WICCAN HOLIDAYS

Samhain (Sow-n)- October 31
This night marks the coming of winter and the death of the Horned God. It is also the Celtic Wiccan New Year. This is the night we honor our ancestors and others who have passed beyond the veil. A time of remembering and to be with them again if they wish. The veil between the worlds is thinnest at this time and those who have crossed are asked to join our celebration if they like.

Yule-December 21
Here we celebrate the rebirth of the God and the promise of life in the dead of winter. This is one of the old holidays adopted by the early christians. As the symbolic birthday of Christ, it became to them also a promise of life out of death.

Imbolc-February 1 or 2
The Goddess has recovered from the birth of the God now and this is a celebration of perfication and fertility. A time for new beginnings.

Ostara-March 21
Spring Equinox- The first day of spring. Earth Mother awakens and Father Sun grows stronger and warmer. Easter is from the name Ostara and the Easter eggs of today are an old symbol of fertility and new life, the hare sacred to the Mother.

Beltane-May 1
The young God becomes a man and joins with the Goddess, producing the bounty of nature. The two are one, and the power behind the All.

Mid-summer-June 21
Nature's power is at it's highest point. Celebrate the pure joy of life and all that the Old Ones give us as their children.

Lughnasadh-August 1
The first harvest of the year, of grains and fruit. The God weakens with the harvest. A thanks giving celebration for the bounty we have been given.

Mabon-September 21
The second harvest. The last fruits are taken in and the warmth lessens each day. As the days grow shorter and the warmth grows less, the God prepares to die.

The God will die at Samhain and the cycle will begin again.

Each celebration is based on one of the many faces of Nature as it passes through the cold dark winter to the warm spring, to bright summer, then to the cooler autumn and back to the cold of winter. We celebrate and honor that which gives us life and reminds us to be thankful to the Old Ones for all that we have, our lives included.