Imbolc -Imbolc is a cross-quarter day celebrated by many NeoPagans and Wiccans on the fixed date of February 2, or on a changable date; the exact midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox (February 3, 2019) or when the sun reaches 15 degrees in Aquarius.
Litha -Litha (Pronounched LITH-ah) is a Summer Solstice celebration celebrated by many Wiccans and adherents to various branches of Anglo-Saxon Paganism and Heathenry. The name, Litha, stems from the Anglo-Saxon name for "midsummer", Līþa according to the Venerable Bede's work De temporum ratione.
Lughnassadh -Pronounced: LOO neh sah
Lupercalia -Lupercalia was an ancient Roman fertility festival celebrated on February 15 in honor of Faunus. Priests called Luperci walked through the streets with strips of goatskin with which they struck festival goers in order to purify them and ensure their fertility.
Mabon -Mabon is a Wiccan harvest festival that takes place at the time of the autumnal equinox when the sun enters Libra. Mabon celebrates the balance of opposing forces, light/dark, life/death, etc. with the understanding that after this moment of balance, darkness and death will reign for a time, until Ostara or the spring equinox. It is also a time of Thanksgiving when Wiccans gather in their symbolic (and sometimes literal) harvest, give thanks for help from Gods, ancestors and living helpers and give themselves a celebratory pat on the back as well.
Matronalia -Matronalia was celebrated on March 1st in ancient Rome in honor of Juno Lucina with lambs and cattle.
May Day -May Day is a secular public holiday celebrated in Europe on the first of May that has roots in ancient Pagan holidays including Beltane and Floralia. Celebrations often include may pole dancing, bonfires, parades and the crowning of the May Queen.
Megalesia -The Megalesia or Megalenses Ludi is an ancient Roman festival in honor of the Magna Mater (great mother) Cybele that lasted for six days, beginning on April 4th. It celebrated the bringing of Cybele's sacred relic from Pessinus to Rome and the dedication of Her temple by Marcus Junium Brutus in 203 BC. The statue was brought to Rome during the Punic Wars because the Sibylline Books predicted that the Phrygian Goddess would help them defeat Hannibal.
Midsummer -Date- The Summer Solstice, June 20-22 or the fixed date of June 21.
Midwinter -Midwinter Day is a modern Pagan holiday that takes place at the time of the Winter Solstice. Some modern Pagans use the term Midwinter as a general term for the holiday, encompassing traditional celebrations from a variety of mostly European cultures either to identify their own eclectic celebrations or to encompass the many types of celebrations found among their fellows, or both. Some, particularly reconstructionists, have more specific names for their Midwinter festivities. Some secularists have also adopted the name Midwinter in order to remove religious context from winter festivities.
Modraniht -Celebrated on December 24 or the day of the Winter Solstice
Noumenia -Noumenia is the first day of a lunar month, and a sabbath or feast day in ancient Greek, still celebrated by modern Hellenic Polytheists on the day of the new moon.
Opiconsivia -Opiconsivia or Opeconsiva is an ancient Roman harvest festival that was celebrated on August 25th in honor of the Goddess Ops or Opis, the Goddess of plenty. The word "consivia" comes from the Latin word conserere, to sow. The Vestal Virgins and Flamines of Quirinus oversaw the festivities which involved a chariot race. Draft animals were crowned with flowers and allowed to take part in the festivities.
Ostara -The festival of Ostara is a Pagan holiday that takes place at the time of the Spring Equinox and is celebrated by Wiccans and those who follow Germanic-based traditions. It is part of the Wheel of the Year.
Pax -The festival in honor of Pax, the Roman Goddess of Peace, was held on January 3rd. Images of Roman leaders may have been placed at her feet on this day.
Poplifugia -Poplifugia or Populifugia was a Roman festival celebrated on July 5th. Translated from Latin, the name of the festival is: "the day of the people's flight".
Quinquatrus -Quinquatrus is an ancient Roman festival in honor of the Goddess Minerva that began on March 19th and continued for five days. The first, most important day, was the consecration of Minerva's temple and subsequent days consisted of gladiatorial contests, plays, orators, poets, and the consultation of fortune tellers by women.
Saint Lucia's Day -Saint Lucia's Day, or Saint Lucy's day is a Winter Solstice festival held December 13th in honor of Saint Lucia, a martyr who survived her sentence of death by fire, though she later fell to the sword. Saint Lucia is the patron saint of vision and those who are blind and she is a popular saint among fortune tellers and seers.
How can we improve this section?
