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Posted 21-09-2003 at 23:33
Hi, I've got a Wheel of the Year printed out and it lists the following events:
Winter Solstice (Yule) - Dec 21
Spring Equinox - Mar 21
Summer Solstice (Midsummer) - Jun 21
Autumn Equinox - Sep 21
Now when searching the web for the Wheel of the Year I can find other dates like Yule - Dec 22. Also another site stated that the Summer Solstice is Jun 21 and a few days later (23rd?) is Midsummer's day. Also a site listed May Day (Beltane) as Apr 30 instead of May 1.
Maybe someone here can help to clarify the correct dates.
Posted 22-09-2003 at 09:07
The Wheel of the Year that the old Pagans used was based on the farming year. There was a time for sewing, reaping, slaughtering animals etc. The time to do these things was variable, depending on late frosts, wet harvests and so on. Modern Pagans often get into a real mess when slavishly following printed calenders. Just imagine celebrating the spring festivals of Eostre and May Eve during an Australian autumn! Phases of the moon were known by the priest/astronomers. The solar/lunar cycles are celebrated and recognised all over the world. In Britain, festivals for the solstices and equinoxes have been integrated by modern Pagans with the farming festivals making eight in total - the so called Wheel of the Year. The real answer to your question lies in the fact that the people that we call "Celts" worked in nights rather than days as we do now. This is why the old festivals still include the word "eve". May Eve and All Hallow's Eve are two such. Each day ended at sunset and the new day began in the evening. When the Christians converted seasonal Pagan festivals into Christian ones (Samhain became All Hallow's Eve and then Hallowe'en) they worked in days starting at midnight. So confusion all round and you have two dates for Beltane - May Eve - April 30th and May Day - May 1st. My advice is to throw away the printed calender and celebrate the festivals when nature tells you that the time is right. When May blossom first opens on the Hawthorn - then it is May Day or Beltane if you prefer the ancient Irish name!
Posted 22-09-2003 at 12:09 Thorgrim: Thanks for that, very informative The reason I have it printed out is because I'm learning the true meaning of our holidays and annual celebrations. Once I fully understand the wheel then I won't need it anymore. I did find a really nice wheel that like you stated 'Imbolc February Eve, Beltane May Eve, Lammas August Eve, Samhain November Eve' and it is very nice graphically. I've emailed the site author to see if I can get a bigger version of it. Would look nice printed on a T-shirt. If you want to take a look here's the link - http://homepage.ntlworld.com/spiritwolf/weel_of_the_year.gif
Posted 22-09-2003 at 16:28
Nice design Simcon! Good luck with your research into festivals and holy days etc. Real mixed bag as we are a mixed nation in Britain. You have the old four "Celtic" festivals which are shown on your wheel, then you have the Saxon festival celebrating their spring Goddess - Eostre which was Christianised into Easter by association with the crucifiction and resurrection. The Saxon/Norse midwinter fire festival of Yule which marks the shortest day and longest night and becoming Christmas of course. Throw in the Roman Saturnalia for good measure to make New Year, but not forgetting that the "Celtic" New Year began at Samhain. The old year died and the new year began a few days later. During this "in between time" the spirits of the dead were free to return to their loved ones (Hallowe'en now) With the new year, fires were lit to draw back the sun (Bonfire Night - 5th Nov) and so it goes. A vast and fascinating subject.
Posted 19-06-2004 at 23:51
[quote]
On 2003-09-22 09:07, Thorgrim wrote:
The Wheel of the Year that the old Pagans used was based on the farming year. sean quinn wrote on sat 19 lune:
The old farmers used the sun and the moon to sow their crops.
Beltain is actually celebrated on the night of the full moon nearest the beginning of april and the beginning of may, to be precise and in tune with the cosmic rhythms. peace and love all!!!
Posted 19-07-2004 at 22:20
Hi
Sorry I've not been around for a while. Just a note... our days start at sunset so that may account for the vagueness in actual timing.
Cicely
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Posted 21-09-2003 at 23:33 
Posted 22-09-2003 at 09:07 
Posted 19-07-2004 at 22:20 