Celtic holidays. Celtic wheel of the year and its traditional holidays
The Wheel of the Year is the magical calendar of modern paganism. It reflects the change of seasons, and the actual holidays of the Wheel of the Year are important transition points, days of special tension of energies.
Since ancient times, wise people have paid attention to the connection between the seasons and human life. Thus, traditions have developed for celebrating the holidays of the Wheel of the Year - the points of transition from season to season. The basis of the modern magical calendar, which can be called universal for the reason that it is the most common and used by sorcerers, witches and pagans on all continents, is the Celtic holidays of the Wheel of the Year. There are eight in total. Four are associated with astronomical events - these are equinoxes and solstices, the remaining four are Fire Festivals (Bonfires).
Wicca's wheel of the year also includes Lunar esbats - full moons, but in this article we will focus on the "generally accepted" witchcraft calendar, since it is associated with the movement of stars and planets, with the length of day and night.
Below you will find information about the Wheel of the Year 2017, about rituals and traditions, about how the holidays of the annual cycle are celebrated by modern pagans.
Holidays of the Wheel of the Year
Imbolc(Imbolc) - February 1-2Ostara(Ostara) - Spring Equinox, March 21-22
Beltane(Bealtaine) - night from April 30 to May 1
Lita(Litha) - Summer Solstice, June 21-22
Lammas/Lugnasad(Lughnasadh) - August 1-2
Mabon(Mabon) - autumnal equinox, September 21-22
Samhain(Samhain) - night from October 31 to November 1
Yule(Yule) - winter solstice, December 21-22
Feast of Imbolc - the day of the beginning of spring
February 1-2. Despite the fact that Imbolc falls at the beginning of February, the "wolf month", it is he who is the festival of the threshold, the transition from the Dark Season to the new time of the awakening of nature from winter sleep. Wicca tradition says that the goddess has recovered from childbirth and is breastfeeding the little god - and the very name of the holiday, Imbolc, apparently goes back to the Old Irish mblek ("milk"). Among the Slavs, the corresponding holiday was called Gromnitsy, because. thunderstorms have already occurred in some regions in February. On the last Saturday before the Gromnitsa, the hosts cast a special candle, the “thunder”, lit it on a holiday and after, in thunderstorms, in order to protect the house and household from lightning strikes. Imbolc is the time of purification. In the old days on Imbolc, they cleaned the house and all the utility rooms, washed themselves and doused the cattle with water, cleaned the hearth and yard. On this day, everything was dedicated to the goddess Brigid, the patroness of the home and family, crafts, pets and everything that gives a person strength and means for life.
Imbolc colors: white, cream, red, yellow, pink.
Imbolc Rituals: cleansing the house, blessing new tools, including witchcraft, creating talismans.
Feast of Ostar - the day of the vernal equinox
March 21-22. Ostara is already celebrated as a holiday of spring, which has come into its own. This is the day of mid-spring, the moment of balance - the day is equal in length to the night, and after Ostara the day will lengthen. The name "Ostara" is associated with the name of the European pagan goddess of dawn and fertility, Eostra. Apparently, the European name for the Christian Easter, Easter, also comes from her name. The day of the spring equinox and the traditions of its celebration are closely connected with spring, with the awakening of the earth from its winter sleep, with the "opening of the earth" and the beginning of agricultural work. Interestingly, the animal of Ostara is a hare, and to this day this animal is one of the symbols of Easter.
Ostara colors: white, red, green.
Rituals on Ostara: good luck calling.
Beltane - the holiday of the beginning of summer
April 30th to May 1st. Our blog has a separate . This is the start of summer. The history of its origin is lost in the mists of time, but it is known that in ancient times it became the beginning of the grazing season, summer fully comes into its own, and the Dark half of the year finally ends. Wiccans at this time praise the Green Man, the god of the forest - a full-fledged hypostasis of a god who left his wanderings and joins the goddess. This is a magical time when the border between the worlds is thin and unsteady.Weather permitting, the best time to celebrate Beltane is in the forest - in the kingdom of God.
The main symbols of Beltane are the bonfire and the maypole.
Beltane colors: green, red, gold, white.
Beltane Rituals: attraction of love, all fertility rituals, sexual magic.
Lita Festival - Summer Solstice
June 21-22. Lita is a sunny and warm holiday. The Celtic wheel of the year defined Lita as the day of midsummer. In one form or another, the summer solstice is reflected in the cultures of all peoples inhabiting the earth. Shamans and sorcerers of all nationalities realized the importance of this day.In Wiccan tradition, Lita is the wedding day of a god and goddess. As well as on Beltane, bonfires are lit, and in general, fire, as a manifestation of solar energy, is given great importance.
Lita colors: green, orange, red, gold, blue, white, yellow.
Rituals for Lita: magical cleansing, rituals of love magic, healing, money magic.
Lughnasad - a festival of harvest and autumn
August 1-2. Lughnasad, or Lammas - the first harvest festival, the time of the beginning of its collection. The wheel of the seasons of the Celts defined this day as the moment of the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The name "Lugnasad" originates from the name of the god Lug, the patron of agriculture and crafts, the wonderful god of creators of all stripes - from a poet to a blacksmith.This is a time of joyful feasts, a time of gratitude to the earth for its gifts. On this day, it is good to bake bread and make layouts for the rest of the year. At the same time, this is also a memorial holiday - what is needed, people take from the earth, the rest returns to its womb.
Colors of Lughnasad: all shades of autumn - orange, red, gold, red, brown, dark green, dark blue.
Rituals on Lughnasad: creation and dedication of witchcraft tools, purification and disposal of the obsolete.
Mabon - autumnal equinox
September 21-22. In the middle of autumn, exactly six months after Ostara, Mabon is celebrated. This is the moment when day equals night, the point of balance. The very next day, daylight hours will become shorter, and the world will take a step towards the Dark Time. Nature is preparing for winter, and people along with it. The goddess descends into the Underworld, and the god is left to roam the earth alone, to join in the goddess when Samhain arrives.Mabon is also a holiday of the second harvest, summing up, reaping the fruits of the past days.
Mabon colors: the colors of late autumn are dark red, gold, brown, orange, blue and blue, dark green.
Rituals for Mabon: rituals of commemoration, liberation from obsolete and harmful, summing up, and plans for the future.
Samhain - Celtic New Year's Day
From October 31st to November 1st. Samhain is one of the most important celebrations of the Wheel of the Year, and perhaps the most famous. It is known to people all over the world as Halloween, and many witches celebrate it with joy, not forgetting the truly magical side of this holiday. Among the Celts, it marked the end of the harvest and the end of agricultural work.Samhain is closely connected with the veneration of dead ancestors and the theme of extinction, death. The days of Samhain are also called the Time of Silence. It is on these days that the border between the worlds becomes thinner as much as possible, and spirits come to the world of the living.
Samhain colors: red, red, brown, black, orange, dark red and all shades of flame.
Rituals for Samhain:, getting rid of negativity, divination.
Yule - winter solstice
December 21-22. The longest night of the year. At this time, the Sun is astronomically farthest from the zenith. Despite the fact that this is the longest and darkest night, this holiday is joyful and full of hope. After Yule, the day begins to lengthen, to become longer, the darkness recedes to make way for the light. The Goddess gives life to God and the new time.It is good to celebrate this holiday with your family, by candlelight or a fireplace, with your loved ones.
Yule colors: red, gold and green.
Rituals for Yule:, well-being, .
The Celts had four major holidays in a year:
In the Celtic tradition (which generally put night or darkness before day and light), it was believed that each holiday began on the evening of the previous day. Therefore, often the dates of these holidays are indicated as January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31.
Although all these holidays were celebrated approximately on the named days, the day of celebration was determined not according to the calendar, but according to the corresponding manifestations of the seasons. So, for example, Beltane was celebrated when the Hawthorn blossomed. In addition, all the holidays were timed to coincide with the full moon, and they began in the evening. The Celts counted the days from evening to evening, and not like us, from morning to morning.
Imbolc marked the weakening of the grip of winter and the arrival of new life in the spring. At this time, lambs were born, and the udders of the sheep were filled with milk. It was a celebration of all beginnings. Since it was believed that it was not worth going on long journeys at this time of the year, because the weather was not conducive to this. Imbolc was often a family holiday.
On this day, young men and women dedicated hymns and vigils to the goddess Brigit, who, among other things, was the goddess of childbirth and education. It is possible that many children were born at this time, as a result of the Beltane celebrations of the previous summer. It was also believed that Imbolc is the best time for divination - both about the fate of individuals and about general trends for the next year.
Thus, the year is divided into four parts. However, there is also a “hidden” division into two halves - dark and light. The idea of these points of the year is reflected in many legends. So, for example, there is a legend about the annual battle between winter and summer for the mastery of the Maiden of Spring. A custom reflecting this tradition prevailed among the peoples of Europe until the end of the century.
The year is also divided into equinoxes and solstices:
- The vernal equinox: 21 March
- Summer solstice: 21st of June
- autumnal equinox: September 21
- Winter solstice: 21 December.
Celtic holidays can help in understanding the culture of the Celts and at least slightly reveal their worldview.
Samhain
Nov. 1. The name translates as "End of Summer". This is the Feast of the Dead and the beginning of a new year. According to the Druids, Death precedes Birth in the Cycle of Life. On this day, the border between the World of the Living and the Other World is broken. Each hearth was lit anew, from the ritual fires burning in Tara and Oisnech; they were passed by runners with torches. The end of the outgoing year and the beginning of the "dark" half of the next, the Celts celebrated the great holiday Samhain. At first, it fell on the seventeenth day of the second lunar month after the autumnal equinox. Subsequently, as a result of the reforms of the Roman calendar, its date began to fall on the November calendars (November 1).
In Gaul the holiday lasted three nights (trinoux / tion / Samon / i / sindiu / os / - "Three nights of Samhain from this day"), and in Ireland - seven days.
The Gauls called themselves sons of the dark god Dispater. All of them called themselves descendants of Dita-father and claimed that such was the teaching of the Druids. Samhain is the holiday of Dita.
Samhain was considered the moment when Sid (the burial mound, the gates of the underworld) opened and all the supernatural rushed out, ready to devour the human world.
On this night, the immortal gods came to the world of mortal people, and the heroes gained access to Sid. There was a short period of battles, alliances, marriages of people with the inhabitants of Sid, payment or postponement of all kinds of debts. During Samhain, great heroes and gods died.
A solemn gathering of all the kings, leaders, warriors, druids and commoners of the country attached particular importance to this holiday. According to legend, any Celt who did not come to the sacred center of the country on the night of Samonia lost his mind. The next morning, a hole was to be dug for him, a grave mound was poured, and a grave stone was prepared.
On the same night, the Druids lit the royal fire. All the inhabitants of the country were forbidden under pain of death to light a fire before the king. Therefore, the image of the Samhain night is a fire in a cheerful camp on a hill.
At Samhain, the subjects paid the lord a tribute and brought gifts. A third of fruits, nuts, fish, sausages, beer, milk and bread were given for sacrifice to the Druids.
If the supreme king of the country gave Samhain a delay in paying tribute to the community or to any of the kings of lower rank for one day and one night, then this meant that he renounced the tribute irrevocably.
After the sacrifices, plentiful feasts, games and dances, competitions of singers and strong men began.
On the holiday of Samhain, fish, sausages, pork, churned milk, fresh butter, bread and beer were supposed to be on the table. The king set a treat and a feast at which the meat of pigs fattened over the past year was served. A hearty and plentiful snack was balanced by an impressive amount of drink.
Of course, a nationwide celebration, accompanied by copious libations, thoroughly undermined the health of the Celtic population: for the majority of those having fun, the matter ended either in a drunken wall-to-wall fight or a severe hangover. “In Samhain, the Ulads have no more strength than a woman after childbirth,” a contemporary testified.
The holiday of Samhain was also traditionally considered a good time to get rid of a king who had caused discontent among the ruling elite. In this case, the objectionable king was subjected to ritual killing: he was drowned in a barrel of wine or simply burned alive in the royal house.
Yule
Man Gevry (MEAN GEIMHRIDH), December 21 . Yule- the days of the great feast and holiday, in which all members of the clan gathered together in order to meet the Sun again, which had risen from darkness, and to see the reborn world. It is no coincidence that elements of Yule are preserved in the Christian Christmas - such as, for example, an evergreen tree, symbolizing life, which will continue after the winter cold.
The origin of the word "Yule" is lost in the mists of time. Most likely, it goes back to the Indo-European root with the meaning "to rotate", "to spin", "wheel". Perhaps it means "turning time", "turning of the year", "time of sacrifice" or "dark time".
According to tradition, Yule lasts 13 nights, which are called "Nights of Spirits", which is preserved in their German name, Weihnachten. These thirteen nights, from the first sunset to the last dawn, are a gap between two years, a sacred period during which there is neither the usual time nor the usual boundaries, when the lot of the gods is made and the spindle of the goddess of Fate, Urd, rotates.
In ancient times, among the Anglo-Saxon tribes, Yule began the night before the winter solstice (December 19 or 20, depending on the year). According to Bede the Historian, this night was called "mother's night", and if earlier, apparently, it was devoted to rituals associated with the diss and Frigga, now it is expressed as an evening "with the family."
However, the most important night of Yule is, of course, the solstice, the longest night of the year, during which spirits become the real rulers in this world. On this night they lit the Yule fire and guarded the house from evil spirits; on the same night the most sincere oaths and promises were made. They also believed that one should not be alone on this night - after all, then a person is left alone with the dead and the spirits of the Other World ...
Yule ends on the "twelfth night" (in fact, the thirteenth, as evidenced even by its Old Norse name, Threttandi) - that is, January 6 according to the Christian calendar (if you count from the night of Christian Christmas on December 25), or January 1-2 according to Old German chronology (if you count from December 19 or 20).
The next day was considered the "day of fate" - everything that was said and done before sunset determined all the events of the coming year (hence our "as you meet the New Year, so you will spend it"). It was believed that there are no more sure signs than those that were revealed during the "Twelfth Night"; and the most powerful words are those spoken on this night.
Note, however, that, according to some historians, in ancient times the German Yule was celebrated a few days later than the Christian Christmas. So, in Norway, "Twelfth Night" ("Knutov day") fell on January 13; some believe that "Twelfth Night" was celebrated on January 14 according to the modern calendar. However, most contemporary Asatru communities still prefer to combine Yule with the Christian holiday of Christmas and the winter solstice.
Imbolc and the wheel of the year of the Celts
1st of February. "Return of the Light" when winter comes to an end and the first flowers appear. Imbolc is patronized by Brigid, and the rituals performed on this day are dedicated to home and well-being.
It is closely associated with the sacred fire that purifies the earth and maintains fertility, and the awakening of the sun from its winter sleep. On this day, rites of forecasting and wedding divination were performed. Until quite recently, boys and girls used to gather at Teltown in County Meath and walk towards each other, kiss and get engaged. Such marriages, which could be annulled the next year, were probably the last remnants of ancient Celtic customs, according to which a man and a woman had equal rights in entering into or dissolving a marriage.
The ceremony of white stones in the fire, recorded in many places in Ireland, is another echo of ancient times, which has lost its original meaning over the long centuries. White stones with the names or personal marks of young men were placed in a large Imbolc fire. When the fire burned down and cooled down enough to take out the stones, everyone looked for their mark, and as soon as they found it, they ran as fast as they could from the fire. Not finding your stone initially meant that the gods of fire marked you with the highest honor, choosing your living spirit for sacrifice in the name of purification and the common good of the entire tribe.
Ostara among the Celts
Man Ahri (MEAN EARRAIGH), The vernal equinox, 21 March . One of the holidays of the Wiccan cycle. It is known as the first day of true spring. The goddess blesses the Earth for fertility, literally exploding it from the inside after a winter sleep, God is filled with strength and matures. He walks through green fields and gives abundance to nature. The Goddess and God encourage the wild creatures of the Earth to reproduce.
Beltane . Seasons - Celts
May 1 - half way between spring equinox And Summer Solstice, heralded the arrival of summer and had to appease the gods so that they would keep good weather and a good harvest. Along with Samhain, this is the day when the doors of the "Other World" opened and something could happen. The happy end of the night in the morning was celebrated with wine and nuts. Until the end of the 19th century, it was one of the most important holidays.
Man Sauri
(MEAN SAMHRAIDH) Summer solstice, 21st of June . The sun has reached the peak of its power and the Green World is full of energy. This is the time of Summer, the time of strength and maturity. From this day on, the Sun will begin its journey to the south, where it will find its death. This is the main "between times" for the druids. The longest day of the year opens the door at the meeting of the dawn, this is the moment of Great Magic. We perform rituals in the name of sunrise to welcome the Sun God in all his glory and power. The sun will spend most of the year in the sky on this day. But this day combines both joy and sadness, because the world becomes aware of the events of the near future - the Sun begins to move farther and farther away from us.
Lughnasad
August 1 . - one of the most significant holidays of the annual wheel, which always takes place with a variety of games, songs and dances.
Named after the Celtic god Lug (in fact, the name of the holiday according to the rules is read as Lou-na-sa, Lugnasad is a Russified version). Lou-na-sa - "meeting of Lug" or "wedding of Lug". Lug is one of the gods of the Celtic pantheon, the patron of agriculture and many crafts. The Celts called him "long-armed" and "many skillful." According to legend, the holiday marks the marriage of Lugh to the Guardian of Ireland, the goddess Eira. The word Lammas comes from the combination of two Old English words "bread" and "mass" - this is a Christianized name for the feast of the first fruits.
An ancient legend about the origin of this holiday has been preserved: Lug allegedly established it in honor of his adoptive mother, the goddess Tailtine, after her death. The image of this goddess is associated with the earth, fertility, because her name "Tailtin" - from the word "talam" - earth.
Mabon
(MAN FOVER / MEAN FOMHAIR) September 21 . Autumn equinox day. This day is a kind of summing up (or the beginning of summing up) the results for the year. This is the last and main harvest.
The name "MABON" comes from the Welsh deity who symbolized male fertility in the cycle of myths about King Arthur.
Alban Elved
Celtic "Feast of the Vine".
This harvest festival is usually celebrated on the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, with ripe fruit picking (often turnips or gourds/zucchini for Samhain), late grain harvesting and sheaf knitting, fishing, grape harvesting/pressing (making) new wine.
Its symbols are: bunch of grapes/vine, sheaves of cereal crops, fish, cornucopia, gourd bottle.
Sacred food: red wines, game (deer meat, bear meat, fish, pheasant meat, quail, etc.), zucchini, melons and any other juicy fruits, rich vegetable breads and flat cakes, vegetable stew.
Celts and Vikings
The Celts had a very complex calendar system based on the cycles of the sun and moon. Its traces are reflected both in ancient literature and in archaeological artifacts. In particular, a Gallic calendar carved on bronze sheets was found in Kolin, which allows making very important observations about the nature of the ancient calendar system that existed in this area. The year was divided into four seasons, which, in turn, were divided into even smaller segments. Each of these segments does not coincide exactly with the modern months and reflects both the phase of the agricultural year and the solar and lunar cycles. The following are the original names of the months and their translation, as well as an approximate relationship with the modern calendar, according to the calendar from Colin: Samionos (Samionos) Grain fall October-November Dumannios (Dumannios) Darkest depths November-December Riuris (Riuris) Cold season December-January Anaganthios (Anagantios) Household time January-February Ogronios (Ogronios) Ice time February-March Cutios (Cutios) Windy time March-April Giamonios (Giamonios) Germination April-May Samivisionos (Samivisionos) Light time May-June Equos (Equos) Horse time June -July Elembiuos Time of lawsuits July-August Edrinios (Edrinios) Time of trials August-September Cantlos Time of songs September-October
Year of the Celts.
The Celts divided the year into four quarters, roughly corresponding to the modern seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The Celts were a people of farmers, therefore they attached great importance to the definition of the seasons and greatly honored the great days, which were considered their beginning. In ancient Ireland, for example, the months did not have special names, but simply took their name from the four most important holidays. In the year, the Celts had four main holidays: Imbolc (Imbolc) - the time of childbirth / feeding - February 1
Imbolc heralded the loosening of the grip of winter and the arrival of new life in the spring. At this time, lambs were born, and the udders of the sheep were filled with milk. It was a celebration of all beginnings. Since it was believed that it was not worth going on long journeys at this time of the year, because the weather was not conducive to this. Imbolc was often a family holiday. On this day, young men and women dedicated hymns and vigils to the goddess Brigit, who, among other things, was the goddess of childbirth and education. It is possible that many children were born at this time, as a result of the Beltane celebrations of the previous summer. It was also believed that Imbolc is the best time for divination - both about the fate of individuals and about general trends for the next year. Beltane (Beltaine) - a fun fire - May 1
Beltane marked the beginning of summer. This time was considered the most important gate between the worlds. The period from Beltane to Samhain was called an ghiran mor, "big sun", and the period from Samhain to Beltan was called an ghiran beag, "little sun". Cattle were released from the barns in Beltane so that they would finally taste the fresh spring grass. Herds and flocks were driven between two fires to cleanse them of any diseases that might have developed during the long confinement. Echoes of many Celtic May customs are still widespread in Britain and Ireland, where villages still elect a May Queen and dance around the Maypole**. It was believed that at this time the doors to the Other World were wide open, and those who get up early in the morning often get the gifts of the Sids (sidhe) - the people living in the Other World. People thought that most often these gifts are received by the young and beautiful. Beltane is a time of gaining strength and fulfillment of desires.
Lugnasa - the time of harvest, tribal meetings, horse fairs, arbitration courts, betrothals and large transactions. At this time, ritual games, martial arts competitions, horse races, and, possibly, the election of a tribal tanaiste (tanaiste) - a governor or monarch approved by the people, were held. It's time to make sacrifices, as the harvest is in. It was believed that the quality of the crop reflects the quality of the leader's government, and if his reign is mediocre, the land will reflect all his shortcomings, which means that it will make you think about electing a new, more capable ruler. On this holiday, we can appreciate our responsibility and commitment.Samhain * - the death of summer - November 1
Samhain marks the Celtic new year. It may seem strange to celebrate the new year during this "dead" time, but in fact, growth begins with winter sowing, when new life is introduced into the dormant earth. It was the day of the meeting with the ancestors. For Christians in the Celtic lands, such a meeting takes place on All Saints Day, which is the direct successor to this Celtic holiday. Long, dark winter evenings are the time of storytellers. Many of their stories were dedicated to the ghosts of the Otherworld. Its gates were wide open that day, and the dead could enter our world. That night, people decided to leave the house only after changing clothes and disguising themselves so that the spirits of the Other World would not recognize them. This custom has come down to us, turning into Halloween night. Samhain is a great time to remake, recycle or throw away everything old and worn out. In the Celtic tradition (which generally put night or darkness before day and light), it was believed that each holiday begins on the evening of the previous day. Therefore, the dates of these holidays are often indicated as January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31. Although all these holidays were celebrated approximately on the named days, the day of the celebration was determined not according to the calendar, but according to the corresponding manifestations of the seasons. So, for example, Beltane was celebrated when the Hawthorn blossomed. In addition, all the holidays were timed to coincide with the full moon, and they began in the evening. The Celts counted the days from evening to evening, and not like us, from morning to morning. However, there is also a “hidden” division into two halves - dark and light. The idea of these points of the year is reflected in many legends. So, for example, there is a legend about the annual battle between winter and summer for the mastery of the Maiden of Spring. A custom reflecting this tradition prevailed among the peoples of Europe until the end of the century. The year is also divided into equinoxes and solstices: Spring Equinox: March 21 Summer Solstice: June 21 Autumn Equinox: September 21 Winter Solstice: December 21 sounds like Sauvin or Sauvin (with the accent on the last syllable). However, the Samhain form has taken root very firmly in Russian-language literature. ** The May tree is a pillar decorated with flowers and ribbons.
Paganism is Poetry...
Hello, friends!
Of course, you have heard about places of power. What about power days? Why did I put all this together in almost one sentence, and what does the Wheel of the Year have to do with it? And who are, after all, the followers of Wicca?
Well, the last one is easy. Wicca is a neo-pagan western religion based on the reverence of nature. It is believed that it arose at the beginning of the 20th century, but its roots go far back centuries. One of the features of Wicca is the celebration of the eight holidays of the Wheel of the Year. Wikipedia has a great article about it, you can read more about it there.
And I will not delve into this religion, I am only interested in the pagan Wheel of the Year. The fact is that I return to it more and more often: I already had two articles about two holidays of the Wheel of the Year. February is coming soon, the third article is planned. It happened by accident, but since I'm going in order, from one holiday to another, it's worth talking about what unites them.
What is the Wheel of the Year?
What unites them is the Celtic Wheel of the Year. But what is it?
People of antiquity represented the cyclical nature, the change of weather seasons, as the stages of human life: birth, growing up, aging, death, rebirth. Not only the Celts, the Slavs too. The pagan Wheel of the Year is a kind of visualization of the cyclical nature, where holidays mark the transition points from season to season.
In Wiccan tradition, the Wheel of the Year is a cycle of witchcraft holidays.
It consists of eight holidays: four large (large fire Sabbaths or Great Sabbats) and four small ones. Four holidays are tied to four astronomical phenomena significant for pagans - equinoxes (spring and autumn) and solstices (winter and summer).
All eight holidays are very, very ancient, they have survived to this day, of course, not completely, not in their true form. Something has been lost for centuries, something has changed.
And if you think that only modern pagans and esotericists celebrate them, then you are deeply mistaken. Some of the Celtic holidays that are included in the Wheel of the Year were eventually replaced by Christian or secular ones. For example, the well-known Halloween.
It was the eve of the holiday Yultide, and although now they call it Christmas, everyone knows in the depths of their souls that it is older than Bethlehem and Babylon, older than Memphis and humanity in general ...
Holidays Wheel of the Year
Our ancestors of the Slavs had their own annual wheel, it was called Kolo Svarog, the essence is the same, but there is a difference. We will talk about Slavic holidays in another article, but today the Celts are on the agenda.
The ancient Celts did not have the usual seasons for us: they divided the year into four parts, which corresponded to some time of the year. There were no special names either, the Celtic “seasons” were named after the holidays of the Annual Wheel.
Celtic holidays
Of these eight, there were four major holidays: Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasad, Samhain. And although these holidays were tied to certain dates, the days of their celebration were still more focused on any natural events. So, Beltane was celebrated when the hawthorn blossomed. This once again shows us the strong connection between man and nature.
The beginning of the holiday always fell in the evening. The night for the Celts was, let's say, more important than the day. That is, the report of the new day was not made in the morning, as we are doing now, but in the evening.
Lughnasadh. A holiday in honor of the Celtic god Lug, the patron saint of agriculture and crafts. Lughnasad has always been accompanied by songs, dances and various games.
Mabon (Mabon). The autumn equinox is a time to take stock. It is also the time for the last harvests.
What holiday ends the year? There are several options here:
- For example, among the northern peoples, the year ended with Yule.
- And in the Wiccan tradition - Samhain.
Why celebrate the holidays of the Wheel of the Year?
Yes that's right. Holidays of the Wheel of the Year are also celebrated today. What for? Well, people of the past, then it was important to know when to start this or that agricultural work, but now we pay less attention to it. Previously, our connection with nature was stronger, now it is not so. Then why these holidays?
Well, someone continues to honor the connection with nature into the 21st century. But most often, the Days of Power (namely, the holidays of the Wheel of the Year were and continue to be considered as such) are celebrated by people involved in magical practices.
In order to gain energy;
Increase your strength;
For many of us, Celtic holidays do not carry any secret sacred meaning, but simply arouse interest (and even then, not for everyone).
On this, I will finish a small note. However, it will be supplemented with links to articles in which the traditions and history of each holiday are revealed in more detail.
Cycle of poems
But before I leave completely, I want to introduce you to the cycle of poems by Ekaterina Smirnova "Wheel of the Year". Personally, I noted them, maybe you will be interested.
Now that's all for sure. All the best to you, friends!
Oleg and Valentina Svetovid are mystics, experts in esotericism and occultism, authors of 14 books.
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Celtic holidays
Holidays of ancient Europe
In the distant past, people lived in unity with nature. The change of seasons influenced the whole way of life and was the basis of mystical (religious) rituals - holidays.
The main holidays of all ancient peoples were: the arrival of winter, spring, summer and autumn. These four days are the days of the solstices and equinoxes, the astronomical beginnings of the seasons.
These days were the base points of the calendar Year. These days the program was laid for the whole season. They served as reference points for farming, construction and other important activities.
The Celts inhabited almost the entire territory of ancient Europe - these are the ancestors of modern Europeans. To the east lived the Slavs.
In general, the ancient Celts (like the ancient Slavs) had four holidays of the Sun and four holidays associated with the agricultural cycle: periods of sowing, growth, harvesting and rest.
Yule (Yul) - December 21 - the day of the winter solstice. The longest night of the year and the shortest day. Time of great darkness. Turn to fly.
The Goddess gives birth to the Sun God and falls into a sleep for the whole winter after giving birth. On this day, fires are lit in houses and candles are lit to greet the Sun. Decorate homes with mistletoe branches.
Imbolc (Imbolc) - February 2. The first awakening of Spring. Celebrate the first signs of spring awakening. Perform rites of purification, fire in any form. White candles or large ritual bonfires are lit. God is young, but His strength is felt in the lengthening of days.
Torch Festival, Candle Festival, Snowdrop Festival, Waking Light Festival. (echoes of the holiday - groundhog day in USA).
Ostara (Ostara) - March 21 - the day of the spring equinox. Return of fertility to the Earth.
God is filled with strength, matures. He walks through green fields and gives abundance to nature.
Day and night are equal, light conquers darkness. This is a time of beginnings, active actions. On this day, plans are made, seeds are planted.
Beltane (Beltane) - April 30 - May Christmas Eve, the first May night. The holiday glorifies the fertility of the Earth. People have fun at the festival of flowers, dance around the Maypole - a symbol of fertility. The Maypole or Maypole is central to the rituals. People gather flowers on this day to decorate the Maypole, their home and themselves.
Other names for this holiday are May Day, Walpurgis Night, holiday lights.
Lita (Lita) - June 21 - summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The power of nature reaches its highest point.
They light ritual bonfires, jump over bonfires to increase fertility, purification, health and love. Weddings are celebrated on this day. Newlyweds jump over a broom.
Lughnasadh (Lignasad) - August 1 - the festival of the first harvest. Loaves in the form of the sun are baked from grain.
Day and night became equal. Nature is fading, preparing for winter, the time of rest.
People celebrate, thank the gods for the harvest.
Other names for this holiday halloween, day of apples, Day of the ancestors, November holidays.
In some places, this is the time when cattle are slaughtered and stores are prepared for the winter.
On this night, it is customary to put a plate of food for the dead souls on the street.
Celtic holidays are held outdoors. People gather in the forest, in the meadow, on the hills, on the hills. They sing and dance. In folk dances, people walk in circles a lot, as the circle conserves energy.
Rituals are used to establish a spiritual connection with their gods.
Oleg and Valentina Svetovid
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Oleg and Valentina Svetovid
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Celtic holidays. Holidays of ancient Europe
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