Holidays

Wiccan Holidays

Samhain

Samhain (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) means 'End of Summer'.

  • Symbolism: Third Harvest, the Dark Mysteries, rebirth through death
  • Symbols: Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms
  • Herbs: Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves, Sage and Straw
  • Foods: Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry
  • Incense: Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg
  • Colors: Black, Orange, White, Silver, & Gold
  • Stones: Black stones, preferably jet or obsidian
  • Sacred Gemstone: Aquamarine

Yule

Yule (pronounced YOOL) is known as the winter solstice, celebrated December 21st.

  • Symbolism: Rebirth of the Sun, the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice, Introspect, future planning
  • Symbols: Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus
  • Herbs: Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar
  • Foods: Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples)
  • Incense: Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon
  • Colors: Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange
  • Stones: Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds
  • Sacred Gemstone: Topaz

Ostara

Ostara (pronounced OST-ah-ra) is commonly known as Spring or the Vernal Equinox, celebrated on March 21st.

  • Symbols: The egg (representing fertility and reproduction) and the hare (rebirth/resurrection)
  • Herbs: Lily of The Valley, Tansy, Lavender, Marjoram, Thyme, Tarragon, Lovage, Lilac, Violets, Lemon Balm, Dogwood, Honeysuckle, Oakmoss, Orrisroot, Sunflower seeds, Rose hips, Oak, Elder, Willow, Crocus, Daffodil, Jonquil, Tulip, Broom (Scotch or Iris), Meadowsweet, Acorn, Trefoil (Purple Clover), Vervain
  • Foods: Leafy green vegetables, dairy foods, nuts (ex. Pumpkin, Sunflower, & Pine), flower dishes and sprouts
  • Incense: Jasmine, Rose, Strawberry, any type that smells florally
  • Colors: Yellow, green, pale blue, pink, white (Spring colors, flowers)
  • Stones: Clear quartz crystal, rose quartz, agate, lapis lazuli, amazonite, garnet
  • Sacred Gemstone: Jasper

Litha

Litha (pronounced LEE-tha) is the Summer Solstice, or beginning of Summer; it is celebrated on June 21st.

  • Symbols: The sun, oak, birch & fir branches, sun flowers, lilies, red/maize/yellow or gold flower, love amulets, seashells, summer fruits & flowers, feather/flower door wreath, sun wheel, fire, circles of stone, sun dials and swords/blades, bird feathers, Witches’ ladder
  • Herbs: Mugwort, Vervain, Chamomile, Rose, Honeysuckle, Lily, Oak, Lavender, Ivy, Yarrow, Fern, Elder, Wild Thyme, Daisy, Carnation
  • Foods: Honey, fresh vegetables, lemons, oranges, summer fruits, summer squash, pumpernickel bread, ale, carrot drinks, mead
  • Incense: Heliotrope, Saffron, Orange, Frankincense & Myrrh, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Mint, Rose, Lemon, Lavender, Sandalwood, Pine
  • Colors: Blue, green, gold, yellow, white, red
  • Stones: Topaz, agate, alexandrite, flourite, moonstone, pearl, emerald, jade, lapis lazuli, diamond, tiger’s eye
  • Sacred Gemstone: Emerald

Mabon

Mabon (pronounced MAY-bon) is Fall, or the Autumn Equinox. It is celebrated on September 21st.

  • Symbolism: Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance
  • Symbols: wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty
  • Herbs: Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, solomon's seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables
  • Foods: Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes, and carrots
  • Incense: Benzoin, Myrrh, Sage
  • Colors: Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold
  • Stones: Sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates
  • Sacred Gemstone: Chrysolite