 |
| The Wheel Of The Year |
| ABOUT DEC 20th - 21st |
| FEB 1st |
| ABOUT MARCH 21st |
| MAY 1st |
| ABOUT JUNE 21st |
| AUGUST 1st |
| ABOUT SEPT 1st |
| OCTOBER 31st |
| WE HAVE A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH MOTHER EARTH, AND PAGANS ALL OVER THE WORLD HONOUR THIS RELATIONSHIP BY CELEBRATING SABBATS AND ESBATS. EACH PATH AND EACH INDIVIDUAL MAY DO THIS DIFFERENTLY, BUT WHETHER WE HOLD ELABORATE RITUALS OR SIMPLY GIVE THANKS FOR THE TURNING OF THE WHEEL, WE ALL CELEBRATE IN OUR OWN WAY. |
| BECAUSE OF THESE VAST DIFFERENCES, I WILL NOT PUT HERE RITUALS AND SUCH (I DO NOT CELEBRATE THAT WAY) BUT JUST PLACE HERE THE MEANINGS OF THE SABBATS AND A LIST OF THE ESBATS AND FULL MOON NAMES OF EACH MONTH. I DO NOT WANT TO PLACE ANY INFORMATION HERE THAT I AM NOT SURE OF, SO THIS WILL BE BASIC INDEED. STILL, I HOPE YOU FIND WHAT INFORMATION IS HERE TO BE OF SOME USE TO YOUR QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE. BLESSINGS. |
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| October 31st ~ A time when the veil between the worlds of the spirit and physical is most thinnest. This is the Witch's New Year, and we honour our ancestors, and the wise ones that have come before us. Also it is a time for reflection ~ of looking back over the year past and meditating on all we have achieved ~ but also accepting our failures too. We light candles to help guide the Souls of the dead to the next plane, leave food outside for nourishment for their journey, and bury apples in the garden for their travels. Black candles are lit to ward of evil and negativity, and orange candles for good luck. Superstition says that baking bread will encourage bad luck into the home, and nor should one travel after sunset. Hold a black and orange candle ~ one in each hand, stand before a mirror allowing the light of the candles to cover your reflection. Make a wish , and ask your ancestors to guide you in fulfilling your dreams |
| SAMHAIN / HALLOWEEN / ALL HALLOWS EVE INCENSE ASSOCIATIONS: APPLE MINT SAGE NUTMEG COLOUR ASSOCIATIONS: BLACK ORANGE GEMSTONES ASSOCIATIONS: ALL BLACK GEMS, INCLUDING: ONYX JET |
| WINTER SOLSTICE / YULE INCENSE ASSOCIATIONS: ROSEMARY PINE CEDAR COLOUR ASSOCIATIONS: GREEN RED GOLD WHITE GEMSTONES ASSOCIATIONS: RED STONES INCLUDING: RUBY, ALSO ROSE QUARTZ |
| From December 21st through to 31st ~ encompassing the shortest day of the year and the longest night. During this Sabbat we celebrate love, family, family togetherness, and unity. We think on the past year's accomplishments. A yule log is burned ~ it should be Oak, and must be lit with the remnant of the previous years yule log. The remnant of the log is kept each year, protecting the home and the family that dwells within. This festival is also the Celtic New Year, and red candles are lit to represent an ensurance of wealth and also happiness throughout the coming year. |
| CANDLEMAS / IMBOLC INCENSE ASSOCIATIONS: BASIL COLOUR ASSOCIATIONS: PINKS RED BROWN GEMSTONES ASSOCIATIONS: AMETHYST BUT ALSO ONYX AND GARNET |
| February 2nd ~ This Sabbat marks a time when we welcome and celebrate the coming of Spring. It's a festival that celebrates fertility and light, but also new beginnings and self (or spiritual) growth. The besom is used as a symbol of sweeping out the old to make room for the new, and we make time to dwell on self-dedication. If it snows at this time, go outside at the first light of dawn and draw an image in the snow with a fallen branch. The image you trace in the freshly laid snow should be of the sun ~ to welcome the light and joy to your life. When indoors, on the eve of IMBOLC, light a candle in every window of the home as a welcome and to bring good wishes. |
| SPRING EQUINOX / OSTARA INCENSE ASSOCIATIONS: JASMINE ROSE SAGE COLOUR ASSOCIATIONS: PALE GREENS PINKS AND YELLOWS, GOLD GEMSTONES ASSOCIATIONS: JASPER BLOODSTONE AMETHYST |
| March 21st ~ Marking the first day of spring. Known by almost every religion and path as a time for new beginnings and rebirth. The night and day are of equal length, and so now is a time of balance, and for long-term plans ~ for making plans and magick now that will come to fruition in the future. Also known as the VERNAL EQUINOX and the FESTIVAL OF TREES. Many paint eggs and place on their altar as magickal talismans, and also tread carefully through meadows to harvest wild flowers (when taking anything from nature, please ask permission, take only what you need, and leave a token of thanks). Noting carefully the plants you have chosen to pick will reflect upon your inner thoughts and desires, by arranging them by magickal properties. |
| BELTANE / MAYDAY INCENSE ASSOCIATIONS: LILAC ROSE (SOMETIMES FRANKINCENSE) COLOUR ASSOCIATIONS: DARK HUES OF GREEN GEMSTONES ASSOCIATIONS: ALL DARK GREEN STONES |
| May 1st ~ traditionally a fertility festival. As with SAMHAIN, this is a time where the two worlds between the living and dead is breached, so acts of joy and hi-jinks are apparent with carnivals and fayres. These festivals are to show our appreciation of the warmer weather and enjoyment of the world around us. This signifies the beginning of Summer, and flower petals are strewn about the house for good luck and to welcome warmth and emotion of this season into our homes. This is also a time to celebrate unions and marriage. |
| MIDSUMMER / SUMMER SOLSTICE INCENSE ASSOCIATIONS: ROSE LEMON MYRHH COLOUR ASSOCIATIONS: BLUE GREEN GOLD RED GEMSTONES ASSOCIATIONS: ALL GREEN GEMS INCLUDING: JADE AND EMERALD |
| June 21st ~ the longest day of the year. A classic time for magickal workings of all kinds. It is believed that whatever you dream of on this night will come true. It is a celebration of passion, sexual love, and success. Also, at MIDSUMMER, for just a few days the sun appears to be at a standstill ~ setting in the same place in the evening sky each day. Many Pagans keep vigil on the night of June 21st, leaving their homes at dusk to travel to a place that is sacred to them, and awaiting the sunrise to welcome the dawn. |
| LAMMAS / LUGHNASADH INCENSE ASSOCIATIONS: ROSE SANDALWOOD COLOUR ASSOCIATIONS: ORANGE YELLOW GEMSTONES ASSOCIATIONS: CITRINE PERIDOT AVENTURINE |
| August 2nd ~ the sun rises firther in the south each day, and the nights start to lengthen. LAMMAS is the festival of the harvest, but specifically grain. Many traditions weave corn dollies, brooms and wreaths with corn stalks ~ these corn dollies are used as a symbolic sacrifice of the corn to assure a good harvest the coming year, and so is for the good of the community. We are reminded as the season changes, that nothing is constant. |
| AUTUMN EQUINOX / MABON INCENSE ASSOCIATIONS: SAGE MYRHH COLOUR ASSOCIATIONS: AUTUMNAL COLOURS: BROWN GREEN ORANGE YELLOW GEMSTONES ASSOCIATIONS: LAPIS LAZULI SAPPHIRE YELLOW AGATE |
| September 21st ~ whereas LAMMAS signifies the first harvest, MABON marks the completion of the harvest. A time for giving thanks for the bounty, but also for meditation. Stones that were gathered from the beds of streams and rivers are now empowered for use in magickal and spell workings. Now is the time for the herb harvest, to collect and dry herbs (seeds, flowers, root, leaves, bark) to not only decorate the home, but also to be saved and stored for use in magickal workings during the winter months when the herbs may be scarce. |
| (ESBATS FURTHER DOWN THE PAGE) |
| SABBATS |
| ESBATS |
| THE MOON IS VERY IMPORTANT TO WITCHES ~ AS IT WAS TO OUR ANCESTORS ALSO. IT CHANGES THE TIDES OF THE FLOWING AND EBBING SEAS, BUT IT ALSO AFFECTS OUR BODIES AND SOULS. EACH FULL MOON WE HONOUR THE GODDESS ~ HOWEVER WE PERCIEVE HER ~ AS A DEITY FIGUREHEAD, OR THE GODDESS WITHIN OURSELVES. ESBATS ARE PERFORMED AND CELEBRATED DURING THE FULL MOON, FOR THIS IS WHEN THE MOON'S LUNAR ENERGY IS AT THE PEAK OF ITS CYCLE ~ WHEN IT IS STRONGEST. DUE TO HOW THE EARTH TURNS AND REVOLVES THERE ARE THIRTEEN FULL MOONS, ONE EVERY 28 AND 1 QUARTER DAYS. EACH FULL MOON CARRIES A TRADITIONAL NAME, THOUGH THESE NAMES MAY VARY AND CHANGE WITHIN EACH TRADITION OR PATH. THE NAMES GIVEN HERE ARE 'FOLK' NAMES ~ OR OLD TRADITIONAL, WITH EACH NAME BEING GIVEN TO THE FULL MOON MAINLY BECAUSE OF HOW OUR ANCESTORS LIVED, WORKED AND DIED. |
| JANUARY ~ WOLF MOON SYMBOLISING ~ PROTECTION AND STRENGTH |
| The Moon of Winter. Winter was a harsh time for not only our ancestors, but for the wild animals too. Wolves would start to gather around villages and encampments, foraging for food, and putting fear in the hearts of man. This is a time for quiet contemplation, but mostly for protecting our families and friends, and for building reserves of strength for the times ahead. |
| FEBRUARY ~ CHASTE MOON SYMBOLISING ~ FERTILITY AND STRENGTH |
| As the moon shifts, the seeds hidden under the cold, hard ground begin to awaken. It seems as though Nature herself is just waiting for the right moment to show herself. On this night, we light a candle and meditate ~ reflecting upon the future, and plan magick for renewal and cleansing |
| MARCH ~ SEED MOON SYMBOLISING ~ SPIRITUALITY, SUCCESS, AND SEEDS OF PLANTS, FRUIT AND VEGETABLES |
| The Vernal Equinox approaches, seeds are planted and seedlings nourished with care. Now is the time when our ancestors would have to plant seeds to ensure a successful harvest ~ and we also plant spiritual seeds. All seeds need to be visualised to growing strong and healthy. On this night, we perform magickal workings for success and growth ~ spiritual growth. |
| APRIL ~ HARE MOON SYMBOLISING ~ FERTILITY, GROWTH AND WISDOM |
| This season is the time of the mating ritual of the hare ~ which symbolised fertility for our ancestors. So, this is a time that represents fertility, and the time for planting has come: and showing us that the eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is eternal. Now is a time for growth, for realising and putting into action the fruits of our knowledge and wisdom, but also a time for magickal workings of love. |
| MAY ~ DRYAD / FAERIE MOON SYMBOLISING ~ WISDOM, LOVE, AND GOOD HEALTH |
| The pull of opposites is at its most powerful ~ now is a time for sorting out our differences and making decisions. Also a time for hard work to realise our dreams and aspirations. A time for unions, breaking bad habits, learning new things. In times of old, people would notice faerie-rings hidden in the grass, and know that faeries would be hidden close by ~ faerie magick is strongest now, and some people may use this knowledge to strengthen their own magick ~ others are wary of the little tricks that faeries can play (all faeries like to have fun) |
| JUNE ~ MEAD MOON SYMBOLISING ~ MARRIAGE, LOVE, ROMANCE, ABUNDANCE, SUCCESS, HEALTH |
| The bees have finished flitting from flower to flower, gathering their harvest, and now is the time for us to gather the flowers to make mead wine for the following year. On the night of the full moon, drink a toast to honour the ancients, with the previous years' made mead wine. We not only pick flowers at this time to make the wine, but also for drying and storing, so we may use them throughout the year in magickal workings. |
| JULY ~ HERB MOON SYMBOLISING ~ MAGICKAL POTENCY, STRENGTH, HEALTH, HERB HARVEST |
| The time of the Herb harvest, but also to give thanks to the spirits of nature and garden. Give thanks to the bounty we recieve from nature ~ place an offering in the garden to symbolise the thankfulness you feel...perhaps a new plant or bury a token of thanks in the earth. This may also be reciprocated, by drawing good luck into the home. Now is a good time for brewing the mead wine ~ any brewing. |
| AUGUST ~ BARLEY MOON SYMBOLISING ~ GRAIN HARVEST, GOOD HEALTH, FERTILITY, MARRIAGE AND BOUNTY |
| Now is the time to harvest the grain planted in March ~ including the grain and plant of the Barley. Magickally it represents a harvesting of the fruits of your labour. It is a good time for spells involving desire ~ but also a time for contemplation rebirth (when we eat what we have harvested, we celebrate and acknowledge the cycle of birth, death and rebirth) |
| SEPTEMBER ~ WINE MOON SYMBOLISING ~ PROTECTION, CONFIDENCE, THE FRUIT AND GRAPE HARVEST |
| A celebration of the 'wine of life'. A time to toast family and friends and give thanks for the relationships and love we share with them. It is also a time to accept that our goals and dreams may change because of our growing and changing spirit. Further contemplation may be done by the light of the full moon, as you try to capture the reflection of the moon on the surface of a glass of wine. The wineglass should not contain lead, and would preferably be silver or pewter. We harvest the fruits we need to make wine, using the previous years harvest and wine, if we can, in rituals and giving thanks. |
| OCTOBER ~ BLOOD MOON SYMBOLISING ~ REMEMBRANCE, PROTECTION, STABILITY |
| Some say that this is called the blood moon because our ancestors slaughtered animals during this time, using the hides for warmth, and 'harvesting' the meat for use during the winter months. Others believe that we call this Blood Moon because it is the time of year when the moon appears to become blood red on many evenings, and the sunsets are much more red and deeper. Our ancestors (and we still do so now) use this as a time for the final harvest. Now is a time for reflection, for placing your life and self in order. A time for reminiscing ~ especially about our lost loved ones, and honouring them. |
| NOVEMBER ~ SNOW MOON SYMBOLISING ~ HOPE, PROTECTION, WARMTH, HEALING |
| The year and the world has become silent ~ the warmer times are at an end and the dark is still ahead. Now it is of the utmost importance to provide warmth for our loved ones. It is also a time of spirit; to search within ~ take care of oneself so we are able to care for others. Our ancestors had much time to contemplate on these things as the nights drew in and daylight hours were shorter. They needed to protect their families against the cold, the snow and the weather...but also the knowledge that they may have to put their lives in order in case they suffered so badly in the winter months that they could not take care of their families. |
| DECEMBER ~ OAK MOON SYMBOLISING ~ GOOD WILL, OAK (YULE LOG), PEACE, PROTECTION, AND LOVE |
| The branches of the oak reach strongly upwards, and the roots are growing just as strongly beneath the ground ~ the oak symbolises a both worlds ~ the earthly and the spiritual. This reminds us that there is more around us than what we just see with our eyes, and we should look beyond the physical world for answers. Now is the time to strengthen relationships, build the yule log fires, and bestow gifts. In the time of our ancestors, this time of year was full of scarcity, so any gift would be precious and special. The Oak was the chosen fuel for many fires. |
| BLUE MOON / WITCHES MOON |
| This occurs when a month has two Full Moons occuring within it. The second, or latter one, is called BLUE or WITCHES MOON. This is considered a time when the strength and power of our magickal workings is increased, and all Witches must use their energies wisely and with care. |
| HARVEST MOON |
| This is a name given to the Full Moon that falls closest to MABON, and farmers used the light of the Moon to toil and harvest late into the night. Others also say that a Harvest Moon is when the Moon lay heavy and huge in the sky, and is the colour of the cornfields before harvest. |
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