Most Pagans celebrate a cycle of eight primary holidays throughout the year. These festivals are deeply rooted in the changing seasons and agricultural cycles, forming what is commonly known as the Wheel of the Year.
Understanding the Wheel of the Year
The Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle of eight seasonal festivals, observed by many Pagans and Wiccans. These festivals are generally spaced every six or seven weeks and divide the year into eight significant segments, marking solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days.
The Eight Pagan Festivals
Four of these eight major festivals have ancient Celtic origins and are often known by their traditional Celtic names. These significant holidays connect practitioners to historical customs and the natural world.
The eight festivals are:
- Samhain: Marks the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Often considered the Pagan New Year.
- Yule (Winter Solstice): Celebrates the longest night and the rebirth of the sun, signifying hope and new beginnings.
- Imbolc: A festival of purification, new beginnings, and the first stirrings of spring, often associated with the goddess Brigid.
- Ostara (Spring Equinox): Celebrates the arrival of spring, fertility, and the balance between light and dark.
- Beltane: Marks the peak of spring and the coming of summer, celebrating fertility, vitality, and passionate life.
- Litha (Summer Solstice): Celebrates the longest day of the year, the sun's strength, and the abundance of nature.
- Lughnasadh (Lammas): The first harvest festival, celebrating the bounty of the earth and the sacrifice required for sustenance.
- Mabon (Autumn Equinox): The second harvest festival, a time for giving thanks for the summer's bounty and preparing for winter.
Overview of the Major Pagan Holidays
Here's a breakdown of the eight core Pagan holidays:
| Festival Name | Common Association | Time of Year (Northern Hemisphere) | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samhain | New Year, Ancestors | October 31 - November 1 | Celtic |
| Yule | Rebirth of the Sun | Around December 21 (Winter Solstice) | Germanic |
| Imbolc | First signs of Spring, Purification | February 1-2 | Celtic |
| Ostara | Spring's Arrival, Fertility | Around March 20 (Spring Equinox) | Germanic |
| Beltane | Peak of Spring, Fertility | May 1-2 | Celtic |
| Litha | Longest Day, Sun's Power | Around June 20 (Summer Solstice) | Germanic |
| Lughnasadh | First Harvest | August 1-2 | Celtic |
| Mabon | Second Harvest, Gratitude | Around September 22 (Autumn Equinox) | Modern Pagan |
These eight festivals form the backbone of the Pagan year for many traditions, providing a structured way to observe and celebrate the natural cycles of the earth.
