It starts about this time every year; a deluge of television commercials, newspaper advertisements and sale flyers enticing everyone to get up at 4 am on a Friday morning or maybe even rush away from the family table at 6 pm Thursday evening, to fight their way through ill tempered crowds for the “deal of all deals!”  Along with the chorus of jingles comes the sorrowful lamenting of how a religious season has turned to a billion dollar juggernaut. Nonetheless, more than one Christian, who will later be absent from midnight service on Christmas Eve, WILL be camped on the doorstep of Wal-Mart, Target, Macy’s, and even Home Depot for their chance at the unpassable deals.

Although Christmas is often the make-or-break season for many retailers, in all fairness, it’s not the only holiday, religious or secular, that has succumb to the power of the dollar. I was going to actually research how much money is spent on chocolate for Valentine’s Day and flowers for Mother’s Day, but in the end, the numbers really don’t matter; once the decimal place moves that far aft, the reality is that the numbers are just theoretical in a discussion like this anyway. We, as individuals and families, have no concept of millions and billions of dollars when the difference between our incomes and ever increasing outgoes are counted in potentially single digit numbers. The only thing that we do understand is that the card you bought your child’s teacher for Teacher’s Day was yet another entry in a pocket book with an ever diminishing net worth.

The problem is, as much as we gripe, complain, protest, and grandstand we live in a world where such things have become the norm. It’s truly noble to orate before the bathroom mirror on the evils of the commercial establishment, but who really wants to be the one to not send flowers to their mother on the day we’ve all been told to do so. Many couples give well meaning contemplation to not buying each other gifts on Valentine’s Day because, “why should we stoop to the level of degrading our love by equating it to a dollar sign.” On the day, however, it’s hard not to feel at least a little jealous of the ones with the big smiles who DID get flowers.

Unfortunately it’s the regrettable direction our society has gone. There are probably few people out there who don’t despise the loss of true meaning in many of our holidays, and yet we feel powerless to do anything about it. Regardless of religious beliefs or spiritual practice, our innate desire to bring happiness to others has been corrupted with the idea that such happiness has a price tag on it. How many mainstream Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, pagans, and even atheists will buy presents this Christmas season because they can’t bear the thought of seeing a child feel left out when all their friends are receiving presents? Thusly we perpetuate a “natural” rhythm of life and a devotional calendar that starts with Black Friday, goes to Cyber Wednesday, progresses through gift card and returns sales, spring clearance events, summer extravaganzas, back to school sales, and right back to the stock up for Black Friday.

If you are one of the many who feel lost for substance and meaning at this time of year, then there may be a solution. Add a pagan festival to your calendar!

By doing so you will find yourself connecting with a greater meaning, finding your way back to natural cycles and rhythms of life, celebrating the joys of being close with those you hold dear, and releasing the shackles of religions of the church, as well as religions of the dollar. You may also help inspire, teach, and build a collective energy that one day takes back the deepest meanings of celebration. Finally, I can pretty much guarantee that you will never see a sale for Yule or Litha. Hallmark doesn’t make a card for Beltane, and if you call Shari’s Berries and ask for their Ostara special you’ll get a lot of silence on the other end of the line. You may need to pick up a few quality ingredients for your favorite festival recipe for food or drink, but a simple walk outdoors, in connection with the Goddess, will provide everything else you need.

There are some of you reading this that are still trying to figure out why I’m advocating such a thing when in your minds there doesn’t seem to be a question. You are the people who have the lunar cycles on your calendar and a few special bottles of wine ready for Mabon. I commend you for observing the old ways, and wish you all the best in your spiritual journey. It’s important to note, however, that you are sadly in the minority and many out there are in need of a guiding light to show them the way. There might be another group of you who feel that you can’t observe a pagan holiday because you don’t see yourself as pagan. For those people I would ask you to meditate on your Irishness, or lack thereof, and the number of St. Patrick’s Day parties you’ve been to, or your Mexicaness, or lack thereof, and the number of Cinco de Mayo margaritas you’ve drunk over the years. Alas, it is my deep hope, that some of you reading this will have a stirring within yourself; a flicker of hope as you contemplate the potential for healing from the spiritual trauma of consumerism attached to society’s perceived important cultural days. It is to you folks, and the genetically Irish and Mexican challenged persons from my previous example, that I offer a few brief insights into several pagan festivals to help recharge your body, mind, and spirit.

The typical pagan year was divided into eight festivals that occur with the natural changing of the year. Four of those festivals dealt with the seasonal shifts; paying homage to the longest and shortest days as well as those days in equilibrium. The other four festivals had to do with the natural rhythms that closely affected those who were acutely aware of the cycles of life. These festivals honored the time of first seed, harvest, and the rejuvenating fallowness of the earth.

In many cases we have historical data to compliment our understanding of ancient rituals performed during these times. In other cases we have hints of the festivals our ancestors would have adhered to, but little written record. The interesting thing, however, is that, as you start to honor the natural turning of the year, you will find that you don’t need a written justification for these holidays, you just need to be present to the energy of the season and you will understand why they are so powerful. You feel a rebirth of the soul as the first buds of spring start to show. You feel a hot, and passionate energy as the days lengthen and life in nature matures. Sadly, some of our images of other seasons are marred by religious connotation and even taboos surrounding darkness and even death. It takes time, but one can even transcend such emotional baggage and see that the days of winter bring with them clearing and the new possibility for life. Without our understanding of death, there can be no rebirth.

In our modern neo-pagan culture, we’ve started to associate these festivals with our modern calendar. There is, of course, astrological events that mark things like the equinoxes and solstices, but the other festivals have been given more arbitrary dates in which to reflect on them. Some of this is out of our contemporary need for convenience, but much of it is because the vast majority of us don’t live agrarian lives anymore. In fact, by honoring the festivals one can attune with nature in principle, if not in practice in the fields and forests of our ancestors. It’s important to remember, though, that these dates are, nonetheless, still rather arbitrary. Regardless if you live in the city or in the country, one must acknowledge the natural cycles of life that connect with YOU. Those living in northern climates might celebrate the “spring” festivals, with their first blooms, much later than those in the southern climates. The festivals may also not be as balanced as the wheel we’ve come to know, since the planting festivals and harvest festivals might come closer together for those with shorter growing seasons than would be true for those with warmer climates and longer fertile periods.

Along with the eight major festivals of the year, many honor the lunar cycles as well. For centuries people have understood the moon’s power over not only physical processes like the tides, but emotional associations as well. For women, the lunar cycles can be very powerful in that the 13 moons of the lunar calendar align with the natural feminine cycles. Whereas the traditional festivals are times to connect with nature and the earth, the phases of the moon offer us a connection with psychic and intuitive energies.

Lastly, I encourage everyone to add in celebrations of more personal nature as well. Birthdays are celebrated with the usual presents, cards, gifts, and tokens honoring the loved one’s nascence; nevertheless, in our culture it is rare to celebrate other rites of passage and milestones. Take time to think about changes in life and honor them with your own family traditions. Coming of age rituals are still somewhat practiced by some groups. The more traditional families of Latin descent still honor things like Quinceañera , while other groups in our modern world celebrate the more anglicized “sweet 16”. These practices, however, have often fallen victims to the same commercial trends that we seek to rid ourselves of. As a family, decide what “coming of age” really means and in what ways to best honor those natural energies. You might decide to put together stories of family wisdom and ancestry and make a date of “initiation” when such wisdom would be passed from the family’s keeper of the lore to the next generation. Or you might fashion rituals that honor the maturing of the body, while celebrating the growth of the mind and spirit as well.

Coming of age rituals are just part of the equation, however. Too often we tend to reserve holidays and celebrations for the young. How often do you hear an elder say things like, “I don’t celebrate birthdays anymore?” Part of this feeling is out of our youth-centric outlook on life that is based more off of physical appearance; however, some of that sentiment comes from the feeling that we can’t think of anything we need materialistically which only negates the western view of what a birthday “should” be. If we’re not sure what we are going to do with another sweater or tie, than we’ve just taken away the outer trappings of the ceremony and thus the “worth” of it. That said, we actually need to make traditions that truly honor ALL stages of life and the knowledge and insight that those stages bring. Major physical changes like menopause should be celebrated along with societal shifts like retirement; not with cards and pocket watches, but rituals that validate the wisdom aspect of the individual and their importance to the family unit and community through the keeping and sharing of such knowledge and experience. We need to embrace the beauty, sensuality, grace, wisdom, strength, and vitality in EVERY stage of the Goddesses in our lives. We need to do the same thing for the men in our lives who embody the best aspects of the dark and light Kings.

Over time, look for detailed information on our website for traditional upcoming festivals as well as ideas for things like personal milestone celebrations. In those writings I will expand more on the mythologies surrounding the festivals, and practices of the ancients, as well as the deeper spiritual meanings for our own journeys today. In the meantime, however, take a look at the brief descriptions below to acquaint yourself with the basics of these festivals and make plans to add them to your family’s calendar!

• Yule (Winter Solstice) – One, of a couple festivals, that gets overshadowed by its association to Christmas, this celebration had special meaning for a birth of another kind. Yule marks the transition from the ever shortening days to the rebirth of light. It was a traditional time to be close to family and friends and share in feasts and celebration. Bring things like ivy, holly, pine, and mistletoe into your home, and light candles and the fireplace to usher in the coming of the light.
• Imbolc (Usually February 2) – Primarily a time of looking to the oncoming spring and rededicating energies. If you feel a need for a spring cleaning of your home, you share that energy with ancestors generations removed. Go about your chores with the mindful intent of clearing physical as well as mental clutter. Once the cleaning is complete, cleanse the energies with a smudge of sage.
• Ostara (Spring Equinox) – A festival that celebrates rebirth of not only nature, but ideas. This is the time of planting seeds for an herb garden or maybe writing a business plan for a future venture (planting the seeds of the idea). Eggs were a traditional symbol of birth and life, and thus on this day eggs were painted with colors invoking energies of things desired.
• Beltane (Usually May 1) – A very powerful festival that celebrated the union of people and fertility rituals. Sexuality was a part of many of the rites. Honor this festival with significant other, or use the same energy to fuel the passions for things you desire to add to your life. Truly let your inhibitions go as you dance and sing with a crown made of lily of the valley.
• Litha (Summer Solstice) – Also known as Midsummer’s Eve, the rituals of Litha are about gathering the energies of the sun and preparing for the shortening days of light to come. This is the time to celebrate the sun’s peak of power. Spend time outdoors basking in the energy of sun. Prepare food over an open flame with sprigs of rosemary and thyme.
• Lughnasadh (Usually August 1) – Continue to enjoy the radiance of the sun during this festival. Play games and sports that use your physical strength as a testament to the mature stage of life this corresponds to. Give thanks for the bounty of the food the earth is producing. Bake bread in honor of the first harvest of wheat and grains.
• Mabon (Autumnal Equinox) – Many traditions see this as a time to reflect on the year and balance your energies before the darker days of the coming months. It is also the time of the second harvest and preparing goods for the upcoming winter. Spend a day making some preserves and canning the bounty of your garden as you sip wine with family and friends.
• Samhain (Usually October 31) – Unfortunately this is another festival that has grown in commercial significance to many outside the pagan community, but care should be taken to honor its true origins. For many this is the starting of the new year in the pagan world. It is a time to face death as a necessary part of rebirth. It was originally an acceptance of the fields going fallow, but has overtones directly relating to our own existence and mortality. It is a time to commune with the ancestors and alter consciousness to journey between the worlds. Psychic and magickal abilities are at their highest points as the veil is the thinnest between the realms we comprehend and those we don’t. Decorate with pumpkins, gourds, and corn as a reminder and thanks for the last abundance of the waning land. Dress in costumes to honor those on the other side of the veil. Buy your first tarot deck during the day and explore the cards by night. Meditate on a subject like past lives while sitting before a black candle.

The most important aspect of adding festivals and observances to your life is learning to FEEL the energies of the changing seasons, phases of the moon, and chapters of our lives, in connection with how they relate to YOU. Listen to your heart and seek the vibrational energy of the natural world and not the commercial one. Celebrate and enjoy!

©2016, 2021 Marcus Everett & The Victorian Society of Metaphysics & Magic