The shortest day of the year. The Goddess gives birth to her Son, the God. Since the God is symbolized by the Sun, this marks the point of the year when the God is reborn as well. Thus, Pagans light fires or candles to welcome the Sun's returning light. The Goddess, slumbering through the Winter of Her labour, rests after the delivery. We celebrate the return journey of the Sun, and the life it will bring. Yule is seen as a reminder that death is followed by rebirth.

         Colors: Red, White, Green, Gold

         Incense :  Bayberry, Frankincense, Sage, Rosemary, Chamomile

IMBOLC / Candlemas, Imbollgc Brigantia (Caledonii), Lupercus (Stregheria)

(Northern Hemisphere - February 2  /  Southern Hempisphere - August 1) .

The Goddess recovers from giving birth to the God. The lengthening periods of light awaken her. The God's strength is increasing and He is now a young, lusty boy. The warmth of the Sun fertilizes the earth (the Goddess), causes seeds to germinate and sprout. And so Imbolc celebrates the earliest stirrings of Spring. This is a traditional time for Pagan initiations and dedications.

Imbolc is a time of purification, creativity, and inspiration, a welcoming of change from the old to the new.

        Colors : Pink, white, yellow,  

        Incense : Basil, bay, benzoin, celandine

SPRING EQUINOX/OSTARA / EOSTAR - Vernal (Spring) Equinox, Alban Eiler (Caledonii), Premeira or  Equinozio della Primavera:

(Northern Hemisphere - March 21 / Southern Hemisphere - September 21 )

Marks the first day of true Spring. The hours of day and night are equal. The Goddess fully regains her strength and and envelops the earth with fertility. Light is overtaking darkness, and the young God is now maturing. The slowness of Winter is taken over by the fruitful bustle of Spring.

Ostara is a time for beginnings, action, and planting opportunities for the future. 

       Colors : Yellow, Grass Green, Pinks, Pastels

       Incense : celadine, cinquefoil, jasmine, rose. violet

BELTANE / BELTAINE, Bealtinne (Caledonii), Festival of Tana / La Giornata di Diana /  Calandmaggio (Strega), Walburga (Teutonic), Samhradh and La Baal Tinne (Faery Wicca):

 (Northern Hemisphere - May 1 

 Southern Hemisphere - October 31)

Marks the emergence of the young God into manhood. Nature flourishes and He is stirred by the abundance of energy. The God desires the Goddess. They fall in love and unite. The Goddess becomes pregnant, which ensures new life after the harvest. The Land represented by the Goddess is now ripe and fertile.

Beltane celebrates vitality, passion, love, and desires consummated      

       Colors : red, white, green,  dark yellow

       Incense : almond, ash, marigold, woodruff

SUMMER SOLSTICE/MIDSUMMER, Litha, Alban Hefin (Caledonii), La Festa dell'Estate/Solstizie d'Estate (Stregheria)

(Northern Hemisphere - June 21 

  Southern Hemisphere - December 22 )

The longest day of the year. The God is at the peak of his power, as is all of nature's bounty. The Earth is awash in the fertility of the Goddess and God. It is the high time of the Sun and is marked with festivals of fire. In the past, bonfires were leapt to encourage fertility, purification, health and love.      

Litha is a classic time for magic of all kinds.

           Colors : Gold, green, tan, blue, yellow

           Incense : Elder flower, lavender, mugwort, thyme, vervain

LAMMAS/ Lughnassadh (pronounced Loo-NAHS-ah) (Celtic), Cornucopia (Strega), Thingtide (Teutonic):

(Northern Hemisphere - August 1 

 Southern Hemisphere - February 2)

Lammas is the time to teach what you have learned, to share w/ others

           Colors : Reds, green, orange, gold, yellow

           Incense : heather, frankincense

AUTUMN EQUINOX/MABON (Celtic), Winter Finding (Teutonic), Alban Elfed (Caledonii), Equinozio di Autunno (Stregheria):

(Northern Hemisphere - September 21 / March 21)  Once again day and night are equal. The God prepares to take His journey into the unseen, towards death. This is the completion of the harvest begun at Lammas, when the fields are cleared of their bounty. Nature draws back, readying for winter and its time of rest. The Goddess nods in the weakening Sun, though fire burns within Her womb. She feels the presence of the God even as He wanes.The Goddess mourns her fallen consort, but the emphasis is on the message of rebirth that can be found in the harvest seeds.

Mabon is a time of thanksgiving and preparations

             Colors : Violet, Maroon, Deep Gold, Brown

             Incense : Marigold, Myrrh, Sage

SAMHAIN(pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) Shadowfest / Calenda / Ognassanti / Terzina(Stregheria), Martinmas (Celtic/Scottish):

(Northern Hemisphere - October 31 / Southern Hemisphere - May 1 ) The Final Harvest of the year. Marks the Pagan New Year. In the past, this was the time when animals were slaughtered to ensure food for the through the depths of Winter. Identified with the animals, the God falls as well to ensure continuing existence. The veil between the worlds of life and death is said to be thin on this night. Samhain is a time of reflection, looking back over the last year, coming to terms with death, and honoring ancestors.The Earth says farewell to the God. We know that He will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will continue.

Samhain is the time for reflection and rememberance and of course divination

       Colors : Brown, Orange, Violet, Purple, Maroon, Gold

       Incense : Heather, Patchouli, Sage

Parts of this text were adapted from the wonderful book by Scott Cunningham - " Wicca a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner