⛤⃝ Pagan holidays and what they are! :)
Hey there everybody! I’ve decided that I’ll make a post explaining pagan holidays and what they are!
Yule(The Winter soulstice)
-> Yule is basically the origins of what we now know as Christmas; the holiday that—like many other pagan holidays—got christianized and essentially rebranded. But regardless, it still stands in the hearts of us pagans and can be celebrated by making a Yule log and burning it, making a Yule alter, planting things, meditation, and much more! This holiday is celebrated over 12 days from December 21st to January 1st, each with their own unique traditions and what they all mean to represent and/or celebrate.
Luahnasadh
-> Celebrated on August 1st, Us Pagans celebrate this holiday by collecting wheat for bread, baking bread, play games that focus on knowledge, listen to music, light fires, and share stories!
Imbolc
-> Celebrated on the 1st to 3rd of February, us Pagans celebrate Imbolc as a way to welcome the first signs of spring, and Goddess Bridget. A way to celebrate is to do a house cleanse, which is basically just deep cleaning your house.
Lupercalia
-> Celebrated on February 13-15th, Lupercalia is essentially the OG valentines day if that makes any sense, as valentines day itself has pagan origins in his holiday. It is a pagan festival to celebrate the Roman fertility god, Lupercus, and the she-wolf who nursed the founders of Rome. This was also a celebration of spring and purification! In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced the pagan festival with a Christian one dedicated to Saint Valentine, aiming to end the pagan rituals; with the romantic associations coming later.
Ostara(The Spring Equinox)
-> Celebrated on March 20th, Ostara is celebrated by celebrating the return of the Sun and with it, the awakening of the world form hibernation. Ways to celebrate include: decorating your home/alter with symbols of spring, dye eggs, cooking or baking, and leaving an offering for Eostre; the goddess of Spring/rebirth. You can also celebrate by preparing your garden.
Beltane
-> Celebrated on May 1st, Beltane is the celebration of spring and the upcoming summer; which is celebrated by massive bonfires and maypoles. It is the Pagan festival of life, sensuality, and abundance.
Litha(The summer soulstice)
-> Celebrated on June 21st, us pagans celebrate Litha by honoring the sun, life, nature, love, joy, and laughter; having a bonfire, lighting a candle, and decorating your space with orange and yellow flowers and Crystals, and of course, simmer pots!
Mabon(The Autumn Equinox)
-> Celebrated on September 23rd, Mabon can be celebrated by cooking with fall crops, spell work, eating something with pomagranites in it to honor Persephone, Journal about your achievements this year, begin to winterize your home, leave an offering for local wild life, make a roast or big pot of stew, redo protection spells in your home, and healing ritual baths.
Samhain(Halloween/halos Eve)
-> This holiday is the origin of what we now know as Halloween, and Is celebrated by pumpkin carving to ward off negative spirits, costumes to disguise yourself from the spirits, leaving the spirits offerings, and appreciating nature.
Alright! That’s all folks! If there’s anything I missed, please let me know and I’ll update this! Other than that, I hope you enjoyed this and found this helpful!
