Mabon, or the Autumn Equinox, is the second of the year's three harvest festivals. Mabon is the festival to celebrate the success of the past year and share your good fortune with others. Traditional foods at this time include corn bread, beans, and squash. Traditional custom is to commune with nature as it prepares for winter and the reign of God. This is an excellent time to gather herbs and seeds for future Majickal use.
Samhain, the third of the harvest festivals, is the Cross-quarter Sabbat that balances Beltane. It is considered the Witches' New Year and it is believed that the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest on this day. Most Pagans/Wiccans honor their ancestors who have passed before them with festivals, rituals, offerings, and communication during this celebration.
The Winter Solstice, it is the shortest day of the year. The Traditional colors for this season are red and green, and the decorating of the Yule tree and exchanging of presents are also originally Pagan practices. Reindeer are also a symbol by which to celebrate the Horned God.
This is a celebration of the ending of winter, and welcoming of the coming spring. It is the second of the winter festivals
Ostara honors the return of the Goddess' reign in her maiden aspect. It is the time of return of life to the earth. It is the first of the spring celebrations
Beltane is the cross-quarter festival to Samhain. It is the celebration of fertility and a time when the veil between the worlds is thin, much like Samhain. It is not unlikely to see fairies or other spirits at this time.
