What is the Wheel of the Year?
The pagan wheel of the year is a holiday cycle that starts with the winter solstice (yule) and ends with the autumnal equinox (Samhain). In between, there are a number of other holidays that celebrate the changing seasons and the natural world.
Pagans have been celebrating the wheel of the year for centuries, and it is a key part of many pagan traditions. The holiday cycle is a way to connect with the natural world and the changing seasons, and to celebrate the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
The wheel of the year is also a time to reflect on your own journey through life, and to set intentions for the year ahead. As you celebrate each holiday on the wheel, take some time to think about where you are in your own life, and what you would like to achieve in the coming year.
Yule
Yule is a Pagan holiday that is celebrated on the winter solstice, between December 20 and 23. It is often paralleled with Christmas, with gift-giving being a key part of the holiday.
It is a time to celebrate the return of the sun, after the longest night of the year. For all manner of pagans, Yule is a time to celebrate new beginnings and reflect on the past year. This is also a time to reflect on personal growth and development over the past year.
Yule is often celebrated with feasts, bonfires, and gifts. This is a time to come together with family and friends and celebrate the continued turning of the Wheel of the Year.
Learn about Yule with this article on The Pagan Holiday of Yule.
Imbolic
The second holiday that occurs in the Wheel of the Year is Imbolc. This is a holiday celebrated by pagans and may also be known as Oimelc, or Candlemas. It is a cross-quarter holiday falling on February 2nd that celebrates the beginning of spring and a time for fertility and new beginnings.
It is celebrated traditionally as the beginning of spring and is often associated with the fertility goddess Brigid. As the days grow longer, it is seen as a time of growth and renewal. Imbolc is a time to reflect on the previous year and to set intentions for the new one.
Ostara
Ostara is one of the eight pagan holidays or Sabbats that make up the Wheel of the Year. It celebrates the arrival of spring, and is a time to appreciate the new life that is emerging. Ostara typically falls around the time of the spring equinox, between March 19th and 22nd.
The Goddess of spring and the dawn, Eostre, is honored during the Ostara holiday, one of the eight holidays within the Wheel of the Year. This holiday is celebrated in the month of April and is related to the name of the Germanic Goddess Eostre or Eastre. This holiday is commonly associated with the more known Easter, even though the two are different.
There are many ways to celebrate Ostara, but some of the most important things are to recognize the rebirth that is happening all around us and to enjoy the freshness of spring. You can decorate eggs, plant a garden, or go on a nature walk to celebrate. Whatever you do, take time to reflect on the wonder of new life in all its forms.
Beltane
Beltane is a pagan holiday that celebrates the beginning of summer. It is typically celebrated on May 1st and is associated with fertility and new life. A popular way to celebrate Beltane is by dancing around the Maypole, a symbol of the cycle of life.
Another common practice is to decorate your home with flowers, as they are seen as a symbol of fertility. This is a time to celebrate new beginnings and appreciate the bounty of nature.
Beltane is viewed as one of two pagan holidays where the veil between worlds is thinnest, allowing better communication with the dead (with the other being Samhain). This makes Beltane the perfect time to connect with loved ones who have passed on.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Beltane, it is a time to come together with loved ones and enjoy the warmer months ahead. This is a holiday that is steeped in history and tradition and is a wonderful way to connect with nature and the changing of the seasons.
If you are feeling called to celebrate Beltane this year, go out and dance around the Maypole, decorate your home with flowers, and take some time to connect with your ancestors. And most importantly, enjoy the bounty of nature that surrounds us.
Midsummer
Midsummer, also known as Lithia, is a grand celebration for druids. It is typically celebrated between June 19th and June 23rd. Midsummer is a time to celebrate the longest day of the year, and the beginning of summer. The druids would light bonfires and dance around them to honor the sun.
There are many different ways Midsummer can be celebrated. Simple activities such as lighting a bonfire and dance around it, or simply decorate your home with summer flowers. It can also be a great time to make a special meal to enjoy with family and friends. Whichever way someone celebrates, it is important to make sure to appreciate the longest day of the year.
Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh is a festival celebrated on August 1st. It has also come to be known as Lammas or August Eve. This is the first of three harvest festivals, with the other two being Mabon and Samhain.
Lughnasadh is also known as “Loaf Mass,” where bread is baked in the form of a god and is eaten to symbolize the importance of the harvest. This holiday was created to celebrate the Celtic god, Lugh.
This holiday is celebrated by giving thanks for the summer harvest and preparing for the winter ahead. Traditional activities during Lughnasadh include baking bread, making jam, canning fruits and vegetables, and decorating your home with autumnal foliage.
Mabon
Mabon is celebrated between September 21st and September 24th, during the fall equinox. It is the second of the three harvest festivals.
Mabon is a Pagan celebration of thanksgiving to the earth and what was received throughout the year. It is also known as Harvest Home, or Alban Elfed within druid circles.
Celebrations typically involve feasts and other activities that give thanks for the bounty of the season. In some traditions, special rituals are performed to honor the earth and give thanks for its gifts. Many Pagans see Mabon as a time to reflect on the changes that have taken place over the past year and to set goals for the future.
One of the most popular ways to celebrate Mabon is by decorating your home with fall foliage. This is done by making wreaths and garlands out of leaves, branches, and berries. Another popular decoration is the cornucopia, a symbol of plenty that is often filled with seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Samhain
On November 1st, Pagans celebrate Samhain. This is the time of year to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on as it is believed to be the time of year when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest point. This makes it easier to communicate with the dead.
There are many different ways to celebrate Samhain, but some common practices include decorating your home with candles and lights, setting up an altar, and making offerings to the ancestors.
You can also take part in rituals and spell works related to death and rebirth, protection, and divination.
