Paganism is a modern religious movement that draws inspiration from ancient pre-Christian traditions. Pagan holidays play a crucial role in this spiritual practice, as they provide opportunities for worship, celebration, and connection to the natural world. There are several significant pagan holidays that are widely observed by practitioners around the world, each with its own unique traditions and themes. 1. Samhain - Also known as Halloween, Samhain marks the beginning of the pagan new year. Celebrated on October 31st, it is a time to honor ancestors and spirits, and to reflect on the cycle of life and death.
Beltane is one of the four ‘greater sabbats’ and is the traditional Celtic May Eve/May Day celebration and the opposite point on the cycle to Samhain.
At dawn on the longest day, at Stonehenge, the two stones which are located outside of the main circle, called the Heel Stone and the Slaughter Stone now prone , channel the sun in alignment and the first rays hit the centre of the circle. Over time, many pagan customs and traditions were incorporated into the Christian celebration of Christmas, blending elements from various cultural and religious practices.
Celebrated on October 31st, it is a time to honor ancestors and spirits, and to reflect on the cycle of life and death. Many pagans create ancestral altars, light bonfires, and participate in divination rituals during this holiday. 2.
The Wheel of the Year: the calendar of pagan festivals explained
Aside from the associations with Stonehenge and ‘New Age’ movements, most people would probably confess to knowing little about pagans, or even who they are - modern paganism may refer to several different groups such as Wiccans, heathens, and Celtic neopagans.
So, what are the most important days in the pagan calendar?
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Starting in December, eight annual festivals spaced roughly six to seven weeks apart are celebrated by pagans. This cycle is known as the Wheel of the Year.
There are such myriad historical and contemporary variations and semantic complexities when dealing with paganism that a book-length article would be needed to fully cover it. The wheel as described here is broadly what is observed today by modern pagans, chiefly of the UK and Ireland.
Yule
The first of the eight sections of the Wheel of the Year is Yule, (winter solstice, or Midwinter) one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’, or festivals.
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It is celebrated on the shortest day of the year, about 21st December.
For many pagans, Yule is a key part of the life cycle of the ‘Child of Promise’, conceived in Ostara and born in the winter solstice as the ‘Sun Child’ who will defeat the powers of darkness in the coming spring, ushering in nature’s triumphant return.
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One important site at Yule is Newgrange, Ireland’s grand megalithic monument and ancient resting place of kings. Here, at the solstice, the Sun Child’s birth is represented by the rising sun flooding the inner chamber of the monument with light.
Celtic peoples have celebrated the winter solstice in the British Isles since before the arrival of Christianity, though many Yule traditions flowed into Christmas and there are obvious parallels between the two traditions, such as the exchanging of gifts.
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Imbolc
The first day of February is Imbolc. Imbolc celebrates the coming of spring. It is one of the four cross-quarter days (or ‘fire festivals’), and one of the wheel’s four ‘greater sabbats’. The other cross-quarter days are Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain.
The etymology of the word ‘Imbolc’ remains undetermined, but it probably comes from the Old Irish word for ‘in the belly’ or ‘in the womb’, referring to pregnant ewes, a precursor to the lambing season.
At Imbolc, the Child of Promise gives light and energy to the nascent year. Signs of the coming spring are beginning to be seen and for pagans, this is a time for personal growth and renewed energy. Spring cleaning and handicrafts are customary around Imbolc.
With roots in the deep Celtic past, Imbolc was traditionally about ushering in a productive farming season and was dedicated to Brigid, the goddess of healing, smithing, and poetry.
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Ostara
Spring equinox (or Ostara, from the Saxon goddess) is one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’. It is celebrated around 21st March when the day has roughly an equal amount of sun and darkness. This solar festival is the opposite point on the wheel to Mabon or autumn equinox.
With Imbolc marking the first stirrings of spring, Ostara is about celebrating spring happening in earnest: flowers growing tall, trees blossoming, and crops being sown. As with the Christian Easter, eggs, typically painted, symbolise new life.
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Much of the symbolism and tradition here is related to the new life of spring – the mating season for many animals. The God and Goddess couple up and the Child of Promise is conceived. The equality of the day partly represents the duality of the nature of the God – his primaeval sexual instinct versus his conscious thought.
Some modern pagans celebrate the festival by choosing a man and a woman to play the roles of the God and Goddess, acting out the romance.
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Beltane
Beltane is one of the four ‘greater sabbats’ and is the traditional Celtic May Eve/May Day celebration and the opposite point on the cycle to Samhain.
Sources vary on its etymology, from belo-tanos (‘bright fire’) to a connection with the Celtic deity Bel. In Irish ‘mí na Bealtaine’ means ‘the month of May’.
Beltane marks the beginning of summer, the time of year when flora and fauna will flourish, celebrated by the decorating of houses and animals with May flowers such as primrose and gorse.
The fertility of the land represents the God’s mature devotion to the Goddess, his transition from animal lust to love and commitment. The maypole and the twirling of ribbons around it represent fertility and the spiral of life.
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Traditionally, on May Eve, hilltop herdsmen, driving their livestock out to summer pastures, would force the animals through two large bonfires, protecting the cattle from evil.
Beltane and Samhain are the points in the year where the veil between this world and the Otherworld was at its thinnest, enabling comingling and communication between the living and the dead.
Midsummer
The summer solstice, or Litha, is one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’ and the high point of the solar year. The God has reached the zenith of his power (the summer solstice being the longest day of the year) and the dawn of the 21st June (or thereabouts) is his crowning glory.
This taking on of power by the God as the Sun King and the end of his youthful days running in the greenwood represents the strength and power of the sun over the summer months, though pagans also remember that the God’s path is downhill now (the shortening of days until Yule).
For modern Druids and many other groups, Stonehenge is the focal point of the summer solstice celebration (which Druids call Alban Heruin, ‘light of the shore’). The entire Stonehenge site is laid out in relation to the winter and summer solstices.
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At dawn on the longest day, at Stonehenge, the two stones which are located outside of the main circle, called the Heel Stone and the Slaughter Stone (now prone), channel the sun in alignment and the first rays hit the centre of the circle.
Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh (‘gathering of Lugh’, in Irish), or Lammas, is one of the four ‘greater sabbats’ and the first of the year’s harvest festivals, along with Mabon and Samhain. Lammas comes from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘loaf-mass’. It occurs at the beginning of August.
Opposite on the wheel to Imbolc, at Lammas the God sacrifices himself before the Goddess, her sickle slaying him and his blood spilling onto the land to ensure its continuing fertility in the next Wheel of the Year. The God moves from being the Lord of Light, which he is until Lammas, to the Dark Lord of Death, which he will be throughout the darkening half of the year.
Celtic pagans mark the festival by making corn dollies and Wiccans bake bread in the shape of the God.
Mabon
The autumn equinox, or Mabon, is the second of the wheel’s three harvest festivals. It is the opposite point on the wheel to the spring equinox (Ostara) and is one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’. It is also known as Harvest Home, and to modern Druids as Alban Elued (‘light of the water’).
This falls sometime between 21st and 24th September.
It aligns broadly with traditional European harvest festivals which give thanksgiving and historically celebrate a successful cereal harvest and the filling of food stores for the winter.
Mabon ~ pagan holidays
Yule - Celebrated during the winter solstice, Yule represents the rebirth of the sun and the return of light. It typically takes place around December 21st, and is a time of joy, community, and renewal. Many pagans decorate their homes with evergreen branches, light candles, and exchange gifts to honor the season. 3. Imbolc - Occurring around February 2nd, Imbolc marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is associated with purification, cleansing, and the first signs of spring. Pagans often light candles, engage in rituals of purification, and make offerings to the goddess Brigid during this holiday. 4. Ostara - Celebrated during the spring equinox, Ostara symbolizes the arrival of spring and fertility. It typically takes place around March 20th, and is a time of growth, new beginnings, and balance. Pagans may decorate eggs, plant seeds, and create altars with symbols of fertility and abundance to honor this holiday. 5. Beltane - Falling on May 1st, Beltane is a holiday dedicated to fertility, love, and abundance. It marks the beginning of summer and is associated with bonfires, dancing, and rituals for growth and prosperity. Pagans often participate in Maypole dances, make flower crowns, and engage in rituals of union during this joyful celebration. 6. Litha - Celebrated during the summer solstice, Litha represents the height of the sun's power and the longest day of the year. It typically occurs around June 21st, and is a time of celebration, vitality, and empowerment. Pagans may gather in nature, light bonfires, and engage in rituals to harness the energy of the sun and celebrate the abundance of life. 7. Lammas - Occurring on August 1st, Lammas is the first harvest festival and marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the earth and to celebrate the fruits of one's labor. Pagans may create altars with offerings of grains and fruits, bake bread, and participate in rituals of gratitude during this holiday. These are just a few examples of the major pagan holidays observed by practitioners. Each holiday holds a significant place in pagan spirituality, providing opportunities for connection with nature, community, and the cyclical rhythms of life..
Reviews for "The Importance of Ancestor Worship in Pagan Traditions"
1. Samantha - 1/5 - I was extremely disappointed with "Najor pagan holidays". Being someone who is not familiar with pagan traditions, I was expecting this book to provide me with insightful information and perhaps even change my perception. However, it fell short on all accounts. The content was confusing and poorly organized, leaving me even more perplexed than before. The author's writing style was also dry and lacked any sort of engagement. Overall, I regret buying this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 2/5 - As someone who is interested in learning about different cultures and religions, I was excited to dive into "Najor pagan holidays". Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The information provided was superficial and lacked depth. I found myself googling for additional sources to fully understand the pagan holidays discussed in the book. Additionally, the author's biases were evident and influenced the way the content was presented, which made it difficult for me to fully trust the information provided. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book.
3. Emily - 1/5 - "Najor pagan holidays" was a complete waste of my time and money. The book lacked substance and was filled with vague generalizations about pagan practices. It felt more like a collection of random thoughts and opinions rather than a cohesive guide on pagan holidays. The author seemed more interested in pushing their own agenda rather than providing accurate and helpful information. I was highly disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a genuine understanding of pagan holidays.
4. David - 2/5 - I found "Najor pagan holidays" to be underwhelming in terms of content and presentation. The book lacked thorough explanations and seemed to assume prior knowledge of pagan customs. As someone who was looking to educate myself on pagan holidays, I found this approach rather exclusionary. Moreover, the writing style was monotonous and failed to capture my attention. I would have appreciated more detailed descriptions and explanations of the traditions and rituals associated with each holiday. Overall, the book felt incomplete and left much to be desired.
5. Jessica - 1/5 - I regret purchasing "Najor pagan holidays" as it failed to meet my expectations. The book provided a shallow overview of pagan holidays without delving into the historical and cultural significance behind them. The constant repetition of basic information was frustrating, and I felt like the author assumed the reader had no prior knowledge on the subject. Furthermore, the lack of references or sources cited made it difficult to verify the accuracy of the information presented. Overall, I would not recommend this book as it does not provide a comprehensive understanding of pagan holidays.