by Amy Grennell

Created on: April 14, 2009

Modern pagans still celebrate the basic Celtic holidays in the form of 8 sabbats or spokes on the wheel.

Imbolg
Imbolg, also known as Candlemas, is celebrated on Feb. 2 by Pagans around the world. This sabbat comes six weeks after Yule and six weeks before the Spring Equinox.

The Celtic triple Goddess Brighid in her maiden aspect is honored at this time. Brighid is goddess of fire, inspiration, healing, craftsmanship, and midwifery. She is patroness of the hearth, poets, smiths, craftspeople, and healers and later became a Christian Saint.

Imbolg is the when the first signs of Spring emerge and a glimmer of light. At this time the darkness of winter is banished by lighting candles and burning a Callieach (Crone of Winter) representation.

Imbolg is also Groundhog's Day and the groundhog could be seen as having been sleeping since Samhain and is ready to awaken.

Ostara
This is not a Celtic holiday but is still celebrated by modern Pagans. There is no evidence that the ancient Celts celebrated the Spring Equinox in March. There is evidence, however, that they celebrated several festivals in the month including St. Patrick's Day among others. The Fall Equinox was celebrated so it is under some assumption that they also would have celebrated this turn on the wheel in some form. The eggs and rabbits representing fertility are of ancient origin and the earth is reawakened and starting to bring forth new life. Seeds are blessed and there is the greening of the Earth Mother.

Beltane
Also known as May Eve or May Day this pagan holiday is celebrated on May 2. It celebrates the height of Spring and the flowering of life. The Goddess is honored as the May Queen. The God emerges as the May King.

The Maypole represents the unity between the God and Goddess. The pole is the male and the ribbons are female as the crown or wreath makes it's way down the May Pole this represents fertility.

Animals were once driven over the Beltane fire for fertility and good luck. Today many pagans jump over a balefire to ask for the same.

Litha
Litha or Summer Solstice is the height of summer. This is the lightest day of the year and is celebrated outdoors with flowers and feasting. In many traditions, Litha symbolizes the end of the reign of the waxing year's Oak King, who is now replaced by the Holly King of the waning year (who rules until Winter Solstice).

Midsummer Night's Eve is not just Shakespearean but a time of magic and communing with the fairy folk.

Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh falls on Aug. 1 and is a

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