ule

Yule is the time when the Sun God is reborn.  It is the day with the longest night.  We celebrate the return of the sun and the beginning of Winter.  Gifts are given to family and friends to rejoice in the return of the Sun God and the ending of the ascendancy of the dark.  The Oak King begins His reign.

mbolac

Imbolac is the celebration of the end of Winter and the promise of spring, as the Sun God grows.   This is the time when the light returns freely.  There is much promise.  This is a time to make new beginnings.  Brigid, the Celtic Goddess of Fire is especially honored.

stara

When the day is equal to the night, Spring has arrived.  Ostara is a celebration of birth and of new life.  The God has grown into a robust young man and begins to court the Goddess, now in Her Maiden aspect.  It is a time to look forward and make plans, a time to ready the fields for planting.

eltane

Beltane is a celebration of fertility.  It is the day that the God and Goddess consummate Their Love and thus restore all Life.  It is time to dance around the maypole, to laugh, and to enjoy the lusty pleasures of life.  We plant what we would reap at this time.

itha

Litha is the longest day.  Life and growth are at their fullest, yet at this time the Sun begins to show His darker face.  The Holly King takes over the rule of the year.  The Goddess is pregnant and we celebrate the fullness of Summer. The door to the world of the Fae is open at its widest on this day.

ughnasadh

Lughnasadh is the beginning of the celebration of the Harvest that will end at Samhain.   This is the first Harvest.  The Sun God lives in the crops and the grain, and we give thanks for the beauty and fruitfulness of the Earth.  It is a celebration of strength and plenty.

abon