Seasons of Celebration: 

A Pagan Calendar of Rites

Samhain ~ October 31

Celebrate the year in full, a time when we honor our ancestors, and remember the spirit world as we can open gateways and touch the souls of those of whom have parted from this earth to the Otherworld.

B BEITH BIRCH: New beginnings; change to a higher level; self-sacrifices for the common good; devotion to the Great Work; cleansing. First month; November.

The Day of Banshees ~ November 1

Place an apple on the grass of a loved one, bringing rebirth and eternal life in the name of the Crone, it is a day for keening in lament of the Old Ones.

The Feast of Potential ~ November 23

The Secret of the Unhewn Stone, apparent potential inherent in all that is yet unformed, the sword that is being forged rests in you, align with the strong Goddess and express the talents you have been given, a time link your metal to those around you to create bonds of strength.

L LUIS ROWAN: Magickal work; concentrated Inner effort needed; protection against enchantment, controls of the senses. Second month; December.

Winter Solstice ~ December 21

Mark the rebirth of the sun waxing on the distant horizon, greet it as it rises and let the Holly King kiss you with the birthed rays from the mother's womb, begin to look ahead to the summer months where his warming thoughts smile from the darkness and of the land and give hope to the rest of the year.

Hogmanay ~ December 31

Scottish New Year's Eve festival once called Hagmanai, or moon of the Hag, and honored the crone Goddess in the depth of her winter time mourning for her lost God. Though the modern festival is celebrated with divinations and sweet treats, much as in the past.

F FEARN ALDER: Going forth to conquer adversaries or difficulties; finding the strength to face up to things you have been avoiding; oracular and protective.  Third month; January.

Festival of the Threefold Goddess ~ January 6

Also note in April (Twelfth Night- taken from Teutonic Pagan traditions marking the end of the twelve-day Midwinter celebration that focuses on the mother Goddess) and July to add a holiday in a period when no major sabbats take place. Observe it in celebration to the Triple Goddess and enjoy it with the women in your life!

The Feast of the Morrigan ~ January 7

Celebrate the power and majesty of the Triple Goddess of death and destruction. Remember that with death there is rebirth, and that what she destroys, she revives.

S SAILLE WILLOW: New journeys; Otherworld contacts; confidence in what you are doing, even though it seems wrong or doubtful; night vision; lunar rhythms; female aspects.  Forth month; February.

Imbolg ~ February 1

Greater Sabbat, a festival of fire celebrating the strengthening of the young sun and his waiting bride, the earth Goddess. Honor Brighid- healer and forger, by tending a flame in her name and guard it closely. Make a bed for her in doll's cradle and dress as the waiting bride of the sun or collect dew on a white cloth overnight reviving the memory of her healing cloak. Divine the future and hold it tight, remember the flame glowing bright.

The Feast of St. Blaize ~ February 2

In France, particularly in Celtic Brittany, the Goddess Brighid, or Brigindo, became a minor saint known as St. Blaize. She is a patron of healers and a source of protection through bad winters. The name Blaize is a cognate of our English word blaze, clearly underscoring her place as an old fire and sun Goddess.

N NUIN ASH: Inertia; boredom or lethargy needing to be broken; change of outlook needed; difficult time; extra effort needed; inner and outer worlds linked; macrocosm and microcosm.  Fifth month; March.

Whuppity Scoorie ~ March 1

March 1-3
Awaken Mother Earth, tap twice upon her girth, call to her to stir from slumber, and torchbearers pass the fires from the hearth, singing and chanting for restoration to the chilled Earth, pay care to her in the places of special need, for they can arise with gentle heed.

The Feast of Rhiannon ~ March 4

Honor the ancestor Goddess, riding on her horse across the moon, explore the world between as you are chartered across the night sky, light the dawn fires on the crossroads and watch her ride fleeing west from the approaching sunrise.

Day of Sheila-na-Gig ~ March 18

Mysterious Goddess of thresholds and woman's mysteries, look deep into her portal of secrets, from the mirror peering back at you - a woman rests within.

First Day of Spring (Eostre) ~ March 21

Awaken the balance to the land held in suspended sky, Fertile fields are blessed by the Eostre maiden singing from between the pillars of stone and sky.

Tea & Tephi Day ~ March 21

To the twin Goddesses of Tara from old - the daughters of the ancient physical and spiritual stronghold of the Irish High Kings, women of the Tuatha De Dannan sovereigns blessing those who ruled as Kings.

Lady Day ~ March 25

Return Our Lady from winter slumber- beckons the lands of Cornwall and Wales, bury eggs to fertilize the fields, decorate with fresh spring blooms, and dance ye merry as you feast away.

H HUATHE HAWTHORN: Cleansing and chastity; protection; unpleasant period about to happen; ultimately signifies success; a completion of something.  Sixth month; April.

D DUIR OAK: Solid protection; doorway to the mysteries; strength; higher powers at work; time to rest from action; your own spiritual aspect.  Seventh month; May.

Beltaine ~ May 1

By the Beltaine fires burning, we summon the spirits of renewal and growth, heating the land with our passion circling the fire hearth.

Veneration of the Thorn ~ May 4

Night of the Lunantisidhe of old faery guardians around the whitethorn trees, tie a white cloth to the trees to banish curses and receive blessings, flowering brightly in purity.

Night of the Lunantisidhe ~ May 16

To the guardians of the thorn, aged and wizened thin beings formed, leave the tree only on the nights to dance under the moon in full, now be honor the pilgrimages of the thorn.

T TINNE HOLLY: Best in the fight; substitution; things are not what they seem; a middle period between two opposites; a new guide about to appear.  Eighth month; June.

Midsummer ~ June 21

Mark the time of the sun at its peak, dedicate yourself as a warrior and host a feast of summer at your back, revel in the zenith of warmth at your face, call forth the time when strong is your force.

The Feast of Aíne ~ June 25

Midsummer fire burn and the cattle Goddess turn, welcome through the torchlight procession, and wave a flame over the growing fields to bless and protect them.

C COLL HAZEL: Intuition; straight to the source; death; change; wisdom.  Ninth month; July.

Festival of Cerridwen ~ July 3

Goddess of knowledge, wisdom and plenty bless us with your presence as we harbor the sow of fertility, bounded together by the earth and speak close with the mysteries of the female learned.

Rowena ~ July 15

Cornish Goddess of knowledge, rowan tree of protective powers make my amulet of protection from bark and leaves crafted upon this day. Tie some leaves and bark in a cloth of white or gold, visualize the spells simple goal, tie with a red thread and carry it with you.

M MUIN VINE: Hidden knowledge; overcoming adversaries by Otherworld strength; inspiration; prophecy.  Tenth month; August.

Lughnasadh ~ August 1

Lugh's wedding, come to gather the fruits of harvest and ploughed labor, sacrifice of the sacred king accepting the Goddess as his mate, bring forth the harvest from the mother's womb and grand sacred status who her one true fate.

G GORT IVY: The spiral of the self; search for self; warnings, think twice about what you are doing; restrictions.  Eleventh month; September.

Mabon (Autumn Equinox) ~ September 21

Young son to the Great Mother, trinity of days to pick the berries or else the fay to claim, Sweet Goddess who now enters the crone wheel it is proper to adorn the headstones of rebirth to balance the darkness and the light upon a sacred space for ancient rites.

The Feast of Brewing ~ September 28

Laugh and be merry, make the beverages of the sacred purpose, toast to the Breton Goddess Uroica, Heather and wine celebrates this time.

Ng NgETAL REED: Direct action.  Twelfth month; October.

R RUIS ELDER: The end in the beginning and the beginning in the end; face up to truth; time for self-examination and honesty.  Thirteenth month, last three days of October.

Other Useful Ogham:

Q QUERT APPLE: Choice of beauty; awakening of Otherworld senses; work in hand is protected; spiritual Work coming to fruitation.

 Ss STRAIF BLACKTHORN: No choice however unpleasant; cleansing; be prepared for a transition; prepare for something about to end; sudden change; death.

A AILIM SILVER FIR (pine): High views and long sight; look at how you fit into relationships; a broad range of experience; new realizations about to make themselves known.

O OHN FURZE: Good at collecting; a magpie; time of hunt; resistance is going to be felt; try to see what is being born from the immediate difficulty.

U UR HEATHER: Links to inner self; all heal; responsibility; time to examine what you are doing--are you sure you are ready for the consequences"; new life; a baby.  

E EADHA WHITE POPLAR: Helps rebirth; prevents illness.

I IOHO YEW: Love; rebirth and everlasting.

CH KOAD GROVE EA: A sacred place; all knowledge available past; present and future.

TH OIR SPINDLE OI: Sweetness and delight; sudden intelligence.

PE UILLEAND HONEYSUCKLE UI: Hidden secret.

PH PHAGOS BEECH IO: Old knowledge; old writing.

XI MóR THE SEA AE: The sea, travel, maternal links.

 

2003 Imbolc - February 2 Ostara -  Vernal Equinox Mar 20 2003 8:00 PM EST  Beltaine - May 1 Litha -  Summer Solstice Jun 21 2003 3:10 PM EDT Lughnasadh  - August 2 Mabon - Autumnal Equinox Sep 23 2003 6:47 AM EDT Samhain - October 30 Yule - Winter Solstice Dec 22 2003 2:04 AM EST

2004 Imbolc - February 2 Ostara - Vernal Equinox Mar 20 2004 1:49 AM EST Beltaine - May 1 Litha -   Summer Solstice Jun 20 2004 8:57 PM EDT Lughnasadh  - August 2 Mabon - Autumnal Equinox Sep 22 2004 12:30 PM EDT Samhain - October 30 Yule - Winter Solstice Dec 21 2004 7:42 AM EST

2005 Imbolc - February 2 Ostara - Vernal Equinox Mar 20 2005 7:34 AM EST Beltaine - May 1 Litha -   Summer Solstice Jun 21 2005 2:46 AM EDT Lughnasadh  - August 2 Mabon - Autumnal Equinox Sep 22 2005 6:23 PM EDT Samhain - October 30 Yule - Winter Solstice Dec 21 2005 1:35 PM EST