Wheel of the Year

Imbolc

Falling around February 1st this Celtic celebration is the celebration of the first hints of spring. 

Imbolc is an ancient Celtic festival celebrated on February 1st–2nd, marking the halfway point between winter and spring and honoring the goddess Brigid.

Imbolc, pronounced IM-bolg, originates from pre-Christian Ireland and is one of the four major Gaelic seasonal festivals, The name comes from the Old Irish meaning “in the belly,” referring to pregnant ewes and the fertility of the season, symbolizing the first signs of new life and the earth’s awakening after winter. Traditionally, it was a time to celebrate the return of light and the gradual lengthening of days. 

Ostara; Spring Equinox

Most commonly known as Ostara; this festival celebrates the Spring Equinox, symbolizing balance, renewal, fertility, and the awakening of life.

Ostara occurs around the Spring Equinox, typically between March 19 and 21 when day and night are nearly equal in length, marking a point of balance in the natural world. Ostara is associated with rebirth, growth, and the return of light, reflecting the transition from winter to spring. 

Beltane

On May 1st celebrate the magic of Beltane with a beautiful morning of sharing followed by an opportunity for

creativity, connection, feasting and blooming energy!

Beltane marks the mid point between the Spring and Summer equinoxes and encapsulates the spirit of community, the celebration of life, and our profound connection to nature.

This Celtic fire festival also known as May day is a vibrant, lively festival marking the onset of summer and the fertility of the Earth celebrating life’s abundance, and the energy of the season when the Earth is literally exploding with LIFE!

Litha; Summer Solstice

Litha is a Wiccan and modern pagan holiday celebrating the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, symbolizing abundance, vitality, and the peak of solar energy.

Litha, pronounced “LEE-thuh,” occurs around June 20–22 in the Northern Hemisphere and marks the Summer Solstice, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and daylight is at its maximum. Litha represents the height of the sun’s power, a time of abundance, growth, and vitality. It is associated with solar deities such as Apollo, Ra, the Wiccan Oak King, and the Green Man. The holiday symbolizes the balance between light and dark, as the days begin to slowly shorten after the solstice, marking a turning point in the seasonal cycle. Fire, sunlight, and natural elements play central roles in rituals, reflecting the sun’s energy and the fullness of life.

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Lammas Harvest Festival 

celebrated on August 1st in honor of the god Lugh.

Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is one of the four major Gaelic seasonal festivals, alongside Samhain, Imbolc, and Beltane, and historically observed in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. The festival occurs roughly halfway between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox, marking the start of the grain harvest and the first fruits of the season. Its name means “the gathering of Lugh” or “the commemoration of Lugh,” reflecting both celebration and remembrance. The festival symbolizes the cycles of life, death, and renewal, emphasizing gratitude for the earth’s bounty and the interconnectedness of human effort and divine blessing. 

Mabon; Fall Equinox

The Fall Equinox, also known as Mabon, is the second harvest festival in the Wheel of the Year. It is celebrated around September 21st and marks the transition from summer to autumn. Mabon is a time to honour the bounty of the Earth and to reflect on the balance between light and darkness. Mabon is celebrated with various rituals and traditions, including making offerings to the land, gathering fallen leaves and acorns for crafts, and preparing seasonal foods and drinks. It is also a time to express gratitude for the abundance in one's life and to set intentions for growth and abundance in the coming months. 

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Samhain/All Hallow's Eve

Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, traditionally celebrated from the evening of October 31 to November 1.

Samhain (pronounced “SAH-win” or “SOW-in”) comes from Old Irish, meaning “summer’s end” and historically marked the transition from the light half of the year to the dark half, roughly halfway between the autumn equinox and winter solstice. It was celebrated across Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, with similar festivals in Wales called Calan Gaeaf. The festival coincided with the end of the harvest, preparation for winter, and the rounding up or slaughter of livestock.

Samhain was considered a liminal or threshold festival, when the boundary between the living and the spirit world was thin, allowing spirits, ancestors, and supernatural beings to visit. People believed that the souls of deceased kin returned home seeking hospitality, and a place was often set at the table for them during meals. The festival also involved offerings to deities and spirits to protect people and livestock during the winter.

Winter Solstice

Yule is an ancient winter festival originating from Germanic and Norse traditions, later merged with Christmas, celebrating the winter solstice and the return of light.​

Yule, known in Old English as ġēol and in Old Norse as jól, was historically observed by Germanic peoples as a midwinter festival around the winter solstice, typically between December 20 and 23 in the Northern Hemisphere. It marked the halfway point of winter and celebrated the return of the Sun, symbolizing rebirth, fertility, and the renewal of life. Early Yule festivities included feasting, ceremonial drinking, oath-swearing, and games, often accompanied by tales of supernatural beings like trolls and draugar.

Common Yule symbols include evergreen branches, holly, mistletoe, candles, and the Yule log, representing life, renewal, and the return of light after the darkest night of the year. Traditional activities include wassailing (caroling), dancing, and communal feasting, reflecting the festival’s origins as a celebration of joy and community.