Cross Quarter Days
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Cross Quarter Days are a set of four holidays that fall about halfway between the solstices and equinoxes. These days have been celebrated for centuries in various cultures around the world and have a rich history and significance. In the Wheel of the year, the Cross Quarter Days correspond with the celebrations of Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain.
The origins of Cross Quarter Days goes back much further than the modern Wheel of the Year. These days were celebrated by many ancient cultures, including the Celts, the Norse, and the Romans. These cultures saw these holidays as a way to mark the passing of the seasons and to give thanks for the blessings of nature.
Imbolc
The first Cross Quarter Day of the calendar year is Imbolc, which is celebrated on February 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and August 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. This holiday marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Often associated with the Celtic Goddess Brigid, Imbolc was known as Candlemas in medieval times, as it was traditional to light candles on this day to welcome the return of the sun.
Beltane
The second Cross Quarter Day of the calendar year is Beltane, which is celebrated on May 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and November 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. This holiday marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Beltane is a time of fertility and growth, and it is traditional to decorate with flowers and perform fertility rituals. Beltane is also known as May Day and is associated with the goddess Flora.
Grab Your Free Cross Quarte Day Printable. Be sure to check out the Free Member’s Library for more Mabon House Printables.
Lughnasadh
The third Cross Quarter Day of the calendar year is Lughnasadh, which is celebrated on August 1st in the Northern Hemisphere. This holiday marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a time of thanksgiving. It is traditional to hold feasts and give thanks for the bounty of the earth. Lughnasadh is also known as Lammas and is associated with the Welsh god Lugh.
Samhain
The fourth and final Cross Quarter Day of the calendar year is Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st in the Northern Hemisphere. This celebration marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Samhain is a time of remembering the dead and is often associated with Halloween. It is traditional to leave food and drink out for the spirits of the deceased. This custom can be seen today in the Latin American celebration of the Day of the Dead.
Despite their ancient roots, Cross Quarter Days are still very much a part of modern culture. Many people continue to celebrate these holidays as a way to connect with the natural world and to honor the cyclical nature of life. Cross Quarter Days are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and practice living intentionally with the seasons.
References and SUGGESTED READING
There are lots of great books that discuss the history of the Wheel of the Year and offer ideas for modern celebrations of the Cross Quarter Days.
Wicca Demystified by Bryan Lankford gives a good overview of modern Wiccan observances of the Wheel of the Year
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Cross-Quarter Days and The Wheel of the Year
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The Wheel of the Year is divided into eight seasonal celebrations. Four of these seasons (Yule, Ostara, Litha and Mabon) align with either a solstice or equinox. The other four seasonal celebrations (Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh) are midpoints within a season, also known as a cross-quarter day. These four days are rooted in ancient Irish Celtic culture as seasonal fire festivals. Today, the cross-quarter days offer an opportunity to pause reflect, set intentions, and give thanks.
Early Origins of the Cross-Quarter Days
Seasonal observances are largely universal in ancient cultures. Astrology, lunar phases and seasonal changes all served as a guide for ancient communities. Planting, harvesting and hunting were all done in cadence with these monthly and seasonal changes happening throughout the year.
In Irish lore, cross-quarter days are also known as the ancient Celtic fire festivals, as bonfires figure prominently in the celebration of each one. It’s important to note that according to Irish mythology, the ancient Irish Celts marked the start of each season with these fire festivals, rather than viewing them as a midpoint for each season. As Christianity spread throughout Europe in the early Middle Ages the traditional fire festivals/ cross-quarter days were incorporated into the Church calendar as various saints days. As late as the 19th Century, cross-quarter days were when British and Irish tradition servants hired, rents due and school terms started.
Cross Quarter Days and The wheel of the year
Within the Wheel of the Year, cross-quarter days each fall exactly at the midpoint (cross) of each season (quarter). Samhain is the midpoint between Autumn and Winter; Imbolc is the midpoint between Winter and Spring; Beltane is the midpoint between spring and summer; Lughnasadh is the midpoint between summer and autumn. Today, modern pagans and those following a nature based spiritual path observe these seasonal midpoints in a variety of ways, including festivals, parties and feasting.
One of the reasons I follow the Wheel of the Year is because I am drawn to the natural cadence of the seasons. My energy ebbs and flows with natural sunlight and I draw strength from the long periods of rest in the darker months. The cross-quarter days are always a time of transition for me - it is when I balance being present and enjoying the current season, while also looking ahead and thinking about what I need to get done.
Do you follow the Wheel of the Year? Share in the comments below or over on Instagram
References & Recommended Reading
The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year (affliate link)
https://www.almanac.com/quarter-days-and-cross-quarter-days
https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/halloween-derived-from-ancient-celtic-cross-quarter-day/ https://www.learnreligions.com/quarter-days-and-cross-quarter-days-2562061
More about the wheel of the year
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Slow Living Guide for Imbolc & Ostara
Welcome to Part Two of the Mabon House Guide to Slow Living: Imbolc & Ostara. You can read Part 1 - Samhain & Yule here.
Imbolc & Slow Living
Imbolc marks the midpoint of winter. The days are steadily growing longer and the sun is getting stronger. In ancient cultures Imbolc was a time to celebrate Brigid, Celtic Goddess of crafts, learning and healing. Early Celtic celebrations included lighting fires to warm the frozen land, hanging a four cornered Brigid’s Cross above doorways to bless and protect a home, and practicing weather divination as a way to predict the future. Similar to the idea of Groundhog’s Day, ancient Celts would listen for a lark to sing on Imbolc. If they heard the bird, it meant that the God had returned to the Goddess and spring would be early.
With lengthening days and more sunlight, Imbolc offers a time for clarity. You have rested through the early part of winter following Samhain and spent time with friends and family during Yule. Now is the time to plan and start moving toward your goals and cultivate a lifestyle that fulfills you. Take time to refine and reconnect to your daily practices, whether that is journaling, movement, meditation or other activities that nurture your spirit. This is a time to explore what you need to do and learn in order to fulfill your passion and purpose. Follow along on Pinterest for more Wheel of the Year Inspiration
Ostara and Slow Living
Ostara is the celebration of the Spring Equinox. Day and night are equal in length and from this point forward the days are longer and the air warmer. Like animals coming out of hibernation and the trees stirring with sap and buds, our natural inclination is to do more. This is a good time to take advantage of the warming temperatures and soak up the spring air after a long winter. Take note of how nature is changing. What is blooming? What is growing in your corner of the world?
After the rest period of winter it can feel good to move and be busy once more. And while Ostara is a time for more action and more activity, there can also be pressure to do.all.the.things when spring arrives. There's a rush to clean up the yard, spring clean the house, get your summer wardrobe ready, go on a vacation, etc… Spring cleaning, decluttering, and digging in the dirt are all great Ostara slow living activities, but ultimately slow living during Ostara (and the rest of the year) is about following your unique cadence, your natural rhythm.
10 ways to Live Slowly & a Free Checklist
You do not have to cross off a giant to-do list or produce Pinterest-worthy flower beds to enjoy the beginning of springtime. The season of Ostara is a good time to choose some projects that will bring you joy, not stress. Perhaps start a container garden on your front porch, rather than a giant ground garden that will take you all summer to maintain. Or apply a fresh coat of paint for your favorite spaces in the home, rather than a full remodel. Or prepare a special Ostara meal with fresh springtime ingredients, rather than hosting a large gathering.
Going inward, Ostara is a good time to set some intentions for yourself. Just as you take action around your home, what actions should you be thinking about in other areas of your life? What kind of actions will help uplift you? Bring you more joy? Help move you in the direction you want to go? This could be a continuation of what you started during Imbolc or something new in your life.
Looking for some Ostara Inspiration (I mean, who isn’t?) Be sure to check out the free Mabon House Ostara Course.
