Almost all Pagans celebrate a cycle of eight festivals, which are spaced every six or seven weeks through the year and divide the wheel of the year into eight segments.

The main four festivals have Celtic origins and are known by their Celtic names. They are Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh. The rites practiced at these festivals help to attune yourself with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the moon and the seasonal quarters.

The other four festivals are related to the solar calendar. These are: Spring Equinox, Autumn Equinox, Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice or, as they are called in the Celtic tradition: Alban Eilir, Alban Hefin, Alban Elfed and Alban Arthan. Neolithic sites such as Stonehenge (UK) and Pömmelte (DE) act as gigantic solar calendars which marked the solstices and equinoxes and show that solar festivals have been significant dates for thousands of years.

At the “Keltische Schule für Naturspiritualität“ – Oak Wisdom – in Altdorf bei Nürnberg we are regularly celebrating these festivals. When you are interested in learning more about these festivals write us an email at info@oakwisdom.org.