Post on 19-Jun-2015
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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