Wheel of the Year

The Wheel of the Year

Together with the thirteen lunar months (marked by esbats at each full moon), the Pagan year is also marked by eight sabbats. These, like the attributes of each lunar month, run in harmony with the natural cycles of the earth, as you shall see from the details given below.

Although some choose to celebrate Samhaine as the new year, in truth the wheel of the year is just that; a wheel. It has no beginning, and no end, but is merely a constant and universal symbol of the natural cycles of birth, death and rebirth. Equally, the dates I have given are the generally accepted approximate dates. It's a question of using intuition and common sense, however, as an appropriate Moon within a few days of the date is obviously a better time to honour the festival and, as you grow more attuned with the cycle, you will begin to sense intuitively when is the right time to be celebrating. Remember, in olden days these festivals lasted for several days at a time, and so dates adhered to today may never be more than a guideline.

You may begin to notice quite some similarities between these ancient Pagan festivals, and modern day Christian celebrations. This, of course, is no coincidence, as the Christian church absorbed much of our customs and Deities into their faith in one form or another by way of an attempt to eradicate the need for Paganism. Sadly, whilst this means that the customs live on in a more global manner than they may otherwise have done, it also means that much of the original intentions behind them are lost to so many. Work is being done to try and return the Christian church to at least some of it's original truth, so I can only hope that this loss will be rectified in time.

What follows is a brief description of each of the eight sabbats, together with a little information of the customs associated with each. As with all Pagan practises, how you personally choose to mark each festival is entirely up to you, as we all worship in our own individual way.

As I have to start the details somewhere, I have chosen to start at Samhaine...

Samhaine Yule Imbolc
Ostara Beltane Litha
Lughnassadh Mabon

Samhaine - 31 October

AKA Feast of the Dead, All Hallow's Eve, Witches' New Year, Hallowe'en (in Christianity).

Significance This time of year signifies the end of the summer, and is a time to honour the dead and bid a temporary farewell to the God until he is reborn of the Goddess again at Yule. Samhaine is often viewed as the new year, although the nature of the wheel is such that there is technically no beginning or end to the cycle.

Customs Candles are lit, and cakes and wine (or sometimes a full meal) are left out as an offering to the dead. Time is often spent in meditation or ritual to honour the dead, and send blessings to those who have gone before you. This is a time of reflection, and many take time to think back on what the past turn of the year has brought for them, and how they have grown from the events from this time.

Decorations Traditional altar dressings for this time include autumn leaves, apples and pumpkins. The pumpkin lanterns associated with Samhaine are carved to scare evil spirits from the area and protect your home and family.

Herbs Apple, thistle, chrysanthemum, broom, oak leaves, sage.

Incense Apple, nutmeg, mint, sage.

Colours Black, red, orange.

Yule - 21 December

AKA Winter Solstice, Christmas (in Christianity).

Significance The celebration of renewal and rebirth during winter, Yule is the shorted day of the year; the time in the wheel when the Sun God is reborn of the Goddess, marking the return of the sun and the lengthening of days.

Customs Candles and fires are lit and trees are decorated to welcome the return of the sun. Traditionally, the sacred Yule log is burnt upon the fire at this time, although modern day restrictions mean that many now carve holes into their Yule log to place candles in it to symbolize the welcoming fire.

Decorations Oak or pine Yule log, candles, holly, mistletoe, wreaths, strings of dried flowers and/or fruits, Yule tree.

Herbs Holly, mistletoe, rosemary, oak, pine cones.

Incense Pine, cedar, rosemary, juniper.

Colours Red, green, white, gold, silver.

Imbolc - 1 February

AKA Festival of Lights, Feast of Torches, Brigid's Day, Candlemas (in Christianity).

Significance Imbolc marks the lengthening of days and light, encouraging the renewal and growth of the Sun.

Customs A time of purification, this is the traditional time for initiations into covens and groves, self dedication and renewing your dedication to your faith/path. Candles and lamps are often placed in every room to encourage the return of the Sun.

Decorations Seeds for planting are placed on the altar to receive blessings. Evergreens and candles decorate the altar.

Herbs Bay, heather, first flowers of the year

Incense Rosemary, cinnamon, wisteria, frankincense, myrrh

Colours White, green, blue, orange, red.

Ostara - 21 March

AKA Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox, Easter (in Christianity)

Significance The first day of Spring, this is a time when the light of day and darkness of light are equal. The Earth is charged with the fertility of the Goddess, and the mating of the (now adult) God and Goddess compels all in nature to do the same.

Customs A time for new beginnings, this is also the time to recognize and release that which is holding you back. Traditionally, this is a time of year to go for a wander through forests and gardens; to appreciate and celebrate nature.

Decorations Potted plants and other greenery and life are used to decorate the altar. A cauldron or bonfire is traditionally lit at this time also. Mirrors are displayed to reflect the new life. Eggs are boiled and decorated with paints to symbolize fertility. Images of hares are also used. Both the eggs and the hare are representations of Oestre, the Goddess who's name is taken for the term Easter, and from whom the custom of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny derive.

Herbs All spring flowers.

Incense Jasmine, rose, strawberry.

Colours White, green, yellow.

Beltane - 1 May

AKA May Day

Significance A time of fertility, when the Goddess becomes impregnated by the God.

Customs The fertility of the Goddess is celebrated in ritual and feasting. A joyful dance of life is weaved deosil about the May pole by the young women and girls of the community, symbolically weaving life around the phallus of the God. In olden times, this was marked instead by the Great Rite, but as the Christians took hold of Pagan rites, this watered down version was created so the Pagan custom could be continued. Wearing a wreath of flowers upon your head is also traditional.

Decorations Homes are decorated with flowers, branches and greenery. Fresh flowers are placed in the cauldron to represent new life in the womb of the Mother.

Herbs Honeysuckle, St John's Wort, hawthorne, all flowers.

Incense Frankincense, lilac, rose

Colours White, green, soft pink, blue, yellow.

Litha - 21 July

AKA Summer Solstice, Midsummer.

Significance With the powers of nature at their peak, this is a great time for magic of all kinds, when the Earth is saturated with the fertility of the God and Goddess.

Customs Bonfires are leapt over to encourage fertility, purification, health and love. Cauldron fires to represent the Sun are lit and mirrors used to capture the fire/Sun.

Decorations Altars are decorated with a ring of flowers around the cauldron, with the athame placed inside the cauldron as a symbol of the union of the God (represented by the athame) with the Goddess (represented by the cauldron).

Herbs Lavender, camomile, rose.

Incense Frankincense, lemon, rose, wisteria, lavender

Colours White, blue, green, yellow.

Lughnassadh - 1 August

AKA Lammas, Feast of Bread, Cornucopia, Thingtide.

Significance Time of the first harvest, and a time to give thanks to the God and Goddess for the bounty they have given us. Also a time to see what, if anything, needs doing to ensure the second harvest is fruitful. As the day's light grows shorter, so the Sun God slowly begins to lose his strength.

Customs Special breads are made to eat, with pieces being thrown on the fire as an offering. This is the time to celebrate the warmth of the sun, and the bounty of the harvest in the food given to us as Summer draws to an end.

Decorations Corn dollies are made in the shape of the God and Goddess to bless the house and watch over it through the winter months ahead. The fruits of the harvest are used to adorn the altar, together with wreaths and dollies of corn.

Herbs Heather, blackberry, sunflower.

Incense Sandalwood, aloe, rose.

Colours Red, orange, yellow, green, brown.

Mabon - 21 September

AKA Autumn Equinox, Winter Finding.

Significance The second harvest festival, the days and nights are again equal. The God prepares for his temporary slumber, as nature prepares for winter.

Customs As with each turn of the wheel, this is a good time to wander through the countryside and attune with nature. A time to think upon what you have gained from the year and give thanks for all you have been given.

Decorations Altars are decorated with all things autumnal. These may include the fallen leaves in their boundless variety of colours and shapes, acorns, pine cones, apples, etc.

Herbs Sage, oak.

Incense Myrrh, sage, pine

Colours Red, brown, orange, yellow.

*AKA*	Feast of the Dead, All Hallow's Eve, Witches' New Year, Hallowe'en (in Christianity).
*Significance*	This time of year signifies the end of the summer, and is a time to honour the dead and bid a temporary farewell to the God until he is reborn of the Goddess again at Yule. Samhaine is often viewed as the new year, although the nature of the wheel is such that there is technically no beginning or end to the cycle.
*Customs*	Candles are lit, and cakes and wine (or sometimes a full meal) are left out as an offering to the dead. Time is often spent in meditation or ritual to honour the dead, and send blessings to those who have gone before you. This is a time of reflection, and many take time to think back on what the past turn of the year has brought for them, and how they have grown from the events from this time.
*Decorations*	Traditional altar dressings for this time include autumn leaves, apples and pumpkins. The pumpkin lanterns associated with Samhaine are carved to scare evil spirits from the area and protect your home and family.
*Herbs*	Apple, thistle, chrysanthemum, broom, oak leaves, sage.
*Incense*	Apple, nutmeg, mint, sage.
*Colours*	Black, red, orange.

*AKA*	Winter Solstice, Christmas (in Christianity).
*Significance*	The celebration of renewal and rebirth during winter, Yule is the shorted day of the year; the time in the wheel when the Sun God is reborn of the Goddess, marking the return of the sun and the lengthening of days.
*Customs*	Candles and fires are lit and trees are decorated to welcome the return of the sun. Traditionally, the sacred Yule log is burnt upon the fire at this time, although modern day restrictions mean that many now carve holes into their Yule log to place candles in it to symbolize the welcoming fire.
*Decorations*	Oak or pine Yule log, candles, holly, mistletoe, wreaths, strings of dried flowers and/or fruits, Yule tree.
*Herbs*	Holly, mistletoe, rosemary, oak, pine cones.
*Incense*	Pine, cedar, rosemary, juniper.
*Colours*	Red, green, white, gold, silver.

*AKA*	Festival of Lights, Feast of Torches, Brigid's Day, Candlemas (in Christianity).
*Significance*	Imbolc marks the lengthening of days and light, encouraging the renewal and growth of the Sun.
*Customs*	A time of purification, this is the traditional time for initiations into covens and groves, self dedication and renewing your dedication to your faith/path. Candles and lamps are often placed in every room to encourage the return of the Sun.
*Decorations*	Seeds for planting are placed on the altar to receive blessings. Evergreens and candles decorate the altar.
*Herbs*	Bay, heather, first flowers of the year
*Incense*	Rosemary, cinnamon, wisteria, frankincense, myrrh
*Colours*	White, green, blue, orange, red.

*AKA*	Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox, Easter (in Christianity)
*Significance*	The first day of Spring, this is a time when the light of day and darkness of light are equal. The Earth is charged with the fertility of the Goddess, and the mating of the (now adult) God and Goddess compels all in nature to do the same.
*Customs*	A time for new beginnings, this is also the time to recognize and release that which is holding you back. Traditionally, this is a time of year to go for a wander through forests and gardens; to appreciate and celebrate nature.
*Decorations*	Potted plants and other greenery and life are used to decorate the altar. A cauldron or bonfire is traditionally lit at this time also. Mirrors are displayed to reflect the new life. Eggs are boiled and decorated with paints to symbolize fertility. Images of hares are also used. Both the eggs and the hare are representations of Oestre, the Goddess who's name is taken for the term Easter, and from whom the custom of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny derive.
*Herbs*	All spring flowers.
*Incense*	Jasmine, rose, strawberry.
*Colours*	White, green, yellow.

*AKA*	May Day
*Significance*	A time of fertility, when the Goddess becomes impregnated by the God.
*Customs*	The fertility of the Goddess is celebrated in ritual and feasting. A joyful dance of life is weaved deosil about the May pole by the young women and girls of the community, symbolically weaving life around the phallus of the God. In olden times, this was marked instead by the Great Rite, but as the Christians took hold of Pagan rites, this watered down version was created so the Pagan custom could be continued. Wearing a wreath of flowers upon your head is also traditional.
*Decorations*	Homes are decorated with flowers, branches and greenery. Fresh flowers are placed in the cauldron to represent new life in the womb of the Mother.
*Herbs*	Honeysuckle, St John's Wort, hawthorne, all flowers.
*Incense*	Frankincense, lilac, rose
*Colours*	White, green, soft pink, blue, yellow.

*AKA*	Summer Solstice, Midsummer.
*Significance*	With the powers of nature at their peak, this is a great time for magic of all kinds, when the Earth is saturated with the fertility of the God and Goddess.
*Customs*	Bonfires are leapt over to encourage fertility, purification, health and love. Cauldron fires to represent the Sun are lit and mirrors used to capture the fire/Sun.
*Decorations*	Altars are decorated with a ring of flowers around the cauldron, with the athame placed inside the cauldron as a symbol of the union of the God (represented by the athame) with the Goddess (represented by the cauldron).
*Herbs*	Lavender, camomile, rose.
*Incense*	Frankincense, lemon, rose, wisteria, lavender
*Colours*	White, blue, green, yellow.

*AKA*	Lammas, Feast of Bread, Cornucopia, Thingtide.
*Significance*	Time of the first harvest, and a time to give thanks to the God and Goddess for the bounty they have given us. Also a time to see what, if anything, needs doing to ensure the second harvest is fruitful. As the day's light grows shorter, so the Sun God slowly begins to lose his strength.
*Customs*	Special breads are made to eat, with pieces being thrown on the fire as an offering. This is the time to celebrate the warmth of the sun, and the bounty of the harvest in the food given to us as Summer draws to an end.
*Decorations*	Corn dollies are made in the shape of the God and Goddess to bless the house and watch over it through the winter months ahead. The fruits of the harvest are used to adorn the altar, together with wreaths and dollies of corn.
*Herbs*	Heather, blackberry, sunflower.
*Incense*	Sandalwood, aloe, rose.
*Colours*	Red, orange, yellow, green, brown.

*AKA*	Autumn Equinox, Winter Finding.
*Significance*	The second harvest festival, the days and nights are again equal. The God prepares for his temporary slumber, as nature prepares for winter.
*Customs*	As with each turn of the wheel, this is a good time to wander through the countryside and attune with nature. A time to think upon what you have gained from the year and give thanks for all you have been given.
*Decorations*	Altars are decorated with all things autumnal. These may include the fallen leaves in their boundless variety of colours and shapes, acorns, pine cones, apples, etc.
*Herbs*	Sage, oak.
*Incense*	Myrrh, sage, pine
*Colours*	Red, brown, orange, yellow.