The Wheel turns, and as it turns, we return.
Life, death, and rebirth — all are bound to the seasons.
— Pagan proverb
Imbolc | February 1-2
Associated with the Celtic goddess Brighid, Imbolc is a fire festival celebrating the kindling of new life in the fires of the Earth.
Rituals: spring cleansing, set the stage for new beginnings,
intention journaling
Colors: brown, lavender, light blue, pink, green, white, grey
Stones: selenite, amethyst, blue lace agate,
rose quartz, rhodonite, onyx, ametrine
Altar Items: acorns, brooms, Brighid's cross, candles, snowflakes, white flowers, corn dollies, green wreaths, sub totems, living plants
Traditions: make an Imbolc altar, spiritual cleansing, plan your garden, work with fire, start a new project, host an Imbolc feast
Ostara | March 20-23
A day of equal light and dark, Ostara is the vernal equinox. Celebrations of Ostara are centered on growth. The Earth is rich, fertile, and blushing with renewal.
Rituals: initiations, setting intentions, celebrations of new life, fertility magic, divination, play
Colors: pink, green, yellow, white, light blue, anything pastel in hue
Stones: rose quartz, green jade, selenite, rhodonite, sunstone, aventurine, moss agate, amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone
Altar Items: eggs (painted or not), flower bulbs, seeds, balance imagery (sun and moon, black and white candles, Empress/Emperor Tarot Cards, fresh flowers, living plants, green & white candles
A fire festival derived from the Celtic Bealtaine, meaning “bright fire”, celebrates the halfway point between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice. Beltane mirrors its counterpart on the Wheel of the Year, Samhain. The veil between worlds grows especially thin at this time of year.
Rituals: Warding off spirits, calling in good fortune. prosperity magic
Colors: blue, pink, red, green, gold, yellow
Stones: carnelian, rose quartz, citrine, moonstone, malachite, emerald
Altar Items: salt, fresh flowers, fertility symbols, fire symbols, candles, chalices, honey, oats, stone fruits, antlers & horns
Traditions: collect morning dew, make flower crowns, plant seeds, dance around a maypole, manifest with fire, host a Beltane feast
Beltane | Apr 30-May 1
Summer Solstice | June 20-22
Also known to Pagans as Litha, this festival of light, sun, and abundance celebrates the longest day of the year. On this day, we honor the sun’s peak energy, symbolizing growth, prosperity, and the flourishing of the natural world.
Rituals: protection magic, love spells, divination, manifestation
Colors: gold, orange, red, yellow, white, green, blue
Stones: sunstone, citrine, carnelian, pyrite, lapis lazuli, fluorite, amber, tiger's eye
Altar Items: solar symbols, The Sun Tarot card, fresh flowers
Traditions: host a Litha feast, watch the sunrise, make protection amulets, cleanse with water, make a sun-catcher, dance, build a fire, burn your Yule wreath
Lughnasadh | Aug 1
This Celtic fire festival celebrates the halfway point between the summer solstice and autumnal equinox. The first of three harvest festivals, this sabbat marks the beginning of harvest season and the sun's light begins to wane. Pronounced “LEW-nuh-saw”.
Rituals: appreciation/gratitude, harvest, sacrifice
Colors: yellow, gold, red, orange, brown, bronze
Stones: citrine, carnelian, amber, tourmaline, bloodstone, rutile/rutilated quartz
Altar Items: sickles, scythes, fresh fruits and veggies, berries, corn dollies, bread, flowers, wheat stocks, yellow candles, corn sheaves of grain
Traditions: harvest the first blessings from your garden, bake bread, craft, host a Lughnasadh feast.
Autumnal Equinox | Sept 20-23
Celebrates the autumnal equinox, a day of equal light and dark. This Solar festival is also known by the name Mabon, a Welsh god. It is the second of three harvest festivals, traditionally the point at which fruits and veggies are picked.
Rituals: balance, abundance, protection, harvest
Colors: red, brown, orange, gold, indigo
Stones: red jasper, garnet, obsidian, tourmaline, labradorite, moonstone, sapphire, lapis lazuli, amber, topaz, citrine, amethyst, ametrine
Altar Items: corn, autumn flowers & leaves, red poppies, nuts, grains, acorns, pinecones, corn or apple dolls, cornucopias
Samhain | Oct 31-Nov 1
Celebrates the halfway points between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. Occurs annually over October 31st into November 1st in the Northern Hemisphere. (Pronounced SOW-in.)
This sabbat plunges us into the dark season, with sunlight waning day by day. At this time, like Beltane, the veil between our world and the otherworld is believed to be the thinnest and spirits may traipse seamlessly into our realm for communion and mischief-making alike.
Rituals: fire magic, protection spells, dressing up to trick the spirits, divination, and veneration of the dead.
Colors: black, orange, red, brown, white, silver, gold
Foods: turnips, apples, squashes, nuts, meats, mulled wines, pumpkin dishes, stew, soul cakes
Altar Items: ancestor items, gourds, apples, besoms, Jack’O'lanterns, ethically sourced skulls or bones
Yule | Dec 20-22
Yule celebrates the winter solstice, the longest night of the year.
Yule gives space to utter stillness, quietude, and rest. During this time, the light of the sun is reborn. Days begin to get longer and signs of Spring are showing themselves more each day.
Rituals: Shadow work, cleansing, grounding, peace, hope, solar magic
Colors: red, green, white, gold
Stones: amber, emerald, bloodstone, red jasper, garnet, ruby, moonstone, diamond
Foods: Mulled wine and cider, gingerbread, roasted meat, apples, oranges, winter squash, root veggies, nuts, dried fruit, sun bread
Altar Items: Yule Log, evergreen garlands and wreaths, mistletoe ball, winter botanicals, wassail, red and green candles |