Pagan festival

There are eight major pagan festivals. These are based upon the seasons. They are celebrated in different ways by different groups.

The Summer solstice is the longest day of the year, the Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. The equinoxes are the days equally between the solstices.

Samhain
Pronounced "SOW-FOOT" or "sow-heen". The start of the Pagan year), on or near October 31 or November 1 or when the sun reaches 15 degrees Scorpio (adopted as Halloween by non-pagans)

Yule
The winter solstice, occurs when the sun reaches its southernmost point, between December 20 and December 23

Imbolc
Also known as Oimelc, Brigid, or Candlemas), February 1 or 2 or when the sun reaches 15 degrees Aquarius

Ostara
The vernal equinox or Spring equinox, when the sun crosses the equator moving northward, occurs March 20-23

Beltane
May 1 or when the sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus

Litha
Midsummer. The summer solstice, when the sun reaches its northernmost point, June 20-23

Lammas
Also known as Lughnasadh, pronounced "loo-nuh-saa"). August 1 or when the sun reaches 15 degrees Leo

Mabon
The autumnal equinox, when the sun crosses the equator moving southward, September 20-23

Southern Hemisphere Dates
The longest day in the northern hemisphere is the shortest in the southern, so the festivals are rotated by 180 degrees.