Druid Festivals

- Northern Hemisphere Festivals -

 

1. Samhain (October 31 – November 1)

  • Meaning: Marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter; a time to honor ancestors and the dead.

  • Origins: Celtic.

  • Themes: Death, rebirth, thinning of the veil between worlds, ancestral veneration.

 

2. Yule (Winter Solstice, around December 21)

  • Meaning: Celebrates the rebirth of the Sun; the longest night of the year.

  • Origins: Germanic/Norse and later adopted in Druidic practices.

  • Themes: Hope, renewal, return of light.

 

3. Imbolc (February 1 – 2)

  • Meaning: Marks the first signs of spring; a festival of light and fertility.

  • Origins: Celtic, associated with the goddess Brigid.

  • Themes: Purification, inspiration, new beginnings.

 

4. Ostara (Spring Equinox, around March 20)

  • Meaning: Celebrates balance and fertility as day and night are equal.

  • Origins: Possibly Germanic (linked to the goddess.)

5. Beltane (May 1)

  • Meaning: A fire festival marking the start of summer; fertility and passion.

  • Origins: Celtic.

  • Themes: Life, sexuality, abundance, sacred union.

 

6. Litha (Summer Solstice, around June 21)

  • Meaning: The peak of the sun’s power and the longest day of the year.

  • Origins: Various European traditions.

  • Themes: Strength, fulfillment, celebration of light and fire.

 

7. Lughnasadh / Lammas (August 1)

  • Meaning: First harvest festival; honouring the god Lugh.

  • Origins: Celtic.

  • Themes: Gratitude, sacrifice, abundance, transformation.

8. Mabon (Autumn Equinox, around September 21)

  • Meaning: Second harvest and balance between light and dark.

  • Origins: Modern neopagan, though based on older harvest traditions.

  • Themes: Gratitude, reflection, preparation for winter.

 

- Southern Hemisphere Festivals -

 

1. Samhain (April 30th - May 1st)

  • Meaning: Marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter; a time to honor ancestors and the dead.

  • Origins: Celtic.

  • Themes: Death, rebirth, thinning of the veil between worlds, ancestral veneration.

 

2. Yule (June 20 – 23)

  • Meaning: Celebrates the rebirth of the Sun; the longest night of the year.

  • Origins: Germanic/Norse and later adopted in Druidic practices.

  • Themes: Hope, renewal, return of light.

 

3. Imbolc (August 1 – 2)

  • Meaning: Marks the first signs of spring; a festival of light and fertility.

  • Origins: Celtic, associated with the goddess Brigid.

  • Themes: Purification, inspiration, new beginnings.

 

4. Ostara (Spring Equinox, September 20 – 23)

  • Meaning: Celebrates balance and fertility as day and night are equal.

  • Origins: Possibly Germanic (linked to the goddess.)

 

5. Beltane (October 31 – November 1)

  • Meaning: A fire festival marking the start of summer; fertility and passion.

  • Origins: Celtic.

  • Themes: Life, sexuality, abundance, sacred union.

 

6. Litha (Summer Solstice, December 20 – 23)

  • Meaning: The peak of the sun’s power and the longest day of the year.

  • Origins: Various European traditions.

  • Themes: Strength, fulfilment, celebration of light and fire.

7. Lughnasadh / Lammas (February 1 – 2)

  • Meaning: First harvest festival; honouring the god Lugh.

  • Origins: Celtic.

  • Themes: Gratitude, sacrifice, abundance, transformation.

 

8. Mabon (Autumn Equinox, March 20 – 23)

  • Meaning: Second harvest and balance between light and dark.

  • Origins: Modern neopagan, though based on older harvest traditions.

  • Themes: Gratitude, reflection, preparation for winter.