THE PAGAN YEAR

(The Wheel of the Year)

Imbolc (2nd February) 

Imbolc marks the beginning of spring and the birth aspect of the birth/ death cycle. It is the time of year when nature (personified as a Goddess by many pagans) starts to awake from her winter sleep. 

Spring Equinox/Ostara (21st/22nd March) 

Also known as the Vernal Equinox this is the second of the four sky points in the Pagan Wheel of the year. This festival marks the start of the lighter half of the year, nature awakens and spring begins, the sun is in ascendance with the dark time of the day shortening. 

Beltane (1 May) 

One of the most famous and well celebrated Pagan festivals, Beltane marks the beginning of summer and in many English villages it is celebrated with Green men, morris dancing and Maypoles. 

Summer Solstice (21st/22nd June) 

This is when the sun is at its peak and the sun Goddess’s power is at its prime before starting the decline in the death of winter. 

Lammas (Lughnasadh) 1st August 

Lammas is the first of the Pagan Harvest festivals, traditionally when the first harvest from the fields was taken and the corn was cut. 

Autumnal Equinox (Mabon/ Harvest home) (21st/22nd September)  

The Autumnal Equinox is when day and night are of equal duration and is one of the least celebrated Pagan festivals. 

Samhain/Halloween (31st October) 

Samhain  

 sometimes pronounced 'sow'inn' is an important date in the Pagan calendar. Know as the Feast of the Dead by many Pagans, some also celebrate it as the Celtic New Year. 

Yule/Midwinter (21st/22nd December) 

The Pagan celebration of the longest night or winter solstice is one of the oldest festivals in the world. When the world is at its darkest it is a time to celebrate the awaking and rebirth as in the days that follow the earth gets warmer and lighter.