Samhain: Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas (Celtic/Scottish) Samhain, popularly known as Halloween, is the Witches’ New Year. This is the last of the three harvest Sabbats marking the end of the growing seasons. Celtic custom decreed that all crops must be gathered by sundown on April 31st. It is a time when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. Deceased ancestors and other friendly spirits are invited to join in Sabbat festivities and be reunited with loved ones. In Ireland it is still custom to leave candles in the windows and plates of food for the visiting spirits. Keep a fire lit or a candle burning all…

Merry Meet Readers! I’d like to welcome you to our Ostara issue which you will find packed with information and  fun. We have two helpful reviews this month you should be sure to read. We hope everyone has a safe and happy Holiday! We would like to thank you for your continued support and love. Without our loyal readers, PaganPages would cease to exist. We appreciate all donations and remember you can donate by purchasing something from our PaganPages Shop on Etsy. Some of our products are below and our stock is always changing. HAPPY READING!!

(Oh-star-ah) – Lesser Sabbat – Spring/Vernal Equinox, March 20-21st – when the Sun enters Ares Other Names: Ostre, Oestre, Eostre, Rites of Spring, Eostra’s Day, Lady Day, First Day of Spring, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Alban Eiler, Bacchanalia, Mean Earraigh, Pasch, Caisg, Pess Date: Spring Equinox (March 20-22 in Northern Hemisphere) or when the Sun is 1 degree Aries. Symbolism: The beginning of spring, new life and rebirth, the God and Goddess in Their youth, balance, fertility Goddesses: all love, virgin, and fertility Goddesses; Anna Perenna (Roman), Aphrodite (Greek), Astarte (Canaanite, Persia, GrecoRoman), Athena (Greek), Cybele (Greco-Roman), Blodeuwedd, Eostre (Saxon Goddess of Fertility), Flidais (Irish), Gaia (Greek), Hera, Ishtar (Assyro-Babylonian),…

MAY-bon, MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon or MAH-bawn, – Lesser Sabbat – Fall/Autumn Equinox, September 21-23 Other Names: Michaelmas (September 25th, Christian), Second Harvest Festival, Witches’ Thanksgiving, Harvest Home(Anglo-Celtic), Feast of Avalon, Wine Harvest, Festival of Dionysus, Cornucopia, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Chung Ch’iu (China), Night of the Hunter, Alban Elfed “The Light of the Water”(Caledonii/ Druidic-celebrates Lord of the Mysteries), Winter Finding (Teutonic, from Equinox ‘til Winter Night or Nordic New Year, Oct 15th.) Animals/Mythical Beings: Dogs, wolves, stag, blackbird, owl, eagle, birds of prey, salmon & goat, Gnomes, Sphinx, Minotaur, Cyclops, Andamans and Gulons Gemstones: Yellow agate, carnelian, yellow topaz, sapphire, lapis lazuli & amethyst Incense/Oil: Pine, sweetgrass, apple blossom,…

The Storm Moon Spring sowing The name March came from the God Mars, for this month was sacred to him. Mars is much like the other God’s – Ares’s (Greek), Tiu or Tiwaz (Central Europe), Teutates (celts), and Tyr (Norse). Astrological Signs: Pisces, February 19 – March 20, Aries, March 21 – April 20 Birthstones: Aquamarine Nature Spirits: Mer-people, Air and Water beings who are connected with spring rains and storms. Animals: Cougar, hedgehog, boar Birds: Sea crow, sea eagle Trees: Alder, dogwood Flowers: Jonquil, daffodil, violet Herbs: Broom, High John Root, yellow dock, wood betony, Irish moss Scents: Honeysuckel, apple blossom Colors: Pale green, red-violet Stones: Aquamarine, bloodstone God/dess:…

Welcome to the February Issue of PaganPages! As always, we have an amazing issue for our readers. Some highlights: We have some new columns starting this month!! Shadows from the Past by our new columnist Nicholas Haney explores our history as Witches and teaches us about its modern ways. Paranormal Investigations by Professional Ghost Hunter Tammy Wilson. Herbal Creations with the Crafty Amy Jung who will show us great witchy ways to incorporate herbs into crafts we can use. Animal Wisdom with Psychic Beckah Boyd will teach us how to bring our familiars and pets into our practice. Callie’s Cavern will explore a gemstone a month and show us its…

Join our small group as we travel from Shannon to Dublin through the mystical heart of Ireland. Meet local Pagans/Wiccans and join in the Celtic Festival of Beltaine. Visit The Cliffs of Moher, The Burren and Brigid’s Well. Tour the Ring of Kerry and visit ancient ruins. Spend Beltaine at Charleville Castle with a maypole dance and ritual. Spend time in Historic Dublin and enjoy a Traditional Irish House Party with dinner and a show. Step back in time as we visit the neolitic sites of Newgrange and Knowth. Then join our local guide Gemma McGowan as she takes us on a tour of Loughcrew and other historical sites where…

Legends and Lore for February February, the second month of the current Gregorian calendar and the third month of Winter’s rule, derives its name from Februa, the name of a Roman purification festival held on the fifteenth day of February in ancient times. The traditional birthstone amulet of February is the amethyst; and the primrose and the violet are the month’s traditional flowers. February is shared by the astrological signs of Aquarius the Water-Bearer and Pisces the Two Fishes, and is sacred to the following pagan deities: Aradia, Brigid, Juno Februa, and the Wiccan Goddess in Her aspect as the Maiden. During the month of February, the Great Solar Wheel…

February 1, 2 Other Names: Lughnasadh (Loo-nas-ah), Lunasa (meaning August), Lughnasaad, Lughnasa(Celtic),First Harvest, August Eve, Feast of Cardenas, Feast of Bread, Tailltean Games(Irish), Teltain Cornucopia(Strega), Ceresalia(Ancient Roman) Harvest Home, Thingtide(Teutonic), Lammas(Christian). Laa Luanys, Elembious, Festival of Green Corn (Native American). Animals & Mythical Beings: Griffins, basilisks, roosters, calves, centaurs, phoenix. Gemstones: Aventurine, citrine, peridot, sardonyx, yellow diamondsand citrine. Incense/Oil: Wood aloes, rose, rose hips, rosemary, chamomile, eucalyptus, safflower, corn, passionflower, frankincense, sandalwood. Colors/Candles: Red, orange, golden yellow, green, light brown, gold, bronze, gray. Tools,Symbols, & Decorations: Corn, cornucopias, red, yellow flowers, sheaves of grain (wheat, barley, oats), first fruits/vegetables of garden labor, corn dollies, baskets of bread, spear, cauldron, sickle,…

February 1Candlemas Eve Brigit, the Celtic Earth-Mother and goddess of fire, wisdom, poetry, and sacred wells, is honored on this day. In Ireland, offering of yellow flowers are made to the goddess at sacred wells dedicated to her. In ancient Greece, the three-day Lesser Eleusinian Mysteries began each year on this day in honor of the goddesses Ceres, Demeter, Persephone, and Proserpine. February 2 On this day, the Candlemas sabbath is celebrated by Wiccans and Witches throughout the world. Candlemas (which is also known as Imolc, Oimelc, and Lady Day) is a fire festival that celebrates the coming of Spring. New beginnings and spiritual growth are represented by the “sweeping…