Ostara (Spring Equinox) Culture/religion: Pagan/Wiccan Date: March 20 “Ostara” is just one of the names used for the spring equinox celebrated in many different cultures and a variety of ways around the world. For early Pagans in the Germanic countries, this was a time to celebrate planting and the new crop season. Ostara (Eostre or Eastre) is the Germanic goddess … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – March 15-21, 2021
African American History Month Culture/religion: National observance Date: February African American History Month, also known as Black History Month, evolved out of “Negro History Week,” which was first celebrated in 1926, sponsored by the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History* (ASNLH). The ASHLH chose the second week of February to celebrate Negro … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – February 1-7, 2021
Yule (Winter Solstice) Culture/religion: Pagan/Wiccan Date: December 21 Yule is a Pagan holiday that takes place on the day of the winter solstice. It originated with early Germanic peoples and is considered a time of rebirth, renewal, new beginnings. The winter solstice is when the earth’s axis tilts away from the sun, and the sun reaches its greatest distance from … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – December 21-27, 2020
National Native American Indian Heritage Month Culture/religion: National observance Date: November Native American Heritage Month has evolved from a week-long celebration when president Ronald Reagan proclaimed November 23-30 as “American Indian Week” to a month-long celebration in 1990 when president George H.W. Bush issued a proclamation designating the month of … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – November 1-8, 2020
Mabon Culture/religion: Pagan/Wiccan Date: September 21 Mabon is known as the Pagan Thanksgiving and marks the Autumn Equinox, when day and night are equal in length. In ancient time, it was a celebration of the second harvest (Lughnasadh being the first) when farmers gathered the fall crops. Mabon celebrations are a time to give thanks for the abundance of Mother … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – September 21-30, 2020