Wheel.page

The Wheel of the Year

The Witch's year is referred to as "The Wheel of the Year". This symbolizes constant turning, constant changing, with no end and no beginning.
The Wheel of the Year is divided into 8 Sabbats. I have added them below, along with a brief explaination to each. I am trying to find little graphics (clipart maybe) to add, that correspond to each Sabbat. If anybody knows where I could find some, please let me know.

The Witch's New Year is Samhain (also known as Halloween) and that is, of course, on October 31st. This is the time we say farewell to the God, as he passes on to the summerland, waiting for his Yule rebirth. This is a time when it is believed that the "wall" that seperates this world and the spirit world is at its weakest point, allowing a opportunity for some to communicated with the dead. It is also believed that, of the spirits who just couldn't "let go", finally move on to the summerland, where they remain til deciding to reincarnate back into this world. In ancient times, people had to slaughter the sick and weak livestock, in order to prepare them with enough food to last them through the approaching winter. This is probablly where the accusations that Witches perform 'animal sacrifices' sprouted from. To clear that one up... we do not sacrifice any animals (or babies, as some also think) during rituals, or anyother time except to provide us with food.

The next Sabbat is Yule, which falls around Dec 21st. This is when the God is reborn of the Goddess and begins his new life. This is a time for Witches to share gifts, decorate the Yule tree, light the Yule log, and celebrate the joy of the Sun (the God) being reborn. Scott Cunningham writes, "To contemporary Wiccans, it is a reminder that the ultimate product of death is rebirth..."

Imbolc (or Groundhog Day to some) is on Feb 2nd. This marks the day that the Goddess has now recovered from giving birth to the God at Yule. This is the time of new beginnings. Plants begin to sprout, and dedicants are traditionally initiated into the coven (or self-initiations could be at this time too if you are going the Solitary route).

Around March 21st is Ostara (or Easter to non-Wiccans). This is the "official" first day of spring (although, I live in Ontario, so sometimes it sure as heck doesn't feel like springtime). Days and nights are now equal in length, as the Goddess "jumps out of bed" and the God is growing into a mature being. This is a good time to tend to your magickal garden, or cast spells, as this is the time for both beginnings and action.

Beltane is celebrated on April 30th. This is the moment when the God has finally reached manhood and falls inlove with the Goddess. They unite and she becomes pregnant of him (this is by no means incest... this is strictly symbolism of the wheel's cycle, of birth, death, and rebirth.) Fertility rituals and spells are performed at this time.

Litha, or Midsummer, falls on the Summer Solstice (around June 21st). This is when Nature is most abundant. Litha is the perfect time to do rituals for love, healing, fertility, as well as any spell workings. This is when my husband and I were married. Well, it wasn't on the exact day, but we got the closest weekend day that we could to it (although we did not intentionally do this though... have it on Litha... it just happened that way).

August 1st is Lughnasadh.This is the time when the first harvest is ready. The God is now slowly dying, which saddens the Goddes. But she is also joyed as she is pregnant with him also. Lughnasadh is a time to remember that nothing really ever stays the same... Everything has it's own cycle, constantly evolving.

Around Sept 21st is Mabon, or the Autumn Equinox. This marks the last day of harvest. Nature is now preparing herself for the cold winter ahead. The God prepares for his death, but is also preparing for his rebirth.

And that is the Wheel of the Year in a nutshell. As Witch's, honouring the Sabbats as well as the Esbats (full moon rituals) is an important part of our beliefs, just as it is important for Christians to celebrate Christmas and Easter, or for the Jewish to celebrate Hannuka, or for Baha'i's to celebrate Ayami'ha or Naw Ruz... the list goes on, but you catch my drift.