Names Yule, Jul, Julfest, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Midwinter, Solstituum, Mother’s Night, Alban Arthuan, Meán Geimredh Meaning in the annual cycle Longest night of the year, return of the sun, beginning of the cleaning period Symbols deer antler, fly agaric, horseshoe Colors red, green, gold, white, silver Stones Aventurin-Feldspar, Heliotrop Keywords rebirth, beginning of the light […]
Celtic wheel of the year
Samhain – Celtic New Year’s eve on October 31st
Names Samhain, All Saints, All hallows eve, Halloween, Samuin, Samain Meaning in the year circle Beginning of the annual cycle, beginning of the winter half-year Symbols apples, nuts Colours orange, black, white Stones onyx, rock crystal Keywords Death, dying, ancestors, hope for a new beginning Why do we celebrate Samhain? With Samhain the old year […]
Mabon – Celtic Autumn Equinox on 23rd September
Names Alban Elued, Wine Festival, Feast of Avalon, Autumn Sabbath, Autumn Equinox, Second Harvest Festival Meaning in the year circle Day and night of the same length, beginning of autumn Symbols bread, pumpkin, apples, grapes Colours brown, orange Stones Smoky Quartz, Opalite, Hessonite Keywords balance, beginning of the dark season, mental fertility Why are we […]
Lammas – Celtic harvest festival on 2nd of August
Names Lammas, Lughnasadh, grain festival, harvest festival, thanksgiving Meaning in the year circle Harvest time Symbols sickle, bread, wheat, grain dolls, carved dolls from corncobs Colours Golden, Orange Stones amber, fire opal, tiger’s eye Keywords harvest, supplies, gratitude, wealth Why are we celebrating Lammas? In the night of the 2nd of August (traditionally the 8th […]
Litha – Celtic summer solstice on 21st June
NamesMidsummar, Midsummer’s Eve, Summer Solstice, St. John’s Day (christian – 24.6.), Lilith, Alban Heruin, Alban Hefin, All Couples dayMeaning in the year circlelongest day in the year, high-time of the sun, beginning of the harvest timeSymbolsfire, sun, oak, honeyColoursSun colors, especially redStonesfluorit, agate, jadeKeywordsAbundance, fertility and balanceWhy are we celebrating Litha?Especially in northern Europe, the […]
Beltane – Celtic sommer beginn on 1st of May
NamesBeltane, Beltaine, Walpurgis Night, High Maien, Lady Day, CetsamhainMeaning in the annual cycleBeginn of sommer, Beginn of growth and maturationSymbolsFire, Flowers, Sun, Birch, Whitethorn, Symbols of SexualityColoursWhite, Red, bright coloursStonesHeliodore, Fire opal, red coralKeywordsFertility, union, sexuality, dance, courtship, wild time Why are we celebrating Beltane?Finally summer is here. After a long waiting and shivering, we can […]
Ostara – Celtic spring festival on 23rd of March
Names Ostarûn, Eostre, Eostra, Eostar, Eostrae, Estre, Eastre, Osteria, Ostar, Easter, Spring equinox Meaning in the annual cycle Beginn of spring, Beginn of growth Symbols Egg, Rabbit, Lady bird, Birch Colours All colours, but in pastel Stones Fluorite, Agate, Jade Keywords Growth, New beginning, Fertility, Prosperity The origin of Ostara The first written evidence of […]
Imbolc- Celtic Festival of Light on February 2nd
Names Imbolc / Bridig / Oilmelc / Festival of Candels Meaning in the annual cycle Beginning of the growing season Symbols Straw dolls, straw cross (Brigid’s cross), candle, milk Colours white, bright-yellow, bright-green, bright-pink ones Amethyst, Turquoise Keywords Awakening, Renewal, Cleaning, Making Plans Why do we celebrate Imbolc? The sun rises earlier and sets later, […]
Celtic wheel of the year
Shamanism was and is practiced worldwide. Its roots can be found in many traditions and peoples around the globe. I was born in Austria and therefore I feel connected to the traditions of Celtic shamanism. My family and I celebrate the festivals of the Celtic wheel of the year and also the indian festivals (My […]