Tides and Cycles

It's odd that few Pagans know about the Rites of the Sun. True many can recite the names of the Eight Major Sabbats. But do they know why the dates are set as they are? Do they know that we as Pagans are combining three calendars? (Agricultural, Pastoral, and Gatherer-Hunter)

"We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal quarters and cross quarters."

The Quarters are the Solstices and the Equinoxes. The time that these occur are measurable down to the second. As such the Cross Quarters are measurable down to the second as well. We don't need to say that a holy day occurs around the 1st or the 2nd. We know...

Times above are in GMT. For more information visit Archaeoastronomy.com. For 2009 times in your time zone visit Archaeoastronomy.com/2009.

Each Rite is explained in detail through the links below, followed by an example of solitary worship.

1. Samhain
2. Yule
3. Imbolgc
4. Eostre
5. Beltain
6. Midsummer
7. Lughnassadh
8. Mabon