SOLAR YEAR

MAJOR SOLAR HOLIDAYS
The Western solar year starts with zero degrees Aries at Spring Equinox. Each of the 12 astrology signs cover 30 degrees. All 12 signs times 30 degrees = the 360 degree circle of the zodiac. The four major calendar points of the solar year are:

SPRING EQUINOX (Vernal Equinox) Equal day and equal night. The Sun enters cardinal Fire sign Aries.

SUMMER SOLSTICE The longest day in the northern hemisphere. The Sun enters cardinal Water sign Cancer.

AUTUMN EQUINOX Again equal day and equal night. The Sun enters cardinal Air sign Libra.

WINTER SOLSTICE The longest night in the northern hemisphere. The Sun enters cardinal Earth sign Capricorn.

All four elements Fire, Water, Air, and Earth are highlighted at these 4 solar points. These dates are usually the 21st of March, June, September, and December but not always because the Gregorian calendar is irregular. Months are different lengths, and there is a leap year.

MINOR SOLAR HOLIDAYS
Four minor solar holidays mark the midpoints between the Equinoxes and Solstices:

CANDLEMAS (Imbolc) on February 2 marks the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Animals awaken after winter hibernation, hence Groundhog Day for augury from the movement of animals.

MAY DAY on May 1, also called Beltane, marks the point between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. This spring festival represents the Maiden aspect of the Maiden-Mother-Crone Goddess.

LAMMAS on August 2, also called Lughnasad, marks the point between Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox. Lammas is a Mother Goddess (and grain God) harvest festival.

HALLOWEEN on October 31, also called Hallomas, marks the point between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. Halloween, the most popular minor Solar holiday, is close to November 2 Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). Both Halloween and Day of the Dead celebrate the Crone aspect of the Goddess.

Wishing you happy Lammas,

Susan Levitt