Imbolc (Imbolg), or the "Festival of Brighid", is a hearth and home celebration that occurs in February.  This is the time when sheep in the British Isles begin to lactate.  As the rigors of winter still lay upon the land making travel difficult, this festival is typically celibrated as a more intimate family festival.

Beltane (Bealtaine), or "May Day", is one of the most widely held celebrations throughout the world.  This is the celebration of spring, when blossoms fill the air and the land wakes from it's long winter slumber.  This was also a time when calves would be born.

Lughnassad (Lughnassadh) is celebrated in August and marks the start of the harvest season.  Calves are now being weaned from their parents and the farming folk enjoy the first fruits of their labours.

Samhain, or All Hallow's Eve, is one of the worlds most popular celebrations in many cultures.  This festival is held at the end of October, and marks the end of the harvest season.  The work of the year is now complete, and the land is allowed to return to it's rest as the first snows draw near.  In many latin cultures this festival, with it's ancestral emphasis, is celebrated as the "Day of the Dead".

The year is divided into a "light" half and a "dark" half, with Bealtaine marking the beginning of the light part of the year and Samhain the beginning of the dark of the year.

The other festivals celebrated by many traditions include Yule (winter solstice), Ostara (spring equinox), Litha or Midsummer (summer solstice) and Mabon (autumn equinox).  These events, significant in the solar cycle, are recognized by many sun-worshiping traditions including the Order of Druids in the British Isles.

Each seasonal celebration has it's own ritual and traditions.  While there are many small variances in these rituals, the themes tend to be consistant.

One of the major benefits to observing these celebrations is derived from being more connected to the passage of time.  The marking of the seasons helps to keep us in rhythm with the natural world.  We also derive a deeper connection to mother nature by formulating a more concious awareness of her cycles of life.
Herein you will find rituals written for each of the major agricultural festivals.