quarters and the 4 seasonal holidays are cross-quarters. These days are also known as Major Sabbats and Minor Sabbats, respectively. | ||||||||||||
| The year ends at Samhain [sow-en] on October 31. The last harvest of the year. This is a time to honor your ancestors and the time of year when the "veil" between our world and the world of the spirits (faeries) are thinnest. It is believed by many that Samhain is a Celtic holiday, however their is no archeological proof. Samhain is also known as All Hollows' Eve or All Soul's Eve. Many cultures celebrate November 1 as a holiday to remember the dead, such as El Dia de los Muertos in Mexico. | ||||||||||||
| Yule [you'll] is celebrated on the date of the Winter Solstice. In many traditions, this date marks the "return of the Sun God" when he is reborn of the Goddess. | ||||||||||||
| Imbolc [im-balk ] is celebrated on February 2 and means "to milk." The Goddess having given birth to the God, is currently lactating.This is a time to celebrate the Goddess Brighid as a bringer of fertility. | ||||||||||||
| Ostara [oz-tar-a] is celebrated on the Vernal (Spring) Equinox. The Sun God, born on Yule, is now a teenager getting ready for manhood. Symbols for Ostara are colored eggs & bunnies, seem familiar? | ||||||||||||
| Beltain [bell-tain] is celebrated on April 30 as a major fertility festival.The Maiden Goddess mates with the Young God to fertilize and populate the land. This union is still commemorated by many people by dancing around the Maypole. | ||||||||||||
| Litha [lie-tha] is celebrated on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. The sun is a mighty warrior who has just reached his peak. | ||||||||||||
| Lughnasadh [loo-nus-uh] is celebrated on August 1. Celts and Druids celebrate the God Lugh at this time. In many traditions this is the nearing the death of the sun God. This is a good time to play games that emphasize physical strength. | ||||||||||||
| Mabon [may-bon] is celebrated on the Autumnal Equinox. This is a harvest festival on which the God Lugh dies. He is thanked for his sacrifice togive us a bountiful harvest. | ||||||||||||
| I have included the more popular, Celtic beliefs for the holidays & this is not the only source for information. I suggest that you discover what tradition you may want to follow and in doing so, look up archeological and historical information stating what holidays are followed and their significance. |
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