Wicca Harvest Celebrations: Honoring the Ancestors and the Circle of Life

Wicca is a modern pagan religion that celebrates different seasons and cycles of the year, including an important harvest celebration. This harvest celebration is known as Mabon, which falls around September 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and March 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. Mabon is a time to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and to reflect on the balance between light and darkness as the days become shorter and the nights longer. It is a time to honor and appreciate the fruits of the earth, as well as to recognize the cycles of life and death. During the Wicca harvest celebration of Mabon, many Wiccans gather together in groups or covens to perform rituals and ceremonies. These rituals often involve offering thanks to the gods and goddesses of the harvest, as well as to the earth itself for its abundance.

In the Northern hemisphere, friends gather to celebrate the longest night. We may light candles, or dance around bonfires. We may share festive meals, or sing, or pray. Some of us tell stories and keep vigil as a way of making certain that the sun will rise again. Something in us needs to know that at the end of the longest night, there will be light.In connecting with the natural world in a way that honors the sacred immanent in all things, we establish a resonance with the seasons. Ritual helps to shift our consciousness to reflect the outer world inside our inner landscape: the sun stands still within us, and time changes. After the longest night, we sing up the dawn. There is a rejoicing that, even in the darkest time, the sun is not vanquished. Sol Invictus — the Unconquered Sun — is seen once again, staining the horizon with the promise of hope and brilliance.

In Heimskringla, Snorri Sturlusson writes that the old celebration started with Midwinters night or Hökunótt , lasting for 3 days, and that king Aðalsteinsfóstri later had the celebration moved to coincide ith the Christian celebration 11. The word solstice comes from the Latin words meaning sun and to stand still because the sun seems to stand still in the sky for a time on the Solstices.

These rituals often involve offering thanks to the gods and goddesses of the harvest, as well as to the earth itself for its abundance. One common practice during Mabon is the creation of an altar or sacred space adorned with seasonal fruits, vegetables, and other symbols of the harvest. This altar serves as a focal point for the rituals and is often used to offer blessings and gratitude.

How Can a New Pagan Celebrate the Winter Solstice?

These are the darkest days of the year. Insofar as we today — and polytheists of the past — felt that it is important to celebrate the return of the sun, we have celebrated, feasted, and made offerings around this time.

The word solstice comes from the Latin words meaning “sun” and “to stand still” because the sun seems to stand still in the sky for a time on the Solstices. It is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. As some food for thought, in New York City on the Winter Solstice, we get about 9 hours of daylight, compared to 15 hours of daylight on the Summer Solstice.

The time around the Winter Solstice was also a common time for important rituals and feasts in the polytheist cultures of Europe. The hearth cultures I’ll be discussing here are Germanic, Roman, Celtic, and Slavic.

Germanic Customs

Germanic pagans today celebrate Yule around the Winter Solstice, although not always on the solstice. There are only a few things we know for certain about how Norse and Anglo-Saxon polytheists celebrated midwinter, which I describe in more detail here. To sum up: we know there was a sacrificial boar, especially sacred oaths, three days of feasting and drinking, and probably rituals for the ancestors. Certainly ham and New Year’s resolutions are similar modern customs. Even Christmas trees originated from Germany.

Roman Customs

There are also several similarities between modern Christmastime traditions from the Roman polytheists. The Romans famously celebrated Saturnalia, which was celebrated on December 17th. It became one of the most important festivals of the year. Gambling was legal. Freemen served meals to their slaves. Overall everything was “topsy turvy.” Notably, gifts were given to children and between friends. It is likely this custom was the source of our Christmastime gift-giving. Saturnalia was very popular at the time the Roman Empire came under the control of Christian emperors. Several scholars argue that Saturnalia influenced early Christian practices.

The Romans also celebrated a “sun child” or the Sol Invictus. From 375 CE the celebratory date of Sol Invictus had been on December 25th. Unfortunately, scholars and pagans disagree about who Sol Invictus was and whether this holiday was the reason Christmas was set to December 25th.

Celtic Customs

And now I come to the Celts and Wiccans among us pagans. I do sympathize. The modern Wheel of the Year has very Celtic names and then all of a sudden…Yule. What? The problem is, we don’t seem to have a lot of information on how Celts celebrated midwinter.

Chris Godwin‘s article on the Celtic Winter Solstice is both insightful and useful. Some of the important themes of the winter and the Winter Solstice are similar to what we’ve already seen here. First, there was a midwinter feast. Second, the lore has a “battle” over the light half and dark half of the year. And finally, the lore also has a miraculous child that is attested in several Celtic cultures.

Slavic Customs

Slavic polytheism is difficult to find source material for in English, and Slavic is an umbrella term that encompasses a vast regional area. However, in an attempt to find some common Slavic traditions for the Winter Solstice, I have gathered this information.

Koliada is a common name for a midwinter festival in Slavic countries, which is still a part of modern Christmas traditions. The Eastern Orthodox calendar has their Christmas in January, and possibly Koliada was also celebrated after the Winter Solstice. Koliada is considered the beginning of the new year.

The holiday was possibly related to the god Koliada, who has an association with the sun. There is also the winter goddess Marzanna, who is banished after winter is over, similar to the Cailleach. There is also evidence that Slavic polytheists sacrificed horses, cows, bears, and other animals at this time, so possibly this holiday was associated with fertility like the Scandinavian Yule.

Other Slavic pagans focus on Veles during the winter, as he is considered a deity of the forests, animals (including cows and bears), death, and wintertime. Some also focus on their ancestors, which is a common Indo-European theme for a culture’s new year.

Some Final Thoughts for New Pagans

As a final note, however you want to practice, calendars have changed throughout time; polytheists have lived in different regions with different climate and environment; very little happened on the exact days of the neo pagan wheel of the year. Don’t stress about having to do it “right”, simply focus on the meaning of the season and the numinous beings – deities, spirits, and ancestors – who you want to honor/worship at this time of year.

There are two specifically modern ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice that I personally love. First, there is the heathen tradition of Sunwait. This is a take on the Christian Advent for us to wait for the Sun’s return. Every week up to Yule, you light six candles one at a time. It’s really a lovely tradition.

Secondly, there is a druid way to celebrate the coming of the Solstice, much like the Christmas Advent calendars people may be used to. Reverend Jan Avende wrote this book on Winter Solstice Spirals, sold at The Magical Druid. The intention is to light a candle in the three weeks prior to the Solstice, and there is a short ritual for each day’s candle. Many of the themes for each night revolve around Indo-European concepts that any pagan could adapt to a specific practice.

Sources

All websites accessed December 2020.

• “Christmas Tree.” Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree
• M. Sentia Figula “Calendar.” Roman Pagan.https://romanpagan.wordpress.com/calendar/
• R. M. Ogilvie. The Romans and Their Gods in the Age of Augustus. W. W. Norton and Company. 1969. Page 98.
• M. Sentia Figula. “The Invincible Sun.” neo polytheist.http://romanpagan.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-unconquered-sun-sol-invictus.html
• Gene Veith. “Christmas is NOT based on the feast of Sol Invictus.” Patheos. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/2012/12/christmas-is-not-based-on-the-feast-of-sol-invictus/
• “Sol Invictus.” Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Invictus
• “Saturnalia.” Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia
• Chris Godwin. “22 Celtic Winter Solstice Customs and Traditions.” Patheos.https://www.patheos.com/blogs/fromacommonwell/2017/12/22-celtic-winter-solstice-customs-traditions/
• “Koliada.” Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koliada
• “Koliada (deity).” Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koliada_(deity)
• Emily. “Winter Gods.” The Slavic Polytheist.https://slavicpolytheist.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/winter-gods/
• Kseniia S. “Slavic Pagan Holidays Throughout The Year.” Slavorum.https://www.slavorum.org/slavic-pagan-holidays-throughout-the-year/
• “Velesa Den (Feb 12).” Solntsa Roshcha. https://solntsaroshcha.wordpress.com/velesa-den-feb-12/
• Rev. Jan Avende. “Winter Solstice Spiral: Overview.” Mist to Open. Mists to Bind.https://hellenicdruid.com/2017/11/29/winter-solstice-spiral-liturgy-overview/
• The Magical Druid Listing for The Spiraling Sun:https://www.magicaldruid.com/product/spiraling-sun-a-winter-solstice-liturgy-the/1500

The Charnwood Grove of Druids gather for a public winter solstice ritual on Beacon Hill near Loughborough, Britain December 18, 2016.

In addition to the rituals, Mabon is also a time for feasting and sharing food with loved ones. Many Wiccans believe that sharing a meal together strengthens the bonds of community and helps to cultivate a sense of gratitude and abundance. Overall, the Wicca harvest celebration of Mabon is a time to honor the cycles of nature and to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and celebration, as Wiccans come together to recognize and appreciate the gifts of the earth..

Reviews for "Wicca Harvest Celebrations: Finding Balance and Harmony in Nature"

1. Samantha - 1 star

I was so disappointed with the "Wicca harvest celebration" event. It felt like a cheap attempt to cash in on Wicca culture without any understanding or respect for the traditions. The organizers clearly had no knowledge of the history or significance behind these celebrations. The rituals felt forced and inauthentic, and the whole event seemed more like a mockery than a genuine celebration. I would not recommend it to anyone who is looking for an authentic Wicca experience.

2. John - 2 stars

I attended the "Wicca harvest celebration" event with high expectations, but unfortunately, it fell short. The event seemed disorganized, and there were minimal explanations or teachings about the significance of the rituals. It felt like a basic Halloween party rather than an actual ritualistic gathering. The decorations were tacky and the atmosphere lacked the mystical ambiance I was hoping for. Overall, it was a letdown and didn't provide the enriching experience I was seeking.

3. Emma - 2 stars

The "Wicca harvest celebration" event left me feeling underwhelmed. The organizers seemed more focused on creating a superficial, Instagram-worthy experience rather than providing a meaningful and authentic celebration. The rituals felt rushed and lacked depth, with no real explanation of their purpose or significance. The event was also overcrowded, making it difficult to fully engage and immerse oneself in the activities. I left feeling unsatisfied and regretful of the time and money I had spent on this event.

4. Robert - 1 star

I was highly disappointed with the "Wicca harvest celebration" event. It completely misrepresented Wicca culture and failed to provide any substantial knowledge about the practices and beliefs. The event felt more like a circus than a spiritual gathering, with over-the-top costumes and theatrics that overshadowed any genuine spiritual aspect. The whole experience felt like a cheap cash grab, taking advantage of people's curiosity without offering any true understanding. I strongly advise against attending this event if you are seeking an authentic Wicca experience.

Cultivating Gratitude during Wicca Harvest Celebrations