2006-12-02 05:27:00 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
my cousin, who is a wiccan, celebrates every american holiday... well the christian ones anyway. He was raised as a Baptist, became an Athiest, then seeked out religion and found Wicca. He loves the holidays and loves to spend it with his kids... who are being raised Christian/Pagan/Wiccan... A little strange, huh? lol.
2006-12-02 05:29:29 · answer #1 · answered by kellieghr 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The Winter Solstice or Yule usually occurs on or about December 21st. It is the longest night of the year and heralds the rebirth of the sUn, as the days will begin to lengthen from that point on. It also marks the beginning of the light half of the year which lasts until Summer Solstice. It is one of 8 sacred days or Sabbats that Wiccans/pagans and Witches celebrate. A decorated tree, gifts, stockings, red and green and gold, feasting, singing and many more of the traditions associated with christmas are actually pagan in origin so you will find Wiccans/pagans/Witches doing these same things. Most will hold a ritual of some sort on Yule eve, burn a Yule log, feast and make merry. Many hold all night vigils to await the re-birth of the sUn. It is a grand a beautiful holiday to be sure. No wonder the christians wanted in on it!
2006-12-02 13:35:07 · answer #2 · answered by Bomb Diggity 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Despite competition from twentieth century "life in the fast lane", the awesome spectacle repeated in the pattern of the changing seasons still touches our lives. In the ages when people worked more closely with nature just to survive, the numinous power of this pattern had supreme recognition. Rituals and festivals evolved to channel these transformations for the good of the community toward a good sowing and harvest and bountiful herds and hunting.
To learn more go tohttp://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/1614/Celtwicc/Wicca/Wicca04.htm
One result of this process is our image of the "Wheel of the Year" with its eight spokes -- the four major agricultural and pastoral festivals and the four minor solar festivals of the solstices and equinoxes. In common with many ancient people, many Witches consider the day as beginning at sundown and ending at sundown the following day. So, for example, Samhain starts at dusk on the 31st, ending the evening of the 1st.
December 21 -- Winter Solstice -- Yule
The sun is at its nadir, the year's longest night. We internalize and synthesize the outward-directed activities of the previous summer months. Some covens hold a Festival of Light to commemorate the Goddess as Mother giving birth to the Sun God. Others celebrate the victory of the Lord of Light over the Lord of Darkness as the turning point from which the days will lengthen. The name "Yule" derives from the Norse word for "wheel", and many of our customs (like those of the Christian holiday) derive from Norse and Celtic Pagan practices (the Yule log, the tree, the custom of Wassailing, et al).
January 31 -- February Eve -- Imbolc (Oimelc) or Brigid
As the days' lengthening becomes perceptible, many candles are lit to hasten the warming of the earth and emphasize the reviving of life. "Imbolc" is from Old Irish, and may mean "in the belly", and Oimelc, "ewe's milk", as this is the lambing time. It is the holiday of the Celtic Fire Goddess Brigid, whose threefold nature rules smithcraft, poetry/inspiration, and healing. Brigid's fire is a symbolic transformation offering healing, visions, and tempering. Februum is a Latin word meaning purification -- naming the month of cleansing. The thaw releases waters (Brigid is also a goddess of holy wells) -- all that was hindered is let flow at this season
2006-12-02 13:35:30 · answer #3 · answered by nana_viki 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Who wouldn't want to ride the gift train of Christmas, you don't have to be christen to enjoy or partake in western culture.
But funny you ask this question, cause Christmas belonged to the pagans and Wiccans long before your ancestors were beat into christen doctrine. Just like Halloween, Easter (the bunny and eggs are a dead give away!) and Christmas they are a change of seasons rituals hijacked by modern organized religion.
2006-12-02 13:34:50 · answer #4 · answered by Kelly L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For them, Sahmain begins on October 31st
Beltane is on May 1st
Imbolc is on Feb. 1st or 2nd
Lammas is on August 1st
They also celebrate the winter and summer solstices and the spring and autumn equinoxes.
Sahmain marks the end of the harvest. Beltane is the first day of summer. Imbolc is celebration of spring. Lammas is the celebration of the harvest.
2006-12-02 13:41:22 · answer #5 · answered by Brandon A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wiccans celebrate eight main holidays (or Sabbats): four cross-quarter days called Samhain, Beltane (or Beltaine), Imbolc (also called Imbolg, Oimelc, or Candlemas) and Lammas (or Lughnasadh), as well as the solstices, Litha and Yule, and equinoxes, Ostara (or Eostar or Eostre) and Mabon (see Wheel of the Year). They also hold Esbats, which are rituals held at the full and new moon.
2006-12-02 13:31:07 · answer #6 · answered by googleh20 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The same things they always have before Christianity warped them and turned them into Christmas, Halloween and Easter. The major Wiccan holidays center around the Solstices for each season, with minor celebrations for new & full moons and other important dates.
2006-12-02 13:30:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
Yule, on December 21st. Also known as the Winter Solstice.
2006-12-02 13:30:14 · answer #8 · answered by Rachel the Atheist 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The winter holiday in Wicca is Yule, which is December 21st.
2006-12-02 13:29:11 · answer #9 · answered by vlalto 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yule. or Winter Solstice. The Birth of the Son God.
2006-12-02 13:29:09 · answer #10 · answered by apple 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋