Midsummer Solstice – Litha
Around June 21st, the Sun reaches its highest declination at around 23.5º north at 0º Cancer.
Now the Sun moves back towards the celestial equator for three months.
The Cancer ingress heralds summer.
The pagan celebration of Litha is on the midsummer’s day which is the longest day of the year and the day with the most sunlight.
Lammas
As the Sun reaches 15 Leo, which is typically on August 8th, it is the cross-quarter day of Lammas.
However, the pagan celebration of Lammas is usually celebrated on August 1st.
Read more >>> Lammas
Autumn Equinox – Mabon
Around September 21st, the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving south at 0º Libra and continues for three months during autumn or fall.
The Libra ingress happens at the autumn equinox and the start of the new season.
The pagan celebration of Mabon is usually celebrated on October 1st which is a date close to the equinox.
Read more >>> Mabon
Samhain – Halloween
The pagan celebration of Samhain is when the Sun passes over 15º of Scorpio, which is around November 8th.
In general, this special day is usually celebrated on October 31st as Halloween.
All Saint’s Day follows of November 1st.
Read more >>> Halloween
Midwinter Solstice – Yule
Around December 21st, the Sun’s declination reaches around 23.5º south as it enters 0º Capricorn.
Now the Sun moves back up towards the celestial equator which takes three months and it is wintertime.
As the Sun enters Capricorn it is known as the Capricorn ingress when the winter season begins.
The pagan celebration of Yuletide is celebrated on midwinter’s day.
Read more >>> Yule
Imbolc
Imbolc occurs when the Sun reaches 15 degrees of Aquarius which is usually around February 8th, although Imbolc is celebrated around February 1st each year.
One symbol for Imbolc is Brighid’s cross made from wheat sheaves or corn dollies.
Listen to podcast episode >>> Imbolc for 2024
Conclusion
As an aspiring astrologer, it is valuable to understand when the dates for the cardinal signs and the cross-quarter days happen as they shift a little each year.
These special days are not just plucked out of thin air.
Often at the start of a new season, the news channels will state that, “Spring is starting on March 21st at 4:37pm” and this statement may seem weird.
Now that you know how each season is timed (by the Sun’s ingress into a cardinal sign), you can fully understand the seasonal changes and the cross-quarter days that occur at around six-week intervals.
If you are just starting out, pay attention to the equinoxes and solstices first.
Then explore the cross-quarter days afterwards.
The whole year begins at the vernal equinox when the Sun enters Aries around March 21st every year.
Starzclass
Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Wheel of the Year
In your astrology journal and with a compass and protractor, please do the following:
- Draw the diagram for the wheel of the year with four concentric circles.
- Divide the outer wheel into the four seasons.
- Divide the second wheel in, into the months of the year.
- Divide the third wheel in, into the twelve signs of the zodiac starting with Aries in the ascendant position.
- Divide the center wheel into the eight celebrations of the wheel of the year.
Extend Yourself
- Color in your wheel of the year and decorate it as you see fit. Use your intuition as a guide.
- For the next celebration that is coming up, give some thought and list what you want to manifest for your life during that period.
Share your drawing on social with the hashtag #starzologywheeloftheyear or send a link to your artwork to me at starzology@gmail.com.