Discussion Briefs are short summaries of a single topic, designed to spark discussion for your group. Don’t hesitate to add your own questions, relate the topic to current events or let the conversation take an unexpected turn. Thoughtful and friendly discussion and debate is the primary goal.

HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

This is a topic that can create a really great discussion. This topic is mostly about sharing personal experiences and learning how others in your community practice their path. Like some many topics there aren’t right and wrong answer this makes for a fun discussion.

Social & Cultural Practices verses Religious Observances

Here are a few working definitions to provide a framework

Religious observances are customary practices, rites, or ceremonies
Social and cultural practice would be holiday traditions that are significant to the holiday but without a significant religious connotation. (Many Bank Holidays are good examples)

This is a great place to start discussion. In the simplest of terms: ―

How do you differentiate between social and religious factors/celebrations for a holiday?
What are some social holidays you celebrate?
- Do you add religious factors to social holidays?

The Wheel of the Year

The Wheel of the Year is a common Neo-Pagan approach to holidays. It consists of 8 holidays: four solar festivals (Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox, Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox,) and four seasonal festivals (celebrations of seasonal change that are placed about half way in-between the solar festivals). Despite Wiccan claims there is little to no historic evidence for the wheel in its present form. It is still a useful way to organize the year and offers plenty of reasons to celebrate life and nature.

Lunar Calendars

The lunar calendar uses the phases of the moon to measure time, usually measuring the time from new moon to new moon as one month. Many witches honor lunar cycles in their ritual work, and even time spell work with moon phases.

Which season of the year is your favorite?
- What do you remember from your childhood about this season that has special meaning for you?
- How do you celebrate this season now?
Do you use lunar cycles in your practice?
- Do you think of the Full Moon or New Moon as holidays to celebrate or do they hold a different role in your practice?

What Pagans celebrate

The wheel of the year largely focuses on the cycles of the natural world; fertility, growth, life, death and rebirth. These aspects can be connected to goddess or gods but can also be celebrated independent of deity. This is very different for Abrahamic faith celebrations which stay very focused on the divine.

What do you think about Paganism including celebrations of fertility into its sacred year?
- Do you think that the Pagan celebration of fertility offers something positive to the culture? If so, what, and if not, why not?
What do you think about Paganism including the processing of death into its sacred year?
- Do you think that the Pagan celebration of aging and dying offers something positive to the culture? If so, what, and if not, why not?

Additional Questions

These are questions about personal experience. They will often be addressed while covering other questions but they can be used to extend or reinvigorate a lagging discussion.

Have you ever been to a Pagan holiday ritual?
What is your favorite pagan celebration you have attended?
What is one you have always wanted to participate in or are curious about?

DISCUSSION BRIEF: Pagan Holidays & Celebrations