Samhain, October 31
The first holiday of the Wiccan calendar is Samhain, on October 31. During this holiday, New Year's eve is celebrated. The curtain that separates the world of the living from the world of the dead is very thin, so spirits can pass in and out of the two worlds. Darkness becomes greater, leading up to the next holiday.
Yule, December 21
Yule takes place on December 21, and is the second holiday. It is the longest night of the year, and the birthday of the sun-child, whose mother is the Goddess. Being the longest night of the year, the next day is the start of increasing light every day. So the victory of the Lord of Light over the Lord of Darkness is also celebrated. It is considered a good time for starting over, forgetting about the past, and making new goals. Yule is the Norse word for wheel, and is appropriate in that the year is like a wheel, and this is one of the first spokes.
Imbolc, February 2
The third holiday is known by a few names - Imbolc, Oimlec, and Brigid, but I will refer to it as Imbolc. Imbolc is on the second of February, and it becomes more and more noticeable that the days are becoming longer and the Earth warmer. Candles are lit to urge this process to hasten. The Sun God is still young, but growing. Imbolc is the Old Irish word for "in the belly", like the Earth is at this time, still waiting to be reborn into spring. Oimlec means "ewe's milk", and Brigid is the Celtic fire goddess.
Ostara, March 21
Ostara is on March 21, and is the date of the vernal equinox, a time when day and night are equal. The Goddess and the God are still young, and eggs are decorated with bright colors to symbolize the child in everyone's spirit. Snake and bird eggs are a symbol of life on this holiday. Ostara, also known as Eostre, is the goddess of dawn, and announces the return of life to the world. Witches in the Greek tradition celebrate the Persephone's return from the underworld, while those of the Celtic tradition celebrate Owen, and how flowers bloom in the footprints of his passing.
Beltane, April 30
April 30 is the date of Beltane, which means "Bel's fires." During this holiday, cattle are driven between two fires so that they may be blessed. And people jump over a fire in hopes of good luck - if they make it over the fire, they must be pretty lucky! Also, maypole dances are held. Beltane is the midpoint of the ancient five-day Roman Festival to the goddess Flora, the goddess of the flowers. Wild water from dew, a stream, or the ocean is collected to make healing drinks. Beltane is also a celebration of love.
Lithia, June 21
Lithia is on June 21, and has the longest time of daylight. On this day, a long time ago, the Goddess and the God were married, so that is celebrated with great joy. Also, the Chinese god of light, Li, is honored, because this is his longest day. And this is the day that Rhea, "mountain mother of Crete", breathed out life to all.
Lughnassadh, August 1
Lughnassadh, or Lammas, takes place
on the first of August. It honors the sun god, Lugh, and his mother, Tailtiu. Games and races are held in their honor. Some call them funeral games, while others call them celebration
games. This is considered to be a good time too pass on knowledge and share in achievements. The first harvested grain is eaten in special loaves on this day. Lughnassadh is also a sacred day for Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon.
Mabon, September 21
Now we come to the last holiday of the Wiccan year, Mabon, on September 21. It is the autumnal equinox, when day and night are equal. The Goddess is thanked for enough food for the winter during a harvest festival.