Pagan Holidays

Samhain

1st May (alt. 4-10 May)

First day of ancient Winter.

Greater Sabbat. Lunar Festival.

A Cross Quarter celebration.

Also known as Halloween.

Yule

21st or 22nd June

Winter solstice. Shortest day of the year.

Lesser Sabbat. Solar Festival.

A Quarter Day celebration.

Also known as Yuletide.

Imbolc

1st August (alt. 3-10 August)

First day of ancient Spring.

Greater Sabbat. Lunar Festival.

A Cross Quarter celebration.

Also known as Imbolg or Candlemas.

Ostara

22nd or 23rd September

Spring (Vernal) equinox. Equal day and night.

Lesser Sabbat. Solar Festival.

A Quarter Day celebration.

Also known as Easter.

Beltane

1st November (alt. 5-10 Nov)

First day of ancient Summer.

Greater Sabbat. Lunar Festival.

A Cross Quarter celebration.

Also known as Beltaine or May Day.

Litha

21st or 22nd December

Summer solstice. Longest day of the year.

Lesser Sabbat. Solar Festival.

A Quarter Day celebration.

Also known as Midsummer.

Lughnasadh

1st February (alt. 2-7 Feb)

First day of ancient Autumn.

Greater Sabbat. Lunar Festival.

A Cross Quarter celebration.

Also known as Lammas.

Mabon

21st or 22nd March

Autumn equinox. Equal day and night.

Lesser Sabbat. Solar Festival.

A Quarter Day celebration.

Also known as the Autumnal Equinox.

NORSE HOLIDAYS

The Norse calendar is rich with various holidays and festivals, though regrettably, we lack detailed records of all of them. Our knowledge of some of these celebrations is derived from medieval manuscripts, while others have been reconstructed by combining fragmentary information from various sagas with inspiration drawn from the Wiccan Wheel of the Year.

That said, here are the distinct holidays within the Norse Wheel of the Year that we have information about:

Þorrablot, also known as Husband's Day, was observed on the first day of Þorri in honor of husbands and fathers. This festivity paid tribute to Thor and the winter spirit of Thorri.

Góublót, or Wife's Day, occurred on the first day of Góa to celebrate mothers and wives, as well as mark the end of winter.

Sigrblót marked the first day of Harpa, a day dedicated to celebrating the onset of summer and the triumph of light over darkness. Offerings were made to Freya during this festival.

Mid-Summer, a widely recognized celebration in various cultures, marked the joy of light, fertility, and music.

Alfarblót, observed on the first day of winter, commemorated the final harvest of the year and was associated with the goddess Freya. Unlike other festivals, Alfarblót took place within the privacy of each home and was led by the women of the household.

Jól, or Yule, was a festivity linked to the Wild Hunt and Odin. It serves as a precursor to modern Christmas celebrations in northern Europe.

Dísablót, while its exact date remains unclear, was potentially celebrated at the onset or conclusion of winter, or possibly both. This festival paid homage to various female figures, including the disir (female spirits of protection and fertility), goddesses, ancestors, and other female entities from Norse mythology.

HEATHEN HOLIDAYS

The calendar known today as the "Heathen Calendar" was actually crafted by Steven McAllen in 1975. It drew inspiration from the Wiccan Wheel of the Year and assigned Nordic names to existing celebrations in Northern Europe, which had been significantly influenced by Christianity at that time.

It's important to note that choosing to follow this calendar for religious purposes, despite the controversy surrounding its author, is a personal decision. Faith is a deeply individual matter that evolves over time, so it's essential to select what resonates with your beliefs.

Without further delay, here's an overview of the Norse Wheel of the Year:

Disting or Disablot (February 2nd): A celebration of new beginnings and land preparation for planting.

Ostara (March 21st): Honoring the rejuvenation of the Earth, fertility, and growth.

Walpurgisnacht or May Eve (April 30th): Associated with the deities Frey and Freya, celebrating love, fertility, and the arrival of Spring.

Midsummer or Midsummarblot (June 21st): Celebrated on the Summer solstice or near it, featuring bonfires, traditional music, and the burning of corn dollies to mark the brightest time of the year.

Frey Feast or Freysblot (August 1st): A thanksgiving for the first harvest of the year, with a loaf of bread baked as an offering to the god Frey.

Fall Feast or Haustblot (September 23rd): Occurring on the Autumn equinox or near it, this festival honors the second harvest of the season and the gathering of food for the impending winter. It's a time for reflection and gratitude for the Earth's bounty.

Winter Nights or Vetrnaetr (October 31st): Marking the end of the harvest season, this occasion signals the use of farm animals' meat and the start of hunting. It's a night for reflection and paying homage to ancestors, especially the goddess Hela. The thinning veil between worlds makes it ideal for divination.

Yule (December 20th - January 1st): The most significant of all Norse holidays, spanning 12 nights from December 20th. It symbolizes the darkest time of the year, signifying both the beginning and end of all things. During Yule, gods and goddesses draw closest to Midgard, and the deceased return to Earth to partake in feasts with the living. It's a time of magic and potential encounters with otherworldly creatures.

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