Wiccan Holy Days

NOTE: Sth and Nth next to the dates refers to the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.

Yule (Nth 20th or 21st of December.) (Sth 20th or 21st June)
The God is traditionally bore by the Goddess. This is the time of year when the day is shortest and the night is longest. Traditionally, Candles are lit to welcome back the returning illunination of the sun. The Sun, a symbol of the God, renews itself from the darkness, a symbol of death. In Pagan folklore, TheOak King, a symbol of divine rebirth, overwhelms the Holly King, a symbol of death and darkness. Yule reminds us that death is only the beginning of rebirth. Other Names for Yule are Winter Solstice, Midwinter, Alban Arthan, Saturnalia, Yuletide. The symbolic herbs of Yule are holly, mistletoe, ivy, cedar, bay, juniper, rosemary, pine, poinsettias, bay, ginger, valerain, and myrrh. Symbols of Yule are evergreen trees, the Yule log, and holly. The colors of Yule are red, green, white, and gold. Activities during Yule are decorating the Yule tree, gift giving, and my personal favorite, story telling. The symbolic animals of Yule are stags, squirrels, and the robin. Symbolic stones of Yule are bloodstone and ruby. Oils used for ritual during Yule should be rosemary, myrrh, nutmeg, saffron, and cedar.

Imbolc (Nth 2nd of February) (Sth August 1st)
Pronounced Em-bowl/g, also called Candlemas or Imbolc, it originated in Ireland as a holy day for Brigid, the Great Mother Goddess, who was in the form of a bride for the returned Sun God after giving birth of the God, the Goddess awakens from her recovery by the lengthening days of light. The Earth begins to feel this warmth, marking a return to the months of Spring. Imbolg is also a festival of Fires, to symbolize the coming return of life and the replenished powers of the Sun. In Some Wicca covens, it is also a traditional time for initiations. Other Names Imbolg, Oimelc, Candlemas, Feast of Brigid, Candlelaria Herbs/Plants Snowdrop, first flowers of the year, willow, rosemary, clover, dill, evergreen Symbols Candles, the bride, burrowing animals, grain dolly, sunwheels Colors White, yellow, pink Activities Candle lighting, searching for signs of Spring, gathering stones Animals Robin, burrowing animals, sheep, lamb, dragon, deer Stones Turquoise, amethyst Foods Milk, honey, poultry, lamb, pork Ritual Oils Jasmine, apricot, carnation, sweet pea, neroli, olive

Ostara (Nth 21st or 22nd of March) (Sth Sept 20-23)
Pronounced Oh-star-ah, and named after an ancient virgin Germanic Goddess of Spring, it is also called Alban Eiler in Caledonii and falls on the Spring Equinox. As the God walks across the face of the Earth, the Goddess finally shrugs of her sleep. The days and nights are now of equal length, the light blanketing the Earth with fertility. It is now a time to sow spells for your future. Symbols of Ostara include eggs and rabbits.. Other Names Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox, Alban Eiber, Eostre's Day, Bacchanalia, Lady Day Herbs/Plants Daffodil, woodruff, violet, olive, peony, narcissus, all spring flowers, crocus, iris, jasmine, Irish moss, ginger Symbols Eggs, new moon, butterflies/cocoons Colors Pink, yellow, grass green, all pastels, Robin's Egg blue Activities Dying eggs, looking for Spring growth Animals Rabbits, snakes Stones Aquamarine, rose quartz, moonstone Foods Eggs, honey Ritual Oils Lotus, magnolia, ginger

Beltane (Nth 1st of May) (Sth Oct 31st)
Pronounced Bell-tayn, it falls opposite Samhain on the Wheel of the Year. Also known as Bealtaine, it is likely to come from the Irish word for balefire. It is of equal importance as Samhain on the Wicca calender.The young God now matures into manhood. Union and love between the Goddess and God is marked by the Great Rite. Symbols of Beltane include the cauldron (Goddess) and May Pole (God). Other Names Bealtaine, May Day, Walpurgis Eve, May Eve, Rudemas Herbs/Plants hawthorn, honeysuckle, St. John's Wort, woodruff, all flowers, primrose, cowslip, rose, birch, rosemary, lilac Symbols Eggs, flowers, chalice, May Pole, cauldron, butterchurn, flower chaplet, May baskets, crossroads Colors Red, green, white, dark yellow Activities Wrapping May Pole, The Great Rite, gathering flowers Animals Goats, rabbits, honey bees Stones Sapphire, bloodstone Foods Dairy foods, sweets, honey, oats Ritual Oils Passion flower, rose, tuberose, vanilla

MidSummer (Nth 20th or 21st of June) (Sth Dec 20-23)
The Summer Solstice or Midsummer, Litha comes from the Romans, as a holiday to mark the powers of the Sun God at his greatest. The Goddess too is also at the height of her powers during the longest day of the year. Bonfire's representing the Sun, were lit to rouse love, purification, health, and fertility. Some witches believe that this day is the best for working magick. Other Names Summer Solstice, Litha, Alban Hefin, Whitsuntide, Vestalia Herbs/Plants Mugwort, vervain, chamomile, rose, lily, oak, lavender, ivy, yarrow, fern, elder, white thyme, daisy, carnation, Frankincense, lemon, sandalwood, copal, saffron, laurel Symbols Fire, the Sun, blades, oak trees, balefire, sun wheels, faeries Colors Gold, green, blue, tan Activities Jumping the balefire, gathering herbs, clan gatherings, well dressing Animals Robin/wren, summer birds, horses, cattle Stones Emerald, jade, tiger's eye, lapis lazuli Foods Summer squash, lemons, oranges Ritual Oils Heliotrope, cinnamon, sandalwood, lavender, orange, all mint oils, lemon, saffron

Lughnasadh (Nth 1st or 2nd of August) (Sth Feb 1st)
Pronounced Loo-nahs-ah, it originates from the Celtic Sun God, Lugh, who presided over the first grain harvest of the year. Also called Lammas. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, the God gradually loses his strength. Bread is baked in honor of the first reapings of the grain harvest in his honor. In fact Lammas means "loaf-mass" in old Anglo-Saxon. Other Names Lammas, First Harvest, Ceresalia, August Eve Herbs/Plants Grapes, heather, black berries, sloe, crabapples, pears, corn, rice, wheat, rye, ginseng Symbols Corn, all grains, bread, full moon, wheat Colors Red, gold, yellow, green, orange, citrine Activities Baking bread, gathering first fruits, astrology Animals Roosters, calves Stones Yellow diamond, peridot, citrine Foods Breads, corn, berry pies, potatoes, all first harvest foods, Ritual Oils Eucalyptus, corn, safflower

Mabon (Nth 21st or 22nd of September) (Sth 20-23 March)
Pronounced May-bone, it is named after a Welsh fertility God, Mabon, and marks the Autumn Equinox. It is a time when night and day are equal in length again and when the harvest is nearing completion. The God nears his death and the Goddess prepares for his rebirth. The bounty of the harvest is celebrated in wine festivals, knowing that soon Winter will bring uncertainty.. Other Names Autumn Equinox, Fall Equinox, Second Harvest, Festival of Dionysus, Alban Ekfed Herbs/Plants Hazel, corn, aspen, acorns, oak sprigs, autumn leaves, wheat stalks, cypress cones, pine cones, harvest gleanings, vines, ivy, cedar, hops, tabacco Symbols Grapes, wine, vines, garland, gourds, burial cairns, rattles, horn of plenty, Indian corn, sun wheels Colors Brown, orange, violet, maroon, russet, deep gold Activities Wine making, adorning graves Animals Dogs, wolves, birds of prey Stones Amethyst, yellow topaz Foods Wine, grapes, nuts, apples Ritual Oils Apple blossom, hay/straw, black pepper, patchouli

Samhain (Nth 31st of October) (Sth 1st May)
Pronounced Sow-in, Samhain comes from the Irish-Gaelic word "samhraidhreadh", which means "the summer's end". This point on the calendar was marked when the ancient standing stones in the British Isles measured the sun at it's lowest point on the horizon. As winter nears, the God approaches his death. The Goddess though prepares for his rebirth and there is both sorrow and happiness. Animals were culled to ensure a supply of food and remaining crops were left fallow for winter the winter months. It is often said that the veil between life and death is thinnest as a result of death of the God, the animals and plants. Wiccans recognize though that death is not final and that from it renews life again. Samhain is therefore a celebration of life over death as well as a time to remember those who have passed into a new life. Other Names Hallowmas, All Saint's Eve, Celtic New Year, Martinmas, All Hallow's Eve, Third Harvest Herbs/Plants Apple, mugwort, gourds, sage, allspice, catnip Symbols Jack O' Lanterns, balefire, besom, masks, the cauldron, waning moon Colors Black, orange Activities Divination, past-life recall, spirit contact, meditation, drying winter herbs Animals Bats, cats, dogs Stones Obsidian, onyx, carnelian Foods Apples, squash, pork Ritual Oils Frankincense, basil, yarrow, lilac, ylang-ylang, camphor, clove.