Beltane -- May Day

              Since the Church and School of Wicca has been in operation, we have celebrated Beltane all over the nation. You are welcome to come join us in the celebration.
     Beltane has been traditionally celebrated on May Day, but if you are to maintain accuracy within the Wiccan calendar, look to celebrate this festival on the full moon closest to May 1. This holiday commemorates when farmers led their cattle from winter shelter to the summer pasture. Often the cattle were driven between two fires to purify them. Current celebrations include the erecting of a phallic symbol and dancing around it to promote fertility in the fields. It is a fire festival.

Lugnasad -- "Lammas"
             Although Wiccans do not usually celebrate mass, which is a ritual that can include drinking blood as is done in other churches, not within Wicca, "Lammas" is a common name for the Lugnasad first fruits of harvest festival. Often one burns leaves, stems and vines to spread them on the fields to help with fertilizing them while the fields rest during the winter. The beginning of the winter composting process starts during this festival with the harvesting of early crops, thanking nature for the bounty, and re-fertilizing these fields while they rest. This helps reinforce the fertility of paganism. It is an earth rites festival.

 Samhain -- Hallowe'en
              Samhain is held at the Hunter's Moon near November 1. Again, we do not celebrate this holiday on Hallowe'en or All Hallows Eve--the traditional Catholic holiday. This time of year is considered the time when the veil between the worlds is thinnest. One can communicate with departed loved ones or help those who need it with their transitions into the spiritual realm. It is a time to burn the phallic symbol erected long ago on Beltane, preparing it for the hearth fire present with the Yule log in December. Any ashes from the fires can be plowed back into the fields, again to help the earth regain her fertility after having proffered her human stewards such wonderful bounty during the growing season. Many consider this festival the lunar new year. It is an air festival.
 

  Yule -- Winter Solstice
              The solar new year is often celebrated closest to December 22, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This is traditionally the time when Wiccans exchange gifts, light candles and thank the deities that the sun has been re-born after the longest night.
 

 Imbolc -- Groundhog's Day
              While you may traditionally celebrate Imbolc sometime around February 1, it is a lunar holiday. It celebrates when the ewes start to lactate, foretelling the birthing of their lambs. This is considered a first sign that the earth is re-awakening from the winter's slumber. It is a water festival although many celebrate this as a fire festival honoring Brigid.
 

Ostara -- Vernal Equinox
              Ostara is the solar signal that Spring is returning to the Northern Hemisphere as the sun makes another pass across the equator. Celebrated on or around March 22, check your almanac for the best times to celebrate the sun's return to the longest days of the year and the growing season.
 

This is the Wheel of the Year