Pagan Holiday Information
NOTE: Imbolc activities are listed first, followed by Lammas
If you live in the northern hemisphere you may be planning to celebrate the upcoming Imbolc sabbat. Imbolc is a Gaelic festival that is held about halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year when the cold weather begins to release its grip on the land and the warmer spring temperatures are just around the corner.
Continue reading Lore and Activities for Imbolc & LammasSeasons arrive at different times around the world and readers often ask what the proper time is to celebrate the event in their part of the world. Think of it this way … the old traditions and rituals were simply intended to help our ancestors stay in tune with nature’s cycles.
Continue reading Celebrating Pagan Holidays Around the WorldNote: Due to seasonal differences, these celebrations are reversed in the southern hemisphere and Beltane activities would be appropriate there. Visit our Sabbat Calendar page for more information on celebrating Beltane.
Sunset on Samhain (October 31) is the traditional beginning of the Celtic New Year. This is the time of year our ancestors gathered the last harvest and brought the animals in from the fields. Today, few of us need to worry about harvesting crops or tending to animals. However, we can still honor this special Pagan Holiday through a number of traditional activities.
Continue reading How Do Wiccans Celebrate Samhain?Note: Due to seasonal differences, these celebrations are reversed in the southern hemisphere and Samhain activities would be appropriate there. Please visit our Sabbat Calendar page for more information on celebrating Samhain.
April 30th | May 1st The May pole was a focal point of the old English village rituals. People would rise at the first light of dawn to go outdoors and gather flowers and branches to decorate their homes. Women traditionally would braid flowers into their hair. Men and women alike would decorate their bodies. Beltane marks the return of vitality, of passion.
Continue reading Beltane BlessingsMuffins, cakes and breads are some of the traditional foods of the Imbolc sabbat. I am making a muffin recipe from my Pagan Holiday book this year. Please feel free to share YOUR favorite sabbat recips with us too. 🙂
Maiden Wakes Muffins
2 cups flour
2 Carrots, grated
1/2 cup raisins
1 green apple, peeled, cored, grated
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup almonds, sliced
2 tsp. baking soda
3 eggs
2 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. salt
2tsp.vanilla
Soak raisins in hot water, in a covered bowl, for 30 minutes. Drain thoroughly. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large non-metal bowl, mix flour, soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in carrots, raisins, apple, and almonds. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, oil, and vanilla until well blended. Stir the egg mixture in to the flour mixture until just wet. Grease muffin pan with a little butter or use cupcake cups. Divide the batter into the cups and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. This recipe makes 8 servings. Enjoy!