The holidays represent the progression of the Goddess from Madien, to Mother to Crone, and the death and rebirth of the God (a concept found in may different religions). At Imbloc, the Goddess is The Madien, young and radient. Lughnassadh is the time when the God impregnates the Goddess, Mabon is when the God prepares to Leave the Goddess, and the Goddess prepares to rest. The God leaves by Samhain (or "dies", depending on which story you read) and the Goddess mourns. By This time the Goddess is Mother, and Crone at the same time. On Yule, The God is reborn to the Goddess and the cycle begins anew.
SAMHAIN (October 31)
This is the begining of the Celtic New Year. It is the time of year when the veil between worlds is thinist and was considered a time for diviniation. It is a time of settling throwing out old ideas and settling problems. It is a time to remember the dead and to celebrate the continuation of life.
WINTER SOLSTICE (December 21)
This is the longest night of the year. This is the time of death and renewal of the God. Winter Solstice is the light festival.
IMBOLIC (Febuary 1)
A time of cleansing, and the festival of The Maiden aspect of the Goddess and preparation for growth and renewal.
SPRING EQUINOX (March 21)
The time when night and day are equal. Light and dark are balanced, with light growing stronger day by day.
BELTANE (May 1) This is the most well known of the Wiccian holidays. Beltane is a fertility festival. A festival of life and a celebration after winter.
SUMMER SOLSTICE (June 21)
The time when day is the longest. Herbs are gathered at this time and it is believed that elves and faeries are the strongest at this point, and abound in great numbers.
LUGHNASSADH (August 1)
The preharvest festival. It is the turning point in Mother Earths' year, and a celebration in honor of the God's wedding to the Goddess.
AUTUMN EQUINOX (September 21)
Rest after Labor, and night and day are again equal. Preparations are made of the return of winter, and the cycle begins again.
I will be adding better descriptions of the holidays, and some stories soon. :)
The holidays aren't the only times for rituals and celebrations. Rituals often happen every month on or just after the full moon.
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