Wheel of the Year

Okay so by now you may have noticed that I mark time a little different then you do.  Most Pagans follow what is called the Wheel of the Year.  In it we celebrate 8 holy days, spaced about 6 weeks apart.  Some of the days were celebrated by the ancients, and some not.  You can think of it like an 8 spoked wheel, or like the Dharmic wheel.  So I will start with Mabon since that is what has just passed.

Mabon – September 21^st, Fall Equinox

Samhain – October 31^st, Halloween, many feel the beginning of the New Year. 

Winter Solstice- December 21^st, the beginning of Yule, and the start of the Heathen New Year.

Yule – A 13 day celebration and time of rest.  It runs from December 21^st until about January 2^nd or 3^rd, depends on who you talk to.  January 3^rd is also called Epiphany or 12^th night.  In Louisiana it is the traditional start of Marti Gras season.  I often use the word Yule to denote the first day of Yule (Winter Solstice).

Imbolc – February 2^nd, Groundhog’s Day, Candlemas

Ostara – March 21^st, Spring Equinox 

Beltane – May 1^st, May Day, some feel the start to the New Year, nothing to do with communism or Russians

Litha – June 21^st, Summer Solstice

Lughnasa - August 2^nd, harvest festival aka Loafmass

Thank you,

Ilsa