Pagan Holidays

Festivals honor deities, mark anniversaries, and celebrate special people. In modern Pagan culture, we recognize the eight "sabbats" or seasonal holy days observed widely by European cultures:

• Samhain - October 31
• Yule - December 22
• Imbolc - February 2
• Ostara - March 20
• Beltane - May 1
• Litha - June 21
• Lammas - August 1
• Mabon - September 23

In addition to the sabbats, many Pagans also celebrate "esbats" or lunar rites. However, modern Paganism draws from African, Native American, Australian, Oriental, and other cultures too. You can find unique holidays from these traditions mentioned in books on individual cultures; or look in the SageWoman calendar. Still, the eight sabbats give a good overview of Pagan festivals, so let’s take a look at those:

Samhain: This holiday begins the Pagan year. Popular motifs include costumes, skeletons, pumpkins, bonfires, and scary games. The colors black and orange dominate as do deities associated with old age/death. Festival foods include candy, apples, pomegranate, and hot mulled cider. In Samhain rituals, Pagans often seek to explore death or honor those who have passed on.

Yule: This holiday marks the longest night of the year. Popular motifs include evergreen trees, mistletoe, gifts, reindeer, and bells. The colors green and red dominate as do deities associated with the sun/rebirth. Festival foods include Yule log cakes, wassail, goose, and cookies. In Pagan rituals, people may honor the Goddess and Her Son, or the Oak King and Holly King.

Imbolc: This festival celebrates conception/inspiration. Popular motifs include candles, wheat sheaves or crosses, and flowers. The colors yellow, white, and light green dominate as do Maiden Goddesses, Brigid. Festival foods include bread and candied flowers. Pagan rituals often focus on the lengthening days, quickening, and creative pursuits.

Ostara: This holiday highlights the balance between day and night. Popular motifs include rabbits, baskets, spring flowers, and games with children. Pastel colors dominate as do Gods and Goddesses in youthful aspects. Festival foods include eggs, fluffy cakes, roasted rabbit or hare, and fresh greens. Pagans often work with fertility magic at this time.

Beltane: This festival celebrates warming weather and romance. Popular motifs include the May Pole, dancing, ribbons, and general revelry. Bright colors like sunshine yellow and apple green dominate, along with young Goddesses and Gods in courtship. Festival foods include May Wine, dark oatmeal cookies, and all types of fruit. In this festival Pagans celebrate the courtship of Goddess and God, and consider the delights of polarity.

Litha: This holiday glorifies in ascendant light. Popular motifs include sun discs, summer flowers, and marriage rings. Summer colors like turquoise and hot pink dominate as do solar/sexual deities. Festival foods include melons, fruit drinks, and destiny cakes. Here Pagan rituals may focus on solar or sexual elements, or both, with an emphasis on consummation.

Lammas: This solemn occasion falls at a time when the fields are reaped but the entire harvest is not secured. Popular motifs include grain, cords, ears of corn, and scythes. Dark autumn colors like rust and pine green dominate; the principal divinity is the dying Corn God. Festival foods include bread, beer, and current harvests. Most Pagan rituals mourn the God's death and prepare for his later rebirth.

Mabon: This compliment to Ostara marks the balance of light and dark with lengthening nights. Popular motifs include fallen leaves, balance scales, and gourds. More festive autumn colors like saffron, orange, and chocolate dominate along with various herd/harvest deities. Festival foods include sausages, breads, and squash pies. Now Pagans typically give thanks for what they received or accomplished during the year.