Pagan Festivals

Ancient Roman Festival of Parentalia This was an 8 day private festival in remembrance of deceased members of the family. During this time all the temples remained closed and no one was allowed to marry...

This article is about the December solstice and how it has been celebrated around the world through the ages. In the northern Hemisphere this is the Winter Solstice and in the Southern Hemisphere it is t...

1st & 2nd February is Imbolc one of four great Celic Pagan festivals. It marks the beginning of Spring and the start of the lambing season.  (Although Dorset lambs start lambing before Chri...

Lammas also known as Lughnasadh is a pagan celebration marking the beginning of the harvest season. It’s held midway between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. Its name derives from the Cel...

21st June is the longest day in the northern hemisphere and since ancient times, been marked in some way. The exact time of the soltice itself, ie ie the moment the earth is at its furthest tilt can...

24th June is Midsummers Day.  I have often wondered why Midsummers Day celebrations are not at the same time as the Equinox.  Afterall the Equinox celebrates the sun being at its most northern ...

The Spring Equinox (Northern Hemisphere, Autumnal Equinox (Mabon) in the Southern Hemisphere) occurs at 09:27 UTC (GMT). The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts ...

Halloween, 31 October traditionally marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of the Celtic and Pagan New Year Known as Samhain which in Irish-Gaelic means 'the Summer's end', and is pronounced 'sow...

1st November starts the first month of the Celtic Year, called Samonios - 'Seed Fall’. Again this mirrors the death/rebirth cycle of Osiris (Asar). It is thought that two Roman festivals became inco...

The solstice itself has been a special day of the year's annual cycle since neolithic times. It is the shortest day of the year with just 7 hours and 49 minutes daylight. The solstice itself is the momen...