Hi! I found this on the net and thought that it might come in handy to the newcomers who were interested in some neo-pagan holidays... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Student Pagan Association e-mail: pagan@comp.uark.edu ARKU 517, U of A www: http://www.uark.edu/studorg/stpa Fayetteville, AR 72701 listserv: spag-l@uafsysb.uark.edu 575-2138 or 587-1197 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CALENDAR PAGE INFO FROM ECHOS OF ENCHANTMENTS _________________________________________________________________ SABBATS INFORMATION _________________________________________________________________ There are eight Sabbats, or special days to the Wheel of the Year. This is only a small description of each, and there are different views according to the Pantheon. _________________________________________________________________ Table of the Wheel of the Year February 2nd. Imbolg, Candlemas.The return of the Light. March 21st. Spring Equinox.Light and Dark in balance. April 30th. Beltane, May DayThe beginning of Summer. June 22nd. Summer Solstice.The Longest Day. July 31st. Lughnasadh.Season of Plenty. September 21st. Autumn Equinox.The Second Harvest. October 31st. Samhain, All Hollows Eve.The return of the Dark. December 22nd. Yule, Winter Solstice.Death and Rebirth. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ LUNAR CALENDAR INFORMATION _________________________________________________________________ There are thirteen Lunar months in the year, the Full Moon is near the mid point of the Lunar Month. The Lunar Moons listed here may not always occur as given because the first New Moon of a new Lunar Year may not coincide with the first day of the first Month. Please double check with a new Lunar Calendar. This listing is more for general information than definitive dates. _________________________________________________________________ The Lunar Calendar of the Year January.The Wolf Moon. July.The Mead Moon. February.The Storm Moon. August.The Corn Moon. March.The Chaste Moon September.The Harvest Moon. April.The Seed Moon. October.The Blood Moon. May.The Hare Moon. November.The Snow Moon. June.The Dyad Moon. December.The Oak Moon. Blue.The Blue Moon. _________________________________________________________________ START OF THE LISTING OF THE TABLE OF THE YEAR _________________________________________________________________ * February 2nd, Candlemas IMBOLG, CANDLEMAS, OIMELC - FEB 2 Dedicated to Brigid the GODDESS of Fire and Inspiration. GODDESS of Fertility, that which was born at SOLSTICE now begins to manifest. This is also the day of initiation, the RITE of passage for WITCHES. This is a time to plant the seeds of short term goals for the new cycle and new energy. The candle procession symbolizes the Feast of the Waxing light celebrating the Rebirth of the Sun. Return _____________________________________________________________ * March 21st, Spring Equinox SPRING EQUINOX, EOSTAR, THE FESTIVAL OF TREES MARCH - 21-23 The chains of winter are broken, Spring has arrived, This is the time when all of life burst forth in joyous celebration. As at IMBOLG this is the seed time but for long range goals. Day and Night are equal bringing balance. Persephone rises from the Depths of the Underworld and brings forth new life. Hair is adorned with flowers, Eggs are decorated as they are a symbol of rebirth, This is considered the true MOTHERS Day. Return _____________________________________________________________ * April 30th., Beltane BELTANE, MAY EVE, RUDEMAS APRIL 31-MAY 1 This is a time of Fertility, Creativity is nurtured. The Mayploe, a phallic fertility symbol symbolizing the God is joined with the Goddess as it is placed within the Earth. Ribbons hang from the top inviting all to join the dance of fertility weaving the magic of desire. This is a time of wild delight. Jumping the bonfire brings purification and luck. Return _____________________________________________________________ * June 22nd., Summer Solstice SUMMER SOLSTICE, MIDSUMMER EVE, LITHA, JUNE 21-23 This is the longest day of the year, the power of the Sun is at its peak and at the same time this is the beginning point of the waning of the Suns energy and power. We celebrate the strength and energy this day holds and ask that the magick created today carry us through the dark half of the year. Return _____________________________________________________________ * July 31st., Lammas LAMMAS, LUGHNASAD, LUGH-MASS - JUL.31st/AUG.1 Light diminishes the days grow shorter, we have worked hard to bring things to fruition, but the Harvest is not yet clear, we know that to harvest we must sacrifice. This is the time to look within and see the sacrifice that needs to be made to transform. This is the first Harvest, the honoring of the Grain and the Corn. In Pagan times this was the time of games of skill and competition and Lugh was Honored. Return _____________________________________________________________ * September 21st., Autumn Equinox AUTUMN EQUINOX, MABON, SEPT 21-23 The time of balance between light and dark, the time of the true thanksgiving, when the Harvest is realized and thanks is given for the abundance received. This is the second Harvest, the harvest of all vrops grown and reaped. We prepare for the descent into the darkness. Return _____________________________________________________________ * October 31st., Samhain SAMHAIN, HALLOWMAS, ALL SOULS DAY, HALLOWS EVE,-OCT 31ST Most WITCHES consider this the WITCHES New Year, it is the time of the Crone, of endings and beginnings, death and life. We honor our Ancestors and in respect we create a feast offering and celebrate their memory. The veils between the worlds are the thinnest and we commune with our dead and look into the mysteries through Divination and Scrying. Samhain is considered the third and final Harvest, that of the Livestock. Return _____________________________________________________________ * December 21st., Winter Solstice YULE, WINTER SOLSTICE, -DEC 21-23 The longest night of the year, darkness prevails and yet gives way and changes to bring the birth of the New Sun, and with it the hope and promise of the New Year. It is the time to release that which does not serve and prepare to birth forth a new vision for the next future. Lighting of candles, the Yule Log or bon fires symbolically give life and power to the Sun. Return _____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ FULL MOON LISTING * January, The Wolf Moon The first full moon is a time of silence and sitting by the home fire. As the wild winter howls, appreciate the warmth of home and family. Now is the time to go within and plan the changes you will make in the spring. Consider now what you will plant. Start a moon journal to record your lunar tides and write down your spring dreams. Return _____________________________________________________________ * February, The Storm Moon At this Moon begin your spring cleaning. Think about what needs to be released and let go of in your life and in your home. Burn white candles and purifying incense, sweep out the cobwebs and prepare for the new growth of spring. Return _____________________________________________________________ * March, The Chaste Moon This is the Moon of the maiden and Faery folk. Gather the seeds of inspiration and imagine what they can grow into. Build an Altar to the Moon and bless your garden in the moonlight. Prepare the earth for planting and yourself for change. Return _____________________________________________________________ * April, The Seed Moon At the Seed Moon plant your seeds of magick, whether it be in a garden, in a pot by the window or simply in your heart. Fill your home with light and flowers, create colorful eggs to decorate it and bring fertility and joy. On the full Moon plant herbs. Sing in the rain... Return _____________________________________________________________ * May, The Hare Moon Now is the time to celebrate life and love. Renew and affirm your sensuality, kindle the fire of romance . Dance and make love by the light of a bon fire, the glow of red candles, or just the full moons radiance. Free your wild nature.... Return _____________________________________________________________ * June, The Dyad Moon See how things are growing! The old has died away to make room for the new . Create an Altar of roses and honor the beauty of nature. Send flowers to your mother. Hike to the top of a mountain... Return _____________________________________________________________ * July, The Mead Moon Bask in the warmth of summer and take time for yourself, relax. Perhaps a moonlit walk by the sea to gather sacred seashells. Make an ocean amulet necklace for one you love. Return _____________________________________________________________ * August, The Corn Moon This is a time to harvest the gifts you have nurtured and give to those who are in need. Collect and store fresh herbs for the coming winter. Bake special breads to honor the God and Goddess of grain and growing things, share them with your family and friends but save some to offer the Earth. Return _____________________________________________________________ * September, The Harvest Moon Drink a toast to Dionysus, the God of wine and ecstasy - The son of the Moon! Gather with friends to celebrate the vine with a bottle of good wine and good cheer. Catch the Moons reflection in your cup and raise it up in salutation, now drink in her essence and feel the presence of the God and Goddess. Return _____________________________________________________________ * October, The Blood Moon In the past this was the time of hunting and storing. The wheel of the year turns like the cycle of life and death. At this Moon the veil is thin, make an Altar to honor your ancestors and ask them to guide and protect you. Carve pumpkins and place candles within to light their way. Return _____________________________________________________________ * November, The Snow Moon Winter's cold descends and outward growth slows. Make this a time for inner growth. Learn a new craft or study thwarts of divination. When the Moon is full do a reading for yourself or your friends. Develop your psychic talents. Return _____________________________________________________________ * December, The Oak Moon The time of the Suns return approaches and the Moon awaits her lover. Make wreaths of Holly, Pine, Oak, Cedar or Ivy. On the full Oak Moon burn them as an offering to the Sun and Moon. Create a sacred Moon ornament to hang on the boughs of your yule tree. Return _____________________________________________________________ * The Blue Moon This is the second Full Moon which falls within in a single month, it varies each year. When the Blue Moon occurs plan to do something strange, something you have never done before. Write letters to folks you have not seen for years, plan a surprise for someone you love. Howl at the Moon! Return _____________________________________________________________