This week we wanted to share with you the Wiccan festivals celebrated throughout the year. As always feel free to message us if you have any questions!
Midwinter (Yule)
Yule is an extremely important part of the Wiccan year, it is referred to as the seed time of year, and is home to the shortest day and longest night. It is when the Goddess once again becomes the Great Mother and gives birth to the new Sun King.
Imbolc
Imbolc is the seasonal change where the first signs of Spring arrive. Trees begin to grow leaves again and flowers begin to sprout new buds. This Wiccan festivals celebrates the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Crone to Maiden. The festival itself is commemorating the passing of a successful winter, and the beginning of a new agricultural year.
Vernal Equinox (Ostara)
Ostara marks the Spring Equinox, which could be likened to a Pagan Easter celebration. This time is often used by those celebrating to free themselves of thing which hinder their progress. As it is also a time of equilibrium is is a good time to perform banishing and perform workings to gain what has been lost, or to gain what we wish we had.
Beltane
Beltane is one of the major Sabbats of the Wiccan religion. This is the holiday of union, both between man and woman and the Goddess and the God. Pagan marriages, or Handfastings, are often performed during this festival. Beltane also celebrates reaping the wealth from the seeds that were sown. Circling the Maypole and ?jumping the Beltane fire are both traditions that are carried out amongst Pagans during Beltane, also including the braiding of one?s hair, this is done to honour the union of man, woman and Goddess and God.
Midsummer (Litha)
Midsummer is the most powerful day of the year for the Sun God, because the Sabbat glorifies and accentuates the sun. Fire plays a large role in this festival, fire is easily seen and immediately felt. Fire is a hugely diverse element, it can burn, cook, purify and consume.
Lammas/Lughnasadh
This is the Irish Gaelic name for a feast which is celebrating the funeral games of the Son of The Sun. In mythology, the Wheel Of The Year shows us that the Sun God transfers all of his powers into the grain, and is thusly sacrificed when the grain is harvested.
Autumnal equinox (Mabon)
Mabon is the celebration of the middle of the harvest, where days and nights are equal and nature is in balance. The time is used to reap what has been sown and give thanks for a bountiful harvest. This time can also be used for finishing projects, and planting the seeds of new enterprises.
Samhain
Samhain, also known as Summer’s End, is one of the four Greater Sabbats, and is the highest and holiest day for Witches. It is situated between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice, it is a Witches equivalent of New Year’s Eve, also being the third and final harvest festival.
