Candlemas - Sunset February 1st - February 2nd
Candlemas is also known as Imbolc is basically the festival of lights. It is a time of renewal of the sun and purification. It is a time to also initiate people into your covens. The doings of Candlemas are lighting candles or lamps in each room of your house right after sunset for some minutes, the reason for this is to respect the sun's rebirth. It is also common to light bonfires. The holiday also symbolises getting rid of the old and bringing in the new. The colors of Candlemas are white, pink, brown, red, and yellow. The herbs are basil, myrrh, angelica, and all yellow or white flowers.
Spring Equinox - March 21st
The Spring Equinox is also called Ostara. This holiday balances out the light of day and the dark of night, which means they are both equal. The earth gets spiritually charged with the Maiden Goddess and Sun God's merging. It is also a time for new beginnings and letting go. On this holiday witches start a her garden or plant new seeds, they also take nature walks. The traditional color of The Spring Equinox is white. The traditional herbs are Iris, woodruff, and all spring flowers.
Autumn Equinox - September 21st
The Autumn Equinox is also known as Mabon. It parts day and night evenly. It exhibits the second harvest, the God prepares for his dormancy, in other words nature is preparing for winter. The activities of this holiday are wine making and walking through nature. The colors of this holiday are gold, brown, and red. Herbs are acorns and pine cones (which are used to honor burial's to those who have passed), thistle, and grain.
Beltane - May 1st
Beltane is also called May Day. The goddess becomes pregnant with the God and that is what is celebrated, it is the symbol of fertility that is celebrated in a ritual then a feast and dancing. Witches dance around the May pole which are decorated with flowers and plants. It is tradition to wear a wreath with flowers on your head. It's one of the eight solar sabbats.
Yule - December 20th - December 23rd
Also known as The Winter Solstice in the north and The Summer Solstice in the south. It is a festival of the sun for the birth of the Sun God is due. It is about renewal during the winter. Bonfires and candles are lit to welcome the Gods return. It is the longest night of the year. The colors of Yule are red, green, gold, silver, and white. The herbs are mistletoe, pine, and bayberry.
Halloween - October 31st
Halloween is also known as Samhain to witches, its the festival of the dead, the New Year for witches. It is the end of summer and the beginning of night and winter. On Halloween the veil between the worlds of the living and dead become thin so that the ghosts can come back through (there are those that are strong enough to come through no matter what holiday it is.) It is a time to honor our loved ones that have passed. Jack-O-Lanterns and apples are a big symbol of this holiday. The colors of Halloween are orange, black, white, and gold. The herbs are allspice, mugwort, mandrake, sage, and catnip.
Litha - June 21st
Litha is also known as Midsummer, which is the day when the powers of mother nature is at her peak. Cauldrons are the Goddesses symbol and the athame is the Gods. The magicks are plentiful for the life and light the day bring is grateful. The traditional colors are yellow and white. Herbs are lily, vervain, yarrow, and ivy.
Lammas - July 31st - August 1st
Lammas also known as Lughnasadh is a time to give thanks to the Gods and Goddesses for the things they have given us. It is a holiday where the summer comes to an end and is known as the first harvest. The plants drop to start the arrival of the new plants. It is celebrated through a feast with your Coven. Herbs that are symbolized are pears, grapes, all grains, and blackberries.
