Pagans celebrate the cycles of nature through the eight festivals (sabbats) of the year, each symbolising stages of life, death and rebirth.They include the four solar quarters: 2 solstices (longest/shortest days) and 2 equinoxes (both days and nights are equal in length) and the four celtic fire festivals.
Samhain- 31st October
Feast of the dead which is a time for remebering ancestors who have passed away and the end and start of the celtic year.
Yule (Winter Solstice)-21st December
Rebirth of the sun and a celebration towards the growth of new life.
Imbolc- 2nd February
Start of the Spring and a celebration of the return of the Goddess.
Ostara (Spring Equinox)- 21st March
Return of the sun from the underworld and officially springtime.
Beltane - 1st May
Summer begins. Festival of fertility and the union between the God and Goddess.
Lughnasadh (Lammas)-1st Aug
Festival of the first harvest.
Mabon (Autumn Equinox)- 21st September
Second harvest celebration.
In Paganism there are also celebratory rituals that are celebrated for different purposes such as initiations for those that have decided the path they wish to follow in paganism, marriage, death and christening rituals too.
