Post by moonwind333 on Apr 16, 2006 16:51:13 GMT -5
Wiccan/Pagan Wheel of the Year:
This calendar follows the seasons of the northern hemisphere, where the celebrations that form the basis of the modern Sabbats originated. Wiccans in the southern hemisphere usually celebrate the Sabbats on the opposite dates of the year (6 months apart from the northern dates), in order to follow the cycle of seasons where they live; i.e. an Australian Neopagan would celebrate Samhain on May 1, when an American Neopagan would be celebrating Beltane.
December 20-23: Yule, also called Winter Solstice, is the first day of winter, and it's when we experience the longest night of the year. It is the celebration of the rebirth of the Sun, and it honors the Horned God. It's time to reflect on one's life and give thanks. We've made it through another year, and the days will continue to grow from here until Litha. This holiday will fall somewhere between the dates above and varies from year to year depending on when the Sun reaches the southern most point.
February 1/2: Imbolc, also called Candlemass or the Feast of Brighid, is a celebration in anticipation for the spring. The term "Imbolc" means "in milk." This term's origins are in sheep as. it is at this time that pregnant sheep begin to lactate. The days are growing in length, as they have been since Yule, but it's still winter. Brighid, the Celtic Goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft is celebrated at this time of year. Her gift of smithcraft comes with fire. This is a time of new beginnings and growth.
March 20-23: Ostara, also called the Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox, celebrates the arrival of spring. Ostara marks the day when night and day are equal and balanced, hence the term equinox, which means "equal night." Ostara is a Norse goddess of fertility whose sacred symbols are the egg and rabbit. During this time, the snow begins to melt away, the days are getting warmer, and life all over the northern hemisphere is bursting into being. The Goddess is giving birth, and life has survived another winter. This holiday will fall between the above dates depending on which day the Sun crosses the equator.
May 1: Beltane, also called May Day, is a Sabbat celebrating fertility and the union of the young Horned God and the Goddess. This is the time when life is beginning to renew itself. Animals are mating, plants are sprouting, and people celebrate! Huge fires are traditionally lit to honor the fertility God. Maypoles are erected, and bright ribbons are entwined around it. The Maypole is, in essence, a phallic symbol. The soft, colorful ribbons represent the feminine. The union of the two symbolizes the union of the God and Goddess and the promise of rebirth. The God is conceived within the Goddess, and He will be reborn again at Yule.
June 20-23: Litha, also called Midsummer or the Summer Solstice, is the longest day of the year. This is the day we celebrate the abundance and beauty of the Earth. From this day on, the Sun God begins to grow old, and the days will grow shorter and shorter until Yule, when the God is reborn. The forests and fields are full, young animals are learning to live on their own, and everything seems to be full and alive. It will fall somewhere between the dates above depending on when the Sun is at its northern most point.
August 1: Lammas, also called Lughnasadh,, is the Celebration of the first harvests. At this celebration, we give thanks to the Earth for its bounty and beauty. It is from these harvests that we eat through the upcoming winter. Many games and sports are played to celebrate strength and good health and to honor the Gods and Goddesses of fruit and grain.
September 20-23: Mabon, or the Fall or Autumnal Equinox, is the celebration of the end of the harvests. Again, we find ourselves with a day of equal light and dark. This is the time of the last harvest, the last of the grain is cut and the last grape is picked. This is time for thanksgiving, evaluation, and meditation. Mabon will fall somewhere between the dates above, when the Sun again passes the equator.
October 31: Samhain (pronounced sow-inn), which is called Halloween by most people, is a day to celebrate the death of the Sun God. Because this is a time of endings and beginnings, many Pagans celebrate this as the New Year. This is a time when the veil between worlds is thin and the spirits may pass more easily. This is the time to revere our ancestors and to say farewell to those that have passed during the year. It is also a time of divination. The abundance of the fields now gives way to the power and strength of the Horned God of the Hunt. This begins a time of darkness. From now until Yule, the days grow darker and colder. Winter storms begin to sweep down from the north. This time is the barer of many destructive forces. Yet at Samhain, we celebrate the passed year and the year to come. We light bonfires and perform rituals to honor our deceased loved ones. Many Halloween traditions stem from Samhain.
This calendar follows the seasons of the northern hemisphere, where the celebrations that form the basis of the modern Sabbats originated. Wiccans in the southern hemisphere usually celebrate the Sabbats on the opposite dates of the year (6 months apart from the northern dates), in order to follow the cycle of seasons where they live; i.e. an Australian Neopagan would celebrate Samhain on May 1, when an American Neopagan would be celebrating Beltane.
December 20-23: Yule, also called Winter Solstice, is the first day of winter, and it's when we experience the longest night of the year. It is the celebration of the rebirth of the Sun, and it honors the Horned God. It's time to reflect on one's life and give thanks. We've made it through another year, and the days will continue to grow from here until Litha. This holiday will fall somewhere between the dates above and varies from year to year depending on when the Sun reaches the southern most point.
February 1/2: Imbolc, also called Candlemass or the Feast of Brighid, is a celebration in anticipation for the spring. The term "Imbolc" means "in milk." This term's origins are in sheep as. it is at this time that pregnant sheep begin to lactate. The days are growing in length, as they have been since Yule, but it's still winter. Brighid, the Celtic Goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft is celebrated at this time of year. Her gift of smithcraft comes with fire. This is a time of new beginnings and growth.
March 20-23: Ostara, also called the Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox, celebrates the arrival of spring. Ostara marks the day when night and day are equal and balanced, hence the term equinox, which means "equal night." Ostara is a Norse goddess of fertility whose sacred symbols are the egg and rabbit. During this time, the snow begins to melt away, the days are getting warmer, and life all over the northern hemisphere is bursting into being. The Goddess is giving birth, and life has survived another winter. This holiday will fall between the above dates depending on which day the Sun crosses the equator.
May 1: Beltane, also called May Day, is a Sabbat celebrating fertility and the union of the young Horned God and the Goddess. This is the time when life is beginning to renew itself. Animals are mating, plants are sprouting, and people celebrate! Huge fires are traditionally lit to honor the fertility God. Maypoles are erected, and bright ribbons are entwined around it. The Maypole is, in essence, a phallic symbol. The soft, colorful ribbons represent the feminine. The union of the two symbolizes the union of the God and Goddess and the promise of rebirth. The God is conceived within the Goddess, and He will be reborn again at Yule.
June 20-23: Litha, also called Midsummer or the Summer Solstice, is the longest day of the year. This is the day we celebrate the abundance and beauty of the Earth. From this day on, the Sun God begins to grow old, and the days will grow shorter and shorter until Yule, when the God is reborn. The forests and fields are full, young animals are learning to live on their own, and everything seems to be full and alive. It will fall somewhere between the dates above depending on when the Sun is at its northern most point.
August 1: Lammas, also called Lughnasadh,, is the Celebration of the first harvests. At this celebration, we give thanks to the Earth for its bounty and beauty. It is from these harvests that we eat through the upcoming winter. Many games and sports are played to celebrate strength and good health and to honor the Gods and Goddesses of fruit and grain.
September 20-23: Mabon, or the Fall or Autumnal Equinox, is the celebration of the end of the harvests. Again, we find ourselves with a day of equal light and dark. This is the time of the last harvest, the last of the grain is cut and the last grape is picked. This is time for thanksgiving, evaluation, and meditation. Mabon will fall somewhere between the dates above, when the Sun again passes the equator.
October 31: Samhain (pronounced sow-inn), which is called Halloween by most people, is a day to celebrate the death of the Sun God. Because this is a time of endings and beginnings, many Pagans celebrate this as the New Year. This is a time when the veil between worlds is thin and the spirits may pass more easily. This is the time to revere our ancestors and to say farewell to those that have passed during the year. It is also a time of divination. The abundance of the fields now gives way to the power and strength of the Horned God of the Hunt. This begins a time of darkness. From now until Yule, the days grow darker and colder. Winter storms begin to sweep down from the north. This time is the barer of many destructive forces. Yet at Samhain, we celebrate the passed year and the year to come. We light bonfires and perform rituals to honor our deceased loved ones. Many Halloween traditions stem from Samhain.