Pagan Holidays & Their Relation

to the Seasons

The Wheel ofthe Year

Pagan holy days are known as Sabbats – from the same root as “Sabbath.”

There are four major sabbats, often classified as fire festivals: Samhain, Imbolc, Beltaine, and Lughnasadh

Between each of these rest four Lesser Sabbats called quarters: Yule, the winter solstice; Ostara, the spring equinox; Midsummer or Litha, the summer solstice; and Mabon, the fall equinox.

SABBATS

In addition to following the natural changes of the seasons, the sabbats also reflect the mythological cycle of the Goddess and God, two traditionally celebrated deities in Paganism.

(Sabbats con’t)

Wheel of the Year

Pronounced “sow-en,” this sabbat begins the year. At this point, the god is dead and the goddess mourns her partner – however, in her belly grows the god’s child.

Traditionally, the final harvest was made at Samhain; no fruit or grain harvested after was thought to be fit to eat.

SAMHAIN

This is the time when the veil between the worlds is thinnest and the spirits of the dead can cross over into our reality:

Honoring ancestorsContacting the dead“Dumb supper”

Samhain Traditions

Colors: Black & OrangeNocturnal animals: cat, owl, batJack-O-Lantern: light inside represents white,

pure energy through which fairies are seen, guiding the spirits to believers

Broom or Besom

Samhain Associations

Celebrated on the winter solsticeLongest night, shortest day of the yearThe god is reborn as the days get progressively longer from hereThe goddess falls into a deep slumber as she approaches her old age

YULE

Another story tells the battle between the Holly King and the Oak King; at Yule, the Oak King wins and rules til Midsummer.

Re-enacting the battle is another traditional way to honor the gods

Another Yule Myth

Christmas has many Pagan roots:Decorating wintergreen trees to look forward

to the fruits of springBurning the Yule log to give strength to the

sunHanging wreaths as a symbol of the Wheel

Yule Traditions

Colors: Red, Green, Silver (color of the goddess,) Gold (color of the god)

What are some other obvious symbols?

Yule Associations

Imbolc is a Festival of Lights, also known as Candlemas

The goddess has recovered from childbirth and returns to her maiden state, awakening from her slumber as the earth wakens with her

The god is a young, growing boy“Imbolc” translates as “in the belly,” because

Spring is in the earth’s wombIt is traditional to burn candles in every

window from sunup til sundown to welcome the sun

IMBOLC

Corn dollies representing the maiden goddess preparing to wed; protects crops & fertility

Candle making & blessing

Imbolc Traditions

Colors: White - innocence & purity; goddess as maiden; snow, as snow is often still on the ground

Warm foodsBrighid – Brighid’s cross & bonfiresGod’s role is small

Imbolc Associations

Spring Equinox, official beginning of springNight & Day are of equal length – Mabon’s

oppositeGoddess is still maiden with no ties to any

man or childThe god still grows as the Laughing Lord of

the Greenwood. Young & carefree, he maintains the wild spirit of youth & nature

OSTARA

Many Easter traditions are adopted from Ostara:

Decorating & hunting eggsRabbits are a traditional symbol (fertility and

dern’ cuteness of Spring)Colors: Pastels – Blue, Yellow, Pink, GreenLighting firesPlanting seedsLighthearted, carefree stuff!

Ostara Traditions/Associations

FERTILITY FESTIVAL!Lustiest holiday of the yearThe god is a man and his courtship of the

goddess has begun; the goddess conceivesAll forms of creativity & fertility are renewedHonors interconnectedness of lifeBalance of Samhain

BELTAINE

Dancing the Maypole, a phallic symbol topped with a flowered wreath to represent the goddess’ womb

Flower crowns & basketsColors: Red & WhiteLeaping over small fire to stimulate health & fertilityGood ol’ fashioned love-making!Handfastings

Beltaine Traditions/Associations

The Summer Solstice, longest day / shortest night of the year (first day of summer)

God has reached the peak of his powerSecond battle between the Holly & Oak

Kings: Holly King wins! Go team! (Until Yule, anyhow.)

Fire Festival honoring the sun’s great power

MIDSUMMER (LITHA)

MEAD-DRINKIN’!Colors: Yellows, Reds, Oranges, GoldsBurning the wickerman, a symbol of the god, with wishes stuffed inside of it as a form of prayerMore fire leaping & handfastingContacting the fae

Midsummer Traditions/Associations

“LOO-nah-sah”First harvest, or Grain harvestTime to honor the abundance of the earthWaking of the god who died at Midsummer or

Samhain, in some traditions; also, the god’s power begins to wane

LUGHNASADH

Fire festivals featuring contests, races, and feasts

“Trial marriages”Colors: Browns, Reds, OrangesGrains such as barley & wheat; baked goods

Lughnasadh Traditions/Associations

Autumn Equinox: day & night of equal length. Ostara’s opposite

Harvest season is drawing to a closeThe god prepares for his deathIn Greek mythology, Persephone must return

to the underworld. Her mother, Demeter, brings winter to the world until her daughter’s return at Ostara

Named after Mabon, born on the equinox & kidnapped from his mother Modron at 3 days old

MABON

“Harvest Home”Honoring fruit and gathering with friends &

family for a feast of thanksgivingColor: BrownYarrow, wheat, apples, acorns, amber,

pomegranatesAnimals: owl & stagDionysus

Mabon Traditions/Associations

This has been

The Wheel of the Year