Neo pagan holidays calendar is a term used to describe the various annual celebrations observed by modern pagan practitioners. These holidays are based on both ancient pagan traditions and more recent interpretations of nature-centered spirituality. The calendar typically includes eight main holidays, which are often referred to as the wheel of the year. These holidays are celebrated in many different ways by different pagan traditions, but they all generally revolve around the changing seasons and cycles of the natural world. **The main idea of the neo pagan holidays calendar is the celebration of the seasons and the natural world**. The eight main holidays of the neo pagan calendar are typically split into two categories: the solstices and equinoxes, and the cross-quarter days.
May 1 BELTANE – Wiccans and Wiccan-inspired Neopagans celebrate a variation of Beltane as a sabbat, one of the eight solar holidays. Although the holiday may use features of the Gaelic Bealtaine, such as the bonfire, it bears more relation to the Germanic May Day festival, both in its significance (focusing on fertility) and its rituals (such as maypole dancing). Some Wiccans celebrate ‘High Beltaine’ by enacting a ritual union of the May Lord and Lady.
Among the Wiccan sabbats, Beltane is a cross-quarter day; it is celebrated in the northern hemisphere on May 1 and in the southern hemisphere on November 1. Beltane follows Ostara and precedes Midsummer (see the Wheel of the Year).
In the book Eight Sabbats for Witches by Janet and Stewart Farrar, the festival Ostara is characterized by the rejoining of the Mother Goddess and her lover-consort-son, who spent the winter months in death. The Celtic name seems to have been a late adoption among Wiccans, since in early versions of Wiccan literature the festival is merely referred to as August Eve.
The eight main holidays of the neo pagan calendar are typically split into two categories: the solstices and equinoxes, and the cross-quarter days. The solstices and equinoxes mark the changing of the seasons and are considered important points in the solar year. They include the winter solstice, when the days are shortest and the nights longest; the spring equinox, when day and night are of equal length; the summer solstice, when the days are longest and the nights shortest; and the autumn equinox, when day and night are again of equal length.
Neo pagan holidays calendar
October 31 SAMHAIN – Samhain is considered by most Wiccans to be the most important of the four ‘greater Sabbats’. It is generally observed on October 31st in the Northern Hemisphere, starting at sundown. Samhain is considered by most Wiccans as a celebration of death and of the dead, and it often involves paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets and other loved ones who have died. In some rituals the spirits of the departed are invited to attend the festivities. It is seen as a festival of darkness and death, which is balanced at the opposite point of the wheel by the spring festival of Beltane, which Wiccans celebrate as a festival of life and fertility.
On a personal side, my path as a hereditary witch holds that Samhain marks the beginning of turning of the wheel. I’ve always thought of Samhain as the Pagan New Year, and celebrate it as such.
December 22 WINTER SOLSTICE / YULE – Many Wiccan based sects favor a plethora of sources on winter solstice holidays to recreate a type of Yule holiday. While the name “Yule” is used, it is not a reconstruction of the historical holiday. Wreaths, Yule logs, decoration of trees, decorating with mistletoe, holly, and ivy, exchanges of presents, and even wassailing are incorporated and regarded as sacred. The return of the Sun as Frey is commemorated in some groups. In most Wiccan traditions, this holiday is also celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God, who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. The method of gathering for this sabbat varies by practitioner. Some have private ceremonies at home, while others do so with their covens.
February 2 IMBOLC – Wiccans celebrate a variation of Imbolc as one of four “fire festivals”, which make up half of the eight holidays of the Wheel of the Year. Imbolc is defined as a cross-quarter day, midway between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara). The precise astrological midpoint in the Northern hemisphere is when the sun reaches fifteen degrees of Aquarius. In the Southern hemisphere, if celebrated as the beginning of Spring, the date is the midpoint of Leo.
Among Dianic Wiccans, Imbolc (also known as “Candlemas”) is the traditional time for initiations. Among Reclaiming-style Wiccans, Imbolc is considered a traditional time for rededication and pledges for the coming year.
March 21 SPRING EQUINOX / OSTARA – Ostara is one of the four lesser Wiccan holidays or sabbats of the Wheel of the Year. Ostara is celebrated on the spring equinox, in the Northern hemisphere around March 21 and in the Southern hemisphere around September 23, depending upon the specific timing of the equinox. Among the Wiccan sabbats, it is preceded by Imbolc and followed by Beltane.
In the book Eight Sabbats for Witches by Janet and Stewart Farrar, the festival Ostara is characterized by the rejoining of the Mother Goddess and her lover-consort-son, who spent the winter months in death. Other variations include the young God regaining strength in his youth after being born at Yule, and the Goddess returning to her Maiden aspect.
May 1 BELTANE – Wiccans and Wiccan-inspired Neopagans celebrate a variation of Beltane as a sabbat, one of the eight solar holidays. Although the holiday may use features of the Gaelic Bealtaine, such as the bonfire, it bears more relation to the Germanic May Day festival, both in its significance (focusing on fertility) and its rituals (such as maypole dancing). Some Wiccans celebrate ‘High Beltaine’ by enacting a ritual union of the May Lord and Lady.
Among the Wiccan sabbats, Beltane is a cross-quarter day; it is celebrated in the northern hemisphere on May 1 and in the southern hemisphere on November 1. Beltane follows Ostara and precedes Midsummer (see the Wheel of the Year).
June 22 SUMMER SOLSTICE / MID-SUMMER / LITHA – Litha is one of the eight solar holidays or sabbats observed by Wiccans, though the New Forest traditions (those referred to as British Traditional Wicca) tend to use the name Midsummer. It is celebrated on the Summer Solstice, or close to it. The holiday is considered the turning point at which summer reaches its height and the sun shines longest. Among the Wiccan sabbats, Midsummer is preceded by Beltane, and followed by Lughnasadh or Lammas.
August 1 LUGHNASADH / LAMMAS – Lughnasadh is one of the eight “sabbats” or solar festivals in the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. It is the first of the three autumn harvest festivals, the other two being the Autumn equinox (or Mabon) and Samhain. Some Wiccans mark the holiday by baking a figure of the god in bread, and then symbolically sacrificing and eating it. The Celtic name seems to have been a late adoption among Wiccans, since in early versions of Wiccan literature the festival is merely referred to as “August Eve”.
Many Wiccans also use the name Lammas for the sabbat, taken from the Anglo-Saxon and Christian holiday which occurs at about the same time. As the name (from the Anglo-Saxon hlafmæsse “loaf-mass”, “loaves festival”) implies, it is an agrarian-based festival and feast of thanksgiving for grain and bread, which symbolizes the first fruits of the harvest. Wiccan and other eclectic Neopagan rituals may incorporate elements from either festival.
September 21 AUGUST EQUINOX / MABON – Mabon is the name used by some Wiccan traditions as well as some other forms of Neo-Paganism for one of the eight annual holidays central to their Beliefs. It is celebrated on the Autumnal Equinox, which in the northern hemisphere occurs on or around September 23rd (occasionally the 22nd). Many celebrate on the 21st since most early Wiccan and Neopagan sources reference this date as Mabon. Although due to Global Warming it no longer falls that early. In the southern hemisphere, the Autumnal Equinox occurs usually around March 21.
Also called Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, Meán Fómhair, or as Alban Elfed by Neo-Druidic traditions, this holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months. The name may derive from Mabon or Modron, a character from Welsh mythology, although the connection is unclear.
March 21 SPRING EQUINOX / OSTARA – Ostara is one of the four lesser Wiccan holidays or sabbats of the Wheel of the Year. Ostara is celebrated on the spring equinox, in the Northern hemisphere around March 21 and in the Southern hemisphere around September 23, depending upon the specific timing of the equinox. Among the Wiccan sabbats, it is preceded by Imbolc and followed by Beltane.
In the book Eight Sabbats for Witches by Janet and Stewart Farrar, the festival Ostara is characterized by the rejoining of the Mother Goddess and her lover-consort-son, who spent the winter months in death. Other variations include the young God regaining strength in his youth after being born at Yule, and the Goddess returning to her Maiden aspect.
These holidays are often associated with themes of renewal, balance, and the cycles of life and death. The cross-quarter days, on the other hand, are celebrations that fall between the solstices and equinoxes. They are often seen as more mystical and spiritual, and are associated with specific seasonal phenomena. These holidays include Imbolc, which marks the beginning of spring and the awakening of the earth; Beltane, which celebrates the start of summer and the fertility of the land; Lughnasadh, which honors the first harvest of the year; and Samhain, which is considered the pagan new year and a time to honor ancestors and the spirits of the dead. The neo pagan holidays calendar is unique to each individual or group that practices paganism. Some may follow the traditional dates and celebrations associated with these holidays, while others may adapt or create their own rituals and observances. The main underlying theme, however, remains a connection to the natural world and its cycles. Many celebrations involve outdoor rituals and feasts, as well as the use of specific symbols, herbs, and colors associated with each holiday. Overall, the neo pagan holidays calendar is a way for modern practitioners of paganism to honor and connect with the seasons and the natural world. By celebrating the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, pagans seek to find spiritual meaning and a sense of harmony within the natural world. **This calendar serves as a way to celebrate the interconnectedness of all things and to honor the sacredness of the earth**..
Reviews for "Deepening Your Connection to Spirit: A Guide to Neo-Pagan Holidays"
1. Laura - 1 star - I was really disappointed with the "Neo pagan holidays calendar". I was expecting a comprehensive guide to different celebrations and rituals, but instead, it focused mostly on a narrow subset of neo-pagan practices. The calendar appeared to cater to a specific group rather than providing a well-rounded representation of various neo-pagan holidays. I was hoping for more diversity and inclusivity, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
2. David - 2 stars - Although the "Neo pagan holidays calendar" had an intriguing concept, I found the execution to be lacking. The calendar lacked detailed explanations of the holidays and their origins, making it difficult for someone new to neo-paganism to fully understand and engage with the practices. Additionally, the format of the calendar was confusing and poorly organized, making it hard to navigate and refer back to specific dates. Overall, I felt that the calendar could have been much more informative and user-friendly.
3. Emily - 2 stars - As someone who was looking to explore neo-paganism and learn about different holidays, I was disappointed by the "Neo pagan holidays calendar." The calendar only included a limited number of holidays and failed to provide sufficient information on each one. I was hoping for a resource that would provide background, rituals, and suggested ways to celebrate, but this calendar barely scratched the surface. It left me feeling unsatisfied and wanting more comprehensive information.
4. Daniel - 3 stars - The "Neo pagan holidays calendar" was decent, but it didn't meet my expectations. While it provided a basic overview of some neo-pagan holidays, I felt that it lacked depth and authenticity. The descriptions and explanations felt rushed and generic, making it difficult to fully connect with the traditions and practices. If you're new to neo-paganism, this calendar might serve as an introduction, but for someone seeking a more profound understanding and engagement with the holidays, it falls short.