This past Beltane I shared an online ritual with my coven, which definitely has its unique quirks, but it was nice to connect with everyone. Afterwards we had a fire outside and enjoyed the warm air and gentle rain. I even jumped over the fire for good luck – or at least tried 😉 ForContinue reading “Beltane and Flower Moon 2020”
Category Archives: Wheel of the Year
Beltane / May Day
May Day, May Eve, Lady Day, Walpurgis/Valpurgis Night, Roodmas, Gŵyl Galan/Calan Mai (Welsh) April 30th Eve to May 1st Beltane is a fertility festival that celebrates the return of spring, the sun’s warmth and nature’s abundance. It is a cross-quarter festival, celebrated approximately halfway between vernal (spring) equinox (Ostara) and the summer solstice (Litha). Literally, Beltane isContinue reading “Beltane / May Day”
Ostara / Spring Equinox
Ēostre, Oestara, Lady Day, Festival of Trees, Bacchanalia, Earrach, Gŵyl Ganol y Gwanwyn (Welsh), Alban Eilir/Eiler (Druid, ‘Light of the Earth’), Ostarablot (Norse) ~March 20-23 Ostara is the celebration of the vernal, or spring, equinox. It is a time to prepare for the beginnings of new life. The hours of day and night are ofContinue reading “Ostara / Spring Equinox”
Imbolc
Candlemas, Brigid’s Day, Brigantia (Caledonni), Lupercalia (Roman), Feast of Nut (Egyptian), Feast of Pan, Snowdrop Festival, Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau (Welsh), Disablot (Norse) February 2 Imbolc is a festival of fire and light, and in many Neopagan traditions, celebrates the goddess Brigid. It falls around the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox,Continue reading “Imbolc”
Yule / Midwinter
Winter Solstice, Yuletide, Mother Night, Winter Rite, Festival of Sol Invictus/Mithras, Saturnalia (Roman), Cuidle, Gŵyl Galan Gaeaf, Meán Geimhridh (Welsh), Alban Arthan/Arthuan (Druid, ‘Light of Arthur/Winter’), Jol/Yuleblot (Norse) ~ December 20-23 Yule, or Midwinter, celebrates the winter solstice, a time of renewal and rebirth. It marks the shortest day of the year, after which theContinue reading “Yule / Midwinter”
In Nature’s Honor: Myths And Rituals Celebrating The Earth
In Nature’s Honor: Myths And Rituals Celebrating The Earth by Patricia Montley In Nature’s Honor explores the eight solar holidays that mark the turning of the Wheel of the Year: the solstices, equinoxes and quarter days. Filled with fascinating stories from a variety of cultures and faith traditions, this comprehensive volume also provides a wealthContinue reading “In Nature’s Honor: Myths And Rituals Celebrating The Earth”
Samhain
Third/Last Harvest, Blood Harvest, Halloween, Old Hallowmas, All Hallows Eve, All Saint’s Eve, Witch’s New Year, Feast/Day of the Dead, Ancestor Night, Feast of Spirits, Feast of Apples, Festival of Pomona, Samonios, Samana, Shadowfest (Strega), Nos Galan/Calan Gaeaf (Welsh), Vetrablot/Winternight (Norse) October 31 Samhain (SAH-wen or SOW-wen) represents the end of the harvest when theContinue reading “Samhain”
Mabon / Autumn Equinox
Harvest Home, Herfest, Halig, Second Harvest, Fruit Harvest, Wine Harvest, Festival of Dionysus, Cornucopia, Feast of Avalon, Michaelmas, Meán Fómhair, Gŵyl Ganol yr Hydref (Welsh), Alban Elfed (Druid, ‘Light of the Water’), Haustblot/Harvestfest (Norse) ~ September 20-23 Mabon is the celebration of the autumn equinox, when the hours of day and night are of equalContinue reading “Mabon / Autumn Equinox”
Lughnasadh / Lammas
Brón Trogaill/Trogain, Festival of First Fruits, First Harvest, Feast of Bread, Bread Harvest, August Eve, Gŵyl Galan/Calan Awst (Welsh, ‘Feast of August’), Freysblot/Freysfest (Norse) August 1 Lughnasadh (LOO-na-saa) is a cross-quarter festival which roughly falls halfway between the summer solstice (Litha) and the autumn equinox (Mabon). The agricultural year changes from growing to harvesting, and theContinue reading “Lughnasadh / Lammas”
Litha / Midsummer
Summer Solstice, Samradh, Aerra Litha, Gathering Day, Vestalia, Feast of Epona, Gŵyl Ganol yr Haf (Welsh), Alban Hefin (Druid, ‘Light of the Shore’), Midsumarsblot (Norse) ~June 20-23 Litha, or Midsummer, celebrates the summer solstice. It is the longest day of the year, when the earth is at its closest tilt to the sun. Midsummer marks theContinue reading “Litha / Midsummer”
West Coast Pagan 