Pagan holidays, also known as pagan festivals or sabbats, are celebrations observed by individuals who follow pagan and earth-based spiritual traditions. These holidays are usually based on the cycles of the seasons and the natural rhythms of the Earth. The dates of pagan holidays vary depending on the tradition and the hemisphere in which the individual practices. However, there are eight primary pagan holidays that are widely celebrated by many pagan communities. The Wheel of the Year, a concept that represents the annual cycle of the Earth's seasons, is often used to organize these holidays. It is divided into two halves, one representing the light or waxing part of the year and the other representing the dark or waning part of the year.
A modern story can get some cred by reverting the depiction to the ambiguous original, although it's possible to annoy an audience who isn't familiar with that (or in some cases is too familiar with that). More commonly, the moral implications of the term are so indoctrinated that a story using it may invent a new piece of jargon or qualifier to imply "goodness" and "badness". For example, white witches and fairy godmothers are considered different from "bad" witches, even though they do the same things in a general sense. Mischievous creatures lumped under "elf" who are not cute tended to get eventually lumped into evil.
Neither Elphaba nor Galinda is remotely bad at the beginning of the story - Elphaba has been continually discriminated against for her unusual skin color, and Galinda is a bit of an Alpha Bitch, but they eventually come to respect each other and are fast friends. Many consider witches to be creatures of justice by default, meaning a curse would only work if the witch casting it really believes it is deserved, which is still prone to errors.
It is divided into two halves, one representing the light or waxing part of the year and the other representing the dark or waning part of the year. The pagan holidays that fall in the light half of the year are: 1. Imbolc: Celebrated on February 1st or 2nd, Imbolc marks the beginning of spring.
Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch? (FAQ)
The word "witch" is loaded with connotations, misunderstandings, and anxieties for many people, and since I started using it in public about a decade ago, I have gotten a lot of questions about it. Here are some of the most common.
Why do you call yourself the poetry witch?
I am a spiritual poet whose spirituality is grounded in the earth and in female power. My primary magickal tools are skill in the craft of shaping words into talismans, charms, and spells, and a calling to perform my words in ritual and for healing.
Are you a witch in real life too?
Yes. I was born on Halloween and have always felt connected spiritually to the earth and to other realities. Since I met my first witch in 1990, I have consciously studied and practiced earth-centered witchcraft alone and with others, using herbs, crystals, symbols, colors, and divination tools in addition to my poetry witch tools of words, chanting, movement, and ritual.
The word "witch" will turn people off. Why not use another word?
I am aware of this, which is why I waited 20 years and considered numerous alternative words before coming out of the broom closet in my 2010 blog American Witch. I made my decision because no other word embodies the combination of reclaimed feminine energy, magic, and power that I needed to express. Since then, I've noticed that a new generation of feminist witches has been making the same choice, and for similar reasons.
Are you a Wiccan?
No, not really. I did start out as a Wiccan, but I find that tradition is too limited, too prescriptive, and too sexist in its roots. I now consider myself a practitioner of folk witchcraft, a broader category that links my beliefs and practices with those of witches across many centuries and continents.
What are those beliefs and practices?
As a witch, I find sacred meaning in the cycles of life and death and the seasons. I believe everything in nature has a spiritual aspect, including our bodies. I like to use spells and ceremonies, some formal and some spontaneous, to shape my own growth and support those I love. I do my best to follow the Witches' Creed: “If it harms no-one, do what you will.”
Do you make curses?
No. All my spells and magick have the intention for the highest good of all. Sometimes this may involve "binding" someone from doing harm, but only after I have cleared out personal anger. Magic for me is like prayer, and I would never use it out of anger or violence.
Can men be witches too?
Yes. My personal acronym for W.I.T.C.H. is “Women in Touch Coming Home," because I feel witchcraft is connected intimately with feminism and matriculture and has crucial gifts to offer those of us who identify as women. But I also know several male witches, and today’s witchcraft can help bring us home, no matter what our gender, to honor the Divine Feminine inside and around us.
Are you part of a coven?
I have been part of many wonderful women's circles and covens (the difference is that the circles provide spiritual support, while the covens actively make magic together). Right now, my primary spiritual community is my online home Poetry Witch Community, open to all who identify as women, at poetrywitch.com. I also consider the people who participate in my Magic of Rhythmically Writing retreats and workshops, and who attend my readings and poetry witch ritual performances, to be part of my spiritual community.
How can I learn more?
I am currently finishing two books that if all goes well will be published soon and will fully share the fruits of my lifelong witchly journey. Meanwhile, you can read my other witchy books, follow my blog, take my workshops, subscribe to my Spellsletter, attend my ritual shows, and connect with my community on social media (or in Poetry Witch Community, for all who identify as women). And you can check out other witches: I'd recommend Starhawk and any of the younger generation of witches interviewed on Pam Grossman's podcast, The Witch Wave.
Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again!
The party will be spurned by 1) a sense of wanting to do good/justice upon these wrongly convicted women, 2) the creeping danger of whatever is actually causing the curse out there and/or 3) a nice pouch of gold paid by one of the surviving convicted witches to find out the truth. The idea is to make the convicted witches seem like witches on the surface (i.e. they live in a coven-like society, their house is weird and full of skulls/baubles, they bake meat pies with questionable ingredients etc) but only to make the PCs mildly suspicious. Meanwhile, the curse/spell/evil continues as the true perp hasn't been found yet (and won't be found if it's up to the witch-hunter). I'd like the final conclusion to be a little dark, so don't hold back.
It is a time of purification and new beginnings. 2. Ostara: Celebrated on the Spring Equinox, around March 21st, Ostara welcomes the arrival of spring and the return of longer days. 3. Beltane: Celebrated on May 1st, Beltane is a fertility festival that heralds the beginning of summer. It is a time of joyous celebration and feasting. 4. Litha: Celebrated on the Summer Solstice, around June 21st, Litha is the longest day of the year. It is a time to celebrate the sun's peak strength and the abundance of nature. The pagan holidays that fall in the dark half of the year are: 5. Lammas: Celebrated on August 1st, Lammas is the first harvest festival of the year. It is a time to give thanks for the fruits of the labor and to prepare for the coming autumn. 6. Mabon: Celebrated on the Autumn Equinox, around September 21st, Mabon marks the second harvest and the beginning of the descent into darkness. It is a time of balance and reflection. 7. Samhain: Celebrated on October 31st, Samhain is considered the most significant pagan holiday. It represents the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new year. It is also a time to honor and connect with ancestors and spirits. 8. Yule: Celebrated on the Winter Solstice, around December 21st, Yule is the darkest and longest night of the year. It is a time of introspection and renewal and is often associated with the birth of the sun. The pagan holidays are often marked by rituals, ceremonies, and community gatherings. These celebrations vary depending on the specific pagan tradition and the individual's personal practices. Pagan holidays are seen as opportunities to connect with the natural world, celebrate the changing seasons, and honor the divine within and around us..
Reviews for "The Mythology behind Pagan Holiday Symbols"
1. John - 2/5
I was really disappointed with the movie "Pagan Holiday Dates". The story was confusing and the characters were completely unrealistic. The humor fell flat and I didn't find myself connecting with any of the jokes. The plot was all over the place and it felt like the writers were trying too hard to be funny. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time watching this movie.
2. Sarah - 1/5
"Pagan Holiday Dates" was a complete disaster. The acting was terrible and the dialogue felt forced. The whole premise of the movie was ridiculous and there were so many plot holes that it was hard to keep track. The humor was cringeworthy and I found myself rolling my eyes throughout the entire film. Save your money and skip this one.
3. Michael - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Pagan Holiday Dates" but it fell short of my expectations. The story had potential but it was poorly executed. The characters lacked depth and the dialogue felt unnatural. The movie tried too hard to be funny and ended up being more annoying than entertaining. I was disappointed with the overall experience and can't say I enjoyed watching it.
4. Emily - 2/5
"Pagan Holiday Dates" was a letdown for me. The humor was juvenile and the jokes were predictable. The plot was weak and it felt like there was no real direction. The acting was subpar and I struggled to stay engaged throughout the entire film. It's definitely not a movie I would recommend to others.