A Wiccan Bible - Exploring the Mysteries of the Craft from Birth to Summerland

Liber ab Sol (Book of Sun)^131

Quarter Days:

Winter Solstice: the shortest day of the year. The Sun is Dark/New.

Spring Equinox: the day and night are equal length. The Sun is waxing.

Summer Solstice: the longest day of the year. The Sun is full.

Fall Equinox: the day and night are equal length. The Sun is waning.

Cross Quarter Days:

Imbolg: the day that falls between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.

Bealtaine: the day that falls between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice.

Lughnasadh: the day that falls between Summer Solstice and Fall Equinox.

Samhain: the day that falls between Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice.

Note: In naming the Cross Quarter days, I have used the Celtic names not to show

preference or dominance, but to ease understanding and reference. With the excep-

tion of spelling variations, these are the names most often cited.

Collectively, these eight days form the Wheel of the Year, the solar calendar dis-

cussed briefly in Book of Genesis. It is important to note that the dates given here are

only generally accepted dates that are cited in many books. The actual dates will change

with each year. Your best source for the specific dates marked by the sun is your local

newspaper. For the Cross Quarter days, just do the math.

Winter Solstice Solar Quarter December 21 or 22

Imbolg Solar Cross Quarter February 2

Spring Equinox Solar Quarter March 21 or 22

Bealtaine Solar Cross Quarter April 30 or May 1

Summer Solstice Solar Quarter June 21 or 22

Lughnasadh Solar Cross Quarter July 31 or August 1 or 2

Fall Equinox Solar Quarter September 21 or 22

Samhain Solar Cross Quarter October 31

p WB Chap 08.p65 131 7/11/2003, 5:52 PM