Pagan Celtic holidays, also known as the Celtic Wheel of the Year, are a series of seasonal celebrations observed by modern-day Pagans and Wiccans. These holidays are based on the ancient Celtic calendar and have deep roots in Celtic culture and spirituality. The Celtic Wheel of the Year consists of eight main holidays, which are divided into two halves: the light half and the dark half of the year. The first holiday is Imbolc, which is celebrated on February 1st or 2nd. This holiday marks the beginning of spring and is associated with the goddess Brigid. Imbolc is a time for purification, renewal, and preparing for the coming of the new season.
The autumnal equinox, where the day and night are equal lengths, commemorates the passage between dark and light. The equinox also signifies the time to prepare for winter: gathering, processing, and stocking the harvest for the upcoming winter.
Ancient rituals include decorating the home with evergreens like mistletoe to encourage fertility and life within the home, a 12-day feast, lighting a fire, and deep cleaning the home. Patrick s Day festival, the Autumn Fall Equinox celebrates when night and day are of equal duration and usually falls in the middle of Fall, around September 21.
Imbolc is a time for purification, renewal, and preparing for the coming of the new season. Next is Ostara, celebrated around the spring equinox on March 20th or 21st. Ostara is a fertility festival that celebrates the return of spring and the balance between light and darkness.
The eight sacred Celtic holidays of the year
There are eight special sacred days, holidays, and festivals in Ireland that date back to the old Celtic world.
Christianity adopted many of their feast days to match the old Celtic traditions - learn about them below:
St Brigid's Day - Imbolc
St. Brigid's Day - Imbolc.
The year's first sacred holiday, the feast day of Saint Brigid, is celebrated on February 1, marking the beginning of Spring.
The Bogha Bríde or Brigid's Day Cross is the symbol of the day. Traditionally, reeds or straw are collected from the fields and crafted into a cross. St. Brigid is Ireland’s first native saint, the most celebrated Irish female saint, and was the Abbess of one of the first convents in Ireland.
Read more
- The enduring traditions of St. Brigid's Day
St. Patrick's Day - Spring Equinox
The most well known and widely celebrated of all the Celtic traditional holidays. Photo source: Tourism Ireland.
Around the globe, Irish people and those of Irish descent celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17, which is one of Ireland's biggest holidays.
The special holiday is devoted to the patron saint of Ireland. The religious day is marked by a special mass for the feast and traditionally everyone wears green. This is considered the middle of the Spring season and is also referred to as the Spring Equinox.
Celebrate everything Irish this March with IrishCentral's global community.
May Day - Bealtaine
Celebrate May Day at Uisneach Fire Festival.
May Day, the 1st of May, is a Holy Day in Ireland that marks the start of the summer season.
Centuries ago, bonfires were lit to welcome the arrival of summer. In Ireland, depending on what day the holiday falls on, the feast is marked by a public holiday.
In towns around the country, May Day fairs are held where farmers and traders all gather in towns to sell their wares.
Read more
- Ancient Celtic festival of Bealtaine begins May 1
Midsummer - Summer solstice
Summer Solstice at Hill of Tara.
The summer solstice is marked in parts of Ireland by bonfires on the side of the road. It is usually celebrated on June 23, the longest day of the year. In rural Ireland communities gather and for their local bonfire and celebrate the longest day of the year with song and dance.
Read more
- How to celebrate the Summer Solstice the Irish way
Lughnasa
In ancient times this sacred day marked the beginning of harvest on August 1. It honored the Celtic God of Lugh.
In Gaelic folklore, it was the time for hand-fastings or trial marriages that would last a year and a day, which could then be renewed. Many celebrate the holiday today with reunions, bonfires, and dancing.
Read more
- Lughnasa recipes, rituals, traditions and symbols for the ancient Celtic festival
Autumnal/Fall Equinox
Apple orchard in Armagh during the harvest. Image: Tourism Ireland.
Similar to the St. Patrick's Day festival, the Autumn/Fall Equinox celebrates when night and day are of equal duration and usually falls in the middle of Fall, around September 21.
The symbol of the sacred day is the cornucopia as all the harvest is collected and the stocks for winter is hoped to be plentiful.
Read more
- Welcoming the autumnal equinox at one of Ireland’s most magical ancient sites
Celtic culture views life as circular instead of linear, birth, life, death, rebirth, particularly seasonal changes.
During this time, Pagans and Wiccans may engage in activities such as planting seeds and decorating eggs. Beltane, observed on May 1st, is one of the most important Celtic holidays. It marks the beginning of summer and is associated with fertility, growth, and the union of the god and goddess. Beltane celebrations often involve bonfires, dancing, and Maypole ceremonies. Litha, celebrated on the summer solstice around June 20th or 21st, is a time to honor the power of the sun and the peak of summer. Pagans and Wiccans may engage in rituals that celebrate the abundance of nature and the energy of the sun. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is observed on August 1st and marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time to give thanks for the first fruits of the harvest and to celebrate the abundance of the earth. Mabon, celebrated around the autumn equinox on September 20th or 21st, is a time to celebrate the second harvest and the balance between light and darkness. Pagans and Wiccans may engage in activities such as apple picking, making corn dollies, and reflecting on the blessings of the past year. Samhain, perhaps the most well-known of the Celtic holidays, is observed on October 31st and marks the beginning of the dark half of the year. Samhain is a time to honor and remember the ancestors, as well as to acknowledge the thinning of the veil between the physical and spiritual realms. Finally, there is Yule, celebrated on the winter solstice around December 20th or 21st. Yule is a festival that celebrates the rebirth of the sun and the return of light after the darkest night of the year. It is a time for hope, renewal, and embracing the potential of the coming year. These pagan Celtic holidays are rich in symbolism, tradition, and spirituality. They offer modern Pagans and Wiccans an opportunity to connect with nature, honor the cycles of the seasons, and celebrate the interconnectedness of all things. With each holiday, there are various customs and rituals that can be followed, allowing individuals to engage in personal and communal experiences of magic, celebration, and spiritual growth..
Reviews for "Connecting with the divine through the Pagan Celtic holiday of Samhain"
1. Emily - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Pagan Celtic Holidayz." The costumes were poorly made and didn't accurately represent the historical period. The actors seemed disinterested and lackluster in their performances, which made it hard to engage with the story. The set design was minimalistic and unimpressive, and the whole production felt underwhelming and disjointed. I wouldn't recommend this production to anyone looking for an authentic and enjoyable theatrical experience.
2. Thomas - 2 stars - "Pagan Celtic Holidayz" lacked coherence and direction. The script was confusing, and it was hard to follow the storyline. The acting was mediocre at best, with some actors stumbling over their lines and lacking chemistry with their co-stars. The production didn't capture the essence of pagan Celtic holidays effectively, and the whole experience felt forced and artificial. Overall, I left the theater feeling disappointed and unsatisfied, wishing I had chosen a different play to attend.
3. Nicole - 1 star - I found "Pagan Celtic Holidayz" to be a complete waste of time and money. The dialogue was repetitive and unoriginal, and the jokes felt forced and unfunny. The performances lacked energy, and it was evident that the actors were not invested in their roles. The whole production felt amateurish and poorly executed. I wouldn't recommend this play to anyone looking for a quality theatrical experience. Save your money and find something better to watch.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Pagan Celtic Holidayz" had potential but fell short in execution. The play seemed disorganized, with scenes feeling disconnected and lacking a cohesive flow. The characters were poorly developed, and their motivations were unclear. The set design was uninspiring and lacked creativity. While there were a few standout performances, overall, the play failed to engage and leave a lasting impression. I was left feeling underwhelmed and indifferent towards the production.