imbolc

• 1st february
• it's the time when the first flowers are seen and the first spring lambs are born. it is the time when the days are noticeably starting to lengthen and there is promise of spring to come.

ostara

• 21st march
• it's the time when day and night are of equal length, but the days are growing stronger. spring is now in full flow and the wildflowers are in bloom. hope for the summer to come.

beltane

• 1st may
• it's the traditional mayday celebration of fertility and fecundity, optimally including dancing around a maypole.

litha

• 21st june
• it's the time when the sun reaches its peak, the longest day and shortest night of the year. to be celebrated but with the understanding that from now on the days are shortening towards winter again. enjoy, but be prepared for darker times.

lughnasadh

• 31st july
• it's the celebration of the first harvest, the grain harvest. john barleycorn is cut down and winnowed, only to be replanted to grow again later.

mabon

• 21st september
• it's the second harvest, the apple harvest. it's the time when the days and nights are of equal length but with darkness taking precedence. preparations for winter need to be in place.

samhain

• 31st october
• it's the time when the veil between the worlds is thin and we can communicate with the dead. historically this was a feast around the culling of the flocks with only the breeding animals kept overwinter, the remainder being salted for meat to keep the folk fed during the winter months.

yule

• 21st december
• it celebrates the shortest day/longest night. recognition that the sun will be "reborn" this day and will grow in strength from now on. the actual date is astronomically determined.