Feasts for saints occur on this day, and cultural festivals are still common to celebrate Midsummer. The cross-quarter days are also known as the “greater sabbats,” while the quarter-points are known as the “lesser sabbats.” This isn’t because they’re less important but because the energy is said to be greater during the cross-quarter festivals. But the real turning point in the process of constructing a modern neopagan calendar came more than a century after Grimm’s treatise was published. The Mid-Century Construction of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year Ross and Olivia Robertson posing in fancy dress at Huntington (now Clonegal) castle Ireland

Yule is the modern version of the Old English words ġēol or ġēohol and ġēola or ġēoli, with the former indicating the 12-day festival of “Yule” (later: “Christmastide”) and the latter indicating the month of “Yule”, whereby ǣrra ġēola referred to the period before the Yule festival (December) and æftera ġēola referred to the period after Yule (January). The Christians at the time had every reason to depict paganism in a negative light, to lie about traditional faiths to make them seem more barbaric than Christianity. Equinox means that the day is equal parts light and dark—there is a sense of balance, which means it’s a great time to try and restore balance and harmony to your own life. Lyle, Emily (2008). "Time and the Indo-European Gods in the Slavic Context" (PDF). Studia Mythologica Slavica. 11: 115–126. doi: 10.3986/sms.v11i0.1691. Litha, celebrated on the summer solstice, falls between June 20th and 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the longest day of the year when the sun reaches its peak strength and the day is at its fullest. Litha is a time of light, warmth, and the celebration of life's abundance.

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Lughnasadh marks the midpoint between summer and fall, and is the first harvest festival of the year. It’s a time for harvesting grains, giving thanks for the growth that has happened, and to enjoy the warmth and light that is still to come.

On this day (and night), the veil between this world and the unseen world is said to be at its thinnest. Souls and spirits of loved ones may visit us, which is why offerings of food and wine are often left at the front doors. This is also known as the Feast of Hecate—the chief Goddess presiding over magic and spells. After this day, we enter the wind down to Yule. Daylight will continue to dwindle, with the days becoming shorter and much colder as we welcome in winter. Lughnasadh is about honoring the cycle of growth our planet transitions through. Pagans come together to give thanks for the Earth's generosity and the successful cultivation of crops. It's a time to honor the agricultural deities and the spirit of the harvest.

I encourage you to make your own choices, too. Ones that truly serve you and align with the woman you’re becoming. Imbolc (Candlemas) – 1st feb Samhain is often linked to the modern celebration of Halloween. As Christianity spread and merged with pagan traditions, the ancient festival of Samhain became intertwined with Christian observances, including All Saints' Day on November 1st and All Souls' Day on November 2nd. The eve of All Saints' Day, October 31st, became known as All Hallows' Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween. Imbolc is a time of transition and hope as the first signs of spring begin to emerge. The Imbolc festival is deeply rooted in Celtic and Gaelic traditions and honors the Celtic goddess Brigid (or Saint Brigid in Christian lore), who represents the divine feminine and is associated with healing and the hearth. Lammas is the first harvest—also known as the Grain Harvest. Mabon (Autumn Equinox) is the second harvest of Fruit, and Samhain is the third and final harvest of Nuts and Berries.