Wheel of the Year

The pagan Wheel of the Year, from which the ancient agricultural mysteries were based, is derived from the two solstices, two equinoxes, and four cross quarter days. The solstice marks the longest day and the longest night of the year. The equinox marks the equal balance of light and dark. The ancients celebrated these 8 holy days as days of power, where the veils were thin between worlds, where the sacred energy of the cosmos could enter into the earth plane. These days are also closely linked to the cycle of planting, growing, harvesting, and storing crops, and paralleled in the life cycle of man and animal.

  • Samhain, Hallowmas - October 31- November 1
  • Winter Solstice, Yule, Midwinter - December 20 – 23
  • Brigid, Imbolc, Candlemass - February 1 – 2
  • Spring Equinox, Easter - March 20 -23
  • Beltaine, May Day - May 1
  • Summer Solstice, Midsummer - June 20 – 23
  • Lammas, Lugnasad - August 1 – 2
  • Fall Equinox - September 20 – 23

Samhain, Hallowmas - October 31- November 1: Marks the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The dark months begin; seed awaits for the new life to germinate. It is a time to take stock and reflect; a time to honor the dead, when the margins may be crossed more easily, allowing communication between the human worl and spirit world.

Brigid, Imbolc, Candlemass - February 1 – 2: Festival of the lactating ewes, sacred to the youthful spring goddess Brighid. Brigid is associated with fertility and nurturing. It is a day of new beginnings, when the first plowing was oftern undertaken.

Beltaine, May Day - May 1: On this day the bright half of the year begins. A deeply significant day, related to both fertility and death. The day on which the Fair(y) Folk first set foot in Ireland. Many customs and practices grew up around Beltaine, including the maypole and spiral dances, the setting out of gofts, such as milk, eggs, and cider for the otherworld folk, and, as at Imbolc, the dousing and relighting og household fires.

Lammas, Lugnasad - August 1: A harvest festival sacred to the god Lugh (Celtic Sun God), it developed from the funeral games he held in honor of his foster mother Tailtiu. The mother goddess Dana (Mother Earth Goddess) is also recognized. Many practices are observed in order to ensure a good and safe harvest. These often include ritual cutting of the last sheaf of grain. Games and competions are popular.

This is a hilarious cartoon representation of the Wheel of the Year

Resources
The definitions of the celtic cross quarter days was from The Seven Waters Trilogy’sSon of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier.