THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR

The year is divided into eight sections called Sabbats. All the Sabbats are solar in nature, marking the passing of the year with natural occurrences. Some traditions break the Sabbats further into the Major and the Minor Sabbats. The Major Sabbats are: Samhain (October 31st), Imbolc (February 1st), Beltane (May 1st), and Lughnasadh/Lammas (August 1st). The Minor Sabbats are: Yule/Winter Solstice (December 20th-23rd), Ostara/Spring Equinox (March 20th-23rd), Litha/Summer Solstice (June 20th-23rd), and Mabon/Autumn Equinox (September 20th-23rd). It is through these Sabbats that Pagans throughout the world mark the changing seasons and passing of each year. The holidays are celebrated with much ritual and feasting. Planting festivals according to the season being celebrated. A time for families to get together and celebrate the times of each season with song and dance.

A side note: Pagans in the Southern Hemisphere reverse the Sabbats due to the opposite seasonal changes.

Following please find a brief description of:

-the Esbats-

The Esbats are represented by the thirteen full moon cycles throughout the year. There aren't big celebrations during Esbats, but they are important nonetheless. Most of the magical workings Pagan rituals are done on an Esbat. The 13 Esbats are as follows:

January (Wolf Moon)
February (Storm Moon)
March (Chaste Moon)
April (Seed Moon)
May (Hare Moon)
June (Dyad Moon)
July (Mead Moon)
August (Wyrt Moon)
September (Barley Moon)
October (Blood Moon)
November (Snow Moon)
December (Oak Moon)
Blue Moon

The reason the blue moon is not listed with a month is that it doesn't fall within any particular month. It happens when the moon is full twice within it's 28 day cycle, and this happens usually only during a 31 day month.

Here's That Wheel !!!

Samhain
Yule
Imbolc
Beltane
Ostara
Mabon
Litha
Lammas
The SOUTHERN Hemisphere NEW
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