The Wheel of the Year

Samhain - 31st October (pronounced Sow-in):
The Wheel of the Year is seen to begin at Samhain, which is also known as Hallowe'en or All Hallows Eve. This is the Celtic New Year, when the veil between the worlds of life and death stands open. We cast away aspects of ourselves which we do not wish to carry forward into the New year. Samhain is also a festival of the dead, when Druids remember the ancestors As Druids we celebrate death as a part of life.

Alban Arthan - 21st December
This is a festival of lights—the time of the winter solstice, when the sun child is reborn, an image of the return of all new life as the days begin to lengthen again.

Imbolc - 2nd February:
Also called La Fheille Brighde, this festival is feminine and celebrates the awakening of the land and the growing power of the Sun. Brighid is venerated in her aspect as the Virgin of spring and her altar is decked with snowdrops- the heralds of spring, and nineteen white candles standing in clear water

Alban Eiler - 21st March:
Now night and day stand equal. The Sun grows in power and the land begins to bloom. By Spring Equinox, the powers of the gathering year are equal to the darkness of winter and death. The young manhood of the year has come and it is time to call Cernunnos, the Green man back to the forest..

Beltane - 1 May:
The powers of light and new life now dance and move through all creation. The Wheel continues to turn. Spring gives way to Summer's first full bloom and Druids celebrate Beltane with ritual symbolizing the mystery of the Sacred Marriage of Goddess and God.

Alban Hefin - 21st June:
At summer solstice is the festival of Midsummer, The Sun is at the height of his power and the Oak King is crowned Lord of Light. It is a time of plenty and celebration.

Lughnasadh - 1st August (pronounced Loo-nassa):
Lughnasadh, otherwise called Lammas, is the time of the corn harvest, when we reap those things we have sown; when we celebrate the first fruits of the mystery of Nature and retell the story of Lugh, whose festival this is.

Alban Elfed - 21 September:
Day and night stand hand in hand as equals. As the shadows lengthen, we give thanks for a harvest safely gathered in, sing songs, tell stories and honour old age and our ancestors of body and spirit.