How many PAGAN holidays does America recognize?

Answer 1

America doesn't officially recognise ANY PAGAN holidays....but then you knew that didn't you....just wanted to make a point huh?
Good for you.....Blessed Be.....

Answer 2

none are recognized on the calenders and there is a petition by some going around trying to get that changed. I dont personally care if it goes on or not because I dont need it printed on a calender to tell me when it is. I just use an ink pen lol. Here are some pagan holidays:
Samhain, pronounced sow-en and called Halloween today, is the ending of the Celtic year. The Celtic new year actually begins at sunset on October 31. This ritual is known as Ancestor Night or Feast of the Dead. Because the veil between the worlds is thinnest on this night, it was and is considered an excellent time for divinations. Feasts are made in remembrance of dead ancestors and as an affirmation of continuing life. A time for settling problems, throwing out old ideas and influences. This is either celebrated October 31, or the first Full Moon in Scorpio.
Winter Solstice or Yule, occurs about December 21. This is the time of death and rebirth of the Sun God. The days are shortest, the Sun at its lowest point. The Full Moon after Yule is considered the most powerful of the whole year. This ritual is a light festival, with as many candles as possible on or near the altar in welcome of the Sun Child.
Imbolc, February 1st or the first Full Moon in Aquarius, is a time of cleansing and newborn lambs. The name, Imbolc, comes from the word 'oimelc' or sheep's milk. It is a festival of the Maiden in preparation for growing and renewal.
Spring Equinox or Ostara, around March 21, is when light and darkness are in balance but the light is growing stronger. Ostara was not originally a part of the Celtic year, and all of its associations were given to Beltaine until recent times. Because it was named for the Teutonic Goddess of Spring and New Life, Eostre, it is assumed that it was brought to prominence in the Celtic world by the Saxons.
Beltaine, is May 1, or the first Full Moon in Taurus. Other names for it are May Day or Lady Day. It is primarily a fertility festival with nature enchantments and offerings to wildlings and Elementals. The powers of elves and faeries are growing and will reach their height at Summer Solstice. A time of great magic, it is good for all divinations and for establishing a woodland or garden shrine. The house guardians should be honored at this time.
Summer Solstice or Litha, about June 21, is when the hours of daylight are longest. The Sun is at the highest before beginning its slide into darkness. Traditionally, herbs gathered on this day are said to be extrememly powerful. On this night elves and fairies abound in great numbers.
Lughnassadh is August 1 or the first Full Moon in Leo. This is a preharvest festival, the turning point in Mother Earth's year. The last herbs are gathered. It is a celebration in honor of the god Lugh's wedding to Mother Earth.
Autumn Equinox or Mabon, about September 21, was a time of rest after labor, completion of the harvest. Again the hours of day and night are in balance, with the darkness increasing. All preparations for the dark of the year and the year's ending were made, thus bringing us back to Samhain.

Answer 3

There's Groundhog Day (Imbolc), Samhain (Halloween) and Yule (Christmas) for sure. Most people are at least aware of the Spring Equinox (Ostara), Summer Solstice (Litha) and the Fall Equinox (Mabon). Then there's May Day (Beltane). The only one which doesn't have an American pop-culture equivalent is Lammas. And that doesn't include the ancient regional celebrations which were turned into equivalent Saint days

Answer 4

In what way? Do you mean which holidays do we get off work? None, we have to request them, but there are several recognized holidays. The equinoxes and solstices are generally observed as "first day of whatever season". Yule is the winter solstice, it's actually usually about 3-5 days before Christmas, so we just miss getting that one off. Ostara is the spring Equinox and we miss getting that one off by a couple weeks when folks get Easter off. Autumn equinox is almost two whole months before people get time off for Thanksgiving. Alot of us will just celebrate those days on the days everyone else gets off. Most folks don't like Thanksgiving on principal though, much like St. Patrick's day. I mean, you're celebrating conquering indigenous people.

Halloween is, of course, recognized, but we don't get it off. Imbolc has been reduced to the foolishness which is groundhog day, but I usually end up fasting for it around the same time as the Catholics are fasting for whatever they fast for, but they get to eat alot more than me! Lughnassadh isn't, but at least the kids are out of school, and Beltane isn't. Halloween and Beltane are, arguably the most important. Lupercalia, is celebrated around the same time as Mardi Gras and much the same way, so that works out.

Answer 5

I think that all of American holidays have some sort of pagan symbolism in them somewhere. Some traditions never die, they just get mixed in with the newer ones.

Answer 6

Well if you count the fact two of the main christain ones, 90% of the traditions come frm the pagan holiday........

Answer 7

i think summer and winter solstice. well, most people know about it. and autumn and spring equinox. but i think that's about it. america is kind of lame