Wheel of the Year

[Zili]

The wheel of the year is comprised of 8 Sabbats/festivals/holidays; Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasadh, Mabon, and Samhain. These Sabbats are dispersed throughout the calendar at approximately even intervals.



Yule- December 20-23

Imbolc- February 2

Ostara- March 19-22

Beltane- May 1

Midsummer- June 19-23

Lughnasadh- August 1

Mabon- September 21-24

Samhain- November 1

Some of these festivals are celebrated on different days by different people some prefer the old calendar to the modern calendar.



Yule is the Winter Solstice we celebrate the light to come as the days will now gradually become longer and nights shorter, we also give thanks to night gods and goddesses for their parts during the fall and winter seasons. Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, Triple Goddesses, and new born deities are celebrated and worshiped. Symbols include the traditional Yule log, in some traditions the trunk of the decorated tree was burned the following year and this served as the Yule log, other symbols are wreaths, holly, mistletoe, gold candles, wassail, these are common symbols used in Christian homes for Christmas, the Christian’s holiday that coincides with Yule. When converting Pagans to Christian beliefs it was best to show them similarities between the two religions rather than the differences in some cases. Herbs to use during Yule time rituals are bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar. It is best to work these kinds of spells during Yule, peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness.

Imbolc known to non Pagans as “Groundhog Day,” however Imbolc is, for us, a time to bless the seeds, tools, and all that which is associated with planting the new crops and herd animals first offspring of the year. In this festival we celebrate the Maiden. Wheat stocks are fashioned into Brighid’s Crosses, symbols of protection and prosperity. During this time hearth fires are put out and relit. Place a besom by the front door; this is to symbolize sweeping out the old and making room for the new in a welcoming gesture. Candles are lit to honor the rebirth of the sun. Virgin and Maiden goddesses, Brighid, and Gods/Goddesses of Love and Fertility are celebrated during this time. Symbols are besoms, white flowers (a sign of purity and hope) Candle Wheels, Brighid’s cross, and ploughs. Herbs to be used during this holiday are angelica, basil, bay laurel, blackberry, celandine, coltsfoot, , iris, myrrh tansy, violets and all yellow/white flowers.



Ostara is seen as the marriage of the God to the Goddess, the symbols are very common to young children especially those who grew up in Christian homes for the holiday Easter. The symbols of Ostara are eggs and rabbits, both are symbols of fertility. The best herbs and flowers to use during this tie are daffodil, jonquils, woodruff, violet, gorse, olive, peony, iris, narcissus and all spring flowers.



Beltane is one of my favorites and very sacred. This festival has a great emphasis on fertility. This holiday is celebrated on May 1st or by some pagans on the eve of Beltane starting April 30th. Beltane means “Fire of Bel” coming from the name Belinos which is one of many names for the Sun God. Traditionally for those of the Celtic path this was a time of sexuality and many times “year and a day” marriages were performed on this night, however not many of these hand fastings are done on this holiday anymore (many choosing Samhain believing this holiday on Halloween is like the “pagan new year.”) On this holiday we celebrate the Goddess becoming pregnant by the God.



Litha also known as Midsummer is the opposite of Yule, June 21st is the longest day of the year. We celebrate Light. Christians have made this their feast day of St. John the Baptist some portraying him with horns and hooves like the Greek God Pan or the Celtic God Cernunnos. This holiday is also very important to those of the fairy faith. Herbs and flowers associated with this holiday are mugwort, vervain, chamomile, rose, honeysuckle, lily, oak, lavender, ivy, yarrow, fern, elder, wild thyme, daisy, and carnation.



Lughnasadh also known as Lammas is the celebration of the first harvest of the year. Lughnasadh means the funeral games of Lugh (Loo.) These games are for the sun god’s foster mother. Lammas is the Christian term meaning “loaf-mass” and fresh baked loaves are placed on the altar. All grains, grapes, , blackberries, sloe, crab apples, and pears are used during this festival.



Mabon, the time in which our first round of students here at EUTM started their lessons, celebrates the second harvest on September 21st. We thank our sun Gods for their light and give respect for the gods of night and darkness as they begin their reign. Symbols of Mabon include the following: wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty. Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, solomon's seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables are the herbs of Mabon. It is best to work spells of protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence, also those of harmony and balance.



Samhain (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin) is generally celebrated on October 31st. Many countries and traditions have celebrated this as the festival of the dead the two most famous being Celtic traditions and Mexico (Day of the Dead or “Día de los Muertos.”) Symbols of Samhain are gourds, apples, black cats, jack-o-lanterns, and besoms. Herbs of Samhain are mugwort, allspice, broom tops, catnip, deadly nightshade (belladonna), mandrake, oak leaves, sage and straw.

***Note the list of symbols and herbs associated with each festival/holiday were listed on htt://www.wicca.com*** Other information seen here has been gathered from this site, and several others, along with books and personal knowledge each stating the same or a similar version.



For fun:

1) Name 5 different Sun Gods

2) Name 5 different Moon Goddesses

3) Name 5 Mother Goddesses

4) Choose 5 different Gods and name the Festivals/Holidays with which they are associated

5) Choose 5 different Goddesses and name the Festivals/Holidays with which they are associated